Is a new Disney's 'Stars Wars' film every year a good idea?

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After purchasing LucasFilm for a cool $4 billion last October, it was expected that Disney would be doing something grandiose with the “Star Wars” franchise. But even entertainment industry experts were surprised by last week’s announcement that in addition to the 2015 release of “Star Wars: Episode VII,” fans can expect a new “Star Wars” movie every summer for at least five years, complete with installments in the official series alternating with stand-alone movies that will spotlight esteemed characters from the legendary franchise.

But could the “Star Wars” overload end up diminishing the Force?

“To call Disney’s plans ambitious is an understatement. While there is understandably much excitement surrounding the revival of the ‘Star Wars’ saga, the announcement of the seemingly endless series of sequels and spin-offs could also be viewed as a perpetual cash grab,” L.A-based entertainment and pop culture reporter, Scott Huver, told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “And that may very well alienate the faithful, damage the franchise and even take a little bit away from the original films’ special magic.”

And it’s not just the movies themselves that audiences will be presented with, but for months leading up to each release each year, the public will be faced with an onslaught of expensive marketing including streams of trailers, movie posters, interviews, public appearances, commercials and premieres across the world. Disney also has the ideal machinery to push “Star Wars” into being far more than a mere succession of films – think more toys, pajamas, action figures and bed sheets.

“Over doing it with film’s every summer does risk the potential of burning out fans. It almost happened with the three prequels,” cautioned Jami Philbrick, Managing Editor of movie news site iamROGUE.com. “But it has been a while since they came out and most fans got burned out on them honestly, because they weren’t very good… There is always a chance that quality can be compromised, but it really depends on how they handle it. If they rush the projects and just shoot for dates without having the productions and scripts ready, it is possible.”

The most recent installment of the franchise, 2008’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” brought in a domestic total gross of almost $35.2 million, but according to movie critic aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, it scored a dismal 18 percent average review rating.

And in the court of public opinion, that is the Twitterverse, the announcement has generated a mixed bag of responses, with many upset over the mammoth number of slated films and the news earlier this month that Disney will be closing the doors of LucasArts, the company that made the computer software to be released alongside the original hits, and possibly halting the “Star Wars 1313” release.

“Disney has hired Lex Luther to handle Star Was for them,” one tweeted, others called the whole takeover “devastating,” while another weighed in : “Disney announced a decade-long schedule for new Star Wars movies, and it made me sad. I love Star Wars, but it ruined movies as an art.”

Others find such a lack of faith disturbing – if you will.  

“Excited about the Disney plans for Star Wars,” wrote one fans, as another echoed: “My inner nerd is pumped.”

Yet with talent such as J.J Abrams on the directing helm, as well as Oscar-winning writer of “Toy Story 3” and “Little Miss Sunshine” Michael Arndt, co-chair of prominent Hollywood production company de Passe Jones Entertainment, Madison Jones, is optimistic that Disney’s foray into “Star Wars” will only work wonders for the franchise.

“J.J is an amazing director and if he can get a powerful, action, spiritual script he will capture the traditional fans and a new generation of fans,” Jones explained. “I just hope they go forwards not backwards. I hate prequels.”

Speaking of which, what direction do experts anticipate that the Disney team will take with the iconic brand?

“I expect the three original actors Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mike Hamill (Luke Skywalker) to return – for a lot of money. The films will probably follow the story of their children (male and female twins in the novels) and Mark would return in a role similar to Obi-Wan in the original, teaching them the ways of the Jedi,” Philbrick predicted. “Solo films about Yoda, Boba Fett and Han Solo could also take place between the prequels.”

According to Huver, Disney has the challenge of both pleasing the current fans of the franchise and bringing newer, younger fans into the fold.

“On a cinematic level, they already have some crucial ingredients such as Lucas’ own storyline notions, a group of A-list filmmakers’ eager to live up to the legend and the intriguing prospect of reunion of the original case of heroes,” he quipped. “What remains to be seen is how it will develop new characters and concepts the current generation will claim as their own.”

