About Author: Jonathan Hall

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I refer to myself as a drinking water advocate. Join me for a conversation on Healthy Hydration at the 2013 Healthy Beverage Expo in Las Vegas June 8-9.

Posts by Jonathan Hall

  • One of the emails I look forward to most is the daily HealthBeat from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). For example, who knew that an estimated 32 million Americans have incontinence (an accidental loss of bladder control).  This kernal of knowledge was part of the recent email: “5 Ways to Dodge Incontinence.“ The good news, according to HSPH, is that if you buy their “special health report, “Better Bladder and Bowel Control,” you can learn about the causes of urinary and bowel incontinence and treatments. There is not yet any feedback, however, on how many of the people who have purchased the report have actually achieved success. But, there is this good reason to buy the report, “Most people take bladder control for granted—until the unintended loss of urine interrupts the ability to carry on an ordinary social and work life.” They are, things you can do without buying the report, such as losing weight, exercise–of course–and “don’t strain” your bowels. (I’ll save this one for the experts to explain.) But, there’s one more thing, HSPH notes that “the artificial sweetener NutraSweet, which contains aspartame, can give you a sort of false urge–the feeling you need to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full. But so can spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. Nicotine is also considered a “bladder irritant.” My take on this is simple. Don’t stop doing what you are doing (except quit smoking). Just BE MINDFUL; CUT BACK on ALL SODA and DRINK LOTS OF WATER to help flush away the irritants. [If you would like to purchase the HSPH report, you can can save 30% using this link:  http://hvrd.me/12DaPMw.] Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    What do Artificial Sweeteners & “Bladder Irritants” Have in Common?

    Posted on March 10, 2013 | No Comments
    One of the emails I look forward to most is the daily HealthBeat from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). For example, who knew that an estimated 32 million Americans have incontinence (an accidental loss of bladder control).  This kernal of knowledge was part of the recent email: “5 Ways to Dodge Incontinence.“ The good news, according to HSPH, is that if you buy their “special health report, “Better Bladder and Bowel Control,” you can learn about the causes of urinary and bowel incontinence and treatments. There is not yet any feedback, however, on how many of the people who have purchased the report have actually achieved success. But, there is this good reason to buy the report, “Most people take bladder control for granted—until the unintended loss of urine interrupts the ability to carry on an ordinary social and work life.” They are, things you can do without buying the report, such as losing weight, exercise–of course–and “don’t strain” your bowels. (I’ll save this one for the experts to explain.) But, there’s one more thing, HSPH notes that “the artificial sweetener NutraSweet, which contains aspartame, can give you a sort of false urge–the feeling you need to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full. But so can spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. Nicotine is also considered a “bladder irritant.” My take on this is simple. Don’t stop doing what you are doing (except quit smoking). Just BE MINDFUL; CUT BACK on ALL SODA and DRINK LOTS OF WATER to help flush away the irritants. [If you would like to purchase the HSPH report, you can can save 30% using this link:  http://hvrd.me/12DaPMw.] Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  • The next time you feel like foraging in the cupboard or fridge, consider that mindless snacking can pack on the pounds. Cleveland Clinic registered dietitians teamed up during Summer 2012 to suggest healthy alternatives to time-honored comfort foods. This included getting tough on soft drinks. Here’s what they wrote, “Pop open a can of soda when you’re thirsty, and you’ll feel refreshed. But you’re basically drinking sugar water with zero nutritional value. For a healthier alternative, try making a juice spritzer. Add a splash of soda water, diet ginger ale or diet lemon-lime soda to half a cup of 100 percent grape, orange or cranberry-blend juice with ice. Or cool off with diet tonic water and a wedge of lemon.” Better yet, the dietitians recommend drinking water — “It truly is ‘the real thing!” Source: Rethinking Snacks & Comfort Foods: 7 Tips — Health Hub from Cleveland Clinic http://bit.ly/UFOsCG]   Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    Thirsty? Get tough on soft drinks.

