Be ware of fads, health drinks and shakes.

If you purchased Vita Coco Products between August 10, 2007 and the present you may be entitled to a payment from a class action settlement.

New York, NY [April, 23, 2012] The following statement is being issued by Labaton Sucarow LLP; Whatley Drake & Kallas, LLC and O’Melveny & Myers LLP regarding a settlement reached in the class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York known as Fishbein, et al. v. All Market Inc. d/b/a Vita Coco, Case No. 11-CIV-5580 (JPO).

LEGAL NOTICE of settlement

If you purchased Vita Coco Products between August 10, 2007 and the present you may be entitled to a payment from a class action settlement.

Para información en español, llame gratis al 1 (855) 375-3055.

A settlement, set forth in a Stipulation of Settlement (“Stipulation”) between the Parties, has been reached in a class action lawsuit about whether All Market Inc. (d/b/a Vita Coco) (“Vita Coco”) misrepresented the health benefits and nutritional content of its Vita Coco Products, which are defined in the Stipulation to mean “all coconut water products, regardless of product line, flavor, and/or unit size, marketed and sold by Vita Coco in the United States.” Vita Coco denies it did anything wrong.  The settlement will provide Settlement Class Members (as defined below) who timely submit a valid Claim Form (as defined in the Stipulation) with the option of receiving a cash payment or product voucher. If you are a Settlement Class Member, you may send in a Claim Form to receive a cash payment or a product voucher. Claim Forms can be obtained at www.vitacocosettlement.com.  A federal court authorized this notice. Before any money is paid, the Court will have a hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement. 

Am I a Settlement Class Member?

You’re a Settlement Class Member if you purchased Vita Coco Products between August 10, 2007 and the present.  Excluded from the Settlement Class are:  (a) Vita Coco’s employees, officers, directors, agents, and representatives; (b) those who purchased Vita Coco Products for the purpose of re-sale; (c) all federal judges who have presided over this case; and (d) all Persons (as defined in the Stipulation) who have been properly excluded from the Settlement Class.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

Vita Coco agreed to a cash settlement of $1 million (the “Cash Settlement Fund”), which will provide for payments to Settlement Class Members who timely file claims of up to a maximum of $25.00 with Proof of Purchase (as defined in the Stipulation) and $6.00 without Proof of Purchase.  Vita Coco has agreed to provide $1 million current retail value in product vouchers, which can be redeemed by Settlement Class Members who timely file claims in lieu of cash up to a maximum of $36.00 with Proof of Purchase or $8.00 without Proof of Purchase. Vita Coco also agreed to institute a program that will change the labels and advertising of its Vita Coco Products and that will increase the quality control of its Vita Coco Products.  Vita Coco has agreed to pay no less than $4 million implementing this program over a five year period.  Vita Coco also agreed to distribute Vita Coco Products with a current retail value of $3 million to charitable organizations that promote healthy living (at a level of $1 million in retail value of product each year).

What are my options?

To ask for a payment or product voucher and remain in the Settlement Class, you must mail a Claim Form or submit a completed Claim Form online by July 23, 2012.  If you do not wish to participate in the settlement, you may exclude yourself from the Settlement Class by July 23, 2012, or you may stay in the Settlement Class and object to the settlement by July 23, 2012.  Visit www.vitacocosettlement.com or call 1-855-375-3055 for important information about the settlement, your rights and how to file a Claim Form for payment.

The Court will hold a hearing on August 22, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. to consider whether to grant final approval of the settlement and whether to grant Class Counsel’s (as defined in the Stipulation) request for attorneys’ fees, reimbursement of expenses and incentive awards for class representatives. Class Counsel will apply to the Court for their fees and expenses not to exceed a total of $750,000 subject to the terms of the Stipulation.  Class Counsel will also request that the Court approve Vita Coco’s payment of an “incentive award” of $2,000 to each of the four class representatives.  Vita Coco will not oppose these requests.  All fees and expenses awarded to Class Counsel and incentive awards awarded to class representatives will be paid by Vita Coco in addition to the $1 million Cash Settlement Fund and will therefore have no effect on the Cash Settlement Fund or the other relief provided by the Stipulation.

