Spokane Tidbits by John Ortiz

August 8, 2008

Issue #575

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REALITY TV RETURNS by Audrey Cunningham

Back by popular demand, Tidbits goes behind the scenes of reality television once again to give you some “down-low” and gossipy information on a few of your favorite shows.

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• Reality television got a huge boost during the three-month-long Writer’s Guild strike of 2007/2008. Scripted shows were forced to go into reruns, so millions of viewers tuned into reality shows, which don’t use “writers” per se, and were still churning out new episodes. When the strike ended, millions had Fresh bulk spices, seasonings, rubs & BBQ sauces for your cooking pleasure. lost interest in dramas and sitcoms in favor We also carry Jerky and Sausage making supplies. of reality fare like The Amazing Race. Ask about our Saturday sausage making classes. • Even niche stations like TV Land (long Stop in and visit us or go to www.spokanespice.com known for showing classic sitcom reruns) have jumped onto the reality bandwagon. Understandably, they’re experiencing some growing pains in the process. She’s Got the Look, a modeling contest intended only for women over the age of 35, included a contestant that looked familiar to several viewers. She had appeared a year ago on another reality show, Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, on which she claimed to be only 31. TV Land is reportedly in the process of improving its ALL LOCATIONS OPEN 24 HOURS contestant screening procedure. Self Serve & Karcher Touch Free In-Bay Automatic • Fox’s Stupid Behavior Caught on Tape 5625 N. Market St. once featured “outtakes” of aerobics instruc487-7746 tor Robyn Roche filming an exercise video. 1226 S. Pines Rd. It was later revealed, however, that Roche 891-8395 was not really a fitness instructor. What’s 2400 1st St. Cheney more, she had purposely filmed the clumsy 235-5188 footage of herself for the sole purpose of 1821 W. Sunset (Self Serve Only) selling it to “caught in the act”-type shows. 455-5570 She had even trained with a choreographer to make her stumbling and falling look more authentic. • A reporter from Blogcritics magazine recently went behind the scenes during a taping of So You Think You Can Dance, hoping to find some clever editing and lots of turn the page for more!

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Home &

Garden THIS IS A HAMMER By Samantha Mazzotta

Hassle-Free Painting Q: I’m planning to paint two rooms of my house over the weekend. How can I do the entire job quickly so that I’m not working late into the night on Sunday? -- Hannah J., Chicago A: The best way to get a paint job done quickly, with minimal hassle, is to spend as much time preparing beforehand as possible. In the days leading up to the painting weekend, try to complete the following tasks. Clear furniture from the room (or cover with a dropcloth). Take pictures off the walls, including the hardware used to hang them and all nails or screws. Remove cover plates from outlets and switches. Loosen light fixtures so that you can paint underneath them, and cover them with plastic to protect them from stray paint drops. Remove any hardware from windows and doors. This includes curtain rods and connectors, door latches and so on. Place a dropcloth on the floor for prep work and painting. A few days before painting, scrape away loose paint or plaster from the areas to be painted. Locate nail holes and cracks, and fill them with spackling compound. Let the compound dry for a few hours, then sand. You should also sand down ridges or bumps, and if you’re painting a door as well, sand away previous layers of paint to prevent the new paint from sticking to the frame. If you’ll be painting over wooden trim that has a glossy finish, rub it lightly with steel wool or fine-grade sandpaper to roughen the finish. This will help the new paint adhere to the old. Clean grease spots and other stains -- if a stain can’t be washed away, cover it with primer at the beginning of the painting stage. Dust the paint areas and then clean them with a cloth or sponge dipped in water and a low-phosphate household cleaner (or a wall cleaner). Let everything dry for 24 hours before painting. Begin masking off areas that you don’t want to paint (such as baseboards) with painter’s tape the day before you start work. Gather all the paint and clean-up supplies you’ll need and place them in an accessible spot. This seems like an awful lot of work for just a couple of rooms, but these preparatory tasks can be done bit by bit in the days beforehand. By the weekend, you’ll be confident that the walls are ready for the paintbrush and roller, and you can complete the job quickly and efficiently, with a little time left for dinner! HOME TIP: Don’t bother to mask off windowpanes prior to painting. Just paint the trim carefully, using a trim brush, and scrape away excess paint from the glass after it dries. Send questions or home-repair tips to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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REALITY TV RETURNS (continued): retakes and “do-overs.” His experience left him in awe of the contestants, for it turned out that what we see on TV is what is happening onstage. Every routine was performed only once, and the only re-takes involved were when host Cat Deeley flubbed her lines. • Remember 19-year-old Adrianna, who’d known her fiancé Jason for one whole month before getting married on Bridezillas? Sadly, but not surprisingly, the couple divorced less than a year after their fairy tale wedding. • Some reality shows are victims of their own popularity. Busted on the Job was originally a one-off special compiled from surveillance tapes filmed at various locations over the past few years. The show turned out to be a ratings blockbuster, however, and the network wanted more. The production company searched the vaults and came up with enough footage for a second special, but by the time Busted on the Job III rolled around, the producers had been forced to appeal to private investigators for any interesting surveillance videos they might have. Unfortunately, a few unscrupulous people decided to make a quick buck by filming and submitting fake “bad behavior on the job” scenarios. • Whatever happened to the previous winners of America’s Next Top Model? As of this writing, Dani Evans and CariDee English are the only winners whose Cover Girl cosmetics contracts were renewed. Certainly the most successful alum of the bunch is Adrianne Curry, who landed photo shoots with several men’s magazines and also a stint on TV’s The Surreal Life. Curry also landed herself a starring gig on a new reality show. While working on The Surreal Life, she met and fell in love with former Brady Bunch kid Christopher Knight. The two got married and now co-star on the show My Fair Brady. • Don’t tell anyone, but the selection of an Iron Chef isn’t quite as spontaneous as it appears on TV. Members of the studio audience have noticed that during the filming of the show’s opening, when the turn challenger selects his competitor, only the chosen Iron Chef is actually there on the set. turn the page for more!

