Saw this today and had to read it.

Study: Olive oil touted as natural pain reliever

New research shows olive oil contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient similar to that of some common painkillers, but could it replace your meds the next time you get a headache?

According to a study in the journal Nature, researchers have found a previously unknown compound in extra-virgin olive oil that they say acts in a manner similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. They call this ingredient oleocanthal.

Okay, I’ve been using Extra Virgin Olive Oil for years in my cooking.  I LOVE the stuff.  There are very few things I cook that require some other milder form of vegetable oil.  And I get migraines.

I can tell you right now, olive oil never helped me with my migraines even once.  And if it is supposed to help on a general basis with other types of pain, I haven’t noticed it. But hey, if I can make myself believe it, maybe all I have to do is think about the oleocanthal when I hurt and all the pain will go away.

Or not.

You see, three days a week I have pilates classes.  The other 2 days I head to a local fitness center and try to at least squeeze in 2 miles walking on the treadmill.  When I’m at the fitness center, there are several televisions.  I never watch them, I bring my ipod and listen either to podcasts or audio books while walking. (I try to get a treadmill in front of the windows so I can look outside).

Now it has happened often enough, that I am beginning to wonder about this odd thing I see.  Women will come into the fitness center, take a treadmill near mine, ask if I’m watching the television.  I tell them “no, go ahead and watch what you want”.  And they turn on The Food Network!

First let’s give credit where due, these women (I have never seen a man do this, but maybe I’m there at the wrong time of day) are there at least walking the treadmill.  They could be home sitting on the sofa watching, but they are up moving. All but one of these women has been up in the plus sizes.  Leading me to believe they are there trying to exercise in an effort to lose weight.  I might be wrong about that.

However, if you are trying to lose weight, isn’t it counterproductive to watch cooking shows?  I watch them once in a while, but as they tend to feature mega calorie recipes that would be tasty, but significantly bad for my health, I don’t watch too many of them. And quite honestly, I don’t want to be looking at food while exercising – even though these are “lite” exercise days.  Makes me a bit queasy.

It seems that I might be in the minority on this issue.  I found this article today…

Will run for food

The gym I go to is trying to do me in. They took away the Food Network.

On every treadmill and cross trainer with a little television attached to it, you used to be able to pound your heart out while watching some foodie mix up an Italian dish with enough fat grams to take you through the middle of next week.

Even though she claims she’s alone, I can tell her that she certainly is not.  And I just don’t get it.  So perhaps I’m missing something.

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Also today found this article about a diner with a specialty that leaves me rather stunned.

The motto of the Nickel Dineris probably Home of the Maple Glaze Bacon Donut, a slogan inscribed both on the home page of its Web site and in the arteries of its best customers.

Okay, I like donuts and I like bacon. Give me either one separately…  But please please don’t put them together.  Yes, I am definitely missing something.

Or maybe they’re just tired of the rain we’re having in this state…

Wayward cows decide to abandon Massachusetts farm and walk at least 5 miles to New Hampshire

People up here really love their ice cream, so I’m sure the fact that 2 cows were trying to escape induced major panic in the local population.

One of the adolescent heifers was finally captured, found up to her neck in mud.

I’ve got to think that is a bit of hyperbole.  Even with all the rain we’ve had lately.  But maybe not.  There is still one cow on the lam.  I wonder where she’s hiding.