Believe it or not. You be the judge. 

A common ingredient in commercial bread is derived from human hair. More specifically, they are derived from Chinese hair salons, where the hairs are soaked in an acid to become a non essential amino acid called L-cysteine. 

Some L-cysteine is synthesized in laboratories, but the majority of the time, it’s extracted from cheap and abundant natural protein sources of human hair, often from Chinese hair salons, chicken feathers, duck feathers, cow horns and petroleum byproducts.

This non-essential amino acid is isolated through a chemical process, then packed and shipped off to commercial bread producers. The producers then add it to many baked goods as a dough conditioner in order to speed industrial processing.  It is usually not added directly to flour intended for home use, but you'll find it throughout commercial breads such as pizza dough, bread, rolls and pastries.  Maybe we should go back to baking our own breads.

While the thought of eating dissolved hair might make some westerners uneasy, most consumers ultimately have no principle objections to doing so. For Jews and Muslims, however, hair-derived L-cysteine poses some significant problems.  Muslims are forbidden from eating anything derived from a human body, and many rabbis forbid hair consumption for similar reasons.

Even rabbis who permit the consumption of hair would forbid it if it came from corpses. And since much L-cysteine comes from China, where sourcing and manufacturing practices are notoriously questionable, this is a real concern.  In one case, a rabbi forbade the consumption of L-cysteine because the hair had been harvested during a ritual at a temple in India.

On to another topic, U. S. law has granted the Coca Cola company a unique exemption to import coca leaves, while prohibiting anyone else from importing what might otherwise become a popular super food.

There are chicken nuggets and then there are chicken nuggets.  Some are breaded chicken pieces.  Some are pieces molded from purée chicken parts and then breaded.  But many of us enjoy the tender tidbits, often feeding them to our children and grandchildren, thinking that they are a healthy treat.

Have you ever noticed that while there are plenty of varieties of nearly all common fruits, (apples, oranges, peaches etc.) each banana seems identical to another?  When someone says banana you think of a large fruit with yellow skin and a soft pale middle. 

That is because only bananas of the "cavendish" variety are sold in stores, as fruit corporations long ago decided that it would best serve their profits to train customers to expect all bananas to be identical. Unbeknownst to many, there are indeed many varieties of bananas out there including the "Musa" species, which are drastically different from the bananas in taste and texture.

In order to preserve their distinctive properties, "cavendish" bananas are never allowed to reproduce sexually. That means they all have the same exact code as the first cavendish tree selected by U.S. fruit corporation in the 1950's to replace the Gros Michael banana.

The Gros Michael banana, another genetically identical cultivar, was so devastated by disease that it could no longer be supplied in the global market in any quantity. Now that same disease is targeting the cavendish variety, exposing yet again the folly, and non sustainability of mono culture. (widipedia org/wiki/banana).

Don't throw away the skin of the banana. It is rumored to take away the itch when the skin is rubbed on mosquito bites. 

Many disposable coffee and carry out containers are filled with cancer causing agents, in particular formeldehyde preservatives in styrene.  The department of Health and Human Services has been pressured by the chemical industry for years to delay forwarding this information on to the public.  

Nevertheless formeldehyde, caplafel cobalt tungsten carbide and certain glass fibers have been dubbed reasonably anticipated to be human carcinazins.  The United States government is now reacting to these discoveries.

Albert Einstein once defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That is exactly how the biotechnology industry and government agencies are trying to handle the escalating "superweed.” Biotech's quick fix for superweeds could lead to "super superweeds.”

More farmers are going organic to improve their soil, save energy and produce better food.  Conventional farming methods may gradually be going the way of the buffalo, at least for many smaller scale farmers who are discovering the practical and financial benefits of switching to organic techniques. (TMC)

There is so much to know and learn. Education is a lifetime adventure.

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about the local happenings and family events such as family and school reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, 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, so we can then pass along the news to you.  If you have news to share, please contact me.

Also, if our NRHEG Star Eagle readers would like to share birthdays and anniversaries of your family and friends, or you know of some that should be deleted, or names have changed, 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.

• Thursday, July 7th: Collin Christensen, Ed Possin, Elizabeth Eder, Cheryl Boverhuis, Casey Johnson, Chad Quam, Scott Reese, Jon Spatenka, Anna Jacobson, David Anderson, DeAnn Skroch.   

• Friday, July 8th: Zaine Augustine Briedenbach, Parker John & Payton Lorraine Bunn, Barb Hagen, Al Lee, Adam Arends, Jacob Terry Phillips, Deacon Thomas Lang, Summer Paulson, Deb Jacobs, Marlene Jensen.

• Saturday, July 9th: Larry Otto, Corey Pence, Mavis Knudtson, Joni Calderon, Lisa Worke, Dale Peterson, Deb & Dean Hunt, Jennifer & David Lageson.

