Harmony Through Exercise: How to Achieve Holistic Balance

Wholesome exercise in the free air, under the wide sky, is the best medicine for body and spirit.” - Sarah Louise Arnold

Our bodies are somewhat like machines, and similar to cars, they need ‘fuel’ (food) and regular ‘driving’ (activity) to keep from seizing up. As a car engine would suffer going full throttle ahead, so the human body needs moderate and gentle regular exercise. This can be obtained through the recommended amount of moderate exercise per week.

Besides helping keep your weight under control, exercise is also a great natural stress reliever! Health professionals recommend moderate aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. This could be a gentle walk through the neighborhood or a leisurely swim in the pool.

How to Bounce Back After Life Smashes You in the Face

It's my first day back in the office after being in Vancouver to support our favorite Olympic female snowboarders. At one of the events, I learned a happiness lesson I'll never forget:

No matter how bruised your ego (or even your body) might be, find a reason to SMILE.

There were plenty of inspiring happenings last week-skier Lindsey Vonn pushing through an injury to win gold, seeing two American gals (Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark) on the women's halfpipe medal podium, skier (and underwear designer!) Julia Mancuso nabbing silver in both the women's downhill and super-combined.

But the most inspiring thing I saw at the games came not from an athlete who won, but one who lost: snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler. She had been getting a ton of media attention these last few months-for her recent marriage, her cute outerwear and clothing line for Oakley-and also for this kick-a** trick she developed called the Crippler 720.

How Sick Is Your City? This Web Site's "Coughometer" Can Tell You

Are you under the weather right now? I feel like everyone I know has some kind of flue-sore-throat-sniffle thing going on (I'm healthy, knock on wood). If you've ever wondered how sick your city is (as in, how many people have colds, the flu, whatever), there's one sneaky way to find out...

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Using data from Twitter (and soon Facebook), the Web site SickCity.org compiles information on reported sniffies, sore throats, etc., and tallies them by city. Last I checked, New York City one the sickest city prize. My hometown, Seattle, was in 9th place--but things are constantly in flux.

Obviously this is an unscientific approach to public health info, but it sure is interesting isn't it? Are a lot of people coughing in your hometown right now?

Go Have a Cocktail (After Work)! Researchers Have Good News About Booze

There's so much flip-flopping when it comes to alcohol and health that it can be confusing to know what's good and what's bad, can't it? Well, a brand new study sheds light on the health benefits of moderate drinking. Warning: It may induce margarita (or in my case, dirty martini) cravings ...

When it comes to health, the question seems to be: to drink, or not to drink?

If you asked the latest team of researchers--I should point out, they're French, a country that loves their wine!--they'd say, grab a glass and say cheers!

Here's why, they say: Those who drink moderate amounts of alcohol report better than average health than non-drinkers. While in past studies, alcohol, especially red wine, has been found to contribute to heart health, the researchers say that the health benefits come less from alcohol and more from the strong, social culture that a round of cocktails (or beer or wine) provides.

Got Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is actually a hormone. It is manufactured by the body to help with utilization of calcium and phosphorous.

Surprisingly, most people don't even need to get their daily requirement of vitamin D from food since it is manufactured by skin cells that have been exposed to sunlight. And it doesn't take very much sunlight, either. Most people only need 10-15 minutes of sun on their arms and face two or three times a week because vitamin D is fat-soluble and can be stored for months in the body.

In the good news/bad news department, sunscreen, which, protects against skin cancer, may also keep the body from producing enough vitamin D.

How Old Were You When You Smoked Your First Cigarette?

Now, I know that there are many of you who have ever never smoked (and you deserve a gold star!), but then there are the rest of us--the ones who gave in to peer pressure and lit up with our pals in 8th grade, 10th grade, or out at a bar in college--even though we knew better. When did you first light up?

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I began thinking about my first smoking experience after I read a fascinating post titled "Confessions of a Smoker" over on Yahoo Shine. The author talks about her lifelong smoking addiction, which started around age 10 and turned into a full-fledged addiction by age 14. She goes on to describe the fascinating psychology, hers at least, behind smoking.

Good News for Vegetarians

Australian and Vietnam scientists say they've have discovered the bone density of vegan Buddhist nuns and non-vegetarian women is identical.

