The American Red Cross urges everyone to make water safety a priority over the holiday weekend, whether you are taking a dip in the pool, or spending the day at the beach.

“With so many families planning to visit beaches and pools, it’s important for parents to make water safety a priority,” says Scott Conner, Senior Vice President for Preparedness and Health and Safety Services for the Red Cross. “Learn how to swim and take water safety, first aid and CPR/AED training so you’ll know what to do in an emergency.”

The Red Cross offers these safety steps you can take to help ensure a fun-filled, safe time while you’re swimming:

Summer and swimming go hand in hand
– Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
– Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
– Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission
to go near water.
– Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
– Maintain constant supervision.
– Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
– If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
– Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
– If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
– Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
– Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
– Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn how to respond to emergencies.

Ocean fun calls for special safety tips
– Learn to swim, especially in the surf.
– Swim only at a lifeguard-protected beach, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
– Never swim alone.
– Be cautious at all times and check local weather conditions.
– Swim sober.
– Make sure to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
– Don’t dive headfirst, protect your neck. Check for depth and obstructions before diving. Go in feet first the first time.
– Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.
– Pay especially close attention to children and elderly persons when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause a loss of footing.
– Keep a lookout for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants. Leave animals alone.
– Make sure you always have enough energy to swim back to shore.

Rip currents are responsible for many lives lost on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. For your safety, be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:

– If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

Ah, the beach – sunglasses, sunscreen, flip flops
– Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
– Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
– Protect your eyes, wear sunglasses that will absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
– Wear foot protection. The sand can burn your feet and glass and other sharp objects can cut them.
– Watch for signs of heat stroke – hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person. Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.

As the temperatures soar, more and more of us will take to the water for some summer fun. For more information on Red Cross swim courses, or on how to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer, visit www.redcross.org.

Source: American Red Cross

Summer is an exciting time for kids – what are your child’s plans? Will he or she be spending time home alone or going to local parks and swimming pools with friends? The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers parents ten safety tips to help keep their children safe this summer.

1. MAKE SURE children know their full names, address, telephone numbers and how to use the telephone.

2. BE SURE children know what to do in case of an emergency and how to reach you using a cell phone or pager number. Children should have a neighbor or trusted adult they may call if they’re scared or there’s an emergency.

3. REVIEW the rules with your children about whose homes they may visit and discuss the boundaries of where they may and may not go in the neighborhood.

4. MAKE SURE children know to stay away from pools, creeks, or any body of water without adult supervision.

5. CAUTION children to keep the door locked and not to open the door or talk to anyone who comes to the door when they are home alone.

6. DON’T drop your children off at malls, movies, video arcades or parks.  These are not safe places for children to be alone. Make certain a responsible adult supervises your younger children at all times when they are outside and away from home.

7. TEACH your children in whose vehicle they may ride. Children should be cautioned to never approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult.

8. BE SURE your children know their curfew and check in with you if they are going to be late. If children are playing outside after dark, make sure they wear reflective clothing and stay close to home.

9. CHOOSE babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Many states now have registries for public access to check criminal history or sex-offender status. Observe the babysitter’s interaction with your children, and ask your children how they feel about the babysitter.

10. CHECK out camp and other summer programs before enrolling your children. See if a background screening check is completed on the individuals working with the children. Make sure there will be adult supervision of your children at all times, and make sure you are made aware of all activities and field trips offered by the camp or program.

“Child safety is important all year, but summer is an especially important time for parents and children to include safety in their activities,” according to Ernie Allen, President & CEO of NCMEC. “Always listen to your children and keep the lines of communication open. Your children are your best source for determining if everything is okay. Teach your children to get out of dangerous or uncomfortable situations right away and practice basic safety skills with them. Make sure they know they are able to tell you about anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.”

NCMEC also recommends that parents be sure all custody documents are in order and certified copies are available in case your children are not returned from a scheduled summer visit.

www.missingkids.com

www.netsmartz.org.

Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Results Coincide With the announcement of the Winners of the 2009 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science Fellowships, Which Celebrate the Achievement of exceptional female scientists in the UK and Ireland

L’Oréal and New Scientist today announce the results of a poll revealing the most inspirational female scientists of all time. Nuclear physicist and chemist Marie Curie topped the poll which was created to celebrate 10 years of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science programme, with around a quarter (25.1%) of the vote.

