Good News, Bad News

Good morning and welcome to “good news/bad news.” I just read some great news regarding stem cells and muscle growth.  Apparently, injecting injured mice with with stem cells proved to make their muscles grow back twice as big in just a matter of days and those muscles stayed strong for the rest of their lives.  Stem cells are actually able to constantly renew themselves which makes them very unique.  They not only repaired the injury but caused the treated muscle to increase in size by 170%!!!  If this science also applies to humans, this will have a huge impact on not only injuries but also possibly diseases that cause muscles to atrophy, such as muscular dystrophy.  Between my work with both diseased and healthy muscle and my passion for making them bigger and stronger, this was the best news I have read in a long time!!  I do wonder how they will keep athletes and body building competitors honest, though…

Laptops users, beware…I have read about toasted leg syndrome, burning caused by sitting a laptop on ones thighs and now, more seriously, I have read that it can effect a man’s testicles.  OUCH

I recently heard about a local beauty salon that is considering no longer offering Brazilian hair straightening.  Apparently the people who provide this service are concerned about their health due to the formaldehyde contained in the product.  Newer versions, called Brazilian blowouts, claim to be free of formaldehyde but government tests reveal small amounts.  When researching this, I do see that customers have complained of nosebleeds, difficulty breathing, skin problems and burning eyes, the bigger risk is for the people that work at applying the product.  If you work in a hair salon, or have your own hair straightened with this “miracle” treatment, do some research and decide for yourself.  I DO know that EVERYONE I know who has this done to their hair is totally addicted to the beautiful results.  Perhaps it is time to bring back big hair?!?!

And here is a great tip I learned.  Put down the mace and pick up some wasp spray.  Inexpensive and easy to find, it sprays about 20 feet and will send an attacker blindly running to the hospital.  You can then call 911 and tell the police to arrest the man/woman at the hospital being treated for their burning eyes.  I will definitely be out looking for a can small enough to fit in my gym bag and definitely be putting one on the night table, as well.  I think I have read this before, but completely forgot about what a great idea it is.

Had the veggie burger at Bru’s room in Coral Springs last night.  The company was great but the burger was just fair.  Once again, I am ALWAYS thrilled to have it as a choice on the menu, so a not so great veggie burger is better than none.  Someone suggest I try one at Houston’s out on the water.  I’ll do it.  In the meantime, I still vote Big Bear Brewery’s the best, locally.  As a matter of fact, I was there eating one just last week with my “gym” girls and we ended up on NBC news.  Thanks, Erica, for sending me the clip!

If you have read anything today that might benefit someone else, please pass peaceandfitness.com on.  Perhaps someday we can help build a healthier, happier, world.  Whatever you do today, try to squeeze some fun in.  It is, after all, Friday and we only have ONE LIFE.  Act accordingly!