Professor Tuan Nguyen of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and Ho-Pham Thuc Lan from the Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, compared the bone health of 105 post-menopausal vegan nuns and 105 non-vegetarian women. They said the women matched in every other physical respect.

"For the 5 percent of people in Western countries who choose to be vegetarians, this is very good news," said Nguyen. "Even vegans, who eat only plant-based foods, appear to have bones as healthy as everyone else. Bone health in vegetarians, particularly vegans, has been a concern for some time, because as a group they tend to have a lower protein and calcium intake than the population at large.

How Often Do You Have a "Fat" Day?

Does this happen to you? Your jeans, which felt fine two days ago, pinch at the waist this morning. Your legs feel heavier today, somehow. Your favorite shirt feels like it's riding up for no reason. It's one of those days that no one likes...

The dreaded "fat" day. It strikes--well, whenever it feels like it, as far as I can tell. And you know what the crazy thing is about having even the very worst "fat" day? No one else can tell you're having it. Because you look exactly the same. It's just how you feel that's different.

Hmm. Is a "fat" day even really about fat? Discuss! How often do you have a "fat" day? What does a "fat" day mean for you? How do you boost your confidence? And what else can we call it to avoid "fat talk"?

Get Your Calcium

As you may already know, ThirdAge adults should consume about 1,500 milligrams a day of calcium.  The reality is, however, that the average American consumes less than 800 milligrams a day -- less than the recommended daily intake for a child age 4 to 8.

One of the best ways to increase the absorption of calcium is to take supplements with meals and in doses that do not exceed 500 milligrams. Calcium citrate has been found to be more readily absorbed than other forms of calcium, and is also less irritating than calcium carbonate.

Scan the label for the "USP" marking on calcium supplements. With U.S. standing for United States, this means that the product satisfies the U.S. Pharmacopeia's standard for dissolving and for dosage. This stamp is often present on generic products that will cost markedly less than more advertised brands.

Get Twisted! Detoxify Your Body With Yoga

A funny thing happened the first time I ever practiced yoga. After a night out with friends, I went to the gym and not feeling particularly keen on getting on the treadmill, I decided join in on yoga class they were offering that morning. The only thing I was sure of was that I had no idea what I was doing.

After a couple of postures involving a twist, I looked down at my body and I had red blotches all over me. At first I was a little worried, and then I asked the instructor what she thought was going on with my body. She told me my red blotchy skin may be a sign of detoxification, and since I had a couple drinks the night before, I thought maybe she was right.

How Normal Are Your Bathroom Habits?

Remember a while back when we asked you how grody you were? Well now we're getting even more specific and want to know how you feel about all bathroom-related things.

Take our latest, super-short Are You Normal poll, and then come back here and tell me if any of the questions surprised you, or if you had a strong opinion on any of them.

Take the poll!

I have some really big opinions on bathroom behavior. My friends, actually, always make fun of me for being so prissy about bodily functions. But it's true...I refuse to do anything but pee--with the door closed--when my fiance is home (we live in a studio apartment), and still refer to the other stuff as going "number two." Yes, I realize this is ridiculous.

Get the Screen at Eye Level

Do you suffer from eye fatigue, blurred vision, headaches and back or neck aches when using the PC? Blame it on the monitor screen. Learn to sit eye to eye with your computer with advice from Vision Service Plan.

Optometrist Jeffrey Anshel says you can avoid "computer vision syndrome" by practicing the Three Bs: blink, breathe and break. He says, "take frequent breaks, during which you blink your eyes repeatedly and take several deep, relaxing breaths while stretching your body."

Another tip, follow the 20-20-20 Rule during breaks. Anshel suggests, "Every 20 minutes or so, take a 20-second break in which you look carefully at objects at least 20 feet away.

Hilarious New Product: Poo-Pourri (I Can't Decide if It's Nuts or Brilliant!)

Warning: We're going to head into the bathroom talk territory--prim-and-proper readers, apologies. So I just got a press release for a new product that made me giggle. Then I thought, hmm, maybe they're on to something here. It's called Poo-Pourri. Nuts or brilliant? You decide ...

The dilemma: You have to go #2 at the office, or some other very visible place where you're essentially sharing a bathroom with all your friends, co-workers, etc. What do you do? Poo-Pourri to the rescue!

