Eat whole grains for a smaller waist

If you want to reduce your waist size, it could be as simple as buying the right whole grain cereal or bread. In a recent study, by The Next Idea, Food Consultants, researchers found that people who were counseled in healthy eating and exercise lost weight, but those who were advised to get their grain servings from whole grains rather than refined grains lost significantly more weight in their abdominal region. Foods that can be beneficial for waist circumference loss include oatmeal, whole grain cereal, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and snacks such as granola bars, popcorn, and whole-wheat crackers. Foods in which at least 51 percent of the grain comes from whole grains are recommended.

Staying safe on ThanksgivingWhen you fire up the oven to roast your Thanksgiving turkey, you’re probably not thinking about tragedy. But home fires are the most common disaster in the United States, according to the American Red Cross—and one is reported every 79 seconds. Cooking is the leading cause of those fires, and Thanksgiving Day is the unfortunate host of about 4,000 fires each year. The Next Idea would like to offer the following suggestions to keep your Thanksgiving fire-free: • Stay in the kitchen and keep watch while you are cooking.• Use a timer if you have something in the oven, or are boiling or simmering something on the stove.• Don’t wear loose sleeves or clothing when cooking.• Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts—away from your stovetop or oven.• Turkey fryers are extremely dangerous, and most safety organizations do not recommend their use.• Make sure you have a smoke alarm installed with working batteries. Push the button to check that it’s working every month and install new batteries at least once a year. • After your guests leave, do a home safety check to make sure that all candles and cigarettes are extinguished. It is always advisable to have a fire extinguisher handly - although always make sure you read the instructions and use the correct extinguisher on the fire.

Do not let children play in the kitchen

(This list is only a few suggestions, for more safety advice contact your local fire or health department)

Drinking and eating, oh my How much time do Americans spend consuming foods and beverages? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 67 minutes of every day as a main activity. This excludes snacking while engaging in a secondary activity—sports, watching television, working. That means the average American is eating and drinking for what amounts to 16 full 24-hour days every year.

Talking turkey Turkey is the main course at Thanksgiving meals in 90 percent of U.S. households. The average weight of the bird when purchased is 15 pounds; the largest turkey raised so far was 86 pounds. But the biggest turkey feather–bearing fowl is Sesame Street’s Big Bird, cloaked in about 4,000 large feathers all originating from 45-pound turkeys.