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VETERANS POST by Freddy Groves

VA Wins by Default The judge in the Northern District Court of California said no -- the Veterans for Common Sense lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs is outside the jurisdiction of his court. What mystifies me is that the case went to court at the district level in the first place. It says right in the U.S. Code that “VA rulemaking is subject to judicial review only in the Federal Circuit.” And right at the beginning of the decision document, Judge Samuel Conti writes: “Congress has specifically precluded district courts from reviewing veterans’ benefit decisions and has entrusted the decisions regarding veterans’ medical care to the discretion of the VA Secretary.” I wouldn’t want to be in Conti’s shoes. His hands were tied from the beginning. I like to imagine that, as a war veteran, he struggled mightily to find the one document, the one piece of evidence that would turn the tide and allow him to come to a different conclusion. And if you read the decision document closely, that appears to be what he did. If you wade through all 82 pages, it seems that Conti was looking for a loophole, any little toehold. Unable to find one, he instead put together a decision package that serves as a summation of the experiences of every veteran who hasn’t received adequate care at the hands of the VA: the wait times, the screw ups, all of the Inspector General reports revealing problems that get ignored, the suicide statistics. It’s all there, nice and neat and official -- the perfect groundwork for appeal and other suits. Take a look yourself. Go to www.cand.uscourts. gov and search for CV 07-03758 (the case number), or Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, v. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs et al. Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853- 6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@ gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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REALITY TV RETURNS (continued): The other two chefs – poised on thepedestals amid clouds of smoke – are stand-ins. Watch closely next time – the man that is supposed to be Mario Batali is quite a bit heavier (and hairier) than the real thing. • When a tense scene on a reality show calls for a particular emotion and the participants don’t comply, the production staff relies on “Frankenbites.” That is, they view hours of tape and find another instance where the person utters the desired line of dialog. For example, if a moment on The Real World seems like it would benefit by one character declaring “I hate you,” the producers might find a clip taken elsewhere during filming where the same character was telling a roommate, “How can you wake up first thing in the morning and have your hair look all perfect? I hate you!” and edit and splice it in as needed. Reality? Close, but not quite! • When Project Runway is aired, it appears as if the contestants are faced with one new design challenge per week. The reality, however, is that the entire season is filmed in one month, with a new challenge every two days. The participants are filmed from almost the moment they wake up in the morning, and the work days are often 17 hours long. They are also tailed everywhere (even to the bathroom!) by the show’s production staff to make sure that they’re not sneaking a peek on a laptop or making a quick cell phone call. • Winning first place on American Idol is no guarantee that you’ll strike gold on the music charts. Carrie Underwood is AI’s biggest success story, with more than 12 million albums sold and three Grammy awards to boot. And Fantasia Barrino has found success on Broadway in The Color Purple. But winners from other seasons have not fared as well. Both Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard have been dropped by their record labels. • Before you decide to accept an Extreme Makeover home, consider Eric Hebert of Idaho. His new 3,600 square foot, three bedroom house was completed in November 2006. Less than two years later, the construction worker was forced to put the house up for sale. Between working full-time and raising his late sister’s two children, he didn’t have time for the upkeep required on such a large dwelling. In addition, his utility bills had tripled in comparison to his previous home. • Even though the Nielsen ratings for older reality shows like Survivor have dropped recently, don’t expect the reality TV fad to fade any time soon. The shows are inexpensive to produce, and they create captive audiences. Besides, there seems to be no shortage of people eager to find new ways to embarrass themselves on national television. The End The Way Mother Nature Cleans®

