NAPERVILLE, Ill. (July 8, 2010)? Alex Knobloch of East Moline made the most of his experience at North Central College, excelling in both academics and athletics.

Among other honors, the Alleman High School graduate and son of Craig and Barb Knobloch was named the College's 2010 Outstanding Major in Biology and the 2010 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Man of the Year, an award that recognizes the conference's top male student-athlete.

After he wraps up officer training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama this summer, Knobloch will attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD, where he'll pursue a medical degree through the Air Force.  He ultimately hopes to become a doctor and practice family medicine as a primary care physician.

At North Central, Knobloch participated in the Summer Research Program, which offers biology students the opportunity to conduct field study at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium or in local forest preserves, among other locations. He presented his findings at the College's 2010 Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research about his research synthesizing a salamander's DNA and isolating a novel protein with the goal of identifying an amino acid sequence.

"My experience conducting research at North Central was fantastic," he says. "It provided me the opportunity to gain an appreciation for the research process as a whole that will last the rest of my life.  Working even more closely with faculty in their roles as research advisors and becoming a part of and contributing to a science department culture that is really flourishing were two aspects of the experience for which I am grateful."

In addition to graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, Knobloch was a member of the travel squad as an alternate for North Central's 2009 national championship-winning cross country team. He was a conference champion in the distance medley relay at the 2010 CCIW Indoor Track & Field Championships.

He received a North Central College Presidential Scholarship, was a CCIW Academic All-Conference member in each of his four seasons and earned North Central's Scholar-Athlete Award each of his four years for having the highest grade point average among all athletes in his respective class. He earned membership to the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society (Gamma Nu Chapter) and the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society (Illinois Mu Chapter).

Knobloch also earned North Central's Etheldred L. Schafer Pre-Medical Scholarship for two years and was active in the community, taking part in the Circle K Service Club and serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He was selected to join the Blue Key Honor Society and was treasurer of the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society.

"The liberal arts education I've obtained here at North Central is a key draw for me," he says. "I've been able to not only obtain the foundational training in biology and the other sciences needed for my medical career, but I've also been able to pursue my love of competitive running on the cross country and track teams and play with the college's pep band, utilizing these opportunities to develop myself in a variety of facets.

Founded in 1861, North Central College is an independent, comprehensive college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 55 undergraduate majors and graduate programming in six areas. Located in Naperville, Ill., North Central is recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, which cites it as one of the top six schools in the Midwest for "Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching"; as "a college for high-achieving students" by Peterson's Competitive Colleges; and as one of "America's Best Colleges" by Forbes. For more information about North Central College visit www.northcentralcollege.edu.

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MILWAUKEE, WI - "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." 

Mothers have used that statement to coax children into eating breakfast for years.  As it turns out, Mom was right, and according to TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, there's research to back her up.  Getting a good mix of protein, whole grains, fiber, and fruit every morning can help boost metabolism, increase energy for both the body and the brain, and help curb cravings for sweets and other foods high in fat.  Research has shown that skipping meals, and especially skipping breakfast, also can make individuals more likely to eat more at the next meal or to eat high-calorie snacks before the next meal.

"Breakfast gets your metabolism going in the morning so you actually burn more calories during the day," says Joan Pleuss, R.D., C.D.E., M.S., C.D., Senior Research Dietitian in the General Clinical Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin and nutritional expert for TOPS.  "However, that doesn't mean that you should use that as an excuse to overeat later in the day.  Actually, the reverse may happen, as eating breakfast can decrease the likelihood that you will be as hungry later on."

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) was founded more than 20 years ago to document the habits of people who were age 18 and older and who had lost at least 30 pounds of excess weight that they had kept off for at least a year.  One habit the researchers found was that 78% of the people in the Registry ate breakfast every day and that only 4% never ate breakfast.

In the NWCR, the typical breakfast was cereal and fruit.  Another study found that those individuals who ate a ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast had a higher fiber content in their total diet than those individuals who didn't eat a ready-to-eat cereal.  Other studies have reported that people who eat a ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast tend to be leaner than people who don't eat breakfast or eat other types of food for breakfast.

"The best breakfasts are rich in fiber and protein," notes Pleuss.  "Not only do they digest slowly, which means a longer time between hunger pains, a fiber-rich diet can help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer."

Putting this advice to practical use doesn't have to mean going to the store and spending a small fortune on specialty foods.  Instead, a few well-planned changes, like switching to a whole-grain, wheat bread from white, can make all the difference. 

"If waffles are a morning favorite, plan to purchase whole-wheat waffles in place of the more generic, processed varieties," recommends Pleuss.  "Pairing the waffles with some low-fat fruit yogurt is a great way to start the day healthy and curb the urge to binge before lunch."

If lack of time is the reason you skip breakfast, try getting items ready the night before.  Pour out the cereal and cut up the fruit.  Place the oatmeal in the bowl so you only need to add the milk or water in the morning.  Microwave it while you are getting dressed.  Also have available foods that you can grab and go, like whole fruit, bagels, high-fiber breakfast bars, trail mix comprised of nuts and dried fruit, dry cereal, low-fat or fat-free yogurt, and 100% juice. 

You can also make the following recipes in advance, perhaps on the weekend, for convenient and healthy breakfasts all week long.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
1 large egg
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup skim milk

In large mixing bowl, stir together dry ingredients. In medium bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients. Stir until just blended; do not overmix. Spoon batter into muffin pans coated with nonstick spray or lined with paper bake cups. Bake at 350º F about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool five minutes in the pans before turning out and cooling on wire racks. Makes 18 muffins.

Nutrient value per serving, based on a 1,500-calorie diet:
One serving = one muffin.