The product ($9.99 for a 2 oz. bottle, sold here), I am told, is a natural bathroom spray deodorizer with an exclusive formula of essential oils of Bergamot, Lemongrass and Grapefruit. But here's where it differs from air freshener. You use Poo-Pourri before you go. Just spritz a few sprays directly into the toilet bowl, and it supposedly creates a "film along the water's surface that traps odor at its source--leaving zero odor behind."

Heidi Klum on Pumpkin Pie

Remember my pregnancy-induced pie obsession I shared with you recently? Some of you have written me about yours (strawberry rhubarb, lemon cream, pecan--yum). OK, so clearly not health food, but Heidi Klum's recent splurge--read about it after the jump--has me wanting to follow suit--you?

I love it when stars have healthy attitudes about food--and healthy appetities, too. Take Heidi Klum, who recently boasted about making her first homemade pumpkin pie.

"I didn't have all the ingredients to make the crust, so we got all of the hard cookies out of the cabinet," she said to US Weekly. "Leni was hammering the cookies and then Henry got to the hammer the cookies. He made the crumbs. It was crazy, but honestly it was the tastiest one ever!"

Get a Thrill on Blueberry Hill

Who says good nutrition has to be boring? Try sampling one of the luscious recipes posted on Web sites like that of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association. Enter "blueberries" in your favorite search engine for more sites and tasty delights.

You might start off with Chicken Pasta Salad with Blueberries or Blueberry-Raspberry Swirl Soup. Both are appealing to the eye and to the palate, and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.

Blueberries can be used in the main course, such as in Blueberry-Onion Sauced Pork Tenderloin. There are many other recipes for smoothies, desserts, and other unusual dishes -- hot and sour prawns with blueberries, for example.

Health Tips for Pregnancy

So, you are going to have a baby. Congratulations, this is probably the most beautiful experience you are going to have in your life. Enjoy the moments, and do take care of your health for your baby's health depends on you.

Pregnancy is not an illness, so you do not need to go into hibernation during it. But there are a few steps that you need to follow in order to make it trouble free and in order to make sure that you and your baby remain healthy

The most important step is to contact your health care professional. Regular visits are a must, at the frequency suggested by the doctor. This is to make sure that the pregnancy is progressing satisfactorily. Get all the laboratory tests done regularly, such as blood and urine tests.

Getting the Right Grains?

Okay, you're being good -- eating six servings of fruit and vegetables a day along with six or so servings of grains. But are you eating whole grains?

It makes a difference, a University of Minnesota test reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The whole grains could reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as a third -- not in comparison with sweets and ice cream, but in comparison with refined grains, according to the nine-year study of some 34,000 women between the ages of 55 and 69.

After the nine years, some 400 women had died of heart diseases while others reporting daily use of whole grain foods had the lowest rate of such diseases -- compared to those who had plenty of grains, but mostly refined grains.

Getting Over the Tanning ‘Glow’ (Without Going Faux): Healthy Skin Is In!

Everyone used to joke around with me, calling me a ‘tanorexic’ long before the term was recognized in the medical community. All through high school and college, I dutifully frequented the tanning beds. I knew it was harmful, but similar to a smoker addicted to cigarettes, I didn’t focus on the dangers of it and kept going.

Thankfully, a busy work schedule following graduation broke my habit, but I wasn’t alone. An estimated 30 million people in the U.S. visit tanning salons every year and studies actually show participants displaying physiological withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing use. However, after the US Department of Health & Human Services announced last year that UV radiation is a proven carcinogen, whether from the sun or artificial sources, I started looking for ways to improve my skin’s health.

Health Rant: Unexplained Bruising

Let's just say I am not the most graceful of movers. Even when I try to walk through a doorway that's ten feet wide, I somehow manage to run into one side of it. (I was super-happy to see I have a compadre in klutziness at Smitten!). So I occasionally get bruises-no biggie, since I know where they come from. But there are some bruises that are absolutely unexplainable. Besides being annoying, they're also scary-could there be something wrong?