Voted for by more than 800 members of the scientific community and visitors to http://www.NewScientist.com, the poll highlights the absence of modern role models on the list; Astrophysicist Dame Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell (4.7%), responsible for the discovery of radiopulsars, and Jane Goodall, the primatologist (2.7 per cent) were the only scientists in the top ten to have research published in recent years, polled 4th and 10th, respectively.

The poll comes as data from the UK Resource Centre For Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, confirms that women remain under-represented in UK scientific research. Statistics reveal that women comprise less than 30% of those in SET research positions in UK Universities, with lower proportions at later career stages. While girls make up 42.4 per cent of GCE A level students in science, this drops to 33.5 per cent at higher education level. Furthermore, in the workforce, women make up only 18.5 per cent of those working in science and engineering overall.

Roger Highfield, Editor, New Scientist commented: “The poll indicates the vital need to celebrate and raise awareness of the many female scientists who have shaped modern science since Marie Curie, and who are making a bigger contribution than ever.

When we asked respondents to suggest who else should be included in our poll, the name of Rita Levi-Montalcini, the Italian neurologist who is the oldest living Nobel laureate, came up the most, with 1.5 per cent of the vote.”

The results of the poll coincide with the announcement of the winners of the four 2009 L’Oréal UNESCO UK and Ireland For Women In Science Fellowships (http://www.womeninscience.co.uk), at an awards ceremony held at the Royal Institution today. The fellowships promote the importance of ensuring greater participation of women in science and are run in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO, the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, the Royal Institution of Great Britain and the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Grita Loebsack, Country Manager, L’Oréal UK and Ireland commented: “Women are at the forefront of advances in many scientific disciplines, particularly in health and life sciences. L’Oréal’s business is founded on science, making programmes like For Women In Science fundamental to our future development.”

She added: “The aim of the poll was to celebrate the contribution women have made to scientific research but also to highlight the lack of modern role models to encourage young women to pursue careers in science. It is through programmes such as For Women In Science that we hope to draw more attention to the pioneering scientific research undertaken by women around the world and provide more visible role models for the female scientists of the future.”

Winners of the 2009 L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland For Women In Science Fellowships are:

Dr Nathalie Seddon, Tutorial Fellow, University of Oxford for her research into the evolution of animal communication

Dr Elizabeth Murchison, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute for her work on understanding the origins and development of transmittable cancers

Dr Jennifer Bizley, Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, University of Oxford for her research into the human perception of pitch, tone, and spatial location of a sound source

Dr Patricia Alireza, Honorary Research Associate, University College London for her research into new electronic transitions under extreme conditions of pressure, magnetic field and temperature.

Top Ten Most Inspirational Female Scientists:

1. Marie Curie 25.1
2. Rosalind Franklin 14.2
3. Hypatia Of Alexandria 9.4
4. Jocelyn Bell Burnell 4.7
5. Ada, Countess Lovelace – 4.5
6. Lise Meitner – 4.4
7. Dorothy Hodgkin – 3.8
8. Sophie Germain – 3.7
9. Rachel Carson – 3.4
10. Jane Goodall – 2.7

For more information on the top 10 most inspirational female scientists, as voted for by visitors to http://www.NewScientist.com in conjunction with L’Oréal, click on the links above or go to http://www.womeninscience.co.uk/bios.php

The poll was commissioned by L’Oréal and conducted by New Scientist, polling 838 visitors to http://www.newscientist.com in June 2009.

Source: L’Oreal and New Scientist

With the official start of summer underway and the Fourth of July holiday coming up, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) remind motorists to do their part to keep the roads safe this summer.

“During the summer months many families hit the roads for long weekends, holiday celebrations and summer vacations,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy. “Having a well maintained vehicle, planning ahead, and following traffic safety laws is the key to roadway safety for drivers and their passengers.”

Hot weather can be rough on cars. Higher temperatures speed up a car’s wear and tear, as fluids and lubricants break down more quickly. But by following your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule (see your car’s owner’s manual) and taking the following precautions, your car will be ready for a long, hot summer:

• Consider a pre-trip inspection by a qualified technician before you leave on a long trip.

• Operationally, check the air conditioning, and inspect the belts and hoses. You may want to have a service professional inspect the entire system.

• Inspect batteries and battery cables for corrosion, cracks and dirt. Hot weather can shorten a battery’s life, so have it tested if it’s near the end of its warranty.

