In today’s column:
- Toledo High School: Highlights in Photos
- National Weather Service: Early Holiday Travel Alert *
- Health Corner: Sweet Stuff - How Sugars and Sweeteners Affect Your Health *
- Today: Toledo Thursday Market, City Planning Commission, Coffee House *
- Friday: Lions Club Turkey Bingo
- Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Forms, Fun & More *
Megan Wallace boasts 6 years with FCCLA, aiming at a seat at the State level this year.
Last night’s School Board meeting at Toledo High School included a favorable report on the District’s Life Skills Program, a directive to Board members to nominate candidates for the proposed High School Alumnus Wall of Wall of Fame, & a showcase of student coursework.
FCCLA Dine-In Dinner December 4. Benefits Toledo Senior Center.
Final Day: Get your Poinsettias delivered right to the High School!
Special Meeting December 9, 2019 @ Toledo High School to evaluate Parent Survey Data.
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Timberland Bank Giving Tree is up & ready for business...
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Timberland Bank Giving Tree is up & ready for business...
...of collecting Christmas gifts for local children. Stop in, sign up, bring a smile to a child.
***
National Weather Service: Early Holiday Travel Alert
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National Weather Service: Early Holiday Travel Alert
Do your Thanksgiving travel plans involve the mountains next week? Several rounds of snow are possible with snow levels lowering below the passes. Plan ahead now and make sure to keep an eye on the forecast!
***
Health Corner: Sweet Stuff - How Sugars and Sweeteners Affect Your Health
Most of us love sweet foods and drinks. But after that short burst of sweetness, you may worry about how sweets affect your waistline and your overall health. Is sugar truly bad for us? How about artificial or low-calorie sweeteners? What have scientists learned about the sweet things that most of us eat and drink every day?
Our bodies need one type of sugar, called glucose, to survive. “Glucose is the number one food for the brain, and it’s an extremely important source of fuel throughout the body,” says Dr. Kristina Rother, an NIH pediatrician and expert on sweeteners.
But there’s no need to add extra glucose to your diet. Your body can extract glucose from the sugars and other carbohydrates in your food. It can also produce new glucose, mostly in the liver. That’s why you can survive for a long time without eating.
Some sugars are found naturally in foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and milk. “These non-processed natural foods are healthful additions to your diet,” says Dr. Andrew Bremer, a pediatrician and NIH expert on sweeteners. “When you eat an orange, for instance, you’re getting a lot of nutrients and dietary fiber along with the natural sugars.”
Although sugar itself isn’t bad, Rother says, “sugar has a bad reputation that’s mostly deserved, because we consume too much of it. It’s now in just about every food we eat.”
Added Sugars
Experts agree that Americans eat and drink way too much sugar, and it’s contributing to the obesity epidemic. Much of the sugar we eat isn’t found naturally in food but is added during processing or preparation.
Sugars are usually added to make foods and drinks taste better. But such products can be high in calories and lack the healthful benefits of fruits and other naturally sweet foods.
Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. Juices naturally contain a lot of sugar. But sometimes, even more is added to make them taste sweeter.
“Juices offer some vitamins and other nutrients, but in general, I think those benefits are greatly offset by the harmful effects of too much sugar,” Bremer says.
Over time, excess sweeteners can take a toll on your health. “Several studies have found a direct link between excess sugar consumption and obesity and cardiovascular problems worldwide,” Bremer explains.
Cutting Back
Because of these harmful effects, many health organizations recommend that Americans cut back on added sugars. About 15% of the calories in the American adult diet now come from added sugars. Experts recommend a daily limit on added sugar of no more than 10% of calories.
But added sugars can be hard to identify. On a list of ingredients, they may be listed as sucrose (table sugar), corn sweetener, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit-juice concentrates, nectars, raw sugar, malt syrup, maple syrup, fructose sweeteners, liquid fructose, honey, molasses, or anhydrous dextrose. Added sugar can also be listed with any word ending in “-ose,” the chemical suffix for sugars. If any of these words are among the first few ingredients on a food label, the food is likely high in sugar. To find the total amount of sugar in a food, look for “Sugars” on the Nutrition Facts label under the category “Total Carbohydrate.”
