How Committed is Your State to Local Foods?
Physician-Chef Shares 4 Reasons You Should Care

Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, respectively, claimed the top three spots in the 2014 Locavore Index, a ranking of each state's (and the District of Columbia's) commitment to promoting and providing locally grown foods.

At the bottom of the heap are Arizona, Nevada and Texas, with the Lone Star State dead last despite the fact that it's the nation's No. 1 cattle producer and No. 3 for crops receipts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"There are many good reasons to eat locally produced foods, the first among them that they're very good for us," says cardiologist and professional chef Michael S. Fenster, MD, (www.whatscookingwithdoc.com), author of "Eating Well, Living Better" and "The Fallacy of the Calorie," (Koehler Books; fall 2014).

"There's a direct relationship between our food, our environment, our genetics and our health. Eating locally grown foods gives us our most nutritious meals, most flavorful meals. Few choices have as many personal ramifications as that which we decide to stuff into our gob."

He offers four more reasons - "the tip of the iceberg lettuce, so to speak" -- to go localvore:

•  Money: Eating organically, eating fresh and finding the seasonal local foodstuffs can be expensive - if you do all your shopping at the supermarket, Dr. Mike says.

"Finding healthful produce at venues like a local farmer's market can result in prices that are at least comparable, if not substantially less than, those at the megamarket, which has the additional costs of shipping from the nether regions," he says.

Likewise, visiting a local fishmonger can result in tasty bargains compared to flash-frozen fish flesh. Shopping for what is bountifully in season, and thus locally overstocked, can mean big savings.

"Finally, by purchasing items produced locally, your money strengthens the local economy and helps sustain the people producing the types of food stuffs that you wish to sustain yourself upon," he says. "That is the smiley face circle of life."

•  Freshness: In some ways, it's amazing we're alive considering all the food we eat that's dead, Dr. Mike says, noting almost 60 percent of the modern Western diet is prepackaged, preserved and processed.

"Any time we manipulate our comestibles in such a fashion, we add compounds that are not naturally found in them or remove parts that are," he says. "Those pre-cut vegetables in the supermarket may be convenient, but they started losing nutritional value and flavor as soon as they were sliced and diced."

Because local growers don't have to add preservatives or pick produce weeks early to ensure they'll produce will keep during shipping, local foods can be consumed at the peak of freshness and ripeness - when they taste their very best.

•  Rhythms: Our great hairy ancestors have always been omnivores.

"There is ample evidence that the reason we as a species became the smartest kids on the block is that we took advantage of a varied diet.  This hardwired drive for diversity in dining is also one reason why restrictive diets that seek to severely limit what we consume almost always, ultimately fail," Dr. Mike says.

By leveraging the seasonal and cyclic variations that naturally occur, your palate will never become dull and monochromatic, he promises.  A pleasant dining experience directly lights up our primal happy-happy joy-joy place, an experience that contributes directly to overall well-being.

•  Sustainability: All the reasons for purchasing high-quality ingredients locally ultimately circle back and rest upon the concept of sustainability. In knowing where your food comes from, in being able to ascertain both what it contains and what it does not contain, you take a proactive step in determining your own health and wellness, Dr. Mike says.

By focusing on procuring the best for you and those who depend upon you, you act to sustain yourself and your family. By affecting such a posture, you deliver local impact.

"With enough people acting locally, the impact becomes regional and if enough people demand control over their foodstuffs then, like a crazy cat video gone viral, it can have a global effect."

About Michael S. Fenster, MD

Michael Fenster, M.D., F.A.C.C., FSCA&I, PEMBA, is a board-certified interventional cardiologist. Also known as "Dr. Mike," author of "Eating Well, Living Better: The Grassroots Gourmet Guide to Good Health and Great Food," (www.whatscookingwithdoc.com), he combines his culinary talents and Asian philosophy with medical expertise, creating winning recipes for healthy eating. A certified wine professional and chef, Dr. Mike worked professionally in kitchens prior to entering medical school and maintained his passion for food and wine throughout his medical career.

Second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium to be held August 4th

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined by Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck at their weekly news conference to announce the administration's second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium on Monday, August 4, 2014. The purpose of the symposium is to continue the public conversation about the critical role teacher and principal leadership will play as Iowa continues to work to give students a world-class education.

"Iowa's landmark transformational education reform package of 2013 sets the stage for Iowa to again be the leader in educational excellence," said Branstad. "Our children are counting on us to give them an effective education so they are prepared for the careers of tomorrow. We look forward to a continued dialogue with Iowa's exceptional teachers and principals as we continue to implement Iowa's teacher leadership program."

The second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium will be held Monday, August 4, 2014, at Des Moines Area Community College in the FFA Enrichment Center.

