High Energy Eating

Pa. turbines cost farmers by killing insect-eating bats | Philadelphia ...

The butterfly effect suggests that the flapping of an insect's wings in Africa can lead to a tornado in Kansas.

Call this the bat effect: A bat killed by a wind turbine in central Pennsylvania can lead to higher tomato prices at Wichita farmers' markets.

Each year, bats gobble up millions of bugs that could ruin a harvest. But the same biology that allows the bats to sweep the night sky for fine dining has made them susceptible to one of Pennsylvania's fastest-growing energy tools.

The 420 wind turbines in use across the state killed more than 10,000 bats last year, mostly in late summer, according to the state Game Commission. And by one estimate, the number of wind turbines is projected to grow sixfold by 2030.

It's a bad time to be a bat.

This may seem like good news for people who fear them, but the wind-farm mortality rate is an example of how harnessing natural energy can lead to disruptions in the cycle of life - and the cycle of cost. When bat populations go down, bug populations go up, leaving farmers with bigger bills for pesticides and crops.

Wind-industry executives are shelling out millions of dollars on possible solutions, even as Pennsylvania wind farms are collaborating with the Game Commission to count dead bats.

Bats consume as many as 500 insects in an hour, or nearly 3,000 in a night, said Miguel Saviroff, agricultural financial manager at the Penn State Cooperative Extension in Somerset County.

"A colony of just 100 little brown bats may consume a quarter of a million mosquitoes and other small insects in a night," he said. "That benefits neighbors and reduces the insect problem with crops."

Bats save farmers as much as $74 per acre, according to an April report in Science magazine that calculated bats' economic value county by county. In Pennsylvania, the study put yearly savings in rural Somerset County at $6.7 million. Lancaster County? You owe bats $22 million. Statewide, bats saved farmers an estimated $277.9 million.

Initially, the "Economic Importance of Bats in Agriculture" article was meant to attract attention to the white-nose fungus virus, which is wiping out bat colonies across the country.

"We were getting a lot of questions about why we should care about white-nose syndrome," said author Justin Boyles, a postdoctoral fellow in bat research at the University of Tennessee. "Really, it's the economic impact that makes people listen.

Eating Healthy Meals: Energy Eating

By Yuri Elkaim

If you are looking for ways to increase your energy levels, one of the most important considerations in what sorts of fuel you are putting into your system. Much like a high performance car, your body will run on lesser fuel sources - but don't expect it to run as well. Many people, when they feel an energy decrease coming on, will reach for sugary snacks and fatty fast foods. But if you're serious about your health, you know you can do better. Here are some food items that you should be eating and what you should be replacing them for.

Berries are a wonderful food for energy, particularly blueberries and acai berries. Besides the natural sugars they contain, there are a host of vitamins and anti-oxidants that are essential to your continued good health. If you want to find a place for more berries in your diet, try dropping the energy bars. These high-sugar bars might give you a temporary sugar high, but they'll leave you feeling empty in no time flat.

Nuts are another great snacking option. Filled with good fats and oils, these bite-sized wonders will help to fill you up, in both energy and in feeling well fed. If you want to add more nuts to your diet, simply replace the candy you eat. Instead of reaching for a little sugar treat, keep a bowl of almonds and walnuts handy for anytime snacking.

You might have heard bad press about the next item, avocados. People see this fleshy fruit and worry about the high fat content. But really, the fats contained in an avocado are the sorts you want more of in your diet. The contents of an avocado are rich and delicious, and make any salad seem like a real treat. If you want to eat more avocados, you might consider it as a replacement for your pre-processed salad dressing, which is filled with processed oils, fatty creams and extra sugars that will do absolutely nothing good for your energy levels.

Another great anytime treat are bananas. Full of potassium and nutrients, bananas are particularly good for after a hard workout, so that the potassium can help to repair your worn and worked muscle tissues. If you need to leave something out to make room for bananas, try leaving the ice cream at the store. Still want a cool, creamy treat? Freeze a whole banana overnight, then peel and blend. Serve immediately, and you'll be shocked by how similar it is to ice cream!

And lastly, but most importantly, is water. You might look at water and see nothing but an empty fluid, but keeping your body properly hydrated is essential to keeping you energized. A dehydrated athlete is one that is not performing at their peak. Simply switch out your usual energy drink or sports drinks, and add more water to your daily diet. You'll be surprised at how much better you feel when you don't feel thirsty.

High Energy Eating, Sport Nutrition for Active People

Eating Expectantly, A Practical and Tasty Guide to Prenatal Nutrition

Eating disorders and obesity, a comprehensive handbook

The Volumetrics Eating Plan, Techniques and Recipes for Feeling Full on Fewer Calories

Nancy Clark's Food Guide for New Runners, Getting It Right from the Start