The Daily Dish: 'Weekend Warrior' Workouts May Reduce Health Risks, According To New Study

'Weekend Warrior' Workouts May Reduce Health Risks, According to New Study

Setting aside time to exercise during the busy work week can be a struggle. In good news for the "weekend warriors" who can only squeeze in time at the gym on Saturdays and Sundays, a recent study from the University of Sydney suggested that exercising one to two times per week may be enough to reduce health risks in both men and women. The study gathered data from 63,591 adults from England and Scotland who reported exercise habits from 1994 to 2012 in the Health Survey for England and the Scottish Health Survey, CNN reported. Analysis showed that, compared to the adults who reported no exercise activities, those who worked out one to two times per week had a 40 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, 30 percent lower risk of overall death, and 18 percent lower risk of death from cancer. However, the study did not look at risk of injury for "weekend warriors," nor did it establish the frequency of physical activity per week that would optimize health benefits, as opposed to simply reducing risks. 

Chipotle Ups Its Food Safety With 'Breakthrough' Technology

Last year, Chipotle was plagued with foodborne illness outbreaks and subsequently hit with consumer  lawsuits. This year it is stressing its commitment to food safety by installing technology in its 2,200 locations that it claims will purify the air and clear out any harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. The fast-food chain has tapped into RGF Environmental Group, Inc., a South Florida-based company that creates products that provide the "safest air, water, and food without the use of chemicals," according to the company website. "We're excited to be working with Chipotle and their supply chain partners to bring them food safety interventions using effective non-chemical alternatives. It's what we do better than anyone else," Ron Fink, RGF president and CEO, said in a statement.

Blaze Pizza Aims to Go Head-to-Head With Dominos and Pizza Hut in the Chain Pizza Arena

When it comes to fast-casual dining, nothing beats convenience, healthy options, and good taste. These three attributes are what Blaze Pizza's co-founders Elise and Rick Wetzel say the company can provide during its continued nationwide expansion. Blaze Pizza prepares and bakes personal pizzas in an assembly-line fashion that allows orders to be customized with a selection of toppings.

Just last year, the pizza chain opened 68 new locations in the U.S., giving the company a total of 173 restaurants across the country, and sales grew by 84 percent to $186 million, Business Insider reported. The company is aspiring to $1 billion in sales, which would make it the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S., according to Rick Wetzel. 

Get a Taste of the Wizarding World With This 'Harry Potter'-Themed Menu at a South Wales B&B

Getting a chance to experience Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry isn't so far out of reach anymore. A bed and breakfast in South Wales is celebrating all things Potter in honor of the 20th anniversary of the first book in J.K. Rowling's series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, by adding a new "Wizards tea" option to its services. The Llety Cynin B&B temporarily transforms itself into a Harry Potter haven daily during the Wizards tea, with a Harry Potter-themed menu filled with drinks and treats inspired by the wizarding world, according to the B&B's website. The menu includes items such as chocolate frogs, butter beer, Quidditch "Match Winning Cake Pops," and colored "House Shortbread."

Starbucks Launches Its First New Drink of 2017: The Cascara Latte

Starbucks has recently released its first new beverage of the year, and it's going back to the root of coffee with cascara, the outer layer of coffee cherries. The Cascara Latte, which became available in stores Jan. 10, was inspired by the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, which dabbled with cascara and coffee during its Barista Innovation Challenge in September, according to the company website. "Cascara is Spanish for 'husk,' and we are taking the fruit of the coffee cherry to give our latte a subtle, lightly sweet flavor," Erin Marinan from Starbucks' beverage research and development team, said in a statement. The latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, and cascara syrup. To top off the beverage, cascara extract and cane sugar are combined to create a signature straight line design that resembles the inside of a coffee cherry.