Junk food

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

It’s time to fight back against companies who are producing addictive junk food, advertising them during kid’s shows, and lobbying against efforts to require nutritional information on packaging. This funny-but-serious video from Cracked tells you what the deal is: If Junk Food Commercials Were Honest – Honest Ads

New Zealand phasing out smoking

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

New Zealand has a unique and bold plan to phase out smoking. The smoking age will be raised every year — until it covers the entire population. Here’s The Damage Report on this topic: New Zealand Phases Out Cigarettes In Country-Wide Ban The video then moves on to a second topic, which is also interesting: […]

N95 masks could end the pandemic sooner

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

If everybody were to use the N95 masks we could end the pandemic in 4 weeks, according to Dr. Abraar Karan, seen here on CNN: See expert’s plan to end pandemic in four weeks Some places are ramping up production of N95 masks. Everyone should do so — including Canada.

Beans instead of beef

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

Here’s a suggestion for people who want to help the environment but aren’t quite ready to become vegetarian: substitute beans for beef in your diet. James Hamblin at The Atlantic explains what the deal is here: If Everyone Ate Beans Instead of Beef Here is one more article on a similar theme. Melissa Clark at […]

Ridding the world of smoking

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

Here’s an article from Vox that details how smoking has gone down dramatically in Canada and the US but has gone up elsewhere in the world. One way of improving things is by enforcing the terms of a treaty which 180 countries have signed — the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Tobacco companies have engaged […]

Nonsmokers get 6 extra vacation days

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

A company in Japan has decided to fight smoking and reward nonsmokers in a unique way. Someone complained that smokers take more time off, with their frequent smoke breaks. So the company is giving nonsmokers 6 extra vacation days. Since the new policy was put in place, 4 of the company’s 42 smokers have quit. […]

Neuroplasticity

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

This short documentary shows some of the science behind the idea that you can retrain your brain. Neuroplasticity is the idea that the brain can be changed, it isn’t fixed. Dr. Norman Doidge’s research into this revolutionary concept shows that it can be used to help people with various debilitating conditions: The Brain That Changes […]

Smoking will be banned at McMaster

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

I applaud any and all restrictions on smoking. Here’s one that makes me think about moving to Hamilton: McMaster University banning smoking on all campuses

Things keep getting discovered

Posted by Dave Switzer under From the web

I feel like I’ve been paying too much attention to Donald Trump and not enough attention to other things. There have been a lot of incredible discoveries in the past year. This list of 25 is from the YouTube channel called “list25”: 25 Most SHOCKING Discoveries In The Last Year

Mind Over Medicine

Posted by Dave Switzer under Reviews of books

{5/5} “If you’re lonely, you’re stuck in a toxic relationship, you’re full of resentment for people who have hurt you, you’re cheating on your partner, you’re selling your soul at work, or you feel spiritually bankrupt, no amount of veggies, gym visits, 12-step programs, or vitamins is going to cut it. Radical self-care also involves […]