Diet & Fitness Blog

Labels: exercise, fun, music, workout

It takes hard work and dedication to achieve your goals. No one knows that more than the gang here at eDiets. So take a hilarious look at Staff Writer Shawn McKee as he trains hard and attempts to reach his ultimate dream: To be a champion.

See his grueling training routine, eating program and get a glimpse into what motivates him to strive for greatness. Inspirational, educational and perfectly ridiculous -- this is one video you absolutely must see.

Want more video content? Help Shawn reach his dreams and comment below.

Labels: career, fun, video

The classic early example is 1963's "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen. A few words are discernible, but in terms of what the ear hears, the first verse can be rendered as follows:

Louie, Louie, oh baby
Get a way da low.
Yah yah yah yah yah
Louie, Louie, woah baby
me gonna bo
Ah yah yah yah yah

After that, much of the tune is sung so mush-mouthed that it can barely be represented phonetically. Some say it's a result of releasing what was meant as a rehearsal run-through and braces on the lead singer's teeth. The best I can do is:

A fah, a fonah, a bah foh ba ga

But that's an extreme case. Much more common are tunes that are largely understandable, but with key phrases that can be easily misconstrued, sometimes in very amusing ways. Let's take a look at some of the best examples...

"Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix
Real lyric: 'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Commonly misheard as: 'Scuse me while I kiss this guy
(This is the classic misheard lyric, so I got it out of the way first. The list wouldn't be complete
without it.)

"Beast of Burden" by the Rolling Stones
Real lyric: I'll never be your beast of burden
Misheard as: I'll never leave your pizza burning
(Mick's heartfelt promise to Jerry Hall, a frozen pizza aficionado, no doubt. Moving, to be sure.
Unfortunately, he didn't promise not to toss her aside eventually like a worn-out toothbrush, though.)

"Born a Rebel" by Tom Petty
Real Lyric: Hey, hey, hey, I was born a rebel
Misheard as: Hey, hey, hey, I was Barney Rubble
(Barney Rubble was Fred Flintstone's sidekick, in case you need reminding.)

"Like a Virgin" by Madonna
Real lyric: Like a virgin, touched for the very first time
Misheard as: Like a virgin, touched for the 31st time
(Doesn't the misheard version seem more appropriate? This is Madonna we're talking about, after all.)

"Little Red Corvette" by Prince
Real lyric: Little red Corvette
Misheard as: Pay the rent, Claudette
(Prince hasn't needed anyone else to pay his rent from at least since this song came out. More's the irony.)

"Mrs. Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel
Real lyric: Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes/put it in the pantry with your cupcakes
Misheard as: Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes/put it in your pants between your cupcakes
(It's good to know I'm not the only one who stores snacks in his trousers to keep them handy, not to mention warm and moist!)

"Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera (or the Pointer Sisters)
Real lyric: Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Misheard as: Woolly bear could share a Big Mac, for sure!
(French and pop music just don't mix.)

"You're the One that I Want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Real lyric: I've got chills, they're multiplyin'/And I'm losing control
Misheard as: I've got shoes, they're made of plywood/And I'm losing my soles
(Grease may be the word, but apparently that's the only one we can be sure of.)

"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
Real lyric: That's me in the corner/That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion
Misheard as: That's me in the corner/That's me in the spotlight, losing my erection
(Why hasn't Cialis or Viagra picked up on this one for a commercial jingle yet?)

"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Real lyric: Don't go out tonight, it's bound to take your life/There's a bad moon on the rise
Misheard as: Don't go out tonight, it's bound to take your life/There's a bathroom on the right
(You're laughing at the idea of a lethal lavatory? Check out any service station or convenience store restroom if you doubt such a thing is possible.)

"Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John
Real Lyric: She's got electric boots, a mohair suit
Misheard as: She's got electric boobs, her mom has, too

Have any other "sing-along wrong" lyrics to add to the list? Join in on the fun and fess up!

Labels: fun, music

By Alex Lieber
eDiets Director of Content

It was just about a year ago today I was told that I might die at any moment.

A CAT scan of my chest showed something in my right lung -- a blood clot. In medical parlance, that's called a pulmonary embolism. In real life, that can mean an express ticket to the netherworld.

Obviously, it didn't kill me. And I won't keep you in suspense: it wasn't an embolism. I think, in fact, it was a gob of mustard, dropped from the doctor's sandwich onto the X-ray film as he was examining my innards. That's my theory to explain my two days of medically sanctioned torture.