For more information, go to www.vitacocosettlement.com

Or Call 1-855-375-3055

CLAIM FORMS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR SUBMITTED ONLINE BY July 23, 2012.

April 23rd, 2012 | Tags: coconut water, lawsuit | Category: Food | Comments Off

DISCOVER THE WINES OF DON QUIXOTE’S SPAIN

The Castilla-La Mancha US Tour will stop in Atlanta, Chicago and New York in May, and
San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle in July
Featuring Tasting Seminars and a Walk-Around Grand Tasting in Each City

New York, April 16, 2012 – Just as local ‘celebrity’, Don Quixote, traveled through his region seeking adventure and noble experiences, guests at the Castilla-La Mancha US tastings will do the same as they discover the wines of 26 participating producers. The tour will visit Atlanta, Chicago and New York during the week of May 21st and continue to San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle during the week of July 9th. Each of these events will offer opportunities to experience the wines, foods, music and traditions of this distinctive region. The events will welcome members of US wine and food trade and press.

Castilla-La Mancha is the most expansive wine-producing region in the world. It is a land of fascinating foods and cultural traditions and, naturally, a wide variety of wines. The land, composed of limestone clay and a great variety of subsoils, makes the region ideal for growing grape vines. Within the Castilla-La Mancha area, we find nine appellations of origin, four estates with their own appellations and many ‘Geographical Indication Wines’.

“The amount of focus and investment in quality wine production throughout the region of Castilla-La Mancha in the past few decades has been astounding. There is much for the US trade to discover about the quality and diversity of our wines,” said Paloma Juncos, of the Foreign Trade Institute of Castilla-La Mancha, which is organizing the US program.

Each event will commence with a seminar, conducted in Atlanta by Gil Kulers, CWE and in Chicago and New York by Doug Frost, MS, MW (one of only three people in the world to hold both titles). The speakers will share with the trade and press the winemaking history of the region of Castilla-La Mancha, the technical qualities of its wines, and the sales opportunity for these wines in the US market. Each seminar will be followed by an afternoon walk-around tasting enhanced by regional foods and live entertainment.

The participating wineries include Altolandon, Arúspide, Bodega los Aljibes, Bodega Pardo Tolosa, Bodega San Gines, Bodega Virgen de las Nieves, Bodegas Arrayan, Bodegas Camino Alto, Bodegas del Muni, Bodegas La Remediadora, Bodegas Piqueras, Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo, Bodegas Saac, Bodegas Vitivinos, Bodegas y Viñedos Sánchez Muliterno, Dehesa Carrascal , Dominio de Punctum Organic & Biodinamic Wines, Finca El Refugio, Finca la Estacada, Finca los Alijares, Parra Family Organic Imports, Señorío del Jucar, Viña Cerrón, Vinicola de Tomelloso, Vinos & Bodegas, Virgen de las Viñas.

To register for the events please visit:

Atlanta, Monday, May 21st
http://castillalamanchaatlanta.eventbrite.com/

Chicago, Wednesday, May 23rd
http://castillalamanchachicago.eventbrite.com/

New York City, Thursday, May 24th
http://castillalamanchanyc.eventbrite.com/

April 21st, 2012 | Tags: Don Quixote, Events, Spain, wine | Category: Events, Food | Comments Off

LOCAL CHICAGO NON-PROFIT HEELING WITH EVERY STEP! IS OFF TO THE RACES

TO SUPPORT PANCREATIC CANCER WITH ANNUAL CHARITY EVENT

WHAT: The Heeling with Every Step! Pancreatic Cancer Foundation is hosting its Fourth Annual Cancer Benefit – “A Night at the Kentucky Derby”- to help raise funds and awareness for the disease. The non-profit organization was started in 2009 by Kathy, Stacia, Mike and Shelly Swan in honor of their mother who they lost to pancreatic cancer at the young age of 49.

This year’s event is supported by a large group of young professionals that strive to make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The Kentucky Derby themed event will include hat and tie contest, dinner, premium cocktails, silent auction and raffle prizes. In addition, Dr. Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue from Johns Hopkins will be sharing the latest research on pancreatic cancer. All net proceeds from the event will go to the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at John Hopkins.

