Health

Well, we've finally done it. We've turned a big corner, there are now more overweight people than starving people on this planet of ours. We are in the midst of a crisis and getting heavier. Maybe you have a few pounds to lose and you think to yourself, "Am I part of this crisis? But, I'm a conscientious person, how did I become part of a national epidemic?" Last week, I was with a group of friends and the conversation turned, as it often does, to weight control. The style of low cut jeans and a snug T-shirt presents what is known as "muffin tops" or the fluffy, fleshy bump that hangs over the belt edge of jeans.

With the Oscars still fresh in our memories, I thought it was a good time to answer questions from women readers. As a 30-year veteran makeup artist for film, television and print, I may have done it all. Whether I'm grooming a star for the Academy Awards or doing a backyard wedding here in La Cañada, I've made bad skin look good, small eyes appear large, long noses seem short and collar bones turn boney. I've changed wispy fine hair into a lion's mane and even used gaffer's tape (duct tape)

We've all heard the phrase "don't drink the water" when traveling to other countries or even when talking about our very own Southern California tap water. It seems that is just what's happening. Sadly, 75 percent of the American population is chronically dehydrated, they simply do not drink enough water. If you suffer from headaches, joint pain, anxiety, digestive problems, kidney stones, excess body fat, dry skin or wrinkles, the root of the problem may be dehydration. Water carries oxygen and nutrients to the body through the blood stream.

With every sip each tea connoisseur took, the condition of a person's health improved in the Dominican Republic. Last Saturday, members of Project Angel Club of Crescenta Valley High School hosted their annual charity tea to benefit citizens of the Dominican Republic and the Elizabeth House that is centered in Pasadena. The event was attended by more than 60 people and included tea, pastries and a silent auction of 20 gift baskets generously donated by local businesses and community members.

CITY HALL — The City Council tonight is expected to approve spending $1.2 million to cover the cost of rising employee health-care costs — a trend that is weighing heavily in contract negotiations as the city continues to grapple with its own budget woes. Each year, the council approves amendments to employee contracts to cover insurance rate adjustments, which have continued to grow. "We've been hitting close to double-digit increases every year for several years now," said City Manager Jim Starbird.

Susanne Whatley and Gregory Zarian were taking turns before a brightly lit mirror to finish any last makeup and wardrobe touches before taping “Healthline.” Minutes later, they would take the stairs to the studio’s second floor to host an episode on disaster preparedness. The show’s guests were Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and the department’s Public Safety Director Tanya Gregorian. A product of Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the Armenian Media Group of America, Inc., Healthline offers Whatley and Zarian a platform to interview health professionals and explore general wellness and health research within the field.

Some initials get our attention such as FBI or PMS. We automatically know what they mean. Some are not as clear but we get the general idea like NATO or AIDS. Initials can save us time like shooting off a quick e-mail that says ?LOL.? But, the ones that get my attention are the ones printed too small to read on the side of a package representing additives tucked inside a food or beverage I might consume. Butylated hydroxytoluene-no wait, BHT (there, that?s easier) is added to food to preserve color, odor and taste.

Karen S. Kim GLENDALE -- Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) has been named the chairman of the Assembly Health Committee. Frommer said his top priority as chairman will be to control rising HMO premiums and improving the quality of health care. The committee has jurisdiction over all aspects of health issues in California, including HMO reform, Medi-Cal and the Healthy Families program, mental health, licensing of health and health-related professionals and long-term care facilities.