Archive for the ‘What Does America Really Want to Know?’ Category

Today’s pulse on 542542: Human placenta and bird poop facials

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
A Facial mask.
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on the beauty industry:

What is a placenta facial?

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If you happen to be in Dubai, you can stop by the Biolite Skin Clinic for a human placenta facial, specifically a “Placenta Diamond Facial.”

The facial starts off with a thorough cleansing and exfoliation with steam.  A placenta facial cream and placenta eye gel is used along with massage and low-level laser treatment.

The placenta products used are sold by EMK Placental.  The products are formulated from placenta extract harvested from the placentas from women giving birth in Russian maternity units.

The treatment costs $545 (USD). Most get the treatment for a special occasion like a wedding.

The placenta facial is popular with celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Eva Longoria-Parker.  Customers report healthy glowing skin after the treatment.  Fine lines are gone and the skin appears tighter and brighter.  The results last for about five days and salon owners report that the secret is the combination of the human placenta products with low-level laser treatment.

The placenta facial treats dehydrated problem skin, pigmentation issues, acne and general anti-aging concerns.

Of course, if the thought of a placental facial makes one a bit squeamish, there’s always a bird poop facial formulated from nightingale droppings. That will only set you back $180 in a New York City day spa.

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Source:    Human placenta facials? Whatever next?

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Black Friday Crowd Control

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
SECAUCUS, NJ - NOVEMBER 20:  Bargain DVDs are ...

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kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on Black Friday:

What are stores doing to prevent stampedes on Black Friday this year?

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Many Black Friday shoppers are concerned about safety this year.  Sadly, you may recollect that a Wal-Mart worker died after being trampled by a crowd of early-morning shoppers.  Eleven customers were also injured.

Retailers expect Black Friday to be busier than last year and the U.S. Government has issued guidelines for stores to follow to keep everyone safe.  Wal-Mart has already announced modifications for this Friday, including:  Lines in front of the store instead of a mass crowd, more dedicated staff to manage shoppers and even a “crows nest” where crowds can be monitored from above. Wal-Mart will be open at 6am on Thanksgiving Day and remain open which might ease Friday crowds.

Shopper surveys suggest that 52% of Americans will shop on Black Friday – up from 42% last year.

OSHA has detailed guidelines for stores to follow and they can be viewed here.

If you shop on Black Friday, look around and size up the situation.  If there appears to be no crowd management plan in place at your local retailer, proceed with caution.

Use the Web to plan Black Friday deals

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Source:  Cloud from trampling hangs over Black Friday

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Silly Bandz

Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Choices
Image by MGShelton via Flickr

kgb_ Special Agents are elastic and animal-like in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on a collectible fad:

What are Silly Bandz?

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Silly Bandz are taking the pre-teen world by storm and school administrators are shaking their heads.

The animal-shaped elastic bands are manufactured by Brainchild Products, LLC, based in Toledo, Ohio.  Sold in packs of 24 bands, they feature assortments like pets, zoo animals, sea creatures, dinosaurs and more.  There’s a pack of holiday symbols as well.

The animal rubber bands are made of silicone and die molded into the shapes.  When you take them off your wrist or if they are holding something and you take them off, they spring back into their original shape.  Kids collect them, wear them, and trade them.

Schools are starting to ban the bandz due to classroom disruption as well as safety concerns.  School principals report that kids shoot them at each other and have spats over trades gone bad.  Some kids wrap them so tightly around a finger that blood circulation concerns exist.  School personnel also warn that those under the age of five warrant close supervision as they are a potential choking hazard.

Knock-off brands exist but savvy kids appear to be able to tell the difference and reject the fakes.  Some college students trade them for a kiss.

Silly Bandz Sales Boom In Birmingham

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Source:

Shaped arm bands take region by storm

Silly Bandz

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Minx Nails

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

@perezhilton @ladygaga ... I was there in spirit? I know y'al... on Twitpic

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on a recent fashion trend, Minx Nails:

What are Minx Nails?

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Minx is a solid film with an adhesive back that is heat activated. The heat gives Minx the conformability to fit over the compound curves of nails and seals it onto the nail bed. No drying time is needed.

Application takes less time than it takes to apply two coats of nail polish.

Singer Beyoncé launched the trend when she was spotted with 10 Minx-covered nails in metallic gold. Singer Katy Perry was seen with Oompa Loompa-imprinted nails, and Lady Gaga and Rihanna wear chic Minx patterns.

Popular styles include solid metallic shades or striped and cheetah prints. For the adventurous, you’ll find lace prints and playful skull patterns. You can even put your favorite photo on your nails.

