Want to go a whirlwind tour with stops in eight countries and three continents? You'll see plenty of history on this trip, but it might not be the kind you'd imagine. Dreamed up by Burger King, this trip will explore the history of the hamburger.

That's right. A whole trip centered around the burger. With stops in varied locations like Spain, Russia and Germany, the locations are certainly a traveler's dream. But the beloved hamburger certainly isn't a dream for your hips and thighs.

Ground-meat patties trace back to the days of Ghengis Khan, but there's some debate about when the patty met the bun. Many claim to be the inventors of the burger, and rather than debate who's hamburger hopped to first, let's cast a nutritional eye on the burgers we know:

Source

For many people, the summer is a prime time for vacations. When you hit the road, it's important to keep good health in mind. You'll have more energy to enjoy your time away if you don't let healthy habits go to the wayside. Shape Magazine has some reasonable tips for staying fit while on the road:

• Eat healthfully. Does this mean you can't enjoy a decadent dinner at a restaurant? Of course not. But it does mean you should make wise choices. For example, if you're going on a road trip bring along a small cooler filled with fruit, healthy sandwiches, veggies, and other healthy foods. Having good choices handy may just save you from a trip through the drive through.
  
• Pack smart. Be sure to bring along any medications you and your family might need -- prescriptions, OTC pain relievers, etc. Band-aids and other basic first aid items are also a good idea. As for fitness, be sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes. You can also throw small fitness items like a jump rope and resistance bands in your suitcase.
• Keep moving. While your regular fitness routine is likely to chance while you're on vacation, there's no need to let it slip altogether. One of the best ways to stay active is to plan fun activities that require lots of walking. Go sightseeing or walk up and down the beach. You can also try swimming in the hotel pool (or the ocean). Any exerting activity will add to your fitness.
  
• Rest up. Don't let travel tire you out too much. Try to get to bed at a decent time each night and get a full night's sleep. If you're traveling to a different time zone, try to adjust your schedule to the new time zone as soon as possible.
  
• Unplug. Part of going on vacation is to relax, so put away the cell phone, laptop, and Blackberry, and unwind. Vacations can do wonders for reducing stress, but not if you're carrying work responsibilities with you the whole time.

Source

Traveling is easily one of my favorite activities. Whether it's a short road trip with friends or an across the globe adventure, as long as I can get the time off work and scrape together enough money to go, I'm in. The only thing I don't like, is the dazed and crazed look I often sport after several hours of travel time.

I wrote not so long ago about an article that gave tips on how you can maintain your good looks while on a flight -- drinking lots of water and no alcohol, sleep and movement are all key. This time I've come across an article that will help you prepare beforehand, including advice on what to pack and which beauty treatments to try before you hit the road. Whether you're traveling for business or for pleasure, the advice listed here will make sure that you're looking great as soon as you land.

Source

When you think about it, the human body is really amazing. Women who are pregnant, by any practical understanding of physics, should just topple right over by full-term. But they don't... why is that? Well, good thing we have people in lab coats working to find answers to questions like that every day. Because a new study is out addressing this very issue!

According to this website, a woman with "average" weight should gain upwards of 35 pounds. While not all in front, it makes me wonder how their back doesn't hurt all day long. The study says that evolution provided women with different joints located in their backs and hips. This actually allows them to adjust their center of gravity!

Amazing as it is, these differences had gone unnoticed all this time. So what enables them to do this is a wedge-shaped lumbar vertebra in the lower back. In men, it's square. An important hip joint is also significantly larger (14 percent) than it is in men of comparable size. These subtle differences in anatomy allow women to carry babies without experiencing a whole lot of pain. They can also keep their balance by shifting weight differently!

Another one of life's little wonders. Now how do guys with big bellies do it?

Who's the sexiest pregnant celeb?

Source

I want my sister's car. It's a brand new Ford Edge. It's small, sporty, sleek, and nothing like my seven-year-old, dented and scratched Honda Odyssey mini-van. That's why I want it.

The Ford Edge is not in my future, at least not until my little boys are grown and nearly out of my care. My mini-van is just too practical. For one, we own it. Second, the seats are positioned perfectly and my guys can't touch each other. That's a biggie. Third, it's dented and scratched, and I don't worry at all about what else may happen to my jalopy. Fourth, and most important: My mode of transportation at this very moment contains two bikes, one skateboard, one Big Wheel, one portable potty, hats, sunglasses, and a few tubes of sunscreen (it's still sizzling hot here in Florida). In a nutshell, we are on the road to fitness every time we embark on a road trip. All we need is a location, and we're set.

After school the other day, we headed to a local community college track and logged more than a mile of activity -- my boys on their bikes, me on my own two feet. All summer, stocked with swimsuits, tubes, boogie boards, squirty guns, and more, we were set for a jaunt to the pool at a moment's notice. When we go to the beach, we jam-pack with chairs, umbrellas, coolers, buckets, shovels, and fishing gear galore. Does it get any better than that?

Americans are notorious for not only having fewer vacation days available to them compared to people working in other countries, but also for not taking advantage of the vacation days they do have by getting out of the office. Does this sound like you or someone you know? What's the deal? The vacation time is there, it's part of your benefit package, why not make better use of it?

Excuses like "I'm too busy, I can't get away," and "I can't afford it" are common excuses, but they're just that -- excuses. You don't have to go somewhere to relax, you could just take a week off to relax at home and spend time with your family. And as for being too busy and unable to get away, well you're just gonna have to make time. Make time for your health. What's a better excuse to take some time off than your health? If you ain't got your health you ain't got nothin'! Working too much without a break can cause raised blood pressure and surges in stress hormones, which can cause an increased risk for heart attacks and impaired memory.

