Colby Free Press Monday, June 21, 2004 Page 5 Experts debate the issue of cooked and uncooked foods Editor’s note: The following ing only unprocessed, usually or- minerals and that cooked foods take dietitian and spokesperson for the weight comes off, that might not be question and answer is available as Earth ganic, whole plant-based foods, longer to digest and tend to allow ADA says that eating all raw, all the enough to sustain a person’s energy, a public service from the editors of such as fresh (or dried) fruits and partially digested fats, proteins and time, is an “extreme” diet. especially if they are doing physi- The Environmental Magazine. Any- Talk vegetables, nuts and seeds, beans, carbohydrates to clog up our diges- “If you eat more raw foods in cally demanding work. one wanting to submit questions re- grains and legumes, other organic tive system and arteries. your diet (without adding calories) “If you decide to go raw, there are garding environmental issues can •Environmental or natural foods which have not “Raw foods make optimal as- that’s always a good thing,” Gon- benefits to the environment as write to: EarthTalk, in care of, The Magazine been processed, and freshly made similation of nutrition easy, provide zalez said. well,” said Monica Dewart, a nutri- Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box fruit and vegetable juices. pure, clean energy for the body, and “Replacing refined, processed tionist. 5098, Westport, Conn. 06881; or for the body than cooked or pro- According to experts on raw do not require a lot of energy for foods with raw foods is a healthy “The lower you eat on the food submit questions to its e-mail ad- cessed foods. foods, uncooked foods are believed digestion,” said Renee Loux Under- move. chain, the less impact you will have dress: [email protected]. Followers of diets based wholly to contain essential food enzymes koffler, an author on the subject of “Eating a few raw meals a week on the Earth’s resources,” Dewart Dear EarthTalk: Are raw foods or largely on raw foods claim nu- which help the digestion process raw foods. can be great, but it’s important not said. healthier to eat than cooked merous health benefits, including without relying on the body to pro- Traditional nutrition experts re- to go to the extreme,” she said. “One-hundred percent of the foods? increased energy levels, clearer duce the enzymes that are lost fute this idea, though the American Gonzalez, who has studied raw waste materials, such as seeds and — Coledale, Australia skin, better digestion, weight loss through cooking. Dietetic Association and others are food diets, says it’s hard to eat more peels, are biodegradable and great Proponents of raw foods, some- and reduced risk of heart disease. It is also thought that cooking doing studies regarding the possible than 1,200 calories a day in raw for composting,” she said. times called ”living foods,” believe A purely raw food diet, as its (heating foods above 116 degrees benefits of a raw food diet. foods. While this might be great for “This is the ultimate environmen- that raw foods are much healthier name implies, is based on consum- Fahrenheit) destroys vitamins and Claudia Gonzalez, a registered weight-loss, she says, once the tally-friendly diet.” State urges Kansans to report West Nile virus Wichita nurse charged TOPEKA — In preparation for Test results in 2004 from birds, should be intact and should be bowls, and wading pools; WICHITA — A Wichita area she said. West Nile Virus’ return in Kansas, mosquitoes and horses throughout placed in double plastic bag in • Limit outdoor activities at dawn nurse who allegedly used pain- While working as a nurse in a the Kansas Department of Health Kansas have not found the mos- freezer until submitted. and dusk when mosquitoes are most killing medication prescribed for Wichita hospital on July 11, and Environment reminds physi- quito-borne virus, but it is possible Callers will be given directions to active, and; a patient has been charged with 2003, McKee is alleged to have cians to report West Nile Virus cases the disease is already present in the their local Kansas State University • Assist with dead bird testing by theft and possession of narcotic stolen injectable morphine pre- to the state and Kansas residents to state. Extension agent for drop-off of the calling the West Nile Virus Hotline. drugs and the mistreatment of a scribed for a patient in her care assist with surveillance. “We expect to find West Nile Vi- bird. In 2003, 90 human West Nile Vi- dependent adult, said Attorney and used it herself, Kline said. The virus is carried by birds and rus in Kansas at any time now, as we K-State Extension agents will rus cases with neurological illness