My first official publication

Monday June 30, 2008

Go Nuts This Summer

By Julie H. Peterson, Clark County Health Department

Garfield, the famous fat cat created by Jim Davis, gives us some dietary counsel which we should kindly disregard: “Avoid fruits and nuts. After all, you are what you eat.”
Researchers have proven time and time again that the addition of nuts to a healthy diet is not associated with weight gain, but is actually more closely related to weight loss when used in moderation.
Nonetheless, our friendly feline is definitely correct that “you are what you eat.” Nuts are a highly nutritious and power-packed food that offers many health related benefits.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the following qualified health claim for nuts as they relate to heart disease: “Scientific evidence suggests 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
This health claim has currently been approved for almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts. Each of these nuts has 4 grams or less of saturated fat per every 50 grams consumed.
So what is a serving size of each of these nuts? What is 1.5 ounces? If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you’re in luck. Use the following guidelines from the International Tree Nut Council to round out one serving of heart-healthy nuts: almonds, 20 to 24 nuts; Brazil nuts, 6 to 8; pecans, 18 to 20 nuts; pine nuts, 150 to 157 nuts; pistachios, 45 to 47 nuts; walnuts, 6 to 11 halves; hazelnuts, 15 to 20 nuts; macadamias, 10 to 12 nuts; and cashews, 16 to 18 nuts.
What about the rumor that nuts are high in fat? Well, yes, it’s not just a rumor. Nuts are fairly high in fat, but most of that is unsaturated fat, such as polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA). PUFAs and MUFAs can remarkably decrease your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels.
When trying to integrate nuts into your diet, try using them as a substitute for a less healthy option, rather than just an addition to your current diet. For example, try eating a handful of nuts instead of snacking on potato chips.
Another option would be when you are baking cookies, rather than adding chocolate chips, sprinkle in some fresh roasted nuts of your choice. Nuts have the ability to keep you full for a longer period of time; this can help you keep those food cravings at bay when used in moderation. Nuts are an excellent choice when planning a weight loss diet.
Nuts have other health benefits besides helping to reduce your risk of heart disease. Nuts contain antioxidants and phytochemicals which may help to prevent other chronic diseases such as the development of cancer, diabetes, cataracts and lung and cardiovascular disease. Nuts are also a healthy option in obtaining sufficient protein in your diet.
Consider adding a flavorful boost to your diet this summer, and add additional health benefits through your favorite nut selections. Nuts go great with just about any recipe. Here are some suggestions from the International Tree Nut Council:
— Go meatless: Nuts are a great source of protein. Toss them into stir-frys, salads and pasta.
— Top with nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts on a bowl of soup, veggie dish or your favorite casserole.
— Start your day with nuts: Experiment with different tree nuts in your favorite muffin or pancake recipes. Sprinkle nuts on yogurt or hot or cold cereal.
— Nuts are great with cheese: Add tree nuts to cheese and fruit platters and serve as an appetizer or a special dessert.
Remember: Nuts can be stored up to six months in the refrigerator and up to a year when kept in the freezer, according to the International Tree Nut Council. Liven up your diet; find a new favorite “nutty” recipe and enjoy yourself this summer!
Check out these great Web sites for more information and some “nut”rageous recipes!
The Nut Factory
International Nut and Dried Fruit Council

Julie Peterson is a University of Kentucky dietetics intern for the Clark County Health Department.

Copyright:The Winchester Sun 2008 "

Move it!

In order to get my kids to step up their activity level, I got them each a pedometer. They've been dying to go to King's Island, so, I informed them that if they could walk there, I'd take them. So, now even when they are watching TV, or need something to do, they run in place, they run up and down the stairs over and over, they even argue about who gets to take the dog for a walk. Ali runs in place while she watches TV, it's been great! The best part of it is that when bedtime approaches, they are exhausted! I love it! It's the best purchase I've made all year.

The pedometers were more than affordable---only $2.99 each--- they are multicolored so they all have their own color, Ali's is pink, Zach's is white and Tay has a black one. Go to Amazon.com and type in pedometer, it's the 3rd one down I believe, "Multifunction Pedometer with Steps, Distance & Calories." I decided that I'm going to continue on with this too! I'm going to have a prize, or a benefit of some sort for each week, or maybe each month--like a date with daddy, or maybe a hike with mom---something that still has to do with activity--perhaps bowling or swimming---anyway, I wanted to share with you my success in getting my kids moving! They fight less, they play more! What more could you ask for??? (Besides a million bucks so you can fill your gas tank).

Kentucky Fried What???

This one is for you Renee, this is so gross! Someone here is Kentucky apparantly got tired of fried squirrel and decided to serve up cicadas instead. My stomach is just heaving at the thought of it. We ahve been plagued with cicadas this year, their screeching is deafening all day long. The trees are covered in them, they have actually broken branches from their weight. Ah! I am just not a bug lady!

