The Vocella Graphic - January 11, 2024 by Vocella, Inc.

Vol. 1 Issue 11

Thursday, January 11, 2023

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Thursday, January 11, 2023

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In this issue About Us

ocella, Inc. (pronounced vō-chellä) is a multimedia company that aims to engage, excite, and empower people through compelling and entertaining products and services with a hyperlocal focus on community, business, arts, culture, and entertainment. We are delighted to introduce the latest chapter in our journey: the Vocella Graphic. This newly designed newspaper boasts a sleek and modern aesthetic, featuring stunning artwork and informative articles. Crafting this visually captivating paper has been a labor of love, with our dedicated team painstakingly perfecting every aspect, from its appearance and tone to its expanded coverage area. Furthermore, nestled inside, you will still find the trusted Community Shopper, complete with all the familiar content you’ve come to rely on. This includes classified ads featuring help wanted listings, rummage sales, and more, as well as business news, events, and community updates. So, thank you for joining us as we continue to grow and do our very best to serve our communities.

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From the Designer Dear Valued Readers, As the new year unfolds, discussions around resolutions, goals and intentions are commonplace, with many opting for healthier lifestyles through improved diet, increased exercise and enhanced selfcare practices. Consider a different challenge for yourself: incorporate creativity into your daily life. I can already hear the laments of, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body!” It is true that creativity is innately born into some, but it is also a skill that can be learned and practiced. Incorporating creativity into your daily life will enrich your days, provide relaxation, a sense of accomplishment and even help you problem solve in other areas of your life. Fortunately, creativity is a broad term, allowing you to tailor it to your unique interests. Not everyone is destined to create a masterpiece like the Sistine Chapel or follow in the footsteps of iconic figures such as Bob Ross. You might not compose a timeless piece like Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” possess the vocal prowess of Elvis or master the art of parody like Weird Al. However, the realm of creativity is vast and diverse. Take, for instance, Michelangelo and Bob Ross — both painters, entirely different styles. Similarly, Beethoven, Elvis and Al Yankovich couldn’t be any more different, but are all musicians. You don’t have to fit into a predefined mold of what you think creativity or art “should” be. Just as important: you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it! If it brings you joy, keep a journal, write a short story, doodle in the margins, take a painting class, learn an instrument, sing karaoke, make a wreath, design earrings, craft a coffee table, weld some yard art, tool a leather belt, knit a scarf… The possibilities are endless. Have fun and put your own unique spin on whatever it is you decide to do.

Falon Justice

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Erica Kingston

Copy Editor/Writer

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NEWS — Jobs report — Insulin price caps

OIL & AG 05 — ND energy decisions looming HEALTH & WELLNESS 06 — NDSU Extension - Williston — Food allergies LIFESTYLE — Begin the day positively — Write down your goals — Benefits of reading

CULTURE 08 Kary Moltzan, Lead Designer — Crocheting craze — 50 Years of Snowmobile ND

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Karolyn Moltzan

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PROFILES — Frames by Ryan

Wishing you endless days of creative inspiration,

J.C. & Susan LaBar Owners/Publishers

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THE COMMUNITY SHOPPER Job listings 02 Classifieds 03 Kids Page 04 To Do About Town 05 Community Calendars 06 Puzzle Page 07 Realty 08