How did this happen? I went to the hospital to get a pain in my chest checked out -- on the OTHER SIDE of my chest. I had banged it, and it was a little painful to breathe. I knew what it was. I figured they'd give me something to reduce the swelling and I'd be on my way.

To spell it out, I had a pain on the LEFT side I wanted checked out. The doctor said I had an embolism on the RIGHT side. (Guess which hand was holding the sandwich?)

He flew back to me, still chewing his sandwich, and blurted that I had to be admitted RIGHT NOW! Bits of turkey flew from his mouth to punctuate his seriousness.

Then the fun began.

He told a nurse to inject a blood thinner directly into my stomach. The nurse had dragon tattoos on her arm. I remember them vividly, because I clutched those tattoos as I went through the 10 most physically painful minutes of my life.

I was told I didn't have to worry about getting another shot for at least 24 hours.

All night long, all I could think about was that next shot. Not that I was allowed to sleep. Doctors mysteriously came and went during the night, asking strange questions. One remarked that I had rather large breasts for a man. Was I taking hormones, he asked.

I didn't realize it at the time, but each of these questions had a direct consequence for me. My breast-admiring doctor had ordered a test meant for women -- to see if I had female breast tissue. The nurses were giggling over that one while they did the test.

Test after test came back negative. The following day, one of the few sane doctors I talked to said he frankly didn't know why I was even in the hospital. I explained my mustard gob theory. I wish I could tell you he dismissed it on the spot -- but he just smiled as if to say he's heard stranger things happen.

Then Nurse Dragon Tattoo came in with my shot.

I was now in full revolt. Forget the shot. In fact, I was checking myself out. I gave them a deadline to remove the IV line from my arm or I'd do it myself right at the nurses' station. They complied, and I left the hospital with my story to tell about a phantom blood clot and a real mustard gob.

As I ponder the anniversary of this event, how many people out there have similar stories to tell?

Labels: fun, health

You may be trying to lose weight, but that's no reason to lose your sense of humor. After all, there have been jokes about healthy eating and fitness ever since people started dieting and joining gyms.

Some of these jokes have even become slightly annoying. If one more person tells me about the seafood diet (when they see food, they eat it), I may have to hammer a rusty rail spike into my eye. And yes, I have heard that following a balanced diet means holding a cookie in each hand. Many people have already taken the time to point out to me that the word "stressed" is just "desserts" spelled backwards, so save your breath.

But the fact is that dieting and fitness is now a major part of our culture, so why shouldn't it be part of our humor? Whether it is watching Mr. Creosote eat one more wafer thin mint before exploding in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life or listening to Dennis Leary ponder about the merits of walking up invisible stairs, healthy living has become part of the act.

So what's your favorite joke about dieting? Share with us by posting a comment here.

Labels: diet, fun

Today, the senate and house will vote on a bill insiders have dubbed "The Fat Tax." It's a revision on a healthcare bill that would make being obese a punishable offense. Obesity is defined in the bill as "more than 20 percent over one's ideal weight based on age, height, sex and build."

Most "initial contacts" would result in nothing more than a verbal or written warning, according to government insiders. However, it is up to the officer's discretion as what to do next. In certain situations -- in the presence of children or someone morbidly obese -- the officer would have the jurisdiction to issue a citation or even order the offender to join a weight education and management class.

Someone who refuses their rehabilitation, or is repeatedly ticketed, could lose certain rights and privileges -- like their driver's license -- and even spend time in jail.

"We're paying more than $78 billion per year on healthcare for the overweight and obese," explains Debra Brumback, who was one of the sponsors of the amendment. "I think people need to be held accountable for their actions. This bill will do that."

The amendment was attached to the "Feeding Ordinance on Obesity Legislation," that has been nearly a decade in the making. The bill itself is highly controversial and has found ardent opposition from groups like PETF, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Food.

"This is ridiculous! It's just another example of the government infringing on people's rights and putting their fingers in everyone's pies -- literally," exclaims PETF spokesman Frankie "Bag of Doughnuts" Winters. "I eat a half-dozen doughnuts every morning for breakfast. I'd like to see the government stop that. They shut down one doughnut shop, another one pops up across the street."

Most agree that education is the key to keeping Americans healthy, so much of the money saved on healthcare and made from fines paid would go to bringing back physical education in schools, teaching nutrition and making healthier snacks available in school vending machines.

