New Approach Discovered To Lowering Triglycerides

New Approach Discovered To Lowering Triglycerides:

"Studies done with laboratory rats suggest that supplementation of their diet with lipoic acid had a significant effect in lowering triglycerides, which along with cholesterol levels and blood pressure are one of the key risk factors in cardiovascular disease.....

The results were just published in the Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

"The extent of triglyceride reduction was really dramatic, we didn't expect it to be this profound," said Regis Moreau, an assistant professor with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University."

Lipoic Acid is found in Kidney meats, Broccoli, and Spinach among other foods.

Caffeine Reduces Pain During Exercise, Study Shows

I would not have expected this. Although it does make sense and helps explain not only the habitual coffee many cyclists have pre-ride, but also the caffeine tablets I have seen some riders take mid way through a long hard ride (at least that is what they said the tablets were!) as well as the cans of coke that are ubiquitous in long stages of the Tour de France.

From Science Daily: Caffeine Reduces Pain During Exercise, Study Shows:

"Motl's latest published study on the effects of caffeine on pain during exercise appears in the April edition of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.....

This study looks at the effects of caffeine on muscle pain during high-intensity exercise as a function of habitual caffeine use,' he said. 'No one has examined that before.

'What we saw is something we didn't expect: caffeine-naïve individuals and habitual users have the same amount of reduction in pain during exercise after caffeine (consumption).'"

The study is from the University of Illinois.

Fructose Metabolism By The Brain Increases Food Intake And Obesity, Review Suggests

Fructose Metabolism By The Brain Increases Food Intake And Obesity, Review Suggests:

"Two papers in the journal PNAS...showed that glucose and fructose act quite differently in the brain (hypothalamus) - glucose decreasing food intake and fructose increasing food intake....have inverse effects on food intake.

Lane commented: 'We feel that these findings may have particular relevance to the massive increase in the use of high fructose sweeteners (both high fructose corn syrup and table sugar) in virtually all sweetened foods, most notably soft drinks. The per capita consumption of these sweeteners in the USA is about 145 lbs/year and is probably much higher in teenagers/youth that have a high level of consumption of soft drinks. There is a large literature now that correlates, but does not prove that a culprit in the rise of teenage obesity may be fructose.'"

Childhood soy intake may reduce breast cancer risk | Health | Reuters

Childhood soy intake may reduce breast cancer risk | Health | Reuters:

"Women who regularly ate soy as children may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, a study of Asian- American women suggests.

Researchers found that among nearly 1,600 Asian Americans with or without breast cancer, higher soy intake throughout life was associated with a lower risk of the disease. But the strongest protective effect was seen with childhood soy intake."

Allegany Delivery

Allegany Park and Shop Now Delivers!

Bad weather? Busy? Can't leave the kids? Working? We can save you time!

How to order?

• Phone 716-372-1410 or better yet email AlleganyParkandShop@yahoo.com Please be as exact as possible in placing orders; give product and size whenever possible. Include your phone number and the address you want the groceries delivered (can be home or work).

What can you buy?

• Grocery, Meat, Dairy, Deli, Produce, Bread, Fish Fries, Pizza, Subs, Salads

How do you pay for it?

• Before delivery, you will receive a call saying how much the bill is including the $5 delivery charge. You can either pay then by credit card, or have a check ready for us when we deliver. If you want to pay with cash, you must have exact change.

Currently this service is available two days a week.

• Tuesday Order by 10:00 AM Delivery is between 1pm and 3pm
• Friday Order by 1:00 PM Delivery is between 5pm and 8pm

See ParkandShoponline.com for more information and an easy-to-use shopping list that is organized by aisles to make the ordering even easier.

Service is available within 2 miles of the Allegany Park and Shop

Don’t Pass the Salt: Most Americans Get Double What They Should - Bloomberg.com

Don’t Pass the Salt: Most Americans Get Double What They Should - Bloomberg.com:

"Most Americans should cut their salt consumption in half, to less than a teaspoon a day, according to the first report clarifying dietary guidelines published in 2005.

About 69 percent of U.S. adults need to limit sodium to 1,500 milligrams daily because their age, race or medical condition puts them at risk of heart disease or stroke, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today. Americans eat and drink 3,436 milligrams of sodium on average."

Turn Your Protein Shake Into A Super Shake | Precision Nutrition

Turn Your Protein Shake Into A Super Shake | Precision Nutrition:

"...let’s assume you’ve got your blender out and it’s powerful enough to do the job. Now you can follow the step by step guide below for creating nutritious and tasty Super Shakes.

Keep in mind, not all of the steps below are mandatory. If you don’t want any fruit, leave it out. If you are using almond milk and don’t want to add extra nuts, leave them out. (Of course, if you’re looking to control your calories, carbs, or fats, use smaller portion sizes or cut out certain ingredients.) You get the idea"

The site then goes on to list many different varieties of smoothies (or as my family calls them Squishies ala the Simpsons) and tips on making them.

Eating Too Much Red Meat May Shorten Life

ABC News: Eating Too Much Red Meat May Shorten Life:

"Diets high in red meat and in processed meat shorten life span not just from cancer and heart disease but from Alzheimer's, stomach ulcers and an array of other conditions as well, a U.S. National Cancer Institute study has found...."

In an article on the same topic from the BBC:

"Dr Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, stressed there were health benefits to eating some red meat.

But he added: "The need is for a major reduction in total meat intake, an even larger reduction in processed meat and other highly processed and salted animal source food products and a reduction in total saturated fat."

Dr Mark Wahlqvist, a nutrition expert from Australia's Monash University, said eating small amounts of red meat - around 30g a day - provided a good source of key nutrients. "

Take away: Cut out processed meats as much as possible. Cut back on red meats.

Recycle Raccoon’s Easy Going Green

Recycle Raccoon’s Easy Going Green:

"For every ton of paper recycled:

* 17 trees are not cut down
* 7,000 gallons of water are not used
* 380 gallons of oil will not be used
* 3 cubic yards of landfill space will not be filled
* enough energy will be saved to heat your home for 6 months"

Strong Links Between Mothers' Diets And Health Of Their Children

Strong Links Between Mothers' Diets And Health Of Their Children:

"The report 'Early Nutrition and Lifelong Health,' published this month by the British Medical Association Board of Science, looks at the evidence that the diets of women of reproductive age, and those of their foetuses and young children, are significant factors in influencing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, brittle bone disease and even some forms of cancer and mental illness, later in those children's lives.

Lead author Professor Mark Hanson, director of the Centre for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease at the University of Southampton, comments: 'Society and public health organisations need to pay much greater attention to these issues if the rising epidemic of these diseases is to be prevented. "

Scientists Discover Why A Low GI Meal Makes You Feel Full

Scientists Discover Why A Low GI Meal Makes You Feel Full:

"GI is a ranking assigned to carbohydrates according to their effect on the body’s blood sugar levels. A low GI meal takes longer to digest and releases sugar into the bloodstream more slowly than a high GI meal. High GI foods include white bread, croissants and cornflakes, whereas granary bread, milk and most fruit and vegetables are all classed as low GI foods.

A low GI diet is known to cause reduced appetite(1) but the mechanisms behind this have so far remained unknown"

Until now!

Researchers fed some a low GI meal and others a high GI meal and then measured the results:

"Blood samples were then taken every 30 minutes for 150 minutes, and levels of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and insulin measured. GLP-1 is a hormone produced by the gut that has been shown to cause a feeling of fullness and suppression of appetite(2). Volunteers who ate a low GI breakfast had 20% higher blood plasma levels of GLP-1...and 38% lower levels of insulin ...compared to those who had consumed a high GI breakfast."

Want more on the Glycemic index? Here are some blog articles going all the way back to 2004

Gee had forgotten how long I had been doing this :(.

A letter from a customer

A shortened version of a letter we recently received:

"We recently bought Shurfine stewed tomatoes....We opened a can and couldn't stop eating them!!!!"

and later:

"...made homemade soup and put the rest in the soup along with the juice. Delicious!

I remember my Grandma always told us 'girls' to get the Shurfine brand when we shopped for her. That was more than a day or 2 ago. (actually in the mid-'50's)

We always knew that Marty or Harry would help us as would any of the others in any of the stores."