Many people try cutting back on calories by switching from sugar-sweetened to diet foods and drinks that contain low- or no-calorie sweeteners. These artificial sweeteners—also known as sugar substitutes—are many times sweeter than table sugar, so smaller amounts can create the same level of sweetness.
People have debated the safety of artificial sweeteners for decades. To date, researchers have found no clear evidence that any artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause cancer or other serious health problems like birth defects in humans.
But can they help with weight loss? The scientific evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest that diet drinks can help you drop pounds in the short term. But their long-term effects on weight—and other health aspects—are unclear. Rother and other NIH-funded researchers are now working to better understand the complex effects that artificial sweeteners may have on the human body.
Studies of rodents and small numbers of people suggest that artificial sweeteners can affect the gut microbes that help us digest food. This in turn can alter the body’s ability to use glucose, which might then lead to weight gain. But until further studies are done in people, the long-term impact of these sweeteners on gut microbes and weight remains uncertain.
Beyond the Gut
“There’s much controversy about the health effects of artificial sweeteners and the differences between sugars and sweeteners,” says Dr. Ivan de Araujo at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. “Some animal studies indicate that sweeteners can produce physiological effects. But depending on what kind of measurement is taken, including in humans, the outcomes may be conflicting.”
De Araujo and others have been studying the effects that sugars and low-calorie sweeteners might have on the brain. They are finding that sugar and sweeteners tap differently into the brain’s reward circuitry, with sugars having a more powerful and pleasurable effect.
“The part of the brain that mediates the ‘I can’t stop’ kinds of behaviors seems to be especially sensitive to sugars and largely insensitive to artificial sweeteners,” de Araujo says. “Our long-term goal is really to understand if sugars or caloric sweeteners drive persistent intake of food. If exposed to too much sugar, does the brain eventually change in ways that lead to excess consumption? That’s what we’d like to know.”
Some research suggests that the intensely sweet taste of artificial, low-calorie sweeteners can lead to a “sweet tooth,” or a preference for sweet things. This in turn might lead to overeating. But more studies are needed to confirm the relative effects of caloric versus non-caloric sweeteners.
Don’t Sugarcoat It
“In the long run, if you want to lose weight, you need to establish a healthy lifestyle that contains unprocessed foods, moderate calories, and more exercise,” Rother says.
When kids grow up eating a lot of sweet foods, they tend to develop a preference for sweets. But if you give them a variety of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables early in life, they’ll develop a liking for them, too.
“It’s important for parents to expose children to a variety of tastes early on but realize that it often takes several attempts to get a child to eat such foods,” Bremer says. “Don’t give up too soon.”
The key to good health is eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods and getting plenty of physical activity. Focus on nutrition-rich whole foods without added sugars. Get tips on healthy eating and weight control.
*Reprinted by permission from National Institutes of Health News In Health
*Disclaimer: As always, check with your medical practitioner before embarking on lifestyle changes. Health Corner topics are intended to raise questions rather than answer them definitively. Things change. New knowledge arises. Ancient wisdom is revived.
And miracles take place against all odds.
***
Toledo Community Library offers a quiet sanctuary amid the Back-To-School bustle. Enjoy a fresh-brewed cup of your favorite hot beverage and grab a comfortable chair, peruse the on-going Book (& DVD & game) Sale - now by donation - while appreciating WiFi access.
Needlework sessions span the arts, including rug-making:
***
Health Corner: Sweet Stuff - How Sugars and Sweeteners Affect Your Health
Most of us love sweet foods and drinks. But after that short burst of sweetness, you may worry about how sweets affect your waistline and your overall health. Is sugar truly bad for us? How about artificial or low-calorie sweeteners? What have scientists learned about the sweet things that most of us eat and drink every day?
Our bodies need one type of sugar, called glucose, to survive. “Glucose is the number one food for the brain, and it’s an extremely important source of fuel throughout the body,” says Dr. Kristina Rother, an NIH pediatrician and expert on sweeteners.
But there’s no need to add extra glucose to your diet. Your body can extract glucose from the sugars and other carbohydrates in your food. It can also produce new glucose, mostly in the liver. That’s why you can survive for a long time without eating.
