1 . Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased over the past 20 years. UPFs (超加工食品) contain few or no whole foods, are industrially produced, are ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat, and include additives (添加剂). The ultra-processing of food reduces its nutritional value. It has been known that higher UPF consumption is associated with overweight and heart disease. Now, research has been extended to examine its impact on mental health.

In a new study, over 72,000 participants who were at least 55 years old and didn’t have dementia (痴呆) at the start of the study were followed for an average of 10 years, during which they filled out questionnaires regarding their diet. By the end of the study, 518 people were diagnosed (诊断) with dementia. After adjusting for other factors that could affect risk of dementia such as age, gender, and heart disease, researchers found every 10 percent increase in daily intake of UPFs was associated with a 25 percent higher risk of dementia. They also found replacing 10percent of UPFs with unprocessed or minimally processed foods was associated with a 19 percent lower risk of dementia.

In another study, researchers found individuals who consumed the most UPFs had significant increases in the symptoms (症状) of mild depression, “mentally unhealthy days”, and “anxious days”. Eric Hecht, Founder and Executive Director of the Institute of Etiological Research, said, “More than 70 percent of packaged foods in the US are classified as UPFs and represent about 60percent of all calories consumed by Americans. Considering the degree of exposure to and effects of UPF consumption, this study has great significance in clinical practice and public health. It might help improve future development of dietary guidelines.”

Facing such alarming data, maybe it’s time for Americans to reconsider their food choices. Researchers recommend taxes on UPFs and carrying out policies to reduce the consumption. They also support programs and policies to increase the availability and affordability of whole foods, especially among disadvantaged populations.

2 . I am a guide at the California Academy of Sciences. Weeks ago, I was ________ with a lovely family at the Academy’s Swamp exhibit. Their young son was ________ by the swallow and asked many questions about it. As the family was leaving, I asked the boy if he would like a sticker to put on his shirt. He ________ chose a swallow sticker (贴纸), while the boy’s younger brother spent lots of time ________ all the sticker choices before choosing a butterfly. The boy who had chosen first said softly to his father, “I didn’t see the frog sticker.” His father immediately ________ the boy to ask me for a second sticker. The boy said, “No, I’m happy with what I have.”

I was so ________. Such grace, gratitude and ________, are all from an eight-year-old boy. Too often, we ________ to be happy with what we have and in our forgetfulness, we spread the infection of ________.

I recently purchased my first laptop computer. In discussions with the ________, he said, “Within two years, you’ll probably want a new one anyway.” Why would I want a new one, if my ________ one was working? Perhaps, “________” is the key word. I won’t ________ need a new laptop in two years but I will probably want one. I may want _________ things, but I don’t need them. What I do desperately need is the peace of mind. I need to ________ each of my sudden urges to purchase or possess as either “want” or “need”.

3 . I was typing papers for new school students when Mama called. We talked about some senseless things for a while before she finally told me about it. “Well, Donner, there’s this class up at the high school this summer.” She said. “They say they can teach me to read and write. I’m trying to decide whether.”

“Of course, you should do it! That would be so wonderful. I’d be so proud of you.” I answered. She was 63 and had survived two alcoholic husbands and was an expert at buying and selling garage sale junk to keep food on her own table and buy Christmas presents for me and my brother’s kids. She used food stamps to buy food and other goods. Mama laughed, seemingly with relief. “Well, you know, I’d about gotten used to being the silliest old lady in town,” she said.

It turned out that her neighbor had found the class for her. The young woman had been doing Mama’s “business” for a while in my absence, helping to relieve my guilt over leaving Mississippi. The friend was a little crazy, but Mama liked her. She was real and, by then, I hated pretension as much as Mama did. When I was little, she would tell me: “Remember, Donner Kay, nobody’s better than anybody else.”

Three months into the class. Mama left a message on my answering machine: “Donner, I taught a class tonight!” She was almost singing the words. “The teacher let me teach the class!” She soon wrote me a letter in a careful, boxy print I had never seen, instead of the strange way she had long written family names she had memorized.

