Fat Facts and Fallacies
Taste. That’s why we eat. Of course, it’s true that our bodies need nutritional fuel, but the real reason we eat is the pleasure we get from the way a food tastes. It’s nature’s way of seducing us into meeting our most basic needs. When we "taste" food, many things work together to create pleasure. Flavor, mouthfeel, aroma, temperature and texture combine with what we touch, see and hear.
For centuries, salad dressing has been a condiment used to make many foods taste better. But recently, it has gotten an undeserved reputation because they are such a popular source of dietary fat. But let’s face it. Salad dressings can make nutrient-rich, high-fiber and low-fat foods such as vegetables, turkey and tuna taste better. In fact, dressings used properly, in the right amounts, can make healthy, though sometimes bland, foods more appealing and still keep fat content at an acceptable level in each meal experience.
In fact, some dietary fat is essential, providing energy and helping the body transport and use certain vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K. And salad dressings are made from vegetables oils, which are excellent sources of unsaturated fats recommended over saturated fats by leading health authorities. In addition, there is now research that suggests foods rich in vitamin E, such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, margarine and nuts, may actually decrease the risk of coronary heart disease.
But, while a spoonful of dressing helps the nutrients go down, the most compelling reason healthy people continue to include small amounts of fat in their diet is the simple fact that fats taste good. Used in moderation, these condiments can make other more nutritional foods taste better. A variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, cheese and breads is the cornerstone of a balanced diet and the backbone of well-made salads and sandwiches. A serving of dressing can help build these foods into a meal that is far healthier overall than one loaded with saturated fat and very few, if any, key nutrients. (See Meal Comparisons chart below.)
Nutrition experts agree: there are no "good" or "bad" foods. In fact, any food can fit in a healthy diet. According to the U.S. Food Guide Pyramid we should eat many different foods, in the right amounts every day: six to 11 servings of bread, two to four fruits, three to five vegetables, two to three servings of dairy products and two to three servings of meat or protein -- daily. Enjoy fats, oils and sweets, sparingly.
It’s all a matter of choice and, fortunately, we have more choices today when it comes to foods typically high in fat and calories. In addition to a larger selection of flavors in regular dressings and sauces, there are many new flavors of light, reduced-fat, low-fat and fat-free condiments now on the market. Many reduced-fat dairy, deli and bakery products are also available, making it easier to make trade-offs. So if you prefer a regular salad dressing on your Greek salad, use only one or two tablespoons or use low-fat feta cheese instead of regular feta cheese. If you like regular mayonnaise on your roast beef and Swiss sandwich, then substitute the low-fat versions of roast beef and cheese.

Want a neat trick for making health-giving ginger easier to grate? Freeze it first. You'll be glad you did: Spicy, lively, fresh ginger has a way of waking up all the other flavors around it. Look for large, firm, buff-colored knobs when buying fresh ginger. Traditionally used in Asian cooking, it's making its way into all sorts of savory dishes and delivering loads of healthful antioxidant compounds. Ginger may also decrease your heart attack risk. A few studies have found that both fresh and dried ginger inhibits blood levels of thromboxane B-2, a compound that promotes dangerous blood clots. It also has a longstanding folk reputation as a remedy for nausea. Clinical studies have found it useful in treating motion sickness, as well as post-surgical nausea.

Perks of BeingOver 50...* Kidnappers are not very interested in you.* In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first* No one expects you to run into a burning building.* People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?"* People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.* There is nothing left to learn the hard way.* Things you buy now won't wear out.* You can eat dinner at 4 P.M.* You can live without sex but not without glasses.* You enjoy hearing about other peoples operations.* You get into heated arguments about pension plans.* You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.* You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.* You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.* You sing along with elevator music.* Your eyes won't get much worse.* Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.* Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.* Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.* Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable

As you know, misconceptions can be powerful, especially when more people believe them than not. Let's explore, and hopefully dispel, three misconceptions associated with the tarot.
The tarot is evil: Yes, in the hands of someone intent upon using it to do harm, the tarot is a devilish tool. But many tarot users are practicing Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, and Moslem Sufis. A tool is a tool: A knife can be used for slicing bread or for stabbing someone. The tool itself is not evil; the intention of the person working with the tool determines its use.
The tarot tells you about your future: The purpose of a tarot reading is to help you see your past and present thoughts, words, and behaviors more objectively. This sort of understanding can make you more aware of the potential results of your present thoughts, words, and behaviors. Remember that what you think, say, and do today helps to create tomorrow.
The tarot can tell you if your wife's having an affair: The tarot cards reflect you! If you're thinking that your spouse is having an affair, you'd better take a good long look at your reasons for thinking so. Have you been watching too many TV talk shows? Is your self-esteem in the toilet? Is your sex life nonexistent? Could you actually be projecting the affair you'd be having if your spouse treated you the way you're treating him or her? Remember: The tarot is a mirror that reflects your face!

Anna P. Gordon
Longtime Avella resident
Anna P. Gordon, 91, of Avella, died at 5:55 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2005, in Donnell House, Washington.
She was born June 29, 1913, in Hahntown, a daughter of Charles and Frances Cheslukosky Petosky.
Mrs. Gordon attended St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, Avella, and Cross Creek Valley Senior Citizens.
She lived in Avella since 1933.
On February 3, 1934, she married John Gordon Jr., who died December 14, 1977.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Carl (Gloria) Manni of Atlasburg; a son, James F. and wife Marion Gordon of Avella; eight grandchildren, Denise Knowlton, Carla Acklin, Carl Manni, Jana Diamond, and James, Jeffery, Alan and Lori Gordon; 11 great-grandchildren, Billy, Darin and Alyssa Acklin, Blaize and Blaine Knowlton, John and Jacyn Diamond, Christina and James Gordon and Hannah and Hunter Gordon; and two great-great-grandchildren, Lauren and Kailey Acklin.
Deceased are a son, John Gordon III; four brothers, Walter, Frank, Julius and Alexander Petosky; and two sisters, Stella Circoloff and Pearl Rudnick.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, with the Rev. Pierre G. Sodini officiating. Burial will be in West Point Cemetery, Avella.

CAT MASSAGE is good therapy for both of you - you and your cat will find it soothing. Touching your cat also brings you both closer together. Touching brings down the blood pressure and increases circulation. Massaging is also a good way to find any skin or hair problems, or even a lump while it is still very small and fixable. In fact, by the time you are through with the free instructions below, you can make any cat a friend for life!
To give a cat a massage:
Scratch behind his ear and you will have his undivided attention.
Rub the entire ear - even a little stroking on the inside of the tip.
Scratch the top of this head (between his ears).
Go on to his other ear.
Scratch the side of his face, below his whiskers.
Scratch under his chin.
Scratch the other side of his face.
(Even a cat you just met is now melting under your touch!)
Scratch his ears again, just a little.
Scratch the top of his head.
In a continuous and fluid motion, stroke from the top of his head down his entire back.
Stroke down his back only - several times - with your hand wide open to span across his entire back.
Stroke down his entire back and down the top of his tail - several times.
Stroke his entire tail (with your hand all the way around it) several times.
He is butter in your hands!
If he lays down, offering himself to you completely,take one leg at a time and stroke it from shoulder to paw. Stroke each leg several times.
Stroke anywhere else he will allow except his tummy, as this is usually seen as an invitation to play(undoing the calming effect of the massage).
You have made a friend for life!

If It Should Be
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle cannot be won
You will be sad, I understand
Don't let you grief then stay your hand
For this day more than all the rest
Your love for me must stand the test
We've had so many happy years
What is to come will have no fears
You'd not want me to suffer so
The time has come, please let me go
Take me where my needs they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until me eyes no longer see
The kindness that you did for me
Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved
Please do not grieve, it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do
We've been so close, we two these years
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.