Disney did not respond to a request for comment.

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What every mom should know about juice

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Juice is an easy and convenient way for your kid to quench his or her thirst at school, on the playground or at home. But does a box or bottle of juice really live up to its reputation as a healthy, good-for-you beverage – or is it just too saccharin?

It can fill in the gaps

One hundred percent fruit juice is considered a nutrient-dense beverage, because it contains essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, magnesium, and phytonutrients— organic components of plants that some studies suggest may prevent disease. Some juices are also fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

“Those are some of the nutrients that we should be eating more of,” said Diane Welland, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Juice Products Association.  “Especially for picky children who may not be eating enough food or may not be eating the right food, 100 percent fruit juice may be the only source of these nutrients.”

Depending on age, kids should be getting one to two cups of fruit each day and four ounces of juice can substitute for a serving of fruit, according to the USDA’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. “One hundred percent fruit juice can actually help you meet the recommended daily servings of fruit a day,” Welland said.

According to a recent study in the journal Public Health Nutrition, children who drank juice consumed more nutrients than non-juice drinkers.  Some studies suggest that children who drink juice consume less fat and sugar, eat more fruit and have better diets. Welland suggested this might be because kids who drink fruit juice are most likely eating fruit as well. “Chances are they’re not going to have apple juice and a Cinnabon.”  

Whole fruit can also be expensive, especially if you eat organic. Plus, it’s not always accessible or available in certain communities.  Welland said juice can also be a time-saver for kids who have packed school schedules or for those who don’t have the dexterity to peel and eat fruit. “For those times, when it’s either not eat the whole fruit or have fruit juice, 100 percent fruit juice is the next best thing,” she said.

An apple is usually better than apple juice

“The problem is making a blanket statement for everyone,” said Dr. Laura Jana, a pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Jana said juice has its benefits, but there aren’t that many children who lack nutrients where drinking a lot of juice is necessary.

For children who have access to fresh fruit and eat balanced diets, juice is not necessary. “It’s essentially empty calories,” Jana said.  

Although juice doesn’t have added sugar – because the volume is larger – the amount of sugar, calories, and carbohydrates in juice is more than if you were to eat the fruit whole. Take an orange: Juicing it will yield just two ounces, whereas a serving of fruit juice is typically four to eight ounces. “The source of calories from the volume that you’re consuming essentially is more, because you’re likely going to consume more volume,” said Jessica Crandall, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Even if there’s pulp or you juice at home, juice doesn’t have fiber, which is a problem for many kids who aren’t getting enough fiber already.

Drinking juice also caters to a sweet preference, and it could become a substitute for eating nutritious, whole foods. “You give a kid a big glass of fruit juice, and then they’re not as hungry for dinner,” said Jana, who is also the co-author of Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup.

The obesity link

Although some research suggests that drinking juice is linked to a lower obesity risk, other studies, like a recent Harvard School of Public Health study, suggests that people who increased their juice consumption gained more weight than people who didn’t.  

“Usually liquids don’t signal our brains that we’re satisfied and full,” Crandall said. So when those liquid calories add up, weight gain and obesity becomes a concern.

Drinking juice can also cause a spike in blood sugar, which is not a good thing for kids at risk for obesity and diabetes.

What you should know

Experts agree that the primary source of nutrients in your child’s diet should come from whole fruits and vegetables, but small amounts of juice are OK if they’re not eating enough whole fruit. Got a picky eater? Try new recipes or creative ways to present fruit so they’ll be more inclined to eat it.

Making homemade juice is great, but if that’s not doable, buy store brands that say “100 percent fruit juice with no added sugar” on the label. You can also dilute four ounces of juice with four ounces of water to dial down the sugar.

It’s also important to pay close attention to serving sizes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under 1 year old should not drink juice. For children 1 to 6 years old, no more than four to six ounces of juice and for children 7 to 18, no more than eight to 12 ounces per day.

Julie Revelant is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, health, food and women's issues and a mom. Learn more about Julie at revelantwriting.com.

