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Ask BETTY What’s mesclun? Bryant, S.D. Mesclun is the French word for a specialty or gourmet salad mix. It’s usually a blend of young, tender, small salad greens such as arugula, dandelion, oak leaf, sorrel and radicchio. You’ll find it in the grocery store produce department in bulk or in a bag. Because the greens are different sizes, shapes and colors — ranging from pale green to beet red — mesclun adds pizzazz to everyday salads. Dear Betty,I’m doing a project for class and was wondering if you could tell me what some of the foods of the future might be? Mechanicsburg, Pa. Researchers are discovering that foods of the future might actually be familiar foods of the past, such as oatmeal, milk and good old fruits and vegetables. Why? Because many of these foods — in addition to helping maintain good health — may actually reduce the risk of some diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Here’s a quick overview of some of these "health" foods and what they may do for us: • Whole grains may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Look for whole-grain breads and cereals that list a whole-grain ingredient first, and try to eat three servings a day. • Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis — the loss of bone density — because calcium builds bones, and vi-tamin D helps your body absorb it. Milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium. Calcium-fortified cereals and orange juice also are good options. You should try to get 1,000 to 1,300 mg. of calcium a day. • Fruits and vegetables contain lots of good stuff. Beta carotene and vitamins C and E are antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage, help keep your immune system healthy and may reduce your cancer risk. Lutein, found in broccoli and dark, leafy green vegetables, and lycopene in tomatoes also may play a role in helping keep cells healthy. Aim for at least two servings of fruits and three of vegetables each day. • Fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains gives you a one-two punch. Insoluble fiber, which passes pretty much undigested through your system, may help reduce the risk of some cancers. Soluble fiber — found in oats, peas, beans, some fruits and psyllium (a grain) — can help reduce blood cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. Your diet should include 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day. Betty Crocker Want more ideas? www.BettyCrocker.com Questions? 1-888-ASK BETTY Timely Tips WRINKLES BEGONE - If you leave your clothes in the dryer too long, they’ll come out all wrinkled. However, everyone forgets once in a while. If you do, put the clothes back in the dryer with some damp towels and dry again on medium heat for a few minutes. It’ll solve the problem. Jan K. * * * NO-STICK WOK - To prevent food from sticking when using a wok, preheat it over high heat for 30 seconds before adding the oil. Patty L. * * * THOUGHTFUL WRAPPINGS - Whenever I send a package to family or neighbors who’ve moved away, I wrap it in our local newspaper. This way, they can catch up with what’s going on in their hometown. Susan O. * * * EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE - My toddler is too young to write thank-you notes. However, I want him to learn the importance of doing so. Whenever the occasion arises where he’s gotten gifts, I hand him some blank note cards, in which I’ve already written a thank you, and let him add a little picture in crayon. When he gets older, he’ll be able to write his own, and the habit will already be ingrained. Lynda C. * * * Share your special Timely Tip with our readers. Send it to Kate c/o DBR Media, Inc., P.O. Box 21, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533, or e-mail: deckert@ dbrmedia.com.
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