Q: Is yogurt the perfect food that the media would have you believe? I’m really tired of all those commercials claiming all sorts of benefits.  Is there any special benefit to the newer Greek yogurt fad?   ………………………….. Sam,S

So you’ve been listening to the media and you’re a little confused.  I can certainly see why.  The claims can range from solving irregularity to being the perfect diet food.

Just because yogurt has taken over prime space in the grocery store doesn’t necessarily mean it’s automatically the best or healthiest product out there.  Let’s take a closer look at yogurt: what is it and what are the health benefits associated with it?

 Almost all yogurt in the US starts with pasteurized milk….that’s not such a problem because once the live cultures are added and the milk is fermented you once again have a live and active food that is easier to digest and has a reduced lactose content due to the consumption of lactose by the microbes.  Be on the lookout for those brands that pasteurize after adding the cultures, thereby killing off the live probiotics and negating the benefits.  Most good brands do not pasteurize after fermenting but be sure to read the label.  The type of probiotic chosen determines its benefits, some are for immunity purposes and some for aiding digestion in the gut.  Again, reading the label will help determine which would be best for your purposes. The amount used in the yogurt also varies depending on the brand.  The average is from 1 billion to 5 billion CFU’s per cup, a decent amount but low in comparison to other sources such as Kefir or Lassi.

Most yogurt in the US has also been adulterated with way too many sweeteners: sugar, corn syrup, or even worse, artificial sweeteners.  Sucralose kills probiotics, so any yogurt with sucralose (aka, Splenda) will most likely have a greatly reduced probiotic content or possibly even be fully dead. Most American consumers have a very aggressive sweet tooth and prefer the sweeter products, which results in a much less healthy version of a potentially very healthy food item.

An alternative way of enjoying yogurt would be to buy the plain unsweetened version and add your own whole fruit to it and if more sweetening is necessary, choose a healthier sweetener like stevia, monk fruit or other natural sweetener.

When making a healthier yogurt choice I would also opt for the full fat version, not the skim versions since they defeat the entire purpose of eating a healthy snack.  The satiety factor is important in making your choices.  The skinny versions of yogurt do fill the gap but then you are hungry again in an hour or two.  If you can find yogurt made with milk from grass fed cows, the resulting yogurt will have a much higher concentration of vitamins, including K2 for reducing heart disease and CLA for reducing cancer risk and body fat.

Greek yogurt is the current ‘hot’ health food being touted by the media, and according to industry experts it has single handedly boosted the hurting American dairy industry.  Old fashioned Greek yogurt is made with goat’s milk while the American version is made with cow’s milk.  The ‘Greek Style” of yogurt adapted in the US includes an active bacteria that creates a more tangy taste.  The straining process also removes some of the lactose sugars, salt and water. What is left is a thicker, creamier product that is higher in protein, but lower in sugar and carbohydrates than American-style yogurt. Thick, creamy and a little bit tangy, Greek yogurt appeals to the health-conscious consumer craving a sweet snack that also packs a nutritional punch without an excess of calories.

 Lastly and perhaps most important is the vitamin content of the yogurt you choose. Since calcium is considered to be one of the healthy aspects of eating yogurt you should be aware of two things.  First the calcium of ordinary milk products is not particularly high, it is definitely not the richest source in our diet, and the calcium that is in there can’t be absorbed unless you are also taking high enough doses of vitamin D at the same time to help the body absorb and actually use the calcium.  Again read the label. 

So in summary, read the label and check for ‘live cultures’, sugar content, vitamin D content, and fat content.  The ‘Greek style’ yogurt may actually have the edge on being better for you.

This is the 17^th in a series of articles written by Frank S. P. Yacino regarding Alzheimer’s disease. He is the husband and caregiver for his wife Barbara who has been struggling with this disease for over fifteen years.

If the family and caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient have elected to provide home care there will be an array of medical supplies, personal supplies, and equipment that will be needed for the patient. This article will describe what has been required for Barbara over the years.

The first item of equipment that we received was a chair to put in the shower for bathing Barbara. At this time Barbara was very unsteady on her feet and could not be showered standing up. On March 23, 2010, the aide began using a chair in the shower stall to sit Barbara on to bathe her and this practice lasted until November 15, 2011. The next day Barbara began being showered at the Day Care program she was attending. Her last shower at the Day Care was on August 28, 2012, which was her last day at the program. (Her bathing now is discussed in a later paragraph of this article.)

by Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department

 A question was asked of me recently regarding people transporting alcohol in a vehicle if they are under the age of twenty-one.  Is a person allowed to drive a friend (who is over 21) to the store to purchase alcohol? The assumption is the under age driver was not drinking and has no connection to the alcohol.  He or she is simply providing transportation.  Is there any violation of the law?
 
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138 Section 34C is the section commonly known as minor transporting or carrying alcoholic beverages.  No one under age twenty-one may carry or transport (in a vehicle) alcohol or alcoholic beverages, unless they authorized by law.  The main exemption contained under section 34C applies in this case.  The driver must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Since the friend riding with them does not qualify as either of these, the driver can be subject to a violation under this section.

