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DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE

2010 ISSUE 3

Walk this way

Shoes make the walker

Meet the new indestructibles Appealing, yet repelling

In this issue THE TIES THAT BIND An outdoor 'hallway' makes for a more intimate connection between a home and its backyard. Use climbing roses, hydrangeas, trellises and boxwood hedges to complete the look WAKE-UP CALL! When the body talks, it’s important to listen. Here are the 7 symptoms never to ignore THE HOT LIST Sushi in the living room, lace in the bathroom and antlers at the dinner table? Yes. And don't forget LED sinks WALK THIS WAY Shoes make the walker MEET THE NEW INDESTRUCTIBLES Appealing, yet repelling: Dry-erasable leather, nanotechnology and stain-resistant chenille up the ante GOT NON-DAIRY MILK? Almonds, rice, hemp and coconuts are just a few of the options in the increasingly popular milk-substitute market. But are they as nutritious as the real deal?

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The ties that bind

By Dawn Klingensmith CTW Features It all started when indoor elements such as high-end kitchen appliances, area rugs and upholstered furniture were brought to the outdoors.

Then, backyards were divided into “zones”

for specific activities, such as grilling or stargazing.

Popular for several years now, the concept of outdoor living spaces has progressed in stages, and the end result is that interior layout principles are guiding landscape design, such that “the great outdoors” now resembles

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a series of cozy, well-appointed rooms, each with a sense of enclosure.

The latest progression is the outdoor hallway, along with other transitional spaces that are akin to foyers and landings.

Inasmuch as today’s backyards are laid out like home interiors, the need to connect and create flow among the different areas has led to the emergence of transitional spaces.

“Interior design principles apply outside, and with open-air rooms, you have to find a way to get from one room to the next,” says Saxtons River, Vt.-based landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, author of “Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love” (The Taunton Press, 2009).

“One way is to line everything up with doorways in between. Another way is to link them up by means of a hallway.”

As with indoor rooms, outdoor rooms, or zones, “have different characteristics and purposes,” Messervy says. “The hallway is what links them together and creates continuity.”

Inside, a hallway may connect dissimilar rooms with common trim work or flooring.

Outside, “It’s also important to have some kind of binding element,” says landscape designer Jeff Hutton, of Earthworks Landscaping, Tolland, Conn. “If you use a flagstone walkway, try introducing the same material in a bench in one of the outdoor rooms.”

Hallways help ease the transition between “zones with totally different sizes and moods, like going from a contemplative space into a communal space,” he adds.

In essence, then, outdoor hallways serve the same purposes as indoor ones. “It's just that you’re using more natural materials” in their construction, Messervy says.

Boxwood hedges and narrow, upright junipers are ideal for “walling in” an outdoor hallway, and arbors and trellises go a step further by allowing for the outdoor equivalent of a ceiling, which Hutton says is important for proportion and scale. “Sometimes, the yard looks huge compared with the house. It helps to walk out into a cozy space and then transition through an outdoor hallway into a more open space,” such as a lush expanse of lawn or a spacious pool, Hutton says. “Having a roof scales everything down around it.”

Climbing roses and hydrangeas will make for a colorful, enclosed hallway, and wisteria in particular “will aggressively cover a trellis and drape down to form a thick ceiling and walls,” Hutton says. © CTW Features

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WAKE-UP CALL! When the body talks, it’s important to listen.

Here are the 7 symptoms never to ignore

By Danielle Cadet CTW FEATURES Are funny noises coming from the car? Call the mechanic. Leaky faucet? Grab the toolbox.

It’s easy to know when something at home needs fixing. But the human body gives more subtle signs that can oftentimes be ignored.

These signals can be the result of simple ailments like indigestion or dehydration, but can also signify a body’s serious call for help. Here’s a list of symptoms that may demand a call to the doctor or – worst-case scenario – a visit to the emergency room.

Chest Pain “Small passing chest pain is one thing, but if it feels like an elephant is sitting on your chest, that’s cause for an alarm,” says Dr. Nieca Goldberg, cardiologist and medical director of the Women’s Heart Program at New York University. Goldberg says this symptom can be indicative of a serious health concern like a

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heart attack or pulmonary embolism, a blockage of the lung’s main artery. If the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating or arm pain, it is best to call 911 immediately because these symptoms can mean an individual is having a heart attack, Goldberg says.