Julie Revelant

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Scientists find treatment to kill every kind of cancer tumor

Published March 27, 2013

New York Post

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Researchers might have found the Holy Grail in the war against cancer, a miracle drug that has killed every kind of cancer tumor it has come in contact with, the New York Post reported.

The drug works by blocking a protein called CD47 that is essentially a "do not eat" signal to the body's immune system, according to Science Magazine.

This protein is produced in healthy blood cells, but researchers at Stanford University found that cancer cells produced an inordinate amount of the protein thus tricking the immune system into not destroying the harmful cells.

With this observation in mind, the researchers built an antibody that blocked cancer's CD47 so that the body's immune system attacked the dangerous cells.

So far, researchers have used the antibody in mice with human breast, ovary, colon, bladder, brain, liver and prostate tumors transplanted into them. In each of the cases the antibody forced the mice's immune system to kill the cancer cells.

Click for more from the New York Post. 

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Vital health screenings every mom needs

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You always make sure to get your child to the doctor for his well visits, and maybe you even push your spouse to get a yearly physical – but are you up to date on your own health check-ups? Find out the latest guidelines and recommendations that will keep you healthy, strong, and full of energy.

Pap smear and HPV test

A pap smear is one of the most important tests you need, as it is the screen doctors use to identify precancerous cells that could lead to cervical cancer. In the future, using DNA from pap smears may even be used to screen for endometrial and ovarian cancers, according to a recent study published in Science Translational Medicine.

Previously an annual test, new recommendations issued in 2012 now call for a pap smear every three years for women ages 21 to 29. For women 30 and older, recommendations call for a pap smear every three years or a pap smear and an HPV test every 5 years. It’s important to speak with your doctor about how often you should get these tests depending on other risk factors.

Well-woman visit

Despite the new pap smear guidelines, visiting your OB-GYN for an annual well woman visit is still necessary, according to Alyssa Dweck, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and co-author of V is for Vagina.

Your doctor will do a pelvic exam to look for abnormalities of the external genitalia, cervix, uterus and ovaries. You will also have a breast exam which is recommended every one to three years for women ages 21 to 39, and yearly for women 40 and older. A well-woman visit is also a great opportunity for your doctor to evaluate your overall health and address any concerns you may have.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two STIs that can cause serious damage to the reproductive system if they’re not treated. “These are often silent infections where women have no symptoms,” Dweck said.

Since they’re most common in women ages 15 to 24, yearly screening until age 25 are recommended. Depending on your risk, your doctor may also recommend regular screening for other STIs, including HIV.

Mammogram

Starting at age 40, you should get a yearly mammogram to screen for breast cancer. However, depending on your genetic and family history – as well as other risk factors – your doctor may recommend getting a mammogram earlier.  

Cholesterol

One in four women die from heart disease each year, so keeping your cholesterol levels in check is important for a healthy heart. A blood test which screens for both LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels and triglycerides should be checked once a year, according to Dr. Rose Kumar, a board-certified internist, founder and director of the Ommani Center for Integrative Medicine, and author of Becoming Real. If your levels are elevated, you should be tested six months after you’ve made lifestyle changes or have been prescribed medication.  

Thyroid

“The thyroid gets sluggish in association with the hormonal changes that occur,” said Kumar.  She added that anytime estrogen or progesterone change, particularly after giving birth or during perimenopause, a thyroid test that establishes a normal thyroid hormone level is ideal. If you’re breastfeeding, have postpartum depression, or you’re tired or have gained weight, it’s important to have your thyroid level checked as well.  

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and healthy skin – and some studies suggest may even prevent certain cancers.  All women are at risk for being vitamin D deficient, particularly breastfeeding moms, according to Kumar. “A lot of the calcium is coming out of their bones in order to supply calcium for the child,” she said. High levels of vitamin D can be toxic, so speak with your doctor about your diet and about adding a supplement.

Julie Revelant is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, health, food and women's issues and a mom. Learn more about Julie at revelantwriting.com.

Julie Revelant

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