Columns

Last week I met with the group at the Senior Center to discuss carbohydrate counting, diabetes management and sugar free foods.
The big question was if sugar free foods are really good for you.  
The true definition of a sugar free food is that it has less than .5g of sugars. Some manufacturers are not complying with the FDA regulations that any sugar free food that is not low or reduced in calories should disclose that fact.  

Sweat stinging my eyes and breathing super-heated air, I exited a burning house last Saturday morning with a long-held belief firmly intact: Firefighters are absolutely out of their ever-lovin’ minds.
Anderson County Fire Chief Mike Barnes invited me to a house burning that morning near the Four Roses Distillery, saying that I could get a taste of what it’s like to be inside of a burning building.

The USDA low cost food plan allows 40 percent of the budget for vegetables and fruits.
The plan calls for 2 – 3.5 cups of vegetables per day per person and 1.5 to 2.5 cups of fruits.  The amount depends on the age of the individual.
The USDA plan calls for more vegetables and fruits than what people currently eat. I challenge you to look at your food budget to determine what percent you spend on fruits and vegetables.  

Men and women feel stress in their role as parents. Part of the challenge is balancing family life and work life plus community service. Some parents also go to school and others work more than one job. So how do you have peace and harmony at home?
There are some things only you can do. There are others that you think you are the only one who can do it. Some things can wait. A few tasks just can’t or won’t get done. I encourage you to have a serious discussion as parents about the responsibilities that drive your stress as a parent. How do they fit into the list above?