    Posted on February 7, 2013 | 3 Comments
    The next time you feel like foraging in the cupboard or fridge, consider that mindless snacking can pack on the pounds. Cleveland Clinic registered dietitians teamed up during Summer 2012 to suggest healthy alternatives to time-honored comfort foods. This included getting tough on soft drinks. Here’s what they wrote, “Pop open a can of soda when you’re thirsty, and you’ll feel refreshed. But you’re basically drinking sugar water with zero nutritional value. For a healthier alternative, try making a juice spritzer. Add a splash of soda water, diet ginger ale or diet lemon-lime soda to half a cup of 100 percent grape, orange or cranberry-blend juice with ice. Or cool off with diet tonic water and a wedge of lemon.” Better yet, the dietitians recommend drinking water — “It truly is ‘the real thing!” Source: Rethinking Snacks & Comfort Foods: 7 Tips — Health Hub from Cleveland Clinic http://bit.ly/UFOsCG]   Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  • Join me for a conversation on “Who Owns Hydration” at the upcoming Healthy Beverage Expo in Las Vegas. http://healthybeverageexpo.com June 7 -9, 2013 Las Vegas Convention Center, NV Introducing Healthy Beverage Expo. New Products. New Ideas. New distribution channels. New ways to take on the world. It’s all good. “Healthy” is hot. Healthy beverages are cool. And now there’s a smart new tradeshow and conference focused exclusively on fueling the strong young trend. Healthy Beverage Expo is an innovative marketplace specifically created to give you pure and undiluted access to all the new and exciting opportunities this growing category represents. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    Healthy Beverage Expo in Las Vegas

    Posted on February 6, 2013 | No Comments
    Join me for a conversation on “Who Owns Hydration” at the upcoming Healthy Beverage Expo in Las Vegas. http://healthybeverageexpo.com June 7 -9, 2013 Las Vegas Convention Center, NV Introducing Healthy Beverage Expo. New Products. New Ideas. New distribution channels. New ways to take on the world. It’s all good. “Healthy” is hot. Healthy beverages are cool. And now there’s a smart new tradeshow and conference focused exclusively on fueling the strong young trend. Healthy Beverage Expo is an innovative marketplace specifically created to give you pure and undiluted access to all the new and exciting opportunities this growing category represents. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  • Update (January 5, 2013): The beverage industry is trying to delay enforcement of NYC’s plan to limit the sale of supersized, sugar-sweetened beverages set to take effect mid-March. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    NYC Soda Ban Review

    Posted on September 22, 2012 | No Comments
    Update (January 5, 2013): The beverage industry is trying to delay enforcement of NYC’s plan to limit the sale of supersized, sugar-sweetened beverages set to take effect mid-March. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  • Nutritionists, marketing experts and others who study sugary drink trends note cutting back is not so easy. Pierre Chandon, who studies how people make consumption decisions and how marketing can affect us without our even noticing it thinks that while consumers know that the purpose of advertising is to get us to buy things, they have no idea that the size and shape of a package can also influence us. Using different cup sizes from a fast food restaurant, Chandon, who is a marketing professor at Paris-based INSEAD, developed a soda quiz. The test is designed to point out that people often purchase larger cup sizes thinking that they are getting more for their money, which they are. But the real point is that the larger sizes are what’s making people fat. [The quiz accompanied an article, “How Can a Big Gulp Look So Small?,” published in the June 24 issue of The New York Times.] Chandon, who spent his summer as a visiting scholar at the Harvard Business School, told listeners on the H2O For Health radio show that understanding drink labels and calculating serving size and calories is increasingly tricky because a single bottle of soda is typically more than a single serving. As he likes to point out, Coca-Cola was only sold in 6.5 ounce bottles when it was first launched. Today, some people regularly purchase 64-ounce sizes of fountain drinks. Prof. Chandon summed consumers’ struggle this way. “Imagine there is a river and the banks of the river are slippery and so yes, it’s your personal choice to be careful and pay attention and not fall into the water. At the same time, clearly, the industry is trying to attract you to the river because that’s what they do.” In fact, the beverage industry argues that people have the right to choose their beverage. Prof. Chandon’s research attempts to find out how industry, the public health community and government can find a way around indfustry selling more and more calories that lead to higher obesity rate and health problems. Meanwhile, a coalition of health and consumer advocates and city public health departments have requested that U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin launch a study on the health effects of soda and other sugary drinks. Health advocates say they want government intervention to help people make better decisions and stem the costly obesity crisis. While most people have healthy long-term goals, Prof. Chandon told listeners that, “In the short-term, we all go for taste. That’s an immediate reward that we may regret later.” One way around this, he believes, is to create marketing that focuses on simple solution: satiation. That’s where water comes in. Water delivers maximum hydration with zero calories and can sometimes keep people from over-eating or consuming a less healthy beverage Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    Demystifying Cup Sizes

