JOHN MAC KAH - Rapid River Magazine

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R A P I D R I V E R A R T S & C U L T U R E healthy lifestyles The Obvious Assumption Dietary information is of two kinds: simple and complex. The simple information categorizes everything into a few groups, either stigmatizing the bad groups or promoting a particular good group. The complex information breaks everything down into multiple options that require a chemistry/physiology degree to understand and implement. This is especially true when trying to understand fatty acids: their intake, their functions in the body, and their proper balance in the diet. Let’s try a middle ground for consideration – a little complex information without too much chemistry and a little simple information without too much stigmatizing. Most of the complex nutrients required for optimum human health can be made by the human body. But there are a few nutrients that humans cannot make. These nutrients are labeled “essential” nutrients – which means they must be supplied in the diet. In the category of fats, two fatty acids must be supplied in the diet. The human body cannot make alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3) fatty acid and linoleic acid (an omega-6) fatty acid. From both of these two fatty acids, the human body can manufacture on its own (with some effort) the rest of a myriad of fatty acids that make up most of the human brain, much of the human nerve cells, and the major building blocks of the capsule of all human cells. Various fatty acids are the messengers that make possible blood clotting, passing of various elements through cell walls, natural pain killers, and the immune inflammatory system that recognizes, isolates, and eliminates foreign material: bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. EPA and DHA are two omega-3 fatty acids that can be made from the essential fatty acids, even by children. These two have been shown to be especially important for brain and nerve growth and in lowering the risk of inflammation, heart disease, arthritis, mental health problems, and possibly some cancers. They are more easily absorbed from the diet than made in the body, especially by children. They are both added to various foods, especially formula for infants. Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that is made in the body and is important for blood clotting, repair and growth of muscle and nerve tissue, improved sensitivity to insulin, and control of eczema. It is the precursor for the fatty acids that cause degenerative arthritis. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids both play vital roles. They are best absorbed in the diet in a ratio of 5 (omega-6) to 1 (omega-3). In the typical American diet with its emphasis on fatty animal products (meat and dairy) BY MAX HAMMONDS, MD the ratio is 24:1 which throws the balance toward greater inflammation, greater blood clotting, and a more reactive immune system – a major cause of many chronic diseases – not to mention the other disease processes caused by such a diet. What is the answer to this imbalance? Correct the imbalance through diet. The obvious assumption is – decrease the intake of omega-6 fatty acids and correct the imbalance. But that would require decreasing the intake of America’s favorite fatty foods. Instead nutritionists suggest taking in more omega-3 fatty acids by supplementation – with cold water fish, flax seed, canola oil and others. In other words, they assume that people will not choose to eat more healthfully and add supplements to correct the problem. Two Lessons Two assumptions seem obvious. 1) If one eats a diet that is already wellbalanced in the omega-6:omega-3 ratio (Mediterranean diet), no supplementation is necessary. It is only intended for those not eating a good diet. 2) If one eats a diet that is out of balance, change the diet – don’t ignore the imbalance or correct the imbalance with supplements. Oh, yes – breast milk gives the infant the same balance of omega-6: omega-3 as that which the mother eats. Obvious assumption. ASAP’s Local Food Guide Turns 10 O ver the last decade, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) has spearheaded a Local Food Campaign to support those on a journey to reconnect with their food. At the center of it all has been the Local Food Guide. Since 2002, nine editions and almost one million copies have been printed to help people get to know area farmers, find CSAs, and easily seek out local food at grocery stores, tailgate markets, restaurants, and other businesses. To celebrate the new 10th edition, as well as the growth of the local food movement in the Southern Appalachians over the years, ASAP is hosting a Local Food Guide release party. The event, to be held May 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Asheville’s Highland Brewing Company, is an opportunity to pick up the 2011 guide hot off the press, enjoy giveaways and music by local act Uncle Mountain, and kick off the growing season with other local food enthusiasts. Of course, what would a local food guide party be without local food—washed down with local brews? Tupelo Honey Café will be on hand to prepare farm-fresh bites, as well as sell their new cookbook, Tupelo Honey Cafe: Spirited Recipes from Asheville’s New South Kitchen, with sales to benefit ASAP. “Ten years ago when we printed the first Local Food Guide, we could not have imagined how much could change in a decade,” says Charlie Jackson, ASAP’s director. “Today, the guide is the most comprehensive source for local food in the country, and the Appalachian region leads a national local food movement that is reshaping our farms and the way we eat.” Those unable to attend can browse the guide online at buyappalachian.org. IF YOU GO BY MAGGIE CRAMER ASAP’s Local Food Guide release party is free and open to the public at Highland Brewing Company’s new Tasting Room, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite H, Asheville. For more information, visit asapconnections. org/lfgparty.html. 30 May 2011 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 14, No. 9