I'm a vegetarian (okay, full disclosure: I occasionally have some incidents with bacon. And sometimes filet mignon), so whenever my arm starts looking like a pear that's been in the grocery store bin a day too long, I think, "Anemia! Steak, STAT!" And there are definitely some blood disorders-such as hemophilia and scurvy, which also have other symptoms in addition to bruising-that can cause you to be black and blue. But there's actually a slew of reasons for unexplained bruises:

Getting Down to the Heart of the Matter: How Oral Health Affects Your Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. The CDC reports that this year, heart disease will cost the U.S. over 3 billion dollars in health care services, medications and lost productivity. Every year, a whopping 785,000 Americans have their first heart attack, while another 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have another attack.

Many of us know heart disease is serious, and those who have it can lower the risk of dying from it or needing heart bypass surgery or angioplasty by lowering their cholesterol and blood pressure levels; however, there is another lesser known way to ward off a heart attack: by keeping your teeth clean!

Health is Wealth - Preserve it

Most of us spend a lifetime trying to be become wealthy, or in trying to preserve the wealth we already have. Often we forget that we have been granted another asset which needs to be conserved and safeguarded as much as our material possessions.

Our health is our greatest wealth - take care of it.

When we are young and healthy, we feel that we can conquer the world. We do not realize that as we grow older, our body is not able to fight infection nor is it able to conserve its energies as well as before. If we have not built up our reserves when we are young, there is nothing left to fall back on in times of need.

Gene Linked To Major Depression

According to a new study, a gene that influences how the brain responds to stress may also play a key role in depression.

Numerous studies have shown that the brain molecule neuropeptide Y (NPY) helps to restore calm after stressful events.  Ahhh

However, a team of researchers from University of Michigan- has found that people whose genes predispose them to produce lower levels of NPY have a more intense negative emotional response to stress and may be more likely to develop a major depressive disorder.  Boo…!

They now hope the research will eventually help with early diagnosis and intervention for depression and other psychiatric illnesses, and could help lead the way toward developing more individualized therapies.

Health Controversy: The Doll That Gives Birth

We talked about a controversial breastfeeding doll a while back, and now a new doll that gives birth--yes, vaginally--is causing a bit of stir. Does this take "I want to be just like mommy" a little too far?

The New York Times Motherlode blog reported late yesterday on a new doll that's raising some eyebrows. It's called "MamAmor," and the handmade doll ($130) is pregnant and actually can give birth--yup, through an elastic vaginal opening.

"The dolls, which can be custom-made with any variety of hair, skin and eye colors, are the creation of Adriana Guerra, a doula in Canada, where her own three children had home births," writes the Times Lisa Belkin. "Made of soft cloth, with an elastic vaginal opening, each doll comes with a baby within, along with a woven umbilical cord and a placenta. There is a snap on the newborn dolly's mouth and a corresponding one where the Mommy dolly's nipple would be, so that the infant can breast-feed."

Garlic's a Go for a Healthy Heart

Garlic has always maintained a preeminent position in the world's pharmacopeias. The ancient Egyptians had 22 different medicinal uses for the herb. So great was its influence that a clove of garlic often accompanied the Pharaoh on his trip to the afterlife. More recently, garlic was used during World War I for its antibiotic properties.

Now, researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have concluded that garlic "shows promise for improving some cardiovascular risk factors." In plain English, that means the herb may lower the body's levels of cholesterol -- the fat carried in the bloodstream strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.

Health Controversy: These Adoptive Parents Want to Give Back Their Child Because of His Psychiatric Problems

Sad story: A couple in Oklahoma is fighting to "return" the 11-year-old boy they adopted because his reported mental illness is out of control and too difficult to handle. What do you think of this very unfortunate situation?

Good Morning America recently interviewed Melissa and Tony Wescott, a couple in Oklahoma who are fighting the state to return the 11-year-old boy they adopted because of his "severe psychiatric problems." According to ABC, the couple loving him now means "letting him go."

The Wescotts adopted the child 2 years ago, and their lives have been in turmoil, they say, ever since. He tried to burn their house down and left them notes like one that read, "Sorry you have to die." He's tried to kill animals, is violent and combative and has hid butcher knives under his bed. After spending the last year in a psychiatric facility, he was diagnosed with "reactive detachment disorder, disruptive behavior disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome." Wow.