General Phill Kline on Friday. State guidelines for mistreat- transmitted by mosquitoes that bite had found evidence of the virus then ship the specimens to a desig- were confirmed through the state’s Debbie J. McKee, 37, of Der- ment of a dependent adult is a the infected birds, which then trans- about this time last year” said Gail nated testing lab. Division of Health and Environ- by, was charged in Sedgwick severity level six person felony mit it to horses and people. Hansen, acting state epidemiolo- Test results will not be released ment Laboratories. County District Court last week. punishable by a sentence of 17 to This is the time of year the state’s gist. to individuals submitting birds, but Of these 90 cases, 7 deaths were Charges included one felony 46 months in prison and a fine of health department would expect to “We ask Kansans to help us with birds testing positive will be re- confirmed as West Nile Virus cases. count of mistreatment of a depen- up to $100,000. see cases beginning to appear in the surveillance of the disease by ported on the West Nile Virus In addition, private labs confirmed dent adult, one felony count of Possession of narcotic drugs mosquitoes, birds, and horses, and reporting dead birds for testing.” website. 731 human West Nile Virus test re- possession of narcotic drugs or or stimulants is a severity level therefore, people are at risk of be- Kansans are encouraged to call To reduce the risk of the West sults. Three additional deaths were stimulants and one misdemeanor four drug felony punishable by a coming infected. the West Nile Virus Hotline at (877) Nile virus, Hansen recommends the attributed to the virus, but uncon- count of theft. sentence of 10 to 42 months in Physicians can call the Epidemi- 228-2287 and report the following following: firmed through lab work. After her arrest by Sedgwick prison and carries a fine of up to ology hotline to report cases of West dead birds for testing - crow, blue- • Use insect repellent with DEET In 2002, 22 West Nile Virus hu- County Sheriff’s officers, Mc- $100,000. Nile Virus or suspect cases. The jay, magpie, or bird of prey (hawks, and wear protective clothing when man cases with neurological illness Kee was released on bond, said Misdemeanor theft is punish- number is (877) 427-7317. owls, eagles), but these dead birds practical; were confirmed through the labs Jan Lunsford, public information able by a sentence of up to one In addition, state officials are ask- must meet the following criteria for • Remove standing water; and no deaths reported. officer with the Kline’s office. year in the county jail and/or a ing Kansans to report dead birds to testing. The criteria includes: (1) the • Use larvicide in water that can- For more information on West “Her preliminary hearing is fine of up to $2,500, Lunsford help determine when West Nile Vi- bird should not have been dead not be removed; Nile Virus, go to www.westnile- scheduled for Tuesday, June 29,” said. rus reappears in the state. longer than 24 hours or (2) the bird • Refresh water for bird baths, pet ks.com. Amateur astronomers search for killer asteroids with historic telescope LAWRENCE (AP) — Pieces of “Recycling the history is one of sity researchers to look for aster- System’s ninth planet, refined the a University of Kansas telescope the most important parts of this oids, the telescope was not com- telescope’s optics as part of his built in 1929 and refurbished by the project,” said Gary Hug, the pro- pleted and dedicated until 1939. graduate studies. discoverer of Pluto are coming out Recycling the history is one of the ject’s lead investigator. During that time, a graduate stu- The telescope was mothballed in of storage and being given a new most important parts of this project.” “I don’t think it’s benefiting us dent named Clyde Tombaugh, fresh 1944, reused in 1952 and put in stor- mission. “ much financially to use the optics. off his 1930 discovery of the Solar age again in 2001. NASA has given a Topeka-based Gary Hug, But it’s the history of it. group of amateur astronomers project’s lead investigator “We’re keeping the tradition $56,060 to use optical parts of the alive.” so-called Pitt telescope to search for The 27-inch diameter mirror, the A Colby Free Press - first in the world to use Pyrex, was Country Advocate Combo ad asteroids that could hit the Earth. the group a 1,600-pound, 9-foot-3- While building new lenses and The best buy/best coverage for The Northeast Kansas Amateur inch telescope, which will be lo- mirrors wouldn’t be that costly, the built in 1929 and paid for by Kan- your money! Astronomers League has asked cated at Farpoint Observatory near group said it felt right to bring the sas City businessman William Pitt.