This offense is arrestable and penalties call for a fine ranging from fifty dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars depending on the offense.  A conviction under this section does require the Registry to be notified and calls for a ninety day license suspension.  This suspension applies whether or not the convicted person was driving a vehicle.  Simply any unlawful possession will qualify for the penalty.  This can have a serious impact on someone's life.  The law is designed to limit the contact between minors and alcohol.  People under twenty-one must pay strict attention to this in order to avoid problems.

On Sunday March 3^rd, I had the pleasure of attending the 49^th Annual Communion Breakfast at the Webster-Dudley Polish American Veterans Club.  This event is sponsored by the club to honor and remember those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.  Many area veterans’ organizations and the PAV Ladies Auxiliary were on hand to honor these brave men and women.  I wish to thank the members of the club for fine program and meal.  State Senator Richard Moore served as the master of ceremonies and many people were on hand for this event, including the Color Guard of the Naval ROTC from Oxford High School.  This was a special day and is always a fitting remembrance and thank you to all our veterans.

I wish to thank Principal Dono and reading specialist Ms. Linda Hackenson at the Mason Road School for their invitation to participate in the annual recognition of Dr. Suess’ birthday held on Friday, March 1^st.  I had the pleasure of reading for Mrs. Brassard’s kindergarten grade class.  It was another enjoyable occasion and I thank the staff of the Mason Road School for their continued promotion of positive programs for our Town’s youth.  It was also the final Dr. Suess Day for Ms. Hackenson, who will be retiring at the end of the school year.  She continues to do a great job with this and all the programs at the school.  I thank her for all her hard work and wish her the best as she looks forward to a new chapter in her life.

Thanks again for your questions and comments.  Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Also, feel free to visit our web site at www.dudleypolice.com.  Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen.  

Q: My cat is very curious and sticks her nose into everything I have on my plate.   I feed her a high quality cat food with a high percentage of meat but  her curiosity is still piqued when there is food nearby. Is there human food that is dangerous for her to eat, like chocolate is bad for dogs?

A: Cats seem to have a mind of their own, especially when it comes to eating. It’s easy to anthropomorphize our furry friends and think that they would like to eat whatever we do, but that isn’t necessarily the best choice for them. Here are some facts about making healthy choices for our furry friends.

First let’s talk about tuna.  It seems harmless enough, it comes in cans specifically for cats, so we might assume it is ok for fuzzy kitty.  It turns out that it might be alright once in a while but as a steady diet it has insufficient nutrients to sustain what kitty needs.  Additionally the mercury content of most tuna would be exceptionally toxic for kitty, even the canned variety sold especially for kitty.  Just because she likes it doesn’t mean it’s good for her.  The same goes for all raw fish which can contain bacteria that kitty can’t fight off and the thiamine in raw fish destroys the B vitamin, a potential cause of serious neurological problems, coma and convulsions.

Onions in all forms-powdered, raw, cooked or dehydrated– can break down a cat’s red blood cells, leading to anemia as the cat gets older. While small amounts might not matter, a constant diet including any form of onions, chives and garlic or one bout eating a large amount will end up causing stomach upset and poisoning kitty.

Milk and dairy products are most likely going to irritate the cat’s digestive system.  Although kittens can tolerate milk, adult cats lose their ability to digest it properly.

Two teaspoons of alcohol can put kitty into a coma and another teaspoon will kill her.   Many cats and kittens are seriously injured eating grapes and raisins.  Keep these out of range for cats to avoid messy vomiting and diarrhea.
    
Caffeine in the form of coffee, tea, cocoa, colas and Red Bull are all dangerous to your cat.  Their much smaller bodies cannot process it and an overdose has no treatment.  You mentioned chocolate being bad for dogs, it’s not a safe food for cats either.  The theobromine is toxic to cats, causing abnormal heart rhythm.

While it’s obvious you wouldn’t give a cat a bone to chew, the fat on meat is equally unhealthy.  Fat,both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhea.    Another less obvious danger is uncooked eggs.  The protein in the eggs interferes with Vitamin B absorption and causes skin and coat problems
.   
Dog food is not intended for cats. While an occasional nibble won’t hurt the kitty directly, as a constant food source it is not balanced for cat nutrition and would result in starving the cat.  Feeding your cat a high protein low ash and carb food will keep her in optimum health for many years to come
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Have a question, or is there something you’ve always wondered about.  Ask Madalyn invites your questions. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

by Steev Riccardo

Hello Rock fans!

Let me start by apologizing for the long hiatus from writing this column, which is by far my favorite column to write.  I have heard from the fans, none of whom were born after 1990, by the way, asking for more stories about Steve Marriot, Roger Waters, and Chrissie Hynde, and it’s awesome that there other rock fans out there to dig the music and to read about it.

Enough with the trivial stuff lets talk rock! Little things get me really excited so when my friend Alvan Long, who runs the Cambridge Mass.- based Curve of the Earth record label and New Alliance Recording studios handed me a January 1971 copy of Circus Magazine, I was extremely happy.

by Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department

Winter weather is often a contributing factor in many motor vehicle crashes.  Although some accidents are serious, many are of a minor nature.  People frequently ask when they are required to file an accident report.