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Thursday, January 11, 2023

Profiles

‘Get framed’ by Ryan James Crosby local combines craftsmanship with creativity

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY RYAN ANDERSON

BY ERICA KINGSTON

hen driving through the small northern town of Crosby, N.D., one might find themselves at the local pizza place. Just west of that, in an old brick storefront, might be blaring neon lights enticing a curiosity for just what lies past the “Frames by Ryan James” sign hanging in the window. If the light is on, chances are Ryan Anderson is around. He might be scrolling his phone while drinking a glass-bottled Coke or working on one of his hand-crafted frames in the front shop that has become his “comfort food” space, a storefront filled with band concert posters and tattoo flash art adorned by stained wood frames. Anderson works with his dad at Bert’s Woodworks, a construction business that occupies the back two thirds of what was once an old laundromat. Having worked on countless woodworking projects in his dad’s workshop, Anderson mixed his craft with his interests to start making frames for the pop-culture art pieces he enjoys collecting. With some encouragement from friends, Anderson took his hobby a step further to begin Frames by Ryan James. “It’s kind of my escape,” Anderson said. “I’ll work during the day and then usually come back to the shop at night. My dad has thankfully kind of given me free rein over the shop and I’ve taken over the front room.” His dad, Bert Anderson, the District 2 Representative for North Dakota, is gone from time-to-time while legislature is in session. And while the construction work slows in the cold winter days, working on his frames has given Anderson something to do during the downtime. “I have a lot of frames, it’s a little ridiculous,” Anderson laughed. “But the nice thing about the whole thing is that I genuinely really love doing it, so it doesn’t feel like work. So, I think that’s a good thing.” Working with wood goes back a few generations as Anderson’s grandpa, James Anderson, had tinkered in frame making many years ago, mainly working with barnwood, and calling the side business Frames by James. Inheriting his grandpa’s namesake as his middle name, Anderson named his own shop as an ode to his grandpa.

“You can only make a frame so many ways, but I’m constantly trying to think of something a little different.” - Ryan Anderson “When I started, I thought if I was going to have a name, that would be the perfect thing as a little tip-of-thecap to (grandpa),” Anderson said. “He had this little corny clipart thing at one of his shows he had — the most basic computer fonts. We have it hanging in the front room. It’s kind of fun.” To keep the artwork of his frames in place, Anderson secures the backboard with a staple gun that puts in glazier points — the same tool that his grandpa used. Although there may be other ways to do this step, Anderson revels in the sentimentality of this process. “We have a picture of my grandpa in the front of the shop … using this exact tool,” Anderson said. “To other people it doesn’t mean anything, but to me, I love using that little thing knowing that that’s what my grandpa used.” Anderson works with barnwood, but his own personal style comes out when using oak, maple and alder — sometimes pieces found in the woodworking shop — with different stain colors. He has also recently dabbled in the more exotic woods of purple heart and padauk. “You can only make a frame so many ways,” Anderson said. “But, I’m constantly trying to think

of something a little different.” Frames by Ryan James’ brand is matched well with its product. Friend Nathaniel Navratil, a graphic designer out of Fargo, designed the logo and turtle graphic for the shop. One day, Anderson’s nephew held one of the frames to his head and proclaimed, “I’ve been framed!” Thus, bore the idea for the mural now painted on the side of the building. Anderson pitched the idea to Roderick Schofield, a local artist in Crosby, and he took it from there. “He’s so talented,” Anderson said of Schofield. “He did the painting based off a t-shirt that had the logo on the back. I’m just kind of blown away at how spot on it is.” The mural is of a turtle, attached to a ball and chain, holding a frame that says, “I’ve been framed.” Passersby are encouraged to grab a frame, take a photo and post it to Frames by Ryan James’ social media accounts. Anderson takes custom orders to his shop and welcomes people to come in and look around if they happen to find themselves in Crosby. There are no set hours, as a sticker on the front window says, “If I’m here, I’m open. If I’m not, I’m closed.” But if the neon light is on, chances are Anderson is inside. “The front room of the shop is kind of like comfort food to me,” Anderson said. “It’s stuff that I like the looks of, I like the frames, the artwork. It just puts me at peace. It’s where I spend most of my time.” The shop’s address has the same rural America feel as its business hours; the business cards simply state, “just west of the pizza place.” This art-driven, hand-crafted frame shop may be the last thing one would expect to stumble upon in Crosby, as one passerby has told Anderson, but Frames by Ryan James is an off-beat gem, offering a unique and custom product born out of a genuine love for the process. To view his work or to contact Anderson, visit “Frames by Ryan James” on Facebook or Instagram.