    Posted on August 2, 2012 | No Comments
    Nutritionists, marketing experts and others who study sugary drink trends note cutting back is not so easy. Pierre Chandon, who studies how people make consumption decisions and how marketing can affect us without our even noticing it thinks that while consumers know that the purpose of advertising is to get us to buy things, they have no idea that the size and shape of a package can also influence us. Using different cup sizes from a fast food restaurant, Chandon, who is a marketing professor at Paris-based INSEAD, developed a soda quiz. The test is designed to point out that people often purchase larger cup sizes thinking that they are getting more for their money, which they are. But the real point is that the larger sizes are what’s making people fat. [The quiz accompanied an article, “How Can a Big Gulp Look So Small?,” published in the June 24 issue of The New York Times.] Chandon, who spent his summer as a visiting scholar at the Harvard Business School, told listeners on the H2O For Health radio show that understanding drink labels and calculating serving size and calories is increasingly tricky because a single bottle of soda is typically more than a single serving. As he likes to point out, Coca-Cola was only sold in 6.5 ounce bottles when it was first launched. Today, some people regularly purchase 64-ounce sizes of fountain drinks. Prof. Chandon summed consumers’ struggle this way. “Imagine there is a river and the banks of the river are slippery and so yes, it’s your personal choice to be careful and pay attention and not fall into the water. At the same time, clearly, the industry is trying to attract you to the river because that’s what they do.” In fact, the beverage industry argues that people have the right to choose their beverage. Prof. Chandon’s research attempts to find out how industry, the public health community and government can find a way around indfustry selling more and more calories that lead to higher obesity rate and health problems. Meanwhile, a coalition of health and consumer advocates and city public health departments have requested that U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin launch a study on the health effects of soda and other sugary drinks. Health advocates say they want government intervention to help people make better decisions and stem the costly obesity crisis. While most people have healthy long-term goals, Prof. Chandon told listeners that, “In the short-term, we all go for taste. That’s an immediate reward that we may regret later.” One way around this, he believes, is to create marketing that focuses on simple solution: satiation. That’s where water comes in. Water delivers maximum hydration with zero calories and can sometimes keep people from over-eating or consuming a less healthy beverage Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  • Bottled Up (from http://www.trendcentral.com/life/bottled-up/) Innovation is igniting a reconsideration of reusable water options With 67 million water bottles thrown away daily and only 10 percent recycled, waste management remains a growing problem. While lawmakers seek solutions with bills like the National Park Service’s ban on sales of plastic water bottles in the Grand Canyon, the onus isn’t only on government. Helping consumers do their part, designers are introducing inventive new twists on the once passé reusable water bottle. 999bottle: Artefact industrial designer Fernd van Engelen conceived a reusable water bottle that can track and envisage the ecological impact of using it each time it’s refilled. Dubbed the 999bottle, its three attached and adjustable dials can be advanced one notch each time the bottle is replenished. A hypothetical corresponding smartphone app creates a visualization of the total amount of bottles saved. For example, at eight bottles, 999bottle will have paid for itself, while 147 bottles will have saved $326 and seven gallons of oil. For added motivation, friends can team up on the proposed 999bottle Facebook platform to visually portray their collective impact. Get this idea on Kickstarter already! Eau Good: Many refrigerators are stocked with the Brita, but Eau Good is a portable filtration system from the minds of creative studio Black+Blum. The centerpiece of this reusable water bottle is a piece of binchotan, a traditional Japanese charcoal stick. While charcoal isn’t a new source of water filtration, its lengthy six-month shelf life far surpasses alternatives, and it can be recycled into a fertilizer or deodorizer when finished. As it balances the water’s pH, reduces chlorine content, and mineralizes the water for improved taste, Eau Good’s clear, curvy body and natural cork stopper proudly displays, whereas similar systems hide, its unique carbon filter. Lifefactory: Disposable water bottles cost up to $3 a pop and tap water runs less than 10 cents per refill, so reusable water bottles can have significant economic benefits. However, choosing the “right” bottle can be overwhelming in a market stocked with both charitable and environmentally friendly options. Cutting through the clutter, Lifefactory offers a sustainable water bottle with a clear mission to provide the “purest water bottle on the market.” Ensuring that each bottle (and, thus, the water within) is non-toxic, Lifefactory bottles are made of glass and housed in silicone sleeves. So safe are these chemical-free containers that there’s even a selection of 4-ounce and 9-ounce baby bottle miniatures. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    Bottled Up