"We have a growing epidemic in this country. Most people do struggle with their weight and, I think, will welcome this government assistance and intervention," according to Brumback, who weighs in at a svelte 125-pounds. "I mean, when I put on my freshman 15, I would have never lost that weight if I hadn't had to get three physical education credits and lost that weight in Racquetball 1113."

This all leads to myriad ethical questions about where the government's jurisdiction ends when it comes to the individual. If the bill passes, there is also a concern about certain "unhealthy foods" being considered contraband and a black market for certain goods developing much like prohibition did in the early part of 20^th century and creating another niche for organized crime.

Has the government gone too far? Is this the answer to our obesity crisis? Do they have a right to step in and dictate your weight? Will you fight for your rights?

Shawn McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism and has written for The Broward and Miami New Times. He loves a good prank, joke or trick. Don't believe everything you read. Happy April Fool's Day!

Labels: fun, news

What on earth is a 47-year-old, 300+ pound guy doing going to a 20-something, four-day camping and music festival?

The short answer – LOVING IT!

Ok, I’m old. I admit it. And frankly if one more long-haired hippie kid called me “Sir,” I probably would have lost my mind. But when I went to the Langerado Music Festival (www.langerado.com) here in Florida a few weekends ago, I had a blast!

So why is it, that when people grow up and become adults, they must continue to listen to the music of their childhood? To me that doesn’t even make sense. It’s like there is an unwritten rule stating that after the age of 25 you are banished from listening to anything new.

Face it pal. You’re just too old to listen to anything cool!

Or is it the fact that people will look at you like your immature if you still like rock concerts in your 40s (except for the seniors tours like The Rolling Stones… sponsored by Depends of course). I have friends who will spend a couple of hundred bucks to go see the Eagles sing Hotel California. Me, I love the song, but the reality is, the Hotel California was knocked down long ago and a condo development now resides in its location!

There is SO much incredible music out today that my friends stuck in classic rock radio hell, will never listen to.

I can’t even turn on so-called classic rock stations. I mean how many times in my life can I listen to "Stairway to flippin’ Heaven" over and over. Every time I turn on the radio, no matter where I am, I hear the same songs. "Comfortably Numb" has put me into a coma I’ve heard it so many times! "Highway to Hell" indeed!) Enough already.

So yeah! Call me immature, but Langerado was awesome. Great music! I got to listen to some bands I love like Gov’t Mule, Umphreys Mcgee, Medeski, Martin, Scofield and Wood, the Funky Meters and more.

There was something for everyone there, too (from roots rock to jazz to electronica). People from the '80s got REM, The Beastie Boys and Arrested Development. From the '70s there was Phil Lesh and Friends (the bass player from the Grateful Dead).

And I got to find some new and future favorites. Citizen Cope, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Jonah Smith, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals!

So here’s my point: I could easily have NOT gone. I could stick with the "classics" and be bored out of my mind -- or I can get out and check out something new. I got a lot of fresh air, absorbed some vitamin D from the sun’s rays. My wife and I got to spend 3 hours in the dark bonding while trying to set up our tent with 20-mph winds (priceless!).

And I got PLENTY of exercise. The camping area was a quarter-mile away from the venue. Each stage (there were 5) was about a quarter-mile apart, so we walked a lot. And as far as food goes, yes it was plentiful, and a lot of it was bad for you, but if you looked you could find enough healthy items to get you through the weekend and not be tempted to eat the wrong stuff.

If you are the adventurous sort, there are plenty of music festivals coming up this summer. For more information check out http://www.jambase.com/Festivals/.

So do you still go to concerts and festivals? What guilty pleasures from your youth do you STILL do? (I promise not to tell...)

My name is Jim Gilbert, and I approve this message!

Labels: fun, music

Imagine you had one wish and could magically improve one body part... Which would it be?

We all have those "problem areas." You know, the pooch, the arm jiggle or the inside of your thighs. I know a lot of women who'd love to get rid of the back fat by their bra strap, or take just a little (or a lot!) off their backside. And even though we know spot-reducing isn't really possible, a girl can dream, can't she?

I personally would do just about anything for a set of abs. I know they're under there (heaven knows I've done enough crunches in my life), but I just can't seem to see them. No matter how I crunch, twist, hang or stretch, those darn abs won't come out of hiding! I think it's the whole pooch thing sabotaging my efforts. Silly pooch... If I could lose weight in one area first, I would most definitely wish to part ways with the pooch.