Ryan James

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Thursday, January 11, 2023

News & Updates

December jobs report: Wages up, hiring steady as job market ends year strong BY CASEY QUINLAN U.S. — Friday’s jobs data showed a strong, resilient U.S. labor market with wages outpacing inflation — welcome news for Americans hoping to have more purchasing power in 2024. The December jobs report unveiled another unemployment rate below 4%, as it has for two years, at 3.7%, the same as it was for November. The economy added 216,000 jobs, many of which were concentrated in health care, local government, construction and social assistance, which includes child care, social workers and home care aides, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Democrats celebrated the news and took it as an opportunity to voice their frustrations with Republicans as policymakers grapple with another possible government shutdown over U.S.-Mexico border policy and other issues. Congress has deadlines of Jan. 19 for four government spending bills and Feb. 2 for eight government spending bills. President Joe Biden stated on Friday morning that the jobs data “confirms that 2023 was a great year for American workers. “The strong job creation continued even as inflation fell to the pre-pandemic level of 2 percent over the last six months …,” he added. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, touted the strong jobs report and stated, “Now is not the time to reverse our progress on the economy. I remain committed to opposing any effort that gambles with the lives of everyday Americans in order to engage in political grandstanding.” Economists and data analysts provided States Newsroom with their takeaways on key news in the report, from wages to job growth in healthcare. Wage growth and cooling inflation provide relief Wages are outpacing inflation, with average hourly earnings increasing by 15 cents and rising by 4.1% over the past year, well

over 3.1% inflation. With inflation coming down fairly quickly, wages are solidly above inflation, economists said. Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi said wage growth is now firmly above the rate of inflation, which means people’s real purchasing power is improving. “They got creamed back in 2021 and particularly in 2022 when inflation outpaced wages,” Zandi said. “And I think that’s one reason why people are so uncomfortable with their financial position, but that’s improving now and improving very quickly as wage growth remains strong and firm and inflation is lower and continues to moderate.” Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, added that lower wage workers in particular have seen that increased purchasing power for longer. “For the last six months, the average hourly earnings for private sector workers has been beating inflation so their purchasing power has increased and on average, over the last few months, we also know from other data that lower wage workers have been seeing stronger wage growth,” she said. “They’ve been beating inflation for a lot longer. Overall, the purchasing power has certainly been increasing as inflation has been coming down faster.” Health care and government continue to add jobs The government workforce grew by 52,000 people with the majority of those jobs — 37,000 — in local governments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average gains of jobs per month in 2023 was more than double the average for job growth in 2022. Gould said there still seems to be room for government employment to continue to grow. “We still have a lot of catching up to do there because when we think about government employment, it has not kept up with population growth in any way,” she said. “You would think that the services that are being provided by the government would need to grow even more. So I think there’s a fair amount of room there that we are not back to normal in that sense.” Health care also continues to see job

growth, which Gould expects to continue partly because of the U.S.’s aging population. Health care jobs rose by 38,000 in December. Ambulatory health care services and hospitals added 19,000 jobs and 15,000 jobs, respectively. Zandi sees these sectors as mostly playing catchup after the private sector crowded out some of these jobs during the recovery by offering higher pay. “Private businesses were willing to pay up big wage increases to hold on to workers and hire new ones,” he said. “And that was impossible for local governments or for hospitals to keep up with. But now that the private sector is fully recovered, we’re now starting to see these other sectors be able to hire again, find workers and bring them on the payrolls.” Economists watch for signs of a slowdown Economists had mixed responses to the changes in the labor force participation rate and employment-population ratio, which both fell 0.3% percentage point in December. The labor force participation rate sheds light on the economy through the percentage of working age people in the labor force, which includes both those actively seeking work and people who are currently employed. The employment-population ratio shows the number of people employed as part of the working age population. Gould said she’s watching this data closely to see whether these changes are a source for concern but she says it’s important to keep in mind that unemployment is still very low. “Is that just volatility in the series or is there something to watch for?” she said. “… It’s not indicative of some huge problem but it’s something we want to keep watching. I didn’t like the drop in employment, particularly prime-age employment and participation is soft.” Zandi said it’s hard to read too much into any month-to-month change in this data yet but that the labor market is slowing down a bit. “I think the general pattern in the data shows that the job market is resilient, continues to create lots of jobs, and unemployment remains low. But it is throttling back.

