Strap on your helmet and start pedaling; this week brings a basketful of cycling-related health news:

Google Maps just launched bicycling directions for many cities. They even created a handy video to explain how to find the safest routes.

To keep the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians, the Advocacy Advance Project issued this new report on distracted driving. Motorists, you can do your part by taking Oprah’s “No Phone Zone” Pledge.

Want to lend a hand for cycling and other “active transportation” methods? Then sign on to support the Active Community Transportation Act. (House.gov)

Few cycle or go to the gym just for the heart-health benefits. Check out this profile on the social perks of exercise. (New York Times)

Could a bit of sensible sun exposure from outdoor cycling keep you from being part of the newly reported epidemic of vitamin D deficiency? (CBC News)

Finally, a new carbonated controversy: research finds that drinking soda greatly contributes to — but is not the sole cause of — the rise in type 2 diabetes and heart disease. (HealthDay) Here in Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter has proposed a soft-drink tax (Philly.com), which a separate study found may actually work at improving the health of Philadelphians. (MedPage Today)

Today is World Kidney Day.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, an estimated 26 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease, and many aren’t even aware of it. Of course, if you suffer from kidney stones, the painful occurrence can’t escape your notice. But you can take steps to prevent their reappearance.

New research has found that obesity nearly doubles your risk of kidney stones. “Whether someone is mildly obese or morbidly obese, the risk for getting kidney stones is the same,” notes Brian R. Matlaga, the lead researcher and a professor of urology at Johns Hopkins. The study appeared in the Journal of Urology last month.

Obesity means that you have a Body-Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. In pounds, that’s at least 174 pounds if you’re 5′4″, or 221 plus if you’re 6′ even. To find out your BMI, check out this handy BMI calculator from the National Institutes of Health; all you need is your current weight and height.

Registered Dietician Jyni Holland offers her tips for healthy kidneys in this month’s edition of GO, GlobalFit’s healthy living newsletter. You can also visit the National Kidney Foundation for a host of other resources.

This Sunday kicks off Daylight Saving Time (DST). At 2 a.m., we set our clocks one hour ahead to 3 a.m.

We say that we ‘lose’ an hour, but in fairness, we do get that hour back on the first Sunday in November. Win, lose or draw, this leap in time still causes problems for many. But with a little planning, you can keep yourself on track. First, let’s look at some of the problems.

Problems for Sleepyheads
The start of DST can bring headaches, irritability, daytime sleepiness and poor concentration. It’s worse for night owls and for those with sleep disorders.

The lost sleep clearly takes its toll on our performance. Statistics show an increase in fatal car accidents and in workplace injuries on the Monday after DST begins. (Unfortunately, there’s no corresponding decrease in either when DST ends and we’re all well-rested.)

Heart attacks spike in the days after we ’spring forward’ and dip slightly once we ‘fall back,’ a New England Journal of Medicine report found. (DST’s impact on heart-attack rates is minor when compared to that of smoking or obesity, but it was found to be statistically significant.)

Now here are some tips to make the transition smoothly.

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Here are the news stories that caught our attention, plus a couple of new social media launches:

In the market for a new cell phone? First, check out their radiation emission scores. This updated ranking includes scores for the hottest 2010 models. (Environmental Working Group)

Call it the ‘Diet That Wouldn’t Die.’ Atkins is back in the news as research seems to be rehabilitating the reputation of saturated fat. (Washington Post)

Our kids are eating more junk-food snacks and less fruit and are heading towards “constant eating.” Those are the conclusions from a new study in the journal Health Affairs. Check out the surprising findings and some smart snacking tips. (University of North Carolina)

Note to Cher: maybe you can turn back time. A new study suggests that weight loss can un-clog your arteries! (Health.com)

Reading isn’t necessarily believing. A new survey found that, for the first time, more than half of Americans read food labels. But about as many of us distrust front-of-package claims like “low fat” and “high fiber.” Check out the FDA’s findings in their Fact Sheet or their Consumer Update.

Finally, two GlobalFit partners have new social media ventures. WellCall, Inc. just launched a YouTube channel. And Molly Napolitano, the contributing exercise physiologist for our GO newsletter, now blogs on a range of topics to help women be more fabulous and more confident. Only a couple of posts so far on each, so subscribe now to stay up to date.

March is Nutrition Month. If you think healthy eating is beyond your budget, think again! With a few simple tips, you can ramp up your vitamin intake, cut down on calories, start laying the foundation for a healthier lifestyle … and save money while you’re at it.

Add a Veggie
‘Eat more vegetables’ is a common resolution, and it’s easier than you might realize to work in those five servings a day.

Keep pre-chopped fresh or frozen vegetables on hand; then you’ll be more likely to toss in a handful when preparing meal. Making pasta? Toss in a cup of frozen chopped spinach to instantly add more color, flavor, and vitamins. A rice dish? Add diced carrots or a half-cup of peas.

Money-Saving Tip: Buy whole vegetables and chop everything as soon as you get it home. Buying pre-chopped veggies will cost you more.

