The addition of calorie counts to menu boards at fast food restaurants in NYC has been generally regarded as a controversial-yet-monumental step in conquering obesity -- so it's a little bit disappointing that a study recently found that they don't actually work in low income neighborhoods.

The study, published in the journal Health Affairs, found that only half of the 1,156 consumers questioned actually noticed the nutritional information, and of those, only a quarter said that it made a difference in their food choices. That's not all -- the researchers charted data from both before and after the labeling scheme was introduced and found that the average amount of calories consumed by each patron actually went slightly up.

"We did not find evidence in our sample that menu labeling influenced the total number of calories purchased at the population level," concluded lead author Brian Elbel, adding "menu labels may need to be coupled with additional policy approaches."

But NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is standing by the decision to include calorie counts on menus. "At least the public has information and that's the government's job -- to make sure that the public has information," Reuters reported him saying. Still, at the end of the day, it's up to each of us to make the right choice for our health.

So, should calorie counts be on menus in other places, too, or should we just cut our loses?

I had a chance to do some Q & A with Michelle Demus, the program director for New York City's hottest new destination for yoga, Pure Yoga. She filled me in on how Pure Yoga got its start, what makes it different, and then she offered up some advice for people just getting into yoga.

How did NYC's Pure Yoga come to be?
Pure Yoga originated in Asia (where there are now five locations) and was brought to the U.S. in July 2008 with the opening in NYC. Pure Yoga was so popular in Asia that they decided to expand, partner with Equinox, and bring it to the U.S. We saw a great opportunity in NYC with the combination of an amazing location and an incredible talent pool of teachers. We see LA as another great opportunity for Pure.

What makes Pure Yoga different from other yoga studios?
Pure is different from other yoga studio for several reasons. The first is that Pure is the only yoga center in the US to offer 19 various yoga disciplines under one roof. The yoga styles offered range from Ashtanga to Yin Yoga, from Hot to Vinyasa Flow, Anusara and more -- as well as unique classes with a modern approach including Hot Power Yoga and Bollywood Fusion.

When it comes to eating, we all could use a little reminder now and then about what we're putting in our stomachs -- and bodies. The NYC Department of Health thinks so, anyway. They've launched a series of posters that will be appearing in Subway cars all over the metropolis. Read 'em before you eat 'em is the theme of the campaign -- click on the thumbnails below to see the ads:

What do you think of the posters? Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea -- right up there with calorie counts on menus. Realizing how bad (or good) your favourite fast foods meals are is the first step towards making healthy choices every day.

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Last spring, NYC restaurants were required to post calorie counts for all foods. Each meal, each brownie, each special coffee drink... labeled with that little (or not-so-little) number. Now, months after the change was made, Self Magazine checked in with New Yorkers to see the results.

The magazine surveyed 100 New York women and found:

• 79% like that calories are clearly posted
• 55% order less now that they know what's in their meal.
• 13% have stopped going to certain eateries altogether.

Many of the women quoted in the article state that the calorie information has changed their habits. Either they're limiting the number of times they indulge in their favorite treats or they're opting for lower-calorie items instead.

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Bicyclists in NYC may soon have a new place to park their ride...in the city's first bicycle parking lot. The lot, if constructed, will be protected by an attendant, reducing a cyclists risks having their bike vandalized or stolen. The lot have a handful of free spaces for short-term use, but most users would have to pay a fee for parking.

The bikes-only lot would be located on 33rd Street, close to Penn Station, which city officials hope would make it convenient for commuters. In addition, the city has been making an effort to install more bike racks. Commuting by bike is an excellent way to get in your daily workout and reduce pollution at the same time.

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Looking for an intense, but very "short" race? Consider New York City's Empire State Run-Up. One of the world's most popular tower climbs, the race starts in the lobby then heads directly to the narrow stairwell -- 86 flights to the top. The male and female winners of this year's race finished 10:08 and 12:44 respectively.

Racers say that it's mentally a tough race. The stairwell wasn't meant for large crowds and is only wide enough for two people at a time. As runners gain altitude, their ears start to pop. And of course, there's the whole climbing stairs thing, 1,576 to be exact. Whew!

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Now that I've lightened up on the ever-so-intense marathon training schedule, I've started to enjoy running again. You know, running for running's sake.

There is a strong opinion among many that one should never run merely for the sake of running. One must always be setting and achieving goals, then setting bigger goals. One must be racing or going a further distance or doing more hills or some such thing.

Well, not me. Today I just ran for the heck of it. And it felt great. The only downside was the realization that I stretched out my favorite long-sleeved running shirt while I was preggers.

Actually, it was good timing that I loosened the reigns on the training schedule when I did. This past week I became sicker than I have been in years. To make matters worse the baby had a little something too, so we were sick together. Needless to say he was in a better mood than I was. He still got all the attention he needed, while I had to carve yet one more thing out of my life by not being able to run.

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As people, and later, as parents, we set many goals for ourselves throughout our lives. Many of these goals are met and subsequently replaced by newer, often grander goals. We enjoy challenge in our lives--it makes us faster, stronger, smarter--kind of like the bionic woman.

But sometimes, every so often, a goal takes on a life of its own. Sometimes it becomes too large and looms out there in front of us as the golden carrot we will never reach. These goals become so enormous and encompassing (especially as we use all our energy to strive to meet them) that everything else gets left in the shadow of that giant goal.

And most of the time it's those smaller things, and the smaller goals, that are just as if not more important than the big goal.

When I first decided to run the New York City Marathon it was really for no good reason. I'd never wanted to run it in the past. I never had that strong desire that haunted my dreams. I enjoyed running, liked being fit, that kind of thing. But never once did I say my dream was to run a marathon, let alone the biggee in NYC.

