Oregon Family Magazine

MENOPAUSE

WEIGHT GAIN

MYTH

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE LOCALLY

TAKING IN SUMMER CONCERTS

Summer Food Program

Summer Food Program

June 26th - August 25th

June 26th - August 25th

Monday - Friday | 11:30am - 12:30pm

Monday - Friday | 11:30am - 12:30pm

Free lunch for kids 18 and younger!

Free lunch for kids 18 and younger!

Multiple meal sites across Lane County: Eugene, Springfield, Thurston, Junction City, Creswell, & Veneta

Multiple meal sites across Lane County: Eugene, Springfield, Thurston, Junction City, Creswell, & Veneta

foodforlanecounty.org

foodforlanecounty.org

Scan to find a meal site near you!

Scan to find a meal site near you!

Many families with children face challenges of not having access to school breakfasts and lunches during the summer. If you are able to,

please consider making a donation using the QR code above to help FFLC serve children in our community.

Many families with children face challenges of not having access to school breakfasts and lunches during the summer. If you are able to,

please consider making a donation using the QR code above to help FFLC serve children in our community.

What are some examples of citizen science in efforts to

THE WORLD IS GETTING warmer each year, and people worldwide want to do their bit to help. Many of us already are. We turn thermostats, bike to get around, recycle, and urge elected officials to make our cities greener. But there is one more thing any of us can do to fight global warming: it’s called citizen science.

Citizen science is the involvement of the general public—you, your communities, anyone who is not a professional scientist—in collecting data to support scientific research. Citizen science has actually existed for decades. For example, the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count began in 1900 to promote conservation. With the gigantic leap in 21st century technology, citizen science is now truly invaluable in dealing with the climate crisis. Ordinary people can record and share vast amounts of data on smartphones, and identify thousands of animal and plant species through apps. They can even connect from remote places to share information about the effects of global warming on their local ecosystems.

In citizen science there’s something for everyone. Those concerned about climate can

record the timing of flowering for Project Budburst. Those interested in oceans can monitor beach debris for the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), which studies how global warming has hurt coastal ecosystems

With climate change a worldwide concern, citizen science, too, is a global phenomenon, especially useful in poor or remote areas where accurate meteorological data are hard to come by. In such places, citizen scientists are the

Another promising aspect of citizen science is that it is being integrated into school curricula, introducing students worldwide to standardized measurements of climate change. Through Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), citizen scientist students have collected data to study how climate change has affected the earth’s energy balance and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Regardless of location, age or nationality, citizen scientists are heroes in the worldwide effort to combat global warming. There is a wealth of information online that can help anyone find citizen science projects by location and project type so that they can get involved. SciStarter.org or CitizenScience.gov are good places to start the search. ✦

and their wildlife inhabitants. By listening to frog calls for the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP), recording glacial melts in rural Alaska for the Indigenous Sentinels Network, or photographing mountain smog for the Appalachian Mountain Club, citizen scientists provide valuable data from all over the world that scientists couldn’t otherwise obtain.

best way to collect data useful for local needs. In Bangladesh, farmers record temperature and humidity for the Transforming Climate Knowledge with and for Society (TRACKS) project to monitor how global warming harms the crops upon which they depend. In South Africa, villagers collect data on needed groundwater supplies via the Diamonds on the Soles of their Feet project.

CONTACTS: SciStarter.org, scistarter. org/; CitizenScience.gov, citizenscience.gov; Project Budburst, budburst.org; COASST, coasst.org; Appalachian Mountain Club, outdoors.org; NAAMP, data.usgs.gov/datacatalog/data/USGS:583dc314e4b0d1899f9dea8d; Indigenous Sentinels Network, sentinelsnetwork.org/app-programs; TRACKS, uib.no/en/rg/tracks

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org

monitor and combat global warming?

— CANDACE C., TALLAHASSEE, FL

Smartphone apps help rural Alaskans monitor the effects of global warming on their far north ecosystems and beyond.