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Some recent health news questions whether newer is really better:

As if Apple’s recently launched iPad hasn’t had enough criticism from their generally adoring public, ergonomics experts fear it’ll lead to bad posture. Fortunately, they also share some tips to ease the burden of mobile computing. (LiveScience)

Sara Lee claims that their new EarthGrains bread is better for the environment. (Reuters) But a farm-policy analyst group calls it a “crass and exploitive marketing ploy” that has little to do with organic standards. (The Cornucopia Institute)

3-D movies might make you nauseous. But given the box office records that Avatar has broken, this seems to be a minority phenomenon. Just don’t say you weren’t warned. (New York Times)

Hot dogs may not be what you think of as a ‘technology,’ but they certainly don’t come straight from the pig that way! Now, pediatricians warn that hot dogs and other firm, round foods should be redesigned to prevent choking. They issued a policy statement and tips for parents. (HealthyChildren.org)

Old-school makes a comeback! Learn how Olympic gold-medalist Lindsey Vonn recovered from her injury partly by applying cheese to her leg. (CNN) Then check out the latest fitness trend: rope. (Washington Post) Yes, just rope … with online instruction. (Art of Strength)

It’s American Heart Month, and that’s a good reminder to check your blood pressure, if you haven’t recently.

High blood pressure (HBP, or hypertension) is sometimes called the Silent Killer because there are no symptoms. Fortunately, a little knowledge and some simple precautions can help you control your blood pressure for a long and healthy life.

The American Heart Association estimates that one in three Americans suffers from HBP and that about a third don’t know they have it. Those are scary numbers considering that HBP raises your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.

In the past 30 years, kids and teens have increasingly developed HBP as their rates of overweight/obesity have tripled, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2007 report in the Journal of Pediatrics found weight-related heart disease risk factors as early as age nine.

But there is good news: exercise, smart eating and not smoking can all make a difference. Even if you already have HBP, that doesn’t mean it’s too late. But first thing’s first: you have to know your numbers.

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Here in the Mid-Atlantic, we’re getting ready for the second major snowfall in five days! That means that it’s time to take out the snow shovels yet again.

Shoveling snow is exercise. That means that it burns calories, yes, but it also means that it can put you at risk. Let’s look at some of the best ways to stay safe. (My still-aching back tells me that we should’ve reviewed this last week, but better now than later!)

• Do not shovel if you have a history of heart disease, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. If you have a family history of heart disease and haven’t had a check-up lately, consider if your lifestyle factors (weight, smoking, activity level) put you at risk; then go and get a check-up as soon as you can safely drive!

• If you’re overweight and out of shape (be honest!), you should also consider paying a neighborhood kid to shovel for you.

• No Smoking. Doctors warn against shoveling too soon before or after a cigarette; smoking constricts your blood vessels, which makes it dangerous before vigorous exercise like this.

• No Coffee. That also raises your blood pressure, which you don’t want to do right before or after vigorous exercise.

• Warm up! Jog in place, do some push-ups, stretch your muscles and make sure that you’re ready for a workout with the white stuff.

Now once you’ve met those requirements, here are some how-to tips:

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This week’s health news has us ready for a snack:

Hibiscus tea seems to lower blood pressure. This older study from Tufts has been confirmed by new research there (Journal of Nutrition). The tart tea, made from the hibiscus flower, can be enjoyed straight up or in this Hibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea from our partners at EatingWell.

The Willy Wonkas of the world are quick to remind you of the health benefits of some kinds of chocolate. Check this out to see if your next chocolate fix has any health benefits … or if it just tastes wonderful! (American Institute for Cancer Research)

How did one school teacher lose 25 pounds and control her blood sugar without pharmaceuticals? She went vegan, the diet that includes no meat or dairy. You can check it out yourself with this 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program, launching March 1. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)

Vitamin D has been getting a lot of press in recent months, but you may want to put the hype in perspective before you start popping fish-oil supplements. (New York Times)

The Department of Defense is exploring if omega-3 supplementation could help our troops to “enhance stress resilience, wellness, and military performance.” (NutraIngredients) The final decision may be a few years away; in the meantime, the nutrient – found in walnuts, salmon and other coldwater fish, flax seeds, spinach and kale – could still help you.

A Super Bowl party should end with cheers, not indigestion. Check out these recipes to make your spread a little kinder on the stomach … and on the waistline.

You can enjoy a hearty chili without all the beef fat. Try this “Enlightened” Chili with ground turkey and butternut squash (Reader’s Digest) or this Hearty Turkey Chili (Mayo Clinic). This Smoky White Chili with Grilled Chicken gets its tang from fresh lime juice. (Associated Press)

Our partners at EatingWell have a full collection of Super Bowl party recipes, from oven-baked Onion Rings to a Chile Con Queso with less than half the saturated fat of most recipes.

Get the best of both worlds with this Tomato-Avocado “Salsamole,” boasting more cancer-fighting carotenoids than salsa and fewer calories than guac. (Vegetarian Times)

Cool your fry pan because a delicious plate of wings can be grilled – like Emeril’s Vietnamese-Style Wings (Food Network) – or baked – like these Pineapple-Soy Glazed Wings (The Apartment Kitchen). If you prefer breast meat, try these Spicy Kickoff “Wings” using chicken tenders. (Men’s Health) Or dip into this Buff Chick Hot Wing Dip. (Hungry Girl)

Saints fans, skip the sausage and sink your teeth into this Chicken Gumbo. (Moms Who Think)

Light beer has fewer calories, and this taste test will help you find the best value. (Consumer Reports) If you’d rather keep your beer calories and skimp elsewhere, then hunt down a bottle from the wind-powered New Belgium Brewing to support a healthier environment. Either way, drink responsibly, folks.

Food plays a role in the traditional mayors’ bet this year. New Orleans’ Ray Nagin has wagered, among other things, that Mardi Gras standby, the king cake; Indianapolis’ Greg Ballard’s booty includes a shrimp cocktail. You can take part in this gamble with this Low-fat King Cake (HubPages) and this refreshing Grilled Shrimp Cocktail with Yellow Gazpacho Salsa (ACE).