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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 NORTH AMERICAN PRECIS SYNDICATE, INC. 350 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10118-0110 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID North American Address Service Requested NE W Precis Syndicate, Inc. ! #2380 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Nutrition Sense For The Food Sensitive (NAPSA)—Some clever cooking can bring much relief to many of the growing number of people with allergies and sensitivities to everyday food. It’s estimated 3 million—one in every 100—Americans could suffer from a disorder called celiac disease, characterized by an intolerance to the protein gluten in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. Symptoms range from bloating or gas to general fatigue or even bone and joint pain or anemia. There’s no cure. People with celiac disease must follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. Fortunately, versatile, healthful rice—enriched white or wholegrain brown—can be a great gluten-free meal and snack solution. In fact, because rice is so easy to digest and the least allergenic of all grains, rice cereal is generally recommended as a first food for infants. In addition, rice is nutritious and combines well with other healthful foods. Rice provides complex carbohydrates and is nutrient-rich with over 20 different vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. It’s also sodiumand cholesterol-free and contains no saturated or trans fats. A half-cup serving has just over 100 calories. Here’s a tasty way to see how nice rice can be, even to those with sensitive systems: Brunch Rice Makes 4 servings ⁄2 cup sliced celery ⁄2 cup diced green pepper 1 ⁄2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1 1 Reinventing The Pencil (NAPSA)—A wooden pencil has been developed that never needs to be sharpened! It features a #2 lead equivalent liquid form of graphite instead of the solid kind that always needs sharpening. The UltraSharp Wooden Pencil eliminates the frustration over broken lead and dulled points, particularly with those students Bring new delight to brunch with a great, gluten-free rice dish. 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 6 eggs, beaten 1 ⁄4 cup 2 percent low-fat milk 1 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cups cooked rice Cook celery, green pepper and mushrooms in butter in large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Combine eggs, milk, salt and black pepper in small mixing bowl. Reduce heat to medium and pour egg mixture over vegetables. Continue stirring until eggs are almost cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add rice and stir to gently separate grains; heat thoroughly. Serve immediately or spoon mixture into warmed corn tortillas. For information about celiac disease and gluten-free living, visit the Celiac Sprue Association at www.csaceliacs.org. For healthful and delicious recipes, visit www.usarice.com/consumer. Liquid graphite pencils are changing the way the world writes. taking standardized tests and SATs, which require an essay written in pencil. Teachers are pleased with the UltraSharp Pencil because it does away with the distraction of pencil sharpening in the classroom. Also getting high grades with students is the Liquaphite Mechanical Pencil that has the look and feel of the traditional mechanical pencil but does not contain breakable lead pieces. Instead, this pencil also dispenses patented liquid graphite for smooth No. 2 pencil writing and no lead to break. UltraSharp and Liquaphite Pencils are invaluable must-have tools, not only to the educational world, but also the professional world or essentially everyone who writes often with pencils. For more information, visit www.pentech.net. Tips On Managing Your Asthma (NAPSA)—For the one in 15 Americans living with asthma, the key to living well is managing the disease, says the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization. Results of a survey, commissioned by the NCL and conducted by Harris Interactive, show that asthma patients often are not choosing an informed and proactive approach to their disease. According to the NCL survey, one in six adult sufferers (17 percent) does not have a treatment plan for his or her asthma. And many people with asthma feel alone or anxious about their condition, making partnering with their health care provider even more important. Asthma sufferers should sit down with their health care provider to make a treatment plan, which should include information on what they should do when asthma symptoms begin. It’s also important for sufferers to learn about their asthma medications—what they are, what they do and when they should be taken. According to the NCL survey, 38 percent, about four in 10 adult sufferers, do not understand asthma medication categories. And some misuse their medications— taking more or less than prescribed by their doctor. Among survey respondents who reported taking more than the indicated dose of their inhaler medication, 21 percent of them reported not reading their medication’s instructions. Asthma sufferers should monitor their asthma by keeping an asthma diary of symptoms and treatments and see their health care provider at least once a year. They should work with their health care provider to find the Asthma sufferers will breathe easier when they discuss a treatment plan with their health care provider. things that trigger their asthma flare-ups. Triggers may include dust mites, head colds, tobacco smoke, dry air, exercise and certain ingredients in foods. The next step is to make lifestyle changes to reduce the occurrence, intensity or duration of asthma triggers. The NCL survey found that most asthma patients who made at least one lifestyle change reported that their asthma improved. Yet, 42 percent of the survey respondents reported that they have received little or no information at all about lifestyle changes that could impact their asthma condition. When asthma sufferers partner with a health care provider, follow a treatment plan and monitor their condition, their asthma will be easier to control and will likely result in fewer and less severe asthma flare-ups. NCL’s brochure, “Live Well with Asthma,” and Web site, www.nclnet.org/asthma, provide more information about the NCL survey and tips for understanding asthma.