Shortness of Breath “This is a common symptom of both lung and heart disease,” Goldberg says. Experiencing shortness of breath at low levels of activity can signify several issues including chronic bronchitis, pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, or even a heart attack.

Severe Headache A headache can be a tricky symptom to diagnose, says Dr. Kevin N. Sheth, assistant professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

“If you don’t have a history of headaches and all of a sudden you get frequent headaches, that’s a potential warning sign,” he says.

Migraines, which are usually associated with sensitivity to light, are not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, if other neurological symptoms – such as loss of vision or double vision, dizziness, difficulty with balance, or nausea – are experienced alongside the pain, Sheth says seek immediate medical attention.

Sharp Side Pain Everybody gets a cramp every now and then, but feeling a sharp, piercing pain in the side can be something serious. “If it feels like you’ve been stabbed in the side, you’re nauseated and running a fever, you could have appendicitis,” says Dr. Lin Chang, a gastroenterologist and co-director of the Center for Neurovisceral Sciences at UCLA. Appendicitis can occur when the space where the appendix empties into the colon becomes blocked, causing the organ to become inflamed. Failure to remove the organ immediately can cause it to burst, Chang says. If you encounter symptoms, Change says to immediately visit to the emergency room.

Persistent Fever A high temperature may mean a day or two home from work or school. But if the thermometer doesn’t drop, it could mean a bacterial infection, the flu, or pneumonia, Goldberg warns. If a low-grade fever (higher than 100.4) lasts longer than a week, she recommends calling a doctor.

“It may not mean an emergency room visit, but it’s still very serious,” she says.

Recurrent Cough Goldberg says a repetitive cough can be a sign of asthma or emphysema, particularly in smokers. However, it can also indicate a problem with contaminated air in the home, says Nancy Harvey Steorts, safety expert and author of “Your Home Safe Home” (Capital Books, 2009). “A lot of issues are coming from the quality of the air that people are breathing,” she says. Steorts recommends taking extra care to circulate clean air by ventilating the home and visiting a doctor for an X-ray, if necessary.

Unexplained Weight Loss “Losing a lot of weight very quickly is a cause for concern,” says Goldberg. “It can indicate serious problems such as thyroid disease, certain cancers, HIV and major depression.” She advises anyone who has lost a great deal of weight in a short amount of time to visit a doctor immediately.

Although they can be easily mistaken for small ailments, some symptoms can be a severe alarm. Just as a hole in the roof might need patching or a squeaky door needs oil, the body needs regular TLC. Paying attention to the warning signs early can make a world of difference in the future. © CTW Features

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The

HOT List

By Dawn Klingensmith CTW Features Home is where the heart is, and all we hold dear. It’s where we seek comfort and safety, gather with family and friends and surround ourselves with beauty. We design and decorate our homes in support of these objectives, and to make our lives and surroundings more enjoyable, efficient and perhaps even enviable.

Here is an A to Z list of new and fiercely popular interior design concepts, trends and products that will help create a home environment where sentiment meets style.

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Antlers aren’t just for hunting lodges anymore, but they are popping up as rustic wall art in otherwise refined living spaces.

“Antlers have been on the scene for the past year or so along with this whole reclaimed wood resurgence,” says Los Angeles decorator Mary McDonald, adding that artful arrangements look curated.

Biofuel fireplaces don’t require venting and come in wall-mounted, freestanding or tabletop models, for indoor and outdoor use.

Some are portable, so “it’s ‘fire to go’ with little impact on the environment,” says Shelly Meadows, Urban Concepts, Modern Patio & Fireplace Design, Tampa, Fla. Chelsea wing chair at Williams-Sonoma Home shows how a classic furniture style can be reimagined for a modern world. Another fresh variation is the Wainscott, with its commanding silhouette and unexpected curves, at Victoria Hagan Home, New York.

Dansk’s archived teak salt and pepper mill designs are being reintroduced in eco-friendly acacia wood at Crate & Barrel. The retailer is bringing back other iconic modern designs, too, including the Shelter sofa by Milo Baughman.

