1 . A food allergy (过敏) is a medical condition that occurs when the body’s protection system perceives certain foods as a threat and responds to them with an allergic reaction.

Symptoms (症状) of a food allergy

    1     However, a severe reaction can take up to a few hours following exposure. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. And they may differ each time a specific allergen appears. Symptoms can include: a skin rash or hives, swelling of the face or lips, or feeling lightheaded or dizzy.     2     That can send the body into shock or make it difficult to breathe.

Judging a food allergy

Doctors consider a number of factors when investigating a food allergy. Those include both a patient’s symptoms and family history of allergies. A physical examination may be performed to rule out any other conditions.     3    

Treating a food allergy

It may not be possible for a patient to completely avoid foods that induce (导致) an allergic reaction. For minor reactions, you can take some medicine. For severe reactions, however, turn to doctors for help.

    4    

The only sure way to prevent an allergic reaction to food is to carefully avoid the allergens. This can be a difficult process. That requires patients to carefully study food labels to ensure the food is safe for them.     5     So it’s necessary to inform family or friends of the food that can cause a food allergy.

2 . If you’re in the market for a new food or water dish for your cat, you might want to check out Free the Ocean’s Bamboo Cat Bowls. These are made from bamboo fibers and rice husks(稻壳).

The presence of bamboo—used as a renewable filler in the dish’s composition—is part of what makes it greener. Bamboo, which is technically a grass, grows faster than trees. Not surprisingly, it produces more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees.

Rice husk is a byproduct of rice production that poses a challenge to farmers, due to its resistance to decomposition (分解), digestion, and low nutritional value as animal feed. Its use as a filler provides a purpose for an otherwise useless material and, along with the bamboo, reduces the need for plastic fillers.

While plastic is still needed to make the cat bowl, the rationale behind their increased eco-friendliness is that less actual plastic is required when more natural fillers are used. The total amount of plastic required to make each product is reduced, because the bamboo fibres make up a significant percentage of the overall composite(合成) material.

Plastic cat dishes harbor bacteria even if pet owners clean them regularly, which can put your cat’s health at risk. However, the bamboo cat bowl is BPA-free and will not release harmful chemicals into your pet’s water the way that conventional plastic can. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial. And, of course, you can throw it in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

One customer said, “I prefer these cat food bowls and so do my cats. The cats like the low lip that makes it easy to eat out of and I like the fact that they’re made of bamboo and that purchasing them makes a difference for plastic pollution! Easy to wash in the dishwasher.”

3 . My mother was a cook. Through her I learned to appreciate how a handful of ingredients could create delicious, nutritious meals on tight budgets. And in our home, nothing was ever wasted, as we shopped for food needs as opposed to wants.

I talk about all this because I’m absolutely shocked by the price of groceries. And, as someone who has been writing about the food industry for decades, and having weathered the economic depression when the price was also high—I have never seen things as bad as they are today.

Just recently, I couldn’t bring myself to purchase three small potatoes for almost $7. I saw cucumbers for $3.99 EACH. Some stores had grapes at a ridiculous $6.99 a pound. Add to that the alarming increase in everyday food, like coffee, milk and dairy, no wonder everyone is feeling the pinch(拮据).

I went shopping on the weekend, and came out with $186 worth of food in three grocery bags. I returned two items immediately. I purchased a liter of milk that had been marked down 50%—but I didn’t catch in time that the cashier forgot to ring in the discount, and charged me full price.

As I just feed my husband and myself, I can afford to purchase more organic proteins, like chicken. But I can also appreciate not every family can afford to do so, which is my major concern.

Can the increase of food prices be slowed down or even stopped? With the increasing consumer demand for foods not in season or readily available, plus people looking for fast convenience, I do believe the answer lies within us: We need to take back control over the foods we eat. Stop listening to all the hype (宣传) that convenience is better than cooking creativity, and just get back to basics.

People need to go back to basics, learn some fundamental kitchen essentials and truly be mindful of cooking practices. Just as an old saying goes, if you give someone a fish, they’ll eat for a day, but if you teach someone to fish, they’ll eat forever.

4 . Standing Indian Campground

For those who want world-class whitewater rafting(漂流)

·Location: Located inside the Nantahala National Forest

·Campground Contact: (828)524-6441

·Park Hours: Open 24 hours

·Campground Website

Standing Indian Campground is one of several campgrounds located inside the Nantahala National Forest. Established in 1920, the Nantahala National Forest got its name from the Cherokee word meaning “Land of the Noonday Sun”. The half-a-million-acre forest is also one of four managed by the United States Forest Service and is settled deep within the mountains.

The National Forest is also home to three appointed Wilderness Areas and two Wild and Scenic Rivers. These famed rivers also offer world-class kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, boating, water-skiing, fishing, and swimming. For hikers, the famous Appalachian Trail runs directly through the forest, so don’t be alarmed if you see a hiker walking on the trail. In addition, like many national forests in North Carolina, camping is free of charge at several spots in Nantahala National Forest. At this campground, you can also camp at a height of 3,880 feet under evergreens near the Nantahala River.

The campground also features several loops (环形) that are perfect for tent camping and large enough for RVs. In addition, Standing Indian is a convenient spot for travellers passing through, yet ideal enough for those who want to stay longer.

Campground Breakdown:

·88 Sites in Total

·Standard Nonelectric Premium Site: $20 per night

·Standard Site: $20 per night

·Group Standard Nonelectric: $75 per night, accommodates up to 25 people

·Double Site: $40 per night

Standing Indian Facilities: Picnic tables, fire rings, toilets, showers