Tag Archives: food

Does BPA in Water Bottles cause Childhood Obesity?

If I told you that material found in water bottles and food packages contributed to childhood obesity would you believe me?  Recently scientists have performed some experiments suggesting that a chemical  called bisphenol A, or BPA, is related to health problems and obesity in children and adults. For the experiment, they measured BPA in urine and found that the children with higher levels of the BPA were more likely to be obese than children with lower or no amounts of BPA. This July the Food and Drug Administration banned products with BPA in it, such as some water bottles, sippy cups, and aluminum soup cans.   The FDA actually didn’t ban the use of the chemicals in metal-can liners and other plastics, saying that there wasn’t much proof that the exposure to lower levels of BPA was unsafe.

Normally I would find it hard to believe that plain old water bottles and packages could contribute to America’s obesity problem. But after learning that kids who have higher percentages of BPA are more obese, I thought again. I think that it’s weird that every day reusable water bottles can make you more obese. Even though they are going to ban BPA, many people still will use old products and hand me downs that will affect them. If you need more information about the link between BPA and obesity, check out BPA and Obesity

~Lily Kurtz

Rogue State Armed With Increasingly Dangerous Ballistic Missiles

North Korea’s interest in a nuclear weapons program reaches as far back in time as the end of World War II. Since then, Pyongyang has mastered the nuclear fuel cycle and has both plutonium and enriched uranium programs capable of producing missile material. North Korea declared that it had roughly 38.5kg of weapons-grade plutonium extracted from spent fuel rods in May 2008 , however other estimates have varied. North Korea has conducted two nuclear weapons tests, in 2006 and 2009. The Six-Party Talks between North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia, and the United States began in 2003 with the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. However, these talks have been suspended since April 2009. On trips to China in 2010 and 2011, Kim Jong-Il indicated his desire to resume the Six Party Talks, but South Korea insisted on an apology from North Korea for the 2010 shelling of Yeonpyeong Island and the inclusion of enrichment activities in the discussion before agreeing to resume the negotiations. More recently, initial uncertainties about North Korea’s nuclear program after the death of Kim Jong Il were tempered when Pyongyang agreed to suspend nuclear tests, uranium enrichment, and long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid from the U.S. on 29 February 2012 . While this was a step in the right direction, previous agreements had been made before only to be broken at a later date.

To celebrate the birth of the founding leader, Kim Il Sung, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a new Earth-observing satellite into space atop a long-range rocket, despite open condemnation from countries such as the United States and South Korea; whom believe it was a disguised ballistic missile test. Regardless, the launch failed; obviously an incredible embarrassment for the prideful North. But, the United Nations has now suspended the much needed food aid. This is a prime example of a dictatorial power causing sufferance and oppression among their people. The desperate people of North Korea are deprived of the basic necessities of life; after the government food distribution program failed shortly after the death of Kim Il Sung, they had to fend for themselves. The tons of food aid that was to be given to North Korea in exchange for the ceasing of research related to ballistic missiles would have gone a long way in a country of such mass poverty. The people do not deserve to suffer any more than they do in their ordinary lives, things we as Americans take for granite are only given to the highest of officials; such as running water and fluctuating electricity.

Our first president, George Washington, warned the American people to be neutral and remain without permanent allies. Yet this conflicts with a recently released statement by the White House, “The US remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations, and is fully committed to the security our allies in the region,” Carney said in a statement. General Washington’s warnings should be heeded, for this rogue state has the potential to threaten the very security of mainland United States. This should be our most important objective, not preparing for invasion by having around 40,000 US troops of the demilitarized zone; which splits the peninsula in two. This will only complicate the already severed and estranged diplomatic relationship with the North. Let us allow the Koreans to handle the Korean situation.

~Jake Rinaldi

Keep An Eye On What You Eat!

Pesticides, chemicals, and fake dyes: these are three of the many things that people today put into their bodies without knowing it. Have you ever wondered what really is in your food? At the grocery store, apples, oranges, and other fruits look bright and are full of attractive colors. In nature, apples are not usually fire-engine red and oranges are not perfectly orange. So, why do they appear like this in the grocery store? There is only one answer, and that is because before they are shipped to your local Stop&Shop, producers spray the fruits and vegetables with chemicals to repel bugs, but these harsh pesticides are terrible for your body. In some cases, the pesticide is sprayed while the crop is growing, but it is mostly applied after the fruit or vegetable is harvested so it will remain “fresh” and bug-free. Over a long period of time, ingesting these chemicals could cause serious health problems. A few of the many diseases that have been linked to these chemicals are cancers and Parkinson’s disease. If you can not pronounce the name of one of the ingredients, it would most likely been in your best interest not to eat it!

