Baltimore-based artist Hugh Pocock's new art exhibit, "My Food, My Poop," attempts to represent the complex relationship between the food we take in, the energy we expend, and the waste we create.

This post was initially going to be filed as a "Without Comment" because, come on: poop=funny.  But the exhibit does hit on some pretty intriguing themes. According to the Baltimore Sun, for 63 days Pocock measured everything he put into his body and all the waste that came out. The exhibit represents those numbers with wooden blocks of corresponding weight. Pocock's equation is pretty simplistic: there's a lot more going on with digestion besides Weight of Food-Weight of Waste=Energy Burned, and "energy" is a pretty ambiguous category. Still, it's interesting to see some of the observations he makes about his body's relationship with the calories it consumes:

"I really became aware of what it takes to fuel my daily life," he said. "A week I cut out carbs for Passover, my energy equivalent went way down. ...When I was working on sawing the wood blocks, my intake went way up. I've become aware of our intimate relationship with energy."

Keeping a food diary is one of the oldest tricks in the weight-loss book, but it's an good experiment for everyone, just because most Americans eat so mindlessly. (You can view some of Pocock's intake and outtake logs here). We tend to consume things without even realizing it, and aren't particularly aware of how our body processes the food we eat. Sure, some things give us heartburn and other things makes us collapse in an allergic fit, but what food makes us sleepy two hours after we eat them? What leave us hungry almost as soon as we're done?  What corresponds with a stellar performance on the basketball court or poor performance in the restroom?

Despite the initial ick factor, there's a lot you can learn about your body by studying its waste. Casually studying, that is—unless you're trying to get an art show, there's no need to weigh and measure. However, for you statistics fans out there, here's Pocock's final tally:

"My Food, My Poop" is on display at the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore until August 16, 2009. 

UPDATE: Trying to figure out if this is a credit card or just a gift card, per the comments below.  

Can't afford one of those anti-aging spermin facials? Eager to extend your credit limit while reducing your smile lines*? You're in luck: Botox has unveiled a credit card.

The Botox Cosmetic Benefits Card is now being offered to existing patients at select offices for credit towards their next purchase treatment. 

One of my favorite women—a smart, independent, self-described feminist—recently confided that she'd had some Juvederm injections (the facial filler made by Botox's parent company, Allergan). She wasn't afraid to admit that she loved it, that her new face made her feel a little more attractive and a lot more confident. She knew her younger self would be horrified—horrified!— to see her sitting in the chair getting all shot up with artificial fillers, but she worked hard for her money and she thought it was worth the expense (more than $300). I suppose if a smoother face is your idea of a reward, why shouldn't  "reward points" be able to buy you one? Not everyone wants a set of BOSE speakers or an espresso machine.

Still, can you imagine pulling out your Botox card to cover a business lunch? Maybe this card is part of a broader campaign to take the shame out of getting a little work done: Yes, I use Botox—and don't I look fabulous?

*Botox's site calls them "frown lines." Rather than the well-earned rewards after a long and happy life, "frown lines" sound like some sort of chronic condition resulting from crippling depression. I'm on to you, Botox copywriters. 

botoxcosmeticcard.com

The self-proclaimed "World's Oldest Blogger" passed away on May 20th. She was 97. (Philly.com)

Her blog (in Spanish).

Goodbye to All That Fiber Americans are over healthy living. So suggests a study from the American Journal of Medicine. Researchers measures how many Americans adhered to five "healthy habits," like eating fruits and vegetables and getting enough physical activity, and found that the number of health nuts who did all five has been cut in half over the past 20 years. Americans are now drinking more and moving less, as well.  Nice work, guys (she says, while eating her egg and cheese sandwich). (foodconsumer.com)

Silent Birth  Des Moines hospitals say they will no longer provide birth announcements to the area newspaper, citing concerns for newborn safety.  Though there have been no incidents of note wherein birth announcements played a role in endangering newborns, one hospital administrator emphasized the need to "do everything possible to protect our tiniest patients." The Des Moines register is trying tofind a new way to collect the information that ensures its accuracy. (Des Moines Register)

McDonald's Eggs-emption Yesterday, McDonald's shareholders voted "no" on a proposal to serve eggs only from free-range chickens. McDonalds has said it will continue to study the issue. I'm curious to see the logistics of raising free-range farming for a company that serves so many people (billions and billions, was it?) (The Street)