• Have a licensed brake adjuster inspect your brake pads and linings for wear.

• Change the engine oil and filter according to the manufacturer’s service intervals and specifications. The service technician should also check the coolant, brake, automatic transmission, windshield wiper and power steering fluids.

• Replace ragged wiper blades.

• Check the air pressure in all tires, including the spare, to make sure they are properly inflated. Uneven or excessive treadwear are signs that it may be time for rotation or even replacement.

• Test your car’s interior and exterior lights, including turn signals and high beams, to make sure they work. This is also a good time to clean the lenses to get maximum visibility.

“While summer is a time for fun, travel and relaxation, we can never relax from our responsibilities on the road whether riding on two, four or eighteen wheels,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

OTS and CHP also recommend that you prepare for your trip by having the right resources on hand. This includes packing a flashlight, jumper cables, and flares, and having food, water, any needed medications and a cell phone in your vehicle.

Preparation also means planning your travel route and allowing plenty of time to get to your destination. Be familiar with the maps/directions and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.

With the increased numbers of drivers on the roads, it’s important to remember key traffic safety laws and practices. These include:

• Always buckle up, and if traveling with children, properly secure them in the back seat. California law requires children younger than 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds be properly secured in the back seat.

• When celebrating, do so responsibly, always plan ahead and designate a sober driver. If you spot a drunk driver, report them by calling 911.

• If talking on a wireless telephone, use a hands free device. Under California law, motorists over the age of 18 can use a hands free device to talk on wireless telephone while driving.

• When driving, do not send text messages, it’s distracting, dangerous and as of January 2009, it’s against the law.

• Motorcyclists need to follow California law and always wear a helmet. Preliminary numbers from CHP indicate more than 550 motorcyclists were killed in collisions statewide in 2008.

• To prevent motorcycle crashes, CHP and OTS encourage all motorcycle riders to participate in the California Motorcyclists Safety Program before beginning to ride or coming back to riding after a long time away.

• Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the roadway.

• Slow down and increase distances between cars.

• Avoid fatigue – get plenty of rest before a trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.

If motorists follow these safety tips, it will help keep our roadways safer during these summer months. This effort is part of the on-going California Strategic Highway Safety Plan, where hundreds of state and local agencies, advocacy groups and private industries helped develop tactics to significantly reduce deaths and injuries. For more traffic safety tips and information log on to www.ots.ca.gov or http://www.chp.ca.gov/.

Sources: California Office of Traffic Safety, Bureau of Automotive Repair, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As youth grow up in a digital environment, they have a world of opportunity, learning, and interaction at their fingertips, but with this constant access comes the challenge to protect and manage their digital reputation. AT&T*, iKeepSafe, and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) announced today at the ASCA conference the launch of Project PRO, interactive resources to help educate teens and parents about the potential consequences of their online reputations.

A recent survey reflects some startling teen online behavior that will have lasting consequences:

• 71 percent of teen girls and 67 percent of teen boys who have sent/posted sexually suggestive content (also known as “sexting”) say they have sent it to a boyfriend/girlfriend.

• 51 percent of teen girls say pressure from a guy is a reason they send sexually suggestive messages or images. Only 18 percent of teen boys cite pressure from female counterparts as a reason.

• 1 in 5 teens say they’ve “sexted” even though the majority knows it could be a crime.

Survey Statistics: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (1300 teens)

Sexting is just one of the aspects of digital reputation that can have long-term consequences as colleges, potential employers, friends and family members check an individual’s online reputation. While the resources address the behaviors that can have negative consequences, the materials focus heavily on providing tips and tools to help teens create a positive digital reputation that will benefit them in the future.

“The Internet is a wonderful tool for students, making research and communication available on a global scale,” said Brent Olson, AT&T assistant vice president of Public Policy and former chair and current vice-chair of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). “Of course, that access comes with challenges, so students need to learn how to create a positive digital dossier that will serve them now and in the years to come.”

The resources, stressing the importance of privacy and online reputation, will be distributed to over 2,000 school counselors at the conference and will reach over 25,000 school counselors nationwide. Educators will also receive professional development instruction by Davina Pruitt (Univ. of MD), an expert in the measurement of online education effectiveness and behavioral modification.