Tuesday June 17, 2008
Deeeeelicious: Sun staff took a different approach to its research on the 17-year cicada Hint: It involves Crisco
By Acquanetta G. Donnell Jr.
People in Winchester have gotten used to the noisy 17-year cicadas being everywhere, but it may take longer to get used to the taste.
For the Sun’s Monday Webcast, reporters Mike Wynn and Katheran Wasson invited some people downtown for lunch. While other staff members shot video, Wynn rolled a few bugs in a light brown, seasoned batter, fried them in oil at 325 degrees, waited for them to cool off, then served them to visitors.
Attorney William Elkins, one of the participants in the cicada tasting, said, “It was just an irresistible temptation when (Wynn) invited me to join him in the sampling of this local delicacy.”
With several Sun staffers and passersby making up what Wasson referred to as the newspaper’s “first-ever audience” for its Webcast, Wynn, Elkins, Sun Community Editor Rachel Parsons, Clark County Emergency Management Director Gary Epperson and County Judge-Executive Henry Branham all sampled the deep-fried insects.
Not everyone could believe his or her eyes as the tasters popped the bugs into their mouths and chewed.
“Oh, my word!” said one woman, as others laughed.
“I think it sort of has a hushpuppy consistency,” Elkins said.
“It’s the best thing I’ve eaten all day,” Epperson joked.
When Wynn asked Epperson what it reminded him of, he said: “An insect.”
Later Wynn and Wasson took some carryout to Sheriff Berl Perdue at his office and let him try one.
“It’s not bad,” he said.
Asked what it tasted like, Perdue replied: “I would say chicken, but it doesn’t taste like chicken.” It was more like deep-fried bread, he added.
Parsons, who made a face when she bit into one, said they were crunchy, but “did not have much of a taste.”
“I don’t think I need to eat them again,” she said.
Elkins later said he would eat them again “if it’s for a good cause.”
Some people call cicadas “locusts,” but they are not closely related to real locusts, which look like grasshoppers. They neither bite nor sting, and only come around every 17 years for about a month.
According to National Geographic News, cicadas are said to be good for eating because they are low in fat and high in protein. They are considered a delicacy by many people around the world.
Contact Acquanetta Donnell at adonnell@winchestersun.com.Copyright:The Winchester Sun 2008 "

Flying Trampolines and Fist Fights

You know how when you're a kid, you hear everyone tell you that you should always know what you're going to do in a situation, so when something happens, you'll be prepared with an out, or the right action to take. Well, I have news for you, I never expected this to happen.

It was early in the morning, and it had been raining all night, we were under a severe weather warning, and I was lying in bed listening to the rain. Every now and again there would be a clap of thunder, and every once in a while the rain would really pound the roof top. Just like clock work, BOOM! thunder? Nope! Think again! Austin ran upstairs and said he just watched our trampoline lift up off the ground, fly 50 feet in the air and fly right over the top of our neighbors house. The boom, was not thunder, it was our trampoline responding to gravity. Immediately I jumped out of bed--wearing my favorite polka-dot pajamas--of course. We put all the kids, the dog, and the cat downstairs, just in case, and we hopped in the car to search for the blasted thing. Boy were we in for a surprise when we found a young girl standing beside, not a car, but a smashed SUV. Oh joy! Next to the SUV, was none other than our infamous flying trampoline. The girl did not look happy, and she came up to our window, dripping rain down her face, and said that someone's *&^$(@ trampoline smashed her car. Oh dear, how awkward! I gently told her that it was our trampoline, and she immediately said that we ruined her car! Ah! I said, "No, this was an accident, the wind did this." She was not at all appeased, in fact I think it ticked her off even more. She wrote down our information, and we told her we'd be right back to get things squared away. There was another storm system on its way, so we wanted to get things done asap. It was still pouring rain, but we went back and loaded bits and pieces of busted trampoline into the back of the Tahoe. Austin filed a claim with out insurance, and we went to the dump to get the trampoline taken care of. While we were away, the young girl's mother returned from what I'm assuming is a job as Satan's little helper. She was at our door, horns and pitchfork at the ready. She was irate that we weren't still at her house sweeping up glass. We had just walked in the stupid door! Pardon my french, but if anyone is the big "B" word, she's it. So, she wants us to go rent her daughter a car, immediately. We kindly told her that we had already contacted our insurance, and they were working on it, she still wanted it taken care of, NOW! Well, after a bit of an argument, I invited her to GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! There was no working with this woman. So, we were told that it was all our fault, we never should have had a trampoline in the first place, and that she was going to sue us. Oh dear! This is where I lost it, I started bawling, I called my daddy, cause that's what daddies are for, and blurted out the whole sob story. I love my dad! He called her up, from 2000 mile away, and blasted her. Hee! Hee! Hee! I can laugh now. Anyway, to bring this long drawn out drama to an end, our insurance concluded that no one was at fault, it was a complete act of nature, and they would take care of it 100%--no deductible. Whew! We are never buying another trampoline--Never! You were right Mr. Scott Fitzgerald, trampolines are nothing but trouble waiting to happen.

Well, a few days later, I was going to pick up Taylon from baseball practice, when I noticed 2 big and burly guys jump out of a minivan and whack this guy in the back, and then punch him in the face. The poor guy went down for the count! Then, they continued to punch and kick him, he tried to get up, and they slammed him back on the ground and kicked him until he could barely move. He was bleeding all over, and I was honking my horn, hoping they'd realize someone saw them and they'd leave, no way! They just kept at it, so I called 911. After what seemed like forever, they left the poor guy lying on the sidewalk and drove away. I jumped out of the car and ran over to help him. His hand was hamburger, and his head was cut open and I know his nose was broken. This poor guy couldn't even stand up. I got some towels from a house nearby and some ice and held them over his head wound and his nose while he held a towel over his hand until the ambulance arrived. I never expected to see a guy get pummeled when I left the house, and I can't believe that people would act like that! So, as far as making up your mind as to what you're going to do beforehand, I've decided that I am just going to try to be the best person I can be, and try to not cry about everything. Hopefully I can keep a level head the next time something wild and wacky happens.