Health Radar

WAVE OF THE FUTURE

Increase your strength, flexibility, and endurance by adding a heavyrope workout to your exercise regimen. There are many different rope exercises, so keep it simple when you’re starting out.

Alternating Wave—move your arms up and down at opposite times to create alternating waves.
Single Wave—move your arms up and down at the same time to create uniform waves.
Around the World—move your arms in a large circular motion in the same direction to create circular waves.

With each rope exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, with 30 seconds of rest in between.

COMING TO GRIPS

If you want a vice-like grip, grab a racquetball and start squeezing. It’s an inexpensive way to gain strength in your hands and fingers. Keep in mind that your balls don’t have to be blue. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, buy a can of pink racquetballs from Wilson (wilson.com) to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

RACCOON REPELLANT

If you recently suffered a pair of raccoon eyes (black eyes) from a formidable Brazilian (see Renzo Gracie) on the streets of NYC, you can reduce the swelling by applying ice, taking acetaminophen, and elevating your head with an extra pillow while you sleep. In addition, never try to mug a Gracie… or bum a cigarette.

NUMBER GAMES

Those pesky little stickers on your fresh produce are kind of a pain to peel off when you’re trying to wash and prepare food. However, PLU (price look up) stickers do more than make checkout at the grocery store a little faster. PLU stickers contain numbers that reveal how the produce was grown. A conventionally grown item will have a four-digit code starting with “3” or “4.” Organically grown produce will have a five-digit code starting with “9,” while genetically modified produce will have a five-digit code starting with “8.”

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Zinc is a popular ingredient in coldfighting lozenges, but be aware of how much zinc you consume when illness strikes. Too much zinc (more than 75mg per day) can inhibit immune function. For more tips on boosting your immune system, flip to page 80.