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I say go for it and pay cash. Did you see what happened? With just $65,000 of that money you became debt-free, you own your home AND you have a fat emergency fund in place. How cool is that? Retirement comes next. You don’t want to work forever, so fully fund a couple of Roth IRAs for you and your wife for the rest of your lives. Also, max out three Educational Savings Accounts – one for each of your kids. This will take about $25,000 over the next two years. Now, it’s time to have some real fun. You’ve been through a lot, so take $10,000 and just blow it. Spoil yourself and your family a little bit. You deserve it after everything that’s happened to you. And last, find a mutual fund broker with the heart of a teacher, and invest the remaining money across four types of mutual funds – growth, growth and income, aggressive growth and international. If you do this, Kevin, you’ll retire a very wealthy man. By the time you’re 65 you’ll have millions of dollars on your hands! You’ll be able to live like no one else AND give like no one else. This horrible accident can be turned into a blessing – one that will impact your family and your community in great ways for years to come. - Dave

Dear Dave, Recently, I had an accident at work and lost a couple of fingers. I was given a onetime settlement of $500,000. I’ve gotten another job since then, my wife and I are both in our thirties and we’ve got our eye on a house that appraised for $50,000. The seller is willing to take $38,000. We’ve also got three kids and about $12,000 in credit card debt. What’s the smartest way to handle this money? Kevin Dear Kevin, I’m glad you’re determined to manage this money well. I’m sorry, too, that you had to suffer an injury like that. It had to be painful. Here’s the plan. Are you ready? First, take $15,000 and set up an emergency fund in a good money market account. Life happens, and you need to be prepared. Do not touch this money except in the event of a real emergency! Next, write a check for $12,000 and get those credit sharks * For more financial advice plus special out of your life forever. Then, if you guys offers to our readers, please visit www. are sure that house is the one you want, davesays.org or call 1-888-22-PEACE.

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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington

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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington

Blood-Pressure Study Uses 21st-Century Tools Make Every Dollar Count Out-of-pocket medical costs, food and gas, unexpected expenses - many of us on fixed incomes are in tight financial situations as prices around us skyrocket. They say that 10 percent of us live below the poverty line and that more than half of us are having trouble buying essentials. Here are some ideas to make it a little easier to get by: • Be sure you’re getting every discount you’re entitled to, and that includes property taxes. If you’re a senior and a veteran, or are disabled or have a low income, it might mean a double discount. • Food: Use coupons at the grocery store. If your local store has a senior discount day, shop then. Also, do any local churches host free or reduced-cost meals? How about food boxes delivered once a week or every month?

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• Transportation: Is there a seniors transportation group near you? If it has a regular grocery-store run, take advantage of the chance to save gas. Can you carpool with a few friends once a week to take care of errands? • Medical: If you qualify as low income, have you applied for Medicare Part D? If your doctor prescribes a costly prescription, ask if he has samples for you to try first before you spend money on a drug you might not be able to take. • Taxes: Did you apply for the stimulus rebate check, even if you haven’t had enough income to send in a tax form? You have to file a Form 1040 before October 15, but the sooner you file, the sooner you get your check. • Clothing and furniture: Sign up on your local FreeCycle [www.freecycle. org] and take advantage of offers of free items others are giving away. Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

