Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army is pleased to announce the RED KETTLE Eats & Treats Campaign. Generous restaurants, both locally-owned and national chains, will donate a portion of their proceeds to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign starting December 16th.

The community is asked to dine at the following restaurants in the upcoming days. Diners will be helping someone at a Salvation Army program to have a fresh, hot, nutritious meal. Annually, The Salvation Army's Family Service Center serves 85,000 meals to people in need.

Please remember to mention The Salvation Army when you make your purchase.

 

Tuesday, December 16: Chic-fil-A

2945 E. 53^rd Street, Davenport, IA

5% of proceeds 4pm -8pm

 

Wednesday, December 17: Sippis Restaurant

406 West 2nd Street, Davenport, IA

5% of proceeds 11am - 2pm

 

Thursday, December 18: Whitey's Ice Cream

All 8 Quad Cities Locations

5% of proceeds all day

 

Monday, December 22: Buffalo Wild Wings

Both Davenport and Moline Locations

5% of Proceeds all day

 

Tuesday, December 23: Papa Murphy's Take 'N'Bake Pizza

All 5 Quad Cities Locations

10% of Proceeds all day

 

If you are interested in learning more about The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities programs, please call Holly at 563-271-7933.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today nominated 50 Iowa students for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and Military Academy, West Point for the 2015 classes.

"I would like to congratulate these students for their many outstanding achievements," Harkin said. "An academy nomination is a great honor because of the intense competition for these nominations across the state of Iowa. In order for an individual to be nominated, he or she must demonstrate superior leadership, academic and athletic abilities. Nominees also must exhibit the necessary motivation for serving in the demanding role of a career military officer and be of outstanding moral character."

In a typical year, Harkin receives more than 150 applications from young Iowans interested in pursuing a career as a military officer. Students apply for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

Academy nomination finalists are interviewed by Senator Harkin's Academy Selection Board, during which time their motivation, poise and self-expression are measured. Harkin may nominate up to ten applicants to compete for each available vacancy. From the Senator's nominees, the academy then selects the final candidate who will be offered an appointment.

A list of this year`s nominees is below.

Altoona

Jacob Cole has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Jacob is the son of Jamie Cole and Jeff Cole and is a senior at Southeast Polk High School.

Altoona

Jacob Marnin has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Jacob is the son of Kelli and Joseph Marnin and is a senior at Southeast Polk High School.

Ames

Payton Boylston has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Payton is the daughter of Terri and Latinus Boylston and is a senior at Ames High School.

Ames

Jeffrey Bright has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jeffrey is the son of Sheila and Charles Bright and is currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ames

Molly Sanders has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Molly is the daughter of Calli and Rick Sanders and is a senior at Ames High School High School.

Ankeny

Zach Hoffman has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Zach is the son of Samantha Bailey and Chris Hoffman and is a senior at Carroll High School High School.

Bettendorf

Robert Beardsely has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Robert is the son of Kimberly Loehr and Robert Beardsely and is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.

Boone

Paul Solomon has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Paul is the son of Elizabeth and Daniel Solomon and is a senior at Boone High School.

Cedar Rapids

Jonas Mason has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Jonas is the son of Debbie and Brett Mason and is a senior at Linn-Mar High School.

Cedar Rapids

Barak Spittle has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Barak is the son of Elena and Charles Spittle and is a senior at Linn Marr High School.

Clive

Nicholas Fox has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Nicholas is the son of Amy and John Fox and is a senior at Valley High School.

Clive

Connor McCann has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Connor is the son of Jana and Troy McCann and a graduate of Valley High School High School. He is currently enrolled at Iowa State University.

Clutier

Nathan Dvorak has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Nathan is the son of Dori and Thomas Dvorak and is a senior at Union High School.

Coggon

Diana Carney has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Diana is the daughter of Ilia and Cameron Carney and is a senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School High School.

Coon Rapids

Levi Pingrey has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Levi is the son of Julie and Kenneth Pingrey and is a senior at Coon Rapids-Bayard High School.