Gallstones' Development Linked to Diet

Gallstones can be a nightmare and medical researchers say diet may play a major role in their development.

When bile containing too much cholesterol and not enough salts builds up in the gallbladder, stones form, causing attacks that lead to surgery. With both men and women over 60 most likely to develop gallstones, ThirdAgers might want to read the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' comprehensive fact sheet on gallstones.

Low-fiber, high-starch and high-cholesterol diets may contribute to their formation, medical experts say. Obesity, hormone replacement therapy and rapid weight loss are a few risk factors for gallstones, and women between 20 and 60, men and women over 60, Mexican American men and women and especially Native Americans are most susceptible.

Gaining Mindfulness Through Meditation: How to Begin Healing

Meditation is a discipline where the mind’s intent is to gain focus and concentration power, while at the same time touching a higher state of consciousness. The idea behind meditation is to relax the body and focus thoughts on one thing for a sustained period of time.

The University of Wales has found that teaching mindfulness through meditation to people suffering from depression helps them cope with the negative thoughts present in their minds by emphasizing positive attitudes and behaviors

Depending on your experience, you may be able to meditate for a few minutes a day or for hours at a time. Focusing your thoughts like this occupies the mind, taking it away from the problems that are causing you stress. It gives your body time to relax and recover from the stresses of the day, and clear away stress-related hormones that may have built up within the body.

Fungus Targeted for Sinus Infections

Researchers say they have found the cause of most chronic sinus infections -- an immune system response to fungus.

That's why antibiotics and over-the-counter decongestants commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis in most cases are not effective -- those drugs target bacteria, not fungi, Mayo Clinic scientists say. About 37 million people suffer from chronic sinusitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the nose and sinus cavity that lasts for three months or more. The problem is on the rise. Symptoms are runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell and headaches.

Researchers say that up to now, they hadn't been able to pinpoint the cause and believed only 10 percent of cases were related to fungus. But in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers say new studies show almost all chronic sinusitis cases are caused by fungus and stress. It's not an allergic reaction but an immune system reaction.

Health Controversy: Some Say These Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelts Are Obscene

It's a given that teachers and administrators want their students to understand the risk factors for breast cancer and bring awareness to the disease that has touched so many lives. And yet, when one group of students tried to do something about it by wearing breast cancer awareness bracelets, school administrators called them obscene ...

The latest outcry at schools across the country doesn't have to do with cell phones, texting, racy music or clothing--nope, it has to do with what kids are trying to do to bring awareness to breast cancer.

There's no love for the message on a 1-inch thick rubber bracelet, ABC News reports, with the message "I love boobies." The bracelets are part of a nationwide campaign launched several months ago to help teens become more aware of breast cancer. They were designed by the Keep A Breast foundation, a non-profit based in California with a mission "to "help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support."

Health Controversy: She Spread HIV Knowingly, and Now She's Trying to Avoid Jail Time

Have you guys been following the story of the pop star in Germany who is on trial for knowingly infecting at least one of man with HIV via unprotected sex? Outrage! Now it looks like she may be avoiding jail time. What do you think? Should she be put behind bars?

HIV-positive German pop star Nadja Benaissa, 28, is accused of infecting a former lover with HIV. Lawyers are arguing that she should only receive minimal penalties, such as probation or a two-year suspended sentence. If found guilty, however, others say she deserves the fullest punishment possible, which under German law would mean 10 years.

Fruit Drinks May Add to Diabetes Risk

Women who reach for fruit drinks, even some juices, instead of sugary sodas in an effort to improve their health may be in for a rude surprise, researchers said. Too many of those beverages can also raise the risk of diabetes.

Investigators led by Julie Palmer, an epidemiologist from Boston University, tracked 43,000 participants in the Black Women's Health Study for a decade to find out how drinking patterns affected diabetes risk. Both fruit drinks and soft drinks are high in calories and don't make people feel full, which may lead them to overimbibe, the researchers said.

Women who had at least two regular soft drinks a day were 24 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who had less than one a month, almost entirely due to weight gain, the study found. Fruit drinks, a broad category that includes Kool-Aid, fruit punch, Snapple and juices other than orange and grapefruit, raised the risk 31 percent.