So how about you? If you had to pick ONE spot to tighten up first, which would it be? Let us know by commenting below!

Labels: fun, weight-loss

Labels: fun, holidays

Labels: celebrity, fun, holidays, kids

Labels: food, fun, holidays, relationships

I'm often surprised by the food and diet hype that's out there in the media, on television and in magazines. Some of it is close to the truth and some is so far from veracity that it's unconscionable, in my opinion. Sometimes it's hard to tell hype from truth. Test your Nutrition IQ with this quick quiz.

TRUE/FALSE:
1. Unless you eat organic, you're taking chances with your health.
2. Sugar makes kids hyperactive.
3. Fat-free cookies have less calories than the regular version.
4. Eggs are high in fat, so you need to limit to only three to four per week.
5. Brown sugar is a healthier sweetener than white sugar.
6. High-potency vitamins are better than a multi-vitamin.
7. You must not eat protein and carbohydrates in the same meal.
8. Eating before bed causes weight gain.
9. Drinking liquids with your meal decreases nutrition absorption.
10. Grapes have more carbs than other fruit.

2. Sugar makes kids hyperactive -- FALSE
The National Institutes of Health cites research that shows neither link between sugar and hyperactivity nor any link between food additives and colors and behavior. In fact, one study shows a decrease in activity after a high-sugar snack or meal. Scientists theorize that behavior is a result of interactivity between parents or caregivers and children. An occasional sweet treat is a normal part of growing up, but make it occasional and special.

3. Fat-free cookies have less calories than the regular version -- FALSE
Fat-free does not mean calorie-free. Fat-free cookies often have higher amounts of sugar added to replace the texture and volume lost by removing fat, and may contain the same or even more calories than the original. Read the portion size of one serving, and then how many calories per serving, and compare the fat-free cookie with the regular for an accurate reading.

4. Eggs are high in fat, so you need to limit to only three to four per week -- FALSE
Eggs are relatively low in fat and saturated fat; a large egg contains only approximately 5 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of it saturated, and 2.5 unsaturated. The American Heart Association recommends preparing eggs without added saturated fat or trans-fat, (butter or margarine).

5. Brown sugar is a healthier sweetener than white sugar -- FALSE
Most brown sugar is just white sugar, either colored with or with molasses added. While molasses has slight nutritional value (iron), it's insignificant. White sugar, brown, honey, concentrated fruit juice, high fructose corn syrup, or cane juice -- there are many ways to say sugar. Sugar is essentially the simplest form of carbohydrates, and should be used sparingly.

6. High-potency vitamins are better than a multi-vitamin -- FALSE
Experts say that "high potency" are unnecessary unless you're diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency, and in doses higher than the Recommended Daily Allowance, some vitamins may actually be harmful. Nutrients are carried throughout the body in the bloodstream and are used as needed, and excess is excreted. Unless you suffer from a medical condition that must be treated with supplementation, stay healthy by eating a varied and balanced diet to maintain vitamin and mineral stores that can last for weeks or even years, depending on the nutrient involved.

7. You must not eat protein and carbohydrates in the same meal -- FALSE
Eat a balanced diet and allow your body to function as it's supposed to. Your body is a digestive machine that releases the enzymes necessary, depending upon what you eat. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth -- protein needs teeth to grind it, but the digestive juices in the stomach begin the process, and fat needs enzymes in the small intestine to digest.

8. Eating before bed causes weight gain -- FALSE
If you're eating what you need to maintain your weight, it really doesn't matter when you eat it... as long as you're not eating more than you need. We don't recommend you eat a large meal just prior to bed, because it may not be digested easily when lying down! A small snack is best, such as a glass of milk or cocoa, and a piece of fruit. Stay within your daily meal plan's parameters to avoid weight gain.

9. Drinking liquids with your meal decreases nutrition absorption -- FALSE
Drinking liquids with your meals is a matter of preference, not nutrition. If you're trying to lose weight, a large glass of water between meals can help control hunger pains, and drinking before your meal can take the edge off your appetite.

10. Grapes have more carbs than other fruit -- FALSE
The serving size of fruits is relative to their volume, so if you're going to eat a lot of grapes you'll be taking in a lot of carbs. But, a serving of grapes is about 15 small green grapes, or about three ounces; 1/2 of a grapefruit has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, as does a small apple, a 1/4 cup of applesauce, or 3/4 cup of blueberries.