“We appreciate the efforts of iKeepSafe and AT&T to provide educators with critical resources bridging the gap of understanding and providing essential training and materials allowing educators to confidently address security and digital reputation in the classroom,” said Jim Bierma, ASCA president. “These two topics are leading concerns of our association members.”

“It’s critical that students understand the important role that digital reputation plays in their future opportunities,” said Marsali Hancock, iKeepSafe president. “It can either serve as a liability or a benefit for future opportunities. The Project PRO resources help educate and inform to create a generation of responsible, resilient, and ethical cyber-citizens.”

In addition to online safety services, AT&T provides free education programs for children, parents, communities and seniors. Materials and more information can be found at www.att.com/safety.

“16 & Pregnant: Life After Labor” Finale Special Hosted By Dr. Drew Pinsky Set To Air On Thursday, July 23 At 10PM ET/PT

Reflecting on one of the most controversial and thought-provoking topics, MTV President of Programming Tony DiSanto announced today that after only 3 episodes aired, the network is picking up a second season of the captivating series “16 and Pregnant.” In addition, MTV will also air “16 and Pregnant: Life After Labor” finale special, hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, on Thursday, July 23rd at 10PM ET/PT. “16 & Pregnant” can currently be seen on Thursdays at 10PM ET/PT.

The series follows the lives of teenage girls for 5-7 months as they navigate the unfamiliar territory and uncertainty of being pregnant. MTV captured every moment and reaction in real time, including several of the births and how the young mothers and fathers dealt with new parenthood. The series tackles a variety of issues including marriage, adoption, attending school and dealing with gossip. Cameras continued to follow the teens for a significant amount of time after they gave birth to document how they coped with taking care of their infants in addition to balancing adult responsibilities with teenage life.

The “16 and Pregnant: Life After Labor” finale special, hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, will be an issue-driven forum on teen pregnancy. All six of the teen mothers profiled on season one of the series will participate in this event. Dr. Drew will discuss each girl’s episode, specific issues and challenges and update us on what’s going on in their lives now. This open discussion will provide a platform to address the controversial topics that were shown in season one: birth control, adoption, abortion, marriage, religion, gossip, finances, high school graduation and employment. During the show, Dr. Drew will field questions by members of the live studio audience, as well as select emails from viewers.

Since its debut, “16 & Pregnant,” has garnered amazing ratings reaching an audience of over 31 million views and consistently taking the #1 spot in its time period among F12-34 and #1 across all of television among F18-24. In addition, the show has improved its time period by 162% among P12-34 and 184% among F12-34. “16 & Pregnant” has also found success online. Since premiering on June 11th, the show delivered over 3.4M streams to date, making it the second most streamed series on MTV.com within their time period underneath “The Hills.”

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy is working with MTV to support “16 & Pregnant.” In partnership with MTV, The National Campaign will continue to create viewing guides for each episode so educators, key organizations and individuals can use the show, which will be available rights free for distribution, as a platform to have an honest discussion around sexual health and pregnancy with teens. Additionally, The National Campaign launched an online resource supporting the show at www.stayteen.org to answer viewers’ most commonly asked questions surrounding pregnancy and provide young people with the information they need to be fully informed on this topic.

“16 & Pregnant” is Executive Produced by Morgan J Freeman. Tony DiSanto is President of Programming for MTV. Dia Sokol is Co-Executive Producer. Liz Gateley and Lauren Dolgen are Executives in charge for MTV. Jessica Zalkind is Executive for MTV. Concept by Lauren Dolgen.

Executive Producer Morgan J. Freeman (MTV’s Taking The Stage, Laguna Beach,) made a name for himself as the Sundance award-winning writer/director of Hurricane Streets, a film centered on the trails and tribulations of teenage life. Freeman’s latest film is called Homecoming, a thriller starring Mischa Barton and Jessica Stroup (90210) and is being released theatrical July 17th.

Source: MTV

With warmer weather finally here, company employees are quickly trying to shed unwanted winter weight to head to the beach. But a new study suggests that unhealthy snacks lingering around the office are derailing employees’ efforts to stay healthy.

The Peapod Biz Bites Survey, a study investigating workplace eating habits sponsored by Peapod Business Delivery, shows that approximately 2 out of 3 employees (63%) find it a challenge to eat healthy in the workplace. What’s more, only 7% of respondents claimed to eat healthier in the office than at home. Workers cite unhealthy snack options as the number one obstacle to eating healthy while at work.