VA Wins by Default The judge in the Northern District Court of California said no -- the Veterans for Common Sense lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs is outside the jurisdiction of his court. What mystifies me is that the case went to court at the district level in the first place. It says right in the U.S. Code that “VA rulemaking is subject to judicial review only in the Federal Circuit.” And right at the beginning of the decision document, Judge Samuel Conti writes: “Congress has specifically precluded district courts from reviewing veterans’ benefit decisions and has entrusted the decisions regarding veterans’ medical care to the discretion of the VA Secretary.” I wouldn’t want to be in Conti’s shoes. His hands were tied from the beginning. I like to imagine that, as a war veteran, he struggled mightily to find the one document, the one piece of evidence that would turn the tide and allow him to come to a different conclusion. And if you read the decision document closely, that appears to be what he did. If you wade through all 82 pages, it seems that Conti was looking for a loophole, any little toehold. Unable to find one, he instead put together a decision package that serves as a summation of the experiences of every veteran who hasn’t received adequate care at the hands of the VA: the wait times, the screw ups, all of the Inspector General reports revealing problems that get ignored, the suicide statistics. It’s all there, nice and neat and official -- the perfect groundwork for appeal and other suits. Take a look yourself. Go to www.cand.uscourts.gov and search for CV 07-03758 (the case number), or Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth, v. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs et al. Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Recipe of the Week COMFORT FOODS

-- Made Fast and Healthy! “The great By Healthy Exchanges pleasure of a Italian Ham dog is that you Fettuccine make a fool of yourself with This generous servhim and not only will he not scold you, he ing of pasta is sure to will make a fool of himself too.” --Samuel round out anyone’s Butler dinner plate -- and with all the zest of a Our dog Ginger watched as we each took good Italian dinner! a bite of barbecue ribs and smoked chicken. Her ears perked up whenever one of us moved; she licked her lips and hoped for a scrap to drop to the ground. But our family wasn’t feeling very generous as we cleaned our plates. The evening’s dirty dishes were scraped clean into the trash and put away in the dishwasher. Ginger sniffed the trash and the dishwasher for traces of what she thought would be her treat. But she was out of luck. Ginger, who typically follows us to our bedroom at night, lay in front of the sofa suspiciously zonked out to the world -- or so we thought. What we didn’t know is that as she lay there, my four-legged best friend was plotting an all-you-can-eat visit to the midnight buffet. The next morning I groggily made my way to the coffee maker, but stopped in my tracks in the dark kitchen when I felt something squishy beneath my bare feet. I turned on a light and looked around the kitchen. It looked like the garbage disposal had exploded. Ginger had indeed found herself a snack in the garbage, which was now strewn about my floor. “That’s what I get for forgetting to take out the garbage,” I told my husband, who kindly cleaned up the mess. Next night; same scene. What I’ve learned is that Ginger and I both have short-term memory loss. I scolded her for getting into the garbage the night before, and I scolded myself as well for forgetting to take the tempting refuse out. But Ginger and I did the same thing the very next night. This time she was unable to restrain her sweet-tooth craving and rummaged through the garbage to eat the last crumb of a coconut cream pie she’d watched us enjoy just hours before. Tonight we’re doing things differently in our house. The trash will be hauled out before bedtime, and Ginger will just have to watch her figure. The midnight buffet is closed -until we both have another attack of shortterm memory loss.

1 1/2 cups diced Dubuque 97 percent fatfree ham or any extra-lean ham 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Italian stewed tomatoes, undrained 1 (8-ounce) can Hunt’s Tomato Sauce 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 3/4 cup shredded carrots 1 cup chopped zucchini 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1 1/2 cups hot cooked fettuccine 1/4 cup Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping In a large skillet sprayed with olive oil-flavored cooking spray, sauté ham and onion for 5 minutes. Add undrained stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and carrots. Cook, uncovered, for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and parsley flakes. Mix well to combine. Cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until zucchini is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in fettuccine. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve at once. Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 (1 1/4 cup) servings.

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Email: lattinjulie@yahoo.com Back-to-school time can be magical and exciting; there are school supplies and new clothes to buy, old friends to reunite with and new friends to make. But it also can be frustrating. The biggest complaints from moms of school-age kids are frazzled morning routines and keeping homework and school things organized. Here are some back-to-school tips. • “A couple of weeks in advance, have the kids go to bed on time for school and get up at school time. They’ll be better used to the routine. We go to breakfast or a park for some exercise.” -- P.E. in Texas

HINT: Usually 1 cup broken uncooked fettuccine cooks to about 1 1/2 cups.