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Recently, I wrote a post about "What Not to Wear's" resident make-up artist, Carmindy, and her tips on how to get great, glowing skin. The Californian beauty always looks fantastic without being overly made-up, so I thought it would be cool to check out her advice on how to get that naturally beautiful look.

Those of you out there who are also Carmindy fans, especially New York City-area residents and fashionistas who'll be in town for NYC Fashion Week, are in for a treat as the artist will appear at Byrant Park on Monday September 10th, as a part of the Word for Word Author Series.

Carmindy, who has penned a book called The 5-Minute Face: The Quick and Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman, will appear at 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., and give away some of her best secrets and tricks of the trade including tips on how to enhance your best features and how to look great without spending hours primping. The author will also be available to sign copies of the book. If you love to look great and have fun with makeup, mark the event in your calendar.

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Once a food trend grabs hold, it doesn't take long for it to sweep the nation. What's hot in big cities like L.A. and New York eventually trickle down to the rest of us, until another great food trend takes hold. So if you're land-locked like me in the middle states and are wondering what those coastal cities are brewing up for us next, take a look at this article from WebMD and learn more about food trends in the big city.

Besides being the first city in the nation to ban trans fats, the NY food scene is bustling with healthy goodness. Organic products are becoming more popular on menus, as is whole wheat, and there are at least two restaurant chains devoted strictly to salads. And natural foods megastore Whole Foods has found many happy customers in NYC residents.

Read more about America's trendsetting cities here, including mini-desserts in Atlanta, small-plate restaurants in Seattle, and the foie gras ban in Chicago. What's hip for foodies where you live?

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All the drama from New York City's recent regulation requiring fast food restaurants to post calorie counts on menus is about to come to a head as the deadline, this Sunday, approaches. Burger King, McDonalds, and Wendy's are all openly planning to defy the order and will not be making any changes to their menus anytime soon. And due to a pending lawsuit by the New York Restaurant Association the city won't be handing out any fines until at least October, if the new law is still standing by then.

In the meantime fast food chains say it's not that they don't want consumers to know calorie counts (many of them make the information available voluntarily anyway), but they say that putting them on the menu in print as big as the price would make for a messy, hard to read display that would look like "a bad day at the eye doctor's office."

What do you think? I like the idea of easily accessible calorie information, but I don't know that it needs to be in huge print right on the menu board.

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As you probably know, yesterday was the summer solstice. Not only is it the longest day of the year, but in some cultures, it's also a time of renewal for the mind, body and spirit. Subsequently, it seems like the perfect day to do some yoga.

At least, that's what dozens of New Yorkers thought, when they brought their mats to Times Square, and started doing a little downward facing dog in the middle of Manhattan. It's all part of the annual Yoga-Thon, an all day event that, according to one yoga instructor, aims to "allow the inner expression [of the yoga poses] to extend outward from the body in to the environment in sense."

Which means, I think, that participants weren't finding inner peace in spite of the hustle and bustle of Times Square, but rather embracing the chaotic nature of New York, and finding their calm somewhere within it.

It certainly looks soothing to me.

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17-year-old Arielle Newman died in April from what is now being described as an over-dose of anti-inflammatory muscle cream. As a cross country track runner for Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, NY, her body absorbed high levels of the active ingredient commonly found in anti-inflammatory sports products such as Bengay and Icy Hot: methyl salicylate. Ms. Newman was reportedly using the cream frequently along with up to two other products containing the ingredient.

Methyl salicylate poisoning is extremely rare and doctors aren't sure if it was due to overuse or simply that her body absorbed an abnormal amount of the chemical. The makers of Bengay, Johnson & Johnson, have expressed their condolences to the family and are reminding consumers about "the importance of reading the label on this and all over-the-counter medicines to ensure safe and proper use."

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New York City is putting its foot down again...and fast food restaurants are reacting. The city recently passed a law -- the first of its kind in the nation -- that forces fast food restaurants to post the calorie content of their menu items right on the menu (or menu board.) Because they're trying to target mainly national chains, they've decided the rule will only apply to those restaurants who already make their information public voluntarily.

This bit of seemingly backwards thinking has three major chains -- Wendy's, White Castle, and Quizno's -- backpedaling; the three fast food giants have removed all nutritional information about their products from their websites. The restaurants say they were forced into the action, because the law was unrealistic in expecting them to make room for calorie content on their menu boards, and that they are only buying themselves time so that they can respond appropriately to the law.

Do you think the law goes too far? Or do you think Wendy's, White Castle, and Quizno's are trying to dodge a possible bullet and avoid posting calorie information on their menus altogether? Also, what do you think about NYC's tough stance against unhealthy foods? I think it's a city to be watched right now, and it'll be interesting to see where these new regulations take them.

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First New York bans trans fats, now bone thin runway models? Maybe. This week NYC council member Gail Brewer proposed creating a minimum BMI of 18.5 for runway models. The World Health Organization says a normal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Included in the proposal is a ban on models under the age of 16.

If New York City approves the proposal, they'll be following the European trend of requiring healthier practices in fashion in modeling. Spain recently banned ultra-thin models from the runway and are working closely with the fashion designers there to makeover the industry's image. Italy has created similar guidelines as well.

I think this is a huge step forward, and I was honestly surprised to see it happen in the United States this quickly. I'm relieved for the young models starving themselves for their careers. I'm also hopeful -- with growing children of my own -- that the next generation can enjoy the beauty and glamour of the fashion world without comparing themselves to unrealistic images. We have a long way to go, but I if this proposal passes, I'll applaud New York City for putting principles ahead of profits. What do you think?

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