Competitive rates for the Minx nails are around $7.50 a nail or $50 for all 10 fingers. Full pedicures average $60.

The Minx company suggests that they will last 1-2 weeks, though many clients stretch them out to three weeks. The quality of the application is critical as peeling can take place after about four days. As a result, many nail fashionistas save their Minx Nail applications for special occasions only.

Minx Nails – The Hottest New Nail Fashion

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Source:

Minx nails bring trendy designs to your fingertips

MinxNails, Inc

Today’s pulse on 542542: Tapeworm Diet

Thursday, November 12th, 2009
The scolex of Tenia solium
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are relentless and squeamish at times in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on fad diets:

Is the tapeworm diet for real?

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The Tyra Show recently discussed the tapeworm diet.  As you may know, a tapeworm is an intestinal tract parasite found in animals and, at times, humans.

The premise behind the tapeworm diet is the hopes that the tapeworm will eat half the food an individual consumes and weight loss will occur as a result.

While the diet is illegal in the United States, there appears to be a thriving black market business in tapeworm eggs.

To begin the diet, a tapeworm egg is consumed.  The tapeworm attaches to the intestine and starts consuming some calories.  While there may be no symptoms related to consumption of the tapeworm, abdominal pain, diarrhea and even seizures can occur.  When one is done with the tapeworm, a drug is consumed and the tapeworm is evacuated on the toilet.

The diet is unsafe as tapeworms can become gigantic (ten feet long and over, sometimes up to 50 feet) and the things have the capacity to travel to the brain…not good.

What next?

E! Investigations:  The Tapeworm Diet

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Source:

“The Tyra Show” explores the tapeworm diet

Tyra Banks publicizes tapeworm diet

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Fitness Trends for 2010

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Personal trainer showing a client how to exerc...
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are energetic and aerobic in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on getting fit:

What’s a good way to get fit?

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The American College of Sports Medicine recently announced their list of the Top 10 Worldwide Fitness Trends for 2010.  Here we go:

1. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals

It has become increasingly clear that as the market for fitness professionals becomes even more crowded and more competitive, workers in the fitness field will be better trained and certified in their field than in previous years.

2. Strength Training

Look for both men and women to incorporate more strength training into their exercise routines.

3. Children and Obesity

If childhood obesity trends continue, the next generation of young people may not live as long as their parents or grandparents. The health and fitness industry has recognized this problem and will be providing more programming for obese youth.

4. Personal Training

As more professional personal trainers are educated and certified, they become more accessible to the general public, not just the rich and famous.

5. Core Training

This is a trend that emphasizes strength and conditioning of the stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and back. Core training uses stability balls, BOSU balls, wobble boards, and foam rollers, among many other pieces of equipment.

6. Special Fitness Programs for Older Adults

This is a trend that emphasizes and caters to the older adult. As the baby boom generation ages into retirement and because they may have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts, fitness clubs will capitalize on this growing market.

7. Functional Fitness

This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance, coordination, strength, and endurance to improve one’s ability to do activities of daily living. Exercise programs reflect actual activities someone might do during the day.

8. Sport-Specific Training

This is a trend that incorporates sport-specific training especially for young athletes. For example, a high school athlete might join a commercial- or community-based fitness organization to help develop skills during the off-season and to increase strength and endurance.

9. Pilates

Pilates is a form of exercise that targets the core of the body (i.e., the abdomen, back, and hips) while using the entire body during a training session. It also increases flexibility and improves posture. The exercises are typically done lying down on a mat and involve a series of controlled movements of the arms and legs that strengthen the abdominal muscles, hips, and back.

10. Group Personal Training

This trend expands the personal trainer’s role from strictly one on-one training to small-group training. The personal trainer works with two or more people (but in a small group) and offers discounts for the group.

Other popular trends that did not make the Top 10 include:  Exercise and Weight Loss, Wellness Coaching, Yoga, Spinning, Boot Camp, Stability Ball and Balance Training among others.

How do you BOSU?

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Source:  WORLDWIDE SURVEY REVEALS FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2010

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Zhu Zhu Pets

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

zhuzhupet
kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on hot toys for the holidays:

What’s a Zhu Zhu Pet?

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And you thought finding a Tickle Me Elmo was a challenge, just wait.

Zhu Zhu Pets are cuddly and lovable battery-operated hamsters on wheels that are stealing the hearts of toddlers to teens.

The little pipsqueaks sell for less than $10 in the big-box stores like Wally World, Toys R Us and Target but good luck getting your hands on one.  Most stores are unable to keep them in stock and some stores report at least 50 calls a day from consumers on a mission to find them.