“One of the best ways to support healthy lifestyles in the workplace is also one of the easiest,” says Cathy Leman, a Chicago-area registered dietitian and certified personal trainer who provides worksite nutrition services to local corporations and businesses. “When you control the environment that you spend 8 plus hours per day in, you automatically set yourself up for success. That means stocking the break room with healthy, accessible snack foods. Offer a variety of choices like fresh and dried fruit, yogurt, whole grain crackers, nuts, raw veggies with lowfat dip, hummus and baked pita chips, and oatmeal raisin cookies. Many of my corporate clients use Peapod Business Delivery for the convenience, but also because they know productive employees require healthy fuel!”

Findings from The Peapod Biz Bites Survey show that there are major disparities in the workplace between what people want and what they are getting.

• Nearly half of employees (47%) cite having too many tempting snack options in their workplaces as the top reason they are not able to eat healthy in the workplace

• Less than 3 out of 10 employees (28%) claim that they are fully satisfied with the amount of healthy snack options provided to them in the workplace

• The #1 food employees want in the workplace is fresh produce; however only 36% of companies that provide food for employees regularly purchase fruits and vegetables

• The least desired food item that employees want in the workplace is candy; yet 1 out of 3 businesses (35%) provide candy for their employees on a regular basis

Survey findings also show that employees whose companies use grocery delivery services such as Peapod Business Delivery, eat the healthiest while at work. Out of these respondents, more than half (54%) said they were satisfied with the amount of healthy food options their office provides for them. However, only 14% of respondents whose offices used other means to provide food in the office, claimed to be satisfied with the amount of healthy food options provided for them.

“More and more businesses (over 3000) are starting to rely on Peapod to provide their employees with a healthy balance of food options,” says Peapod President, Andrew Parkinson. “We carry thousands of grocery items, from soda and cold cuts to yogurt and paper towels. Interestingly, one of the most popular items for our workplace customers is our new best of the season fruit basket. “

The purposes of food are to promote growth, to supply force and heat, and to furnish material to repair the waste which is constantly taking place in the body.

Every breath, every thought, every motion, wears out some portion of the delicate and wonderful house in which we live. Various vital processes remove these worn and useless particles; and to keep the body in health, their loss must be made good by constantly renewed supplies of material properly adapted to replenish the worn and impaired tissues. This renovating material must be supplied through the medium of food and drink, and the best food is that by which the desired end may be most readily and perfectly attained. The great diversity in character of the several tissues of the body, makes it necessary that food should contain a variety of elements, in order that each part may be properly nourished and replenished.

The food elements.
The various elements found in food are the following: Starch, sugar, fats, albumen, mineral substances, indigestible substances.

The digestible food elements are often grouped, according to their chemical composition, into three classes; vis., carbonaceous, nitrogenous, and inorganic. The carbonaceous class includes starch, sugar, and fats; the nitrogenous, all albuminous elements; and the inorganic comprises the mineral elements.

Starch is only found in vegetable foods; all grains, most vegetables, and some fruits, contain starch in abundance. Several kinds of sugar are made in nature’s laboratory; cane, grape, fruit, and milk sugar. The first is obtained from the sugar-cane, the sap of maple trees, and from the beet root. Grape and fruit sugars are found in most fruits and in honey. Milk sugar is one of the constituents of milk. Glucose, an artificial sugar resembling grape sugar, is now largely manufactured by subjecting the starch of corn or potatoes to a chemical process; but it lacks the sweetness of natural sugars, and is by no means a proper substitute for them. Albumen is found in its purest, uncombined state in the white of an egg, which is almost wholly composed of albumen. It exists, combined with other food elements, in many other foods, both animal and vegetable. It is found abundant in oatmeal, and to some extent in the other grains, and in the juices of vegetables. All natural foods contain elements which in many respects resemble albumen, and are so closely allied to it that for convenience they are usually classified under the general name of “albumen.” The chief of these is gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, and barley. Casein, found in peas, beans, and milk, and the fibrin of flesh, are elements of this class.

