That's Fit

Summer is the perfect time for hot dogs at the family BBQ, big pretzels at the county fair, and cold treats straight from the ice cream truck. Although these foods can be less-than-perfect options for our kids who love them so -- think lots of salt, sugar, and fat -- WedMD says they can be not so bad, really. Check them out.

• Nachos & Quesadillas
• Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
• Ice Cream
• Frozen Yogurt
• Waffles and pancakes
• Marshmallows
• Popcorn
• Watermelon
  
  

Hot dogs? Healthy? I never thought so. Try light and reduced-fat dogs and you'll be OK, says Sarah Krieger, an American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokeswoman.

It seems that just about everything in this world can hurt us. We are inundated with reports about the dangers of every possible disease, diet, behavior, and cataclysmic event known to man. And, these reports of danger oddly seem to come just after hearing reports that the opposite of that danger is actually the real danger. It can all quickly become quite convoluted and a bit overwhelming, really. Thankfully, there's new research out of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis that suggests a very straightforward way to reduce at least one of our risks.

Based on a study on the effects of pet ownership on heart health, researchers discovered that you can cut your chances of suffering a myocardial infarction by as much as 30 percent just by taking care of a cat. The finding, from a 10-year study of more than 4,300 Americans, suggests that pets are a great means of stress release for their owners. In fact, one study presented in 2005 at a meeting for the American Heart Association meeting revealed that a single 12-minute visit with a dog improved the heart and lung function of people with known heart problems.

If you're interested in finding a pet that's in need of a good home, and in reducing your risk of health problems in the process, click here to be taken to a nationwide directory of animal shelters.

Are hot dogs on your menu this Memorial Day? If so, you'll be joined by billions of others who will begin scarfing down dogs beginning this weekend.

About seven billion hot dogs will be consumed between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. This means that roughly 818 hot dogs will be eaten every second during the summer. That's a lot, considering the average annual consumption is 20 billion.

I'm not a big fan of the hot dog, myself. For one, I'm never really sure from what the things are made. Second, I don't love all the fat that comes packed into each modest serving -- one Ballpark beef frank contains 16 grams of fat, six grams of it from the saturated fat family. Hot dogs just are not my food of choice. Many people love them, though. Check out these gallery stats.

The smell of barbecue is back in the neighborhood. And how sweet it is.

Do you know anyone who doesn't like a grilled dinner? And most grilled dinners, even the traditional burgers or dogs, can be quite healthy when paired with green salad and fresh fruit. Even the most die-hard heart-attack food lovers can be suckers for grilled veggies. My favorite is yellow squash with olive oil, garlic, sea salt and fresh ground pepper. My almost three-year-old daughter adores corn on the cob fresh from the 'cue. We do all the classics: burgers, dogs, steaks, chicken, various veggies, a mix of stuff on kabobs and more.

This season, I'm looking forward to trying some new things. The Food Network has tons of great spring and summer grilling ideas. Some are really unique. At least to me. What really caught my attention were all the recipes for grilled fruit. If you've never had it, plan it as part of your meal. Tonight. I've done melon and pineapple. But I love the idea of doing nectarines and plums, too. Mmmm.

We have all heard that pets can help teach kids patience, responsibility, and empathy, but according to a recent study, having a dog in the home during childhood, especially during the first year of infancy, seriously decreased a child's likelihood of developing sensitivities to allergens like pollen. Our own Maggie first broke this story a few days ago but it's worth repeating for those thinking about investing in a canine commitment -- and for those who like photos of cute kids and cute dogs. See gallery that follows.

So the science behind this theory is that dogs bring germs inside on their coats and in their mouths, thus exposing kids to them and boosting the child's immune system. Older generations were often exposed to more dirt and germs as children (you know, because kids used to actually play outside instead of sitting indoors playing video games), and therefore developed a greater resistance to many allergens than kids today.

This study in particular has taken blood samples from 3,000 six-year-olds and will test the samples for hints that the child might become allergic to things like pet hair, dust mites, and pollen. The children will be retested at age 10, but the lead researcher has already stated with confidence that, "Our results show clearly that the presence of a dog in the home during infancy is associated with a significantly low level of sensitization to pollens and allergens."

Based on a six-year study of 9,000 children, German researchers have stated that having dogs may reduce a child's risk of developing allergies. In theory, exposure to pet-related allergens builds ups a child's immunity and helps reduce risk of allergies, asthma, eczema, and hay fever.

The study used parents' answers on detailed surveys from birth to age six. Blood samples were also taken from a number of participants to test for antibodies in the blood stream.

The same protective effect was not noted in children with repeated exposure to dogs, but without dogs in their home.

I have a 7-year-old English Bulldog who, other than minor allergies, is as healthy as can be. Considering how much time he spends lazing on the back of my couch it's amazing he's as fit as he is. But a year or so ago he caught quite the stomach bug. I spent several days nursing him back to health. A few days later I was sick, too. I wondered for a moment if I had caught the bug from him. But then I thought, no, because things like that aren't communicable between species. Or are they?

For the most part, illnesses that dogs are susceptible to can't be passed to humans. There are some things that can be passed on though -- ticks, fleas, and worms to name a few. To reduce the risk of puppy illnesses, have your dog vaccinated and visit the vet regularly. Also, dogs need exercise and proper nutrition to stay healthy. As for you and your family, be sure to clean up after your dog frequently and practice good hand-washing habits.