Ekornes’ Stressless Space sofa with ErgoAdapt technology has clean, modern lines and a sensitive glide feature that automatically adjusts in response to body movements and position, and each of the three sections reclines individually so one person can nap while another nurses a cocktail.

Fiesta Dinnerware celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2011 and named Marigold as its official anniversary color. A Marigold baking bowl set, platter and prep bowl set have already been released and retired, but in March, the entire Fiesta line in Marigold with a special anniversary backstamp will be introduced, but only for a limited production run, and then wil be retired for good.

Green Frog Art’s high-quality nursery prints turn infants into esthetes, and mod works like Tree Top Owl and Pop Blossoms, reflect the latest of pop culture.

Hotel Collection’s latest home linens line at Macy’s is for anyone who has ever enjoyed resort lodging amenities and then returned home to bedding and towels that don’t measure up. The towels are oversized and ultrasoft, and the bedding sets a tone of sophistication and understated opulence.

Ikat textiles go through a dye-resist technique to achieve patterns that are “tribal chic, walking the line between noble and pastoral,” says Ashleigh Weatherill, Halcyon House Design, Denver.

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Jenn-Air’s latest convection wall oven with Culinary Center is like having a chef in a box who won’t let the morning’s scones get scorched. Just enter in what’s being made, the desired doneness and the cookware type, and the oven works its magic, with no preheating required.

Kohler’s Karbon articulating kitchen faucet with five pivoting points is beautiful, balletic and boldly sprays where no other faucet has sprayed before – at least not as precisely.

Lauzon’s Line Art Collection of hardwood flooring features a new generation of grain that’s surprisingly linear, Canadian Hard Maple, and a fine complement to today’s clean, simple lines.

Motivo quartz surfacing by CaesarStone has a textured look and feel and can be used as wall-paneling, countertops and vanity tops. A new manufacturing process results in an embossed effect, with finishes such as crocodile and lace now possible.

Ebb Concept’s Neo-Metro LED Sink Basin

Neo-Metro is a next-generation Ebb Concept bathroom sink basin made with colored resin and recycled stainless steel.

LEDs illuminate from beneath, setting the resin aglow and providing accent or night lighting in hues of canary, blueberry, green apple, stealth fog and more. TOTO also makes light-up sinks in round and rectangular shapes. The Neorest is made of Luminist, a scratch- and shatter-resistant clear resin and has an under-counter or wall-mounted switch.

Ottomans previously were the underappreciated sidekicks of armchairs, but they’ve come into their own power, popularity and purposefulness. Park a tray on top, and an ottoman becomes a coffee table. In a pinch it serves as an extra perch. Mimi Tin’s Sushi Style ottomans also serve as conversation pieces – her California Roll comes with a removable seaweed wrap closure. So much more than just a footrest, an ottoman need

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not be squat and round, but can form a graceful oval, a commanding square or a rectangle that won’t quit, such as Restoration Hardware’s extra-long Belgian Linen Tufted Coffee Ottoman.

Purple Rain isn’t just a song; it’s what is happening in home décor as designers embrace all things purple. “We’re seeing it fall over from the fashion world into interior design,” says Heather Robb, Artists Concepts, Winnetka, Ill. “Purple has so many ranges and hues, and can be warm or cool and light or dark.” On the dusky end of the spectrum is Vera Wang deep-indigo Bouquet bedding. On the lighter side is the new lavender Le Creuset line of cookware and the Provence collection of drip-glazed stoneware, made by Jars Ceramic for Crate & Barrel.

Quoizel is on a roll – a drum roll, that is – with stylish new pendant lighting with drum shades that are retro as far as shape but fresh when it comes to materials and design. The Mica pendant has a warm, coppery finish and the Utopia pendant has a cream silk shade surrounded by a black metal overlay with fern-like leaf cutouts.

Other lighting companies are marching to that same beat, with Seascape Lamps drumming up interest in its retro shades made of walnut veneer and woven grass.

Rustic merges with modern as raw textures, natural and recycled materials, and homemade items placed here and there achieve an artisan look. BEHR Paints identified four 2010 home design trends, including Farmhouse Craft and Artisan Voyage, which both rely on rustic elements including reclaimed materials and global-bazaar finds, respectively. The latter design trend fuels the success of Etsy.com, an online bazaar/crafting community where a recent search turned up a rusty antique candle lantern, a cross-stitch sampler and a collection of vintage egg cups.

