Dieting Living

From ProPublica…

“Before the conference, I’d seen a press release announcing that the largest health actuarial firm in the world, Milliman, was now using the LexisNexis scores. I tracked down Marcos Dachary, who works in business development for Milliman. Actuaries calculate health care risks and help set the price of premiums for insurers. I asked Dachary if Milliman was using the LexisNexis scores to price health plans and he said: “There could be an opportunity.”

The scores could allow an insurance company to assess the risks posed by individual patients and make adjustments to protect themselves from losses, he said. For example, he said, the company could raise premiums, or revise contracts with providers. It’s too early to tell whether the LexisNexis scores will actually be useful for pricing, he said. But he was excited about the possibilities. “One thing about social determinants data — it piques your mind,” he said. Dachary acknowledged the scores could also be used to discriminate. Others, he said, have raised that concern. As much as there could be positive potential, he said, “there could also be negative potential.” It’s that negative potential that still bothers data analyst Erin Kaufman, who left the health insurance industry in January. The 35-year-old from Atlanta had earned her doctorate in public health because she wanted to help people, but one day at Aetna, her boss told her to work with a new data set.

To her surprise, the company had obtained personal information from a data broker on millions of Americans. The data contained each person’s habits and hobbies, like whether they owned a gun, and if so, what type, she said. It included whether they had magazine subscriptions, liked to ride bikes or run marathons. It had hundreds of personal details about each person. The Aetna data team merged the data with the information it had on patients it insured. The goal was to see how people’s personal interests and hobbies might relate to their health care costs. But Kaufman said it felt wrong: The information about the people who knitted or crocheted made her think of her grandmother. And the details about individuals who liked camping made her think of herself. What business did the insurance company have looking at this information? “It was a dataset that really dug into our clients’ lives,” she said. “No one gave anyone permission to do this.”

Source: Health Insurers Are Vacuuming Up Details About You —… — ProPublica

As part of the continuous crackdown on the Muslim Uyghur minority in China, the Communist Party leaders in Xinjiang announced their plan to fight halal products in a step to combat Islam and terrorism, as argued.

In an announcement was shared on the city’s official WeChat account, the party leaders in Urumqi have begun an anti-halal movement last Monday in which they led responsible parties to swear an oath to “fight a decisive battle against 'pan-halalisation”.

The WeChat post also confirmed that government employees should not have any diet problems and work canteens would be changed so officials could try all kinds of cuisine.

On top of large-scale detentions in “education centers” where they are all pressured to denounce their religion, being forced to attend Chinese language classes, repeat slogans praising the Chinese leader and the communist party and being forced to eat pork and drink alcohol, Muslim Uyghurs are now facing new laws that might force them to replace the non-halal products and food with non-halal.

This is believed to come as part of the Chinese government efforts to stop Islam from “penetrating secular life” and increasing "extremism".

The news has been finding massive reactions from human rights activists and Muslims all over the world who expressed their condemnation and denounced the Chinese authorities attempts to ethnically cleanse the Xinjiang Muslims.

Others had another thoughts on it.

Lately, China has been set to face heavy criticism from the international community as more reports had emerged on the mass-detentions faced by the Uyghurs in China. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is still denying reports that accuse it of systematically targeting the beliefs of Muslims in Xinjiang.

Read More: Spotlight Grows on Mass Detentions of Muslim Uyghurs in China

As part of the continuous crackdown on the Muslim Uyghur minority in China, the Communist Party leaders in Xinjiang announced their plan to fight halal products in a step to combat Islam and terrorism, as argued.

In an announcement was shared on the city’s official WeChat account, the party leaders in Urumqi have begun an anti-halal movement last Monday in which they led responsible parties to swear an oath to “fight a decisive battle against 'pan-halalisation”.

The WeChat post also confirmed that government employees should not have any diet problems and work canteens would be changed so officials could try all kinds of cuisine.

On top of large-scale detentions in “education centers” where they are all pressured to denounce their religion, being forced to attend Chinese language classes, repeat slogans praising the Chinese leader and the communist party and being forced to eat pork and drink alcohol, Muslim Uyghurs are now facing new laws that might force them to replace the non-halal products and food with non-halal.

This is believed to come as part of the Chinese government efforts to stop Islam from “penetrating secular life” and increasing "extremism".

The news has been finding massive reactions from human rights activists and Muslims all over the world who expressed their condemnation and denounced the Chinese authorities attempts to ethnically cleanse the Xinjiang Muslims.

