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New York City has required restaurants to post calories on menu choices for the last year or so.  Do these calorie postings change eating habits?  A new study from researchers at New York University and Yale in low-income neighborhoods where there are high rates obesity indicates not.

Published in Health Affairs journal, the study looked at customers in four fast-food chains, and found that about half of them noticed the calorie postings, and 28 percent  of those people thought about what they were ordering.  9 out of 10 of those said the calorie counts influenced them to make changes.

The researcher, Brian Elbel of NYU, found that just listing calorie counts was probably not enough.  The difference seems to be about cost of the food, with fast-food dollar menus, and "meals" being cheaper than healthier alternatives.

Here's an article on the study in the New York Times.

Where do YOU weigh-in on restaurant calorie postings?  Should they be required; should it be a new, as it is in New York?  Would YOU make changes to your eating if you saw how many calories there are in fast-foods?  Please comment below.

I was impressed.  He got specific.  He was tough, yet stayed in the middle, offering to work together with both sides. President Obama's health care speech was another step in the right direction towards reform of a system that is itself, critically ill.

Focusing on positives from the start, and what agreement there already is on both sides, President Obama specifically laid out his ideas for a comprehensive overall.  To my mind, this was the first time he has done that.  There's been reigning confusion as to what the actual proposals consisted of.  Unfortunately, politics had an opening, and misinformation and fear started taking over the debate.  Representative Joe Wilson's outburst starkly showed some of the ill-mannered, hot political manuvering that's been going on.

We all agree that the system is in need of repair.  Too many people are without health coverage and when accidents or catastrophic illnesses strike the results are disastrous: withholding of urgent care, families stressed beyond limits, bankruptcies.  Everyone has to be taken care of; everyone needs basic health care.  It's obscene that in America, one of the most prosperous countries on earth, that so many people are left behind.  For those who are insured, there will be limits on out-of-pocket expenses, and the end of cancellations, and preexisting conditions limitations.

Obama got tough.  He called out the lies that have been used for political, and even racist agendas.  I hope that the "town hall" hate sessions are now nipped in the bud.  Obama exposed the lies of "death panels," "government takeovers," "hurting seniors," and "Socialist agendas."  Those are obvious scare tactics, and untruths.  I believed our President when he promised that there would be no deficit spending, and that government would not be making decisions that should be left to doctors and patients.  I believe him that senior's coverage wouldn't suffer and Medicare and Medicade would continue.  His plan would increase prescription drug coverage, helping to end the "donut" in existing programs.  We cannot be forced out of our insurance due to illnesses.  We will be able to continue to chose our doctors and care.  Taxes will not go up with overhaul of the healthcare system.

He finally called out insurance companies.  By saying that the health insurance industry is 1/6th of our entire economy, he put things into perspective.  Further, his statement that there are really only 5 insurance companies is shocking.  He could have gone a bit further and said that insurance companies are the richest companies on earth, other than oil companies.  It's scandalous that the insurers are so rich, when so many people are left behind.  It's disgusting that our healthcare system isn't among the best in the world with the amount of money that's spent in it.

He's right to use the free enterprise system to increase competition for health insurers.  We'll be able to compare, and bid.  By opening markets, and adding millions of potential customers, insurance companies will further prosper and so will consumers.  The power to choose will be strengthened. The Republicans liked that, and they should.  They still don't appear to like the public insurance option, though.  For the small percentage of those uninsured, we should have a non-profit alternative.  We already have it with Medicare and Medicade!

Laws should be enacted to insist on health coverage.  We have them for auto insurance, why shouldn't we for our own people's care?

As Barack Obama said, the time for bickering and lies is over.  We must move forward together.  We must do something, now, for the people, not for politics.  Healthcare is vital; it's too expensive, and only for the privileged now.  It must be for everyone.

My favorite line was near the end: "We did not come to fear the future.  We came here to shape it.  I still believe we can act even when it's hard."  I believe we can, too.  We need to put aside partisan politics, hatred, racism, and fear mongering.

Please comment below on what YOU thought, and your concerns for healthcare.

Please contact your senators and congressional representatives and tell them to get healthcare reform passed ASAP.  We need it now.

***I've responded to comments, and added some further thoughts to this posting.  PLEASE CLICK HERE to see them.***

Many overweight people use food to comfort themselves. After all, food is something we cannot live without, and it's one of the primary ways for people and families to connect with one another.

The only trouble is, it can become a substitute for love, affection, and coping skills. Think of some ways you could comfort yourself, other than by eating. Here's a starter list: hug yourself or another person, take a hot bath, stroke your face or pat yourself on the arm, tell yourself that you're good and that you love yourself, think of four good things about yourself, or finish some work you've been avoiding and then reward yourself with a short walk.

Worship and spiritual practices can be a source of great comfort, too. Put your beliefs into action. Practice stillness, gratitude, and service to others in need of comfort, and God will alleviate your troubles and comfort you.

