You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. 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 #2675 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Peanuts: A Nutrient-Dense “Superfood” (NAPSA)—If you are looking for affordable ways to get more energy-boosting protein in your diet, you may want to try peanuts and peanut butter. With 7 grams per serving, peanuts have more protein than any nut. Coupled with their more than 30 essential vitamins and nutrients, peanuts are considered by many food experts to be a “superfood” capable of providing lasting energy. That’s why they can be a smart addition to your diet any time of the day. Peanuts and peanut butter are also affordable sources of protein and convenient—you can take a pack with you or stir peanut butter in a smoothie or your oatmeal. Value And Versatility A growing number of families are finding that peanuts and peanut butter—with their nutrition and flavor—offer both value and versatility. For some, that means adding them to dinner recipes, such as a stir-fry dish. Others consider them essential ingredients in salad dressings. Still others will spread or sprinkle on toast for a quick breakfast, put in soups and stews or baked goods and, of With 7 grams of protein per serving, peanuts turn this parfait into an energy-packed dessert. course, enjoy with jelly in a classic sandwich. Peanuts are even at home in a more elegant dessert such as this parfait. Work Your Mind, Warm Your Heart (NAPSA)—You can help yourself to good feelings and others to what they need and deserve by giving some time to the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. Almost four out of five people who turn to this AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program are 60 or older. For many of them, a tax refund could mean they won’t have to choose between paying for groceries and keeping the lights on. What You Should Know About Teen Medicine Abuse (NAPSA)—While millions of Americans safely rely on over-thecounter (OTC) cough medicine to temporarily relieve their cough symptoms, approximately one out of 20 teens reports abusing it to get high. Teen medicine abuse—of prescription and OTC medicines—is a real problem among today’s youth. Teens access these medicines from home medicine cabinets and mistakenly believe that abusing them is “safer” than other drugs. Fortunately, there are several steps that parents can take to keep their own child out of such statistics. Peanut Parfait Ingredients: 1 cup of lemon or vanilla yogurt (nonfat or low fat) 1 cup of your favorite fruits (e.g., blueberries, strawberries) 4 teaspoons of peanuts Preparation: Slice fruit into bite-size pieces. Measure 1⁄4 cup of yogurt into the bottom of cup. Top with two tablespoons of fruit and one teaspoon of peanuts. Continue layering until you reach the top of your cup. Photo by Simon Bruty A much-needed service for older Americans that’s free, individualized and has no strings attached needs your help. You don’t have to be a tax professional. Volunteers get free training on the latest tax preparation forms and software. The program also needs coordinators, greeters, administrative volunteers, leaders, and people who are bilingual and can assist with translation. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer. Learn About Medicine Abuse OTC cough medicine abuse may surprise you. When teens are abusing cough medicine, they are seeking a “high” from the active ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM). DXM is a cough suppressant that is found in over 100 products on the market today. When taken according to dosing instructions, medicines that contain DXM are safe and effective. Millions of Americans safely rely on OTC cough medicine, but abusers intentionally take excessive amounts— sometimes more than 25 times the recommended dose—to get high. This means they ingest multiple packages or bottles of OTC cough medicines that contain DXM! Side effects of DXM include vomiting, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and disorientation. When combined with other drugs or alcohol, these side effects are greatly increased and can be lethal. Parents, be sure to safeguard the medicines in your home so you’ll notice if anything is missing. Talk to Your Teen Talk to your teen about prescription and OTC medicine abuse. According to the Partnership at DrugFree.org, teens who learn from their parents about the risks of drugs are 50 percent less likely to use drugs. Monitor Your Medicines Safeguard the medicine cabinet in your home. Know what you have and how much, so you’ll notice if anything is missing. The Partnership at DrugFree.org also tells us that 64 percent of parents report that medicines in their home can be accessed by anyone. So be sure to store your prescription and OTC medicines in a secure place. Learn More Educate yourself! Get more information and see recommended conversation starters at www. StopMedicineAbuse.org.
