A few stories that got our attention this week:

The new flu season is on its way, so flu shot season is already upon us. The Centers for Disease Control have all-new flu season FAQs plus their first-ever videos in American Sign Language. (CDC.gov)

Fighting childhood obesity doesn’t get much more fun than Baby Loves Disco, a touring afternoon dance party to get tots shaking their booties. Find out when it’s in your town.

Also getting a younger crowd is water aerobics. Fun new options like Aqua Zumba are drawing more than just seniors. (Washington Post)

Economics affects obesity: In Brazil, a booming economy means rising obesity rates. (Reuters)
Obesity affects economics: In the US, there’s a boom for oversize casket companies to suit American’s booming waistlines. (San Francisco Examiner)

Last week, it was deli meat and eggs. (WebMD) This week, it’s ground beef and more eggs. (Organic Authority) If the recalls have you considering a change, check out the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart with tips, meal plans and other tools. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)

If you want your tax dollars to support safe and convenient access for pedestrians and cyclists in your area, then you may want to support the Active Community Transportation Act. (League of American Bicyclists)

This month brings Rosh Hashanah on the 9th and Yom Kippur on the 18th. Check out these recipes and tips for healthier holiday eating (when you’re not fasting, of course):

Our partners at EatingWell suggest this Sweet & Savory Beef Stew to put a little sweetness into your New Year the natural way: with butternut squash and dried cherries. Then, break your Yom Kippur fast with this easy, make-ahead Smoked Trout Salad; it’s low in fat with an extra antioxidant kick.

Sharon’s Heart-Smart Challah loses the egg yolk for less saturated fat. (Jerry’s Jewish Webpage) Or try this Vegan Challah with no egg at all. (Jewish Food Mailing List)

Cooking Light offers a few lightened Jewish desserts, including a Honey Cake, a Cinnamon-Apple Cake, and a Harvest-Festival Fruit Strudel for Sukkot.

Deliciously update traditional favorites with this Apple & Date Mousse and Beet Casserole. (VegCooking) This variation on Carrot Tzimmes uses heart-healthy oil, orange juice and fresh parsley. (MedicineNet) And skip the fried leek patties for these Easy Braised Leeks. (DoItYourself.com)

Healthy Kosher Eating with Chana pairs this light and citrusy Olive Oil Cake with figs and honey. For Sukkot, try her Red Lentil Soup with Buttermilk Cornbread. Finally, you can resolve to have a more nutritious 5771 with her seven strategies for eating healthier.

Like your familiar family recipes? You can still give them a little tweak with these four tips for healthier Jewish cooking and eating. (eHow)

Chag Sameach and an easy fast!

Eggs infected with Salmonella dominated the week’s health news. Here’s some of what’s being said, plus a few other stories you might have missed:

As the egg recall continues to expand, some argue for free-range eggs. (Huffington Post) Some don’t. (CNN) Some blame the food-industry giants. (Berkeleyside) And some consumers are turning to farmers markets. (MSNBC)

Meanwhile, even the FDA isn’t sure that they can keep our food supply safe. (LA Times)

Two groups of dieters: one lost 11 pounds each; the other, 15.5. What made the difference is easy and free. (HealthDay)

New figures on childhood obesity show that it’s worse for some groups than for others. (SFGate)

What are your doctor’s religious beliefs? It may change their advice when it matters most. (ScienceDaily)

No, not pregnant; just reading this week’s health news:

Is Cherry Garcia really “all-natural”? A truth-in-labeling controversy hits Ben & Jerry’s. (Center for Science in the Public Interest) But one diet guru argues that they’re still more natural than other ice creams. (Huffington Post)

What makes the better breakfast: a doughnut or none at all? (SparkPeople)

Want homemade pickles? Curious for DIY kimchi? Then enter to win the “Ultimate Fermentation Kit” for you or the foodie you love. (Nourished Kitchen)

See what arthritis in moose is teaching researchers about arthritis in humans. (New York Times)

Martial arts are popularly thought of as inflicting pain. But one martial art has been found to relieve some chronic pain. (Health.com)

As the health risks of sports-related concussions gain more attention, new research sees if they may be related to Lou Gehrig’s disease (CNN) and if Wii Fit can help prevent them. (Washington Post)

On a related note, if some video games are touted as providing real exercise, how do we know if they’re effective? (Wired)

A few health and weight-loss stories that caught our eye (and ear) this week:

What can you gain from skipping meat just one day a week? Find out from the Meatless Mondays website, or listen to this audio interview with founder Sid Lerner, the man behind the famous “Squeeze the Charmin” ad campaign with Mr. Whipple. (NPR) You can also try these meat-free weight-loss tips from Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation.

On a related note, GEICO employees lost 11 pounds each, on average, with one dietary change. No word yet on how their gecko stays so trim. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)

Linda Fondren is the latest CNN Hero. Read her inspiring story of how her sister’s death led her to tackle obesity in the nation’s fattest state.