Job growth is definitively slowing and other measures of the strength of the labor market are, are moderating. You’re seeing fewer hours of work and temp employment is declining,” he said. On the labor force participation rate, Zandi said he suspects that participation is not going to continue to rise. “Boomers are retiring en masse and that’s going to wash out any increase in participation by other groups. Broadly speaking, I think the report is consistent with an economy that remains strong but is slow and consistent with getting inflation back to something we all feel comfortable with,” he said. Trends in state pay Data released by ADP, a payroll processing firm, on Thursday, confirmed Zandi’s view on a cooling labor market as pay increases for people staying at their jobs were down in December from November. ADP’s median year-over-year pay change was higher in states such as Montana, where pay shot up 8.2% and Idaho, where pay rose 7.5%. New Mexico and Arizona also had higher increases in pay compared to many other states at 6.7% and 6.2%. Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota also had pay growth over that time period. Liv Wang, lead data scientist at the ADP Research Institute, told States Newsroom that ADP saw higher pay growth for lower-paid workers during the recovery. Wang added in an email, “….some of the states with higher percentage increases in pay have lower median pay levels. This is true for some states in both the Northwest and Southwest. This same trend also applies to the Leisure and Hospitality industry, which has been leading pay increases. However more broadly, pay gains have slowed down recently and the pay premium for changing jobs has been falling.” Casey Quinlan’s original article “December jobs report: Wages up, hiring steady as job market ends year strong” can be found at the North Dakota Monitor: https://northdakotamonitor. com/2024/01/05/december-jobs-report-wages-up-hiring-steady-as-job-market-ends-yearstrong/

More insulin price caps taking effect in 2024 BY MIKE MOEN, PRAIRIE NEWS SERVICE NORTH DAKOTA — The movement to cap insulin prices for diabetes patients grew larger in the United States this week. Consumer advocates in North Dakota say the news is welcome as state and federal policies evolve to limit skyrocketing costs for the drug. On Monday, Sanofi became the latest manufacturer to implement insulin price cuts, capping out-of-pocket expenses at $35

a month. That mirrors a federal change adopted in 2022 for Medicare enrollees. Josh Askvig, AARP North Dakota state director, said mounting pressure from grassroots efforts is sparking change. “It’s clear that consumers have said ‘enough,’ and there’s been work on the advocacy front, including here in North Dakota, to say we’re not going to do this anymore,” he said. AARP was one of several groups to push a recent change in North Dakota law that caps insulin prices for state workers. For its part, Sanofi said the voluntary

step to reduce costs adds to other low-price approaches that have been weighed down by structural issues in the health-care system. However, analysts say manufacturers face growing competition from nonprofit ventures and other states pursuing their own insulin production. Other federal policies kick in this year, requiring drug companies to pay a rebate to the government if their prices rise faster than inflation. As for the outlook in North Dakota, Askvig said more needs to be done. “We now know Medicare is going to start negotiating prices,” he said, “so is there

an opportunity to reference Medicare-negotiated prices for state pricing in North Dakota?” He said that’s one of several possibilities to explore when the North Dakota Legislature reconvenes in early 2025. When it comes to the insulin cost burden, Kaiser Family Foundation reported in 2022 that one in 20 customers - whose costs exceed private insurance caps - paid more than $150 per month to access the medication. Some drug companies have defended higher prices, saying they are the result of research and advances in technology.

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Thursday, January 11, 2023

Oil & Ag

Major North Dakota energy decisions looming in 2024 BY JEFF BEACH, NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR NORTH DAKOTA — The upcoming year will be a significant one for North Dakota’s energy industry, with decisions looming on two controversial pipelines that could have ripple effects across the energy sector and beyond. Here’s a primer on some major North Dakota energy news expected in 2024: Summit pipeline A proposal from Summit Carbon Solutions will continue to be a major energy story in the upcoming year. Summit is the company behind a five-state project to store carbon from ethanol plants in western North Dakota. When some landowners refused to give Summit surveyors access to their property, Summit sued them. Lawyers argued those cases, lumped together in SCS Transport v. Malloy, before the North Dakota Supreme Court in December. A decision is expected this year. The ruling could have implications not only for the pipeline industry but for other utilities as well. Likewise, a pending decision by the Public Service Commission on whether local rules on pipeline zoning laws can take precedence over state rules is being watched closely. The PSC hearing on the issue in late December drew a packed crowd, including leaders from the energy industry. The PSC also will schedule an appeal hearing on Summit’s route application and there are decisions pending in other states on Summit’s plan to store carbon emissions from ethanol production underground. Ultimately, Summit needs approval from the North Dakota Industrial Commission on underground sites. Dakota Access Pipeline On the oil pipeline front, there is an environmental impact review pending from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Dakota Access Pipeline that carries much of North Dakota’s oil production south toward refineries. It’s unusual to have an environmental impact review after a project has been completed, but that’s what is happening with Dakota Access, commonly known as DAPL. By the end of 2024 the Corps is expected to issue a final economic impact statement. The agency is studying five options: One option would let the pipeline keep operating as it has been since 2017, while another would add additional conditions. Two options involve a pipeline shutdown – either leaving the pipe in the ground or removing it. A fifth option involves looking at a route north of Bismarck; however, the Corps has no authority over routing of pipelines. A reroute would need new environmental review, permits and

construction. DAPL became the center of environmental protests during its construction. The pipeline has been operating since June 2017. The state eventually sued the federal government, seeking to get reimbursed $38 million in emergency response costs after protesters attempted to block the construction on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. In December, U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled that the case can go to trial. The Standing Rock tribe remains opposed to the pipeline running under the Missouri River, the source of drinking water for the area. Project Tundra Minnkota Power Cooperative says it will determine sometime this year whether to move forward with its Project Tundra carbon storage project. Project Tundra would capture greenhouse gas emissions from the Milton R. Young Station, a coal-burning power plant near Center in Oliver County, and store the carbon underground nearby. Minnkota says Project Tundra is in its final development phase with a decision on the project coming mid-year. The U.S. Department of Energy announced in December that it selected Project Tundra for up to $350 million in funding through its Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program. Renewable energy State officials are watching how Minnesota’s new carbon-free energy mandate will impact North Dakota’s energy industry. Minnesota lawmakers last year passed a plan requiring utility providers to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity sources by 2040, which includes energy it imports from North Dakota. North Dakota has successfully fought such mandates from Minnesota in the past and officials indicated last year the new regulation could be grounds for another legal battle. The North Dakota Industrial Commission met in a closed-door executive session in December to discuss the matter with their attorney. After the meeting, Attorney General Drew Wrigley told the North Dakota Monitor that state officials would submit public comment on the new measure to Minnesota regulators in early 2024. Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission has a hearing set for Jan. 29 on a large wind project in Oliver County from NextEra Energy Resources. Jeff Beach’s original article for the North Dakota Monitor, “Major North Dakota energy decisions looming in 2024” can be found at https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/01/03/ major-north-dakota-energy-decisions-looming-in-2024/

Thursday, January 11, 2023

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Health & Wellness

Williams County NDSU Extension launches Wellness Wednesday

elcome to “Wellness Wednesday” with NDSU Extension. I am Katelyn Jespersen, the family and community wellness extension agent for Williams County. Each Wednesday there will be a brief overview of a wellness topic covered. This is a new resource to serve people by improving family life, healthy living and thriving communities through unbiased, science-based information. Our first Wellness Wednesday topic relates to the new year and new resolutions to take better care of ourselves this year. New year brings new opportunities to improve on our individual health goals. Maybe you

have already made a healthy change by increasing physical activity or making diet changes, and maybe you are not sure where or how to start. We have a free program launching this month called Nourish. This program is not about weight loss or drastic health changes, it’s about focusing on your body and what is needed to keep it healthy and well nourished. The Nourish program goes through the areas of sleep, brain, heart, bones/joints, eyes, skin and digestive system, as each area of our bodies needs different nutrients and activities to keep it fit. Join me each week as I highlight these topics to kick off Wellness Wednesday.

If you would like to know more about this program, it is available online and can be done at your own pace and on your own time or contact me if you would like to set up an in-person version for a group of people. Follow our NDSU Extension Williams County Facebook page (scan the QR code) or checkout the NDSU Extension webpage www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension to find out more information about our programs. Until next week, continue extending knowledge and changing lives with NDSU Extension.

KATELYN JESPERSEN WILLIAMS COUNTY FAMILY & COMMUNITY WELLNESS EXTENSION AGENT

Prairie Fare: Be aware of food allergies & intolerances Food allergies affect about 11% of adults and 8% of children in the U.S. according to the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases. BY JULIE GARDEN-ROBINSON, NDSU EXTENSION FOOD AND NUTRITION SPECIALIST

“M

om, do you have that gluten-free chocolate dessert recipe?” Easy peasy, I thought as I emailed it to her. She was making dessert for some friends. “Oh, it has eggs in it,” she said. “Do you have a dessert without wheat and eggs?” Another friend has a milk allergy, she noted. Now dairy ingredients were out of the mix. This group of friends needs their own dietitian, I thought to myself. I was thinking sliced fruit with some type of milk-free dip, or baked apples with cinnamon and sugar. I finally sent a searchable recipe website, where she could eliminate recipes with allergens. If you go to www.allrecipes.com, you can search for “egg free, milk free and wheat free” recipes, by the way. I am not sure if she made a dessert after all. Food allergies affect about 11% of adults and 8% of children in the U.S. according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Nine common allergens are required on ingredient statements on food packages. For example, you will see “contains wheat” (or other allergen) near the nutrition label if it is present. Sesame is the most recent allergen required on food labels. Shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts such as walnuts, eggs, milk, wheat and soy are also required on labels. Food allergies are a major issue and much more worrisome than food intoler-

COMMON ALLERGENS INCLUDE WHEAT, EGGS AND DAIRY, WHICH ALONG WITH SIX OTHERS, MUST BE NOTED ON INGREDIENT STATEMENTS ON FOOD PACKAGES. (PIXABAY PHOTO)

ances. A food allergy usually involves the immune system and can lead to hives, itchiness in the mouth, swelling of the lips or face, and/or difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis can be life threatening. For those with allergies, their immune system sees the food component, usually a protein, as an invader. The immune system signals the body to release an army of chemicals to fight the invader. If untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to closure of the throat, shock, loss of consciousness and potentially death. People with allergies usually carry an auto-injector with epinephrine to counteract the physical effects. Food intolerances usually involve the digestive system. Lactose intolerance means the person lacks the digestive enzyme (lactase) needed to break down the natural sugar in milk (lactose). Lactose intolerance certainly is not pleasant with its symptoms of gas, bloating and diarrhea, but unlike a milk allergy, the symptoms are not as serious. We see many foods carrying a “gluten free” designation. People with celiac disease

cannot consume gluten, which can be found in wheat, rye and barley. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and not an allergy. Most breads, cakes, pies, cereals and beer contain gluten, unless they have “gluten free” noted on the label. Sometimes, people with allergies to pollen, ragweed or grasses may experience reactions to various fruits, vegetables and spices. For example, if ragweed triggers an allergic reaction, you might also have issues with melons, honey, chamomile tea and bananas. How do you prepare food for people with allergies or intolerances? First, be aware of the dietary issues and read the food labels carefully. Avoid cross contact of surfaces that have touched the allergens in the kitchen. Clean the counters, pans, cutting boards, measuring equipment and other food contact surfaces to avoid contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly in between preparing foods. Cook the allergen-free food first to avoid accidentally contaminating foods with the allergenic ingredients. Cover the containers. When inviting guests, label the foods with any allergens. Often homes and schools adopt an allergen-free menu. If a child cannot have gluten, instituting a gluten-free kitchen at home may be the best solution. Schools may have a “no-peanut” policy in their lunchroom and classrooms. Visit with a healthcare provider, especially an allergist, for testing and potential treatment for various allergies. We created and tested many recipes for people with allergies to eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, milk and shellfish. See www.ag.ndsu. edu/food and navigate to “food safety” then “allergens” to view the fact sheets.

The gluten-free chickpea chocolate cake my daughter requested is found in “Pulses: The Perfect Food” from NDSU Extension. Here’s a recipe that is wheat-free, egg-free and dairy-free, but it contains nuts: Honey-peanut Cereal Bars ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup honey ½ cup peanut butter 3 cups wheat-free cereal (Cheerios, Rice Chex, etc.) ½ cup salted peanuts In a 3-quart saucepan, over medium heat, heat sugar and honey just to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Stir in cereal and peanuts until evenly coated. Press evenly in 9- by 9-inch buttered pan, using the buttered back of a spoon. Cool one hour. Cut into four rows by three rows. Store loosely covered. Makes 12 servings. Each serving has 180 calories, 9 grams (g) fat, 5 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber and 130 milligrams sodium. (Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.) Julie Garden-Robinson’s original article for NDSU Extension, “Prairie Fare: Be aware of food allergies and intolerances” can be found at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/columns/prairie-fare/prairie-fare-be-aware-of-food-allergiesand-intolerances

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Thursday, January 11, 2023

Lifestyle

How to begin the day in a positive frame of mind

Want to achieve your goals? Write them down STATEPOINT MEDIA

f you have a big idea, goal or dream about helping others, writing down your vision can help. Studies show you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Take it from Marcy Bursac. After reviewing thousands of handwritten entries, Pilot Pen selected her as the newest winner of the G2 Overachievers Grant, which rewards an exceptional individual who goes beyond their everyday job and responsibilities to make a difference in the lives of others. A technical analyst at a cybersecurity firm by day, Bursac is also an author, podcaster, wife and mother. She has used her technological expertise to develop an app for “The Forgotten Adoption Option,” her book and platform that helps facilitate adoptions for children in foster care. As an adoptive parent herself, she made it her mission to make it easier for other families to adopt children from foster care, helping to place as many as possible in loving homes. “Some types of adoption are cost-prohibitive for many families and can take years,” says Bursac. “The reality is that there are thousands of children who need a forever family today, and foster care adoption is an option that can make this dream more financially affordable for more families.” Marcy has already helped more than 12,000 families through the foster care adoption process. She plans to use the grant money to fund her continued efforts to unite children in foster care with their forever families. Inspired? Write down your own goals and aspirations and include all the little details required to bring them to life. Be sure to reach for a high-quality writing instrument like G2, the longest lasting gel ink pen. To learn more about the G2 Overachievers Grant competition or to enter or nominate someone you know, visit G2Overachievers.com. “We know firsthand that we are so much more likely to achieve our goals when we put pen to paper,” says Ariann Langsam, vice president of marketing for Pilot Pen. “That’s why we pride ourselves on both providing the tools that people can use to make a difference in the lives of others, and recognizing and amplifying the work of individuals who are making those efforts.”

