Sometimes my clients are surprised when I suggest to them that nuts and peanut butter are foods that are actually good for them. They always say, "Aren’t nuts loaded with fat?" Well, yes, they are, but with the good fats that our body needs.

They’re called monounsaturated fats. These are the heart-healthy fats that actually help lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising the good cholesterol (HDL).

Believe me when I say that nuts and peanut butter are loaded with muscle-building protein. And besides being a great protein source, they are also loaded with vital nutrients and vitamins, like vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium. So having a sensible serving of nuts every day can lower your chances for heart disease, which isn’t bad!

Recently I came across an article that I thought would be very helpful to everyone who likes to eat nuts. It compared eight types of nuts to their protein, vitamins, and fat content. Let’s give you the eight varieties of nuts they compared. There was the Macadamia nut, Brazil, almond, cashew, pistachio, pecan, walnut, and peanut. Now guess which is the king of them all? Well, believe it or not, it’s the almond, followed by the very popular cashew. I bet many of you said the peanut.

Here’s a question I’ve always wanted answered. Are beer nuts made with beer? Well, no. They’re peanuts that are coated in salt and sugar, with the skins are left on. You see they got their start after being served in taverns and bars during the 1950s. A handful of nuts and a glass of beer seemed to go together, hence the name Beer Nuts. And that secret coating was invented in Bloomington, Illinois in the 1930s. They’re not willing to give out that recipe just yet.

Along with the rainy days, weeks and weekends, we’ve got a problem with those pesky mosquitoes sucking us dry. It seems scientists have found a compound in the leaves of tomato plants that works at keeping the bug-nasty mosquitoes, ticks, and cockroaches at bay better than most commercial insect repellants. The chemical compound in the leaves is being investigated by insect repellant companies for use in a natural spray instead of the potentially harmful chemicals used in today’s sprays and ointments. So, keep a couple of tomato plants close by the homestead and enjoy some bug-free space and some delicious tomatoes for eating.

Just the other day, I was talking to one of my clients, Sal, and remarked to him that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 1 out of 3 Americans born in the year 2000 will eventually wind up with diabetes. Shocking to say the least! Really grim news indeed. I know, let’s teach these people good nutritional habits and get them involved in a regular exercise routine to prevent this from occurring. That way, they will live longer lives.

Here’s another startling fact. Obesity can shorten your life by 10 to 20 years. Even more surprising is the fact that if you’re a black male who is obese, that number starts at 20 years you can deduct from your life expectancy. This info comes from two national studies investigating the link between obesity and life span.

Do you want to burn some calories and have fun doing it? Well did you know that you burn 6.4 calories per minute during a passionate kiss? I know I burn more than that because I love very long, passionate French kissing.

We all know who Barbie is, right? She is the built Mattel doll who has everything in the world, a perfect figure, cars, homes, perfect friends, etc. Guess what? Mattel toys will be adding two new figures to the world of Barbie. Midge, Barbie’s best friend, is getting a set of grandparents. This fall, we’ll see a gray-haired version of grandpa who’s built like a 25 year old, and grandma, who’s got a rack that just won’t quit. These dolls are not puffy or dowdy. They’re perfect physical specimens to be added to the long line of other Barbie characters. They’ll both cost around $47 and come with an accompanying kitchen play set. Now, that really throws me. Shouldn’t they both come with their own golf carts and clubs instead of that kitchen? Hey Mattel, are you listening?

Is the weather getting you down? I must admit that it has rained a lot. Why, just this morning, it was raining again, and Gail, my client, said that it rained 26 out of 31 days in May. But she said that working out actually helped boost her spirits. So take that as some serious advice. Rather than stay home and vegetate on the sofa, go work out. It will do wonders.

One of my clients lost his dental insurance due to cutbacks on health insurance at the company where he works. He was really worried about his regular check-ups and said he probably wouldn’t be able to afford to go twice a year—the recommendation his dentist advises. I did a little research and found he really doesn’t have to worry about his every-6-month checkup and cleaning.

The American Dental Association doesn’t even recommend that 6 months rule. It’s just something we’ve become used to doing to be on a regular schedule. Just how often you see your dentist depends on your dental history of cavities and gum disease. That’s really the serious part. If you’ve been problem-free for the past 2 years, then you could possibly wait up to a year between your checkups and cleanings, and save a buck or two. But you must remember to brush regularly and always floss, too. If you’ve had tooth problems like cavities or gum disease, then see your dentist more regularly. It varies from person to person.

You all have probably heard by now, but it is indeed sad when you have to report the passing of someone who made such a big impression in the health field. Dr. Robert Atkins, the originator of the Atkins diet, died in April in New York. He lost his footing on some slippery pavement and fell, fracturing his skull. He lasted a few weeks in the hospital but eventually succumbed to his injuries. I’ve always been a follower of his diet, but I’m not as strict as he calls for. I do a modified Atkins diet. My protein source is always more than my carbohydrate source. And yes, I do eat carbs. About two-thirds of my diet is protein and one third is carbs. It works for me and has for many years.

If the rain clears up, I’ll see you at the beach.