WHO: Interviews available with Gloria Swan’s children to discuss how and why they started their own not-for-profit as well as interviews with Dr. Christine Donahue from Johns Hopkins.

WHY: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is the most lethal cancer with only a six percent survival rate.  The annual event is designed to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and help support pancreatic cancer research.

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2011 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Event open to the public / tickets $60

WHERE: LaSalle Power Company 500 N. LaSalle Blvd. Chicago, IL 60654

CONTACT: To RSVP or to schedule an interview, please contact Stacia Swan at (312) 912-4333

April 21st, 2012 | Tags: benefit, Cancer, Events, fundraiser, pancreatic | Category: Events | Comments Off

Every move you make from the moment you get out of bed engages your core. And the simplest way to a flat, firm, flab-free six-pack is the sit-up. (And we’re not talking crunches here—these are the classic head-to-knee sit-ups).
Introducing “7 Weeks to 300 Sit-Ups,” a step-by-step program that will push you to your best abs ever—no gym necessary.
This book will have you doing 100, 200 or even 300 sit-ups in just 49 days and will benefit men and women of any age and fitness level. You’ll also improve posture, boost strength and athletic performance, lose weight and burn fat.
Author Brett Stewart is a seasoned personal trainer and has written multiple “7 Weeks” fitness books.

I received this book for review and was not compensated in any way, the opinions given are my own.  If your goal is to complete 300 Sit Ups and you have the time, this is your book.  Great photos accompany succinct explanations of each move.  I love Brett’s honesty, crunches aren’t going to give you a six pack, finally someone else to tell my clients the truth!  As with all of the 7 Weeks to books, the Overview and Introduction are not laden with self loving babble from the author and instead have meaningful information for the reader.  Levels are given to get you up to your goal of 300 situps, though I would have put the level plans after the actual information/demonstration of the moves. 

Honestly, there is nothing new to me presented in this book, I have seen many of these moves before and taught them, but for those who are not fitness professionals this book gives you a great plan and assists you in toning your core.  Not represented in this book though are exercises for people such as myself who have diastasis recti – or separated abdominal muscles, and many of the exercises in this book are extremely safe for the average person but could cause more separation for someone like me – that’s why Brett writes to check with a physician before beginning!

April 18th, 2012 | Tags: abs, Book, Core, Review, sit-ups, Strength | Category: books, Review | Comments Off

Dr. Joe Dispenza is gearing up to launch his NEW book: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself.

Contrary to what you may believe, you are not doomed by your genes or hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of your life. A new science is emerging that empowers all human beings to create the reality they choose. In Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself (Feb. 15, 2012) renowned author, speaker, neuroscience researcher, and chiropractor Dr. Joe Dispenza combines the fields of quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology, and genetics to show you what is truly possible.

Not only will you be given the necessary knowledge to change any aspect of yourself, you will be taught the step-by-step tools to apply what you learn in order to make measurable changes in any area of your life. Dr. Joe demystifies ancient understandings and bridges the gap between science and spirituality. Through his powerful workshops and lectures, thousands of people in 25 different countries have used these principles to change from the inside out. Once you break the habit of being yourself and truly change your mind, your life will never be the same!

Joe Dispenza, D.C., the author of Evolve Your Brain, studied biochemistry at Rutgers University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in neuroscience. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, and has received postgraduate training and continuing education in neurology, neuroscience, brain function and chemistry, cellular biology, memory formation, and aging and longevity.

One of the scientists, researchers, and teachers featured in the award-winning film What the BLEEP Do We Know!?, Dr. Joe has lectured in more than 24 different countries, on six continents, educating people about the functions of the human brain. He has taught thousands how to reprogram their thinking through scientifically proven neurophysiological principles.

I received this book for review and received no compensation, the opinions are my own.  I was not a big fan of the beginning of this book, I found its writing stylistically hard to navigate at first.  The sentences circled several times around the same point without getting anywhere.  Skipping ahead to chapters on relationships, the book did have some meat – if you base a relationship on commonality such as complaining, the relationship has to change if one party becomes happy. The book also blends self-help and yoga/meditation principles to help the reader create a new way of thinking.  Many chapters discuss links online to meditation snips as practices for the chapters.