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 Section 26 contains the guidelines for the reporting of accidents.  It requires an accident report to be filed within five days, with both the Registry and the police department having jurisdiction over the area, if it involves one or more of the following events: 1) Any person is killed or injured or 2) There is damage in excess of one thousand dollars to any one vehicle or other property.  With the current cost of vehicle and property damage repairs, it is not particularly difficult to reach the thousand dollar threshold.  Penalties for not reporting an accident can include a fine and/or suspension of your license.

by Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department

The requirement for house numbering was the topic of a recent discussion.  The person wished to know what house numbering requirements, if any, does Dudley have?  This was a good opportunity to provide some information to residents to insure their properties can be identified in the event of an emergency.

Article 37 of the Town of Dudley By-laws is entitled “Street Numbering.”  According to this regulation, “Street numbers shall be attached to each dwelling, business, industry and other buildings, which are not accessory in nature in the Town of Dudley.”  There are several requirements to be in compliance with this section. “The numbers shall be made of permanent, weatherproof materials, shall be numeric Arabic numbers at least (3) three inches in height in a contrasting color, and shall be clearly visible from the public way upon which the structure fronts.”  If the building is not visible from the roadway, the number is to be posted “on a suitable support at the entrance to the driveway that services such structure.”  This can include a mailbox.  The exact number of the property location will be assigned by the Town of Dudley Assessor’s Office.   Any property owner who fails to comply with this bylaw is subject to a fine of not more than Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per day for each offense. Each day can be treated as a separate offense.

by Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department

With the heavy snow and other bad weather in our area, I wanted to take this opportunity to once again remind residents of the sidewalk snow removal procedures.  This is always a hot topic of conversation with many people.  It is especially true when we have measurable snowfall events.   I wanted to provide everyone with a reminder on this important issue.

Each community should have local by-laws or ordinances addressing this subject.  In the Town of Dudley, Article Eight Section Four is the by-law covering this situation.  This law requires every owner, tenant, or occupant of a building abutting a finished sidewalk, to keep the area free from many substances, including snow and ice.  These areas should be cleared during the period when the snow plows have completed the major removal of snow during a storm and before the slush/snow has the opportunity to freeze and become ice.  As a general rule, some time within twenty-four hours after a storm's ends is the prime opportunity to perform this task.  Penalties for a failure to clear sidewalks can be twenty dollars per day.

By Michelle LaFleche, Webster Animal Control Officer

On February 3rd, Jose and I were at the shelter along with several friends when a huge moose of a dog ran into the shelter.  Following right behind was a man who advised that he was down by the lake when the dog appeared.  The dog began following him so he decided to walk the dog over to the shelter.

The dog was wearing a collar and was dragging a leash.  There were no tags.

Thought for the Day

“You can complain because a rose has thorns, or rejoice because thorns have a rose.”

~Abraham Lincoln  

Q: What’s more economical in the long run as far as the cost of a single printed page, an inkjet or a laser printer? Or is it less expensive to have your copies done at a copy place? 

A: While the average per piece cost of a color copy made on a laser copier is considerably less, the question of whether it is better to get one than the other depends more on how often you need to make copies and what quality you need.

If you are in the market for copies or photos once in a while and not dozens at a time it might actually make more sense or have an inkjet printer as opposed to a laser printer.  An inkjet printer is less expensive to buy and maintain.  Inkjet printers range from under $100 to $1000+ while laser jet printers range from $300 to $6000.  The cost of cartridges is also an important factor.  A typical laser cartridge may cost $70 and yield 2500 pages, or about 2.9 cents per page.  A typical inkjet cartridge may cost $35 but yields only about 250 pages, resulting in a per piece cost of 14 cents per page.  Obviously the actual cost of the pages you print will depend on the printer you have and the cost of the cartridges.  I looked mine up on line and the manufacturer says a black and white copy on my laser costs $.025 while a color copy is about $.06 per page.  My inkjet printer costs $.09 for black and white and $.142 for each color page I print. As far as printing color copies at a copy shop, I recently priced an 850 piece mailing at one of the big stores and was quoted at more than $400 for the job. 

Having done the research now, I changed my primary printer to the laser.  The office prints many copies every day so even though it seems that it’s more expensive to operate due to the high cost of the cartridges, the cost per print is a lot less.  Another nice feature of a laser printer is that each color has it’s own cartridge, so if your logo has a lot of a single color in it, that cartridge can be replaced separately, unlike an inkjet printer having a single cartridge for all the colors.  If you use a lot of one color the rest of your ink gets wasted in an inkjet.

An additional note when printing photos.  There are separate cartridges for some printers meant especially for photos. The cost per photo is from $.25 to $.49 each.  And that doesn’t include the price of the special paper you need to have a photo printed.  In that case it might be wise to see what it costs to print your photos at your local kiosk.  Often the kiosks have 4”x6” photo deals for as low as $.15.  If you want larger prints however, doing it at home is still the least expensive way.       

Have a question, or is there something you’ve always wondered about?  Ask Madalyn invites your questions.

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