Sylvania took seriously homeowner’s concerns that energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs are unsightly and don’t turn on to their full brightness at the flip of a switch. Sylvania’s new Instant-on CFL Micro-Mini is only 3.7 inches tall and requires no warm-up time.

Tufting adds classic styling to silhouettes ranging from casual chic to ultra-sophisticated. Urban Outfitters’ Antoinette Fainting Sofa is truly swoon-worthy, with its luxurious tufted velvet, high arms and turnedhardwood spindle legs. The Chris Madden tufted leather headboard, at JC Penney,

offers a slightly more masculine take on this trend.

Understated elegance is in vogue for master bedrooms. “The pomp and circumstance of overstuffed pillows that seem to multiply in the night is out, while exquisite, neutralcolored linens are in, especially when paired with a luxurious top blanket and an unfussy, clean-lined duvet,” says Dallas-based interior designer Elaine Williamson.

Virtual design software takes some of the guesswork out of home decorating. The ColorSnap free color-matching app, downloadable to iPhone and BlackBerry devices, captures colors from everyday life and matches them to Sherwin-Williams paint colors. Available as an iPhone app or the company’s website, the Napoleon Fireplace Design Studio allows homeowners to visualize and price the perfect fireplace. The La-ZBoy Room Planner, available online, is an all-in-one tool that enables homeowners to customize furniture styles and fabrics, add windows and doors, change a room’s shape and try out different floorings and color schemes.

White kitchens are coming back because they’re “classic, timeless and never look dated,” Robb says. Martha Stewart Living’s Seal Harbor and Ox Hill cabinetry at The Home Depot gives the impression of a justscrubbed New England cottage kitchen and turn-of-the-century country kitchen, respectively.

Xceed dimmable compact fluorescent lamps by Lightolier illuminate a room with a third fewer down lights and use two-thirds less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Compare them with incandescent and LED lighting to learn the respective costs of operation and lamp replacement over five, 10 and 15 years.

Ypres fabric by Scalamandre is a sumptuous damask, a material that not only stands the test of time but is currently enjoying a resurgence. The pattern comes in Flemish blue, pine, ruby, gold and watermelon, all with metallic backgrounds, and a nonmetallic antique white. This damask would look good in a library that takes itself pretty seriously, though the colors aren’t at all ponderous.

Zoran Jedrejcic gives us something to chew on: Who says the tines on a fork have to be the same length? And why can’t a spoon be on the verge of achieving an hourglass shape? The Croatian designer’s Paddle flatware for Nambe is a feast for the eyes. © CTW Features

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Walk This Way Shoes make the walker

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By Darci Smith CTW FEATURES After two months of training for her first 10-mile competitive walk, Jennie Cromie noticed a huge difference – in her amount of aches and pains.

“I finally figured out that my shoes were causing part of the problem,” says Cromie, of Clio, Mich., who had been walking in a pair of 5-year-old sneakers.

Cromie decided to not only splurge on a new pair, but also consult a professional.

The saleswoman at a local specialty footwear store fit her in pair of New Balance trainers that she’s been replacing about every nine months since.

“I still had normal pains associated with training, but many of my aches and pains went away,” she says. “Having the right shoes made all the difference.”

Cromie is hardly alone when it comes to shoe-related foot pain. The biggest mistake many walkers make is not seeing walking as a serious exercise and either wearing the wrong footwear or trying to do too much too soon, according to Dr. James Christina, director of Scientific Affairs of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

“If you’re going for a walk of any specific distance or time, there are more stresses that are going to be placed on your lower extremities over a prolonged period of time,” he explains. The most common foot stresses are related to the heel and arch, he notes, and result in injuries like heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, arch pain or metatarsal fractures.

When a foot issue arises, Christina says to first follow the tried-and-true RICE method: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Consult a podiatrist if the pain doesn’t go away; if it returns with activity, the shoes are likely to blame.

If quality, correctly fit shoes were involved, orthotics or insoles may be the key to better shoe performance, says Jeff Gray, director of education and training for Ferndale, Wash.-based insole manufacturer Superfeet Inc. Gray estimates that 80 percent of the population was born with bad foot mechanics and could benefit from the improved foot and body alignment that insoles provide. The 20 percent who are genetically fortunate and graced with stable feet may still see positive results from a comfort standpoint, he adds.