Please email this blog to your friends, and ask them to visit daily: beliefnet.com/drnorris

I'm on Twitter, too, for YOU!  www.Twitter.com/drnorrischumley

Thanks to all who have been commenting.  It's so fun and full-filling to read what you write!  Your comments make me happy, even the tough ones.  So PLEASE keep them coming.  Also, tell your friends about this amazing, growing online community.  Please share this simple link, www.beliefnet.com/drnorris

This week, two of our delightful readers have delighted me, as follows:

Debra Rincon Lopez from Oregon wrote: "You are so right, you must remember the joy in weightloss. Also God's happiness and joy in your life, should be the biggest part of your lifestyle anyway. I was forgetting in the past, but my new lifestyle after addiction to drugs & alcohol is made whole with God in my life. Plus you need to find joyful and active activities to do with others. This makes it so helpful to you and them."

I can't begin to count how many people told me NOT to title my book, "The Joy of Weight Loss," because "there's no joy in weight loss."  No way!  It's a totally joyous process, and I don't mean after the weight is lost.  I mean to find and experience joy and then the weight comes off.  Overweight and obesity I believe is a symptom of a lack of joy and happiness in life.  That joy is infinite - spiritual, physical, emotional, psychological.

Another big joy-generator was Verlon, who wrote, "Hi, my name is Verlon Tucker and i like walking and i Thank You."  Enough said, Verlon!  Walk on!

Let me know what YOUR JOY is!  Just writing it below will make you feel more joy, I'm sure, and it's contagious.

And please sign up for my daily Tweets on Twitter!  www.twitter.com/drnorrischumley

share this daily blog with all your friends, please.  It would help me and Beliefnet a lot if you'd spread the word!  www.Beliefnet.com/drnorris

What is the main thought that keeps running through your mind?  Is it positive and helpful?  You know you can change it if you need to. God gives us the power of free will and free thinking.

If you think:  "I am fat. I cannot change." Try: "I am better and better. I can with God."

Or:  "My ____hurts." Try: "My _____ feels good thank God."

How about if you're mentally repeating "I am going to lose everything, I am broke." Try instead "I will pull out of this crisis by the grace of God."

Changing your mental mantra is amazingly powerful. Believe it and put your faith behind it.

Try my Twitter team!  Www.Twitter.com/drnorrischumley

Some people do well in gyms and health clubs, but most of my clients and readers do not.  Most people I know who have zealously joined gyms have gone for a few days and then stopped, wasting tons of money,...

One of the simplest ways to save money on food is to eliminate impulse buying of foods you don't need or aren't good for you.  The way to only buy what you need is to take a little time to...

Here's another idea to add to this month's collection of ideas and ways to save and lose weight at the same time.  Today I want to suggest a healthy cooking party!Invite a few friends over, say 3 or 4, and...

The way I lost weight (160 pounds) and kept it off (over 16 years now) was to learn to eat ordinary food (not diet food), in smaller quantities. I also learned to be sure to combine protein, grains, and either...

A way to save a lot of money and lose weight, is to buy generic, or store-name foods.  Often, the same manufacturer or packager makes all the food, but puts different labels on it.  Same products, different labels.You are not...

If you want to lose weight, eat healthier food and use your body.  Don't bother buying expensive vitamins or "appetite suppressants," or magic weight loss pills or formulas - I don't think they work.  Some are harmful.  Read what I...

This is strange, but true.  The more you eat, the more you want, the more you end-up eating!Why do you think they call them "appetizers?"  Extra food sparks your appetite.  They make you have an increased "appetite" or make you...

If you always need or want something more than what you have, or worry or obsess about food and dieting--consider giving to others, and less about yourself.  Take the monetary and financial aspects out of the picture. Here are some...

This recipe for yummy bean dip is a real find!  I think you'll love it, at least I do and so do my family and friends.  It's so easy, it's amazing, it's also incredibly easy on the pocketbook.1 can black...

Here's a quick tip to eat less, save calories and save money.  Use meat just for flavoring.Many cultures and cuisines feature meat in very small quantities.  This is particularly true of Asian foods.  Consisting of mostly vegetables and a little...

Eating more whole grains and bran helps you feel more full from less food and less money.  Baking your own bran muffins is a great example.  It doesn't take long, it's easy, and gives your digestive system a helpful, healthy...

Awhile back I wrote about cutting portion sizes as a way to save, and a way to lose weight without dieting.  It's a method that really works!  All you do is have half the size portion of what you would...

I frequently write about my recommendation for eating 3 meals and 3 snacks per day. If you have a little, you're less hungry, and that can save money and calories.  In other words, instead of the classic 3 (big) meals...

Yes, it's great to want to be as pure and healthy as possible by buying and eating organic foods.  But if you're trying to lose weight and save money and like me, I can't really afford to go organic.My wife...

Do you really save money buying food and supplies in large quantities?  The answer is yes.  There is a difference in places to buy food in bulk, though, so do your homework.  Basically, when it comes to savings there are...

Many of my clients have told me that they go to fast food restaurants fairly often.  One person I am working with says she goes everyday after work and has a couple of burgers (make that 4).  She also told...

Find yourself tense, stressed, muscles all tight?  Worried about something? Fearful of what is next?Here is what I do when I'm in that dark, deep place:-- take a deep breath.-- tell God I love Him.-- ask Him to show me...

This week brought lots of deep and insightful comments, particularly from last week's article, "What I learned from Easter and Passover."  Please take a look and add your comment to it.So many people opened up and shared their pain, heartache...

Tax Day in the U.S.  A tough time, facing up and paying up for the past year.I wrote about money and debt, and "Being on the Verge"  here's that post, click here.Here's what Deborah Price of Beliefnet, says about what...