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)

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)

This week’s health news kicks off with dual reports reminding us to think before we eat:

What do the ‘organic’ label and Dora the Explorer have in common? Both lead people to eat more. (Livescience and USA TODAY)

Get more tips on healthy eating for kids from GeekDad (Wired) and from personal trainer and mom Kimberly Garrison (Philly.com)

From Zoloft to Zumba? The evidence mounts for treating depression with exercise. (Time)

In one town, it’s legal to play blackjack but illegal to bike. (NBC 9News) Bicycle Colorado fights back.

How do busy executives stay in shape? The “What’s Your Workout?” multimedia feature has answers. (Wall Street Journal)

The first formal study comparing sports bars and gels to sports drinks just released its results. (New York Times)

Last month, we reported on warnings about environmental hazards from the President’s Cancer Panel. Now come 9 tips for what to do about it. (Environmental Working Group)

Guest blogger Felicia Z. Smith currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Fox Rothschild, LLP. Today, she’ll accept a Healthy Workplace Award on their behalf, so we invited her to share her reflections on their wellness launch.

In 2007, I became responsible for my firm’s benefits plans and quickly came upon our critical challenges. We were experiencing escalating costs and inconsistent coverage availability within many of our medical and dental plans throughout the country. My goal was to set us on the right course and enable us to provide comprehensive programs, and maintain affordable premiums, into the foreseeable future.

The HR team and I got into gear and first tackled all of the basics. We worked closely with a great broker to consolidate and streamline the plans. We also instituted cost-control measures and established a high-deductible option. At first, these measures were very helpful to keep our costs manageable and set us on the right path. However, the recession was upon us by then, and it became even more important to figure out how to maintain the best benefits possible – while keeping premiums stable – when raises were nominal and the future was so uncertain.

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Americans need to eat better. But the best way to accomplish that remains up for debate:

A new petition pushes to send Ronald McDonald the way of Joe Camel and Spuds MacKenzie for targeting children. A full report lays out the case. (Corporate Accountability International)

New York City Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens) introduced a bill to ban high fructose corn syrup across the state … completely! (New York State Assembly)

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver takes a more pro-active approach. His “Food Revolution” advocates for healthier school lunches, and his TV show chronicles his attempts to teach the citizens of Huntington, WV, “the unhealthiest city in America,” how to cook and eat well.

Can eating fried chicken fight breast cancer? The Komen foundation’s pink KFC bucket promotion has angered some advocates. (In My Life blog) Some find fault with many “pinkwashing” promotions. (Think Before You Pink) And some note that even KFC’s “better-for-you” grilled chicken is packed with carcinogens. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)

No one knows food like a mom. Check out the Top 50 Mom’s Food Blogs. You can vote for your favorite or just get some mom-approved recipes. (Babble.com)

Finally, in non-food news, cheers to Vicky Hallett for her persuasive defense of the treadmill, that much-maligned cardio device. Please skip the hamster jokes and read with an open mind. (Washington Post)

What makes food unhealthy and what to do about it, plus other stories from the week’s health news:

Eggs, sugar, salt, chicken skin … all bad for you? Cooking Light magazine defends all that and more in their “10 Nutrition Myths” cover story this month.

The soda tax debate continues, at least here in Philadelphia. One local editorial puts it in perspective. (Philadelphia Weekly)

Good news: doctors still recommend dark chocolate as heart-healthy. Bad news: They recommend teeny-tiny amounts only. (Health.com)

New research finds that high fructose corn syrup really is more fattening than other sugars. (Princeton University) Food industry sources take exception. (Decision News Media)

How can a neck rub help you touch your toes? Find out — plus learn a neat trick with a tennis ball — in this article about fascia, the little-known connective tissue that greatly impacts human movement. (Washington Post)

This blog never waded into the healthcare reform debate, but now that it’s passed into law, what’s it all mean? The New York Times published these handy FAQs, plus what it means for women and a list of small surprises, including a tanning tax.

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.

Some of the week’s health news looks at the state of our New Year’s resolutions, but first, there’s a birthday of note:

So how do you celebrate Elvis’ 75th without clogging your arteries with a grilled peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich? By re-thinking the sandwich! Start with a healthy peanut butter (YouTube) and then try additions like fresh raspberries (VegFamily), honey and cinnamon (iVillage) or apple slices (Disney Family) on whole-wheat bread! Put on “All Shook Up” and enjoy!

Controversy arose with the suggestion that food is an “addiction” for some obese people … and should be treated like an addiction. (coverage at Food Navigator, or the original two-page commentary in the Canadian Medical Association Journal)

Outspoken dads raise outspoken daughters. Wyntergrace Williams (Montel’s kid) is making some noise for healthier school lunches. Watch her P.S.A., and if you’re swayed, you can sign her petition to Congress. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)

Are you a Wellness Wannabe? The new My Wellness Scorecard surveyed Americans’ health habits, and hopefully the not-so-good news will inspire you to act on your New Year’s resolution more vigorously. (Council for Responsible Nutrition)

Already exercising and eating well? Then check out some resolutions from health experts. (Washington Post)

One last look at recent health news before this blog takes a break for the holidays.

Heart attacks spike between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Are you at risk? Probably not if you can touch your toes, new research suggests. (New York Times)

Want to avoid embarrassment under the mistletoe? Check out these tips to fight bad breath. (Livescience)

Before you treat yourself to some fast food, check out this dietician-ranked list of the most unhealthful gourmet burgers on the market. Some have more sodium and fat than you need in a whole day! (The Cancer Project)

We think of taste as happening on our tongues, but smell plays a major role. Now, anti-hunger aromas are being developed to help fight obesity. (Food Navigator)

Finally, does Santa Claus need to lose weight? The President of Santa-America wants him to drop 25% of his bulk (Washington Post) while an Australian researcher suggests that he leave Rudolph at the North Pole and jog to deliver toys (Sydney Morning Herald). No word yet if scientists will be pressing the Easter Bunny to deliver egg whites only.

Happy New Year! We’ll be back in 2010.