• Sunday, July 10th:  Kalene Larson, Ethan Green, Brett Dunlap, Sally Hanson Sadden, Suzanne Skroch Larkin, Carley Ray Talamantes, Holly Swearingen, Anna Uetcsh, Todd Borchert, Kym Cameron, Paulette Nelson, Ryan & Amy Crabtree their 6th, Dustin & Jenna Quimby.

• Monday, July 11th: Zoie Marie Jensen, Shirley Wallace Tennant, Nicholas Lee Shultz, Helen Scripture Schubert, Kelly Sauke, Nataniel Lizarazo, Michele Degan Reistad, Rochelle Thompson, Lisa Goodnature Noble, Christopher Olson, Jessica Mangskau, Elaine Peterson, Naomi Hemingway, Randy Borchert, Scott Knutson, Celina & Richard Drecher, David & Bonnie Jensen, Carrie (Thompson) & Danny Wichmann.

• Tuesday, July 12th: Daniel Christensen, Kimberly Peterson, Rick Pelzl, Daryl Waltz.

• Wedmesday, July 13th: Megan Elizabeth Nowariak, Audrey Lillian Peterson, Marayah Mae Mortenson, Kolette Lageson Stevenson, Brenda Misgen, Sandra Cerney Collins, Joseph Adrian Parks, Ed Nelson, Cynthia Fuerniss, Dick Larson, Amber Anderson, Jean Johnson, Corey & Danielle Wangsness, Jason & Shannon Peterson.

• Thursday, July 14th: Kallen Reed Rasmussen, Gavin Cole Halverson, Sharon Richards Lucas, Annette Hove, Madison Larkin, Dana Simonson, Jeff Kitzer, Jerry Langlie, Lee Cummins, Shane Davis, Peter Kasper, Roger Swearingen, Bethany & Ashley Ashton.

• Friday, July 15th: Nathan Daniel Wayne, Nathan Joseph Bauers, Levi Peterson, McCoy LaVerne Schwierjohann, Bob Long, Thad Aaseth, Judd Aaseth, Stacy Seath Tempel, Lacinda Jensen, Vicki Utpadel Knudson, David & Kim Killian.

Hope your day is bright and filled with delights.  

It was just a few days ago that I returned from spending almost a week in northern Minnesota. This time my Grandson Dylan went with his Grandma Jean and me. The weather was less than perfect, but we made the best of it and in the end enjoyed a good week.

Dylan and I fished our lake the first evening and caught quite a few panfish; the largest was a 9-1/2 inch bluegill. We caught quite a few smaller ones and some crappies that were eating size. Panfish are always fun to catch and when the crappies and bluegills are decent sizes, it makes it even better. We never use live bait on our lake and manage to catch more than enough fish to keep us happy.

The next day we headed to a nearby lake to try our luck and weren’t disappointed. We caught quite a few northerns, some nice bass and crappies. There were more than enough rock bass that were willing to hit our jigs. On this day we tried minnows but ultimately caught the majority of the fish on artificial bait. Although it was windy and the weather was threatening rain, it only sprinkled on us a couple of times as the rain held off. Dylan’s grandma caught a nice fat northern that was just itchin’ to be part of a fish fry.

That night Dylan took his grandma out on our lake for a little crappie and sunny fishing. She actually out-fished him that night, but I told him that the “guide” has to tend to the passenger and can’t always concentrate on fishing. That’s the excuse I’ve used from time to time, but I don’t really think anyone ever really buys into it.

The next day was windy and cloudy with a threat of rain looming. The weather forecast was for rain and clearing the day after. For some reason, I decided that we should try this little lake just a couple of miles away that is easy to access. It is small enough that the wind doesn’t affect it too bad. When we launched the boat the anchor rope had fallen out and wrapped around one of the rollers on the trailer. After some maneuvering, it was finally freed and the boat was in the water.

That was where things seemed to get even worse. After the skipper had boarded the vessel and was sitting in his chair in the rear of the boat, we tried launching it. After much pushing and shoving it was finally launched. At the time I felt that we had made too much work out of the boat launch. Under my breath I uttered the unthinkable, “what else can go wrong?” And it didn’t take long to find out.

When I turned on the depth finder it came on for about five seconds and then went dead. Just then a little light bulb went on above my head, flashing the one word that I didn’t think of: “plug!” That’s when I thought of it – when the wire connecting the locator gets wet it shuts it off automatically. 

When I removed the transom cover to check it, the water was almost to the top of the transom. The motor was already running so I gunned it, hoping to get enough speed up to draw the water out. By now Dylan and his grandma were wondering what I was doing.

I suppose panic was starting to set in. After realizing that this plan wasn’t working watching water creep up the floorboard, I thought of the bilge pump which I didn’t think still worked. After hitting the switch, it actually started pumping and eventually pumped out enough water for me to pick up more speed.