Source

For those who love the open road and exploring the best (and often the weirdest) that North America has to offer, road trips are often one of the best possible ways to spend a holiday. The problem is, gas costs continue to rise making things much more expensive for road warriors, and long auto excursions are definitely not great when it comes to aiding our damaged environment.

For those who are concerned about the planet (as well as their cash flow), but for whom a road trip is still the only way to travel, this article lists a few ways to help make your time in the car both more Eco-and wallet-friendly. Suggestions include renting a hybrid or, if that's not possible, a vehicle that is very fuel-efficient. Road-trekkers should try to ensure their own car is as fuel-efficient as possible by making sure the air filter is clean and that the tires are properly inflated.

Other ideas include shortening the amount of overall miles covered in order to focus on the most impressive and interesting parts of a journey, or ditching the vehicle altogether in favor of a more-unique cross-country trip by train.

Source

If you enjoy being physically active chances are you've had at least a passing fantasy or two of doing something more exciting for exercise than whatever it is you normally do everyday, like the treadmill or the swimming pool. Ever pictured yourself hiking through the mountains or navigating a river in a kayak or canoe? How about horseback riding, backpacking, or even dog sledding? Whatever you dream of in regards to outdoor adventuring it may be closer to a reality than you think -- regular women like you and me are having fantastic outdoor adventures everyday through a place called Adventures in Good Company.

You can choose from pre-planned trips, or customize one of your own, and they'll feed you and house you and show you a good time. What are you waiting for?

Source

Traveling with kids can be challenging and stressful at the best of times but add in an airplane flight, and even more possible complications arise. Over the next few months lots of families will be heading to the skies on summer holidays so, just in time for your trip, here are some things to consider in order to keep your kids happy and healthy during a flight.

Don't fly with infants under a week old as their lungs aren't fully developed and oxygen levels on a plane could vary during a flight. Give older kids gum to chew to help with air pressure changes during takeoff and landing, while younger kids can suck on thumbs, soothers or a bottle.

Make sure to give antinausea medication 30 minutes to an hour before the flight in order for it to take effect at the right time -- you don't want it to wear off before takeoff but you also don't want it to start working too late. Also, bring a few activities in your carry-on -- coloring books, stories or travel games all work -- to keep bored children entertained. If you'd like a few more tips to make traveling with kids easier, take a look at the piece mentioned above.

Source

So you've been planning your next big trip for weeks or even months and you've worked your butt off -- literally -- to get into shape before you go. You've got a new bathing suit ready and can't wait to do some serious shopping for the latest hip trends at your chosen vacation destination.

Now the only thing left to do is NOT gain a bunch of weight while on this dream holiday. It is really tough not to go overboard while on vacation. Whether you're at an all inclusive resort in Mexico where the Corona flows like water, on an all-you-can-eat-extravaganza buffet cruise or trying an on-the-cheap backpacker's getaway where all you can afford is local fast food, it is tough not to go way overboard on excess calories. That, combined with the fact that you're on holiday and you want to relax (and why not? you've earned it!), equals extras pounds quick!

There's nothing wrong with gaining five or ten while on vacation but for those who really want to minimize the damage there are definitely ways to ensure you'll still fit that hot new bikini at the end of your holiday. For example, if you're staying somewhere where you can cook your own meals, whip up something for breakfast and lunch and then treat yourself to a tasty dinner of local favorites. If you are able, walk as much as possible as this is a great way to see the sites while burning off a drink or two. Want a few more tips? Take a look here and see what else you can work into your holiday. And remember, your main goal is to relax and have a good time rather than stress about an extra pound or two.

Source

If you're looking to get started on a weight loss program but need some inspiration and help getting started then maybe a luxurious weight loss get-away is just what you need. You'll get to travel to a beautiful resort and meet with a team of experts, including doctors and trainers, who will not only analyze your physical health and design a special plan just for you -- but they'll give you a beautiful and structured environment to do it in. And once you've finished burning calories by hiking through the hills or spinning in the gym you can relax with a luxury massage spa treatment and gourmet chef-prepared meals.

The downside is that this kind of "luxury weight loss resort" will cost you a pretty penny -- upwards of $6,000 or $7,000 for a week's stay at some -- so for most of us it's probably more than a little unrealistic.

Source

No matter who you pack a lunch for, plan for it to be healthy, tasty and interesting. I just read a neat little article in my local newspaper,written by Antonia Robinson, which had tons of great tips Thought you'd enjoy some of hers and some of mine. Bon apetit!

• Include items from each food group.
• Don't pack the same flavors each day.
• Pick colorful, crunchy and tasty foods.
• Include food the child likes.
• Pack most of the lunch the night before.
• Dinner leftovers also make a good lunch.
• Use a thermos for hot foods and cold packs for cold foods.
• Avoid sodas and juices.
• Make sure you include fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Think outside the box! Pack sushi, veggie lasagna, or rotisserie chicken.
• Some soups taste great at room temp. if a microwave is not available. Give em a shot!
• Cold or wet items will cause a paper bag to rip. Go for plastic or use an official insulated lunch box/bag.
• Freeze a water bottle the night before and put it in your lunch box. It will keep other things cool and melt just enough so it's perfectly chilled and drinkable by lunch time.
• Include a sweet note or some stickers to add some fun to the meal.