Council Bluffs

Alexander Jones has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Alexander is the son of Colleen and Jason Hertz and is a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School.

Cresco

Mark Farlinger has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mark is the son of Amy and Clint Farlinger and is a senior at Crestwood High School.

Cumming

Kallie Baughman has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Kallie is the daughter of Gayla and Kyle Baughman and is a senior at Valley High School.

Decorah

Micheal Foster has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Micheal is the son of Karen and Kent Foster and is a senior at Decorah High School.

Des Moines

Luis Martinez has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Luis is the son of Maria and Rafael Martinez and is a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School High School.

Granville

Caroline Ascherl has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Caroline is the daughter of Donna and Joseph Ascherl and is a senior at MOC-Floyd Valley High School.

Hudson

John Worthington has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. John is the son of Glynis and Wayne Worthington and is a senior at Hudson High School.

Iowa City

Yair Abramoff has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Yair is the son of Dewi and Michael Abramoff and is a senior at West Senior High School.

Iowa City

Jacob Cabbage has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jacob is the son of Joanne and Michael Cabbage and is a senior at City High School.

Jewell

Sidney Alsager has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Sidney is the son of Stacy and Jerry Alsger and is a senior at South Hamilton High School.

Johnston

Jacqueline Galang has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jacqueline is the daughter of Tammy Galang and Emerito Galang and is a senior at Johnston High School.

Johnston

Jacob Orr has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jacob is the son of Suzanne and Timothy Orr and is a senior at Johnston High School High School.

Treynor

Dane Livengood has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Dane is the son of Heather and William Livengood and is a graduate of Treynor High School. He is currently attending the Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas.

La Motte

Joseph Budde has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and to the U.S. Merchernt Marine Academy. Joseph is the Grandson of Thomas J. Budde and is a senior at Dubuque Senior High School High School.

Letts

Jaryd Huffman has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jaryd is the son of Rachel and Dyrk Huffman and is a senior at Muscatine High School.

Marion

Griffin Lorenz has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Griffin is the son of Leslie and David Griffin and is a senior at Linn-Mar High School.

Mason City

Lauren Casey has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lauren is the daughter of Shelley and Edward Casey and is graduate of Mason City High School. She is currently attending the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School.

Norwalk

Ethan Pieper has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Ethan is the son of Alayne and Melvin Pieper and is a graduate of Norwalk High School. He is currently attending Iowa State University.

Orange City

Trever Huss has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Trever is the son of Carrina and Kerby Huss and is a senior at MOC-Floyd Valley High School.

Oskaloosa

Lauren Gorski has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lauren is the daughter of April and Frank Gorski and is a senior at Oskaloosa Senior High School High School.

Otley

Joshua Bailey has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Joshua is the son of Stephanie and Scott Bailey and is a senior at Homeschool High School.

Pella

Jean Etnyre has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jean is the daughter of Jennifer Etnyer and Andrew Etnyer and is a senior at Pella Community High School.

Primghar

Gunnar Klinker has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Gunnar is the son of Dianne and William Klinker and is a graduate of South O'Brien High School.

Saint Charles

Michael Snell has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Michael is the son of Juli Henley and Todd Snell and is a senior at Interstate 35 Community High School.

Saint Donatus

Gabrielle Tath has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Gabrielle is the daughter of Amy and Ratha Tath and is a senior at Marquette High School.

Sioux Center

Graham Zomermaand has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Graham is the son of Lori and Dan Zomermannd and is a senior at Sioux Center Communitty High School.

Sioux City

Natalie Wender has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Natalie is the daughter of Jan and Donald Wender and is a senior at St Johns Preporatory High School.

Slater

Alexander Silberstein has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Alexander is the son of Patsey and Quentin Silberstien and is a senior at Ballard High School.

Springville

Andrew Lorimer has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Andrew is the son of Julie and Richard Lorimer and is a senior at Springville Secondary High School.