Will this book help you break the habit of being yourself? Anything you stick with that is new can help you change who you are and where you are going – the key is finding something that resonates with you and sticking with it.  Sadly, this book did not offer that to me, it whispers and hints at some of the same ideas of the Secret – and I’m just not a believer.

April 18th, 2012 | Tags: books, Review, self help | Category: books, Review | Comments Off

As we approach bikini season, Dr. Tachmes weighs in on the truth about sweets. Lose Weight By Eating Dessert For Breakfast?

Yes, it’s true. Scientists conducted a study where they gave two different diet programs to a group of 144 obese people. Both diets  were low-carbohydrate and consisted of 1400 calories for women and 1600 calories for men. The only difference? One group got to eat a high-protein, high-carbohydrate, breakfast with a selection of cookies, chocolate, cake or ice cream for dessert.

The dieters on the desert regimen reported higher levels of fullness and maintained lower levels of a hormone called ghrelin, which stimulates appetite. Important stuff!

This is the first time in the mass-media (there are several research studies on it) that I’ve come across the all-important factor neglected by most dietary approaches:

1. Nutrient Timing. It’s not just what you eat, it’s WHEN you eat. – This mirrors the advice Dr. Tachmes has been giving clients for years: To lose more weight, eat starches and sugars ONLY in the morning and after a workout. Why? Because you’re more metabolically active! That means that the calories are being used instead of stored around your waistline

2. By eating some dessert, the dieters were able maintain their weight loss while the other group gained some lbs back. Ideally, we would only eat a dessert as a once-in-a-while treat but many people aren’t ready for that. If you’re not ready give up your chocolate cake yet, this is a good step in the right direction

Your Take Away:

If you’re a dessert lover who has trouble giving up the goodies yet still wants to lose weight, try eating your desserts after a good breakfast. Dr. Tachmes recommends that you eat your starches (breads, cereals, pastas, etc.) in the morning or after you workout as well.

April 14th, 2012 | Tags: dessert, diet, Food, meals, weight loss | Category: Food, Guest Post | Comments Off

Rethink Your Drink: The Impact of Sugar-Loaded Beverages on the Obesity Epidemic & Clinical and Environmental Strategies to Reduce Consumption

WHAT: A symposium for health care professionals and others exploring clinical approaches to reducing sugar-loaded beverage consumption and complementary policy and environmental changes.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time. 

WHY: Sweetened beverages are the single largest source of added sugar in the American diet.  These beverages are the food group most strongly linked to the rise in obesity rates in the United States – accounting for an estimated 20% to 40% of all weight gained by Americans between 1997 and 2007.

This symposium explores both clinical approaches and changes in policies and environments designed to reduce sugar-loaded beverage consumption.  Scientific evidence about the negative health effects of sugar loaded beverages and ways that clinicians can counsel their patients will be discussed.  Additional information will be shared about successful national efforts to transform food and beverage environments in hospitals and other strategies of community engagement, public education and taxation.

WHERE:  Rush University Medical Center

       Searle Conference Center

       1725 W. Harrison, Professional Building, Suite 500

       Chicago, Illinois

                   Register at: http://www.tinyurl.com/RethinkYourDrinkSymposium

WHO: David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD

Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Director, New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Children’s Hospital Boston

Goutham Rao, MD    

Vice Chair, Academic Affairs, Department of Family Medicine, University of Chicago

Holly J. Benjamin, MD, FACSM, FAAP

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago

Christina M. Shay, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Stacia Clinton, RD, LDN

Healthy Food in Health Care Associate, Health Care Without Harm

William Barum

Senior Director of Hospitality, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

James Corbett, MDiv, JD

System Vice President of Mission, Steward Health Care System, LLC

Lisa M. Powell, PhD

            Research Professor, Department of Economics

            Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Health Research & Policy

            University of Illinois at Chicago          

The Illinois Public Health Institute works through partnerships to promote prevention and improve public health systems that maximize health and quality of life for the people of Illinois.

April 14th, 2012 | Tags: diet, fod, Health | Category: Events, Fitness | Comments Off