Good News From Mary March 9, 2009

High Blood Sugar & The "Fat-Fighting 4"

It used to be that only diabetics had to worry about their blood sugar, but not anymore.

People who are feeling tired or listless during the day, who are slightly overweight, or who have harried schedules and irregular eating schedules might be fighting high blood sugar cycles, and eventually be susceptible to type 2 diabetes.

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Retailers widen options, including more modest clothes

Modesty in young women's clothing is getting a boost from the dismal economy.

When consumer spending was in overdrive, retailers could sell to the masses and ignore the more muted voices asking for, say, a decent supply of sleeved shirts or prom dresses that show more fabric than skin.

Now, however, it's the rare retailer who's willing to take the chance of turning off any possible customer. Luxury-store clerks can no longer afford to look down at scruffy shoppers, and store owners of every sort are recognizing the one-size-fits-all approach to retail buying no longer works.

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School fitness programs do not go far enough: experts

Fitness programs in schools help to get children moving, but experts say more is needed to curb rising obesity rates.

Instead of low intensity aerobic exercise, which dominates most school programs, Frederick Hahn, the author of the new book "Strong Kids, Healthy Kids," believes the emphasis should be on strength training and eating the right foods.

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Unique portrait from Shakespeare's life unveiled

A portrait painted 400 years ago and kept anonymously in an Irish home for much of the time since is now believed to be the only painting of William Shakespeare created during his lifetime.

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Weather forecast excellent for shuttle launch

After suffering through a month's delay, NASA enjoyed a trouble-free countdown for space shuttle Discovery, all set to blast off on a space station construction mission Wednesday night.

Launch director Mike Leinbach said Monday that the countdown was going smoothly, and forecasters put the odds of good launching weather at 90 percent. "The team is anxious to go," he said.

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