Teetotalers: Celebrities That Don’t Drink

Kim Cattrall-Christina Ricci-Blake Lively

After the word come up in our conversation, I had to explain to my granddaughter that a “milk-toast” was an extremely mild, easily dominated person, someone you might call namby pamby or wishy washy. We went to the names of a few family members and friends trying to identify a living example of a milk-toast. When I dropped the word “teetotaler”, I advised her that this was a person who totally abstains from intoxicating drink. As a follow-up to that conversation, I identified a number of well-known celebrities who don’t drink, including actors , Kim Cattrall, Christina Ricci and Blake Lively.

Colin Farrell-Gerard Butler-Bradley Cooper

Many celebrities fell into serious trouble in their past and turned to abstinence to maintain a healthy life style and more secure future.  Bradley Cooper gave up alcohol at age 29 after a drunken incident where he being hospitalized after repeatedly banging his head on the floor. Actor Gerard Butler spent his youth, age 14 to 27 partying hard, but has been sober for more than 15 years. In 2012, he spent a stint at Betty Ford Center for pain management after a surfing injury. He wanted to avoid taking any pain pills. Actor Colin Farrell is often represented as a bad boy, ladies’ man partying hard. He confesses that for 15 years he hadn’t spoken to or made love with a woman while sober. He has been a teetotaler for 8 years.

Jennifer Hudson-Jada Pinkett Smith-Tyra Banks

Clean living supermodel and entertainment mogul Tyra Banks hasn’t had a drink since she was 12 years old. Jennifer Hudson saw lives ruined with the murder of her mother, brother, and nephew by her brother-in-law. He’s serving 3 life sentences plus 120 years in prison. Jennifer doesn’t drink, smoke or do drugs. In the past, Jada Pinkett Smith drank 2 bottles of win every night, but she’s given it up and remains totally sober. Sex in the City’s Kristin Davis quit drinking at age 22.

Retired soccer player David Beckham hasn’t touched a drink in years. His gorgeous body and amazing shape attest to his healthy life style. Joe Manganiello (True Blood/Magic Mike) had an addiction to alcohol for 4 years during his 20’s. He’s been sober for more than a decade. Country crooner Tim McGraw gave up drinking for his daughters and made a change for the better. Ben Affleck spent a stint in rehab and has been sober for 15 years.

About 12% of Americans have had an alcohol dependence problem at some point in their lives. Those who have been able to overcome this problem are noteworthy and serve as an example to others.

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Jared Fogle: Turned Weight Loss into Millions

Today was not a good day.  When I weighed in at Weight Watchers, I had gained four pounds in one week. Oddly enough, I took it in stride, refusing to be completely devastated by my poor choices.  I sent my husband and children a text sharing my weekly results, shook myself mentally, and went back to work on making healthier food choices and controlling my portions.

While surfing the Internet, I bumped into a familiar face, my friend from Subway, Jared Fogle. It must be a message sent to help me get back on track. Everybody knows Jared. He's been a spokesman for Subway for 15 years. Subway's Executive Chef Gina Pace says Jared is like one of the family. The company says Jared is responsible for one third to one half of Subway's growth in the past 15 years. His current estimated net worth is $15 million.

Jared says it was a win-win relationship. “I owe a lot to Subway,” he said, but declined to put a dollar amount on the deal. “They’ve given me an amazing life in multiple ways.”

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Change Your Habits- Save Your Life

A landmark study of about 30,000 people in 52 countries suggests Lifestyle factors can easily account for more than 90 percent of heart attack risk. Making small, positive changes in your everyday habits can have a surprisingly big impact on your heart health

Here’s a look at some of the worst habits for your heart, and how to turn them around.

Couch Potato Madness

You’ve heard it numerous times before. People who spend four or more hours a day watching the tube or with other screen-based entertainment double the risk of a major cardiac.

Those who spent the most time on leisure-time screen-based entertainment had a 48 percent higher risk of dying prematurely, even if they also exercised. Recent research also shows that too much sitting can be just as bad for your heart as smoking.

Negative Attitudes Increase Risk

Stress and depression have long been linked to higher heart disease risk. As simple as it seems, an optimistic outlook may cut heart disease and stroke danger by 50 percent.

The association between an upbeat attitude and reduced cardiovascular risk held true. Research also shows that laughter literally does the heart good, by expanding the linings of blood vessels and boosting blood flow.

Ignoring Snoring Can Be Fatal

Frequent loud snoring can trumpet obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a dangerous disorder that magnifies heart attack and stroke risk,

OSA, which affects 18 million Americans, is most common in people who are heavy, treatment typically involves weight loss and in some cases, continuously positive airway pressure (CPAP), a device that blows moist, heated air in your nose and mouth as you sleep.

Forgoing Fiber

Not only does a high-fiber diet boost your heart health, but it could add years to your life, according to a recent study of nearly 400,000 people, conducted by the National Institutes of Health and American Association of Retired People.

The researchers found that men ages 50 and older who ate the most fiber were up to 56 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases and respiratory ailments, compare to those who ate the least. For women ages 50 and up, a high-fiber diet lowered risk of death from these causes by nearly 60 percent.

Another study involving more than 300,000 men and women found that eating eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day trims the risk of a fatal heart attack by 22 percent, compared to eating less than three. Researchers from the World Cancer Research Fund also report that if we ate more fiber, and less red meat, more than 64,000 cancer deaths would be prevented annually.

Failing to Floss

People with periodontal (gum) disease are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease as those with healthy gums. While the reasons for the link aren’t yet clear, one theory is that the same bacteria that trigger gum disease may also spark inflammation inside the body, damaging arteries. Gum disease affects nearly 50 percent of Americans, many of whom don’t know they have it, because in the early stages, it’s painless.

A new study published in Journal of Aging Research adds to mounting evidence that one of the simplest—and cheapest—secrets of long life is taking care of your teeth, with daily brushing and flossing. Conversely, neglecting your choppers—and skipping dental visits—can be lethal, the researchers report. During the 17-year study, those who never flossed were 30 percent more likely to die than were those who flossed daily.

Smoking Even a Little

Smoking even one cigarette a day increases the threat of heart attack by 63 percent and smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day more than quadruples it.

Need more motivation to quit? Tobacco use also boosts risk for diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and many types of cancer. A 2010 study reports that using a nicotine patch for six months makes it easier for smokers to kick the habit. Munching on low-calorie foods, such as carrot or celery sticks, or chewing sugarless gum, can also help curb nicotine cravings.

You can reduce your health risks by changing your lifestyle. Start today for a healthier life.

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