Everybody’s talking about Qi Gong, but not everyone’s out on a rock in the water. I’m glad I tried it on a sarong spread across the living room floor.

I was not familiar with “PBS favorite Lee Holden” before watching Qi Gong For Weight Loss: Exercise to Heal, but I knew not to make fun of those slow moves. In the DVD, he performs stretches and poses on a rock “stage” in the water. My daughter seemed a little smug as she began to follow along with me, but she was straining on those positions in short time as the peaceful music played. We were both begging to return to the more relaxed child pose. Lee is a handsome, fit fellow. We enjoyed the outtakes where the crew, and even his mom, made fun of the moves.

Studies show Qi Gong improves blood sugar and energy levels, makers say. He reveals some rubbing moves and ear massage techniques designed to aid digestion and prevent cravings. Visit www.ExerciseToHeal.com for details

“Qi” means “life force energy” and, by extension, breath, air, vitality and the energy produced by breathing. “Gong” means work applied to a discipline. Qi Gong is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves coordination of breathing patterns with postures and motions. I’ve heard it mentioned several times this summer.

Brush up on new flavors

Toothpaste was the same product for years. Now you don’t have to beg kids to brush with amazing, colorful flavors on the market. Still, it’s funny to see chef Emeril Lagasse giving Crest “BAM” by promoting Whitening Expressions Cinnamon Rush, Extreme Herbal Mint, Refreshing Vanilla Mint and new Wintergreen Ice in a scratch and sniff box. Crest is touting the new Wintergreen (available in August), but I’m sold on calorie-free Vanilla Mint. BAM!

Speedminton

I don’t know what I was thinking when I tested Speedminton in my living room. It is powerful. Ironically, I just sat and watched when others gave it their happy all at a party. They got a workout in wind conditions they say wouldn’t have worked as well with a regular badminton set.

Weighted birdies make the game go faster and higher and little cones that mark where a net would go make the whole deal very portable. Billed as a fusion of tennis, racquetball and badminton that can be played both outdoors or indoors, the game started in Germany just four years ago. Visit www.speedminton.com to update your summer game stock.

Write on

I’ve always thought that a nice pen makes work more enjoyable. If you like the TV series “Mad Men” with its ‘60s style, you should enjoy a Bamboo Tornado by Retro 51. The company is attempting to save the rain forest a pen at a time. Lightweight and durable enough to show up in everything from flooring and placemats to pens, bamboo is the substance of the moment. I hope it’s a trend that works, because my pen looks vintage and trendy, has a tiny panda etched on the side and the top looks like a mesh “bug” from a spy movie.