Twist--and scream

Zumba is still hot. But docs and trainers are seeing more related injuries. Ken Alltucker writes about unintended consequences in the AZ Republic, May 17, 2013.

The exercise craze (http://zumba.com)--a combo of calisthenics and salsa--can be hard on the knees and other joints.

One gal who tore a knee cartilage said she felt like she needed to cut o ff her leg.

It's the side to side movement, experts say--and the fact that those over 50 often take it up.

Another drawback is badly trained or inexperienced instructors.

Also, rubber-soled shoes can anchor the body while the joint turns.

Listen to your body, the experts say. If you feel an ankle or knee twinge, back off.

Start slow. Avoid the deep knee bends or lunges at first.

Ask about instructor training.

Wear dance shoes or others that don't grip the floor.

What is the floor made of? Avoid concrete, tile, carpet.

This is a fun way to exercise--you want to keep smiling, not cry.

Here's the memo, cheers!

I once had to wait so long at the eye doctor's that I told the guy he needed to put in a bar.

According to a piece in the WSJ, May 14, 2013, the CEO (Chief Executive Optimist) of the Life is Good Co., a Boston apparel company, the firm is going to put a tavern in the office when they build their new headquarters.

Beer on tap, lounge seating, a big fireplace, and a bar. Also: a stage for live music.

It will be big enough for all 250 employees for company-wide meetings.

He says the company is not fancy--none of those stupid suits, for instance. You can even work in the bar if you want.

What if someone gets shellacked and tries to drive? Well, the CEO intones, that person is probably not going to work out with the company.

I dunno--do you want to go home sometimes, meet with outside friends... But I guess this is a pretty neat idea. The meetings should be way more fun.

Talking jammies

Smart PJ's are kids' pajamas that tell bedtime stories.

These were developed by an Idaho realtor with six kids, named Juan Murdoch. The garments are covered with patterns that can be scanned with an app and trigger the smartphone or tablet.

What the stories are is not made clear.

The idea is that bedtime becomes more intriguing.

How do I see this? (Someone spammed my site the other day saying I should never tell readers to decide for themselves.) Well, I think kids like a story read by an adult--and a snuggle. If the kid is tossed in bed with a scanner, well, it sort of lacks the personal touch, what?

But, of course, parents can join in the fun, too--watch the video.

http://www.smartrpjs.com.

Watch the video, scan the pajamas...where is all this going?

I can see a kid screaming, "I said the left sleeve!"

Some tiny things to help Mother Earth

No, I am not a Climate nut (although my sister is a Weather nut), but I guess I like nature well enough to want it around (well, water lilies, trees, and tigers, anyway).

Danielle Nierenberg and Ellen Gustafson run Food Tank (http://foodtank. org).

They think single-crop farms are degrading the soil and creating bad food for people.

So they are all about (buzzword warning) sustainable agriculture.

Some tips:

Eat more colors. Colors denote nutritional richness.

Buy food with less packaging. Packages create one-third of the waste gumming up the world.

Choose seasonal produce.

Maybe go on a farm stay instead of a vacay. Check out World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

Cook your own food. Cook in batches and freeze for later.

Be convivial (they are also for positive outlooks). I guess it's OK to laugh and stuff your face with sustainable veggies you cooked yourself. In fact, it sounds almost fun.

I saw this--on 2 BROKE GIRLS!

I laugh at that show despite my better judgment, the Ashton Kutcher TWO AND A HALF MEN, too.

Anyhow, on the show, "Caroline" gets a worrisome symptom downtown and is too embarrassed to show her roommate--so she takes a pix of it with her phone. Hilarity ensues.

Now, in real life, there is an app developed in Sweden for STD Awareness Month that allows the anonymous sending of a picture of one's "problem" to a physician. The doc responds within 24 hours.

Users are asked to provide written info on their medical history, but basically this is optional and the process is anonymous.

It's called STDtriage and can be downloaded free from the app store. The doc's advice is $40.

Check out http://www.stdtriage.com.

In the fictional show, even though Caroline was doing "the herp walk," it turned out to be an allergy to a body wash. The website says 70% of the ailments sent in are not STDs.

I wish I could use the picture they have, but I do have some decency, even though I laughed. I am really quite giddy.