    Posted on March 5, 2012 | No Comments
    Bottled Up (from http://www.trendcentral.com/life/bottled-up/) Innovation is igniting a reconsideration of reusable water options With 67 million water bottles thrown away daily and only 10 percent recycled, waste management remains a growing problem. While lawmakers seek solutions with bills like the National Park Service’s ban on sales of plastic water bottles in the Grand Canyon, the onus isn’t only on government. Helping consumers do their part, designers are introducing inventive new twists on the once passé reusable water bottle. 999bottle: Artefact industrial designer Fernd van Engelen conceived a reusable water bottle that can track and envisage the ecological impact of using it each time it’s refilled. Dubbed the 999bottle, its three attached and adjustable dials can be advanced one notch each time the bottle is replenished. A hypothetical corresponding smartphone app creates a visualization of the total amount of bottles saved. For example, at eight bottles, 999bottle will have paid for itself, while 147 bottles will have saved $326 and seven gallons of oil. For added motivation, friends can team up on the proposed 999bottle Facebook platform to visually portray their collective impact. Get this idea on Kickstarter already! Eau Good: Many refrigerators are stocked with the Brita, but Eau Good is a portable filtration system from the minds of creative studio Black+Blum. The centerpiece of this reusable water bottle is a piece of binchotan, a traditional Japanese charcoal stick. While charcoal isn’t a new source of water filtration, its lengthy six-month shelf life far surpasses alternatives, and it can be recycled into a fertilizer or deodorizer when finished. As it balances the water’s pH, reduces chlorine content, and mineralizes the water for improved taste, Eau Good’s clear, curvy body and natural cork stopper proudly displays, whereas similar systems hide, its unique carbon filter. Lifefactory: Disposable water bottles cost up to $3 a pop and tap water runs less than 10 cents per refill, so reusable water bottles can have significant economic benefits. However, choosing the “right” bottle can be overwhelming in a market stocked with both charitable and environmentally friendly options. Cutting through the clutter, Lifefactory offers a sustainable water bottle with a clear mission to provide the “purest water bottle on the market.” Ensuring that each bottle (and, thus, the water within) is non-toxic, Lifefactory bottles are made of glass and housed in silicone sleeves. So safe are these chemical-free containers that there’s even a selection of 4-ounce and 9-ounce baby bottle miniatures. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  •     Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Show Guest: Jennifer Kay Nelson, MS, RD, LD Director, Clinical Dietetics/Nutrition Associate Professor of Nutrition Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Water & Nutrition: A Vital Link By: AroundTheWaterCooler Aired: 11/10/2010 4:30 PM UTC Description: Jennifer Nelson, Mayo Clinic Director of Clinical Dietetics; Associate Professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; and co-editor of the James Beard Foundation Award- winning “The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook” is our guest. [Start of Transcript] Jonathan Hall (0:15): Welcome to Around the Water Cooler. It’s a Wednesday, November 10, 2010, and our rebroadcast for November 17. We hear a lot about global warming and the economy, but in the coming decade no natural resource may prove to be more critical to human health and well-being than water. Hello, I’m Jonathan Hall, editor of hallwater.com. There is little doubt that water is a precious resource. Experts note, however, a host of concerns from a lack of access to quality drinking water for close to a billion people on our planet to deteriorating tap water infrastructure right here in the US. But what does this have to do with you and your family’s drinking water? Well, it turns out a lot. For openers, both Vickie James, a registered licensed Dietitian and Director of Kansas-based Healthy Kids Challenge, and Cathy Nonas, a Dietitian who directs Physical Activity and Nutrition Programs at New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have been our guests and both acknowledged that there is a body of evidence showing a high correlation between rising obesity in our country over the past 30 years and a parallel in the rise of consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks. But trying to get that message across is sometimes difficult. And here is Liza Lopes with an update. And by the way, Liza and I are coming to you from two virtual water coolers. I am in Portland, Oregon. Liza, just over the bridge from New York City. Lisa Lopez (1:46): Good morning, Jonathan. And emails recently obtained by the New York Times under a Freedom of Information request, reveal that New York City’s health commissioner is highly committed to fighting obesity, a passion shared by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But it also uncovered that Ms Nonas, several colleagues and a Columbia University professor expressed huge doubts about a weight gain message that got the approval of the Department of Health despite their concerns. Jonathan Hall (2:15): We are going to talk about messaging today but you can listen to our interview with Cathy Nonas and over 50 other archive discussions at blogtalkradio.com/aroundthewatercooler. Well today, we are continuing our series on the health benefits of drinking water with Jennifer Nelson. She is the Director of Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition at the Mayo Clinic and Ms. Nelson also holds the title of Associate Professor of Nutrition of the Nutrition Division of Endocrinology, Diabetics and Nutrition at Mayo Clinic. (2:55): Well today we are going to start. We’ve got some late breaking...