PHOTO: BERNARD SPRAGG

Our Contributors

Oregon Family Magazine is distributed monthly, year-round via direct mail in the greater Lane County area, and at over 150 high-traffic commercial locations. For information regarding Every Door Direct Mail, please visit www.dmachoice.org or www.optoutprescreen.com.

PUBLISHER

Pacific Parents Publishing

EDITOR

1. KIMBERLY BLAKER

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com

2. RICK EPSTEIN

A Dad’s Eye View contributor, also awardwinning columnist, and journalist. Author of Rookie Dad (Hyperion) and The Right Number of Kids (McKenna Publishing Group). His wife and three daughters run a living laboratory in which he is constantly tested, analyzed, and experimented upon. It’s as if a guinea pig could write.

3.

Cherie Gough is a freelance writer focused on solutions-based journalism. She also works as a College Essay Coach helping young people tell their stories on college applications using their authentic voices. Bylines in HuffPost, Edible San Diego, and Eating Well. Find her at cheriegough.com and on IG @cgoughwrites.

4. BONNIE HARRIS

Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.

5. DANIEL HIESTAND

Daniel Hiestand is the new Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator, responsible for working with the county’s Waste Reduction team to produce original content to promote waste reduction education and outreach. Daniel has worked extensively as a reporter, overseas teacher, communications consultant, entrepreneur, and nonprofit fundraiser. Later this year, Daniel will graduate from Arizona State University with a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership.

6. SARAH LYONS

Sarah Lyons is a writer and proud mom of six, including six year old triplets. In her limited free time, she enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and spending time outside.

7. AYUSHI SINGH

Ayushi Singh is a health freelance writer based in India with an M.A. in English. She is passionate about writing about health and wellness, and enjoys exploring topics related to nutrition, fitness, and mental health. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, trying new healthy recipes, and spending time with her family.

8. RODDY SCHEER

Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine

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CHERIE GOUGH

The Trouble with Family Travel

BY RICK EPSTEIN

OUR TRIP TO THE circus was not so wonderful. Eight-yearold Sally was bored. Wendy, age 4, alternated between wanting to leave and demanding candy, toys and T-shirts. My energies were devoted to managing her and Sally, and when I tried to switch from parent to spectator I found myself wanting to tell the clowns to act their age, the acrobats to knock off the horseplay, and the trapeze artists to get down from there this minute.

ought to be getting out more.

When I was her age, my parents would take us three boys on road trips all around the country. We saw so many birthplaces and former residences of the famous, I used to worry that, as history accumulated, we’d be a nation hemmed in by velvet ropes with hardly anyplace for regular folks to live.

During the day, when my brothers and I got tired of looking out the windows at

that the supine boy below would get dripped on, the young virtuoso would dip his head with rattlesnake swiftness and recapture the drip. And Dad, oblivious in the front seat, thought the Grand Coulee hydroelectric dam was humankind’s most amazing feat.

Despite ourselves, these summer road trips taught us a lot of history and geography. But little Jim and I were more interested in buying than learning. We had an insatiable lust for pennants, statuettes and other useless junk emblazoned with the names of places like Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park and Fort Sumter.

Mom shared the driving, but on the winding mountain roads, she insisted that Dad take the wheel. “I keep looking over the edge and imagining the car plunging onto the rocks down there,” she said. Scary, sure, but not half as scary as sharing a succession of motel beds with my big brother Steve. He had a cruel streak and toenails like knives. And he used them the way Ty Cobb used his sharpened baseball spikes – as weapons of aggression. Firstborn Steve felt entitled to two-thirds of any bed and his slashing talons enforced his claim. Little Jim slept peacefully on the rollaway, resting up for another day of reckless shopping and slobbery sport, while Steve composed himself for slumber by stealing my covers and kicking me onto the floor.

Until all three of us were asleep, we were living,

squirming, bickering proof that children are best enjoyed one at a time.

There are lots of places I’d like to take my kids, but almost no place that would be fun to take all three of them, even if they did get along with each other.

And while I’m waiting for Wendy to grow up, Marie is drifting ever closer to adolescence. Tours of an old New England whaling ship, the Hearst Castle or Amelia Earhart’s childhood home would be hard to sell to a teenager. At that age, a kid tends to find history dull and irrelevant, and that goes double for the two antiques known as Mom and Dad.

With Marie’s biological clock ticking, I offered a deal to my wife Betsy. “Sometime this summer,” I said, “I want to take Marie on a whirlwind tour of as many historical sites and scenic places as we can hit in three days. You stay home with the little kids, then it’ll be your turn to take Sally somewhere for a long weekend while I mind the other two.” Betsy loves the idea, and she and Sally are trying to pick a destination.

And what of poor little Wendy? We’ll have to arrange some kind of improving activity for her while her big sisters take turns at being broadened and stimulated. Maybe Uncle Jim can come over and teach her the home-version of his favorite game. After all, these are HER wonder years, too. ✦

Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.

5

REASONS TO MAKE

Outdoor Summer Concerts

A FAMILY TRADITION

BY CHERIE GOUGH

MAKE THE MOST OF beautiful weather and long days by attending outdoor concerts this summer. Here are five reasons to make outdoor summer concerts your family’s new summertime ritual.

1

GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS WITH LITTLE TO NO PLANNING. A simple text message serves as the invitation. No one has to host. A potluck picnic is a simple way to share a no-fuss meal. Some venues may have food trucks on site for ultimate convenience.

2

PLAY OUTSIDE WITH THE FAMILY. Avoid being couch potatoes this summer. Some concerts are held at a park, so bring along your favorite ball or frisbee and find an open space to play. You’re sure to meet people or bump into neighbors. Visit the playground if your kids need to climb. Some venues even offer games and bounce houses to keep children happy and active at the event. While the music is playing, it’s natural to get up and dance as a family.

3

NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERTS BUILD COMMUNITY. Many summer concerts are staged in local neighborhoods. People of all ages gather together, reminiscent of the piazzas in Italy where time slows, conversations flow and people share food and smiles. In our super busy, over-scheduled lives, it’s important to “schedule” some down time. It’s good for the kids to see grandparents dancing together and enjoying life—and for older folks to see young families playing together in a positive way.

4

SHARE YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC WITH YOUR KIDS. Summer concerts offer a wide variety of musical genres, everything from 80s rock and bluegrass, to country and Big Band. Sharing music with your kids allows you to tell stories and share a piece of your youth with them. It also offers an opportunity to watch live musicians, point out different instruments and sounds, or just boogie down and be silly together.

5

ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF NATURE TOGETHER. When was the last time you ran around outside, observed clouds, watched the sunset or enjoyed a dinner picnic as a family? While enjoying your favorite music? So, what are you waiting for? ✦

The Menopause Weight Gain Myth

WHAT WOMEN NEED TO KNOW

BY AYUSHI SINGH

MENOPAUSE IS A NATURAL biological transition that occurs in every woman’s life as she reaches her late 40s or early 50s. Along with the hormonal changes and various physical and emotional symptoms, women often hear about the dreaded weight gain during menopause. This notion has perpetuated a common myth that menopause inevitably leads to weight gain. However, it is important to dispel this myth and provide women with accurate information regarding menopause and its impact on weight.

According to the Science Daily, “Globally, around 1.5 billion adults are overweight, and of these around 300 million women are obese. Obesity rates have doubled since 1980,

especially in Western countries. There are a variety of reasons for the increase, not only lifestyle reasons. In general, more women than men are obese, and fluctuations in sex hormones have been proposed as being implicated in the weight gain.”

UNDERSTANDING MENOPAUSE

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, characterized by the cessation of menstruation for a continuous period of 12 months. During menopause, the ovaries gradually produce fewer hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal fluctuations can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and changes in body composition.

ARE HORMONAL CHANGES DURING MENOPAUSE DIRECTLY LINKED TO WEIGHT GAIN?

“No, they are not, but a decline in estrogen, which is what defines menopause, affects where women gain weight. When you’re in perimenopause and are gaining weight in your 40s and 50s, it can be difficult to believe that weight gain isn’t a result of hormonal changes, but it’s important to remember that women are aging at the same time as they are going through perimenopause, which can last from four to 10 years,” says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RDN, Co-author, The Menopause Diet Plan, A Natural Guide to Managing Hormones, Health and Happiness

LIFESTYLE FACTORS

Several lifestyle factors contribute to weight gain during menopause. These factors include reduced physical activity, decreased muscle mass, and changes in dietary habits. Many women also experience an increase in appetite and cravings, often for high-calorie foods. Emotional factors like stress, anxiety, and mood swings can also affect eating behaviors.

TIPS FOR MANAGING WEIGHT DURING MENOPAUSE

REGULAR EXERCISE

Engaging in regular physical activity is crucial for managing weight during menopause. Here are some key points to consider: Cardiovascular Exercises. Include activities like brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling to increase heart rate, burn calories, and improve cardiovascular health.

Strength Training. Strength training, or resistance exercise, is a must for midlife and beyond. The suggested amount is at least twice a week on two different days. Strength training is the key to making and keeping muscle. Women should also get a total of 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, which amounts to about 30 minutes, 5 days a week of brisk walking, jogging, or other aerobic activity, ” Elizabeth Ward, MS, RDN said. Incorporate resistance exercises such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises to build and maintain muscle mass. This helps boost metabolism and support weight management.

Flexibility and Balance Exercises. Practices like yoga or tai chi can improve flexibility, balance, and overall body strength, enhancing overall fitness levels.

BALANCED DIET

Adopting a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for weight management during menopause. Consider the following guidelines: Eat a variety of whole foods. It’s important to take a good look at what you’re eating and how much to prevent midlife weight gain. A balanced, plant-based (but not necessarily free of animal foods, such as low fat dairy and lean meat, seafood, and poultry) with the right number of calories for your goals (weight loss or weight maintenance) is the best approach. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your meals.

Portion Control. Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating. Use smaller plates and practice mindful eating techniques to savor your food and recognize feelings of fullness.

Limit Processed Foods and Added Sugars. Minimize consumption of processed snacks, sugary drinks, and desserts, as they are often high in calories and low in nutritional value.

Stay Hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain hydration, support metabolism, and prevent overeating.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Managing stress levels is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight during menopause. Here are some strategies to consider:

Relaxation Techniques. Practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness to alleviate stress and promote emotional well-being.

Engage in Enjoyable Activities. Pursue hobbies, engage in social activities, or participate in activities that bring joy and relaxation, as this can help reduce stress levels.

Seek Support. Share your experiences and concerns with trusted friends, family members, or support groups. Consider professional counseling if needed.

PRIORITIZE SLEEP

Getting sufficient and quality sleep is important for weight management during menopause. Consider the following tips:

Create a Sleep Routine. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal your body that it’s time to wind down. Adequate sleep. Women should sleep about 7-8 hours a night to better help regulate hunger and satiety hormones. However, it’s important to note that sleep can be illusive during perimenopause because of hot flashes, anxiety, and needing to pee during the night.

Create a Restful Environment. Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Use comfortable bedding and consider using white noise machines or earplugs if necessary. Limit Stimulants. Avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol, or stimulating activities close to bedtime, as they can interfere with sleep quality.

REGULAR HEALTH CHECK-UPS

Schedule regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your overall health, hormonal balance, and discuss any concerns or questions related to weight management during menopause. ✦

Fresh Summer Flavors Fit for the Patio

GATHERINGS IN THE SUMMER sun are all about easy, convenient recipes combined with the joy warm weather brings.

Keeping cooking simple means more time on the patio, and this Chipotle Chicken Flatbread lets home chefs skip complicated kitchen duties without skimping on flavor. Summertime is also when you crave something cold and fruity— try

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN FLATBREADS

Perfect for al fresco entertaining when served alongside a fresh salad, they’re simple to make and allow guests to personalize with preferred toppings before popping in the oven. As a colorful and fresh dish, it’s an ideal meal for get-togethers on the patio.

INGEDIENTS:

• 2 flatbreads

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 clove garlic, diced

• 4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

• salt, to taste

• pepper, to taste

• ½ cup ranch dressing

• 1 ½ teaspoons chipotle seasoning

• 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.

3. In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning.

4. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbreads and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

using your favorite frozen fruit for a refreshing drink.

For example, strawberries with frozen pink lemonade concentrate combine to make a spritzer recipe worth sharing. This fizzy Strawberry Spritzer can delight your taste buds and keep you quenched while enjoying the summer sun.

Find more recipes at Culinary.net.

STRAWBERRY SPRITZER

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

INGEDIENTS:

• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen sliced strawberries, sweetened and thawed

• 2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled (Ginger ale may be used in place of soda.)

• 1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

DIRECTIONS:

1. In blender, process strawberries until blended thoroughly.

2. Pour strawberries into large pitcher; stir in soda and pink lemonade.

3. Serve immediately.

1970’s Summer

BY SARAH LYONS

As the whirlwind of the last few weeks of school fly by, I find myself ready for the long, unscheduled days of summer. Sleeping in, spending our afternoons poolside, and playing hide and seek until the fireflies come out.

REALISTICALLY, MY IDEA OF carefree summer days come from my youth and not from the summers our own kids typically experience. Camps, play dates, and ball games fill up most of our calendars while any free time is consumed by parentplanned educational activities and crafts seen on social media. While these things aren’t bad, it can be a little daunting for parents due to the pressure to plan every minute of their child’s summer.

I have declared this summer to be different. My kids will have the kind of summer I had as a child. One that is less scheduled and more free play, less video games and more outside time, and less parent planned and more child created. If, like me, you are tired of feeling pressure to entertain and educate your child every waking moment, use these tips to enjoy your summer, 1970’s style.

DITCH THE EXCESS

Today parents often feel the need to sign their kids up for as many camps, clinics, and activities as possible to fill their days. In the 70’s, kids did not spend their days at baseball camp, they played baseball with the neighbor kids in the backyard. They didn’t attend theater and dance camps but instead made up their own show to perform for parents and siblings. Give your kids the gift of free time to play and try things on their own. If kids are away at camps all summer, they won’t have time to create their own adventures.

UNPLUG

Today we love our electronics. It is unlikely that many of us can make it more than a few hours without checking in with social media and responding to emails and texts. Our kids are no different but limits should be set on screen time to allow kids to experience outdoor play, the joy of curling up with a good book, and allowed time to use their own imaginations. 1970’s kids didn’t have apps, educational or not, to entertain them and fill their days. Instead, they used their imagination to create inventions with recycled trash, build forts with whatever they could find, and cooperate with other kids to create games that could last for hours.

GO OUTSIDE

“Go outside and come back when it’s dinner time.” is what my parents would say nearly every afternoon when I was growing up. There were no scheduled play dates, meet ups at the park, or specific activities planned. If I wanted to go to the park, I would ride my bike or walk there. If I wanted a friend to come along, I would swing by their house on the way and knock on the door to see if they wanted to join me. My parents had only a vague idea where I was or who I was with and this was the norm. While many parents don’t feel quite as safe giving their child free reign, we can learn from this attitude. Kids do not need us to plan and intervene in their daily activities. Send them outside, have them go knock on a neighbor’s door and ask them to join them. Play in the sprinkler, ride bikes, draw with chalk, drink from the hose, learn to do cartwheels, jump rope, plant flowers, or simply sit in the sun. Go outside and don’t come home until dinner.

LET IT GO

Parents today have so much pressure to live up to unrealistic standards. We feel we must provide educational crafts, plan interesting and affordable outings, provide well balanced extracurricular activities, all while cooking healthy, organic food, maintaining a clean house, a healthy marriage, and balance our careers simultaneously. The truth is, none of us are able to keep up with it all. The 1970’s parent, while balancing many of the career and family obligations we have today, did not put the type of pressure parents today place on themselves. This summer, take a break from the pressures of social media, enjoy your kids, join them outside, play a board game, have a movie night, lounge at the pool, eat a little (or a lot of) junk food, and give yourself permission to let things go and accept you can’t realistically keep up with everything anyway.

