Five Resources to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

I found five links that are great resources for those who are looking to lead or maintain a healthy lifestyle:

http://www.thehealthyeatingguide.com/
Has some great recipe ideas as well as free exercise plans.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/cheap_eats
This website has tons of recipes that are great for those on a tight budget.

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=12
This website emphasizes the importance of fruits and vegetables. It also provides kid-friendly snacks.

http://choosefitness.com/
Has a very large index available; topics range from cardio and elliptical to yoga

http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/
This is a really cool website for those who like to eat out often; it helps you find a “healthy restaurant” in your area, as well as in your budget!

Cholesterol

Today, I researched cholesterol as part of The Food Connection IP. Here's what I found:

Cholesterol is an important part of body cells and is made in the body in addition to being absorbed through food. Cholesterol circulates through the body in the blood in particles. These particles are a combination of cholesterol, proteins, and triglycerides (fat). These particles come in two different forms: High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL). Every individual’s ability to metabolize cholesterol varies.
As Low-Density Cholesterol travels through the body, it is used by tissues to build new cells. The extra cholesterol is used by the liver; the liver also regulates the cholesterol level in the blood. However, if the liver is bombarded with too many LDL particles, it may not be able to deal with all of them. When this happens, the cholesterol may build up in the arteries. This plaque build-up can put you at risk for heart disease. It is for this reason that LDL Cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.”
High-Density Cholesterol is produced in the liver as well as in the intestines. These too, are released into the bloodstream. As HDL particles circulate throughout the body, the pick up extra cholesterol particles and return them back to the liver for removal. HLD particles are therefore essential to the body and to prevent the build-up of plaque in our arteries. HDL Cholesterol is often called “good cholesterol.”
Foods that contain cholesterol come from animals. Here are some foods with high levels of cholesterol in them followed by some healthy alternatives:
• Whole Milk 1 Cup—34 mg
• Butter 1 tbsp—35 mg
• Beef, pork, lobster, chicken, turkey 3 ounces—75 mg
• Lamb, veal, crab 3 ounces—85 mg
• Shrimp 3 ounces—130 mg
• Egg one yolk—250 mg
• Liver 3 ounces—370 mg

• Leaner meats, especially fish (like Salmon)
• Nuts
• Olive oil
• Avocado and most fruits
• High fiber grains (whole wheat)
• Soy milk

Food Related Occupations

Today, I researched the job requirements and salary for a pastry chef and a winemaker as part of the career exploration for the Food Connection IP. Here's what I found:

Pastry Chef: Many people do not realize that pastry chefs must be able to stand on their feet for a long time. Also, they must be able to pay close attention to detail. Creativity is also a requirement. As a pastry chef, you may be responsible for tasks other than creating pastries. For example, you may be required to oversee kitchen staff, order supplies, making a budget, and keeping the kitchen clean and organized. The working conditions can be hectic; kitchens are very loud and busy. Bakeries open early, so if you’re not a morning person, this may pose an issue. The baking starts at around 4 AM! Lately, secondary education is becoming more and more important for those looking to become pastry chefs; many vocational schools offer certificate courses that teach proper sanitation and basic procedure for food handling. As for degrees, many employers like to see a Bachelor of Science degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. This degree often means a higher salary. The salary for a veteran pastry chef is between $30,000 and $50,000. However, for pastry chefs just out of culinary school may have salaries in the range of $17,000.

Winemaker: A winemaker must have the ability to make accurate observations; their senses must be acute. An excellent sense of smell and taste is often very helpful. As a winemaker, you will be expected to produce wine, but other than that, you must also serve as the middle man between the vineyard and the winery. You may also be expected to conduct tours of the winery, provide samples for visitors, and explain the process of making wine. You may have to decide which grape-growing strategies to pursue as well. Local colleges may or may not offer programs for students interested in wine-making. However, big cities such as New York provide some of the best wine-making courses in America. An internship with a wine maker can also be very useful. The salary varies greatly. For a popular and well-trained winemaker, the salary can be up to $76,000. However, the minimum salary is $39,000.

Other food-related occupations include:

Food Critic

Cheese Connoisseur

Cake Designer

Airline Chef

Volunteering at the Library

Last Summer was the first time I volunteered at my local library, The Champaign Public Library. This year, I'm going to do it again, four hours a week. I originally started volunteering at the library because I am too young to work, but I still needed 30 career hours as part of my Gold Award. It's really fun and I get to work with some cool people.

Usually, I either shelve adult dvds, teen books, or audiobooks. Shelving teen books can be a bit of a challenge because I'm tempted to check out any book that shows promise!