    Jennifer Nelson- Mayo Clinic

    Posted on January 25, 2012 | No Comments
        Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Show Guest: Jennifer Kay Nelson, MS, RD, LD Director, Clinical Dietetics/Nutrition Associate Professor of Nutrition Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Water & Nutrition: A Vital Link By: AroundTheWaterCooler Aired: 11/10/2010 4:30 PM UTC Description: Jennifer Nelson, Mayo Clinic Director of Clinical Dietetics; Associate Professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; and co-editor of the James Beard Foundation Award- winning “The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook” is our guest. [Start of Transcript] Jonathan Hall (0:15): Welcome to Around the Water Cooler. It’s a Wednesday, November 10, 2010, and our rebroadcast for November 17. We hear a lot about global warming and the economy, but in the coming decade no natural resource may prove to be more critical to human health and well-being than water. Hello, I’m Jonathan Hall, editor of hallwater.com. There is little doubt that water is a precious resource. Experts note, however, a host of concerns from a lack of access to quality drinking water for close to a billion people on our planet to deteriorating tap water infrastructure right here in the US. But what does this have to do with you and your family’s drinking water? Well, it turns out a lot. For openers, both Vickie James, a registered licensed Dietitian and Director of Kansas-based Healthy Kids Challenge, and Cathy Nonas, a Dietitian who directs Physical Activity and Nutrition Programs at New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have been our guests and both acknowledged that there is a body of evidence showing a high correlation between rising obesity in our country over the past 30 years and a parallel in the rise of consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks. But trying to get that message across is sometimes difficult. And here is Liza Lopes with an update. And by the way, Liza and I are coming to you from two virtual water coolers. I am in Portland, Oregon. Liza, just over the bridge from New York City. Lisa Lopez (1:46): Good morning, Jonathan. And emails recently obtained by the New York Times under a Freedom of Information request, reveal that New York City’s health commissioner is highly committed to fighting obesity, a passion shared by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But it also uncovered that Ms Nonas, several colleagues and a Columbia University professor expressed huge doubts about a weight gain message that got the approval of the Department of Health despite their concerns. Jonathan Hall (2:15): We are going to talk about messaging today but you can listen to our interview with Cathy Nonas and over 50 other archive discussions at blogtalkradio.com/aroundthewatercooler. Well today, we are continuing our series on the health benefits of drinking water with Jennifer Nelson. She is the Director of Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition at the Mayo Clinic and Ms. Nelson also holds the title of Associate Professor of Nutrition of the Nutrition Division of Endocrinology, Diabetics and Nutrition at Mayo Clinic. (2:55): Well today we are going to start. We’ve got some late breaking...