Fats are found in both animal and vegetable foods. Of animal fats, butter and suet are common examples. In vegetable form, fat is abundant in nuts, peas, beans, in various of the grains, and in a few fruits, as the olive. As furnished by nature in nuts, legumes, grains, fruits, and milk, this element is always found in a state of fine subdivision, which condition is the one best adapted to its digestion. As most commonly used, in the form of free fats, as butter, lard, etc., it is not only difficult of digestion itself, but often interferes with the digestion of the other food elements which are mixed with it. It was doubtless never intended that fats should be so modified from their natural condition and separated from other food elements as to be used as a separate article of food. The same may be said of the other carbonaceous elements, sugar and starch, neither of which, when used alone, is capable of sustaining life, although when combined in a proper and natural manner with other food elements, they perform a most important part in the nutrition of the body. Most foods contain a percentage of the mineral elements. Grains and milk furnish these elements in abundance. The cellulose, or woody tissue, of vegetables, and the bran of wheat, are examples of indigestible elements, which although they cannot be converted into blood in tissue, serve an important purpose by giving bulk to the food.

With the exception of gluten, none of the food elements, when used alone, are capable of supporting life. A true food substance contains some of all the food elements, the amount of each varying in different foods.

Uses of the food elements.
Concerning the purpose which these different elements serve, it has been demonstrated by the experiments of eminent physiologists that the carbonaceous elements, which in general comprise the greater bulk of the food, serve three purposes in the body;

1. They furnish material for the production of heat;

2. They are a source of force when taken in connection with other food elements;

3. They replenish the fatty tissues of the body. Of the carbonaceous elements, starch, sugar, and fats, fats produce the greatest amount of heat in proportion to quantity; that is, more heat is developed from a pound of fat than from an equal weight of sugar or starch; but this apparent advantage is more than counterbalanced by the fact that fats are much more difficult of digestion than are the other carbonaceous elements, and if relied upon to furnish adequate material for bodily heat, would be productive of much mischief in overtaxing and producing disease of the digestive organs. The fact that nature has made a much more ample provision of starch and sugars than of fats in man’s natural diet, would seem to indicate that they were intended to be the chief source of carbonaceous food; nevertheless, fats, when taken in such proportion as nature supplies them, are necessary and important food elements.

The nitrogenous food elements especially nourish the brain, nerves, muscles, and all the more highly vitalized and active tissues of the body, and also serve as a stimulus to tissue change. Hence it may be said that a food deficient in these elements is a particularly poor food.

The inorganic elements, chief of which are the phosphates, in the carbonates of potash, soda, and lime, aid in furnishing the requisite building material for bones and nerves.

Proper combinations of foods.
While it is important that our food should contain some of all the various food elements,  experiments upon both animals and human beings show it is necessary that these elements, especially the nitrogenous and carbonaceous, be used in certain definite proportions, as the system is only able to appropriate a certain amount of each; and all excess, especially of nitrogenous elements, is not only useless, but even injurious, since to rid the system of the surplus imposes an additional task upon the digestive and excretory organs. The relative proportion of these elements necessary to constitute a food which perfectly meets the requirements of the system, is six of carbonaceous to one of nitrogenous. Scientists have devoted much careful study and experimentation to the determination of the quantities of each of the food elements required for the daily nourishment of individuals under the varying conditions of life, and it has come to be commonly accepted that of the nitrogenous material which should constitute one sixth of the nutrients taken, about three ounces is all that can be made use of in twenty-four hours, by a healthy adult of average weight, doing a moderate amount of work. Many articles of food are, however, deficient in one or the other of these elements, and need to be supplemented by other articles containing the deficient element in superabundance, since to employ a dietary in which any one of the nutritive elements is lacking, although in bulk it may be all the digestive organs can manage, is really starvation, and will in time occasion serious results.

It is thus apparent that much care should be exercised in the selection and combination of food materials. Such knowledge is of first importance  in the education of cooks and housekeepers, since to them falls the selection  of the food for the daily needs of the household; and they should not only understand what foods are best suited to supply these needs, but how to combine them in accordance with physiological laws.

ICON Information Consultants, a premier provider of Human Capital Solutions, today announced its President and CEO, Pamela Chambers O’Rourke, has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Award in the Business Services and Staffing category for the Houston and Gulf Coast Area. The award, which recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses, was presented to O’Rourke during a gala event at the InterContinental Houston Hotel on June 18.

