Latest news with #KristenSmith
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watertown City Council to allow Pride, Irish flag raisings at City Hall
Mar. 3—WATERTOWN — Both the Pride flag and another one to celebrate St. Patrick's Day will be flying at City Hall. By a 3-2 vote on Monday night, the City Council voted to honor separate requests that will allow the two flags to be raised during events in front of City Hall. Two weeks ago, council members tabled a resolution that would have allowed an LGBTQ+ flag raising event in front of City Hall on June 21. They delayed action until they received some legal advice from City Attorney Kristen Smith. Councilman Robert O. Kimball thinks that flying the Pride flag will send a message. "You are all welcomed to our community," he said. In voting for the resolution, Councilwoman Lisa A. Ruggiero pointed out the flags will just be up in front of City Hall for 24 hours and that the events will last just 30 minutes to an hour. Members of NNY Pride Inc. said the June 21 ceremony will serve as a visible symbol of inclusivity, diversity, and support for the LGBTQ+ community, reinforcing the city's commitment to equality and acceptance. Councilman Cliff G. Olney II also supported it. In voting against it, Mayor Sarah V.C. Pierce and Councilman Benjamin P. Shoen expressed concern that the events could become divisive in the community. Pierce had heard from residents who were against the idea. She and Shoen also said that the American, state and city flags should be the ones that should be presented in front of City Hall. Last month, former city resident Donnie Lee Barrigar, who espouses in the flat-Earth movement, sent a "cease and desist" letter to the city to prevent the LGBTQ+ flag event from happening. On Feb. 3, council members agreed to reverse a decision from last year to ban those kinds of flags from flying in front of City Hall. The Irish flag will be raised at 11 a.m. on March 16 at City Hall in recognition of Irish American Heritage Month. The Ancient Order of Hibernians had made the request.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Yes, lettuce is good for you. But which is the healthiest variety?
Yes, lettuce is good for you. But which is the healthiest variety? Show Caption Hide Caption How to add more Vitamin C to your diet and everyday routine Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that can do everything from strengthening cells to improving your hair health. Few foods have the combined taste and nutritional appeal of a good salad. Whether it's cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon, and hard-boiled eggs atop a cobb salad; croutons, parmesan cheese and that signature dressing on a Caesar salad; or apples, celery, grapes and walnuts topping a Waldorf salad, there's a salad for just about everyone to enjoy. This is good news because "salads are a fantastic way to boost nutrient intake and satisfy hunger while prioritizing health," says Jen Messer, a nutrition consultant and registered dietitian at Jen Messer Nutrition. And though ingredients and toppings vary widely from one salad to another, the base ingredient they all have in common is some form of lettuce. Here's which types of lettuce are most popular, why these greens are good for you and what you need to be mindful of as you include more in your diet. What's the most popular type of lettuce? Iceberg lettuce is by far the most popular type of lettuce in the U.S. with nearly 48% of the country's category share, per Statista. Romaine lettuce comes in second at 35%, and all other types combined make up the remaining 17%. Some of the most popular types of lettuce include: Iceberg. It's desirable because "it's the kind of lettuce people usually gravitate to when creating a salad at home due to its crunchy texture and mild flavor," says Kristen Smith, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It's desirable because "it's the kind of lettuce people usually gravitate to when creating a salad at home due to its crunchy texture and mild flavor," says Kristen Smith, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Romaine. This lettuce is loved for its "crisp texture, slightly bitter flavor and ability to hold up well in salad dressings, making it perfect for salads and wraps," says Messer. This lettuce is loved for its "crisp texture, slightly bitter flavor and ability to hold up well in salad dressings, making it perfect for salads and wraps," says Messer. Spinach . It's one of the most nutritious lettuce options and is "a versatile, iron-rich green that's often used in both raw and cooked dishes," says Messer. . It's one of the most nutritious lettuce options and is "a versatile, iron-rich green that's often used in both raw and cooked dishes," says Messer. Butterhead. This is another popular type of lettuce "because of its soft, buttery texture and mild flavor that helps it to go with a lot of different types of ingredients," says LeeAnn Weintraub, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant based in Los Angeles. This is another popular type of lettuce "because of its soft, buttery texture and mild flavor that helps it to go with a lot of different types of ingredients," says LeeAnn Weintraub, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant based in Los Angeles. Arugula. The green is liked because of its "slightly spicy, peppery flavor," that makes it a great choice for a more complex and interesting salad, says Weintraub. The green is liked because of its "slightly spicy, peppery flavor," that makes it a great choice for a more complex and interesting salad, says Weintraub. Baby greens. These are the young, tender leaves of various types of lettuce that are harvested before they reach full maturity. "They can be enjoyed in smoothies, salads, scrambled eggs, and soups," says Messer. While all types of lettuce are well-liked individually, mixed greens often combine more than one of these varieties along with mustard greens, endives, red and green oak leaf and little gem lettuce. Did you see? Healthy salad dressing exists. Look for these dietitian-approved ingredients in the bottle Is lettuce good for you? Is romaine lettuce healthy? No matter which variety of lettuce you prefer, you're sure to increase your vitamin and mineral intake by getting more lettuce in your diet. Romaine lettuce, for instance, provides dietary fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, niacin, vitamin K and nearly two grams of protein in only two cups, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While many of these nutrients are in any type of lettuce, "a general rule of thumb is that the deeper the color of lettuce, the more vitamins and minerals it contains," says Smith. She explains that this is one way you know that iceberg lettuce "typically offers the least amount of nutritional value." Some of the common nutrients found in many types of lettuce include polyphenols such as quercetin, caffeic acid and kaempferol, "which protect against common conditions like neurodegenerative disease, stroke and heart disease while also promoting lower blood lipid levels and reduced inflammation," says Weintraub. Messer praises the vitamin A and C content of many types of lettuce for improving eye health, immune function and skin health. "Vitamin A also supports cell growth and repair," she adds. And she points to the dietary fiber contained in most types of lettuce for helping with digestion and blood sugar regulation. Lettuce may also be good for the mind as "research shows that eating more raw vegetables like lettuce can help reduce depressive symptoms, improve mood and promote overall better mental health," says Weintraub. What is vitamin K? Benefits of vitamin K how to know if you're getting your daily dose. Can you eat too much lettuce? Despite so many benefits, lettuce has a few downsides to be aware of as well, as "lettuce tends to wilt and get slimy quickly if you don't store it properly," says Messer. It can also be difficult to digest for people with stomach conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, leading to bloating or constipation. Lettuce can also be contaminated with E. Coli, norovirus, listeria and salmonella. And while low in calories and loaded with nutritional benefits on its own, lettuce is often the base for unhealthy ingredients and creamy dressing commonly used in salads. "A base of lettuce acts like an empty canvas you can creatively add a wide range of healthy or unhealthy ingredients to," says Smith. "I recommend opting for lean meats, nuts, fruits and vegetables to help you create an even more nutrient-dense snack or meal."