The next time I flew home to visit, we both laughed like 12-year-olds as she read words from billboards on the way from the airport. Her grammar was getting better. She kept talking about her classes and the other students.

4 . Ugandan student’s study and adaptation of traditional Chinese craft helps build bridges through art. With its balanced, rounded pot and cups, the tea set seems like Chinese ceramic (陶瓷) at first glance. But closer inspection of its pattern reveals an ancient Ugandan design. “My projects always aim to join some aspects of Chinese and Ugandan culture together,” says the tea set’s creator, Ocen Robert.

In 2015, Robert arrived in China from the East African nation to pursue a higher education in ceramic arts at Jingdezhen Ceramic University in East China’s Jiangxi province. The Ugandan is enrolled in a PhD program focusing on design, with his art pieces sold at national-level exhibitions in China.

He says, “I love it here not only because of its safety, but the raw materials and the production techniques for ceramics here are also among the best in the world.” During his time in China, Robert was given many opportunities to participate in ceramic production, exhibitions and even access to experts — all helping to grow the space where he could express his creativity.

To deepen his understanding and passion for traditional Chinese culture, Robert spends most of his free time in local museums’ culture and history sections. He also gets to know Chinese professionals inside and outside the ceramic world. “I would love to solidify my career as an artist here while helping to link Uganda and China,” Robert says.

“Ugandans are thankful, curious, and passionate about Chinese culture. I would love to introduce the artists back home to study and create ceramic artworks in China and promote them to the world.”

Robert says, “To be a modern artist in Chinese ceramics, one needs to comprehend the full flow of production, which requires years of practice and learning.” One of the most challenging areas of creating his pieces involves creating the “ideal shape and thickness”. He says “I fail at times, but I always practice and try again and again.” Robert has attained the essential spirit of Chinese ceramic arts — accepting and integrating the differences.

5 . We were sitting in the doctor’s waiting room when my father said something that ________ me. “Are you my daughter or my sister?” My heart broke as I stared at him.

The doctor told us my father had Alzheimers (阿尔茨海默病). It was a big ________ for me. I was facing a battle on two fronts, emotional and physical, and I was ________for it. The disease didn’t take him away suddenly. Instead, it slowly ________him. It made me sad to watch my father hide his _______ to read the clock.

As the disease continued to progress, his behaviors became ________. We had to face another painful truth — we could no longer provide my father with the level of ________to keep him safe at home. He ________ to move to a skilled nursing facility.

Babies are born helpless; parents keep on ________. Children grow up and learn that relationships are reciprocal (相互的). However, the parent-child relationship isn’t ________. The parents remain the giver, and the children remain the taker. That is the natural order of the world — ________the child becomes the parents’ caregiver.

When a(n)________appears, we can do something to change the fact.________my father is alive and taken good care of in the nursing home. If he can ________ the illness, then I can make it. I will give him everything he deserves to have as a great father. And we will be _______with a bright future by doing our best.

9 . The new Lively Flip from the makers of Jitterbug^®

The new Lively Flip makes it easy to call, text, and helps you stay safe and healthy.

EASY TO USE

A large screen, big buttons and list-based menu make the Lively Flip an easy way to stay connected to friends and family. A long-lasting battery and powerful speaker make conversations loud and clear. Plus, with Amazon Alexa you can use your voice to make calls, write texts, and more.

EASY TO STAY SAFE

Feel prepared and protected anytime, anywhere with our Emergent Response Service. And with Emergent Care, you can speak to a live nurse or doctor right from the comfort of your home. With the Lively Flip, help is available whenever you need it.

EASY TO ALERT LOVED ONES

The Lively Flip keeps all your loved ones informed about your well-being when they download the Jitterbug^® Link app to their smartphones. You can stay active and independent while they feel more connected and reassured (放心的).

Buy now and get a FREE Car Charger, a $25 value! To order or learn more, call 1-866-493-9280.