“I am honored to be recognized with this prestigious award,” said O’Rourke, who founded ICON Information Consultants 11 years ago. “Being an entrepreneur is the best decision I ever made. It allows my team and me to fulfill our vision of what a consulting company should be. This award reflects ICON’s determination to stay at the top of our industry, always learning, always improving–and always putting our customers first.”

ICON specializes in identifying and recruiting highly qualified professionals at all levels in the areas of Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement along with a “specialized” Project Management division (iSolutions, Ltd). Under O’Rourke’s leadership, ICON has grown, prospered and has never experienced a single quarter without a profit by remaining steadfastly customer-oriented despite the ever-changing IT market. In fact, the company has reached “Top Tier” status and preferred vendor status with many of its clients.

Since the moment ICON opened its doors, the company has exceeded O’Rourke’s expectations and has outgrown any plan she has ever written. In its first year, the company had one staff member, O’Rourke herself, who without consultants or interoffice employees, achieved revenues totaling $2.5 million. Today, ICON boasts revenues in excess of $81.5 million, with more than 750 employees in 48 states.

“We are proud to recognize the achievements of Pamela Chambers O’Rourke,” said Doug Bogart, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year Program Director for the Houston and Gulf Coast Area. “Winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region’s economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”

As a Houston and Gulf Coast Area award winner, O’Rourke is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 National Program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 14, 2009.

In addition to Ernst & Young, several other organizations have recognized O’Rourke for her business savvy. She has been named “Women in Business Champion of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration; recognized as one of the “Top 25 Women Business Builders” by Fast Company Magazine; awarded the “Women’s Business Enterprise Star” from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council; named a “Women of Excellence” by Women’s Business Enterprise Magazine; and honored as the “Woman Business Advocate of the Year by the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance.

O’Rourke also is a leader in the community. She supports women business enterprise organizations and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and Women’s Business Council Southwest. In addition, O’Rourke is a Board member of AVANCE, a nonprofit Head Start program that serves economically disadvantaged children and families.

For more information, visit www.iconconsultants.com

As fireworks shows light the Fourth of July night sky in Los Angeles, the most spectacular views will be enjoyed soaring 1000 feet above the Pacific Coast aboard the Airship Ventures Zeppelin Eureka. Returning to the Southern California skies after a sold-out engagement in May, Eureka will offer flightseeing tours above L.A July 3-7, 2009.

The highlight of Eureka’s return trip to the L.A. skies is a special two-hour Independence Day fireworks flight that takes advantage of the Zeppelin’s 360-degree panoramas to offer passengers stunning views of fireworks shows up and down the L.A. coastline. The fireworks flight is one of many tours offered during the Zeppelin’s six-day excursion to Los Angeles, which also include one- and two-hour flightseeing tours and private charters. Flightseeing experiences offer magnificent views of Southern California landmarks, such as the historic Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor, the Sunset Strip, the Hollywood sign, as well as sweeping vistas of the Pacific Coast from Huntington Beach to Santa Monica.

For those seeking the ultimate Zeppelin experience, tours are available on the transit flights between Long Beach and the San Francisco Bay Area. Soaring above the California Coastline and Central Valley, these 8-hour cruises follow Highway 1 on July 1st (southbound), and July 8 (northbound) as the Zeppelin travels to and from Long Beach from her homebase at Moffett Field near San Francisco.

Los Angeles-area flights will depart from the AirFlite FBO terminal, adjacent to the main terminal at Long Beach Airport (3250 Airflite Way, Long Beach, CA 90807, at the corner of Cherry and Wardlow). One-hour flights are $495, plus tax, per person; two-hour flights are $990, plus tax, per person; and the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks flight is $1,200, plus tax, per person.

One- and two-hour flightseeing tours booked before June 30, 2009, will be eligible for the company’s “buy one flightseeing ticket, save 50% on the second,” promotional pricing (excluding the Fourth of July Fireworks Flight). Passengers on every flight will receive a certificate redeemable for a buy-one-get-one-free general admission to the Queen Mary, good through September 30, 2009.

At 246 feet in length, Airship Ventures’ Eureka is the world’s largest airship–15 feet longer than a Boeing 747, and dwarfing the largest blimp by more than 50 feet. One of only three Zeppelins currently operating in the world, Eureka offers passengers spectacular 360-degree views of the sights on flightseeing tours above the San Francisco Bay, Silicon Valley, Monterey and Los Angeles.

Source: Airship Ventures