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  • In her blog at fitstudio.com, Andrea Metcalf spells out why drinking water is important. In her words …. One of the most important things you can do to achieve and maintain good health is amazingly simple: Drink lots of water! Water revitalizes your body and flushes out toxins. In addition, people often think they’re hungry when in fact they’re only thirsty. Accordingly, drinking water can help you lose weight as well. The amount of water you need will vary, depending partly on your activity level. If you’re not active, you should drink a minimum of eight cups of water per day. If you’re working out regularly, you’ll probably need more to replace fluids lost during exercise. The following conditions may indicate that you’re not getting enough water: fatigue loss of appetite flushed skin heat intolerance light-headedness dark urine with a strong odor These days, you face a choice of spring water, mineral water, tap water, sparkling water, and various other options. Which one’s for you? The most convenient choice is water from your faucet. Tap water contains a variety of useful minerals. In many areas, however, it also contains contaminants such as pesticides, chlorine byproducts, and harmful microorganisms. If you’re concerned about contamination, bottled water is an option (or) you might choose to drink tap water that has been run through a filter. No matter what kind of water you choose, the bottom line is to drink lots of it! Andrea Metcalf has been teaching fitness and nutrition and training clients since 1983. She is the author of the book Naked Fitness and has produced a number of fitness DVDs. You can follow her on Twitter at @Andreametcalf. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

    WATER: A SIMPLE SECRET TO GOOD HEALTH

    Posted on December 6, 2011 | No Comments
    In her blog at fitstudio.com, Andrea Metcalf spells out why drinking water is important. In her words …. One of the most important things you can do to achieve and maintain good health is amazingly simple: Drink lots of water! Water revitalizes your body and flushes out toxins. In addition, people often think they’re hungry when in fact they’re only thirsty. Accordingly, drinking water can help you lose weight as well. The amount of water you need will vary, depending partly on your activity level. If you’re not active, you should drink a minimum of eight cups of water per day. If you’re working out regularly, you’ll probably need more to replace fluids lost during exercise. The following conditions may indicate that you’re not getting enough water: fatigue loss of appetite flushed skin heat intolerance light-headedness dark urine with a strong odor These days, you face a choice of spring water, mineral water, tap water, sparkling water, and various other options. Which one’s for you? The most convenient choice is water from your faucet. Tap water contains a variety of useful minerals. In many areas, however, it also contains contaminants such as pesticides, chlorine byproducts, and harmful microorganisms. If you’re concerned about contamination, bottled water is an option (or) you might choose to drink tap water that has been run through a filter. No matter what kind of water you choose, the bottom line is to drink lots of it! Andrea Metcalf has been teaching fitness and nutrition and training clients since 1983. She is the author of the book Naked Fitness and has produced a number of fitness DVDs. You can follow her on Twitter at @Andreametcalf. Share on Facebook Tweet This Post

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  • Corporations line up to fight wasting water If we are to understand the global water crisis, we must first ask, “Who uses more water: people, agriculture or food processors?” Secondly, we must know if the problem of lack of safe drinking water for close to a billion people on the planet stems from a lack of awareness of the importance of this issue or a failure to act appropriately. In a 2011 survey of adults living in the U.S., Dallas-based Shelton Group gave respondents a handful of environmental choices and asked them to choose just one, or they could opt for a million dollars. Thirty-five percent selected making clean water for the world a priority and only 28 percent chose to take the money. The other third of respondents picked other options: stop global warming, save the rainforests, and save the world’s endangered species. So in the case of the world’s drinking water needs, it’s pretty clear that awareness is quite high, which may be why some non-governmental organizations (NGO, for short) target their donor appeals to this cause. The result is that campaigns for humanity often employ traditional and social media advertising strategies that depict deplorable situations. But how organizations call attention to a problem of crisis proportion may just be the problem. USEPA took note of this is partnering with advertising executives in a new campaign that uses humor instead of the guilt approach in an effort to get people to conserve tap water. The “Wasting Water Is Weird” campaign employs “Rip the Drip” as its primary spokesperson. Rip – as in the guy’s a “drip,” a derogatory phrase from the 1950s applied to annoying youth — is definitely not someone you want to discover in your driveway, bathroom or kitchen. But that’s exactly where “Rip the Drip,” whose attire consists of a so-called “wife-beaters” undershirt and day old(s) facial hair growth, appears in the videos and ads in several 30-second executions initially rolled out on YouTube, and according to trade industry news reports, also to 60-plus TV markets. The premise of the omnipresent nerd in the life of the onscreen average Jane and Joe’s is to be the angry voice inside each of us that says do the opposite of what we’re being asked to do (a very sophisticated read on today’s authority-resistant culture). So, “Rip the Drip” reminds consumers who unthinkingly waste water doing everyday chores, such as letting the faucet run while brushing teeth, to think about their actions. He does this by acknowledging how much he likes wasting water. Offscreen, according to the agency’s storyline, Rip works at a water park, takes long showers, opens fire hydrants for fun, and loves listening to running faucets. Marketing professionals will tell you that it takes more than awareness of an issue to affect changes in behavior: witness anti-smoking, anti-drug and teen pregnancy campaigns. And Shelton’s own research found that over 60 percent of people already turn off the water when brushing their teeth. So, is the...