Underwood

Tobey Yates has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Tobey is the daughter of Honey and Arthur Yates and is a senior at Underwood High School.

Urbana

Elizabeth Hearn has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Elizabeth is the daughter of Paulette Hearn and Dennis Hearn and is a senior at Center Point Urbana High School.

West Burlington

Jeffrey Giannettino has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jeffrey is the son of Valeen and Chip Giannettino and is a senior at Notre Dame High School.

West Des Moines

Luke Donnelly has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Luke is the son of Janet and Dennis Donnelly and is a senior at Roosevelt High School.

West Des Moines

Harrison Gudorf has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Harrison is the son of Shelley and Joe Gudorf and is a senior at Dowling Catholic High School High School.

West Des Moines

Kelly Lee has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Kelly is the daughter of Haeduck Seo and Seungchul Lee and is a senior at Valley High School High School.

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Kansas farmer to draw on input from CONNECTIONS meeting to benefit soybean farmers

ST. LOUIS (Dec. 15, 2014) - Bob Haselwood, soybean farmer from Berryton, Kansas, has been elected by his fellow United Soybean Board (USB) farmer-directors to lead the board in investing soy checkoff funds for the next year. In addition to the support from the other 69 farmer leaders, Haselwood also has the input from the recently held 2014 CONNECTIONS meeting to help guide him.

"Having the feedback from the industry-wide CONNECTIONS meeting really helps us as farmer-directors to lay a path for the future of this organization," says Haselwood. "And in addition to that, I've got a great group to help me lead this board, and we're excited to get to work."

The following farmer-leaders will be joining Haselwood on the executive committee to oversee USB's profit-building projects:

• Vice Chairman: Jared Hagert, Emerado, North Dakota
• Secretary: Dwain Ford, Kinmundy, Illinois
• Treasurer: John Motter, Jenera, Ohio
• Meal Action Team Chair: Laura Foell, Schaller, Iowa
• Oil Action Team Chair:  Jimmy Sneed, Hernando, Mississippi
• Freedom to Operate Action Team Chair: Bill Beam, Elverson, Pennsylvania
• Customer Focus Action Team Chair: John Dodson, Halls, Tennessee
• International Opportunities Target Area Coordinator: Dwain Ford, Kinmundy, Illinois
• Domestic Opportunities Target Area Coordinator: Lewis Bainbridge, Ethan, South Dakota
• Communications Target Area Coordinator: Nancy Kavazanjian, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
• Past Chairman: Jim Call, Madison, Minnesota

Additionally, Nebraska farmer Gregg Fujan will serve as Supply Target Area coordinator. Keith Tapp, from Kentucky, will serve as Audit & Evaluation Committee chair.

Members of the Strategic Management Committee (SMC) will continue to keep the checkoff's strategic goals at the forefront. Farmer-leaders who will serve on the SMC include :

• Jared Hagert, Emerado, North Dakota
• Jim Call, Madison, Minnesota
• Mike Beard, Frankfort, Indiana
• Larry Marek, Riverside, Iowa
• Ron Ohlde, Palmer, Kansas
• John Motter, Jenera, Ohio

In addition to electing a new slate of officers, 19 checkoff farmer-leaders were sworn in. Five of these directors are new to the board, with 14 returning.

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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By Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, Special to Everyday Health

If you were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or even if you have had diabetes for a long time, you may be confused about how to eat to manage your blood glucose levels. It seems that everyone has an opinion, and many of these opinions contradict each other.

So what are you to believe? And what truly works at helping you maintain your glucose levels in a healthy range?

Let's take a look at some of the biggest diabetes diet myths, why they don't work, and what actually will.

Myth No. 1: If You Have Diabetes, You Must Avoid All Sugar

The Truth: Excess sugar good for anyone's diet, regardless of whether they have diabetes or not. However, just because you have diabetes, not all sugar and sweets are off limits. All carbohydrates, including simple sugars as well as complex carbohydrates, are broken down into glucose during digestion. This glucose is then used as energy in your cells. Because all forms of carbohydrates break down into glucose and therefore raise your glucose levels, you need to monitor your total carbohydrate intake, especially at one sitting, for optimal glucose management.