As shown in the picture above, washing fruit and vegetables before eating them is key to keeping bad chemicals out of your digestive system. Also, companies are beginning to sell fruit and vegetable spray washes, which hopefully remove these pesticides from the skin of the fruit. In the worst case, these chemicals could seep through the skin of the fruit, such as a strawberry or blueberry, and contaminate the inside. This is where buying completely organic fruits and vegetables would come into the best interest of the consumer. Many companies who realize the concern about pesticides have found ways to keeps bugs and animals away but still refrain from soaking the produce in harsh chemicals. Another way to keep from digesting these chemicals is to peel the outer layer of the fruit or vegetable off, this may also be removing the pesticides. Many people do not realize how dangerous these sprays are, because normally, this topic is not prominent. Reading stories about how chemicals on fruit have affected the brain and body of people is very sad and scary. So, I think that keeping an eye out for the brands of fruit that you buy is a good idea, and later in life, you will be able to maintain a healthier body without the extra worry. As the saying goes, “You are what you eat” and in this case, you definitely do not want to be what you eat.

~Micaela Estrada

Half the Moon, Full Deliciousness!

Although many of you may not know this restaurant; the Half Moon, of Wallingford, has excellent Italian food. You can get pasta, pizza, paninis, soup, salad, and so much more! Right next to Half Moon is a little bakery, Mr. D’s, that has everything from ice cream to cupcakes to toys. That is definitely one strange combination! They have the best Red Velvet cupcakes! And how convenient: a bakery right next to a restaurant?! Dinner and dessert anyone?

My favorite dish would have to be the Penne alla Vodka. This is made up of penne pasta (duh!) and the sauce. The Penne alla Vodka sauce is made with regular tomato sauce, vodka, and cream. The ingredients come together to form a salmony-pink, thick sauce. This pasta dish is super delicious when topped with grated cheese. Half Moon creates this dish to a ‘T’. The overall experience of Half Moon is interesting. When you walk in, there’s a jumble of tables. At the counter, there are menus and the specials board. Normally, there’s a line, so you wait in the line, tell the person behind the counter what you want, pay, and then sit at a table. Both your drinks and bread will be brought out, followed by your meal. Half Moon also sells tea, coffee, and gelato! My favorite type of gelato is chocolate, but some other common flavors are pistachio and coffee. I’ve been to the Half Moon countless times and aside from a few issues with bad service, I normally have a great time. If you’re looking for some delicious Italian food, Half Moon is the place to go!

~Jen Cavazuti

Everything Closing?

Lately, in Cheshire many stores and restaurants have been closing. Popular places like Owen’s Main St. Deli, Toyz toy store, and Christy’s restaurant. Most of these places have been open for awhile. Toyz has been in Cheshire forever, it is the only toy store in Cheshire. Toyz was a store where you find a gift for any child no matter what because they had a wide varity of toys for all ages. Christy’s restaurant happens to be located close to Toyz. However, Christy’s hasn’t been open for a long time, opening a couple years ago. This small shop sold ice cream, fried dough, wings, etc. Owen’s Deli has been in Cheshire for awhile also; selling anything you can find at a deli and more. Being a popular lunch spot. So why are they all closing?

All things we love will eventually come to a end. In the summer I would always go to Christy’s with friends and family. When I was younger I would always go to Toyz and get gifts from Toyz. Toyz will always have a great memory in my mind. Owen’s Deli was one of my favorite lunch spots. My dad would always bring me to Owen’s to get their amazing steamed cheese burgers. I think these great places just went out of business period. Toyz’s owner, I know has another store in Walingford called Mr.D’s In my opinion these places just weren’t getting business, many Cheshire family’s go out of town for food, toys, etc. Also many stores in Cheshire have inflated prices that many people won’t pay extra for. But as for Christy’s, Toyz, and Owen’s Deli, sadly, the great places probably wont come back, but hopefully new places will come tho Cheshire.

~Jenny Vignola