Some More Food Related Weirdness

Returning to a topic close to my heart (well, the cholesterol is at any rate), I'd like to start this food of the weird round-up with an intriguing piece of recent research that chocolate milk may, in fact, be a better "sports drink" than many sports drinks. In trials conducted by scientists from James Madison University on thirteen college football players, low-fat chocolate milk outperformed commercial high-carbohydrate recovery drinks, with tests showing lower levels of kinases associated with muscle strain. Though equally effective as a training aid, chocolate milk is unlikely to replace sideline "energy" drinks like Gatorade anytime soon. Which is a pity, if nothing else, a switch to chocolate milk would enliven the coach's traditional "post-game shower" (Net Doctor).

Of course, the athletic benefits of chocolate could only be improved by adding a protein supplement, right? Well not if, as alleged by one Tampa Bay business, that extra protein came in the form of an infestation of moths. Wholesaler "Mar-Len Confections" and retailer "Chocolates by Michelle" are currently suing one another over the fate of a shipment of $4500 worth of chocolate supplied by the former. According to Michelle Palisi, owner of the eponymous business, the chocolate was contaminated with live moths, meaning she not only had to throw out the shipment and replace it, but also had to hire an exterminator to eradicate the moths and clean the building. Wes Niedecken, owner of Mar-Len, disputes this, blaming poor pest control on the part of Palisi. The moths themselves are not unusual, and candy - especially chocolate - is a particular favourite of caterpillars. Fortunately for the consumer, the FDA has strict rules in place... no more than 60 insect parts per 100 grams of chocolate (St. Petersburg Times).

Also coming up for a food related day in court is NC teen John Szwalla, who tried to hold up a convenience store... with a banana. The 17 year-old, now facing charges of attempted armed robbery, initially told staff at the Winston-Salem store that he had a gun, though the truth quickly became apparent when owner Bobby Rae Mabe and a customer managed to jump Szwalla and pin him to a chair. The would-be robber then tried to dispose of the evidence by, you guessed it, eating the banana. He was unable to dispose of the peel however and police later took it away as evidence. Recalling his harrowing experience Mabe said, "If he had had a gun he would've shot me, but he had a banana" (Sky News).

But while the humble banana might not be the weapon of choice, it can still make you money. At least, that's what banks in Davao in the Philippines think. Fresh from the success of sub-prime mortgages, banks are apparently eyeing banana plantations as the next big growth sector. One local bank plans to double its $27 million investment in bananas by the end of the year, citing growing demand. Said bank president Alex Buenaventura, "Banana has become the fabled duck that lays golden eggs" (Business Mirror).

While it's easy to mock, perhaps Mr. Buenaventura enthusiasm mightn't be quite the joke it first appears. Banana imports to Japan have leapt over 25% in just a few months on the back of a new diet craze, the "Morning Banana" diet. Initially aired on a social networking site, this new fad has already spawned four bestselling books and a raft of TV endorsements, with public and celebrities alike lining up to show off their new - banana-induced - bodies. As for the diet, it is simplicity itself, just eat bananas for breakfast, and nothing else, then enjoy whatever you want for lunch and dinner (Inventor Spot).



More in extended >>

Posted By: Dumbfounded - Wed Jun 03, 2009 - Comments (6)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Fads, Science, Sports, Stupid Criminals, Nutrition, Bananas

Nunchucks: The New Multitool

Baseball, golf, badmitton, even a bottle opener. The nunchuck can do it all.

Posted By: fyshstyxx - Thu May 28, 2009 - Comments (0)
Category: Daredevils, Stuntpeople and Thrillseekers, Exercise and Fitness, Human Marvels, Sports, Martial Arts, Video

Slowest Marathon Ever

Now, I can be easily distracted, but I'm nothing compared to this guy. It seems that he stopped for some OJ at a garden party during his run, and just had a hard time starting again. He did eventually finish, 54 years later. Futility Closet

Posted By: Lovemonkey - Mon May 11, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Exercise and Fitness, Sports, 1910s, 1960s

A Slithering Spa

At Ada Barak's spa in northern Israel, slithering snakes don't give people the creeps. They give deep-tissue massages. For several years, Barak has been entertaining visitors to her carnivorous plant farm by passing around samples of the small reptiles her plants will consume. When her visitors claimed that holding the serpents was soothing, she got an idea, and thus, the Slithering Spa was born. Barak claims that the heavier king and corn snakes produce a kneading sensation as they move across your body. Want to get your own Snake Massage? Time magazine has more information.

Posted By: Nethie - Thu May 07, 2009 - Comments (7)
Category: Animals, Body, Exercise and Fitness, Nature

The Bicycle Shower

Combining your workout with a shower could save some time, I suppose. Though I'm not sure if that was the intended purpose of this invention. From the Chicago Tribune, Jan 18, 1903.

Posted By: Alex - Tue Apr 21, 2009 - Comments (14)
Category: Bathrooms, Exercise and Fitness, Hygiene, Inventions, 1900s

The Treadmill Challenge

Weirdness from the world of Japanese game shows:

Posted By: Alex - Sat Apr 11, 2009 - Comments (4)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Games, Television, Asia

Television-Related Disorders

Two television-related disorders reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Television Angina: Observed at a clinic for coronary diseases... This affected 20% of those patients with angina pectoris who watched television programs and was provoked by seeing violent incidents on the screen... commercials were innocuous, but Westerns and plays or films depicting violence or excitement often provoked anginal attacks. (JAMA, Apr 25, 1959)

Television Legs: Canada has discovered the syndrome of "TV legs," thereby demonstrating what should have been obvious, namely, that if a youngster habitually slumps in front of a TV screen for hours at a time, he will not end up as physically fit as his forefathers did. A physical fitness director in a thriving Toronto suburb surveyed 300 children in a day-long series of tests, and showed that 55% could not pass the minimum tests and 85% failed the maximum tests. The most common fault was a lack of flexibility in the legs and lower back, traceable to spending long hours sitting in front of TV sets... It is going to be difficult to find a set of controls who do not view TV and thus to assess the exact part played by this pastime in promoting ill-health. (JAMA, Apr 19, 1958)

Posted By: Alex - Thu Apr 02, 2009 - Comments (6)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Health

Co-ed Pig Wrestling

As Mr. Skip Peterson tells us: "This is an annual fund raiser held in Buffalo, Wyoming, for a local gymnastics team. Contestants have one minute to get the greased hog, butt first into the barrel. The coed team must also dip their hands into a bucket of Crisco before the game begins. The winning time this year was 7.45 seconds. Every team had a freash pig and each pig was only allowed to participate one time. Enjoy!"


2008 Coed Pig Wrestling Championships from skip peterson on Vimeo.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Mar 08, 2009 - Comments (15)
Category: Agriculture, Animals, Education, Entertainment, Exercise and Fitness, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, Sports, Men, Women

Pavel Tsatsouline

Submit to the stern Russian discipline of Pavel Tsatsouline!!!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 10, 2009 - Comments (12)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Fads, Russia

Speedfit Treadmobil

The Speedfit Treadmobil is either a brilliant idea or a completely stupid one. I'm leaning toward the latter.

Arguments in its favor: probably puts less stress on your knees than regular running, and you may be able to pick up some speed on flat surfaces.

Argument against it: You'll look like an idiot on it.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 14, 2008 - Comments (5)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Products