I was able to plane the boat off and draw out the remaining water and, finally insert the plug. It almost seems like whenever I go fishing, it never seems to be a totally smooth experience. On this occasion there were a few laughs to be had, (at grandpa’s expense) but that’s what makes it all fun.

After all that had happened, I began to think that fishing on this day was probably going to be as bad as the day had started out. But, that was not to be the case. We started catching plenty of pike with Dylan catching the first one. He wanted to catch a “keeper” northern because he said he hadn’t caught one in quite some time. 

We caught plenty of fish that day. Jean had a “hawg” bass on that came out of the water and danced on its tail before spitting the hook. Dylan said, “Grandma that was just like you see on TV.”

It started to rain hard but the fish were really active, so before we decided to call it a day Dylan finally got his wish, a “keeper” northern. Even after all that had happened - life was good.

We ate fish the next day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dylan eat as much fish as he did at that meal. Jean fixed all three of the pike that we had kept, so we ate a nice meal. Dylan asked if he could take the leftover fish home to share. I think he already knew the answer to that.

It kept raining steadily for the next day and the new and not-so-improved forecast said rain for the rest of the week, so we decided to cut it short by a day and head home. Even with the weather it was a great time. I’m sure glad I decided to fish that little lake when we did so Dylan could catch his fish and have a trip to remember.

To me this is what it’s all about, enjoying the outdoors with family, having a few laughs and making good memories that will last a lifetime.

Since I last wrote about area fishing, I’ve heard that the walleye bite has slowed a little and although spotty, there are still “eyes” to be had. The northern fishing has been picking up in Fountain Lake, and of course there are plenty of catfish in the lake just waiting to be caught. You never know what will be on the other end of your line when fishing these area lakes. That is what makes fishing fun, so get out and wet a line in one of our area lakes. I plan on helping my grandson Trevor launch the old Blue Fin in the next couple of days. He can be the “Skipper” for a change and take grandpa fishing.

Until next time, make a few memories of your own and do a little fish’n while you enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors!

Remember our brothers and sisters who are proudly serving our country so that we can keep enjoying the freedoms that we have today.

"Don’t give up, don’t ever give up," is a phrase Jimmy Valvano used in a speech before the Espy Foundation to cure cancer. Valvano was in the last stages of terminal cancer. In fact, he had to be helped up the stairs to the podium to give his speech from which "Don’t give up, don’t ever give up," was taken. Valvano died two months later and since his death the Jimmy V Foundation has raised millions of dollars for the fight against cancer.

He knew of what he spoke when he talked of never giving up. A few years before, his North Carlina State Wolfpack was going against the heavily favored University of Houston in the finals of the NCAA basketball tournament. Houston was led by future pro hall of famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Nobody gave NC State a chance. The Wolfpack won in the last seconds with a put back by little known Lorenzo Charles. I was reminded of Jim Valvano’s North Carolina State win by the recent death of Charles in a highway accident.

"Never give up" comes to mind concerning our Minnesota Twins, who are far back in their division, nine games below five hundred, eight games behind the leader. The word fan is shortened from fanatic. The belief that anything is possible and as Yogi Berra said, "It’s not over ‘til it’s over." However a lot of people are feeling with good reason that there is no chance for the Twins and the Dean of the Tribune’s sportswriters, Sid Hartman, is among them.

I refuse to do so and urge the fans out there to do likewise. I don’t know if our Twins are a "team of destiny," but they have the makings. A lot of things have to go right for the Twins to succeed, but it’s possible.

The team’s pitching staff is coming around and while it’s still inconsistent, it’s becoming less so. Three starters have done well almost every outing this past month. I feel pretty confident there will be a well pitched game when Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker take the mound. In fact, Baker is showing signs of becoming the pitcher the Twins thought they had when he was signed to a long-term contract. I wouldn’t call him an ace yet, but he is edging in that direction.

Joe Nathan shows signs of the Nathan of old by dominating his last three outings. Glen Perkins has put in some shut down innings and has pitched well all season. Capps will be O.K. and hopefully Gardy will move Duensing to relief when Slowey comes back. Or better yet, trade Slowey for a good middle reliever. If Duensing is moved or Slowey is traded they would have the nucleus of a good relief corps.

Finally, finally, the injured position players are starting to drift back. Thome is playing and looking for 600 home runs. Joe Mauer is coming out of his swoon. All-star Michael Cuddyer is leading the offense helped by a resurgent Danny Valencia. I believe Alexi Casilla will hang in there all year and continue to be the best half of the middle infield.

To end on a positive note: the Twins have made up half of the distance they were down without Nathan, Slowey, Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Span and Thome. Now if they did that well without them, they should be even stronger and a better team when they come back. The potential is there for a very strong finish. I just hope they don’t run out of games.