A Discovery Channel doc shares tips for how to go beyond the typical office visit, get more from your doctor, and be a better patient. (Huffington Post)

Hey guys, need another reason to lose weight? If you want to have kids, that may be reason enough. (Reuters Health)

From our environmental health desk: how Prozac turns shrimp into lemmings … and how shrimp get Prozac in the first place. (NPR)

And finally, local columnist Michael Smerconish calls out the Mayor to bring bike sharing to Philadelphia. (Philly.com)

This week’s health news raises lots of questions about what we eat (and what we know about what we eat):

Apparently, not all sugars are created equal after all. Find out which kind of sugar feeds the growth of cancer cells. (Reuters)

You may have seen commercials for new added-fiber foods that ‘taste great.’ What you didn’t see is what happens to some people after they eat that “stealth fiber.” (SparkPeople)

One recent food recall has raised some questions about the 80,000 chemicals on the U.S. market today … and how little we know about them. (Washington Post)

More, more more! Americans are eating more whole-grain bread than ever. We’re drinking more beer. (Time) And our kids are taking more prescription drugs. (Employee Benefit News)

See how sitcom star-turned-game show host Drew Carey lost 80 pounds and ended his need for diabetes meds. (People)

This story about the declining health of our nation’s clergy has important lessons about work-life balance for us all. (New York Times)

Finally, we’ve seen many stories speculating about the fitness claims of toning shoes. But this one actually put toning shoes to the test! (American Council on Exercise)

We kick off our weekly news highlights with a few stories on weight loss:

Got a few extra pounds to shed? New research pinpointed one common food group that seems to tip the scales. (BBC)

A separate report finds great promise from online weight-loss programs. (MedPage Today)

Controversy over weight-loss surgery: One doctor claims that she put her career on the line to spare obese teens from painful complications and even death. (Reuters)

Does exercise give you heartburn? Then find out what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it. (New York Times)

Personal trainer Kim Garrison is cracking the books. Her subject: how to be happier. She shares a few lessons in her weekly column. (Philly.com)

If you’re rubbing personal care products into your skin, you’d like to think they’re safe. If you want the FDA to be empowered to help, then sign on to support the Safe Cosmetics Act. (Environmental Working Group)

A few stories from the week in health news, starting with reflections after 10 days abroad:

Of all the proposed aids to ending the obesity crisis (and we hear a lot) Jennifer LaRue Huget’s “being surrounded by beauty” is this blogger’s favorite. Just back from Italy, she shares other thoughts as well. (Washington Post)

File Under: Sitting is bad. Does a little exercise give you license to lounge? Check out this report on “active couch potatoes.” (New York Times)

File Under: Sitting is good. See how another kind of sitting - in meditation - may help you be more productive. (Association for Psychological Science)

Are air fresheners leading to breast cancer? A first-of-its-kind study has bad news for household cleaning products. (abstract: Environmental Health; report: WebMD) Fortunately, all-natural alternatives, like vinegar and baking soda, fight grime too. (Charity Guide)

In the hit movie Inception, Leo DiCaprio can invade people’s dreams. Find out how science can really see into our dreams. (Livescience)

Many of the stories that caught our attention this week concern danger from unexpected places:

Refreshing backyard pond or creepy chemical soup? This audio report may not keep you out of the pool, but it may change your pre-pool habits. (Science Friday)

Before you slip on those Manolos (or their affordable knock-offs) find out how high heels change your muscles. (Livescience)

Don’t miss this startling new report on the life-threatening dangers of life-saving drugs. (InvestigateWest)

U.S. News & World Report just released their annual ranking of the nation’s best hospitals. And with those rankings comes criticism of the list. (L.A. Times)

This stirring article puts a face on the obesity epidemic with the story of two young sisters and their small Kentucky town. (Washington Post)

Some fun and useful stories in this week’s health news. But first, our tax dollars at work:

How can healthcare reform help you? For starters, with HealthCare.gov, a newly launched site to help Americans compare and choose insurance plans. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

A heat wave demands cool treats. Try these Kiwi-Lime Ice Pops, Chunky Peach Popsicles, or Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas. And this Watermelon-Yogurt Ice is just one of 17 100-calorie fruit desserts, all from our partners at EatingWell.

We love this op-ed piece in praise of urban beekeeping. Read how it promotes the health of our bodies, communities and environment. (New York Times)

Back in May, we reported on the guide to the most effective, least toxic sunscreens. Now that guide comes as an iPhone app. (Environmental Working Group

New research confirms that some ancient arts are good for your heart, mind and immune system. (WebMD)

How does Lance Armstrong fuel a full-day’s cycling? Find out what Tour de France cyclists eat. (Livescience)