Some consumers are venturing to eBay to find the critters and are paying up to four times the retail price or more.

In addition to the motorized hamsters (there are four different ones currently) there are plenty of accessories to add to the mix.  Look for playhouses with kitchens, surfboards, exercise wheel, connecting tubes, beds and more.  They can even drive a car without a license.

While the motorized pets are marketed to 5 to 8 year olds, teens are seeking them too as collectibles – similar to the old Beanie Babies craze.

The manufacturers reports “they have artificial intelligence that allows them to know what room of their hamster habitat they are in. They make toilet-flushing or teeth-brushing sounds when they enter the bathroom and sleeping noises and alarm-clock sounds when they go into their bedroom.”

Shop early and good luck to one and all!

Zhu Zhu Pet Commercial

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Source:   Zhu Zhu Pets are latest toy fad

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Andre Agassi

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Andre Agassi Tennis
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on a tennis legend:

Who is Andre Agassi?

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Andre Agassi is a professional tennis player best known for winning eight Grand Slams during his career. He is one of only six men to win all four major tennis titles.

Agassi was known during the 1990s for his long, lion mane-style hair held back with a headband, his trademark.

Agassi recently disclosed in his soon to be released autobiography “Open” that the hair women swooned over was actually a hairpiece.  In addition, he apologetically disclosed illicit drug use during his time as a professional tennis player.

He started wearing the wig when he noticed some hair loss and has blamed fear of having the wig fly off as a factor in losing matches. Instead of hoping for a victory, he often hoped he would get through the match with his hairpiece intact.

It was Agassi’s future wife Brooke Shields who actually convinced him to shed the lion look and shave his head.  He eventually complied and that’s the look he has today.

“I’m too sexy for my hair; that’s why it isn’t there.” – Anonymous

Andre Agassi’s Upcoming Autobiography – Associated Press

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Source:  Agassi admits mane was a wig

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Today’s pulse on 542542: The Camera Diet

Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Behind the scenes at Alexis's food blog
Image by goldberg via Flickr

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on the latest weight-loss fad:

What is the camera diet?

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Essentially, with the camera diet, dieters have to take a picture of everything they eat with either their cellphone or other camera at hand.

It is the work involved in taking a picture of everything one eats that appears to make people more conscious of what goes in their mouth. Participants in the diet report that the effort involved in recording a snack or a second helping of food prompts them to re-think whether they actually want to eat it.

The diet is based on a pilot study entitled Think Before You Eat, by Lydia Zepeda and David Deal from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  The researchers found that keeping a photographic food diary influences attitudes and behaviors about food choices.

Keeping a food diary is not a new idea as dieters have been using the act of writing their food intake in a diary for decades.  The photo diary offers a new slant however, as pictures must be taken before the food is eaten – unlike written diaries, often recorded when it is too late to change one’s mind.

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Source:   Dear Photo Diary

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Today’s pulse on 542542: Jeans

Friday, October 30th, 2009
Jeans
Image via Wikipedia

kgb_ Special Agents are tireless and relentless in their search for the answers to America’s questions.  And what does America want to know, you ask?  Well, today’s buzz centers on denim:

Do people still spend a fortune on a pair of jeans?

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Denim watchers report that $300 designers jeans are pretty much a thing of the past with $200 being more representative of a top price point for designer denim.

While designers jeans were the rage in the 1990’s, it is “premium” jeans that have marked the new millennium.  Consider the following:  $340 for Acne jeans, $350 for Ksubi jeans, $359 for True Religion jeans, $395 for Notify jeans, $580 for Dior jeans.

Prior to the recession, “premium denim” was one of the fastest rising categories in the apparel biz and it seemed that consumers had no limit to what they would pay for a pair of Paris Hilton inspired extravagant jeans.

Those days are done

Some say the denim bubble has burst and premium jeans are done.  What you’ll see now are commonly referred to as “artisanal” jeans in the neighborhood just below $200 from labels like PRPS and 45rpm.

In spite of all the jean pricing commotion, annual sales of women’s jeans are still up.

Diesel, the Italian jeans company that pioneered the premium jeans price-points, used to produce only two styles at its lowest price of $150 for men, $160 for women. This season there are 10, said Renzo Rosso, the label’s founder, “because the market demanded more product at this level.”

Rock & Republic, Ksubi, and Citizens of Humanity are all presenting lower priced lines.

What’s the latest in denim?

Skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans are in and just on the scene are jeans so skinny they are called “jeggings.”

How to make skinny jeans

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Source:  Preshrunk Prices

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