Health and Fitness

Forget about apples; maybe it's really a baby a day that keeps the doctor away! Two recent studies point to the health benefits of having children, and the first study, conducted at the University of California, San Diego, goes so far as to say that the more the merrier! Researchers followed 1,300 women from California and concluded that women who experience at least four pregnancies are less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who have never given birth — mothers of large families are half as likely to die from a stroke.

A second study, conducted by Australia's Deakin School of Health and Social Development found that childless women appear to be in poorer general health, and rank lower on measures of vitality, social functioning, and mental health. Researchers asked themselves what came first — were the women in poor health because they didn't have children, or were they childless because they were in poor health to begin with?

Does the possibility of improved health make the idea of procreation more appealing?

Somebody call Jamie Oliver, because US legislators need a quick lesson in nutrition. Earlier this year, the Department of Agriculture introduced new school meal nutrition standards created in the wake of our childhood obesity epidemic. Among the lunch-line changes were new standards limiting the use of potatoes and sodium and increasing the use of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the cafeteria.

Congress, it seems, doesn't agree with the revised standards. This week, the legislative body put forth its latest spending bill — including budgets for the USDA — that will put tater tots back on school menus and consider pizza containing two tablespoons of tomato paste a vegetable. Yes, the simple presence of tomato paste allows a white flour, fat-laden meal to classify as a veggie. Congress argues that the USDA's recommendations were too expensive to enforce.

What do you think? Should cuts be made elsewhere to ensure that kids receive healthier meals in school? Or is it OK to consider pizza a vegetable?

What's Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? Sad, that's what. Kids with food allergies are used to hearing "no, you can't have that," often missing out on birthday cake and swapping snacks with their buddies. With a few checks of the labels and some creative substitutions, it's easy to whip up food that everyone at the table can eat, making the experience even sweeter.

Keep reading for the delicious pumpkin pie recipe that everyone can enjoy this Thanksgiving.