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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2473 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Dog Adoption Is A Life-Changing Event Two Kinds Of Rice Are Twice As Nice (NAPSA)—With all the news about the benefits of adding more whole grains to your diet, you may wonder: Which is better—white or brown rice? The answer, say the experts, is both. Enriched white and whole grain brown rice are both important in a balanced diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid recommend making half of all grain servings whole. The other grain servings for the day can come from enriched grains, such as enriched white rice, or whole grains. Eating more whole grains is a good idea but it should not happen at the expense of enriched grains, which are rich in folic acid. The March of Dimes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that folic acid helps protect against birth defects, may be cardioprotective, aids in neurological function and has anti-cancer properties. Here’s a recipe from the USA Rice Federation that you can use with either brown or white rice or a combination of both. For more recipes, visit www.usarice.com/ consumer. Springtime Rice Yield: Makes 6 servings ⁄4 cup olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 bunch asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces (3 cups) 1 Brown rice is delicious and nutritious, but enriched white rice also has a lot to offer, especially a healthy dose of folic acid. 2 portobello mushrooms, cut into strips 1 red bell pepper, chopped 3 cups cooked brown or white rice 1 ⁄2 cup grated Asiago cheese 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt (optional) Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add garlic, asparagus, mushrooms and pepper; cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until tender. Add rice, cheese and salt. Stir until well blended; heat thoroughly. Nutrition Facts: Calories 250; Total Fat 13g; Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 290mg; Total Carbohydrate 28g; Dietary Fiber 3g; Protein 7g Revealing New SAT Guide (NAPSA)—Preparing for the SAT doesn’t have to be an expensive or overwhelming experience, according to a revealing and groundbreaking new SAT guide. A year of sessions with an SAT coach can raise a student’s score by up to 300 points. But for those without access to tutors, adequately preparing for the SAT can be a challenge. Private SAT coach Eliot Schrefer knows that not everyone can afford tutoring, and believes that every student should have an equal chance to do well on the SAT. A graduate of Harvard University, Schrefer has helped some of Manhattan’s elite private-school students raise their scores significantly and reel in admission to America’s most exclusive colleges. In “Hack The SAT” (Gotham Books), Schrefer reveals the secret strategies and little-known tips that have until now been accessible only to those with private tutors. Schrefer offers tricks and advice that will help any student get past even the trickiest of SAT questions (tip: If you want to do well on the verbal section, pick up a copy of Vanity Fair). Says Schrefer, “The truth is that the SAT isn’t that overwhelming a test…whether you’re in a private school or public, or a trailer with a cesspool, these are the rules you’ve been looking for.” For more information, visit www.eliotschrefer.com. (NAPSA)—There’s good news, bad news and better news about pets. The good news: A recent report by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that about 63 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. The bad news: 5 to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and about 3 to 4 million are euthanized. The better news: One solution to reduce the number of pet deaths is adoption. Adopting a dog is a life-changing event. Dogs need lots of time and attention, requiring owners to be there every day. Therefore, it’s critical to find out whether you’re actually ready for a dog or would be happier with a goldfish instead. “Making sure people are fully prepared to adopt a dog means a happier home and longer life for the dog,” said dog expert Trevor Wright. “Taking the time to thoughtfully consider if you are ready can reduce the number of abandoned and neglected pets.” Here are a few things to consider when adopting a dog: 1. Are your children ready? Babies and toddlers can’t be trained as easily as dogs, which is why many experts recommend waiting until children are at least 8 years old before bringing a canine into the mix. If you’re set on getting a dog and have small children in the house, consider adopting an easygoing adult dog who’ll need less attention than a growing puppy. 2. Is the decision to adopt unanimous? Dogs shed, bark and can be messy. Unless the whole household is fond of your dog, it’s easy for resentment to build. It also makes it hard to set and enforce house rules, such as whether the dog can join you on the couch. Finding the right dog for you may be just a click away. 3. Consider the costs. On average, expect to spend about $800 during the first year of your dog’s life. If you live in a city where vet costs are higher, work full-time and need backup care, and want to give him at least a few treats, it can easily climb to $1,200 to $1,800 annually. 4. No yard? No problem. Some people believe a fenced-in yard is critical to having a dog. In fact, a yard can become an excuse for not walking or exercising your dog daily. Dogs spending most of their time in the backyard miss out on meeting other dogs and people, which keeps them happy and well socialized. Wright’s company, DogTime, an online pet network, has created powerful tools in the fight against abandoned and neglected dogs. “Are You Ready?” is an online quiz to determine if you are ready to bring a dog into your home. After answering multiple-choice questions, you can link to “DogFinder MatchUp” to help determine what kind of dog is right for you based on your personality. Learn More For more information, visit www.dogtime.com.