Tina just informed me that Sonic has a new BBQ Chip Seasoned Tots. Yes, warm, and crispy tots (just like the potato kind) tossed in sweet and savory BBQ Chip seasoning. Ore-Ida has the trademark ‘Tator Tots’ so we shouldn’t call them that. You can also add sliced cheese, chili, onions, jalapenos, or shredded cheddar, when you place your order. Get early access to this new dish when you order on the app. I’m so hungry. While I was looking this up, I came across a recipe for Dirty Tots. I won’t bore you with the whole recipe, but it sounded fantastic. Dry-rub a pork shoulder, sear it in olive oil, cook on high in crock pot for 8 hours, make a homemade (or your favorite) BBQ sauce, shred the meat. Then cook your tots flipping them halfway through, adding shredded Mexican cheese the last two minutes of cooking time. Spread the shredded pork on top of tots, drizzle with chipotle aioli and garnish with chopped green onions. Yikes. I’m starving. This would be great party food. Bet you could add sour cream, or unflavored Greek yogurt if you want to put a tiny bit of a healthy spin on it. hah. Now file this away for later and read the following paragraph.
Now we are going to talk about pooping, so if you are sensitive to this subject then you need to skip to the next paragraph. A doctor is saying if you’re not having a successful BM then there are three things to do that are non-negotiable. #1 is positioning. Decrease the angle between your torso and thighs by leaning forward or using a stool under your feet. This relaxes your puborectalis muscle and straightens the rectum. #2 Each day eat at least 30g of fiber (non-digestible carbohydrate found in foods) – a mix of soluble (helps to bulk and soften) and insoluble (acts like a rake to sweep your intestines). Some fiber is both soluble and insoluble. #3 Activate the gastrocolic reflex – eat something in the morning… which triggers the release of hormones, which then stimulates intestinal contractions, which gives you the urge to empty your bowels 20 to 30 minutes after eating. There you have it. Now, I didn’t know this, so that’s why I’m going a little further with the information for you.
• Soluble and insoluble fibers each have distinctive benefits. I didn’t know this so that’s why I’m going a little further with the information.
• When soluble fiber dissolves, it creates a gel that can improve digestion, reduce blood cholesterol and sugar. It helps your body improve blood glucose control, which can help reduce your risk for diabetes. Black beans, lima beans, Brussels sprouts, avocados, sweet potatoes (skins on), broccoli, turnips, pears, kidney beans, figs, nectarines, apricots, carrots, apples (skins on), guavas, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, oats, and barley are all good.
• Insoluble fiber attracts water into your stool, making it softer and easier to pass with less strain on your bowel, promotes regularity, supports insulin sensitivity, and may also help reduce your risk for diabetes. Wheat bran and wheat germ, oat bran, beans, lentils and legumes of all kinds (kidney, black, garbanzo, edamame, split peas, lima, navy, white, etc.), berries, (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.), whole grains, (especially barley, quinoa, sorghum, millet, amaranth, oatmeal and rye), turnips, green peas, okra, spinach, radishes, rutabaga, coconut (flakes or flour), cocoa, apples (skins on), pears (skins on), flaxseed, avocados (Florida avocados have more fiber than California avocados), sunflower seeds, potatoes and sweet potatoes (skins on), dried apricots, prunes, raisins, date, figs, and almonds are all good.
Remember that bacteria lives on our skin, in the nose, but mostly in our gut, in our digestive system. Your body provides food, shelter and a safe habitat for this good bacteria, and in return the bacteria takes care of some of the things that the human body cannot do on its own. Most carbs, proteins and fats are absorbed into the bloodstream before they make it to the large intestine, leaving nothing much for your gut. Human cells don’t have the enzymes to digest many fibers, so they feed the good bacteria. And as always, ask your doctor. Now go prepare for a good healthy poop, and a much healthier lifestyle.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos is 62. Actor Mary Steenburgen is 70. Singer Jimmy Carter of The Blind Boys of Alabama is 91. Keyboardist David Bryan of Bon Jovi is 61. Actor Tina Louise of Gilligan’s Island is 89. Singer Sheryl Crow is 61. Actor Jennifer Aniston is 54. Actor-director-comedian Christopher Guest is 75. Actor Michael Tucker of L.A. Law is 78. Actor Jon Walmsley of The Waltons (Jason) is 67. Country singer Garth Brooks is 61. ABC News anchor Ted Koppel is 83. Actor Nick Nolte is 82. Actor-turned-politician Sheila James Kuehl, Zelda of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, is 82. Actor Joe Don Baker is 87. Walking Tall. Country singer Moe Bandy is 79.
Bond Girl Maud Adams of Octopussy & The Man with the Golden Gun is 78. Actor Cliff DeYoung is 77. Guitarist Steve Hackett of Genesis is 73. Singer Michael McDonald of Doobie Brothers is 71. Actor Joanna Kerns is 70. Growing Pains. Actor-talk show host Arsenio Hall is 67. Singer Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips is 55. Actor Kim Novak is 90. Actor Bo Svenson of Walking Tall is 82. Actor Stockard Channing is 79. Talk show host Jerry Springer is 79. Singer Peter Gabriel is 73. Genesis. Magician Teller of Penn and Teller is 75. Opera singer Renee Fleming is 64. Actor Meg Tilly is 63. Actor Claire Bloom is 92. Drummer Mick Avory of The Kinks is 79.