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Still, insoles are never a substitute for buying a good shoe, Gray notes. “The insole will only work as good as the shoe you put it in.”

While in practice, Christina often steered his podiatry patients toward running shoes because of the research performed by running shoe manufacturers.

Plus, reputable running specialty stores are typically staffed with associates who are knowledgeable about shoe types and proper fit, he adds.

“I don’t think you can ever go wrong walking in a running shoe,” Christina says.

But the opposite – running in a walking shoe – is a recipe for injury, according Michael Swisher, manager of the Chicago location of specialty store Running Away Multisport.

“Running shoes tend to be lighter, softer, more flexible and more technical than walking shoes and are designed to support, cushion and control your foot’s natural flex at a higher rate of impact,” he explains.

Swisher estimates that he has fit thousands of people during the past 10 years working in the running shoe industry. Whether looking for a shoe to walk or run in, people who pick the incorrect shoe for their foot are most likely to base their decision on color, brand or price, he finds. But most common: wearing shoes too small.

All can be eliminated through the proper fit process at a running speciality store. A fitting often takes up to a half an hour, and includes a conversation about the customer’s past footwear, activities and aspirations, and injuries and limitations, Swisher notes.

“That conversation should lead into the measuring of the foot to find out not only the size and width but arch length and shape,” he says. “This goes a long way into figuring out the brands and styles that may work.”

By watching a client run or walk in a soft cushion shoe, a fit specialist can see what the client’s foot does naturally and assess the amount of flex in his or her gait. The information is then used to determine the category of shoe – neutral, mild stability, stability or motion control.

“It’s just as important to figure how much support a person needs or doesn't need as it is to put them in the right-sized footwear,” Swisher says. “Too much support can be just has detrimental as not enough.”

Once the level of support is determined, several brands of shoes should be presented. Then, it’s all about determining what’s comfortable – right off the bat, Swisher says. “You should never feel like you need to break in a new pair of shoes.”

And how often to replace them? Every 350 to 450 miles, although that can be hard to assess without logging miles after every workout, Swisher notes. “A good rule is to never have a birthday in your shoes.” © CTW Features

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TREND-STEPPERS Magazines and television commercials are filled with shoes promising to eliminate injuries or deliver exercise benefits without the workout.

As with anything in life, “one size is not going to fit all,” stresses Dr. James Christina, director of Scientific Affairs of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Toning shoes feature a rounded bottom, which manufacturers claim help tone muscles and burn extra calories while walking or running. “They’re not going to be for everyone,” Christina says.

Those with tight calf muscles or achilles issues may find toning shoes only aggravate the injury.

For everyone else, Christina doesn’t recommend wearing toning shoes all day every day, but to instead treat them as any other piece of exercise equipment – and build up usage gradually, perhaps only wearing them for every other workout. “You wouldn’t go to the gym and lift weights for two hours if you’ve never lifted weights before,” he explains.

Barefoot running has produced a legion of followers, although Christina notes that there are no significant studies on the positive or negative effects of the trend.

“You definitely run differently,” Christina says, because running barefoot changes the strike zone to the ball of the foot, and flexes tendons and strengthens muscles in a new way. He adds that those who are unable to walk for long distances barefoot probably aren’t meant to run barefoot.

Shoes for barefoot running – like the Vibram Five Fingers – are designed to provide no support, only to protect the bottom of the feet from foreign objects on the ground. “There’s definitely a gettingused-to period,” says Michael Swisher, manager of the Chicago location of specialty store Running Away Multisport. “Be cautious and do it in a controlled environment – at the beach, on a treadmill, in the grass,” he says. “It should start out as a small percentage of your workout.”

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Meet the new

indestructibles

Appealing, yet repelling: Dry-erasable leather, nanotechnology and stain-resistant chenille up the ante

By Dawn Klingensmith CTW Features Upholstery used to have it so easy. All it was asked to do was look spiffy, feel good to the touch and be durable. It was not expected to deflect human errors like spilled wine. That’s why plastic sofa covers and Scotchgard were invented.

