What's dark green, tastes bitter and is one of the most nutrient-dense foods ever? If you didn't answer "kale," you need to get yourself down to the McGill branch of the Burnaby Library on Thursday, Jan. 24 to find out about this "super food" and the wonders it can do for your health.
"Kale-evangelist" Sharon Hanna will be offering information from her book, The Book of Kale, in a one-hour talk starting at 7 p.m.
Most people know they should be eating kale but don't know it can taste good, according to the author.
Her book is a garden-to-kitchen guide on everything from how to organically grow this special cabbage to how to eat it in more than 80 recipes.
After her talk, Hanna will answer questions and sign copies of her book.
Admission is free, but space is limited.
To register, or for more information, visit www. bpl.bc.ca/events/mcgill, call 604-299-8955, or preregister in person at the library.
The McGill library is located at 4595 Albert St.
SFU eyes jet lag
For frequent flyers, sleep cycle interruptions have always been an inevitable problem associated with travel.
But all that may be about to change.
Jay Olson, a researcher in the department of psychology at Simon Fraser University has discovered that adjusting one's exposure to light before taking off in a jet plane can significantly help to avoid drowsiness after landing.
Olson's formula is now available free on his website, www.jetlagrooster. com, and is the subject of a recent article on the blog Scientific American: Mind Matters.
"Most people experience jet lag when travelling across time zones, but with a few simple steps it may be completely preventable," Olson said in a press release. "The hard part is calculating when to seek or avoid light, since these times differ for each person and each trip."
Olson's website does the calculations automatically and they are tailored to individual needs.
Hungry?
After a healthy, satisfying meal, why is it that we just can't resist that double-fudge sundae?
A recent survey by Weight Watchers Canada suggests the reason has everything to do with the way our brains are wired.
In a recent survey, the weight loss group found 52 per cent of Canadians who started a weight-loss regimen in the past year were unsuccessful, citing a lack of willpower as the most common reason for falling off the weight-loss wagon.
Where scientists have in the past focused on homeostatic hunger - hunger signals based on blood sugar levels - the latest research finds "hedonic hunger" - eating for pleasure - also plays a significant role in how much, when, and why we eat.
Have local health-related news you'd like to share or a tip about a health story? Send it reporter Marelle Reid at [email protected], by fax to 604-444-3460, or by mail to 201A-3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 3H4.
For more health news, see previous Medical File columns online at www.burn abynow.com.
