Beech Tree News Network

Following my early summer busyness, I’ve recently been catching up on reading (Finally!). I look forward to a few minutes of reading during the afternoon or evening. And some of the information I’ve encountered is worth sharing.

First, the University of Louisville Magazine for Alumni & Friends (summer 2017) included an article about the upcoming solar eclipse, visible August 21 from the contiguous United States for the first time since 1979. The moon will completely block the sun for over two minutes. Interestingly, the next total eclipse visible in a part of the U.S. will be in 2024, and the next coast-to-coast eclipse will be in 2045. U of L physics and astronomy associate professor Gerard Williger explained that rainy or overcast weather still could diminish the August 21 effects, saying: “We live in Kentucky. There’s a 50-50 chance of having clouds.” Personally, I’m hoping for clear skies because our school district has made plans for students to watch the eclipse. According to WBKO, NOAA recently predicted a 71% chance of clear skies on the afternoon of August 21st.

Second, Better Homes & Gardens magazines contain an article called “better” – a page I always read - which contains statistics related to healthy living. The following information came from these articles:
•     One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime (May issue, p. 156).
•    Following a meal made with plant protein, such as beans and peas, people ate 12% fewer calories during the following three hours (May issue, p. 156).
•    Five minutes outside gives you a mood boost (June issue, p. 150).
•    Two weeks after increasing one’s daily fruit and vegetable intake to four servings a day, people reported feeling an energy boost (June issue, p. 150).
•    Research shows that kindness is a prominent trait in happy marriages. When you do a nice deed for your spouse, the giver gets 45% greater emotional benefit than the receiver. Even small acts count (July issue, p. 158).

Then, Southern Living magazines include cooking tips. I enjoy learning anything that may improve my cooking or make it easier. Some of the information I’ve read recently includes the following:
•    For a simple sauce, add a splash of canola oil to equal parts of peach preserves and grainy mustard. Slather onto pork before cooking or use as a condiment (May issue, p. 150).
•    In the June issue of Southern Living, the Test Kitchen professionals shared 40 of the brands and Southern-made goods they use when cooking for work and home. Some of those products listed were: canned Bush’s Best beans, Cracker Barrel block cheese, Heinz apple cider vinegar, Swanson broth and stock, Philadelphia cream cheese, Land O Lakes butter, Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk, Domino sugar, Gold Medal all-purpose flour, Morton coarse Kosher salt, and McCormick herbs and spices (pp. 109-120).
•    Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature unless they are very ripe. To halt the ripening process, tomatoes may be refrigerated for one or two days. Storing tomatoes stem-side down will help prevent bruising. Under-ripe tomatoes may be placed in a paper bag in a single layer with the bag loosely closed. Place bag in a warm, dry place and check for ripeness daily (July issue, p. 126).

Finally, the Women’s Health Reporter (2017) stated that a study (Annals of Internal Medicine, September 27, 2016) of adults age 70 to 79 suggested that having a colonoscopy may not provide much protection against colorectal cancer (CRC) for adults age 75 and older. Researchers determined that a colonoscopy did modestly reduce CRC risk in those younger than 75, but had little effect on CRC risk in older patients. Deciding whether CRC screening is right for you is certainly a decision best made with your doctor. However, I would lean toward screening.

Reading is a way to relax. Abraham Lincoln said, “A capacity, and taste, for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others,” and Rahul Dravid said, “Reading allows me to recharge my batteries” (https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/reading.html). I agree.