We have been “super sizing” in regards to our food, and look where it has got us - right around the middle. Isn't it about time we pay attention to the actual amount we should be eating? It may come as a shock, but it has hit our health interest hard, as well as our pocketbook.

Try leaving out that one extra potato you peel "for good measure." Consider the recommended amount of meat that should be eaten; it is advised to only eat beef one day a week, and in fact, no meat one day of the week cuts calories and costs.

It is not hard to find a lot of foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. You will find them listed in the first few items in the ingredient listing. If you find it listed there, put it back. You don't need it!

All this came to be because it often makes a product cheaper, but it has also been proven it causes addiction to sweeteners.

Frozen juices often have high fructose corn syrup in them. Eating the whole fruit is more beneficial than juice. Juice is also something we tend to drink more of than is necessary. Health experts advise adding a little water to the juice, as it is stronger than need be. Smoothies contain real fruit, thus retaining the fiber.

Supermarkets today are busting with an assortment of food items. It should be exciting to view all the things you can purchase, but should you?

Shopping for food for the family has become a scientific task, and I am still not sure I have it right.  Labeling helps, but there is controversy over them. Labels are being updated, which is long overdue.  Let’s hope the new labels are more complete and easily understandable.

It can be a stretch to buy conventional grown foods or pay the price for organic. With grocery buying getting higher priced, one wonders if it is worth the difference. I believe it is, but it gets to be a juggling act.

Experts recommend that everything be washed before consumption, but that may not solve everything. Fruits and berries are good for you, but are very hard to clean. How they are grown has become a big deal. 

I have washed fruits and vegetables in "fresh wash", supposedly a cleaning alternative, and I've also washed in "local water" with vinegar, which probably helps - but I wonder if it is enough. The bread I buy says no fructose, corn syrup, artificial colors or bleached flour. It may be whole wheat, but it doesn't say “no GMO,” and it bothers me.

The milk I buy is labeled, “From cows without artificial hormones.” When I purchase canned goods I look for B.P.A. free food. I also look at the labels of food in boxes, glass jars or frozen foods to see if they are safe as some specially marked cans state that fact. 

Then there are "root vegetables" - are they safe? No. Unless its organic, the ground they were grown in may be contaminated with chemicals and pesticides.

Often, vegetables are sprayed while growing, and when they are harvested it is like a storehouse of chemicals that washing won't cleanse.

A family garden is a big help. You can control what goes in there. Mulching is a labor and moisture saver and good use of otherwise discarded items like egg shells, fruit and vegetable peelings. The exercise provides added benefits, and you know where the food you are eating has come from.

The food coop handles vinegar, honey and other necessities that are all organic or not processed, which destroys the goodness of the product. So how do you budget your buying? Think realistic portions or sizes; meat consumption can be downsized by using smaller amounts in salads or hot dishes.

Are many of the illnesses and problems faced health-wise a result of less-than scrupulous-marketing? Suggestions to the probability is certainly "out there" to consider.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. Also if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me.

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P. O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thursday, March 27th: Kim Weckwerth Farr, Jim Ottesen, Verona Winegar, Tom Lund, Tina Jensen Wangen, Jodi Loverink, Neil Born, Ralph Randall, Todd & Sheri Utpadel, Wes & Julie Schroenrock

• Friday, March 28th: Jordan Brye Wagner, Katie Ann Lee, Daryl Van Ravenhorst, Alan Olson, Paul Marlin, Josh Stevens, Daniel Suelter, Richard & Lisa (Long) Hocking  

• Saturday, March 29th: Emily Eder,Taran Waalkens, Heather Lyn Shearman, Dylan Lee Ingvaldson, Becky Johnson, Amanda Bergerson, Judy Strenge, Dorene Richards, Bruce Jensen, Linda Seykora

• Sunday, March 30th: Leah Brittan Moststad, Gretchen Jensen Ray, Darrell Hanson, Kim Roberts Sletten, Aiden Michael Berg, his 7th, Matthew Cornelius, Fern Robertson Sommers

• Monday, March 31st: Jinny Nielsen, Hannah Haroldson, Melissa Collins, Carson LaShawn Ray, his 6th; Jill Anderson, David Hemingway, Ross Johnson, Shane Johnson, Doug Hunt, Joanne Neuhart. Mollee & Joseph Tscholl

• Tuesday, April 1st: April Fools Day! Madison Hanson, Irene Paulson

• Wednesday, April 2nd: Harold Wayne, Leanna Burns, Deb Nelson, Luke Miller, Joyce Tufte Sorenson, Sonja Larson, Teresa Jensen, Kaleb Smith, Dwight Schewe, Greg Nelson, Matthew Halla, Genevieve Wayne, Bill & Pat Draayer, David & Shelly Mangskau, Brian & Lois Nelson

Surprise somebody. Call someone. Send a card and make their day. Little things mean a lot.