Lately, however, so-called “performance fabrics,” designed for more rigorous commercial or institutional settings, have moved in on the residential market. Now, much more is expected of home textiles as consumers wise up to the fact there are fabrics that can withstand

accidents, abuse and a 6-year-old’s birthday party. There’s even an erasable faux leather fabric called Sta-Kleen Erasable Urethane Upholstery from which you can “dry erase” permanent marker.

“It seems like the latest high-performance fabrics coming out are being marketed with residential use in mind,” says Upholstery Journal editor Kelly Frush. “People want their furniture to last a long time, so that’s why they request a high-performance fabric – to protect against kids, pets, stains and life in general.”

Performance fabrics are born multi-taskers, going beyond the call of duty with a skill set

that includes repelling stains, guarding against UV rays and fading, neutralizing odors, resisting static, and keeping dust mites and bacteria at bay.

They are the overachievers – perhaps even the superheroes – of the textile world. But until recently, non-performance home textiles had nothing to fear from performance fabrics because the competition was, well, stiff. “It’s very difficult to do what we do and keep the fabric soft,” says Randy Rubin, co-creator of Crypton Super Fabric, which is manufactured, not sprayed or treated, to have a built-in moisture barrier for stain resistance.

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Image courtesy of Crypton

“When you spill milk on a sofa, you might be able to clean the fabric but the milk is going to go down into the cushion and grow bacteria” unless performance upholstery is used, she says.

The possibility of diaper leakage and pet accidents furthers the appeal of germ-fighting properties.

However, Crypton and other manufacturers are now able to make performance fabrics that actually feel nice, and some have figured out how to engineer functional qualities like stain and bacteria resistance into plush or highly textured fabrics like chenille. “I think that’s why we’re seeing more of them pop up in the home, whereas before they tended to be less attractive, thick and rough,” Frush says.

“A lot of these fabrics are being produced in snazzy textures, such as faux animal hides. Bold colors are also becoming a trend, whereas blah, utilitarian colors used to be the norm.”

Though not quite a household name, Sunbrella is a well-known brand of fade-resistant, bleachcleanable fabric initially used for outdoor applications such as patio furniture. Over time, the fabric became so refined that Sunbrella crossed the threshold into the great indoors, where it is used for window treatments and upholstery.

Residential interior designers have long been using Sunbrella, Crypton and other performance fabrics for indoor applications, and now consumers are increasingly aware they exist and are stylish and sophisticated enough for their living rooms. HGTV producer and host Joe Ruggiero helped usher performance fabrics into the mainstream by espousing their use in home interiors and partnering with Sunbrella to create a signature line.

Depending on the end-use application, other desirable performance features are static resistance, moisture control and odor elimination. Nano-Tex makes sheets that wick moisture away from the body, so night sweats are more tolerable. The company also makes bedding that neutralizes odors.

These and other properties are developed using nanotechnology, which manipulates individual fibers at the molecular level.

Using a spill-resistant performance fabric for table linens like placemats and napkins seems like a no-brainer, but though Nano-Tex makes such products, the price point compared with regular linens can make consumers balk. However, performance fabrics are becoming more affordable as the technology decreases in cost, while at the same time the quality and capabilities keep improving.

Who knows what miracles the fabrics of the future will perform? Perhaps upholstery will have gotten so gifted it can alert us when the TV remote gets wedged between the cushions. © CTW Features

Images courtesy of Sta-Kleen Erasable Urethane Upholstery

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Got Non-dairy

Milk?

Almonds, rice, hemp and coconuts are just a few of the options in the increasingly popular milk-substitute market. But are they as nutritious as the real deal?

By BEV BENNETT CTW FEATURES hey’re cream-colored, thirst-quenching and varyingly nutritious. Their roots aren’t in a dairy farm, however.

Instead, newly booming nondairy beverages like soy, hemp, rice, almond, oat and coconut originate in plants.

For those with an allergy or intolerance to dairy milk or those following a vegan diet, plant beverages likely are commonplace.

For those under the age of 45 looking to improve their diets, these are healthier options than milk, according to a recent market research report from Mintel International Group.

But do plant beverages deliver the nutrients people need?

The short answer: maybe.

“There’s a lot of nutrient variation not only between different types, such as soy and hemp, but also within the type,” says Matthew Ruscigno, a registered dietitian, Los Angeles.

Since plant beverages don’t have uniform formulations, consumers may find that one brand of hemp milk has 140 milligrams of sodium and another brand only 5 milligrams.

They’ll also find a wide variance in calories, fat and nutrients. In addition, consumers may find that some beverages include added sweeteners.

When selecting plant beverages, take dietary needs into account and read the labels for each brand and each type, nutrition experts say.

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Calories, which may be first on the list, can range from 50 to 140 per cup. Hemp can vary by 40 calories per cup, depending on the brand.

Make sure the calories aren’t coming from added sweeteners, Ruscigno cautions. He recommends buying plain, not flavored beverages, to reduce or avoid the amount of sweetener in each serving.

For those consuming a milk-like drink for the recommended daily allowance of calcium, don’t assume it delivers, and check the label.

“Many [plant beverages] have calcium added that’s close to or equal to that in cow’s milk, but you have to look. Calcium is not in all of them,” says Ruscigno, who’s been a vegan since age 15.

Like calcium, vitamin D fortification can vary. Major soy beverage producers are adding vitamin D to make it comparable to dairy milk, he says.

Check for vitamin B12, which is in cow’s milk, says Keri M. Gans, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

Some manufacturers add B12 to their plant beverages; others don’t.

If dairy milk is a major protein source, especially in the morning, consumers are not going to get the same amount with an alternative, according to Gans.

Soy beverages come closest at 7 grams of protein per cup, compared with 8.26 grams protein for skim milk.

However, in some nutrient comparisons, such as dietary fiber, plant beverages may do better than dairy milk, which doesn’t contain fiber.

Whole-grain rice beverages provide three grams of dietary fiber per cup – more than a slice of whole-wheat bread.

Oat beverage, like oats, is a source of soluble fiber, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Adding oat beverage to morning oatmeal can significantly boost soluble fiber intake.

Although omega-3 fatty acids are hemp’s claim to nutritional fame, Gans cautions that hemp isn’t the optimal source of the fatty acids.

As plants, these beverages are good sources of carbohydrates. But for those at risk for diabetes, it might be crucial to get the product lowest in carbohydrates, according to Gans, who is in a private practice in New York City.

With such great variance in benefits, it’s tempting to stick with the beverage type with the best nutrition package. Instead, mix it up to get the best of plant beverages, the experts say. © CTW Features

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Dairy-free Cooking Plant beverages are suitable for cooking and for drinking.

Unlike milk, which has a uniform flavor, different beverages will add subtle or significant taste variations, which can make dishes more interesting, according to Alicia C. Simpson, an Atlanta-based cookbook author and food writer.

What does she use in her recipes?

“Everything that’s out there,” says Simpson, author of “Quick and Easy Vegan Celebrations” (The Experiment, 2010).

Her current favorite for cooking is almond beverage.

“It’s great because it’s only 60 calories [per cup] super creamy, rich and not too sweet,” Simpson says.

Rice and oat beverages also get a nod in her cooking.

“Rice is a little lower in calories and a little sweeter. I like it in muffins and cakes and a sweeter pancake,” Simpson says.

When she wants a beverage with neutral flavor and creamy texture, she turns to oat beverage.

Hemphasthick,creamytexture,butwithadistinctivegrainyornuttytaste.

“You either like it or you don’t, says Matthew Ruscigno, a registered dietitian and co-author of the upcoming healthy vegan cookbook, “Appetite for Reduction.”

Coconut beverage, not to be confused with canned coconut milk, tastes like its namesake.

“It bakes really well, but I’ll use it in dishes that already have coconut or could use it, such as an oatmeal bread,” Simpson says.

Ruscigno recommends coconut beverage – “better than soy” – if you’re making ice cream.

Soy and coffee are a popular mix. However, some soy brands are better suited to lighten coffee, according to the dietitian.

“Some soy [brands] break apart and separate; it’s not very appealing. Same with hemp; some [brands] break down,” says Ruscigno, who suggests asking your coffee shop barista what brand he uses.

ButSimpsonurgescookstonotlimitthemselvestoonetypeofbeverage.

“The joy of working with various [plant beverages] is having fun experimenting with them,” she says.

Nutritional Breakdown Here’s a look at plant beverage nutrition, using the Nutrition Facts panel for each product based on a 1 cup serving. However, remember that actual nutrients can vary with the brand.

