Your health: Watch that circus grub

Body basics

Ferulic acid, an antioxidant found in plants like corn and artichokes, helps protect skin by absorbing UVA and UVB rays.

It also wipes out wrinkle-causing free radicals.

Fattening fun?

The Ringling Bros. Circus has come to the suburbs bringing a lot of calories with it. If you plan to hit the big tent, but not wear one, here are some facts to weigh:

One ounce of cotton candy has 110 calories, 28g of carbs and 0g of fat

One ounce of peanuts has 166 calories, 6g of carbs, 14g of fat

One cup of popcorn has 90 calories, 6g of carbs, 7g of fat

One snow cone has 170 calories, 42g of carbs, 0g of fat

One elephant ear (the fried kind) has 310 calories, 38g of carbs, 15g of fat

One corn dog has 375 calories, 36g of carbs, 21g of fat

The circus will be at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont through Sunday, Nov. 14.

What a waste

Did you know that about 25 percent of our food goes to waste? Recent studies show 93 percent of consumers admit buying food they never ate and 40 percent of consumers in a different study threw out safe food they worried had spoiled.

Nearly 19 percent of all waste in landfills is food scraps. Just something to think about next time you're cleaning out your refrigerator.

It's not THAT cold

Winter is just around the corner and some die-hard exercisers will still head outside to get their endorphin fix. Pay extra attention to your ears, cheeks, nose, fingers and toes.

Those are the body parts most likely to get frostbite.

Time to enroll

It's time for enroll for Medicare Part D an often confusing, laborious process. While we can't help you with the paperwork, we can give you a few quick facts:

• $40.72: average monthly premium

• 33: average number of plans to choose from

• Monday, Nov. 15: enrollment start date