Some don't believe grass-fed meat any better than factory-meat

James McWilliams asks "Why do I think we should avoid eating animals products produced under alternative, free-range systems?" HIs answers may surprise you, but I promise you his essay will be thought-provoking.

In 30 years I think I'll take up track & field

I consider myself an unusually strong and fit 56-year-old, able to hold my own a couple of days weekly in workouts with people half my age. It's been a few years since I actively competed in cycling, and even longer since my powerlifting and strongman days; only rarely do I think about going back to hardcore training and competition. My body doesn't work the way it used to, I'm tired and sore much of the time, and additional recovery is mandatory. 

But I still imagine competing, and think in some marvelous time in the future when life's responsibilities lessen, I'll have the time. Until then, I'm worshipping Olga Kotelko, a 91-year-old track and field athlete competing at a high level, astounding coaches, experts and athletes alike.

Research into Olga's abilities is ongoing. As Bruce Grierson points out in his NY Times article, "data on the long-term effects of exercise is only just starting to trickle in, as the children of the fitness revolution of the ’70s grow old." I find Olga Kotelko, and the data-points about how aging affects our bodies and athletic endeavors, endlessly fascinating.

Pasture-fed beef: better for you but worse for the planet?

More and more people are spending big money on grass-fed beef. We can all agree it's likely healthier for all of us, compared to corn-fed, drugged beef, but what's the true effect on the Earth? Brian Palmer examines the ups and downs of the situation and presents what may prove to be some surprising conclusions. I'm still buying beef at Copps and Festival.

Mp3 recordings don't have to sound bad...

For years audiophiles have ranted that mp3 downloads sounded like crap compared to vinyl albums. Many of us have sold our record collections over the years and rely on burned CDs and iTunes recordings on our iPods; yes, they don't sound as rich, full and warm as records do. And most of us are using cheap little headphones or ear buds. If you're like me, you accepted that your music was never going to sound as good as it used to.

Hah! As Fred Kaplan vividly describes in a piece in Slate, no longer do we have to be slaves to compressed, tinny-sounding music. I want a USB-DAC plugged into my home audio system.

You Need More Vitamin D

More doctors and researchers are proclaiming the health risks of not-enough vitamin D in our diets. Not too long ago I reviewed The Vitamin D Solution, and additional evidence continues to surface that we all need more vitamin D than long thought. Dangers of vitamin D insufficiency increases as more people use sunscreen, and spend a bigger chunk of their lives indoors. Why does this matter? Low levels of D increases risk for several cancers, coronary disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Pretty good incentive to supplement, I’d suggest. Of course, where someone lives is a factor; in central Wisconsin, few of us are exposing much skin to the wind these days, and there’s not much sunshine. I’m continuing to include Vitamin D in my supplement protocol.