    Humor vs. Dire Straights – Challenging the conventional NGO Approach

    Posted on November 21, 2011 | No Comments
    Corporations line up to fight wasting water If we are to understand the global water crisis, we must first ask, “Who uses more water: people, agriculture or food processors?” Secondly, we must know if the problem of lack of safe drinking water for close to a billion people on the planet stems from a lack of awareness of the importance of this issue or a failure to act appropriately. In a 2011 survey of adults living in the U.S., Dallas-based Shelton Group gave respondents a handful of environmental choices and asked them to choose just one, or they could opt for a million dollars. Thirty-five percent selected making clean water for the world a priority and only 28 percent chose to take the money. The other third of respondents picked other options: stop global warming, save the rainforests, and save the world’s endangered species. So in the case of the world’s drinking water needs, it’s pretty clear that awareness is quite high, which may be why some non-governmental organizations (NGO, for short) target their donor appeals to this cause. The result is that campaigns for humanity often employ traditional and social media advertising strategies that depict deplorable situations. But how organizations call attention to a problem of crisis proportion may just be the problem. USEPA took note of this is partnering with advertising executives in a new campaign that uses humor instead of the guilt approach in an effort to get people to conserve tap water. The “Wasting Water Is Weird” campaign employs “Rip the Drip” as its primary spokesperson. Rip – as in the guy’s a “drip,” a derogatory phrase from the 1950s applied to annoying youth — is definitely not someone you want to discover in your driveway, bathroom or kitchen. But that’s exactly where “Rip the Drip,” whose attire consists of a so-called “wife-beaters” undershirt and day old(s) facial hair growth, appears in the videos and ads in several 30-second executions initially rolled out on YouTube, and according to trade industry news reports, also to 60-plus TV markets. The premise of the omnipresent nerd in the life of the onscreen average Jane and Joe’s is to be the angry voice inside each of us that says do the opposite of what we’re being asked to do (a very sophisticated read on today’s authority-resistant culture). So, “Rip the Drip” reminds consumers who unthinkingly waste water doing everyday chores, such as letting the faucet run while brushing teeth, to think about their actions. He does this by acknowledging how much he likes wasting water. Offscreen, according to the agency’s storyline, Rip works at a water park, takes long showers, opens fire hydrants for fun, and loves listening to running faucets. Marketing professionals will tell you that it takes more than awareness of an issue to affect changes in behavior: witness anti-smoking, anti-drug and teen pregnancy campaigns. And Shelton’s own research found that over 60 percent of people already turn off the water when brushing their teeth. So, is the...

