We all scream for ice cream

Actually only some people get brain freeze when eating of drinking something cold too quickly. There is a term for this (of course, there is) and it's sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia.

Scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winson-Salem, SC, prefer to think of it as the body's way of telling you to slow down.

Brain freeze is a rapid-onset headache that also goes away rapidly.  The mouth has many temperature receptors--and eating something cold fast does not give the mouth time to adjust and basically your body goes YOW!

The brain itself does not feel pain, but the receptors in the outer coverr called meninges do. When the cold hits, arteries dilate and contract and this comes off as pain.

What if you get brain freeze? Well, I will speak slowly--stop porking in the cold item, step away from the icy treat. Also press your tongue to the roof of your mouth to warm it or drink something tepid.

Notice I did not say no more ice cream, just no more eating ice cream like a piglet.

Tricked-out water

I hate Gatorade! It tastes like lime sweat.

But we all know sodas are killah--even the artificially sweetened kind with the medicine aftertaste. So what to do...

Sarah Nassauer, WSJ, May 15, 2013, made the supreme sacrifice and glugged a whole bunch of alternates.

Yoda-like, she asks, "When is water actually soda?" She never answers that, but does point out that 20% of Americans don't like water. Soda also still whips bottled water in sales.

So now we have zero-cal water with flavors. Poland Spring has a fruit essence thing.

Sparkling Ice is made by Talking Rain Company Inc. "Not as boring as water, not as bad for you as soda" is their somewhat iffy tagline--some cals.

We also have liqud "water customizers," meaning flavorings. These use artificial sweetners. Easy, tasty.

I have tried Hint water--watery with a slight fruit overtone.

CitrusZinger is tricky--you put lemon or lime slices in the bottom and squoosh them into the water.

989OnDemand has Himalayan sea salt and minerals ion the top, which go into the water when you twist the cap.

And then, ta-da, we have water. Dasani is the #2 bev in the US. For bubbles, think S. Pellegrino.

[What happened to Perrier?]

Some people react well to carbonation--cooling the tongue, zippy. Others don't like it.

In related non-news, did you know only parts of the NY area and Wisconsin call a water fountain a bubbler?

I am feeling random today. I may be dehydrated.

The buzz on spraying for skeeters

We don't have much malaria in this country, but mosquitoes do carry West Nile and some other diseases you don't want to get.

If you have tried Citronella candles and traps and are still slapping, what about spraying your yard?

The WSJ took this up may 14, 2013.

First, not all mosquitoes die when you spray. Some resist the insecticide.

 The cost can range from $100 to at least a $1000 if there is a large area, woods, pond and other attrractors.

You need to spray monthly.

If the neighbors don't spray--well, theirs will come over to your joint.

If you have water around, even in a flower pot, they can spawn in there. Dump things out. If you have a fish pond, there are fish that can be put in to eat the larvae. We have goldfish in our pond that do the same.

Although commercial sprays are safe for use in a consumer situation, remove toys and pet bowls and keep children and animals in for two to four hours until the chemicals have dried.

Also--sprays can hurt bees and other pollinating insects...sorry, but it's true.

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.