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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 #2529 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Going Green Has Never Looked So Good (NAPSA)—As more people try to take better care of the environment, there is an increased interest in “green gardening.” This concept is surprisingly easy, and it often saves gardeners money by reducing and reusing materials. Here’s how to get started: Containers: Reuse items you already have, such as wooden barrels, an old birdhouse, or a wheelbarrow for a container. Anything works, just put holes in the bottom, at least ” wide. Light-colored materials work best, as they reflect heat away. If you purchase a container, look for pots made of recycled or biodegradable materials. Ask the folks at the garden center if they take back the plastic pots the plant came in, or bring it to a recycling center. Newspaper in the bottom of the pot will prevent soil loss from drainage holes and limit the amount of soil needed to fill the pot. Soil: Compost is key to green gardening, and for good reason. Compost can be made of grass clippings, leaves, vegetable peels, coffee grounds (especially good for acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas), sawdust, straw and shredded paper. Its benefit is twofold— it reduces waste while producing a rich organic soil amendment. Mix the compost with your potting soil, at a ratio of 25 percent compost to 75 percent potting mix. Water: Reduce water use by watering at the roots, where the water is needed. Don’t water when it is very windy, which can cause water to evaporate. Likewise, water plants either early or late in the day to prevent evaporation. When purchasing potting mix, look for mixes with polymers that retain water. After planting, apply a layer of mulch to help keep the LASIK And Your Bottom Line (NAPSA)—Did you know that over a lifetime, a 25-year-old wearing extended-wear contacts will spend upwards of $20,000? Choosing modern LASIK, also known as iLASIK, invests in your vision and can save you money in the long term. Many Americans with vision care expenses are taking another look at modern LASIK. Add accent plants to increase the texture, shape and color of your display. plant from drying out. Use barrels to collect rainwater runoff from your roof and gutters. Place a screen on the top to filter out bugs. Plants: Swap annuals, which have to be replaced every year, with plants such as the Forever & Ever Hydrangea. These small flowering shrubs suit containers because of their compact size and long-lasting blooms. They perform best in morning sun and afternoon shade, and can easily be moved around whenever the spirit moves you. Forever & Ever Peppermint has gorgeous 10” mophead blooms, which display a brushstroke of pink or blue (depending on soil acidity) in the center of each white petal. Forever & Ever White Out features the eye-catching combination of pure white individual flowers atop deep green foliage. Utilizing these ideas will result in earth-friendly, eye-catching displays that improve your landscape and your planet. Today, when every penny counts, many Americans with vision care expenses are taking another look at modern LASIK. The iLASIK procedure combines Wavefront mapping technology with two lasers for a safe and completely tailor-made procedure. It is covered by most health savings accounts, offering a taxdeductible way to pay for better vision. “For me, iLASIK will pay for itself in seven years by eliminating the ongoing cost of glasses, contact lenses and solutions,” said Stefanie Fujinami, who had the iLASIK procedure this year with nationally recognized ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Maloney. “The next morning, I had 20/20 vision— I could even read the fine print on the toothpaste!” For more information and to calculate your lifetime costs o f wearing contacts, visit www.iLASIK.com. Rice: Year-Round Hero For Seasonal Delights (NAPSA)—Choosing U.S.grown rice is an affordable, delicious, convenient, healthy and versatile way to go green. Here are seven ways rice can help you: 1. The price is right. Rice costs about 10 cents per serving. One pound of uncooked rice makes two pounds cooked. Stretch meals by replacing a quarter of the meat in hamburgers, meat loaf or meatballs with cooked rice. 2. Rice provides the nutrients you want without the ones you don’t. Both whole grain brown rice and enriched white rice are sodium- and cholesterolfree, with no saturated or trans fats to worry about. 3. Whole grains are good for you. Brown rice is 100 percent whole grain, and 1 cup takes care of two of the three recommended daily servings of whole grains. 4. Enriched rice is healthful. One cup of cooked U.S.-grown white rice provides 92 micrograms of folic acid; that’s 23 percent of the recommended daily amount. The rice is fortified with folic acid because it helps prevent birth defects. It may also contribute to heart health and protect against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. 5. Rice is always in season. Part of eating green means eating in season. Not only is rice available year-round, it pairs well with a wide range of seasonal produce. 6. Choosing U.S.-grown rice helps people and the planet. It supports U.S. rice farmers and the U.S. economy and helps lessen the carbon footprint of a meal. U.S. rice fields help create and preserve valuable wetlands. Look for the “Grown in the USA” logo on packages of 100 percent domestically grown rice. 7. Rice is the most popular grain in the world so it fits with At any time of year, rice is nice for any kind of cuisine. a variety of cuisines. This makes it a great base for everything from exploring exciting flavors to savoring familiar comfort foods. Kitchen Inspirations Start with rice, go anywhere. Rice bowls offer near limitless options for seasonal flavors, world cuisines and good nutrition. Start with white or brown rice and suit the season. Summer: Add chopped peppers, sweet corn, chopped tomatoes, zucchini and black beans. Top with salsa. Fall: Add broccoli, onions and roasted turkey strips. Top with cranberry sauce. Garnish with dried cranberries, fresh apple and minced herbs. Winter: Add onions, brussels sprouts, celery, carrots and lean beef. Top with teriyaki glaze or sesame ginger sauce. Garnish with fresh apple slices. Spring: Add onions, green onions, peppers, asparagus and shrimp. Top with garlic herb or lemon herb sauce. Garnish with apricot slices. Visit www.USARice.com for rice recipes, rice nutrition and to learn more about rice farmers and the environment.