The key to giving your kids, and yourself, a 1970’s summer is to unplug, enjoy, and ease up on the pressures we place on ourselves. Let’s just enjoy our kids and enjoy every unscheduled moment because, before you know it, it will be time to head back to school. ✦

MASTER RECYCLER PROGRAM PIVOTS TO TACKLE

Climate Change at Local Level

BY DANIEL HIESTAND WASTEWISE LANE COUNTY WASTE REDUCTION OUTREACH COORDINATOR

KELLY BELL HAS SEEN the Lane County Master Recycler Program evolve significantly during her 15 years as coordinator.

For example, the free, nine-week master recycler course—provided twice yearly to teach participants about waste management and recycling systems—was initially only offered in Eugene.

Since then, it’s been hosted in Cottage Grove, Creswell, Junction City, Florence, and online, as well as through Churchill High School (Eugene), where each year a group of seniors becomes master recyclers.

As a result, master recyclers have volunteered more than 53,000 hours and shared their waste prevention expertise with more than 153,000 community members in the past 23 years. The program has helped

train more than 1,000 certified master recyclers, each helping to educate their communities.

Now the program is undergoing another transformation by introducing a new course to address the world’s most pressing issue: the climate crisis.

SUSTAINABLE CITIZEN PROJECT

Bell is proud the program has remained active, even during the pandemic. For example, master recyclers have logged more than 4,300 volunteer hours since March 2020 on projects with various community partners, including BRING, the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts, and NextStep Recycling. These efforts have had measurable impacts, including diverting

Kelly Bell

Kearstin Estrada

thousands of pounds of plastic from landfills.

Bell hopes to harness the community’s energy around environmental sustainability as she embarks on the program’s latest offering: the “Sustainable Citizen Project.” This nine-week course is available to all residents interested in taking decisive action to address climate change locally.

The course will teach program participants the highest-impact categories and the ‘right-now’ solutions to address the climate crisis, including actions to transform personal consumption, workplace practices, and governmental policy. Topics covered will include reducing wasted food, transportation, sustainability at home, land management, electricity, materials management, and empowering women.

Class source material was adopted from Project Drawdown, a leading resource for science-based climate solutions.

The class—offered virtually and inperson—includes facilitated discussion on weekly topics, videos, small group collaboration, presenters, field trips, outside reading, and independent research.

“Optimism, collaboration, and action are

the Project keystones,” said Bell. “Successful participants will demonstrate knowledge of harms associated with high-impact categories and corresponding actions they can take to make improvements. Perhaps most importantly, they will share findings with each other, public officials, and business leaders while implementing responses.”

Kearstin Estrada is part of the Project’s first student cohort, which started in early June.

“I think everyone can benefit from the class,” she said. “It’s accessible to anyone, even those without prior sustainability knowledge. Kelly creates an environment where

questions are encouraged, and we learn from one another. Gathering people to discuss sustainability and local activism is crucial because this talk spreads.”

“That’s the hope,” said Bell.

“I want folks to feel confident in their ability to critically evaluate effective actions to reduce harmful impacts of greenhouse emissions, make meaningful, lasting shifts that can reduce harm, and support and effect change, including good policy,” Bell said. ✦

Learn more about future Sustainable Citizen Project courses at lanecountyor.gov/masterrecyclers

Search for the Impossible

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

ONE MAGICAL ELEPHANT, THREE impossible tasks, and a somber town full of disbelief & sadness provide the whimsical background for the Netflix animated feature, The Magician’s Elephant. Directed by Australian Wendy Rogers, based on American Kate DiCamillo’s novel, and voiced by an incredible

THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT

Netflix Animation, Rated: PG

Streaming on Netflix

international cast, The Magician’s Elephant is one of those rare adaptations that’s even better than the original book. And I couldn’t help but notice that the screenplay was written by Martin Hynes, who was born & raised in Eugene. No doubt our small town charm gave this story its wonderful sense of place even in a make-believe world. Peter, our exceptional hero, is an orphan raised by Sgt. Lutz, who believes he saved the boy from certain death during a brutal wartime bombardment. Peter, however, believes his baby sister survived the battle and he’s determined

to find her. A mysterious fortune teller answers a single question telling Peter to follow the magician’s elephant. It’s a high price for a puzzling answer and Peter is understandably confused and upset. Meanwhile, it just so happens that a bumbling magician conjures an elephant out of thin air in the town theatre at that very moment and Peter’s adventure begins. Despite many setbacks, and the King’s demand that he perform three impossible tasks to own the elephant, Peter refuses to

FOR the PARENTS

A Kingdom for the Truth THE

LOST KING

Pathé & BBC Film, Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Amazon

WONDERFULLY SUBTLE WITH ironic British humor, The Lost King is a murder mystery with a five hundred year history and an unrelenting, middle-aged sleuth named Philippa. She suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, but after seeing a particularly moving performance of Shakespeare’s Richard III, she’s drawn to the prejudice and ridicule heaped on the dead king. Philippa’s research on Richard’s disability satisfies her desire for the truth, but at the same time, she begins seeing visions of Richard that eventually challenge her sensibilities. When she decides to actually find the king’s lost body, her friends and family try everything to steer her in a different direction. Undaunted, Philippa secures both the funding and the help of a University of Leister archeological team to dig up a car park, which was the site of a former Franciscan abbey. True to her research, they discover Richard’s body, but the University

buckle. With the help of his neighbor, Leo, who also believes that anything is possible, Peter faces the King’s tasks with pluck and ingenuity. But the elephant’s plight overtakes Peter and he decides that her family is more important than his own. Story credit must go to author Kate DiCamillo for her marvelous life lessons and compassionate perspective because in the end, Peter’s selflessness gives him all he desires. It’s a lovely, inspirational film that the whole family will enjoy! ✦

is quick to claim credit and sideline Philippa. In the end, which is empowering and heartfelt, she discovers that the journey was much more important than fame or accolades. She also realizes that sharing her tenacity can inspire the next generation to question the history that we take for granted.

Saying good-bye to a friend.

The vision becomes real.

Why Am I Burping So Much?

BELCHING, OR BURPING, IS a bodily process that helps expel a build-up of gas from the digestive system. Some people view it as rude or embarrassing, while others find it amusing. Some even consider it a show of appreciation for good food or drink. Regardless of your personal take on burping, it’s a normal, healthy function, that all of us do an average of three to six times after each meal.

Still, if you find yourself burping excessively, it may cause you concern. A variety of causes of gas buildup can lead to the need to belch. Even though excessive burping may be frustrating, it’s most often a result of lifestyle factors that can easily be remedied.

SWALLOWING EXTRA AIR

One of the most common causes of excessive burping is taking too much air into your digestive system. The excess air must then be expelled. There are several possible causes of swallowing more air than your stomach can handle. These include loose dentures, hiccups, eating or drinking too quickly, using a straw, smoking, chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, and talking while eating

Remedy: Pay attention to what you were doing before the burping started. Take notes to look for a pattern, and see if decreasing the behavior resolves it. Also, take your time when eating and drinking at meals, and consider going for a short walk afterward to help move the gas through your system.

EATING GASSY FOODS OR DRINKS

Some foods are harder for your body to digest because of their high levels of starch, sugar, or fiber. Consuming these can cause a buildup of gas in your digestive system.

Some of the most common gas-inducing foods include:

• beans

• broccoli

• cabbage

• lentils

• onions

• dairy

• peas

• bananas

• raisins

• whole wheat bread

Carbonated drinks, like soda and beer, release carbon dioxide bubbles into your system. So these also can increase belching. A side effect of some medications is burping as well.

Remedy: Keep a food diary to track everything you eat, along with the frequency and timing of your burps. This way, you can see any patterns between the foods you’re eating and the need to release trapped gas. Then reduce or eliminate your consumption of gasproducing foods and drinks.

DIGESTIVE ISSUES

Because burping is the release of gas out of your mouth from your digestive system, digestive issues are often the cause. Some of the most common associated problems are:

Acid Reflux or GERD: Stomach acid rises back toward the esophagus and causes heartburn. This leads to an increase in swallowing and the potential for air to be taken in. Over-the-counter medications are available to treat it, though some of these also cause burping.

Hiatal hernia: This type of hernia involves part of the upper stomach pushing through an opening in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias

are relatively common after the age of 50, most often causing no symptoms. Hence, people are unaware of the hernia. When the hernia causes burping, lifestyle changes, and medication usually resolve the symptom. Only rarely is surgery required for a hiatal hernia.

Lactose intolerance: This is an inability of the body to digest lactose in milk that results in bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, which lead to burping. Avoidance of dairy products is the easiest way to prevent symptoms.

Peptic ulcers: These are sores on the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and intestines caused by H. pylori bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) or irritation from pain relievers. The increase in acid that eats away at the lining can cause excess gas and belching. Ulcers may heal on their own with lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, controlling stress, eating a healthy diet, avoiding milk, and reducing the use of pain relievers. Some medications can treat ulcers or reduce stomach acid irritation.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Also known as IBS, this is a disorder affecting the large intestine resulting in digestive issues including gas and bloating that can lead to burping. IBS is a chronic condition and requires long-term management of diet, lifestyle, stress, and possibly the use of medication.

Fructose malabsorption: This is when the body is unable to process foods or drinks containing fructose, leading to increased gas production or bloating. To resolve it, read labels and eliminate anything containing fructose from your diet.

Remedy: In these cases, burping is a symptom of a more significant problem. By addressing the underlying cause with medication or altering your diet under the guidance of a medical professional, you should experience a reduction in gas production.

When dealing with excessive belching, remember that generally, it’s temporary, harmless, and can quickly be dealt with by making minor changes in your lifestyle. But if an increase in belching continues for more than a couple of weeks, is accompanied by other symptoms like severe abdominal pain, or affects your quality of life, contact your doctor. It’s best to make sure nothing more serious is going on with your body that’s causing your burping. ✦

Rescue Spotlight

GREENHILL’S KITTEN SHOWER CELEBRATION!

Adopt a kitten, foster a kitten, or donate needed supplies

Summer is here and so are the kittens! Greenhill cares for cats and kittens year-round, but as the shelter intake significantly increases this time of year, the shelter encourages the local community to adopt kittens, donate vital supplies, and volunteer to participate in Greenhill’s foster program.

Donations. Animal lovers that want to help can view Greenhill’s online wish lists to ship items directly to the shelter or can drop donations off at Greenhill all summer long. Fostering. Anyone interested in becoming a foster family for these kittens can learn more here https://www.green-hill.org/ foster_care

Adoption. People interested in adopting a kitten should keep an eye on the Greenhill website for available kittens and visit Greenhill between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The shelter is operating on a first come first served limited capacity basis.

The Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents SMOOSH , a sweet, short-haired brown tabby female kitty about 3 years old. She loves to play, is very affectionate, loves pets and cuddling on your lap or next to you in bed. She is shy with new people, but warms up quickly. She will do best as the only cat with a forever family who will be patient and allow her time to get used to her new home – a home where she can get all the pets, love, and play time that she deserves! She’s been spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and is negative for FIV & FeLV. To meet Smoosh, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org

To learn more about Greenhill Humane Society and its kitten shower celebration, visit www.green-hill.org.

The City of Eugene Rental Housing Code requires that all appliances furnished by the landlord must be in good working order and shall be maintained by the landlord. If you’re a renter and your home is not equipped with appliances in good working order, visit EugeneRentalCode.org or call 541-682-8282 for free help and information.

The City of Eugene Rental Housing Code Program ensures that rental properties are safe and livable. The program covers 10 standards: heating, plumbing, security, electrical, appliances, smoke detections, structural integrity, weatherproofing, carbon monoxide alarms and rats; mold is covered by plumbing and weatherproofing standards.