Fruits and Veggies: The Real Scoop

Nutrition experts are urging us to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Sound a bit much? No need to be overwhelmed by such recommendations, says Dr. Don Bradley.

The chief medical director for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina says a serving is only a half cup of chopped vegetables, 3/4 cup of vegetable or fruit juice or one cup of leafy greens. A large tossed salad makes up several servings, he says.

Try a sneak attack. Use shredded zucchini instead of bread crumbs to bind meatloaf. Add chopped veggies to spaghetti sauce, taco fillings or macaroni and cheese. Add mixed vegetables to canned vegetable soup.

Health Controversy: People Are Being Kicked Off of This Dating Web Site for Being Too ... "Fat"!

Did you guys hear about the popular dating Web site that banned more than 5,000 people for suspected weight gain by other "vigilant" members? ''Letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model," said the site's founder. Whoa. Let's discuss.

According to The Telagraph, a British newspaper, thousands of people have been booted from the site BeautifulPeople.com.

The site's managing director Greg Hodge said: ''We responded to complaints by moving the newly chubby members back to the rating stage. This is the same as having them re-apply.

Robert Hintze, founder of BeautifulPeople.com, said: ''As a business, we mourn the loss of any member, but the fact remains that our members demand the high standard of beauty be upheld. Letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model," said the site's founder."

For Health’s Sake! How Friendships Foster Wellness

Many of us take friendship for granted as a part of life or something that automatically comes along with existence. But did you know that people who actively seek out spending time with friends are also healthier and live longer?

What many of us fail to realize is that friendships form an integral and crucial part of our development and help mold who we are. The security and acceptance we find in friendships also gives us strength and courage during trying times.

The link between emotional and physical health

Time spent with friends help us relieve stress, feel empowered, and provides fresh new perspectives when needed. Combined with natural remedies, our friendships can provide strong, effective stress relief!

Health Controversy: Kim Kardashian Slams Woman for Breastfeeding in Public

Here we go again! The latest in the breastfeeding debate involves Ms. Kim Kardashian vs. a woman at a restaurant, who, apparently grossed Kim out ...

Even though she's the aunt to little 5-month-old Mason, apparently Kim can't stomach public breastfeeding, or so she said in a recent tweet: "EWW Im at lunch,the woman at the table next 2 me is breast feeding her baby w no coverup."

Then, Kim continues, things at the restaurant take a turn for the worst: "Then [she] puts baby on the table and changes her diaper."

OK, so the diaper on the table, yeah, maybe a little unappetizing. And the nursing without a coverup? I get how this could turn some people off (its why they invented nursing covers. Plus, a baby blanket, heck, even a napkin, works too!). But, I have to say, Kim's tone bugs me a little. She seems so quick to jump on a mom who was probably just doing her best to take care of her babe, you know? It's hard taking care of a baby (especially at a restaurant!).

Foods That Wield a Double-Edged Sword

If you're drinking too much coffee in the morning and snacking on too many pretzels in the afternoon, you're probably feeling a bit stressed. Before you toss your morning java, consider scaling back. The simple act of demonizing food can add to your stress, says Susan Burke, chief nutritionist for www.eDiets.com, a diet, fitness and motivation site.

Whether you're trying to reduce stress, lose weight or build muscle, "one individual food or a couple of foods will not produce results unless your whole diet is geared," says Burke, who uses the '80s oat bran craze as an example. Although oat bran was shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, it did little for people who ate too many other foods that were high in fat and cholesterol.

Health Controversy: KFC's New Ad Campaign--Advertising on Women's Butts?

Baby got chicken? The latest ad campaign by fried chicken giant KFC has turned women's bottoms into billboards. Not surprisingly, the controversial ad campaign is raising some eyebrows. Tell me, does this ad strategy bug you?

KFC's latest campaign has been so "successful" they're recruiting more women at universities across the country to slip on the notorious "Double Down" sweatpants and walk through campus handing out samples of the restaurant chain's new bun-less sandwich targeted at males. Instead of a bread, the Double Down sandwich uses to chicken patties as buns.

According to USA Today, KFC's Double Down "ambassadors," (found through a competition on Facebook) are paid $500 each to wear the sweatpants with KFC's message on their backsides and hand out $5 KFC coupons for a day at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.; Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana; and James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.