Health and the City in the NY Post!

CATFIGHT WITH 'SEX & CITY'
FEISTY GAL'S TRADEMARK BATTLE
By KATI CORNELL

BRING IT ON: Fitness trainer Jennifer Cassetta is kicking into gear for a legal showdown with HBO over the name of her business, Health and the City.
November 15, 2007 -- She's sexy and calls her business "Health and the City," but a martial- arts trainer who works to turn stressed-out New Yorkers into urban warri ors is ready to take on Go liath to prove she's no Carrie Bradshaw wannabe.

VIDEO: Catfight With 'Sex and the City' Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YearLVl41DU

When Jennifer Cas setta found her call ing coaching urban ites on fitness and nutrition - and came up with a catchy Web do main to match last year - she had no idea she'd be facing more agita than her average client in the form a trade mark battle with HBO.

Cassetta, 31, said she was shocked to learn the entertain ment giant had thrown down the gauntlet in June, accusing her of trying to ride the coattails of the wildly popular show "Sex and the City."

"I'm not selling whatever they sell. I'm not doing a movie about sex and Carrie Bradshaw," Cassetta told The Post yesterday as she braces for HBO's Nov. 18 deadline to file its formal opposition to her trademark application.

"I thought it was a catchy phrase, with the main theme of what I'm trying to do. My clients know that. They have a hard time staying healthy in the city," Cassetta said.

Cassetta teaches and maintains an office at the World Martial Arts Center on West 14th Street and uses her site healthandthecity.net to advertise her services to "overstressed and overworked people who have put their health on the side."

In an effort to avoid an expensive legal battle, Cassetta said she entered discussions with an HBO lawyer who gave her two options - change the name to "Health in the City" or withdraw her application for the trademark altogether.

"I asked, 'Why would I do that?' I'm supposed to roll over and die because I'm afraid of HBO?" said Cassetta, who has already paid $484 for the trademark-application fee and explained that the alternate name already is owned and could cost her more than $10,000.

" 'In' or 'and,' I didn't think it was that much of a difference," Cassetta said. "I think it's unfair. They know I'm a small-business owner and I don't have the money to fight them."

Asked whether HBO intends to file the formal opposition with the US Patent and Trademark Office, HBO spokesman Jeff Cusson said, "We just don't discuss legal issues in the press."

HBO routinely challenges trademark applications that contain the words "and the city."

To watch the video, go to www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YearLVl41DU

An Equation to Remember in November

Brrrrr, it's getting cold out there! This is the time to bundle up, stay indoors, and yes, unfortunately most of us put on a few extra pounds. Taking the subway, cabs and cars has us walking less as the temperature drops to unbearable lows. Delivery is a lot more convenient than grocery shopping and menus tend to feature warm and fattening delectables to keep us satiated and coming back for more. Offices are loaded with holiday goodies and holiday boozing will become more frequent. So how does this all affect your waistline? Obviously, it is affecting it in a LARGE way. But, it doesn't have to if you can remember this one simple equation:

It takes 3500 calories to burn 1 pound of fat. Or, it takes 3500 calories of extra food to gain 1 pound of fat. It sounds like a lot but if you divide 3500 by 7 days of the week it equals 500 calories per day.

So, if you can simply avoid 250 calories a day of junk and burn 250 calories a day through exercise you should be able to maintain your weight or even LOSE weight during the holidays! Wouldn't that be amazing!

For motivation and a personalized program schedule a health consultation with Jennifer before the holidays begin. Get a headstart!

The Great Pumpkin Muffins

The Great Pumpkin Muffins
These are one of my favorite holiday treats. Pumpkin is packed with nutrients and is and these muffins can be turned into a healthier version of cupcakes for kids or adults!

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3 tbsp of agave nectar (or maple syrup)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup soy milk
2 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl stir together flour, agave nectar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl combine egg, soymilk, and butter; stir in pumpkin. Add to flour mixture and stir until moistened. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Serve warm. Makes 12 muffins or double the recipe for a bigger batch!



Healthful Hint: For vegan muffins replace the butter and egg with applesauce.

YUM IT UP: Add nuts and raisins for a more complete muffin. Or turn it into a cupcake with a creamcheese frosting! (creamcheese mixed with maple syrup and a bit of butter too!)

Published on The Huffington Post

Check out my article on Food as Medicine on the Huffington Post!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-swift/ladies-who-launchem_b_71541.html