Did You Know?

• One avocado contains a hefty 300 calories and 30 grams of fat. But, most of the fat in an avocado is mono-unsaturated, the same hearty-friendly fat found in olive oil and nuts. Avocados also contain another beneficial substance: a plant sterol called beta-sitosterol, which researchers have found can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol in your bloodstream. So, there may be good reason to have some guacamole and add avocados to your meals - in moderation of course.
  

• In 1997, Americans spent more than $54 billion on soft drinks, according to Michael Jacobson, founder of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Every drop was a missed opportunity to drink low-fat milk, orange juice or another beverage that could help cut the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Jacobson calls soft drinks “liquid candy.” A 12 ounce can of cola contains phosphoric acid which contributes to the formation of kidney stones, about 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. While a large "super-sized" 32 ounce soft drink contains a whopping 310 calories and enough caffeine to equal 1-1/2 cups of coffee. Soft drinks seem to be a big part of our diet and a big health problem.
  

• There is a new egg on the market. The new "super egg" comes from chickens fed a diet fortified with flaxseed, vitamin E and fish oils. The result is eggs with increased nutritional value. They are pricey though, costing about a dollar more per dozen. Does this mean the chicken is healthier too? Maybe we should eat the hen and still skip the eggs? Huh?

August 2000
EPA Ends Over-the-Counter Sale of Dursban | Root Rot | Now is the Time for Overseeding | Asian Longhorned Beetle War | Lawn Care Calendar | Bug Bites: Late Summer Tree Insects | Cybergarden Sites | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Locally Grown: Small Tomato Time | We All Scream for Ice Cream | The Herb Garden: Drying Herbs | Health & Household Tips | Did You Know?

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