R A P I D R I V E R A R T S & C U L T U R E southern comfort A JOURNAL OF SHORT STORIES BY JUDY AUSLEY Older Birth Mothers: Silent Women in Society The way adoption stories are told on television and in the movies are absurd and far from the real story. Every single adoption does not turn out the way some people may imagine. It is not always sunshine and roses with this issue. Every story is different. And, mine was no different. I am a proud birth mother. I gave my son up to adoptive parents I never met. It was July in 1965. I never saw him at birth. There was no bonding between us like in normal deliveries. The silent secret of pregnancy out of marriage or “out of wedlock” was, in many families, just that. No one must ever know! (I can still hear my parents warning me.) Then, the big cover-up began for me until the unblessed event occurred. It took me moving to North Carolina to get away from that constant reminder from my family. As I grew and learned, we birth mothers have a world of sisterhood among us. Many of them are older than I am. After joining birth mother groups when I moved to Chapel Hill and became involved with like-minded women, I was secretive no longer. My life took on more of an advocate position and I started talking and writing about the issue. For all the birth mothers out there, whatever your situation may be, I want to share words from a letter I found recently in Dear Abby. The letter is written by a son who was adopted and is addressed to his biological mother who gave him life. It reads: “I would like to say something to my mother, although I do not know who my mother is. I was adopted when I was a baby. I have yet to find her but I have a message for her on Mother’s Day. “Mama, I don’t know the circumstances of my birth and I don’t really care. All I know is two loving parents adopted me and shaped me into what I am. Today I am successful and have a wife and children. I imagine that is what you wanted for me. Therefore, I have decided that I do not need to find you to say thank you. You made a good choice. I am doing fine and I love you.” Signed, “Your thankful son.” This letter really touched my soul. With all the years of wondering where my son was or if he was alive in this world, a letter such as that would have satisfied me immensely. But, I never received such a letter. Concerning my case, it was very hard in those days to get any information or records. I knew nothing, ever. It went on for years and yes, it affected my life. I always wondered and felt sad every single birthday he had. In 2000, I got a little money, enough to pay for a private investigator in Florida that I hired to search for my son. The searchers found his records in two days. He was in Jacksonville right where I always thought he would be. He was 30 years old and married with a son of his own. I became a mother and grandmother all on the same day when I got the call from Florida. I was ecstatic beyond words. The adoption records had been BY JUDY AUSLEY locked and sealed for years because, back then, it was pure humiliation for birth mothers to be involved in an adoption in Florida. We were called the Silent Women in society. But, be careful and do not assume anything if you have the experience I had. I haven’t heard from my son now for around three years, and that is not unusual for him. To say we have a great relationship would be a lie. I know where he is and a little about him, but I do not really know him. I probably won’t ever know him. Too many years have passed. But I know now I cannot cure every single thing that comes down the pike in life. I have learned there are some things that have no answers. You just have to take yourself in your own hands and reach a peace and understanding within yourself. I have done that for myself. Writer Judy Ausley has been a reporter with newspapers in NC for 40 years. She retired in 2005 and continues to freelance at her home in Asheville. She can be contacted by e-mail at Judyausley@aol.com. If you know a character in Asheville who has not had a conventional life, put them in touch with Judy for an article in this column, Southern Comfort. Pickin’ on the Porch Join us on Friday, May 6, from noon until 2 p.m., as we kick off the fourth season of Pickin’ on the Porch of the Old Kentucky Home. The series, hosted by the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, located at 52 N. Market Street, in Asheville, features some of the finest musicians in western North Carolina in informal performances on the front porch of the boyhood home of Thomas Wolfe, noted author of the classic American novel Look Homeward, Angel. Pickin’ 2011 gets underway with local favorites Paul’s Creek Band Carol Rifkin and the Paul’s Creek Band. Rifkin is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist and dancer. She is a regular on radio station WNCW and appeared in the film Songcatcher. The Paul’s Creek Band is Jamie Soesbee on bass; Troy Harrison on banjo; and Michael Pilgrim on fiddle. They appear regularly at festivals including MerleFest, LEAF, and the MountainSong Festival, performing a wide range of material from the American string band tradition. The series continues with three members of the Whitewater Bluegrass Company performing as the Time Bandits on Friday, June 3. On Friday, July 1, the Belfast Boys will perform traditional Irish music. Singer, banjo player, author and storyteller Sheila Kay Adams joins us on Friday, August 5. Pickin’ on the Porch of the Old Kentucky Home is free, family-friendly and open to the public, so bring a snack or lunch and enjoy two hours of the finest entertainment to be found in western North Carolina. Limited seating is available in the rockers on the front porch of the Old Kentucky Home, and there is room for chairs and blankets on the front lawn. IF YOU GO For more information go to www.wolfememorial.com or call (828) 253-8304. Vol. 14, No. 9 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — May 2011 31
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JOHN MAC KAH - Rapid River Magazine

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