Others had another thoughts on it.

Lately, China has been set to face heavy criticism from the international community as more reports had emerged on the mass-detentions faced by the Uyghurs in China. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is still denying reports that accuse it of systematically targeting the beliefs of Muslims in Xinjiang.

Read More: Spotlight Grows on Mass Detentions of Muslim Uyghurs in China

© PeskyMonkey A guide to toenail colors and what they say about various health conditions. Every once in a while, you should take a good look at your toenails. You might joke about how your feet aren’t so pretty - especially if you’re a CrossFit junkie or get bruised nails from long-distance runs - but a less-than-desirable toenail appearance can actually be a sign of an underlying health issue.

“Healthy nails have a plump, pink nail bed and pink nail plate with strong but thin nails,” says Dr. Dana Canuso, podatric surgeon and founder of Dr. Canuso Skincare for Feet.

Here's a guide to what the color of your toenails means, and what you should do if they start looking funky.

If your toenail is...purple

© ANGHI - Getty Images Toes after injury If your toenails are purple, this may be due to a subungual hematoma, or bruising under the nail bed. “Small blood vessels bleed underneath the nail staining it darker,” says Dr. Miguel Cunha, founder of the NYC-based Gotham Footcare. “This is caused by trauma to the nail, such as dropping a heavy object or severely stubbing it."

When this type of bruising occurs, you have two options. The first is to do nothing and simply allow the healthy nail to grow back in and gradually replace the darkened nail over time. But this can take "several months to resolve, as the toe nails only grow a millimeter per month,” he says.

The second option is to have a doctor remove the nail. “This option is only necessary if the nail becomes painful, which can happen sometimes if the pressure of blood accumulating underneath the nail plate becomes abnormal and excessive,” he says.

Purple nails can also signify a circulation issue "that is causing the nail to receive less oxygen than it needs,” says Canuso. “Because the tissue may be not getting the blood it needs, there may be pain in the toe or nail." To treat these symptoms, you must treat the cause of the circulatory issue, which usually means a trip to your doctor.

If your toenails are...yellow or brown

© Warren_Price - Getty Images Toe Nail Fungus “Yellow or brown nails could be caused by a problem with the respiratory system orlymphatic system, although they occur most often due to complications of diabetes or even more commonly, nail fungus,” says Canuso.

When caused by a fungal condition, the nail will also be thick and brittle. “This is caused when a microscopic fungus infects one or more nails. These microscopic organisms typically thrive in dark, warm, and moist environments,” Cunha says.

It can happen from wearing moist sneakers or wearing the same pair for too long. “The insides of shoes are a perfect environment to harbor fungal organisms. This condition often begins as an infection in the skin, which is commonly referred to as athlete’s foot,” he says. As the nail fungus penetrates deeper into the nail, it may cause the nail to discolor, thicken, and develop crumbling edges

Treatment of this condition depends largely on the severity of the infection, but your doctor can do a nail biopsy to figure out what to do next. “Medicated antifungal nail lacquer may be prescribed for a localized mild to moderate infection. Prescription oral antifungal medications may be prescribed for a more serious infection,” Cunha says. Laser nail treatment is an alternative to oral medication, in which the laser passes a light through the toenail to kill the fungus without causing damage to the nail or the surrounding tissues.

If your toenail is...white or has white spots

© deepspacedave - Getty Images Closeup of two Fingernails with leukonychia Leukonychia, or white spots or lines on the nail, can indicate several conditions. “White lines can appear if there is recurring pressure or trauma to the nail - for instance, if a runner wears shoes that are too small and the toe continues to hit the top of the shoe,” Cunha says.White spots will form if the injury was not severe enough to break the blood vessel, which would lead to darkening.

Leukonychia can also stem from a zinc deficiency, says Canuso. If the nail is completely white, or there are white lines across the nail bed, it "can mean anemia or a protein deficiency,” she says.

If the white spots are caused by injury, try taking a nail-fortifying vitamin like biotin to improve hair, skin, and nails - and of course, you should stop doing whatever traumatic activity you’ve been doing. “Be patient and simply allow the healthy nail to grow and gradually replace the white nail over time,” Cunha says. This can take several months to resolve, as toenails typically grow only about a millimeter each month.

If you are concerned you're anemic, watch out for other symptoms such as fatigue or muscle weakness. "These could be symptoms of protein deficiency or anemia, and you should consult your physician,” Canuso says.