Although you must be careful not to overeat carbohydrates at one sitting, you can still indulge in a few sweet treats at times. Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk are the best choices for everyone, due to their rich nutrient and fiber content. But you can enjoy a food containing simple sugars, such as a cookie, in moderation without spiking your glucose levels, as long as you keep the portion under control. Keep in mind, however, that when it comes to simple sugars, moderation is key for everyone, not just people with diabetes.

Myth No. 2: Any White Food Is Bad

The Truth: When you think of white foods, what comes to mind? White flour, white sugar, white bread? What about white potatoes, cauliflower, and onions? Are all of these white foods bad for glucose levels? Definitely not! Sure, some white foods are highly processed, such as enriched flour and sugar. But just because a food is white in appearance doesn't mean it will be rapidly converted into glucose in the body and therefore spike your levels. In fact, white vegetables such as cauliflower and onions are excellent for blood glucose control as they are very low in calories and high in fiber, and provide few carbohydrates.

White potatoes get a bad rap as well. It is true that sweet potatoes are digested more slowly and prompt a smaller elevation in glucose levels after eating, but that doesn't mean you need to avoid white potatoes if you have diabetes. In moderation, and as part of a balanced meal - with vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats - you can enjoy white potatoes as your starch and still maintain healthy glucose levels.

Myth No. 3: The Only Way to Lower Glucose Levels and Weight Is to Follow a Low- or No-Carb Diet

The Truth: If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes, you may feel as though everyone around you is telling you to steer clear of all sources of carbohydrates. Since carbohydrates are found in everything from fruit to bread to milk and even vegetables, you may feel as though there's nothing left to eat. But the good news is that you can still eat carbohydrates. Managing diabetes is about keeping your glucose levels in a healthy range. Too-high glucose levels can damage your body, but too-low levels can be dangerous as well. Eating carbohydrates as part of a well-balanced diet will help you keep your levels within a healthy range.

Instead of avoiding carbohydrates, focus instead on choosing the healthiest types. Select whole vegetables and fruits, whole-grain bread, and low-fat dairy for a diet rich in nutrients and fiber. Space your carbohydrate intake out throughout the day by balancing your plate with carbs, lean protein, and healthy fat at each meal. A balanced diet will not only help you achieve optimal glucose levels, it will also improve your overall health.

Myth No. 4: Sugar-Free Foods Won't Impact Blood-Sugar Levels

The Truth: Sugar-free foods do not necessarily equal carbohydrate-free foods. Many foods marketed as sugar-free have replaced sugar with sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols provide fewer calories and make less of an impact on glucose levels than regular sugar, but they can still elevate glucose levels if you consume them in large amounts. In addition, bread-based sugar-free foods, such as sugar-free desserts, are typically rich in carbohydrates from sources such as flour and grains. It's essential to read labels carefully on sugar-free foods. Look at the total grams of carbohydrates and not just grams of sugar. If you focus only on the marketing claims, such as "sugar-free," you may struggle to lower your glucose levels without knowing why.

As you can see, there are many diet myths surrounding diabetes. But managing your glucose levels doesn't have to be complicated. A balanced diet rich in whole foods and limited in processed foods and simple sugars - the same diet that we should all follow, regardless of whether we have diabetes or not! - can help you keep your glucose levels in a healthy range.

Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, is a nationally recognized nutrition and fitness expert who has contributed to national media outlets such as the CBS Early Show, The Doctors, and the Chicago Tribune. She serves as a media spokesperson, nutrition consultant, and speaker. Erin is the author of multiple publications including Belly Fat Diet For Dummies and 2-Day Diabetes Diet, and co-author of Flat Belly Cookbook For Dummies. She specializes in the areas of diabetes, adult and child weight management, sports nutrition, and cardiovascular disease. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook.