Elixir

The editors at Self magazine are hosting an interactive list to find readers’ favorite workout tunes. So far, the winner is Kanye West’s Stronger. With a thumping back-beat provided by electronic stars, Daft Punk; a soaring, take-on-the-world message perfectly tailored for a mid-workout energy boost; and a five-minute-plus play time, it is a sweat-inducing classic.

Spots two and three on the list both are held by Rihanna. Unfortunately for all involved, it’s the same song, Don’t Stop the Music, spelled two different ways.

One has to wonder if she’d be whupping on Kanye right now if it weren’t for an embarrassing mix-up on the part the readers. Then again, following Don’t Cha by The Pussycat Dolls, SexyBack by Justin Timberlake, Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet, Crazy In Love by Beyonce and Mr. Brightside by the Killers, Kanye’s Stronger pops up again, only this time with a lowercase “s.” So, it has a few kinks. It’s still a lot of fun, even if it is completely removed from my workout reality.

Maybe I’m unusual (OK, I’m definitely unusual), but I don’t need the latest hip-hop hits and rock-band ballast to keep my workout on the upswing. I run to new music that I like because I tire of the same old sounds. Once a playlist is worn out, my speed and efficiency drecrease. What about you? What kind of playlist keeps you sweating? Check out my indie-rock playlist from the 7 mile run I took this morning and then PLEASE share yours in the comments section. –Matthew M. F. Miller

1. Viva la Vida - Coldplay

2. 31 Today – Aimee Mann

3. Last Light - Matt Pond PA

4. Send a Little Love Token - The Duke Spirit

5. An End Has a Start - Editors

6. Bad Day - R.E.M.

7. L.E.S. Artistes - Santogold

8. No Emotion - Idlewild

9. Piece of Me - Britney Spears

10. What Makes You Happy - Liz Phair

11. Jimmy - M.I.A.

12. Say It Right - Nelly Furtado

13. With Arms Outstretched - Rilo Kiley

14. Don’t Stop the Music - Rihanna

I woke up at 5:30 AM to take my hour long run on Thursday morning and by the time I had cooled down, taken care of the dogs, and showered, it dawned on me that our eco-cleaning service was due to arrive in less than fifteen minutes. We ante-up in cash, so I had to run to Walgreens in order to get the money needed to pay the piper, which meant I had to buy something in order to retrieve sufficient funds.

My 8-mile run was tough due to the thick humidity sticking into every crevice of my skin, so I decided to refuel with a Vitamin Water of the “Revive” variety. Chock-full of B vitamins and potassium, according to the label it was going to help an exhausted person such as me “recover and feel refreshed–kinda like in those old irish spring soap commercials.”

As someone unable to pass up a value, I opted for the giant 32-ounce bottle instead of the 16 because it was a mere 50 cents more. However, by the time I had sipped 3/4 of the drink on a rather empty stomach, it became apparent that this revival was a little too intense for me. I guess it makes sense: I get sick if I take a vitamin on an empty stomach, so why should this be different. Still, nowhere on the packaging does it warn the consumer that such effects are possible, that I could get a queasy, rumbly tummy from consuming 160% of my daily value of vitamin C, and 80% of vitamins B3, B6, B12 and B5.

Their logo, “vitamins + water = all you need” is clever, but I certainly needed a little something more prior to consumption. Nevertheless, 2 hours later, I did feel quite refreshed. Go figure. ––Matthew M. F. Miller

If acupuncture could get rid of wrinkles, would you stick needles in your face? Bet you would. Women are flocking to Cinnabar Spa and Clinic in San Diego to do just that by indulging in facial rejuvenation, or cosmetic acupuncture.

Acupuncture for facial rejuvenation is still based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and addressing the root cause, such as hormonal imbalance or stress, but it also adds points to stimulate the flow of chi in the face and superficially to the skin

“The style of needling is different,” says Lia Andrews, licensed acupuncturist and co-owner of Cinnabar. “You really want to create more circulation in a local area, where wrinkles are located and where the muscles are.”

She reiterates, however, that there’s still an underlying cause. “Whatever shows on your face indicates different conditions in your body,” she says. Treating the body and face, however, has an advantage over other cosmetic treatments as underlying problems are addressed along with improvements in the skin, leading to long-lasting results and a more natural path to vitality.

Along with the acupuncture points, Andrews may also incorporate microdermabrasion or other topical treatment. It’s all individualized to the person’s particular skin condition. Regardless of how intense your treatment is, “you’ll see huge results in one session,” Andrews says and notes that she has clients who come in just before a big event or vacation just to get that quick fix.

For best results, she recommends a regimen of two weekly sessions for five weeks followed by monthly maintenance. “You’ll notice right away that wrinkles seemless,” Andrews says. “That’s what really sells people.” –Dana Carmen

What color is your child’s parachute? If it’s Red 40 or Yellow 5, it could be the reason they’re bouncing off the walls – and you’re pulling your hair out. Earlier this week the Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban eight food dyes linked to hyperactivity in children.

The dyes in question are:

• Yellow 5
• Red 40
• Blue 1
• Blue 2
• Green 3
• Orange B
• Red 3
• Yellow 6

Red 40 and Yellow 5 are the most popular dyes used in processed foods, and all of the dyes are responsible for bringing the rainbow of fruit flavors to Skittles, Starbursts, Fruity Pebbles, Fruit Loops and Fruit Roll-ups – and even the comforting yellow glow of instant potatoes.

Many of these dyes are already banned in the United Kingdom where, if you buy a McDonald’s strawberry sundae, the red color of the topping arrives via the natural redness of the strawberry. In the US version, it comes from Red 40.

So how concerned should we be about the color of our food? And why do we even care what color our food is so long as it tastes good? –Matthew M. F. Miller