If your toenail is...all black

© avtk - Getty Images bruised nail foot “Nails that are completely black in color may have numerous causes, such as a B12 deficiency, kidney problems, or liver disease. But the most common reason for the discoloration is trauma,” says Canuso. Simply stubbing your toe can cause a bruise to form under the toenail, which in turn can turn your nail black.

If this happens, you must wait for the entire nail to grow out before the discoloration is gone, which can take about six to nine months, she says. If you're concerned about any of the above conditions, consult with a physician, but rest assured that these are relatively rare.

If your toenail isn't black, but has a black stripe running across it, the most common cause is a condition called linear melanonychia. “This condition occurs when pigments in the nail known as melanocytes make excess pigment, causing the nail beds to darken,” Cunha says.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is one of my favorites. I’ve eaten it at potlucks, summer picnics and all kinds of get togethers. I’ve never made it though.  Until now of course. 

It all just came together quickly. I actually had all the ingredients. By accident. I accidentally bought pineapple rings instead of chunks. We just happened to have half a jar of maraschino cherries in the fridge. With everything else on hand, we made it in a snap. 

The part I was afraid of was the flip. I’ve had to flip things out of a pan before with disastrous results. I was so hoping that this would work. It came out beautifully and it was so pretty!  It was delicious and super duper moist. Maybe next time I’ll be the one bringing this to parties this summer!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

3 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
9 slices canned pineapple in juice, drained
Maraschino cherries
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Put the butter in an 8 x 8 in square pan and set it over low heat to melt.  When melted, sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter.  Arrange the pineapple rings in a single layer on top of the sugar, making 3 rows. Place the maraschino cherries in the center of each of the pineapple rings.  Set aside. 

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside. 

Mix together the shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla.  Blend the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Stir until just combined. 

Pour the batter carefully into the pineapple baking pan and bake for 40 minutes.  Test for if it’s done with a toothpick or see if it springs back when you press gently on it.  Run a knife around the edges of the pan and put a serving dish on top.  Flip the cake onto the serving dish.  Leave the pan inverted over the cake a several moments to allow the syrup to soak into the cake. 

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Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

If you’ve been paying attention to my anti-aging and longevity advice of late (such as this week’s article on simple and natural habits for enhancing longevity), you no doubt are aware that one of the best things you can do for yourself is to find your purpose in life.

If things haven’t been going the way you’ve planned, and especially if you’ve felt completely stuck in life, know this: everything changes the moment you discover your life’s unique purpose. Success, love, abundance, health and well-being, and vibrant energy are all by-products of leading a purpose-filled life.

But maybe you don’t know what your life’s purpose is, or you don’t believe you have one, or you thought you knew what it was and you lost it. If that’s the case, then this podcast is for you. In the latest book from today’s podcast guest Mastin Kipp, you’re guided on a 40-day journey, inspired by Joseph Campbell’s model of the hero’s journey, to identify and dissolve whatever’s holding you back, break free from trauma and victimhood, and transform your life.

Mastin is an American entrepreneur, best-selling author, and renowned public speaker and the creator of Functional Life Coaching™. He is the author of the best- selling books Daily Love and Claim Your Power, and has been featured in outlets like Well + Good, Huffington Post, and has appeared on Fox News, ABC, CBS News, and more.

During our discussion, you’ll discover:

-Mastin’s treadmill desk setup that he used to write the entire book…8:00

You guys, I’m not going to lie. Making “I Will Make You Mine” is really, really hard.

Not only has my life (and my home) been completely taken over physically, but the mental energy and stress is overwhelming. That said, I’m still so glad I’m doing this. Representing Asian-Americans both in front of and behind the camera is something that is very important to me, and I’m really proud of what we are creating.

Today we begin crowdfunding my movie. Because we’re self-funding this, and we still have another half of filming to go, I’d love it if you could help us out by heading to our Kickstarter and making a donation. Whatever you can give, it would really mean the world to us.

For those of you who have been following this blog a long time, you know I am not comfortable asking for things. Not even things that are free for you to do, like leaving reviews or comments or sharing things on social media. So this isn’t the easiest thing for me to do – asking all of you to help me financially.

But I really could use the help – even if you don’t have $5 to spare, please share this campaign with your network. Love you all and thanks for following me on this journey.

HONG VO via Getty Images Make your own trail mix with a combination of dried fruit and nuts.