METRO CREATIVE SERVICES

ach new day brings the potential for change, even amid the routine of the daily grind. When people start the day with positive thoughts, it can affect how they behave and see themselves throughout the day, and may even benefit their overall health. The Mayo Clinic says some studies suggest personality traits such as optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of a person's health and well-being. Positive thinking that is pronounced in optimistic people is associated with effective stress management, which translates into many different health benefits. Some people abide by the "Law of Attraction," which states that what a person gives attention to and thinks about throughout the day is what will be predominant in their life. Whether this is true or not, many aspire to have more positive thoughts and be in a generally optimistic mindset. The following tips can put people on a positive path at the start of each day.

Begin the night before Certain mental health experts suggest clearing the mind in the evening to reduce stressful thinking and create the mental capacity to wind down and relax. Keep a notepad handy and jot down any invasive thoughts or concerns. Removing these thoughts from the mind and putting them on paper can help you rest more readily. Being well-rested can improve mood. Know your weaknesses Recognize where you may need some help as you strive to be more optimistic. Map out the behaviors you want to change, and then be intentional about how you want your day to go and which actions will get you there. The Mayo Clinic suggests figuring out what you usually think negatively about (i.e., work, commuting, life changes) and then approach each aspect in a more positive way. Take a technology pause Do not check email or text messages right after opening your eyes. Similarly, avoid reading the news or watching news programs on television too early. Negative or

scandalous stories often get the most clicks or views, and coming across upsetting information at the outset of the day can adversely affect your mood. Rather, spend time meditating, praying, reading, or just being in the moment until you are awake. Recognize the good people are doing When you open your eyes and focus on the positives, you'll see all the good that other people are doing around you. Offering compliments or acknowledging others' actions, whether large or small, puts positivity out there. Focus on gratitude Take a few moments at the start of each day to mentally list all the things you are grateful for. This may be that you have a cozy home or that you are healthy. Even stressful situations or people can be means for gratitude. Boisterous toddlers may be a handful, but you can be grateful for the ability to have had children when so many are not able. Starting the day with a positive mindset is easier than one might think. It may take a little practice, but also can begin to pay positive dividends sooner than later.

The many benefits of reading METRO CREATIVE SERVICES

here has never been a better time to be a reader. Self-proclaimed book nerds and those who look forward to the next book club gathering can rejoice knowing that a good story isn't the only benefit associated with reading. In fact, there are numerous health benefits to cracking a book. Reading slows cognitive decline. Natural aging results in a decline in memory and brain function over time, but reading can help. According to research published in the journal Neurology, reading may help slow that process and keep minds sharp. Reading improves concentration and focus. Technology draws a lot of attention, and those fast processing times and almost

instant gratification can shorten attention spans. Reading requires undivided attention and focus, which can improve one's ability to concentrate. Reading produces a sense of accomplishment. Reading anything from a newspaper article to a novel helps people check off measurable goals. When done reading a given piece, the mental boost from finishing can enhance your mood. Reading is free entertainment. Provided a person gets books from a library or a loaner from a friend, reading is free. It's possible to educate oneself, travel to far off lands or even solve mysteries having making a major financial investment. Reading enhances literacy. Frequent reading introduces the reader to new vocabulary and information. This enhances both literacy and intelligence.

Reading leads to higher intelligence later on. A study of 1,890 identical twins in the United Kingdom found that the twins who had early reading skills seemingly had more positive results for higher intelligence later in life. Reading can help a person relax. Reading may help reduce stress and even induce relaxing feelings so that a person can drift off to sleep. A 2009 study by Sussex University researchers showed that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68 percent. Furthermore, reading takes a person away from screens (provided they're reading paper books and not e-books), which can contribute to losing 20 minutes of sleep on average, according to research published in Pediatrics. There are many reasons to curl up with a good book, as reading is beneficial to both mind and body.

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