Raquel Welch of One Million Years B.C. died at 82. Although Welch had only three lines of dialogue in the film, images of her in the doe-skin bikini became bestselling posters that turned her into an international sex symbol. Italian actor Gina Lollobrigida died at 95. Richard Belzer, stand-up comedian, detective John Munch in Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU, died at 78.
About a year ago, the family of actor Bruce Willis announced that he had been diagnosed with aphasia. His condition has progressed, and a more specific diagnosis is frontotemporal dementia aka FTD, and as we all know this is a very cruel disease which has no cure at the moment. Perhaps media attention will help bring attention to research needed to find out more about a disease that has affected at least one person we know.
President Jimmy Carter, the oldest at 98, longest living, and in my mind, probably the best past-President we have ever had, has decided rather than seek further medical treatments, he will receive hospice care at home so he can spend time with his family.
We should live our lives as though Christ were coming this afternoon. President Jimmy Carter
Happy News: Well… Mick Jagger (age 79) and Keith Richards (age 79) have teased in the past few months that they have new music coming… Now the word on the street is that Paul McCartney (age 80) and Ringo Starr (age 82), the last two surviving members of the Beatles, will be playing on the new (yet to be announced) album from the last surviving members of The Rolling Stones. What a story. When? How many songs? Tell us more. These guys are still so fabulous, they make age just a silly number. Inquiring minds want to know
Last Words: Murderer James W. Rodgers was put in front of a firing squad in Utah in 1960 and asked if he had a last request. He replied, “Bring me a bullet-proof vest.” Drummer Buddy Rich died after surgery in 1987. As he was being prepped for surgery, a nurse asked him, “Is there anything you can’t take?” Rich replied, “Yeah, country music.” Johnny Ace, a R&B singer, died in 1954 while playing with a pistol during a break in his concert set. His last words were, “I’ll show you that it won’t shoot.” Richard Feynman, a physicist, author, musician, professor, and traveler, died in Los Angeles in 1988. His last words? “This dying is boring.”
Against the wishes of secret service and the Pentagon, President Biden made a surprise, unannounced, and historic visit to Kyiv in show of U.S. support for Ukraine just days before the anniversary of the Russian invasion. “One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” Biden said. “For all the disagreement we have in our Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine.” This marks the first time an American president entered a warzone with no active U.S. military presence. Since news of Biden’s trip broke, Japan has offered new financial support to Ukraine worth $5.5 billion.
A woman takes a long drag off a cigarette, then points to your boyfriend and says, “Is he a rescue?” – Facebook
Have you seen the beautiful patriotic flags flying downtown, in front of Walmart and other places in celebration of President’s Day? It’s such a statement! The Brazosport Breakfast Lions Club places flags out (which is no easy job) 5 times a year (weather permitting), on Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, and Veterans Day. If you or your business would like to sponsor one or more flags ($35/flag), or sponsor a flag in the name of a veteran, active military personnel or deceased veteran, call Ronnie Martin at 979-236-8817 or Grapevine Gifts 979-285-0842.
See Page #9 (upper right-hand corner). #ItWasNeverADress is an invitation to shift perceptions and assumptions about women and the audacious, sensitive, and powerful gestures they make every single day. In science, technology, arts, mathematics, politics, houses of worship, on the streets, and in our homes, insightful women are often uninvited, overlooked, or just plain dismissed. Through storytelling, community building, innovation and creative disruptions, #ItWasNeverADress will foster necessary conversations, vital voices, and images from around the world that honor ALL women. When we see women differently… we see the world differently!” (Note: It’s a super hero cape!)
Join the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra for SuperHeroes, Saturday April 1st. Anna in the Tropics auditions February 27-28 at Dow Arena Theater. Scholastic Bowl is BACK and scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23rd at 7pm. It is so much fun to participate or just sit back, watch and learn. Adult and high school teams compete against each other to answer trivia questions about art, science, pop culture and local interests. Entry fee $100 per team of four. Team sponsorships and donations welcome. How to use your Telescope workshop at the BASF Planetarium February 25. The Brazosport Art League has a new exhibit in the gallery, My Perspective sculptured fiber art by artist Brenda J. Bunten-Schloesser, Feb. 14th through March 19th. To register for all these exciting events and info… thecenter@bcfas.org.
According to Dog Food Advisor, PetCare Company Nestlé Purina is voluntarily recalling select lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D, while essential to a healthy diet, can cause health problems if ingested in too high an amount for too long. Ryan Seacrest is out. Kelly Ripa will be joined by her actual real-life husband actor Mark Consuelos, as co-host of “Live With Kelly and Ryan.” She is so skinny. In filling out a dating profile, a woman decided to include her credit score and ended up going on 17 dates in 30 days. Needless to say, she is going to keep the credit score on the profile. A 27-year-old Indiana man died after falling from a 70-foot coastal cliff in Puerto Rico while filming a Tik-Tok video. Researchers announced a fifth person has been cured of HIV after a stem cell transplant. The murder of a 24-year-old schoolteacher in 1971 has been solved by evidence collected from a single cigarette butt left near the body 52 years ago. A long-lost letter from George Washington hinting at financial problems, is expected to bring $50,000 at auction. Have a great week and thanks for reading us.
Lisa
Send comments to Lisa Baker at lisa@thesourceweekly.com