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  • http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110814-LIFE-108140309   By Pam Stuppy August 14, 2011 2:00 AM The word is out — Americans in general consume too much sugar in one form or another. The recently revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that we modify our sweet tooth (our intake of “added sugars”). The American Heart Association goes into more detail. It specifies no more than 100 calories (25gm) a day from added sugars for women and no more than 150 calories (about 38gm) for men. Where did this sweets craving begin and how did it get out of hand? It is normal for humans to like sweet tastes. Studies show that even newborn babies prefer sweet flavors. Unfortunately, the number of sweet foods in the marketplace has grown (along with our waistlines and medical issues). Instead of sweet foods being an occasional treat, we now expect sweets more often. Tooth decay, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other health concerns are associated with this change in dietary habits. Another problem is that these foods tend to be lower in nutrients than the less sweet options. The good news is that there are a number of small steps you can take to move toward the recommendation to reduce your sugar intake. Gradually weaning yourself to lesser amounts of sugar will allow time for your taste buds to get used to the change. If you crave sugar, it may be because of the type and timing of your food intake throughout the day. Leaving wide gaps between eating episodes leaves you vulnerable to grabbing the nearest sweet treat — and often over-consuming it. A better idea is to preplan healthy meals and snacks with gaps of no more than about three to four hours. Protein and fiber in a meal or snack slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. This means the carbs provide energy over several hours instead of rushing in and getting used up quickly, leaving you craving a quick energy fix. There are also ways to modify the amount of sugar you consume through cooking and shopping tips. Think of all the times you add sugar to foods or beverages and see if you can gradually wean yourself to lesser amounts. When it comes to baking, try cutting the amount of sugar in a recipe at least in half. You can also add sweet-tasting ingredients that add flavor without added calories — like sweet spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, etc.), extracts (vanilla, almond, anise, coconut, etc.), or zests (lemon, lime, orange). Other ingredients that add nutrients as well as a sweet taste might be pieces of dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dried plums, etc.), fresh fruit, applesauce or other fruit purees (you can also use these as a topping for pancakes instead of syrup). Examples might be muffins with dried fruit or oatmeal with applesauce and cinnamon. Try replacing breakfast pastries or doughnuts with healthier whole grain options — like whole grain toast topped with peanut butter and sliced banana. If you are a...

    Healthbeat: New guidelines advise Americans to modify their sugar addiction

    Posted on November 6, 2011 | No Comments
    http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110814-LIFE-108140309   By Pam Stuppy August 14, 2011 2:00 AM The word is out — Americans in general consume too much sugar in one form or another. The recently revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that we modify our sweet tooth (our intake of “added sugars”). The American Heart Association goes into more detail. It specifies no more than 100 calories (25gm) a day from added sugars for women and no more than 150 calories (about 38gm) for men. Where did this sweets craving begin and how did it get out of hand? It is normal for humans to like sweet tastes. Studies show that even newborn babies prefer sweet flavors. Unfortunately, the number of sweet foods in the marketplace has grown (along with our waistlines and medical issues). Instead of sweet foods being an occasional treat, we now expect sweets more often. Tooth decay, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other health concerns are associated with this change in dietary habits. Another problem is that these foods tend to be lower in nutrients than the less sweet options. The good news is that there are a number of small steps you can take to move toward the recommendation to reduce your sugar intake. Gradually weaning yourself to lesser amounts of sugar will allow time for your taste buds to get used to the change. If you crave sugar, it may be because of the type and timing of your food intake throughout the day. Leaving wide gaps between eating episodes leaves you vulnerable to grabbing the nearest sweet treat — and often over-consuming it. A better idea is to preplan healthy meals and snacks with gaps of no more than about three to four hours. Protein and fiber in a meal or snack slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. This means the carbs provide energy over several hours instead of rushing in and getting used up quickly, leaving you craving a quick energy fix. There are also ways to modify the amount of sugar you consume through cooking and shopping tips. Think of all the times you add sugar to foods or beverages and see if you can gradually wean yourself to lesser amounts. When it comes to baking, try cutting the amount of sugar in a recipe at least in half. You can also add sweet-tasting ingredients that add flavor without added calories — like sweet spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, etc.), extracts (vanilla, almond, anise, coconut, etc.), or zests (lemon, lime, orange). Other ingredients that add nutrients as well as a sweet taste might be pieces of dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dried plums, etc.), fresh fruit, applesauce or other fruit purees (you can also use these as a topping for pancakes instead of syrup). Examples might be muffins with dried fruit or oatmeal with applesauce and cinnamon. Try replacing breakfast pastries or doughnuts with healthier whole grain options — like whole grain toast topped with peanut butter and sliced banana. If you are a...

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