MyPyramid.gov - United States Department of Agriculture - For Kids

This is pretty cool. A video game that shows kids proper nutrition:

"An interactive computer game where kids can reach Planet Power by fueling their rocket with food and physical activity. “Fuel” tanks for each food group help students keep track of how their choices fit into MyPyramid. Launch Game"

From the USDA.

Which of These Foods Will Stop Cancer? (Not So Fast) - New York Times

This is defnitely not an attempt to tell people to eat worse, just that when it comes to cancer, stopping tobacco usage is much more important!

From the NY Times:
Which of These Foods Will Stop Cancer? (Not So Fast) - New York Times: "Dr. Barnett Kramer, deputy director in the office of disease prevention at the National Institutes of Health, said: 'Over time, the messages on diet and cancer have been ratcheted up until they are almost co-equal with the smoking messages. I think a lot of the public is completely unaware that the strength of the message is not matched by the strength of the evidence.'"

High Blood Pressure: Nightly Aspirin May Help

Mmm...I agree it needs more study. But I tend to think that the time of day for aspirin and other medications may matter more than we suspect.

From WebMD:

High Blood Pressure: Nightly Aspirin May Help: "Taking aspirin at night may help lower blood pressure more than taking aspirin in the morning, new research shows.

It's the first finding of its kind. More studies are needed to check the results before recommendations can be made.

The study was done in Spain. The researchers included Ram�n Hermida, PhD, of the University of Vigo. Their report appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology."

Green Tea May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

I think I will have some tonight!

Green Tea May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease: "Recent research from the University of South Florida shows that green tea may offer protection against Alzheimer's. Green tea contains many antioxidants and has been studied extensively for its health benefits"

Archbishop Walsh Oktoberfest

Just a reminder, the Walsh Oktoberfest is today (Saturday) on the school grounds on West Street in Olean.

While I am biased (I went there and my mom teaches there), it is a great school and they can use your help, so why not swing by and buy a few things, or just donate. I sure they will be grateful.

APPLE CIDER!

This season's local apple cider is now available! In both gallons and half gallons. I bought some last night and it is excellent!

Pets affected by Katrina

UPDATE: Petsmart has reportedly delivered 1700 crates! SO you may want to donate other things.

Somewhat lost in all of the human tragedy happening in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama is the animal suffering. Thousands of animals were left (many involuntarily) as their owners were forced to evacuate. For much of the time, rescuers were not saving these pets who were left to fend for themselves in rising water.

Fortunately it seems that this inhumane treatment has ended and the authorities appear to be now letting pet rescue organizations into the affected areas.

However, there is another problem: how to care for these animals. Currently shelters around the country are housing these pets. However, the main areas are in Gonzales LA and in Baton Rouge LA.

A report from the Gonzales shelter shows just how bad it has become:

"Got there at 6:30 EDT. They were in tears. There were 1400 Animals in the Gonzales facility on South St. Landry street when they got there - they had been told there were just 1000, the staff is completely overwhelmed and with no rest, and 6 more trucks full of animals were on their way in to the facility. They said he has never seen so many animals in bad shape and in such horrible conditions. It was MUCH worse than expected. They called back at 8PM after meeting with HSUS officials. There are 2500-2700 dogs there!!!!!!!! This does not include cats and other animals. There are MAU's (Mobile Adoption Units) from all areas; CT, TX, MN, just lined up everywhere waiting to take animals out. No news on releasing animals until Saturday morning at 8AM as FEMA is taking over. But they have to be released because they will just die there. They reported that it is set up like a MASH unit outside of the shelter, all make shift, dogs crowded into horse stalls and stacked crates in tents in the heat with fans blowing on them. Everyone is trying their best. They grabbed all the medical supplies off the truck first. The items they demanded immediately were the bowls, leashes/collars and medical supplies and crates. They need crates badly!!!! They are set on food so the food was taken over to the smaller LSU facility. They are going to continue to take trips down to New Orleans…. So we'’re going to keep up this drive!!!!! They need our help BADLY!!! VERY BADLY!!!"

[note this is only slightly edited for spelling from the NOLA forum.

They need:
** Crates, cages, even portable cat carriers will work --• MEDICAL SUPPLIES (any old pet antibiotics you have, ointments, creams, neosporin, bandages, rehydration fluids, catheters, IV tubing, etc),• Leashes / Collars, • Bowls, Toys, Chew bones, etc.

The Allegany Park and Shop will help in this effort by collecting donated supplies and shipping them to the affected areas. (Specifically we will be shipping to the LSU shelter in Baton Rouge who will then allocate as necessary). They said that they do not need food as Purina has made several large donations.

Of course this is in addition to our still collecting for the Red Cross which is available at all registers.

Thank you for your assistance in this!

PS if you are willing to temporarily house these animals, please let us know and we will facilitate contact with the proper officials.

If you are not a local customer, I encourage you to make donations on your own by either
mailing directly to

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

They are distributing to all the centers around them.

or by giving online to any of a number of good causes including

1. Lousiana Veterinary Medical Association
2. Pasado Safe Haven
3. Noah's Wish
   
4. The American SPCA.

Healthy Heart Helpers Get Buffeted at Cardiology Meeting - CME Teaching Brief - MedPage Today

New evidences suggests that Vitamin B does little (if anything) to prevent heart problems:
ECS: Healthy Heart Helpers Get Buffeted at Cardiology Meeting - CME Teaching Brief - MedPage Today:

"'The homocysteine hypothesis is dead,' declared Kaare Bonaa, M.D., of the University of Tromso in Trondheim, Norway. In terms of heart disease risk, ' homocysteine is an innocent bystander,' he said at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2005."

In the vitamin B-homocysteine arena, Dr. Bonna and colleagues enrolled 3,749 myocardial infarction patients in the Norwegian Vitamin Trial (NORVIT). Patients were randomized to high dose vitamin B, high dose folic acid, or placebo for up to three years.

As expected the high doses of vitamin B lowered circulating homocysteine by 30%, but rather than decreasing heart attack risk, "there was a 20% increase in risk of cardiovascular events," Dr. Bonaa said.""

Pre-schoolers mimic parents' smoking - Newindpress.com

Pre-schoolers mimic parents' smoking - Newindpress.com:

"Beware smokers. If your pre-school kid is watching you smoking, he may mimic the habit, says a study"

While it is really not much of a surprise, it is sad and scary that some continue to smoke around children.

"The researchers used dolls in a role-playing game from two to six years of age. The children were told to take the doll shopping, as there was no food in the dollhouse.

When the doll entered the doll grocery store, the researchers noted which products were "purchased".

The children purchased an average of 17 of the 73 products in the store. Of the 120 children participating in the study, 34 (28.3 percent) bought cigarettes and 74 (61.7 percent) bought alcohol.

Children were 3.9 times as likely to buy cigarettes if their parents smoked. Children were three times as likely to choose wine or beer if their parents drank alcohol at least once a month; children who viewed PG-13 or R-rated movies were five times as likely to choose wine or beer."

New Zealand Herald - Coffee a health drink, says study - Friday 02, September 2005 18:53.00 PM - World News

I am sure you probably saw this earlier this week, but with all of the world's attention rightly turned ot the aftermath of atrina, you may have missed it, so here you go:

New Zealand Herald - Coffee a health drink, says study - Friday 02, September 2005 18:53.00 PM - World News: "Not only does it clear the mind and perk up the energy, coffee also provides more antioxidants than any other food or beverage in the American diet, according to the study released this week. "