HCG (Human Chorionic Gonapotropin) is a hormone present in both men and women that is typically used to increase fertility. HCG levels are especially high in pregnant women, and subsequently it's been dubbed the "pregnancy hormone." The HCG hormone is thought to trigger our bodies to burn off more stored fat than we usually would, a belief that has lead to the foundation of the HCG Diet.

The HCG diet is fairly controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, it restricts dieters to 500 calories a day -- well below the recommended daily amount -- is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy. Secondly, the FDA has only approved use of HCG for fertility treatments, and there are no comprehensive studies showing that the HCG hormone either works for weight loss or is safe in the long run. Finally, one of the diet's main promoters, Kevin Trudeau, is well-known in the weight-loss industry for being a convicted fraudster.

The first component of the HCG Diet is daily administration of the HCG hormones, either through an oral supplement or an injection. The second component of the diet is a strict eating plan that allows dieters to consume only 500 calories a day. Breakfast consists of only coffee or tea without sugar but with a tablespoon of skim milk if desired. Lunch and dinner on the HCG diet each consist of 100g of lean protein with one vegetable, one cracker and a small rationing of fruit. Regular doses of the HCG hormone are thought to reduce the side effects of extreme hunger, including nausea, headaches and hunger pains. There are no exercise requirements on the HCG diet.

Especially considering the holiday spirit, frivolity and cocktails are not uncommon among large gatherings of friends and family. But if you're a calorie counter, or on a strict diet, you may want to educate yourself on the potency of alcohol before indulging in the fun.

For starters, the stronger the proof the more caloric content it has. An example includes 80-proof vodka which has 64 calories per ounce. Compare that with 82 per ounce found in 100-proof vodka. Add in heavy mixers and you could end up with a latte-sized cocktail.

The original article has a list of suggestions for cutting calories on your alcoholic beverages. These include water and club soda as mixers, which provide virtually no collateral damage. Other low-cal mixers could be light lemonade, sugar-free syrups, or light cranberry juice (which goes great with vodka, by the way). Of course cutting out mixers altogether saves all the hassle of added calories. Read on for more tips concerning health-conscious cocktails.

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The toddler ship has sailed for me, and I don't think I'm ever going back to port. But I do have some great information for all you toddler parents out there, tidbits I wish I'd known when I was trying so valiantly to entice my wee ones into ingesting healthy morsels of food. You see, there are certain nutrients little tots need every day, according to the Fall 2007 issue of Toddler Magazine. And you'd be wise to jot them down so you know just how much fiber, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories your littlest loved ones need.

Carbohydrates
Toddlers need 130 grams daily. Here's a fun fact: Women ages 19 to 50 need the same amount. Healthy carbohydrates are the main source of energy for developing brains. So serve up the whole-grain cereals, veggies, whole grain breads, waffles, and pasta.

Fiber
Fiber should total 19 grams each day. It will prevent constipation and help digestion. Give plant-based foods a go, as well as whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans, and legumes.

Fat
Little tikes need 30 to 40 grams -- that's more than adults need. Fat is a great energy source that helps absorption of vitamins. It helps feed the brain too. Think fish, nuts, nut butters, canola oil, eggs, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Protein
Pack in 13 grams of protein and you'll be set. Protein -- found in meat, poultry, fish, cheese, yogurt, eggs, nuts, and beans -- is the building block for every cell in your toddler's growing body.

Calories
Two-year-olds need 1,000 calories per day
Three-year-olds need 1,000 to 1,400
Four-year-old boys need 1,200 to 1,600
Four-year-old girls need 1,200 to 1,400

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80 percent of all cancers are due to identified factors according to the National Cancer Institute. Which means a lot of cancers can be preventable. So why is the disease increasing and why don't Americans pay more attention to the facts?

30 percent of cancers are due to smoking. Up to 50 percent of cancers are due to the foods we eat. Drinking excessive alcohol raises the risks for breast, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus cancers. Drinking alcohol and smoking makes cancer risks skyrocket as well as raises the risks for stomach, liver, and colon cancers.

In my humble opinion the following basic food facts should be taped to every refrigerator in this country.

Some vitamins in plant foods are known to be cancer inhibitors and dietary fat is known to be a promoter in cancer by helping the abnormal cells grow quickly. Especially animal fat. The best diet for cancer prevention points to a low fat, high fiber diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans and also minimizes or excludes alcohol and eliminates smoking. The best diets are pure vegetarian diets.

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I would have thought the days of "weight loss in a pill" products were numbered (the credible ones anyway), but they just keep coming! The latest is from GlaxoSmithKline and it's called Alli. It's a version of Xenical, and it's the first drug to be approved by the FDA for sale without a prescription and over-the-counter in the U.S. It works by preventing some absorption of fat into the body.

The advertising of this product will be interesting, with more than $150 million dollars budgeted for marketing alone they plan on taking a slightly different approach than many diet pills have in the past: it's gonna take work on your part too. Interesting.

Learn more at myalli.com.

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Americans consume some 17 billion quarts of this whole grain, good for you treat that is low in calories. That's 54 quarts per man, woman, and child. Many people who have dietary restrictions regarding hulls can not tolerate popcorn. A favorite snack in our family and even for the dog, but with colon problems now affecting several family members, I decided to do a little research to see if there was some kinds of popcorn that had less or no hulls. We are going to give them a try knowing there can be no guarantee that they can be tolerated better. But to continue eating our favorite snack it is worth the try. So I thought I would pass along some information to those others that might have the same problem. Try at your own risk in small amounts first.

Popcorn is a whole grain. It is made up of three components, the germ, endosperm, and pericarp,also know as the hull. There is no such thing as "hull-less" popcorn. All popcorn needs a hull in order to pop. Some varieties of popcorn have been bred so the hull shatters upon popping, making it appear to be hull-less. Although there is no hull, there is still some fiber matter from the endosperm of the kernel. Turquoise popcorn is an heirloom variety which is Mostly Hull-Less. Another type of popcorn that shatters the hull when popped is Mixed Baby Rice which is small like its name implies and light tasting. The kernels are shaped something like rice and are white, red, and striped red in color. When popped,it has less volume than other varieties.

I think its time to go pop a movie into the DVD player and enjoy some light airy no calorie snacks.

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60 Minutes on CBS had one of the more irresponsible pieces of journalism I've ever seen last weekend.

The segment was called Changing Minds: Area 25. It was about a type of surgery that is now being used to help people with depression.

I almost couldn't believe my eyes as the surgeons drilled multiple holes into a woman's head and installed wires to provide stimulation to a part of the brain known as "Area 25." The craziest part was when Lesley Stahl, the reporter, said the following:

Debra has tried "everything:" numerous psychiatrists, anti-depressants: more than 30 different kinds, and a dozen electric shock treatments. Nothing worked.

And there I was, screaming at the TV like a rabid football fan "You call that everything?? What about diet? What about exercise?"

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