• “Want to make sure that your kids stay on schedule and get the right amount of sleep? Keep the TV off in the morn• Each serving: 248 calories, 4g fat, 17g protein, ing. Limit TV (and computer/game) time in the hour before bedtime. This works in our family.” -- R.G. in Georgia 36g carbs, 964mg sodium, 109mg calcium, 4g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Meat, 2 Vegetable, • “My homework nag-saver: Have a designated homework 1 1/2 Starch; Carb Choices: 2 1/2. spot and time, with plenty of room and light, and most imVisit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com, or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about the only national food newsletter for diabetics, heart/cholesterol concerns and healthy weight loss. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

portantly, no distractions -- no cell phones, e-mail, TV or games allowed.” -- T.S. in Washington

• “Prep clothes/bags/books/homework/lunch and whatever else you can the night before, or even the weekend before, by using one of those hanging closet organizers with five or seven divided sections. We plan outfits on Sunday night, and it’s all there, ready to go each day. I can store notes and reminders in the appropriate day’s bin.” -- O.D. in Pennsylvania • And my tip: Eat a healthy breakfast every day, and encourage (or insist) that your kids do the same. A well-fed belly makes for an attentive student and a successful parent. -- JoAnn

Write to Taprina Milburn in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com.

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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington

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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Yes, Sweat DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son has excessive perspiration, particularly in the head and torso. He literally drips water with the least exertion. Some time ago, while watching a science program, I saw two sisters who experienced the same symptoms my son has. The treating physician operated on the girls, and it stopped the phenomenon. Do you know the name of the procedure? -- W.C. ANSWER: Excessive sweating is called hyperhydrosis (HI-purr-hi-DROWE-siss). When it occurs in a few places, like under the arms, on the palms or on the soles, it is localized hyperhydrosis. When, as in your son’s case, it happens in a larger body area, it is generalized hyperhydrosis, and it’s more difficult to treat. Illness like an overactive thyroid gland, some neurological conditions and infections such as tuberculosis and an unusual tumor -- a pheochromocytoma -- can be responsible for generalized hyperhydrosis, but usually it’s an idiosyncrasy in which the sweat glands are overly sensitive to acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the chemical secreted by the nerve cells that control sweat glands. It activates the glands.

A 20 percent solution of aluminum chloride (a prescription item) applied to the skin where sweating is excessive can lessen it. It can be put on the face and back as well as the palms, soles and under the arms. The directions on its use have to be followed explicitly. Medicines that block the action of acetylcholine can also work. A reader wrote to me that his life was changed by Robinul Forte (glycopyrrolate). Glycopyrrolate can be made into a 5 percent solution to be put on the skin, but a pharmacist has to make arrangements to prepare it. Clonidine and Ditropan are two other medicines that block the effects of acetylcholine. The program you watched might have been on endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. Through a viewing tube and with instruments inserted through a small incision, a doctor severs chest nerves that control sweating. Your son can ask his family doctor for a referral to a specialist who does this kind of surgery -- if medicines don’t work. *** DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Seven years ago, I suffered a cardiac arrest (a stopping of all

FITNESS

heart action). Since then I have had exams with my cardiologist and have had periodic stress tests. Last week I ran up the stairs and my chest began to feel funny. I saw my heart doctor, and the choices were a stress test or angiogram. I chose angiogram, and it revealed two blockages in my heart arteries. My message is: so much for stress tests. - J.B. ANSWER: We live in an imperfect world, and a world of imperfect medical tests. Stress tests are not infallible. They can give both falsely positive and falsely negative results. Women tend to have more falsely positive tests than men. You made a good decision. You are a special case. You lived through a harrowing heart catastrophe. You cannot take any chances. For others, stress tests are better than resting EKGs but not as good as having dye injected into heart arteries while X-ray pictures are taken -- angiograms. *** Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reservedspinach

FROM START TO FITNESS

By Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

Poor Nutrition Can Undermine Workouts

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HEALTH

Q: I have been exercising regularly for the past several months, but have only seen slight changes in the way my clothes fit and even smaller changes on my scale. My husband thinks my eating habits are sabotaging my workouts. Could he be right, or do I just need to work harder?