[Marty was the long time store manager at our Front Street store and Harry Pike was our treasurer and accountant]

"Congratulations on keeping up the Mahar name and quality in the Service
Stores/Park'nShop. (it is always Service Store to me - old habits are
hard to break) lol"

Cherry Health and Cherry Nutrition

I am hooked. The Magic Bullet has me eating virtually every combination of fruit (mixed into smoothies) and some vegetables as well. While I do not have a favorite yet (have liked almost every kind), one of the best is using frozen cherries, almond milk (normal milk could be used), and chocolate Kids super food (instant chocolate could be used).

It tastes so good I was worried it was not nutritious, so I checked for the nutritional benefits of cherries and was pleasantly surprised! And while the claims seem a bit strong, I will say, the taste is VERY good!!

Cherry Health and Cherry Nutrition:

"Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process."

Mindless Eating -- Food Psychologist Explains The Mindless Way People Overeat

Mindless Eating -- Food Psychologist Explains The Mindless Way People Overeat:

"...the bigger the plate is, the more people serve, typically to the level of about 25 to 28 percent more,” Dr. Wansink said.

Six ounces of pasta on an eight-inch plate, looks normal. But that same serving on a bigger plate barely looks like an appetizer -- causing many people to dish out more. “The best way to mindlessly eat less is to get rid of your large plates, or get rid of your large serving bowls,” Dr. Wansink said.

Distracted television viewers also don’t pay attention to what’s in front of them. Studies show over 40 percent more food is eaten while watching TV.

“We often end up eating more because we simply eat to the pace of the program, or we eat until the program is over.” Dr. Wansink said."

Drink Green Tea For Healthy Teeth And Gums

Drink Green Tea For Healthy Teeth And Gums:

"...scientific studies are beginning to establish the potential health benefits of drinking green tea, especially in weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention. A study recently published in the Journal of Periodontology, uncovered yet another benefit of green tea consumption. Researchers found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums. The study analyzed the periodontal health of 940 men, and found that those who regularly drank green tea had superior periodontal health than subjects that consumed less green tea."

Chemistry Of Cooking -- A Biochemist Explains The Chemistry Of Cooking

Chemistry Of Cooking -- A Biochemist Explains The Chemistry Of Cooking:

"... put an apple in a paper bag with an unripe avocado, and ethylene gas will work for you overnight.

'We use this as a quick way to ripen,' Corriher said. Corriher says understanding a little chemistry can help any cook."

Regular Family Meals Result In Better Eating Habits For Adolescents

Regular Family Meals Result In Better Eating Habits For Adolescents:

"Good eating habits can result when families eat together. In the March/April 2009 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers from the School of Public Health, University of Minnesota report on one of the first studies to examine the long-term benefits of regular family meals for diet quality during the transition from early to middle adolescence. In general, the study found adolescents who participated in regular family meals reported more healthful diets and meal patterns compared to adolescents without regular family meals."

Consuming A Little Less Salt Could Mean Fewer Deaths

Consuming A Little Less Salt Could Mean Fewer Deaths:

"A very modest decrease in the amount of salt — hardly detectable in the taste of food — can have dramatic health benefits for the U.S.,” said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Ph.D., M.D., M.A.S., lead author of the study and an assistant professor of Medicine and of Epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco. “It was a surprise to see the magnitude of the impact on the population, given the very small reductions in salt that we were modeling.

A 3-gram–a-day reduction in salt intake (about 1200 mg of sodium) would result in 6 percent fewer cases of new heart disease, 8 percent fewer heart attacks, and 3 percent fewer deaths. Even larger health benefits are projected for African Americans, who are more likely to have high blood pressure and whose blood pressure may be more sensitive to salt.”"

From ScienceDaily.com

Recipes for Health - Black Beans - Nutrition From South of the Border - NYTimes.com

Some good news for black bean fans!

Recipes for Health - Black Beans - Nutrition From South of the Border - NYTimes.com:

"Beans are nature’s health food. They have an exceptionally high fiber content, and they’re a fine source of protein, as well as calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Black beans stand out because in that shiny black coating, there are at least eight different flavonoids, which are antioxidants. Called anthocyanins, they’re found in red grapes and red wine, red cabbage and other dark red fruits and vegetables. Black beans also contain small amounts of omega-3 fats, three times as much as other legumes provide."

Pocket-Book Friendly Meals

When I think inexpensive meals, I first think split pea soup. In the crockpot, it couldn't be easier to make, keeps well, and hits the spot. Mmmm... I think it might have to be on the menu at my house this weekend. But then I see this article in the New York Times:

Eight Dishes for Lean Times ...

"The following recipes for affordable, nutritious dishes are designed for busy health- and wallet-conscious cooks. They are based on recipes published in “Jane Brody’s Good Food Book” and “Jane Brody’s Good Food Gourmet.” Here’s to your health, if not wealth."

Black Bean Burritos sound really good ... and Turkey Cabbage Soup ... and Baked Apples. Mmm... it's good to try new recipes! Do you have favorite creation of your own? We're looking for some that are nutritious and easy to make for our recipe section. Do you have one to share? Send your recipe to jenmahar@parkandshoponline.com ... selected recipes will be posted on our website!

Finding Coupons Online Has Increased to Stretch Grocery Budgets - WSJ.com

From the Wall Street Journal:

Finding Coupons Online Has Increased to Stretch Grocery Budgets - WSJ.com:

"Last month, Kroger Co. said it would go national with its free text-messaging coupon program, a service provided by Cellfire Inc.

Dan Keefe, who works for a technology firm in Cincinnati, signed up for Cellfire last fall. Now every Sunday, Mr. Keefe, 46 years old, checks his BlackBerry for deals, such as the 50-cent discount on a package of Kroger-brand cheddar cheese he recently received. Clicking on a link in the text message tells Kroger's computer system to add the discount when Mr. Keefe's loyalty card is scanned at check-out."

You can do the same. We use Twitter for this. Sign up for twitter, then "follow" us (click on follow), be sure to turn your device (your cell phone/blackberry etc) on (under settings) and stay tuned :)

Active Transportation keeps you thin

Findings: Walking or biking is a good means to keep you thin.

While the study was done on school age males, I would wager that the same conclusion would be true had it been done on walking to shop, church, or anywhere else.

Obesity - Active Transportation to School Over 2 Years in Relation to Weight Status and Physical Activity:

"Boys who actively commuted to school had lower BMI (p<0.01)>Discussion: Walking and cycling to school may contribute to preventing excessive weight gain, or leaner children may walk or cycle to school."

Take away: Exercise is valuable and even small amounts is probably worthwhile. Make the resolution to walk and bike more. You will be glad you did.

Tweet tweet--do you twitter?

Want an occasional coupon sent to your phone? Or want to know about in-store specials? Good deals? Recalls? You can now with our new account on Twitter. Sign up, its free, easy, and fun! (FEF!)

http://twitter.com/ParkandShop

Study: Proximity to fast-food restaurants linked to stroke risk - CNN.com

Obviously this is not conclusive, but assuming those near fast-food restaurants are more apt to eat at the fast food restaurants, well...you decide

Study: Proximity to fast-food restaurants linked to stroke risk - CNN.com:

"A person's risk of stroke is associated with the number of fast-food restaurants near their residence, according to a study presented Thursday at a stroke conference in San Diego, California....."The association suggested that the risk of stroke in a neighborhood increased by 1 percent for every fast-food restaurant," the authors wrote in a poster presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference."

Secondhand Smoke Bad for Brain?

Secondhand Smoke Bad for Brain?:

"People who are exposed to secondhand smoke may be more likely than their peers to have cognitive impairment, a new study shows.

The study, published in the advance online edition of BMJ (formerly called the British Medical Journal), doesn't prove that secondhand smoke exposure causes cognitive impairment. But it does show that cognitive impairment was more common among nonsmokers and former smokers with high levels of cotinine, a nicotine-related chemical, in their saliva samples."

(I was nice and deleted what I had originally put here...Short version, Please Don't Smoke!)

New Factor In Teen Obesity: Parents

New Factor In Teen Obesity: Parents:

"The new research is a reminder, however, that 'good dietary habits start at home,' according to center research scientist Susan H. Babey, a co-author of the policy brief. 'If parents are eating poorly, chances are their kids are too.'"

Additional Evidence That Potato Chips Should Be Eaten Only In Moderation

Additional Evidence That Potato Chips Should Be Eaten Only In Moderation:

"A new study published in the March 2009 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by Marek Naruszewicz and colleagues from Poland suggests that acrylamide from foods may increase the risk of heart disease. Acrylamide has been linked previously to nervous system disorders and possibly to cancer."

Mediterranean Diet Aids the Aging Brain: Study

Mediterranean Diet Aids the Aging Brain: Study:

"Mediterranean diet: The eating regimen, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil, may help the brain stay sharp into old age, a new study suggests.

Following the healthful diet reduced the risk of getting mild cognitive impairment -- marked by forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. And it also cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease if cognitive impairment was already present, said study lead author Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City."

and later in the article

"You see what is called a dose response. The more stringently you follow the Mediterranean diet, the better the outcome," noted Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City."

The Six Healthiest Staple Foods in Middle Eastern Cuisine

I really like Hummus and have it often, so I figured I better check to see if it is any good for me. Lo and behold, it is!

The Six Healthiest Staple Foods in Middle Eastern Cuisine:

"Chickpeas, with their subtle nutty flavor and buttery texture, are used as a main ingredient in hummus, a rich garlicky dip that's growing in popularity here in the United States....Chickpeas are also popular in soups, stews and side dishes.

Health Benefits: Chickpeas contain healthy nutrients including protein, manganese, folate, tryptophan, copper, phosphorus and iron. Plus, they're an excellent source of fiber, which is known to help lower cholesterol, fight heart disease and stabilize blood sugar levels"

Healthier Pizza -- Food Chemists Slice Up Healthier Pizza

Healthier Pizza -- Food Chemists Slice Up Healthier Pizza:

"Food chemists have shown that making a pizza crust with whole wheat flour and cooking it longer releases more antioxidants. These chronic disease-fighting compounds increased by 82 percent when baked at a higher temperature, by 60 percent when baked twice as long and doubled when the dough was left to rise an extra day."

Plums Poised To Give Blueberries Run For The Money

Plums Poised To Give Blueberries Run For The Money:

"“...blueberries have some stiff competition,” said Dr. Luis Cisneros, AgriLife Research food scientist.'Stone fruits are super fruits with plums as emerging stars.'

Far from fruit snobbery, the plum is being ushered in after Cisneros and Dr. David Byrne, AgriLife Research plant breeder, judged more than 100 varieties of plums, peaches and nectarines and found them to match or exceed the much-touted blueberries in antioxidants and phytonutrients associated with disease prevention."

BBC NEWS | Health | Alzheimer's 'is brain diabetes'

How exciting. Who knows watching diet may lessen Alzaheimer risks? wow.

BBC NEWS | Health | Alzheimer's 'is brain diabetes':

"His colleague, Professor Sergio Ferreira, from Rio de Janeiro, said: 'Recognising that Alzheimer's disease is a type of brain diabetes points the way to novel discoveries that may finally result in disease-modifying treatments for this devastating disease.'

A spokesman for the Alzheimer's Research Trust said that the study shed light on how insulin interacted with toxic proteins linked to the disease.

'People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. It is well known that insulin affects how the brain works, and this research adds more evidence to the possibility that Alzheimer's could be a type of brain diabetes."

17 Best Foods for Dieters

While the list is vastly different than what I would have come up with, this is from WebMD.
17 Best Foods for Dieters:

"Dieting can be downright difficult, especially if your diet includes foods you don't particularly enjoy. After all, how much cabbage soup can a person stand? The good news is that there are thousands of diet foods that are healthy, taste great, and can help you stick to your weight loss plan."

CNN.com - Career - Barry Sears: Edible success - January 19, 2001

Here is an interesting interview with Barry Sears of the Zone Diet.


CNN.com - Career - Barry Sears: Edible success - January 19, 2001:

"'What I set out to do was to try to find the Rosetta Stone of food -- the right balance of protein, carbohydrate and fat -- to allow you to keep your insulin in an appropriate 'therapeutic zone' from meal to meal.".......even though we were developing a program for cardiovascular patients and diabetics, we did much of the testing in world-class athletes. In fact, the athletes I've personally worked with in the last three Olympics have won 23 gold medals.

"Between those two extremes -- the cardiovascular patient and the world-class athlete -- lies everyone else."....

It just happens that one of the side effects of lowering insulin is the loss of excess body fat."

BY no means is this an endorsement, but I have read some of his books and there is a great deal I like about them.

Huge Burden Of Diabetes Shown By New Survey

Get tested. It is hard to believe that that many have the disease and do not know it.

Huge Burden Of Diabetes Shown By New Survey:

"In the United States, nearly 13 percent of adults age 20 and older have diabetes, but 40 percent of them have not been diagnosed, according to epidemiologists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),....

"We're facing a diabetes epidemic that shows no signs of abating, judging from the number of individuals with pre-diabetes," said lead author Catherine Cowie, Ph.D., of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a part of the NIH. "For years, diabetes prevalence estimates have been based mainly on data that included a fasting glucose test but not an OGTT. The 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, is the first national survey in 15 years to include the OGTT. The addition of the OGTT gives us greater confidence that we're seeing the true burden of diabetes and pre-diabetes in a representative sample of the U.S. population.""

Aspirin May Prevent Liver Damage That Afflicts Millions, Study Finds

What is the limit to aspirin? Every year they find something else good about it.


Aspirin May Prevent Liver Damage That Afflicts Millions, Study Finds:

"Simple aspirin may prevent liver damage in millions of people suffering from side effects of common drugs, alcohol abuse, and obesity-related liver disease, a new Yale University study suggests."

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Make Them Part Of Heart-healthy Eating

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Make Them Part Of Heart-healthy Eating:

"Omega-6 fatty acids – found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds – are a beneficial part of a heart-healthy eating plan, according to a science advisory published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.....said William Harris, Ph.D., lead author of the advisory. “Our goal was simply to let Americans know that foods containing omega-6 fatty acids can be part of a healthy diet, and can even help improve your cardiovascular risk profile.”

The American Heart Association’s dietary recommendations suggest a broadly defined healthy eating pattern over time – with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, high-fiber whole grains, lean meat, poultry, and fish twice a week. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains have been associated in a large number of studies with reduced cardiovascular risk.

Linoleic acid (LA) is the main omega-6 fatty acid in foods, accounting for 85 percent to 90 percent of the dietary omega-6 PUFA."

More recalls linked to salmonella-tainted peanut butter - KHQ-TV- msnbc.com

More recalls linked to salmonella-tainted peanut butter - KHQ-TV- msnbc.com:

"Health officials advise consumers to avoid cookies, crackers, and other foods containing peanut butter but there's no indication that jars of peanut butter sold in stores have been affected."

Study: Men's brains fight food urges better - CNN.com

Interesting.
Study: Men's brains fight food urges better - CNN.com:

"In a new brain-scan study, researchers flashed tasty food in front of men and women who hadn't eaten anything in at least 17 hours. Both were told to fight their hunger, but only men showed a drop in activity in brain regions involved in emotion and motivation.

Men may have better tools for appetite control, which may help explain why women are more likely to be obese than men and have a tougher time dieting, according to the study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

Peanut Butter Recall Spreads To More Products

Items that we sell that are being recalled due to possible Salmonella:

Peanut Butter Recall Spreads To More Products: "

Little Debbie Peanut Butter Toasty sandwich crackers — all sizes.
• Little Debbie Peanut Butter Cheese sandwich crackers — all sizes.

Both varieties of crackers were made on or after July, 1, 2008."

Perry Ice Cream:

Meanwhile, Perry's Ice Cream has announced a voluntary recall of select ice cream products containing peanut butter because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Peanut Corporation of America, maker of King Nut peanut butter, is one of Perry's suppliers.

Perry's is recalling ice cream products containing peanut butter sauce, which have been recalled by PCA. The company has not received any consumer illness complaints about these products. The products below have been distributed in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.

Perry's Premium Peanut Butter Cup Craze Ice Cream 1/2 Pint
• Perry's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.5 QT, 1.75 QT AND 3 GL
• Perry's Peanut Butter Chip Frozen Yogurt 1.5 QT, 1.75 QT and 3 GL
• Perry's Peanut Butter Sundae Crunch Ice Cream Bar Bulk 24 pack
• Perry's Premium Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream 1.5 QT and 1.75 QT
• Perry's Perfectly Churned Light Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.5 QT and 1.75 QT
• Perry's Light Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.75 QT
• Shurfine Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.75 QT

Austin also has some products being recalled listed here:

• Austin® Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut ButterSandwich Crackers – all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter – all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches – all sizes
• Austin® Quality FoodsSuper Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers
• Austin® Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers – all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter – all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin® Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin® Quality FoodsCookie/Cracker Pack
• Austin® Quality FoodsVariety Pack
• Keebler® Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers – all sizes
• Keebler® Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers – all sizes
• Keebler® Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers – all sizes
• Famous Amos® Peanut Butter Cookies (2- and 3-ounce)
• Keebler® Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-ounce)

AT THIS TIME, no jars of Peanut Butter are affected:
From FDA: "Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak:

"At this time, there is no indication that any national name brand jars of peanut butter sold in retail stores are linked to the PCA recall. As the investigation continues over the weekend, and into next week, the FDA will be able to update the advice based on new sampling and distribution information.""

We will continue to watch this developing story.

Personal Health - New Thinking on How to Protect the Heart - NYTimes.com

Personal Health - New Thinking on How to Protect the Heart - NYTimes.com:

"The Mediterranean diet is one people can stick to,” said Dr. Ozner, author of “The Miami Mediterranean Diet” and “The Great American Heart Hoax” (BenBella, 2008). “The food is delicious, and the ingredients can be found in any grocery store.

“You should make most of the food yourself,” Dr. Ozner added. “When the diet is stripped of lots of processed foods, you ratchet down inflammation. Among my patients, the compliance rate — those who adopt the diet and stick with it — is greater than 90 percent.”

Among foods that help to reduce the inflammatory marker CRP are cold-water fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel; flax seed; walnuts; and canola oil and margarine based on canola oil. Fish oil capsules are also effective. Dr. Ozner recommends cooking with canola oil and using more expensive and aromatic olive oil for salads.

Other aspects of the Mediterranean diet — vegetables, fruits and red wine (or purple grape juice) — are helpful as well. Their antioxidant properties help prevent the formation of artery-damaging LDL cholesterol."

More on the Mediterranean diet is available here.

Gut Reaction: Overeating Can Impair Body Function : NPR

Gut Reaction: Overeating Can Impair Body Function : NPR:

"...overeating causes biological changes in the body that can lead to more food cravings and cause your stomach to send mixed signals about when it's actually full. As the years go by, those holiday pounds add up.

Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist at the University of California at San Francisco, says each January she sees many patients lugging around an extra five pounds. Or more....

Overeating "sets your body chemistry sort of into red alert," says Dr. Sasha Stiles, a family physician who specializes in obesity at Tufts Medical Center. "The kinds of hormone and metabolic processes that normally will try to metabolize food will go into overdrive to make sure they get rid of this huge food load," Stiles explains.

This means that much of what you eat will be stored as fat rather than converted into healthy byproducts"

The History of Tea

The Legendary Origins of Tea

"According to legend, Shen Nung, an early emperor was a skilled ruler, creative scientist and patron of the arts. His far-sighted edicts required, among other things, that all drinking water be boiled as a hygienic precaution. One summer day while visiting a distant region of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from the near by bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown liquid was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created."

Wondering about the different kind of teas? Stash Tea has a nice description of the types and varieties of tea. Did you know? One tea bush will produce tea for at least 50 years. There are other interesting facts as well.

They'll even tell you how to brew the perfect cup of tea!

Enjoy!!

NRDC: A Shopper's Guide to Home Tissue Products Made with Recycled Paper

NRDC: A Shopper's Guide to Home Tissue Products Made with Recycled Paper:

"If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees."

Berry Compound Reduces Aging Effect

I wonder how long it will be before the Pterostilbene begins to be added to foods.
Berry Compound Reduces Aging Effect:

"In a new study, aged laboratory animals that ate a diet rich in the berry and grape compound pterostilbene performed better than those in a group that did not eat the enriched diet, scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have reported. Pterostilbene reversed measurable negative effects of aging on brain function and behavioral performance."

Another Reason To Avoid High-fat Diet: It Can Disrupt Our Biological Clock, Say Researchers

Another Reason To Avoid High-fat Diet: It Can Disrupt Our Biological Clock, Say Researchers:

"In an article soon to be published by the journal Endocrinology, the researchers suggest that this high-fat diet could contribute to obesity, not only through its high caloric content, but also by disrupting the phases and daily rhythm of clock genes. They contend also that high fat-induced changes in the clock and the adiponectin signaling pathway may help explain the disruption of other clock-controlled systems associated with metabolic disorders, such as blood pressure levels and the sleep/wake cycle."

Supplements May Not Cut Cancer Risk

With apologies to the Four Tops, it is the same old song....

Supplements May Not Cut Cancer Risk:

"For the second time in two months, new research shows no signs of cancer prevention from taking certain vitamin supplements.

In November, scientists noted no cancer benefits in male doctors assigned to take vitamin C or vitamin E pills. Now, other researchers report similar results in women at high risk of heart disease who took vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene supplements.

The new study 'provides little or no evidence that such vitamin supplementation as tested offers any measurable preventive impact on cancer in women,' states an editorial published with the study in the Jan. 7, 2009, edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute."

As I have said before, I am really not sure what to make of all of these studies. The preponderance of recent evidence suggests that vitamin supplementation has little benefit. BUT how can we throw away earlier evidence? That said, maintain that eating fruits and vegetables appears (at least for now) to be the best advice we can get.

New BonaResponds Window Display

New BonaResponds Window Display
Originally uploaded by FinanceProfessor

If you are in the Allegany area, it is worth stopping in to see the new BonaResponds window display.

Sports Nutrition and TrainingExercise, Nutrition, and Healthy Bones

PowerBar : Sports Nutrition and TrainingExercise, Nutrition, and Healthy Bones:

"Studies suggest that higher-impact, weight-bearing sports and activities prior to and during puberty seem to be most effective at building stronger bones. Activities that involve jumping are particularly useful. Thus, a key strategy for helping to ensure a lifetime of strong bones is to maximize bone mineral density during the adolescent growth spurt and in early adulthood by encouraging regular participation in a variety of physical activities and sports."

And later:

"Fortunately, exercise seems to have a positive effect on bone mass throughout the adult years. Most studies of the relationship between exercise and bone mineral density have been conducted in women because they have a greater risk of suffering a bone fracture with age in comparison to men. The studies suggest that whether you walk, jog, or run, these weight-bearing exercises tend to have a positive impact on bone mass. And this seems to be true for women before and after menopause. Progressive resistance training using lifts that load the hip and back may be even more effective for building bone mineral density in premenopausal and postmenopausal women"

So get out there and go for a walk. Have no time? Combine walking with other activities. For instance, Walk to the store instead of driving. Or Walk to the post office. You will get more done, and help your bones at the same time!

How Certain Vegetables Combat Cancer

How Certain Vegetables Combat Cancer: "

"While it has been known for some time that eating cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, can help prevent breast cancer, the mechanism by which the active substances in these vegetables inhibit cell proliferation was unknown — until now.

Scientists in the UC Santa Barbara laboratories ......[the] paper focuses on the anti-cancer activity of one of these compounds, called sulforaphane, or SFN,' Azarenko added. 'It has already been shown to reduce the incidence and rate of chemically induced mammary tumors in animals. It inhibits the growth of cultured human breast cancer cells, leading to cell death.'

Azarenko made the surprising discovery that SFN inhibits the proliferation of human tumor cells by a mechanism similar to the way that the anticancer drugs taxol and vincristine inhibit cell division during mitosis. Mitosis is the process in which the duplicated DNA in the form of chromosomes is accurately distributed to the two daughter cells when a cell divides."

Chocolate, Wine And Tea Improve Brain Performance

From ScienceDaily: Chocolate, Wine And Tea Improve Brain Performance:

"Participants filled in information about their habitual food intake and underwent a battery of cognitive tests.Those who consumed chocolate, wine, or tea had significantly better mean test scores and lower prevalence of poor cognitive performance than those who did not. The team reported their findings in the Journal of Nutrition.

The role of micronutrients in age-related cognitive decline is being increasingly studied. Fruits and beverages such as tea, red wine, cocoa, and coffee are major dietary sources of polyphenols, micronutrients found in plant-derived foods."

BBC NEWS | Health | Skipping sleep 'hardens arteries'

BBC NEWS | Health | Skipping sleep 'hardens arteries':

"Calcified arteries were found in nearly a third of people who slept fewer than five hours a night.

This dropped to around one in 10 for those who slept an extra hour, the Journal of the American Medical Association study of 495 adults found....

Lead researcher Dr Diane Lauderdale, of the University of Chicago, said there were several possible explanations for the link that they found...Firstly, there may be some factor not yet identified that can both reduce sleep duration and increase calcification.

Or it might be down to blood pressure - high blood pressure increases the likelihood of calcification and blood pressure goes down during sleep. Alternatively, stress or a stress hormone like cortisol, which has been tied to decreased sleep and increased calcification, may play a role."

The Naughty List of Holiday Foods Slideshow

The Naughty List of Holiday Foods Slideshow:

"Tis the season of temptation – and evidence suggests most of us give in. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the average person puts on a pound during the holidays and never loses it. This adds up to serious weight gain over the years. And for those with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, landmines abound on the dinner table. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the holiday food trap. See WebMD’s list of foods that are naughty and nice.

"

Stand Up For Your Health -- Physiologists And Microbiologists Find Link Between Sitting And Poor Health

Can it really be this easy? Stand up!

Stand Up For Your Health -- Physiologists And Microbiologists Find Link Between Sitting And Poor Health:

"The existing data, by numerous studies, are starting to show that the rates of heart disease and diabetes and obesity are doubled or sometimes even tripled in people who sit a lot,' Dr. Hamilton explains. One reason, he says, is an enzyme called lipase. When it's on, fat is absorbed into the muscles, but when we sit down, lipase virtually shuts off.

'Instead, the fat will recirculate in the blood stream and go and be stored as body fat or it can clog arteries and cause diseases,' Dr. Hamilton says. And it's not a small amount of fat. Plasma samples were taken from the same person after eating the same meal. When they ate sitting down, the sample was cloudy, but when they ate while standing up, it was clear."

Wow. This is interesting. Can you imagine how wrong we might have been on so many things. For instance, and I have ZERO ZERO ZERO evidence of this, what if we could eat fats while standing without any problem, but the same fat taken while sitting is a problem. Time to throw away the chairs!

Not All Fats Are Created Equal

Yeah, yeah. We know that. We know that trans-fat lead to increased heart risk etc. SO what is new? The University of Montreal's Nadiah Moussavi's thesis on whether type of fat influences body weight. Lo and behold, the same types of fat that are bad for your heart, also pack on more weight.

From ScienceDaily:Not All Fats Are Created Equal:

"...in the countries where mono-unsaturated fats, found in olive oil, formed an integral part of the diet, no or few people were found to be overweight.

Countries where the obesity rate was high and the consumption of mono-unsaturated fat low included Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Peru. Countries such as France, Denmark and Italy showed an ideal portrait – low rates of obesity with a high consumption of mono-unsaturated fats."

and later:

"...37.8 percent of American women were obese, and ate 152.2 grams of fat daily, of which 45.9 grams were mono-unsaturated. Other factors, admits Moussavi, must also be taken into consideration, such as family history, amount of exercise, consumption of fruit and vegetables."

Selenium, Vitamin E Do Not Prevent Prostate Cancer, Study Concludes

Still more bad news for vitamin makers and takers. From ScienceDaily:

Selenium, Vitamin E Do Not Prevent Prostate Cancer, Study Concludes:

"Findings from one of the largest cancer chemoprevention trials ever conducted have concluded that selenium and vitamin E taken alone or in combination for an average of five and a half years did not prevent prostate cancer, according to a team of researchers coordinated by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Cleveland Clinic."

Study: A Few Extra Pounds = Big Heart Risk, CBS Evening News: New Findings Show That Being Just A Little Pudgy Can Raise Heart Failure Risk By 49 Percent - CBS News

Study: A Few Extra Pounds = Big Heart Risk, CBS Evening News: New Findings Show That Being Just A Little Pudgy Can Raise Heart Failure Risk

"The findings of this major national study - analyzing two decades of data tracking the health of 21,000 middle-aged American men, all of them doctors - are a sobering jolt for all men.

'...but just being overweight increases the risk of heart failure by 49 percent,' said Dr. Satish Kenchaiah, a researcher for the study.

For example: take an average man of 5'10.' As the scale goes up, so does his risk of heart disease - even if he's only modestly overweight, between 174 and 208 pounds....

Morotti said: "The bottom line is you need to make time to work out." "

Healthy breakfast may mean healthier diet overall - Yahoo! News

On a day I had a cookie for breakfast, this reminder (in the form of a new study) crosses my desk...lol

Healthy breakfast may mean healthier diet overall - Yahoo! News:

"Breakfast may indeed be the most important meal of the day -- as long as that meal is not a doughnut -- a study suggests.

Using data from a national health survey of U.S. adults, researchers found that people who ate lower-calorie foods for breakfast tended to have a higher-quality diet overall.

Furthermore, men who ate a healthy breakfast generally weighed less. Among women, breakfast eaters -- regardless of the food involved -- tended to weigh less than those who skipped the morning meal.

The findings, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, give some support to past studies finding that breakfast eaters are less likely to be overweight -- and that eating a high-quality breakfast, rather than grabbing a pastry, is the key."

Low Dose Of Caffeine When Pregnant May Damage Heart Of Offspring For A Lifetime

Wow!! If confirmed, this is huge.

Low Dose Of Caffeine When Pregnant May Damage Heart Of Offspring For A Lifetime:

"A new study shows that the equivalent of one dose of caffeine (just two cups of coffee) ingested during pregnancy may be enough to affect fetal heart development and then reduce heart function over the entire lifespan of the child. In addition, the researchers also found that this relatively minimal amount of exposure may lead to higher body fat among males, when compared to those who were not exposed to caffeine."

Smoking Ups Colon Cancer Risk - washingtonpost.com

Remember it is my New Years' Resolution to rid at least the Allegany Store of all tobacco in 2009. Help me do it! Mention it to the managers when in any Park and Shop.

Smoking Ups Colon Cancer Risk - washingtonpost.com:

"Adding to the long list of cancers caused by smoking, Italian researchers report that the risk of getting colorectal cancer is higher in smokers, as is the risk of dying from that disease."

Study Boosts Low-Glycemic Diet - TIME

Study Boosts Low-Glycemic Diet - TIME:

"Dr. David Jenkins at the University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital and his colleagues report that a low-glycemic-index diet — including foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, flaxseed and quinoa — is better at lowering blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes than a high-fiber diet."

Doing good for our neighbors

In the best economic times, some people need a hand, but with the economy bad even more help is needed. Unfortunately it is when the help is often least forthcoming. So if we all do a little, things will be ok.

It is in that spirit that BonaResponds and the Allegany Park and Shop have teamed up to run collections to help the local community. All you have to do is to drop the items off at the collection boxes at the front of the store and BonaResponds will make sure the donations get to their proper spots.

1. Food for the Olean Food Pantry. Need I say any more. Direct food to those in need.

2. Pet food, towels, sheets, laundry soap, and cleaning supplies for the Cattaraugus County SPCA. The next delivery is planned for this Saturday so if you could drop off your items before

3. Change the world! Instead of having to empty your pockets of change before bed, donate your loose change to BonaResponds and help Change the world!

There is a small collection bucket at the service desk of the Allegany Park and Shop. Money collected goes directly to help fund BonaResponds (and it is used before any fees etc so 100% goes directly to help).

How do such small donations matter? They add up! For instance in the fall we had two local service days where all volunteers were fed from these small change donations.




This is being cross-posted on both the BonaResponds blog and the Park and Shop blog.

Mediterranean Diet Enriched With Nuts Cuts Heart Risks - US News and World Report

Mediterranean Diet Enriched With Nuts Cuts Heart Risks - US News and World Report:

"At the start of the study, 61.4 percent of the participants met criteria for metabolic syndrome. After one year, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased by 13.7 percent in the mixed nut group, by 6.7 percent in the olive oil group, and by 2 percent in the control group.

There were no weight changes in any of the groups over the one-year study period. But the number of people with large waist circumference, high triglycerides or high blood pressure significantly decreased in the Mediterranean diet/mixed nuts group compared with the control group. This suggests that the Mediterranean diet with mixed nuts improves certain features of metabolic syndrome, such as oxygen-related cell damage, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, the researchers said."

A few new items worth mentioning

A few new items that definitely deserve mentioning:

Fiber One - Toasters Pastries

Like Pop Tarts, their more famous role model, these come six to a box and two in a small foil pouch. They have no trans fat, are high in fiber, and make a better snack items than most pastries.

Healthy Choice Mixers. These are in the pasta section but are great to keep in your desk or elsewhere for when you miss a lunch or can't get home for dinner.

The final one is Natural Directions Organic Cinnamon Applesauce. Wow is about all I can say for this one. VERY good. A bit more expensive than regular applesauce, but very good. I could not find a link to it, but will tell you that I ate almost the whole jar in one day. VERY good.

Drink Brewed Tea To Avoid Tooth Erosion, Study Suggests

Drink Brewed Tea To Avoid Tooth Erosion, Study Suggests:

"This study clearly shows that brewed teas resulted in dramatically less enamel loss than soft drinks and acidic juices,' says Dr. Ross. 'I would highly recommend patients choose tea as an alternative to more erosive drinks like soda and fruit juice."

Eating Eggs When Pregnant may be good for offspring

Interesting study. Short version: extra eggs (they contain choline) while pregnant MAY (can not stress that enough, MAY) influence the type of cancer (slow growth as opposed to fast growth) that offspring have. BUT very early study.

Eating Eggs When Pregnant Affects Breast Cancer In Offspring:

"Although animals in all groups developed mammary cancer, the daughters of mothers that had received extra choline during pregnancy had slow growing tumors while daughters of mothers that had no choline during pregnancy had fast growing tumors.

'Our study provides additional support for the notion that choline is an important nutrient that has to be considered when dietary guidelines are developed,' said Krzysztof Blusztajn, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology at Boston University and the study's senior researcher. 'We hope it will be possible to develop nutritional guidelines for pregnant women that ensure the good health of their offspring well into old age."

Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk

Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk:

"Researchers say a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to other, well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

For example, several large studies have shown that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related event during follow-up, compared with those with higher vitamin D levels.

'Vitamin D deficiency is an unrecognized, emerging cardiovascular risk factor, which should be screened for and treated,' says researcher James H. O'Keefe, MD, director of preventive cardiology at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Mo., in a news release. 'Vitamin D is easy to assess, and supplementation is simple, safe and inexpensive.'"

Well - Eating Only Organic Food for Three Years - NYTimes.com

Well - Eating Only Organic Food for Three Years - NYTimes.com:

"Dr. Greene said he was inspired to go all-organic after talking to a dairy farmer who noted that livestock got sick less after a switch to organic practices. He wondered if becoming 100 percent organic might improve his own health.

Three years later, he says he has more energy and wakes up earlier. As a pediatrician regularly exposed to sick children, he was accustomed to several illnesses a year. Now, he says, he is rarely ill. His urine is a brighter yellow, a sign that he is ingesting more vitamins and nutrients."

Which is a nice excuse to remind you that there is a new organic section in our Allegany store. Be sure to check it out.

More uncertainty with respect to anti-oxidants

Not sure what to make of this. For one it says that the previous studies of vegetables may or may not be true. Secondly it does not address quality of life. Thirdly, it may ignore interactions of mind, stress, and other things. For instance, suppose that taking vitamins gives you some sense of power over conditions. This lowers stress, which lowers depression, which lowers heart problems and the like. Is it then the vitamins doing it, or not? This cannot be studied in this test since it only looks at worms.

BBC NEWS | Health | Antioxidants 'cannot slow ageing':

"Using Nematode worms, scientists found even those given enhanced antioxidant powers to deal with tissue damaging 'free radicals' did not live longer.

The team from University College London said, in the Genes and Development journal, there was 'no clear evidence' they could slow ageing."

Another reason to be happy!

Depression leads to internal fat in 70-somethings - Yahoo! News: "

People with depression were twice as likely as others to gain visceral fat — the kind that surrounds internal organs and often shows up as belly fat. It raises the risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Previous research has linked depression with those same health problems. Some researchers believe depression triggers high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which promotes visceral fat. The cortisol connection may explain the findings, Kritchevsky said.

The research, published in Monday's Archives of General Psychiatry, is the first large study to track people over time to see if those with depression were more likely to gain weight."

Women Smokers Lose 14.5 Years Off Life Span - washingtonpost.com

Women Smokers Lose 14.5 Years Off Life Span - washingtonpost.com:

"...smoking takes an average of 14.5 years off women's lives, almost one in five American women age 18 and older smokes.

'The damaging effects of smoking on women are extensive, well-documented, and can be observed from the cradle to the premature grave,' Dr. Sharon Phelan said in an organization news release. She helped develop ACOG's smoking cessation materials for health care providers.

'Smoking is a harmful habit that negatively affects nearly every organ in the body. There's just no good reason not to quit,' she said."

Please do me two favors: 1. Quit. 2. Next time you are in the Park and Shops, ask the manager to quit selling tobacco. Better yet, call the main office and tell them the same.

My new year's resolution is to have it out of at least one of our stores by this time next year.

Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death by Customers - NYTimes.com

Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death by Customers - NYTimes.com:

"A Wal-Mart employee in suburban New York died after being trampled by a crush of shoppers who tore down the front doors and thronged into the store early Friday morning,"

Are you kidding ? Folks, take a breath. Crazy. Why anyone would get up early to shop, let alone act in such an uncivilized manner for things they don't need, is totally incomprehensible to me.

A day late, but found a good article on the History of Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving Story - History of Thanksgiving:

"George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, although some were opposed to it. There was discord among the colonies, many feeling the hardships of a few pilgrims did not warrant a national holiday. And later, President Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea of having a day of thanksgiving.

It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book. Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving"

Free RangeTurkeys from Portville!

Free range poultry and meat have several advantages over mass produced meats. In the Olean area we are lucky to be near Sprague's Turkey farm from Portville. The OTH ran the following:

"When he started, Mr. Sprague said, 'practically everything was free-range.'

Now, he said, 'we are probably one of the very few (raising) free-range turkeys in the state.'

Only two other vendors, Park N' Shop...and Mak's Meat in Cuba, offer free-range turkeys now. Both stores run orders directly through Sprague's Turkey Farm.

Many stores are wary of investing in the higher cost of free-range turkeys

and later:

"Mr. Sprague said that in part the increased cost comes from several production factors. One is a longer growing period. "It takes us a week or two longer to achieve the same results," Mr. Sprague said. More time equals more feed. Mr. Sprague uses a feed specially designed for turkeys. The feed begins at "28 protein feed, and gradually comes down to a 14 protein feed," he said.

They will also lose some of their turkeys due to the foxes, coyotes and bobcats that prey on the turkeys."

and later

"Some free-range proponents prefer the free-roaming bird for improved quality. Francis Mahar, manager of the Front street Park N' Shop said "They just have a different taste, or moisture, without having the junk." Mr. Sprague's turkeys are raised free of any hormones, steroids, or other enhancements.

"We don't use any additives at all. We don't use anything," Mr. Sprague said."

In addition to no additives, the birds are raised in a more humane manner, since they are raised to close to home less energy is used in their transportation, and they support the local economy.

Orders for Christmas turkeys will be taken at the service desks of all of our stores.

Go exercise!

Depression's Behavior Changes Linked to Heart Risks - washingtonpost.com:

"The researchers found that patients with depression had a 50 percent greater risk of cardiovascular events -- 10 percent among those with depression compared to 6.7 among those without depression. When the researchers adjusted for other existing conditions and cardiac disease severity, depression was associated with a 31 percent increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Whooley and her colleagues further adjusted for certain health behaviors, including physical inactivity, and found there was no longer a significant association between depression and cardiovascular events. They calculated that physical inactivity was associated with a 44 percent greater rate of cardiovascular events"

At Walmart, "W" is for "Wait"

Stumbled upon this from one of the blogs I regularly check for finance info:

Free Money Finance: At Walmart, "W" is for "Wait", At Costco, "C" is for "Come on Through":

"I was in Walmart a couple weeks ago and was again underwhelmed by their lack of checkouts operating. When I got up front at 11 am on Saturday morning, three checkouts were open -- one was the '12 items or less' line, one was the 'check yourself out line', and one was a regular line. Since I had more than 12 items and a few of those items were ones I knew would present a problem for the 'check yourself out' machines, I got into the regular line. Or, more accurately, I joined the line that the rest of the shoppers in the store also were in.

After we waited 10 minutes or so with the line backed up into the ladies apparel section (by this time, I was third in line), some genius at Walmart recognized the issue and opened another line. It was filled in seconds, and since I had moved up so far (now next in line), I stayed put. The only problem -- the person in front of me had some items that needed a price confirmed, she had to fumble for a method of payment, and so on. 15 minutes later I stumbled out of Walmart wondering if getting the best price was worth it any more. If I have to wait so long at the checkout counter each time I go to Walmart, I can tell you that my days as a Walmart shopper are limited."

Time, not money, is your most valuable resource. Wasting time is almost inexcusable. The stress, the aggravation, the anger. For a few cents? No way!

Monks' Bread: Holiday Bread

It is that time of year! The Monks Holiday Bread is in stores again. I bought some last night and is a nice "dessert" bread.

For those of you who don't know, Monks' Bread really is made by Monks. From their website:

Monks' Bread: Monks' Bread:

"The Trappist monks of the Abbey of the Genesee have been baking Monks' Bread since 1953. We do so to support ourselves by the work of our hands. A large portion of the proceeds goes to various charities. We thank you for your purchase.
No High Fructose corn syrup,
No Trans Fat and No cholesterol"

Drop That Cigarette, Today Is The Great American Smokeout : dBTechno

Drop That Cigarette, Today Is The Great American Smokeout : dBTechno:

"Today marks the annual Great American Smokeout hosted by the American Cancer Society, and is trying to get people all across the U.S. to drop their cigarettes for just one day.

It is estimated that 45 million Americans across the country still smoke."

Few things amaze me more than that anyone still smokes. Such a horrible habit. How can anyone still do it? PLEASE stop.

Health groups lash U.S. states over tobacco efforts - Yahoo! News

Health groups lash U.S. states over tobacco efforts - Yahoo! News:

"In the 10 years since the landmark deal, the states have received $79.2 billion of the settlement and another $124.3 billion from tobacco taxes, but have spent only about 3 percent of it -- $6.5 billion -- on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, the groups said in a report."

Hey want to do me a favor? When you are in the stores, ask the managers (or better ask one of my dad or uncles) to quit selling tobacco all together. It is not worth it. We want you around as a customer for a long time!

Vitamin C, E Supplements Won't Help Prevent Cancer - washingtonpost.com

More bad news for vitamin makers and takers.

Vitamin C, E Supplements Won't Help Prevent Cancer - washingtonpost.com:

"Coming on the heels of two studies discounting the usefulness of vitamin B, folic acid, vitamin D and calcium supplements for cancer prevention, U.S. researchers report that vitamins C and E supplements won't help prevent cancer, either.

The same team also recently reported that vitamin C and E supplements weren't helpful in protecting users against heart disease.

'At least in the context of two very common outcomes -- cardioprotection and chemoprevention -- we see no compelling evidence to take vitamin E or C supplements,' said one of the study's authors, Dr. Howard Sesso...."

Shopping Spree at Front St. Park and Shop

Shopping Spree at Front St. Park and Shop
From the Olean Times Herald

"Lindsey Coburn loads up her cart at the Service Store Park and Shop on Front Street in Olean Wednesday afternoon. She rounded up $341.75 worth of groceries in 180 seconds. The contest was a first-time effort of the Olean Rotary Club. Tickets to enter, which were sold throughout the last two months, were $5 each. Club President Melissa Meyers said the fundraiser generated more than $600 for the service club."

Butter, Heart Healthy Food, Recipes, Cooking Oil and more by Smart Balance

Butter, Heart Healthy Food, Recipes, Cooking Oil and more by Smart Balance--The SmartBalance site has some good nutritional info plus it even allows you to print out a coupon.

NCI: No prostate benefit from vitamin E, selenium - Yahoo! News

More evidence that vitamins alone are not a solution:

NCI: No prostate benefit from vitamin E, selenium - Yahoo! News:

"...government is stopping a major study of whether vitamin E and selenium prevent prostate cancer — because the supplements aren't working and there's a hint of risk.

More than 35,000 men age 50 and older have been taking one or both supplements or dummy pills for several years as part of a study called the SELECT trial.

But the National Cancer Institute announced Monday that they will be getting letters in the next few days telling them to stop: An early review of the data shows neither supplement, taken alone or together, is preventing prostate cancer."

Purple Tomato Extended Lives of Cancer-Prone Mice - washingtonpost.com

Good News!

Purple Tomato Extended Lives of Cancer-Prone Mice - washingtonpost.com:

"Tomatoes genetically modified to be rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins appeared to extend the life spans of cancer-prone mice, a European study finds.

The modified tomatoes were created by adding two genes (Delila and Rosea1) from the snapdragon flower. The anthocyanins, which belong to the flavonoid class of antioxidants, gave the tomatoes a peculiar purple color.

'The two genes we have isolated are responsible for flower pigmentation and, when introduced in other plants, turned out to be the perfect combination to produce anthocyanins, the same phytochemical found in blueberries,' study author Eugenio Butelli, of the FLORA project, said in a news release."

Warm Up to Someone New, Hold On to Something Hot - PakTribune

I knew there was a reason I disliked winter! ;)

Warm Up to Someone New, Hold On to Something Hot - PakTribune:

"It appears that the effect of physical temperature is not just on how we see others, it affects our own behavior as well,' Bargh says. 'Physical warmth can make us see others as warmer people, but also cause us to be warmer—more generous and trusting—as well.'

The researchers were able to conclude from the findings that holding a hot cup of coffee even for less than 30 seconds can alter the way you see others. The testers noticed that the students who held the hot cup of coffee on the elevator were more sociable and easier to talk to while the iced coffee holders had less interaction with others"

Park and Shop History

Store History:

"Francis J. Mahar was just starting out in the grocery business, working for the Market Basket Stores. Eager to venture out on his own, on his eighteenth birthday, October 13, 1923, he opened the first Service Store on Center Street in Olean. He continued working at Market Basket until 1936, when he decided to devote full time to his own business. By that time, in addition to the Center Street location, there was a Service Store at 1504 West State Street, another at 1020 North Union Street, and a fourth in Arcade. By 1942 the Center Street store had outgrown its building, and a new Boardmanville store was opened at the corner of Main and Front Streets.

By 1947, when Service Stores were formally incorporated, the 'home office' at 210 Coleman Street became too small, both because of increased business and because of the growing number of Mahar children. The company offices were then moved to 1602 West Henley Street. This was also the site of the company’s new warehouse, which not only supplied the Service Stores, but also served as a wholesale distributor to smaller independent stores in the area.

Even though Francis Mahar, Sr. was the founder and driving force behind the Service Stores, their growth and success would not have been possible without the help of many other people. His wife, Margaret, who began working ....."

The history is a bit dated (for instance Dan Mahar has died since the original publication), but most is still accurate. For the entire history, click here.

New study: Vitamin D reduces breast cancer risk

New study: Vitamin D reduces breast cancer risk:

"The study led by Blackmore KM and colleagues from Mount Sinai Hospital in Ontario, Canada showed that increased intake of vitamin D through diet and exposure to the sun was associated with a 24 percent reduced risk of estrogen-receptor- (ER) and progesterone-receptor- (PR) defined breast cancer.

The study compared 758 cases of breast cancer and 1135 controls without the disease and found those who had high intake of vitamin D were also found to have a 26 percent reduced risk of ER-/PR- breast cancer and a 21 percent decreased risk of ER+/PR- tumors.

