The Hollywood body ideal tends to fluctuate every few years. You know—Marilyn, Twiggy, Bo, Kate (as in Moss), Kate (as in Winslet), Nicole Richie. I’m starting to wonder if we’re about to hit an upswing, where celebs might actually start eating…and not just when the paparazzi are watching, either.

So, the other day I mentioned that American Idol winner Jordin Sparks had taken some heat for being "obese" and, subsequently, a bad role model for teens. So what does Jordin have to say about the controversy? 

Last week my husband and I were in Turkey traveling with friends. While on a fairly long ferry ride, I saw an older man who was constantly fingering his worry beads. I asked our friends whether many people still used worry beads. I had seen them for sale but thought they were for the tourists. Our friend told me that not only were they common, he himself had three different strands at home. 

“Do you use them?” I asked. “All the time,” he replied. “They really decrease stress and sometimes when I have had a difficult day at work, I find using them helps me relax in the evening.”  Since Naim (not his real name) is a highly respected scientist who does research on brain chemistry, so I take what he says very seriously.

How many of you know what a “recovery meal” is?  Everyone needs to make a recovery meal an important part of their training regimen.