Some sugars are found naturally in foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and milk. “These non-processed natural foods are healthful additions to your diet,” says Dr. Andrew Bremer, a pediatrician and NIH expert on sweeteners. “When you eat an orange, for instance, you’re getting a lot of nutrients and dietary fiber along with the natural sugars.”
Although sugar itself isn’t bad, Rother says, “sugar has a bad reputation that’s mostly deserved, because we consume too much of it. It’s now in just about every food we eat.”
Added Sugars
Experts agree that Americans eat and drink way too much sugar, and it’s contributing to the obesity epidemic. Much of the sugar we eat isn’t found naturally in food but is added during processing or preparation.
Sugars are usually added to make foods and drinks taste better. But such products can be high in calories and lack the healthful benefits of fruits and other naturally sweet foods.
Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. Juices naturally contain a lot of sugar. But sometimes, even more is added to make them taste sweeter.
“Juices offer some vitamins and other nutrients, but in general, I think those benefits are greatly offset by the harmful effects of too much sugar,” Bremer says.
Over time, excess sweeteners can take a toll on your health. “Several studies have found a direct link between excess sugar consumption and obesity and cardiovascular problems worldwide,” Bremer explains.
Cutting Back
Because of these harmful effects, many health organizations recommend that Americans cut back on added sugars. About 15% of the calories in the American adult diet now come from added sugars. Experts recommend a daily limit on added sugar of no more than 10% of calories.
But added sugars can be hard to identify. On a list of ingredients, they may be listed as sucrose (table sugar), corn sweetener, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit-juice concentrates, nectars, raw sugar, malt syrup, maple syrup, fructose sweeteners, liquid fructose, honey, molasses, or anhydrous dextrose. Added sugar can also be listed with any word ending in “-ose,” the chemical suffix for sugars. If any of these words are among the first few ingredients on a food label, the food is likely high in sugar. To find the total amount of sugar in a food, look for “Sugars” on the Nutrition Facts label under the category “Total Carbohydrate.”
Many people try cutting back on calories by switching from sugar-sweetened to diet foods and drinks that contain low- or no-calorie sweeteners. These artificial sweeteners—also known as sugar substitutes—are many times sweeter than table sugar, so smaller amounts can create the same level of sweetness.
People have debated the safety of artificial sweeteners for decades. To date, researchers have found no clear evidence that any artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause cancer or other serious health problems like birth defects in humans.
But can they help with weight loss? The scientific evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest that diet drinks can help you drop pounds in the short term. But their long-term effects on weight—and other health aspects—are unclear. Rother and other NIH-funded researchers are now working to better understand the complex effects that artificial sweeteners may have on the human body.
Studies of rodents and small numbers of people suggest that artificial sweeteners can affect the gut microbes that help us digest food. This in turn can alter the body’s ability to use glucose, which might then lead to weight gain. But until further studies are done in people, the long-term impact of these sweeteners on gut microbes and weight remains uncertain.
Beyond the Gut
“There’s much controversy about the health effects of artificial sweeteners and the differences between sugars and sweeteners,” says Dr. Ivan de Araujo at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. “Some animal studies indicate that sweeteners can produce physiological effects. But depending on what kind of measurement is taken, including in humans, the outcomes may be conflicting.”
De Araujo and others have been studying the effects that sugars and low-calorie sweeteners might have on the brain. They are finding that sugar and sweeteners tap differently into the brain’s reward circuitry, with sugars having a more powerful and pleasurable effect.
“The part of the brain that mediates the ‘I can’t stop’ kinds of behaviors seems to be especially sensitive to sugars and largely insensitive to artificial sweeteners,” de Araujo says. “Our long-term goal is really to understand if sugars or caloric sweeteners drive persistent intake of food. If exposed to too much sugar, does the brain eventually change in ways that lead to excess consumption? That’s what we’d like to know.”
Some research suggests that the intensely sweet taste of artificial, low-calorie sweeteners can lead to a “sweet tooth,” or a preference for sweet things. This in turn might lead to overeating. But more studies are needed to confirm the relative effects of caloric versus non-caloric sweeteners.
Don’t Sugarcoat It
“In the long run, if you want to lose weight, you need to establish a healthy lifestyle that contains unprocessed foods, moderate calories, and more exercise,” Rother says.
When kids grow up eating a lot of sweet foods, they tend to develop a preference for sweets. But if you give them a variety of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables early in life, they’ll develop a liking for them, too.
“It’s important for parents to expose children to a variety of tastes early on but realize that it often takes several attempts to get a child to eat such foods,” Bremer says. “Don’t give up too soon.”
The key to good health is eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods and getting plenty of physical activity. Focus on nutrition-rich whole foods without added sugars. Get tips on healthy eating and weight control.
*Reprinted by permission from National Institutes of Health News In Health
*Disclaimer: As always, check with your medical practitioner before embarking on lifestyle changes. Health Corner topics are intended to raise questions rather than answer them definitively. Things change. New knowledge arises. Ancient wisdom is revived.
And miracles take place against all odds.
***
Toledo Community Library offers a quiet sanctuary amid the Back-To-School bustle. Enjoy a fresh-brewed cup of your favorite hot beverage and grab a comfortable chair, peruse the on-going Book (& DVD & game) Sale - now by donation - while appreciating WiFi access.
Needlework sessions span the arts, including rug-making:
Toledo Community Library open until 6 PM Wednesday, 5 PM Thursday & Saturday.
And tell Charlie I sent you.
***
Today: Toledo Thursday Market @ Steamboat Landing, 115 Ramsey Way 2 - 6 PM
City of Toledo Planning Commission 7 PM @ City Council Chambers
Toledo High School hosts Coffee House 7 - 9 PM
And tell Charlie I sent you.
***
Today: Toledo Thursday Market @ Steamboat Landing, 115 Ramsey Way 2 - 6 PM
City of Toledo Planning Commission 7 PM @ City Council Chambers
Toledo High School hosts Coffee House 7 - 9 PM
Apple Crisp w/ Salted Caramel Ice Cream and all manner of local talent.
7 - 9-ish PM on November 21.
Hosted by Toledo High School
***
Friday: Turkey Bingo Fundraiser @ THS by Toledo Lions Club
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Reminder: Lewis County Leaf Exchange November 23
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Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Fun & More
***
Lewis County Water Alliance - We are a citizens group in Randle, WA fighting to keep Crystal Geyser from bottling and exporting our water. Our goal is to protect our water and environment for our families, our farms, our fish, and our future.
Update: Lewis County Water Alliance has received so much support from other towns & regions seeking to halt commercial water interests that Washington Water Alliance has been created.
*Special thanks to Deanna Busdieker, who condensed posts & threads into a shared folder: Link here.
Updated several times daily. The Other Toledo is committed to supporting our upriver neighbors in their challenge to preserve this precious natural resource. After all, we all live downstream.
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Wendy Carolan: Lewis County Kinship Support Group
There are many of us out here raising grandkids or other family members.
Join us as we share support and resources.
***
TES PTO invited: ISO Girl Scout Leaders
Toledo is looking for Girl Scout leaders. One person doesn’t need to be in charge, multiple people can lead a troop and split responsibilities. Let myself (Tina Lyon) or Kelly Schey know if you are interested or have questions.
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The Cat's Meow Spay, Neuter & Adoption Project: Drive For New Clinic
We want to do more for the community!
Fixing 120 cats a month is not enough...we want to do 120 a week!
We NEED a spay/neuter facility in Lewis County.
If every person whose life we've touched would donate just $5 a month...or sign up with smile.Amazon and igive.com, we could have one up and running by this time next year!
Here's how: www.catsmeowsnap.org/join-us
Thank you for helping us help kittens & cats of SW Washington and the people who care for and love them!
Q: Is the Cat's Meow a 501(c)(3)?
A: yes, since 2011!
***
Visiting Hooves Miniature Therapy Horses & Bunnies:
*GoFundMe: Therapy animal Nonprofit devastated by hardships
***
Bateaux Cellars: Fall Events
We’ve got events galore to keep you entertained all fall and winter long.
Mark your calendars now and look out for sign up info for some of these events soon:
- Sunday 12/8, 1-5pm, Shop Local Holiday Bazaar at Bateaux!
All the events, all fall and winter!
***
Dancing Moon Yoga posted: Yoga Sessions Expanding In Toledo
Hello, friends! I have a couple of offerings to share with you all:
WOMEN’S GROUP: I am currently facilitating a weekly women’s yoga session in Toledo. Our focus is on feminine embodiment through a sensual fusion of vinyasa and kundalini. Our Friday morning group is currently full, but we are going to be adding a second weekly session! The new group will meet on Tuesday evenings starting in December. Interested? You can sign up for the Tuesday evening session or be added to the waitlist for Friday mornings by sending me a DM. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding these sessions! I have been pouring my heart and soul into them and I am beyond excited to expand this work and continue sharing it with the amazing women in our community.
GENTLE YOGA: Every Monday and Wednesday morning I offer very gentle yoga at the Cowlitz Tribal Housing facility (aka The Mission or St. Mary’s) out on Jackson Hwy from 10am - 11am. These classes are sponsored by the Cowlitz Tribe and are FREE to the community! The class content has been designed with elders in mind, as this is an elders housing facility. But community members of all ages and backgrounds are welcome! I have had students in this particular class ranging in age from 7 to 92. Please DM me with any questions.
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Looking Ahead: Annual Santa’s Workshop @ Morgan Arts Centre
Santa’s Workshops are taught in early December by Di & Mike Morgan at the Morgan Arts Centre, located at 190 Plomondon Rd. in Toledo, Washington.
We accept children ages 6 to 16 accompanied by a parent or adult helper.
A light snack and all materials are included.
Class size is limited to 18 so preregistration is recommended.
Pre-register by calling 360-864-4278 or e-mail di@morganartscentre.com
***
Thru December 20: Fundraising for Foster Kids in Crisis @ Donna’s Place
November 22: Turkey Bingo Fundraiser @ THS by Toledo Lions Club
November 23: Wood Sorrel Forest Feast @ Camp Singing Wind
November 23-24: Holiday Artists’ Market @ Morgan Arts Centre
November 28: Free Thanksgiving Dinner @ St. Francis Mission. RSVP 360.864.4126
November 29: Fish Black Friday For Big Rainbow Trout @ South Lewis County Park Pond
December 4: Silk Scarf Dyeing Workshop @ MAC. Contact di@morganartscentre.com
December 7: Toledo Walk N Knock 2019 benefiting Toledo Food Bank
December 7: Christmas Time In Toledo @ Toledo High School - Toledo Senior Center
December 7: Paint Night sponsored by the THS Class of 2021
December 7: Lewis County Holiday Gala 2019 @ Hotel Washington (*Helps Cat’s Meow)
December 26 - January 12: Styrofoam + Christmas Tree Recycling @ LC Transfer
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Toledo Builds a High School
Information regarding the building of a new high school in Toledo, WA beginning in November, 2018. Regular updates.
https://chris-rust.blogspot.com/
***
Toledo Thursday Market 2019 TTM Vendor Application.
Toledo Thursday Market 2019 Application PDF link here.
Tax-deductible GoFundMe page here.
***
Check out Latest Earthquakes at USGS.
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network has a new Tremor Map: https://tinyurl.com/y2pcbust
Check out US Tsunami Warnings at NOAA/Weather.
Air Quality Forecast at https://airquality.weather.gov
Cliff Mass Weather & Climate Blog: https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/
Visualize wildfire smoke with NASAWorldview - https://go.nasa.gov/2T7olog
Emergency Alerts: https://www.ready.gov/alerts (concise list with links)
Lewis County Burn Restrictions lifted 09.18.2019. Check here for changes.
Keep abreast of burn bans statewide: WA Burn Bans
WDFW: Dangerous wildlife
To report poaching in progress and emergency dangerous wildlife complaints, dial 911.
For non-emergency poaching or violation reporting, or non-emergency dangerous wildlife complaints, call 877-933-9847, or submit an online report. You can also text your poaching/violation tip to 847411 (TIP411).
Dangerous wildlife incident reports
Review wolf, cougar, and grizzly bear incidents in Washington state.
Response to dangerous wildlife complaints
WDFW policy directs agency employees to respond appropriately to dangerous wildlife incidents.
Cougar Management Removal Permit Program
Cougar removals may be conducted if warranted by a human-cougar interactions or a livestock or pet depredation.
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