Exchanges - 1 starch, 1/2 fruit
Calories - 99
Calories from Fat - 9
Total Fat - 1g (2%)
Saturated Fat - 0
Cholesterol - 12 mg (4%)
Sodium - 118 mg (5%)
Total Carbohydrate - 21g (9%)
Dietary Fiber - 1g (5%)
Sugars - 9g
Protein - 3g



Granola

1 2/3 cup oat bran
1 cup quick or old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 T. vegetable oil
2 T. water
1 t. grated orange peel
1/2 t. vanilla
3/4 cup dried banana chips
1/2 cup raisins

Combine all ingredients except last two. Mix well. Spread into a 13" x 9" pan and bake at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Stir after 10 minutes; then stir in banana chips and raisins. Cool completely. Store mixture in an airtight container for up to one week. Makes 10 servings.

Nutrient value per serving, based on a 1,500-calorie diet:
One serving = 1/2 cup granola.

Exchanges - 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 1/2 fat
Calories - 198
Calories from Fat - 72
Total Fat - 8g (16%)
Saturated Fat - 3g (20%)
Cholesterol - 0
Sodium - 15 mg (1%)
Total Carbohydrate - 34g (15%)
Dietary Fiber - 4g (20%)
Sugars - 14g
Protein - 6g

TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss support and wellness education organization, was established more than 62 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success.  Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TOPS promotes successful, affordable weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness information, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170,000 members in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

The delectable dessert chain kicks off its anniversary this July with

Chocolate Oreo Blast and Strawberry Cheesecake Celebration Sundaes

IRVINE, Calif. - Tastee-Freez, America's favorite establishment for soft-serve treats and high-quality quick service food, kicks off its 60th anniversary in July 2010, which is fittingly also National Ice Cream Month. One of the longest-lived franchise operations in the United States, there are currently 54 Tastee-Freez LLC restaurants located in 18 states across the country. Tastee-Freez will celebrate its anniversary with two delectable Celebration Sundaes - the "Chocolate Oreo Blast Sundae" and the "Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae" - available at all Tastee-Freez LLC locations until August 31, 2010.

"For 60 years, Tastee-Freez has been providing frozen treats that bring back fond memories of cool, creamy soft-serve and an era gone by," said Tim Mulks, general manager of Tastee-Freez. "The Chocolate Oreo Blast and Strawberry Cheesecake Celebration Sundaes are some of the most popular flavors in our delicious dessert lineup, and mark the beginning of another All-American summer at Tastee-Freez."

The "Chocolate Oreo Blast Sundae" is a combination of Oreo chunks, vanilla soft-serve, chocolate syrup and a cherry, and the "Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae" is a mixture of cheesecake chunks, strawberry topping, vanilla soft-serve and a cherry. Each sundae is available at $2.99 each (prices may vary by location).

In 1950, Leo Moranz, an inventor, and Harry Axene, an entrepreneur, came together to create what would later become one of America's favorite establishments for delicious soft-serve treats and high-quality quick service food. The two men formed a partnership to market a revolutionary new soft-serve pump and freezer which far exceeded the technology of any existing equipment, allowing for faster service and a higher quality, great-tasting product.  Within five years after the first freezer was sold, walk-up stands bearing the Tastee-Freez name opened across the country to sell cones and sundaes to an eager public.  Moranz and Axene allowed stands to use the Tastee-Freez name in exchange for rent paid on the ice cream pump needed to operate each freezer.

Since franchising first gained popularity in the early 1950s, the food service industry has seen many chains come and go.  Tastee-Freez has strived to meet the ever-changing needs of its franchisees and their customers, and has increased its menu offerings over the years to include a wide variety of options.  The majority of Tastee-Freez locations have evolved to become full quick service operations, offering a variety of lunch and dinner options in addition to the famous soft-serve treats. The signature restaurants are located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.

Menu offerings in all Tastee-Freez LLC locations include Old Fashioned Sundaes available in hot fudge, chocolate, strawberry and caramel; Shakes and Floats, including chocolate, vanilla and strawberry; Oreo, Butterfinger, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and M&M Freezees; and the traditional vanilla soft-serve cone, which can be dipped in the signature Tastee-Freez chocolate. Tastee-Freez LLC locations also offer a wide variety of food. Menu options vary, with many locations serving regional favorites, but typical offerings include signature hamburgers and hot dogs, a variety of sandwiches, fries and onion rings.

About Tastee-Freez LLC

With 54 units located throughout the United States, Tastee-Freez LLC is a chain of quick-service restaurants specializing in soft-serve dessert treats. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2010, Tastee-Freez LLC was acquired by Galardi Group, Inc., based in Irvine, Calif., in June, 2003. For more information, visit www.tastee-freez.com.

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HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE UPSET ABOUT A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE ST. AMBROSE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AND THEY PLAN TO SPEAK OUT TO THE DAVENPORT CITY COUNCIL ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS

(Davenport, IA)  Dozens of concerned neighbors are planning to attend the July 7, 2010 meeting of the Davenport Zoning Board of Adjustment.  The meeting is scheduled for 4:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at Davenport City Hall.  The neighbors are opposed to St. Ambrose's request for two parking lots and a dorm.  Of primary concern is the parking lot planned for the St. Vincent's property as it is felt that it signals the first step in a comprehensive plan for that property.

The plans for the property include a 5,000 seat spectator stadium with athletic offices and weight training facilities.  Also included are several lighted practice fields, softball, baseball and soccer fields, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts as well as track and field facilities.  Neighbors living between the campus as well as those surrounding the St. Vincent's property, are concerned about safety, quality of life issues, decreases in property values, traffic, parking, noise and light pollution, loss of green space and increase storm water run-off and flooding problems.  Many of the neighbors plan to speak out about the new development in an attempt to block the passage.