vascular function. However, the importance of nutrition cannot be overlooked. The body uses calories for energy, and the amount the body consumes can affect how your body responds. Your exercise routine cannot cancel out the overconsumption of calories, which can reA: Your husband may be right on this one. sult in the body’s inability to lose body fat. Try Exercise is a great tool to help facilitate keeping a food log for a week to truly moniweight and body-fat loss, but it is only one tor your eating habits. After a week, look at part of the puzzle. Factors such as nutrition, where you could have made better choices stress, medical conditions and other lifestyle and begin to make adjustments. If you conchoices are just as important as your work- tinue to complete your exercise routine, with outs. Each factor depends on the others to these new small changes to your diet, you truly allow your body to be healthy, fit and should begin to see changes. strong. Nutrition and exercise must go hand and There is no question that exercise is extreme- hand. Take your time and begin to modify ly important to help keep bones and muscles your lifestyle so there is room for both. You’ll strong, to maintain lean muscles and promote also need to take note of other factors such f l e x i b i l - as stress and medical conditions. Make a toity and tal evaluation of your lifestyle and find where c a r d i o - there is room for improvement. Seek the asPrivateStudio Drop pounds and save money sistance of a professional nuon meals with tritionist or dietician to help with your meal planning and analyFree Consultation sis of your food logs, and consult a certified personal trainer if needed to help in designing a workout routine www.healthnutwa.com

that will help you reach your goals. Continue to work out even if your nutritional habits take a while to change, because the benefits of exercise are tremendous. However, improving your nutritional habits will put you in a win-win situation. Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. If you have a fitness or training question, write to Andrea in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Off-Track Activity There’s been much off-track activity lately in the world of motorsports, everything from Tony Stewart’s announcement that he’s going into the car-owner business, to Jim Cramer’s prime-time Sunday evening special called “The American Dream With Jim Cramer.” Cramer’s special centered on NASCAR, and is similar to his weekday “Mad Money” CNBC program. Over at the NHRA, its safer 1,000-foot nitro racing came off great, with Top Fuel runs at the Mile High Nationals in the high three-second range at more than 300 mph. *** Jim Cramer, a former hedge-fund manager and controversial Wall Street guru, met with race fans on pit road at Charlotte’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He told the crowd that investment opportunities are all around them (noting the car sponsors) and not to be afraid to invest in good quality stocks during this economic downturn. He noted that over time, stocks still present the best returns versus other investments, especially in inflationary times. Cramer interviewed a number of drivers, among them Jimmy Johnson, Carl Edwards, Casey Mears, Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton. His segment

with Johnson was excellent, the latter noting that regardless of economic conditions, NASCAR fans are die-hard and support the car sponsors. Afterward, Cramer took to the track for a fast ride with Nationwide Series standout Brad Keselowski in the NAVY-sponsored Chevy. Check your local listings for Cramer’s weekday evening CNBC show, as well as replays of his “American Dream” NASCAR show, as they’re well worth the watch. Booyah, Cramer! *** Tony Stewart made big headlines when he announced he will buy a half-stake in the two-car Haas CNC racing operations beginning 2009. Haas CNC is a Chevrolet team closely associated with Rick Hendrick, where the team leases chassis and engines. Although we have no doubt the team will improve performance-wise strictly on Stewart’s spectacular driving abilities, it will be interesting to see if Stewart can handle the business end of top-flight “car owner” demands, an aspect current employer Joe Gibbs -- he of Joe Gibbs Racing -- addressed when he said on a pre-race TNT television show, “Come and see me after a year of being a car owner, and see if you still like it.” When looking at the history of drivers becoming car owners, including the likes of Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott and Brett Bodine, the results all ended poorly. Additionally, efforts by Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison following their driving careers

www.spokanetidbits.com didn’t fare well either. Stewart may have a better chance to succeed from a competition side, as it is already rumored his second driver will be Ryan Newman. However, with today’s current business atmosphere, we’ll wait and see if Coach Gibbs’ words prove true. We wish this new team well, and emphasize also that Stewart has good business people behind him. *** Tony Schumacher and Tim Wilkerson become the first official 1,000-foot nitro race winners in NHRA, as the sanctioning body presented the Mile High Nationals at Brandimere Raceway near Denver. Four Top Fuel cars bested the four-second barrier, led by a 3.92 in qualifying by Cory McClenathan. Tony Pedregon, the top Funny Car qualifier, posted a run of 4.21. Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475, or send an e-mail to gzyla@ ptd.net. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc. PHOTO CUTLINE: Jim Cramer before the 165 mph ride of his life around the track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., with Nationwide Series NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski in the NAVY Chevrolet. (NBC photo by Regina Gilgan)

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