The study published in the Oct 15, 2008 issue of American Journal of Epidemiology"

The science of candy and tooth decay

From Science Daily:

Never Fear: It May Be OK To Let Your Kids Gorge On Candy This Halloween:

"“The frequency of eating candy, and other refined carbohydrates, and their stickiness, are big factors in creating the risk of caries (cavities),” he said.

Eating carbohydrates can change the pH balance of the mouth, making it more acidic, which can increase the risk of cavities. Each time candy is eaten, the acid environment in the mouth can take up to an hour to dissipate.

“So, if I eat a piece of candy now, the pH in my mouth will become acidic, and it will take 30-60 minutes for it to become normal,” said Helpin. “If I keep eating candy throughout the day, there is acid in my mouth for a much longer period of time. The longer teeth are in an acid environment, the greater the risk they will become decayed.”

Helpin, the acting chair of pediatric dentistry at Temple’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry"

Medical Updates - Alcohol’s Effect on the Brain | Health News

Medical Updates - Alcohol’s Effect on the Brain | Health News:

"Both smoking and drinking has been shown to affect the brain, damaging cells and synapses (neural connections) and high alcohol consumption is known to result in shrinking of the brain and cognitive deficit. However, researchers have discovered that even modest amounts of alcohol have the same negative effect."

The researchers found no protective affect on the normal, age-related shrinkage in brain volume. To the contrary, the more a person drank, the more their brain volume diminished.

But the finding was much stronger for women than men:

"Interestingly, although men were more likely than women to report being moderate or heavy drinkers, the link between brain volume and alcohol wasn’t as strong in men. For men, only those who were heavy drinkers had a smaller brain volume than those who consumed little or no alcohol where women, even moderate drinkers, had a smaller brain volume than abstainers or former drinkers. The researchers note this gender difference could be due to biological factors, including women’s smaller size and greater susceptibility to alcohol’s effects."

More coverage of this is available from US News and World Report and CNN.

Kashi : Our food : Kashi U, Original

Have you tried the new Kashi U cereal? VERY VERY good, From tehir website:

Kashi : Our food : Kashi U, Original:

"The tasty combination of toasted Seven Whole Grain flakes, tangy black currants, crunchy walnuts, and acai oat clusters is packed full of nutrition:

* Cardio Nourishment – 350mg ALA omega 3 from walnuts and 100% of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid
* Immunity Boost – 50% of your daily value for vitamins A, C and E as well as zinc and antioxidant super fruits black currant and acai
* Strengthen Support – More calcium & vitamin D than half a glass of milk* plus zinc to support bone health
* Thrive Inside – 7g of fiber and prebiotics to help the good bacteria grow
* Mental Sustenance – Over half of the daily recommended amount of whole grains"

But be careful around dogs. It has currants in it which are dangerous to their kidneys.

SportsGeezer: Lifestyle Triifecta: Exercise, Diet and Healthy Weight, Pays Off Big With Longer Life

SportsGeezer: Lifestyle Triifecta: Exercise, Diet and Healthy Weight, Pays Off Big With Longer Life:

"...people who exercise, watch their weight, eat healthful food, and don't smoke live longer than people who do not do all of the above. ...it's now documented by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health...For individual factors, the researchers found that 28 percent of deaths could be attributed to smoking, 14 percent to being overweight, 17 percent to lack of physical activity, 13 percent to an unhealthy diet and 7 percent to not having light-to-moderate alcohol consumption (one drink a day or less for women"

A candy bar a week?

Dark Chocolate Prevents Heart Disease:

"An Italian study shows that dark chocolate can significantly reduce the inflammation that leads to cardiovascular disease. The ideal amount is 6.7 grams per day (0.23 ounces). A typical Hershey chocolate bar weighs about 43 grams. That means eating one dark chocolate bar over the course of 6 1/2 days to get 6.7 grams per day."

wow. That would take much patience! Unfortunately, milk chocolate does not seem to work.

Why Maple Syrup Costs So Much

Why Maple Syrup Costs So Much:

"Unfavorable weather in Quebec—the source of 80% of the world's maple syrup—have depressed output to a 10-year low. At the same time, demand for maple syrup, which is slightly lower in calories than cane sugar and corn syrup, has been growing in recent years"

Osteoporosis: Drink Less for Strong Bones

Osteoporosis: Drink Less for Strong Bones:

"Research shows that chronic heavy alcohol use, especially during adolescence and young adult years, can dramatically affect bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

What do doctors advise? Drink less for strong bones.

Calcium is an essential nutrient for healthy bones, and alcohol is its enemy. 'Alcohol has multiple effects on calcium,' says Primal Kaur, MD, an osteoporosis specialist at Temple University Health System in Philadelphia. 'The bones deteriorate because not enough calcium is getting into bones -- and the body is leaching it away from bones.'"

The Associated Press: Fish oil appears to help against heart failure

The Associated Press: Fish oil appears to help against heart failure:

"Fish oil supplements may work slightly better than a popular cholesterol-reducing drug to help patients with chronic heart failure, according to new research released Sunday....

Fish oils also are thought to increase the body's good cholesterol levels, as well as possibly stabilizing the electrical system in heart cells, to prevent abnormal heart rhythms.

In contrast, statins act on the body's bad cholesterol, which may not have a big impact on heart failure."

"

Good news. It would be interesting to see if this prevents problems in healthy people too.

Trans fats linked to pre-cancerous colon growths - Yahoo! News

If we didn't have enough reasons to avoid trans fats.

Trans fats linked to pre-cancerous colon growths - Yahoo! News:

"A high intake of trans fats could increase colon cancer risk, according to new research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.... People who ate the most trans fatty acids were more likely to have pre-cancerous growths or polyps in their colons than those who consumed the least, Dr. Lisa C. Vinikoor of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and colleagues found."

While it might be overkill, it is a pretty simple rule, if it says "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" put it back.

More Strawberries, More Antioxidant Absorption

Short version: the body seems to absorb the nutrients from Strawberries! :)

More Strawberries, More Antioxidant Absorption:

"...strawberries are the fifth most consumed fresh fruit in the United States, and consumption more than doubled in the past decade, according to experts. Strawberry's antioxidants come in the form of both long-established vitamins and newly defined plant chemicals. Berries are particularly well endowed with a series of compounds called anthocyanins--the source of the berries' blue, purple and red pigments....The study showed that the human body is capable of assimilating more anthocyanin pigments as intakes increase."

Part Of The In-group? A Surprising New Strategy Helps Reduce Unhealthy Behaviors

Part Of The In-group? A Surprising New Strategy Helps Reduce Unhealthy Behaviors:

"Authors Jonah Berger (University of Pennsylvania) and Lindsay Rand (Stanford University) found that linking a risky behavior with an 'outgroup' (a group that the targeted audience doesn't want to be confused with) caused participants to reduce unhealthy behaviors..."

All the more reason why movie stars and other celebrities should not smoke!

Breakfast time!

Team Beachbody:

" A study presented at the recent Endocrine Society's annual meeting showed that participants who consumed large breakfasts lost almost five times as much weight as the participants who followed a traditional diet. So what's the big deal about breakfast?.....The study supported the idea that when we wake up in the morning, our bodies want food. You've burned through all the fuel from the previous day, and now your body is ready to burn anything, like muscle, to get a jump-start on the day. And if you skip breakfast, muscle is indeed what your body will burn. Later in the day, your brain is still in starvation mode from breakfast (or lack thereof), so your body will store all the calories you eat as adipose tissue, or fat, to save up for the next day when you try to starve it again. The study also found that serotonin (the chemical responsible for controlling cravings) levels were much higher in the morning, which is why breakfast is the meal so many of us are willing to skip. But if our bodies are left unfed, our serotonin levels drop, and the cravings for sweets begin to rise throughout the day."

I have consistently been impressed with the material over at BeachBody.com. Check it out. A bunch of marketing stuff too, but it has good content too.

Parents Shape Whether Their Children Learn To Eat Fruits And Vegetables

Parents Shape Whether Their Children Learn To Eat Fruits And Vegetables:

"Providing fruits for snacks and serving vegetables at dinner can shape a preschooler's eating patterns for his or her lifetime....When parents eat more fruits and vegetables, so do their children. When parents eat and give their children high fat snacks or soft drinks, children learn these eating patterns instead.""

Takeaway: what you feed your children helps to form patterns that will last into later life.


So I guess Rodney Atkins had it right all along!