"Already we're seeing school districts like Central Decatur and Saydel implementing innovative teacher leadership programs in their classrooms. We look forward to hearing about lessons learned from leaders of those districts," said Reynolds. "Better utilizing teacher leadership will strengthen instruction in every class room, helping our children achieve educational excellence. The program will also attract and retain a stronger teaching force by offering more opportunities for advancement without stepping outside the classroom."

Thirty-nine school districts, with about one-third of Iowa students, in both urban and rural areas, will be in the first group to implement the program.

"We have a great opportunity unfolding in Iowa's schools, and I'm confident we'll make the most of it," said director Brad Buck. "Iowa's teacher leadership and compensation system stands to be truly transformational by helping us implement other key reforms, including high state academic standards, so Iowa students are prepared for college or career training. The program undoubtedly will improve entry into the teaching profession, foster collaboration among teachers and rewards excellence in the classroom with career pathways."

Winterset, Iowa:  With construction underway on the long-awaited John Wayne Birthplace Museum, Duke's hometown is buzzing with anticipation. To kick off the project the entire community is joining together in presenting the 2014 John Wayne Birthday Celebration May 23 & 24. New to this year's lineup will be a Rodeo/Western Swing Dance on May 23 (admission $15 individually or $25 combined) and special appearances by screen star Lana Wood, who played young Debbie in the acclaimed motion picture classic, "The Searchers." Also new this year, the Iowa Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association present two shows where mounted contestants compete in a timed event using .45 caliber single-action revolvers. And authors Lana Wood and John Wayne's daughter Aissa Wayne will join New York Times best-selling authors Scott Eyman and Glenn Frankel in a book symposium to discuss their block-buster books on John Wayne and director John Ford.

Continuing event favorites are free screenings of classic John Wayne movies at the vintage Iowa Theater, this year featuring "The Searchers," "Stagecoach" and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." Visitors may also enjoy a Fireman's Pancake Breakfast, a 5K run/walk, Pie Squared dessert tasting and tours of Madison County's legendary Covered Bridges (nominal charges for each).

The exciting Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner takes place Saturday evening at 5pm where guests will enjoy a meal along with music, celebrities and an auction of John Wayne collectibles and memorabilia hosted by the actor's daughter Aissa Wayne. Reservations are $125 per person.

Celebrates Mother's Day by Walking to Fight Breast Cancer

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated Mother's Day by urging the Illinois Senate to pass House Bill 8, which provides job protections for pregnant women. The Governor called for passage of this important legislation to protect moms-to-be while walking alongside thousands of participants in the Susan G. Komen Mother's Day Race for the Cure in Grant Park to show his support for mothers and grandmothers across Illinois. The walk is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting the fight against breast cancer.

"To those near, far or forever in our memories, we should each take time on this special day to honor our moms for their love and support," Governor Quinn said. "Mother's Day is the perfect way to celebrate the women in our lives and raise awareness for legislation to help provide protections for those who have protected us.

"House Bill 8 is an important bill for our expectant mothers that will help reduce discrimination in the workplace and provide peace of mind for the safety of their babies.

"This Mother's Day I urge the Senate to pass this bill so I can sign it on behalf of Illinois' moms," the Governor said.

House Bill 8, sponsored by State Representative Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) and State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), would provide pregnant women with important worker protections such as limits on heavy lifting and assistance in manual labor; access to places to sit; more frequent bathroom breaks; time off to recover from childbirth and break space for breast-feeding. Studies have shown that, despite existing protections, pregnant women are too often forced out of their jobs and denied reasonable job modifications that would enable them to continue working. The Governor worked with Rep. Flowers and House members to pass the legislation and it is currently before the Senate.

Since the last time pregnancy workforce protections were addressed at the federal level in 1978, the number of women who work during pregnancy has continued to rise at a high rate. According to a report issued in 2013 by the National Women's Law Center, nearly two-thirds of first-time mothers continue to work while pregnant and the majority of those work into the their last month of pregnancy. Unfortunately, as the number of pregnant women working has increased so has the number of pregnancy discrimination cases filed. A study by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shows that, from 1992 to 2011, charges of pregnancy discrimination filed increased 71 percent.

Governor Quinn urges swift passage of HB 8 to ensure employers provide these reasonable accommodations for pregnant women and stop workforce discrimination. The Governor has been committed to protecting and empowering women in Illinois since taking office. Some of his initiatives include :

·         Fought for and signed a law amending the Equal Pay Act to give victims of underpayment more time to address their claims.

• Launched the innovative Birth to Five Initiative in his 2014 State of the State address to expand access to prenatal care; early care and learning opportunities for every child; and strong parent support.
• Leading the charge to increase the state's minimum wage to at least $10 per hour - six in ten minimum wage workers in Illinois are female.
• In his 2014 State of the State address, proposed a minimum of two days of earned sick leave per year for 2.5 million Illinois workers, 78 percent of whom are women, who have no sick leave.
• Launched the first ever Women Owned Business Symposium.

The Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure honors and supports those who have battled breast cancer and continues the mission to save lives and end breast cancer.