Nutritionist Susan L. Burke is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, and a Certified Diabetes Educator who specializes in both general and diabetes-related weight management.

Labels: fun, nutrition, quiz

From being the object of affection in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle to being the villain in Super-Size Me, food has played an integral role in countless films throughout history while breaking down Hollywood's most bigoted barriers.

To celebrate these forgotten heroes of the silver screen, eDiets sat down with a few of the most famous foods from some of history's most popular films to find out what it was like to rewrite the rule book -- and honor their achievements as social trailblazers.

"When I got the part, I knew it was a big opportunity in my career," explains Tony Di Cannoli. "I took some heat from the Anti-Italian Food Defamation League, but I think it really changed people's perception of what ethnic foods could portray on screen."

He now sits in an Italian Market window in an undisclosed Midwest town -- past his acting prime and in the witness relocation program -- but remembers those glory days working with Pacino, Coppola and the rest.

"The original line was, 'Leave the cannolis. Take the gun,' but I says to Francis, 'that's not realistic -- an Italian never leaves a cannoli behind," he explains. "It changed the whole movie and showed that food is more important than guns, which is the underlying theme of those films."

Indeed it is, so we salute you Mr. Cannoli, wherever you are, for your daring role in The Godfather. And as Peter Clemenza said, "Leave the gun… Take the cannolis." Bravo!

Best Man-on-Food Romance
In American Pie, a film about the relationship between young men and their desserts, most of the stars went on to TV and movie fame while one cast member -- who bared all -- watched her life crumble.

"Originally, when the director offered me the part, he said it would be done very tastefully," explains Ms. Apple Pie (who asked we not use her real name). "Of course I was nervous. I had never done a love scene, and man-food love was seriously frowned upon at the time!"

It turned out to be one of the hottest, steamiest love scenes ever filmed, as well as being crucial in bringing the sexual rights of food to the forefront.

"Sure, people had seen man-woman, woman-woman, man-man and a few other combos, but this was the most graphic example of inter-culinary lovemaking ever shown on the big screen. It was truly groundbreaking," remembers Ms. Pie.

However, many rightwing religious groups spoke out against her "immoral and inappropriate relationship," both on and off the set of American Pie, with costar Jason Biggs.

"I got death threats, but we were in love," she recalls. This fairytale, however, would not have a Hollywood ending for the aspiring starlet.

Due to the backlash from her love scene, she never worked in mainstream film again, her relationship with Biggs ended and she fell into a life of drugs, alcohol and selling slices on the side of the street.

"It opened a lot of doors for a lot of foods," Ms. Pie recalls. "It was hard, but I know I did the right thing. I just hope people can accept love -- in whatever form -- and foods today realize what things were like for film foods in the not-so-tolerant nineties."

A true pie-oneer, who let love lead. Kudos!

Lifetime O' Chocolate Award
In a time when lady sang the blues, a clockwork was orange and the great hope was white, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory dared to put a darker shade of chocolate into their film.

"At the time, it was difficult to find work in film as dark chocolate," says star of the Chocolate Factory, Jermaine J. Goodbar. "All the good parts were going to white chocolate and some to milk chocolate, but nothing for my dark chocolate brethren."

Then he got the call: "They, were gonna take a chance, and wanted me to audition for the role of golden-ticketed Wonka Bar. This is the role I was made for."

It wasn't all gumdrops and lollipops for this veteran stage and commercial actor -- he would have to prove himself. A lot of people on set were not happy about the producers hiring a dark chocolate bar in the starring food role, but he persevered.

"Some people called me names like fudge-face and tried to melt me down for cocoa, but after I proved myself on the set, most of them came around."

Often regarded as one of the bravest food actors of all time, Goodbar put on one of the finest on-film food performances ever, while paving the way for future generations of food to appear on the silver screen -- regardless of color.

"I heard after that, green beans were getting parts, red potatoes were being played by real red potatoes, not regular potatoes just painted red," he recalls. "And, have you seen the remake of Chocolate Factory? That's my grandson, J.J., playing the part I played over 30 years ago."

He is a proud chocolate bar who has overcome a great deal to pass on an acting legacy that will not soon be forgotten. Many said he was nuts for taking the part, but he simply smiled and said, "No, I'm just chocolate."

True bravery, thy name is Goodbar.

Shawn McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism and has written for The Broward and Miami New Times.

Labels: celebrity, food, fun

If you're one of the millions of Americans who will be tuning in to Hollywood's biggest party of the year on Sunday, you may find that watching all those scantily-clad stars strut down the red carpet is a bit rough on the self-esteem.

Once you've had enough time to notice that those women are unrealistic ideals, you'll feel better, but you can still use them as good motivation to get in shape. With our Oscar Party plan, you'll enjoy winning low-fat hors d'oeuvres, and be too busy having fun to spend the night mindlessly munching or feeling lousy about your body. Use these tips and the award for best weight-loss effort goes to... why, YOU, of course!

Dress the Part. Host a party and suggest that guests get gussied up to watch the show. Dressing up can help you feel better about your appearance when all those perfect bodies in designer gowns begin appearing on the screen. Plus, you may find that you're less likely to dig into the chips and dip when you're wearing something more elegant.

Be An Interactive Audience. Have a betting pool. If you get everyone involved in voting for their own favorite flicks and keeping track of their answers they'll be too busy to think about their next bite. You can print out a ballot at www.oscar.com. Or, get even more serious by logging on to ABC's enhanced TV site, predicting winners as they are picked, and participating in interactive polls.

Use the Time Crunch. If you're not getting dressed up to go to a party, put on workout clothes and get some exercise during the show. Walk or jog in place or lift weights while you watch. Every time someone's speech gets interrupted by the music because they're rambling on for too long, drop and give us 10 crunches. And at commercial time, do at least five push-ups.

Snub the Unknowns. During the categories that you know nothing about -- and don't mind missing -- don't just sit there. Get up and move around. Offer to refill drinks, get yourself a glass of water, or start counting those ballots.

Serve Winning Appetizers. Whether you're hosting the party or joining someone else's festivities, you'll want to arm yourself with at least one low-fat, but tasty snack. These five-minute appetite pleasers are so tasty, they're fit for the stars:

Mushroom Cups
Combine spreadable, whipped low-fat cottage cheese with crushed, fresh basil, garlic powder and chopped shiitake mushrooms. Fill small phyllo cups with mushroom mixture and top with shavings of Asiago cheese.

Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
Rub steamed shrimp with chili paste and place on long wooden skewers. Serve with plum sauce.

Mediterranean Crostini
Toast French bread baguettes in a broiler and cut into half-inch thick slices. Top with low-fat scallion cream cheese, mixed with light tomato sauce and alternate toppings of artichoke hearts, sliced black olives, roasted red peppers and asparagus tips.

Mini Crab Cakes
Combine 1 pound fresh lump crab meat, 1 cup plain bread crumbs, 2 beaten egg whites, 1/4-cup fat-free mayonnaise and 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning in a bowl. Form into half-inch patties. Arrange on a broiler pan coated with nonstick cooking spray and broil, turning once, about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with fat-free sour cream.

"Champagne" Punch
Instead of alcoholic beverages, serve a lower-calorie festive beverage (after all, it is Sunday night). Combine one part diet ginger ale, one part sparkling cider and one part low-calorie cranberry juice and add a dash of lime. Garnish with lime slices.

Labels: clothes, diet, food, fun, tips

There he is: The lanky, slick-haired, bleached-teeth, thinks-he's-the-king- of-the-universe-and-could-definitely- use-a-breath-mint bighead walks up to you as if he were Casanova coming to do you a favor by sweeping you off your feet. He then opens his big mouth and blurts out his slick, ready-for-my-trick line, Do you know karate? Cause darn it honey, your body is really kickin'!

Some are funny, others are obnoxious and most are just plain lame. Here's our 10 worst:

10. I hope you know CPR because you take my breath away!

9. I know that milk does the body good, but wow, how much you been drinking?

8. Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?

7. Are you from Tennessee? Because you're the only ten I see!

6. Hey baby... drop that zero and get with a hero. In other words, you better come with me.

5. Have you been arrested? It's gotta be illegal to look that good.

4. Do you have a quarter? My mom told me to call her when I fell in love.

3. Did you hurt your head when that angel dropped you from heaven?

2. Are you a parking ticket because you have FINE written all over you!

1. You must be tired. You've been running through my mind all day!

Got some really bad ones of your own (ahem, that you've heard)? Share them with us by commenting below!

Labels: fun, top 10

Need a therapist? Click here to find one in your area.

We should not hunt our mates, but rather lure them. After all, a mate is prey to be captured alive.

Anthropologist David Givens has provided a practical guide to the body language of seduction in his book,Love Signals. The key for both men and women, he says, is to appear harmless and vulnerable. Be the deer by the watering hole, waiting for the wolf to pounce.

Whatever you do, you don't want to appear guarded. Crossing your arms over your chest and lowering your head are signs of defensiveness that will keep potential mates at a distance. Shirts buttoned all the way to the top and, even worse, turtlenecks keep away the cold, but they also keep away lovers.

The way you dress should be appetizing. Black may be chic, but wearing vibrant, natural colors -- cherry red, forest green, lemon yellow -- will make you seem ripe for the picking.

Once you've attracted a mate, what you say isn't so important. Ninety-nine percent of courting is nonverbal.

Research on opening lines has shown that with the proper body language, "Hello" works most of the time for men and all of the time for women. What's more important is to communicate openness and interest with your whole body. Here are a few ideas:

Build Familiarity:
How to do it: Walk within arm's reach of your target on your way to the bathroom, the kitchen or the bar. Repeat several times.

Why it works: Studies prove that we like things simply because we've seen them before.

Open Up:
How to do it: Use open-palmed gestures as you talk.

Why it works: Because palms-open exposes the tender part of your hand. Palms-up gestures are a universal sign of friendliness and availability. Palms-down gestures say stay away.

Display Your Interest:
How to do it: Lift one shoulder and cock your head to the side.

Why it works: Anthropologists call this the "cute response." For both sexes it says, "I'm interested." It also says, "I'm adorable."

Be Vulnerable:
How to do it: Wear an open shirt, and touch your neck and collarbone.

Why it works: A neck-touch is as appealing to men as it is to women. You are literally pointing out a weak spot.

Follow Your Partner:
How to do it: If he scratches his head, you scratch your head. If he does the funky chicken, you do the funky chicken.

Why it works: Isopraxism, the technical term for moving in unison, is based on a deep-seated instinct to copy the actions of those we find attractive.

Draw Attention to Yourself:
How to do it: When you are near your prey, drop something -- a napkin, a glove or a watch. Bend down and pick it up.

Why it works: We notice moving objects, even when we can see them only out of the corners of our eyes. Also, you are more vulnerable when you bend over.

Our closest animal relative, the Bonobo chimpanzee, practices the object-dropping technique in courtship. After a male Bonobo notices a female, he will pass by her and climb up the closest tree. From a comfortable height, he will drop twigs around her body, almost hitting her. After a while, the female may become sufficiently charmed to climb up the tree and present her hindquarters to her new mate.

Jennifer Drapkin is an intern at Psychology Today.

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Labels: fun, relationships, study, tips

Everywhere you look is some savvy advertiser suggesting what to get your sweetheart, but it can be tough to sift through the slick ads to find what to really get your baby this February 14th.

As your man scrambles to come up with the perfect gift to make you smile on Valentine's Day, you wait in eager anticipation of a day that -- let's be completely honest here -- is strictly for the ladies. But you know he's going all out, so what can you get him? How about rewarding his preparations by taking care of the reservations on V-day?

If waiting an hour to get seated in a crowded, noisy restaurant only to be overcharged for mediocre tasting, fat-laden food doesn't sound like the way you want to spend your Valentine's Day, then try this excellent, easy recipe that will stimulate the senses and stir your appetite… for love.

Not only will he appreciate the money saved, but the food will be healthy and delicious, as well as served by his favorite beauty in an intimate setting only steps away from your final destination -- the bedroom. Or, invite him into the kitchen and get cooking together (wink, wink).

Check out this fabulous recipe for Artichoke Hearts Salad, Beef Tenderloin with Dried Cherry-Wine Sauce and Sparkling Wine Poached Pear and impress your partner with your amazing culinary skill. The fastest way to a man's heart is still through his stomach, so check out this video featuring eDiets' very own Director of Nutrition Services, Pam Ofstein, to heat things up this Valentine's Day.

Even if you're going solo for this day of love, you can whip up this simple recipe and treat yourself to something special. You deserve it!

Artichoke Hearts Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup artichoke hearts
2 oz. roasted red peppers
2 Tbsp. salad dressing, low-fat or nonfat

Directions:
Dice red peppers and toss with artichokes and dressing. Serve.

Beef Tenderloin with Dried Cherry-Wine Pan Sauce

Ingredients:
4 oz. red wine
4 tbsp. dried cherries
1 Tbsp. jam
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard