Lowdown On Low-Carb Diet Plans
With January being diet resolution month, it’s a safe bet that plenty of people are pondering those popular high-protein diets.
And it’s a safe bet that plenty of them are confused, given all the different diet plans and the warnings from mainstream nutritionists that the diets don’t work and could even be dangerous.
The Low-Carb Gourmet tries to sort things out at its Web site (www.lowcarbgourmet.com), which includes a comparison of several leading plans and a catalog of related books and other products.
A monthly newsletter called “Lifestyle,” featuring gourmet low-carbohydrate recipes, is also available for an annual $38 through the Web site, or by calling (800) 569-1856 or writing to Low-Carb Gourmet, P.O. Box 201013, Denver, CO 80220.
Speedy spudders
Now that you know a little more about where potatoes come from — thanks to The Source, our new monthly feature that debuted today — can you think of a fast, easy way to cook them?
The National Potato Promotion Board’s “We’re Here to Help” contest is asking busy mothers for original potato-based recipes that take 20 minutes or less to prepare (actual cooking time can be longer). Entrants also are asked to share a time-saving tip, and to tell what they would do if they had an extra hour each day to spend with their children.
Grand prize is a week’s worth of housecleaning, cooking and chauffeur service, valued at $6,000. (Chauffeur service to Miami Beach, maybe?)
Entry deadline is March 1. To enter, or for more information, visit www.potatohelp.com.
Soil well
Spokane Tilth, a citizens group that promotes “biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture,” will have its first annual general membership meeting Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Spokane County Cooperative Extension Office, 222 N. Havana.
Membership dues are $25 a year or $10 for students, seniors and low-income individuals. For more information, call Christopher Harris at 326-5466.
Pretty pennies
To kick off the new millennium/century/year (depending on your personal beliefs), the first 10 million freshly minted 2000 pennies — in special souvenir holders — are being distributed in boxes of Cheerios cereal.
Every 2,000th box will include one of the new Golden Dollar coins, and every 4,400th box will contain a certificate for 100 Golden Dollars.
Just remember, when you pour them into your bowl, only eat the round things that have holes in them.