By Julie Garden-Robinson

What waxy, fatlike substance sometimes is the topic of conversations, especially after a health appointment? In fact, if your level was high, you wouldn’t have any symptoms.
You’re right if you were thinking “cholesterol.”
Recently, cholesterol levels have been in the news, but not pertaining to adults. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five teens in the U.S. has high blood cholesterol. Further, more than 40 percent of obese teens have abnormal levels of blood cholesterol.
How much do you know about cholesterol? Try this heart-smart quiz based on information from the CDC.
(1) What effect does being overweight usually have on blood cholesterol levels?
(a. Being overweight increases LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels, lowers HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels and increases the total cholesterol level. (b. Being overweight decreases LDL levels, raises HDL levels and decreases total cholesterol levels. (c. Being overweight decreases LDL levels, raises HDL levels and increases total cholesterol levels.
(2) Which of these statements is true?
(a. As people get older, their LDL cholesterol levels tend to decrease. (b. As people get older, their LDL cholesterol levels tend to increase. (c. As people get older, their LDL cholesterol levels stay the same.
(3) True or False: High blood cholesterol can run in families.
(4) Which of these items tend to raise blood cholesterol?
(a. Unsaturated fat and trans fat (b. Saturated fat and trans fat (c. Only saturated fat
The answers are 1. a; 2. b; 3. True; 4. b.
For adults, a blood cholesterol level less than 200 milligrams per deciliter is desirable. The desirable level of LDL (“bad cholesterol”) is less than 100, and the desirable level of HDL (“good cholesterol”) is 60.
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, adults above the age of 20 should have their cholesterol checked every five years. If you have children, ask your child’s health-care provider whether cholesterol testing is recommended.
Of the factors that influence our blood cholesterol levels, we obviously can’t change our age, gender or heredity. However, we can make some positive changes in our diet and level of physical activity, which can impact our cholesterol level positively. Sometimes medication is needed.
During February, American Heart Month, pay attention to your hardworking heart. These diet and fitness tips may help keep your blood cholesterol levels in check.
• Maintain a healthy weight. For some people, losing weight can make a major difference in their cholesterol levels. Visit www.mypyramid.gov to print out a personalized diet plan.
• Read Nutrition Facts labels and compare the amounts of saturated fat and trans fat in your food choices. Try to eat less saturated fat and trans fat. Remember to read the ingredient list, too. If you see “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” on the list, most likely you are getting some trans fat in your diet, even if the product is labeled “zero trans fat.” Swap solid shortenings with oils, especially those rich in monounsaturated fats (such as canola or sunflower oil).
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Add extra veggies to your casseroles or sandwiches. Have an apple or some baby carrots for snacks. Try baked apples or pears for dessert.
• Have more soluble fiber, such as the type in oatmeal, carrots and cooked dry edible beans. Try adding shredded carrots to chili or oatmeal to meatloaf or meatballs. Add some pinto, kidney or navy beans to casseroles or soups.
• Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. During the winter, walk in malls or open gyms. Try exercise DVDs or “exer-games” that you can do at home.
Are you hungry for some comfort food? Here’s a meatloaf recipe with a fiber bonus and a zesty flavor from the chili sauce. For more information about healthful eating, visit www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart.

Meatloaf with Chili Sauce
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 c. tomato juice
3/4 c. oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/3 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. Heinz Chili Sauce, for top
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except chili sauce. Mix lightly but thoroughly. Press into a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan. Top the meatloaf with chili sauce. Bake for one hour or until meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees, as measured with a food thermometer. Drain excess fat. Let stand five minutes before serving with more chili sauce on the side.
Makes eight servings. Each serving has 260 calories, 11 grams (g) of fat, 2.6 g of dietary fiber and 490 milligrams of sodium.

By Lee Morris
News editor

For the first time since July, there’s hope that the imminent increase of chemical-laden Devils Lake waters into the Sheyenne River might be stopped.
In a conference call with news media last week, Sen. Byron Dorgan said he wanted to examine effects of Devils Lake water on downstream communities, including Fargo and Valley City. Since July, when the North Dakota Department of Health allowed higher sulfate levels into the Sheyenne, it’s the first time a state leader has talked publicly about concerns over the issue. This is big news.
“I am not interested in transferring the problems from one region of our state to another,” Dorgan said, as reported in The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
The sulfate level threatens the health of residents in Valley City, which gets its drinking water from the Sheyenne. Indeed, the sulfates put at risk all who rely on the river for farming, recreation or living.
And at little gain. The state has been installing pumps at Devils Lake to increase the flow into the Sheyenne from 100 to 250 cubic feet per second. At the higher rate, only 6 inches of water will come off the lake a year, according to Dave Glatt of the Health Department. Unless something is done, the pumps will start up this summer.
Glatt doesn’t care that Valley City and other communities are at risk. Neither, apparently, does Gov. John Hoeven, who heads the State Water Commission and approved the increased levels.
Other chemicals, which the state doesn’t measure – including arsenic – will flow with the sulfates. The threat to the public is clear.
And yet until Dorgan spoke up, no state official had said anything. Not even a petition signed by 700 Valley City residents last fall calling for a study of the increased chemicals’ effects generated a word from the Health Department or the State Water Commission. Where is Hoeven?
We hope Dorgan can do something. A yet-to-be-installed reverse osmosis water system in Valley City hardly justifies ruining a river.
The senator will host a field hearing of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development on Feb. 19. As The Forum reported, the meeting will look at the release of water from Devils Lake on downstream communities.
The first thing that should be done is an independent agency should conduct a comprehensive assessment on the effects of sulfate and other chemicals in the river. That’s the right thing to do.

By Dave Montecuollo
Elim Evangelical Free Church

Did you know that today marks the 74th anniversary of the first class to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
On Jan. 29, 1936, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson, and Walter Johnson were all inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
These men were generally known for their accomplishments on the baseball field, but they had reputations off the field of baseball too. Babe Ruth was known for loving a good party. Ty Cobb had the reputation of a racist, and Honus Wagner had the reputation of a hard worker having high ideals for refusing to let a tobacco company use his face on a baseball card, just to name a few.
Everyone of us will be known for something. The key is being known for the right things. Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
How does one achieve a ‘good’ name? A quick definition of the word ‘good’ is one that honors God. A life that honors Him knows Him personally through His Son, Jesus Christ, and lives His way by His rules.
Jesus came to this earth, died for our sins & rose from the grave so that we could have a personal relationship with God and live the kind of life that honors Him. Let me encourage you to be known for a Godly life. It’s the best reputation you could ever have.

By Jodi Rae Ingstad
Columnist

This past week of weather found me once again alone. That husband of mine left to work in Jamestown with road conditions that were by no means good. He doesn’t get overly excited about much so he assured me that as long as he took it slow he’d be just fine. He arrived safely and called to tell me so. I reminded him that we were out of firewood and I’d need him to buy some of those fake logs before coming back home.
The day went on and so did the wind and the weather. After a few harsh warnings from the weather service, we both opted for Husband to remain in Jamestown. I enjoy being with him even more so when he’s alive.
It was still early in the day and I had completed all my work. My current predicament allows me to work from home. The blessing in working from home is I don’t have to make myself up by putting my “city face” on. In addition, I don’t have to wear my silk stockings, high-heel shoes and corporate wear.
This particular day found me once again in my flannel, two-piece ensemble accented with my pink polar fleece robe and two aloe-infused slipper socks. I put my unruly hair into a ponytail and didn’t even bother putting my contact lenses in. Instead, I wore what Husband refers to as “birth control.” I have a pair of dark brown eye glasses that have thick lenses in them. Oh, yes! I’m a real looker when it comes to lounging and don’t you dare doubt that.
I should be used to being alone by now. We’ve lived here pert-near seven years. In those years we’ve gone through I don’t know how many computers. A computer can be a best friend and a teacher, a preacher and shopping mall when none of those things are near, I’ve found. There is one Web site I’m especially fond of these days I spend alone. It’s called “Facebook.”
Facebook is a site where you accept friends who can view posts you type and share. It’s a common place where social awareness on current events, tragedies and issues are posted. You can respond if you want to or just move on. You can delete the friends who annoy you and accept more who intrigue you.
While Husband was away I posted some things. I’d like to include you in on what it is I think about and share. These are the actual posts:
“Before pushing the start button on the clothes dryer, one should always ensure the cat hasn’t crawled in.”
“Blizzard starts with a B and ends with a D and has a lizard in the middle. I hate lizards.”
“The beans in my homemade chili were NOT defective.”
“Today I saw a coat made of goat. A goat coat. I was sad for the goat but since I didn’t kill it, I must report, its leather was very soft. Have you ever experienced a North Dakotan saying goat coat? Long O’s. It’s very entertaining.”
“I’m glad I’m not fog. Too often they call it ‘dense.’”
That husband of mine finally made it back home with me. He forgot the firewood so I warmed my toes snuggled up to him.
“What did you do while I was gone?” he asked in wonderment. I didn’t dare tell him I rarely left the chair in front of the computer. On top of that, I didn’t have any way of communicating with him all the places I’d been, people I’d seen and debates I got into.
Husband isn’t into this computer social-networking fad like I am and wouldn’t understand anyway. This made my answer to him easy. I snuggled in a little closer and simply replied, “I missed you.”
I just hope that now that he’s home safe, he doesn’t eat my leftover chili.