Consuming
Thoughts
Fay Strickler
Penn State Extension
Home Economist
For Berks Co.
As you all well know, this sum
mer has been a hot one. To beat
the heat many folks stay in air
conditioning, go swimming, take a
cool bath, and drink plenty of wa
ter. These all help to bring the
body temperature down and make
you feel more comfortable.
Since one of the functions of
water is to maintain the body tem
perature it is extremely important
to consume it frequently. In fact
water is the most important nutri
ent of the six classes of nutrients
in our daily diet (protein, fats, car
bohydrates, vitamins, minerals,
and water).
A person can survive about 60
days without food and for much
longer without certain of the vita
mins and minerals, but no one will
survive beyond a week without
water. A severe lack of water
causes the blood volume to shrink
thus creating bodily overheating,
which can have serious ramifica
tions.
A defiency of water can also re
sult in a buildup of toxic waste
products which can stress kidneys
and liver. In those performing
strenuous physical work, a lack of
sufficient water can cause muscle
cramps and faintness. Diets ex-
tremely high in protein and low in
carbohydrate can cause dehydra
tion because the body forms a
great deal of urine an in attempt to
excrete protein wastes. Excessive
use of caffeine-containing bever
ages and alcohol can also contri
bute to dehydration because they
act as diuretics, increasing urine
excretion.
Infants are at risk of dehydra
tion during hot weather because
they tend to lose water faster than
adults. The elderly are another
group often found to be suffering
from a lack of sufficient water. In
some cases, this is because they
are trying to control excessive
urination by cutting down on flu
ids.
The overweight often have
problems with water retention and
swelling and so will cut down on
their fluid intake, a step that may
aggravate the overheating.
Adults should have six to eight
cups of liquids a day. Milk, sodas,
and other energy-rich fluids
should not be counted nor should
alcohol or caffeine-containing be
verages because of their diuretic
properties. In addition to fluids
taken as such, a significant
amount of water is present in food
Lancaster Extension Offers Workshop
LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.)
The following educational
activities have been scheduled by
Lancaster County Extension Ser
vices. If you want to enroll, write
your name, address, and phone
number on a sheet of paper and
mail it with a check made payable
to Agricultural Extension. No
registration is accepted without
payment
All classes will be held at the
Extension Training Center located
in the basement of the Farm and
and adds to the body’s pool. Plain
water is 'a mild diuretic when
taken in sufficient quantities and
may actually help that “water-log
ged” feeling that the overweight
may experience. Diet sodas, on
the other hand, usually contain
sodium which acts to retain water.
Almost any non-alcoholic
beverage can be used as a source
of fluid. Some choices include
lemonade, milk, juices, seltzer,
fruit punch, and decaffeinated tea.
Since alcohol and beverages with
caffeine have a dehydrating effect
on the body, it is best to avoid
these beverages.
If water loss is great, fluid in
take should be increased marked
ly. Salt tablets can be dangerous
and are not recommended. The
need for extra sodium can be easi
ly met by using a bit of food con
taining salt
Another way to balance your
body chemistry level is to eat
foods containing a lot of water
such as fruits and vegetables.
So as you enjoy the summer fun
and the busy schedule of activi
ties, don’t forget to drink water.
Lancastar Farming, Saturday, August 27, 1994-B7
Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd..
Lancaster, PA 17601.
Sew What’s New New
notions are constantly being
devised to make sewing easier and
some old notions have found new
applications. Choose either work
shop on Sept. 15, from 7:00
p.m-9:00 p.m. or September 16,
9:30 a.m.-ll:30 a.m. Cost $B.
Gift For The Holiday Pro
jects for sewing machine, serger,
and non-sewn gifts will be demon
strated. Workshop October 24,
from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. or
October 25, from 9:30 a.m.-ll:30
a.m. Cost $B.
Re-Entry Sewing Class
designed for those who want to get
back into sewing. Learn up-to-date
techniques and tools to make sew
ing easier while contracting a gar
ment of your choice. Cost $4B not
including materials. Classes Sep
tember 13, 20, 28, October 5, 11,
18, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
“Not Quite Ready for Tailor
ing Class” Leant how to work
with tailorable fabrics using tailor
ing skills on less complicated pat
terns. Project is a lined skirt and
vest Cost $4B not including mater
ials. Clases October 20, 27,
November 3, 10, 17, and Dec. 1,
from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Easy Tailoring for Beginners
and Others Brush up on new
techniques and materials when
using tailoring fabrics. Almost no
hand sewing required and even the
lining is applied using ready-to
wear industry technique. No
machine needed for the first class,
but bring a pencil, paper, and a tape
measure. Cost: $55. October 20,
27, Nov. 3. 10. 17, Dec. 1, from
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sewn By Hand Master hand
sewing stitches found on couture
garments Such as the catch-stitch,
prickstitch, slip-basting, and but
tonhole loops. Cost $l2. Septem
ber 22, from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
and September 23, from 9 a.m. to
12.
Buttonhole Basics If your
machine does not do a buttonhole
but a zigzag stitch, you can make a
buttonhole. Bring sewing
machine, instruction manual,
some fabric, and sewing machine
accessories. Cost $l2. Nov. 7,
from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and Nov,
8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Log Cabin Wreath Wallhang
ing Create a 36-inch holly
wreath with red berries using off
center log cabin blocks. The fin
ished wreath appears to swirl.
Should have some quilt piecing
experience. Supply fee $1.30 pay
able to instructor. Cost $26. Aug.
13, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Kid’s Quilt (ages 10-13)
Make a 30-inch quilt that is a
simple one patch shape and con
structed of no-slip flannel. Moms
are invited to attend the first class.
If possible, bring your own sewing
machine, colored pencils, scissors,
thread and a 2x3-inch school pic
ture of yourself. Supply fee $3 due
at first class. Cost $2O. August 4,
from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. August
9,10,11, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.