I'm all about helping my family follow a healthy diet, and by family, I mean everyone, including my dogs. I make an effort to buy a high quality dog food, do the vet visits as needed, and keep them free from fleas and heartworms. I like to treat them as well, and I often bring home treats from the neighborhood doggy bakery, and have been known to bake up some doggy biscuits for special occasions.

However, when it comes to my dogs' daily meals, I think I have to draw the line at preparing it myself. I came across a section in All Recipes where they list a number of different recipes for homemade pet food, such as Doggy Meatloaf with Vegetables and Poochie Meat Cakes (both of which take longer to prepare and bake than many of the things I make for the humans in my family).

What do you think? Does homemade dog food cross the line, or is it a great option for pet owners who wish to have more input in their dogs nutrition?

(If you do opt to make a change in your pet's diet, please discuss it with your vet to ensure your furry friend will receive the proper nutrition!)

The majority of Americans have, or have had, a pet as part of their family. Studies have shown that having pets can be really good for your health (lowering heart rate and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol) but pets, like all animals, can also carry disease. If you don't take the right precautions you and your family could end up getting really sick. The very old, the very young, pregnant women, and anybody with a compromised immune system are at the most risk, but anybody could catch any number of nasty things. Here are a few pointers for avoiding pet-related illnesses:

There was always that ONE dog that lived in your neighborhood when you were a kid. You know, the dog that was more K-19 than K-9, a veritable killing machine designed to destroy the lives of elementary school kids who dared step foot near their owner's property. Or, at least it seemed that way. One thing was for sure, though, that dog was aggressive, and steering clear of him sometimes meant the difference between a leisurely walk home from school and a mad dash for survival. But what is it that made that dog aggressive while so many other dogs are very friendly? According to researchers in Italy, it may be related to something that also makes some humans more aggressive.

Scientists posit that a deficiency in EPA and DHA, both of which are components of omega-3 fatty acids, may cause certain dogs and certain humans to act somewhat aggressively. Research from a number of studies, including those published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that EPA and DHA play an important role in behavior and impulse control in humans, something that the recent Italian study found may also be the case for dogs.

While external factors certainly play a role in shaping a person's behavior (as well as a dog's), this research provides an interesting theory for the nature side of the perennial nature vs. nurture argument.

You probably have a favorite brand of bottled water, but what about your dog? When you're out hiking or jogging you may bring water along for your dog in a bottle, but have you ever considered buying water already bottled, specially branded, and marketed just for your four-legged friend?

Fortifido is just that -- bottled water for dogs. Available in flavors like "parsley," "peanut butter," and "spearmint," Fortifido is fortified with vitamins to help promote healthy bones, healthy skin, fresh breath and healthy joints in your dog.

Will you buy it?

Have you ever heard the old adage, "If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise"? Well, that apparently isn't getting through to plenty of pet parents because in addition to new doggie diet drugs entering the market, we now have low-calorie snack options for our furry friends.

Pup-Peroni is now offering 50 calorie snack packs so we can monitor how many snacks our pooches should get. They're portable, so you no longer need to worry about how to stuff all those treats in your pockets without making your jeans smell like meat for days. Just what I needed.

Fellow pet lovers know the joy that a animal can bring to your life. Whether it's a dog, cat, or less popular but equally loved animal, pet ownership has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve quality of life. Some people even claim that their dogs have helped them to lose weight. What else can a pet do for your health and well-being? According to eDiets:

• A dog can help you feel more secure on your daily walk.
• Pets help children develop higher self-esteem and build confidence.
• Kids who own pets are generally more involved in activities like hobbies, chores, and sports.
• People who suffer from heart disease and own pets have longer survival rates than those who are pet-free.
• Seniors who own pets tend to be more active and need less medication.
• Pets -- especially dogs -- may help you be more social.

(Of course, pets are also a huge commitment, requiring time, energy, patience, and money. So running out to get a pet when you aren't at a place in your life where you can care for one will only increase your (and your pet's) stress levels.)
What about you? How has your pet improved your well-being?

Recently, Bethany talked about protecting your pets during all the hubub of the holiday season. Visitors and general business can affect your pets profoundly, but there's another danger that you need to be wary of this holiday season: Chocolate. You've probably heard that Chocolate is deadly to pets, and it's true, so make sure you don't wrap any up for someone and put it under the tree -- fido could get ahold of it when you're not watching.

What to do if your dog or cat eats chocolate or another poisonous substance? Call your vet clinic or an emergency clinic as soon as possible.

Click here for more info.

I don't think it's any surprise anymore that pets can be a great thing for the health of older adults, especially seniors living alone. But for those on restricted incomes (and that's quite a few) the cost of owning a pet can simply be too much. But the Humane Society in Colorado Springs, CO is making a difference in the lives of pets and people through a program called The Senior Citizens Pet Companionship Program. The program not only does the obvious of matching up seniors with happy companionship animals as new pets, but it gives them an annual allowance to help offset the costs of caring for them.

One 77 year old woman named Joan lost almost 40 pounds, stabilized her diabetes, and feels happier and less lonely since adopting a little Jack Russell Terrier named Monty through the program. Now doesn't hearing a story like that just give you the warm fuzzies?