Type Calories Almond 60 Coconut Hemp 140 Oat 130 Soy 100 Wholegrain rice

Fat 2.5g 50 5g 2.5g 4g

Sodium 150mg 5g 130mg 110mg 135mg

100 3g

Calcium 20% 15mg 50% 35% 35%

Protein CarbohydratesFiber 1g 8g 1g 10% 1g 1g 4g 20g 1g 4g 24g 2g 7g 8g 2g

150mg 25%

1g

19g

0g

3g 13

Do you have your Vial of L.I.F.E.?

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton is making sure you do Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton is rolling out a new program to Denton and the surrounding region to further improve the health of the people living in the communities it serves. It is called the Vial of L.I.F.E. (Lifesaving Information For Emergencies). In a medical emergency, it provides first responders (EMS) with critical information that will help them deliver more accurate care—your medication list and your physician’s name.

But how does it work? Large, plastic containers, resembling over-sized medicine bottles with caps, are filled by hospital volunteers, employees and external volunteer groups. Each of the more than 30,000 containers include two stickers, a medical information sheet and instructions. The hospital then makes the Vials available to patients being discharged, to attendees at health fairs or to community members. Once the Vial is taken home, the medical information sheet is completed so that a comprehensive list of medications is documented. Then, a sticker is placed on the front entry door and another is placed on the refrigerator, while the Vial is placed on the top right shelf of the refrigerator door. Program participants are encouraged to take the Vial with them to their doctor’s office so that their list of medications may be kept current.

Texas Health Denton reached out to local EMS providers to educate them about the Vial of L.I.F.E. The purpose of the program is to help expedite the patient’s care and to help first responders know as much as possible while they are still on the scene. Once a patient arrives at the hospital, the Vial is passed along to the care team. Individuals who bring themselves to the hospital for emergency care should also bring their Vial.

To learn more about the Vial of L.I.F.E. or to make arrangements to pick up a Vial, call 1-877-THR-WELL..

About Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton is a 255-bed acute-care, full-service hospital that has served North Texas and southern Oklahoma since 1987. The hospital’s services include: heart and vascular; a Level III neonatal intensive care unit; ortho-

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Volunteers at Texas Health Denton help to assemble more than 30,000 Vials of L.I.F.E. Shown from left to right, beginning in the back row are: Retha Whittle and Dottie Okland. Front row: Nub Frazier, Martha Mason and Edith Lindley.

pedics and sports medicine; neck, spine and pain management; emergency medicine; an accredited sleep center; women’s services; and a weight loss surgery program that has been designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. As one of the largest employers in Denton County, Texas Health Denton has more than 1,000 employees and more than 300 physicians on the medical staff practicing in more than 43 specialties. Texas Health Denton is an accredited chest pain center and an affiliate of Texas Health Resources, one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health care delivery systems in the United States and the largest in North Texas in terms of patients served. For more information, call 1-877THR-WELL, or visit www.TexasHealth.org/Denton.

About Texas Health Resources Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health care delivery systems in the United States and the largest in North Texas in terms of patients served.

Texas Health’s system of 13 hospitals includes Texas Health Harris Methodist, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Presbyterian, and an organization for medical research and education. Texas Health is a partner in eight additional hospitals or surgery centers. Texas Health Physicians Group provides a variety of models for engagement with physicians. Texas Health Partners is a

joint venture development and management company owned by Texas Health Resources.

Texas Health MedSynergies is a joint venture that offers physicians a range of office management and other business services to support their practices. Texas Health SingleSource Staffing is a joint venture designed to help Texas Health hospitals improve patient care by recruiting and retaining quality nurses and allied healthcare professionals.

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REMEMBER, JUST BECAUSE YOU GOT A NEW HIP DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE YOU HIP.

Out with the old you, in with the new one. At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, we offer a wide range of joint replacement procedures. The physicians on the medical staff offer advanced joint care and surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgeries. With a focus on education, wellness and rehab, our goal is to offer a high level of care with the shortest hospital stay and quickest recovery time. Complete care for knees, hips and shoulders.

For more information, call 1-877-THR-Well or visit us online at TexasHealth.org/DentonJoints.

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. Š 2010

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