Taste Buds

By E.T. MOORE HALFWAY - There are two ways to get Chinese food at Valley Mall. Walk through the food court and you'll hear a patter of offers for free samples at the side-by-side Chinese places. One employee, a lively character, once posed for a picture with some teenagers - but a mall security guard prohibited them from using their camera in the mall. There's a more sedate option for an inexpensive meal. Go to the JCPenney side of the mall, facing Halfway Boulevard. Rick's China Garden has its own entrance there.

by Ric Dugan / staff photographer enlargment Amy Orsini has an automatic drip coffeemaker at home, but she usually waits to get to work at Bentley's Bagel's to have her morning cup of coffee. The house blend is called "fog lifter. " --cont from front page-- Whether you drink your coffee to lift your morning fog or relish the aroma and flavor, here are a few tips from experts to help make that first cup of Joe - or the second or third - a little bit better.

The list of reasons to eat veggies is a long one: Vegetables play an important role in weight management.   They are naturally low in calories and cholesterol, are fat-free and packed with health-enhancing phytonutrients.    Veggies help protect bones and prevent strokes.  Green leafy vegetables are closely linked to heart health.  Yellow-orange and green veggies reduce the risk of diabetes. Summer brings another important reason to eat more veggies.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage eating a diet low in fat and moderate in sugar and salt. If you want to alter frequently used recipes, how low can you go for these three ingredients without sacrificing taste and quality? Sugar and fat affect tenderness and volume of baked products. Sugar, fat and salt and all add flavor to foods. However, you often can use less of these ingredients and still enjoy the finished product. Herbs and spices may be used to enhance flavor when reducing sugar, fat and salt.

One of the easiest ways to advance in your fitness goals is to take advantage of the seasonal advantages of the upcoming summer season. Produce is cheaper, everyone is grilling, and there are plenty of reasons to get out of the house. What can you do this summer to get into better shape? Eat extra vegetables and enjoy fruits During the summer months, dark, leafy greens and other fibrous green vegetables can be purchased at low prices from grocery stores and local farmers markets.

(MS) - Your yard is calling you - can you hear it? It's crying out for something new this season, something fun and natural that will change the look of the yard. Brad Staggs, HGTVPro.com and DIY show producer and host, and a licensed contractor, offers three simple projects designed to upgrade the overall look and feel of your yard. "Backyard projects should be nice and simple so the entire family can participate," says Staggs. "All of these are easy to personalize as well, plus they are made from all-natural wood, which sends a great environmental message.

By BRENDAN KIRBY Staff Writer SHARPSBURG - The judges huddled, compared notes and evaluated the contestants some more. Then they declared a winner - actually, two winners - in the third annual Washington County Ag Expo ice cream churning contest. The Washington County Rifle Club won the 4-H Club division and Southern States of Hagerstown took the non-4-H category. The winners won gift certificates from Nutter's Ice Cream in Sharpsburg and J&K Concessions, respectively.

People packed the streets of downtown Chambersburg on Saturday to take advantage of IceFest's long list of activities. The scents of chili seasoning and onions lured many into the chili cook-off and others happily posed by the ice sculptures while the more adventurous crowd sought out the 40-foot ice slide. Barb Graham of Waynesboro, Pa., planned to throw caution — and her Atkins Diet — to the wind for one day and sample some chili. "I can't eat the beans, but I'm going to eat them anyway today," Graham said with a smile.

Last week was one of my favorite weeks of the summer. No, it wasn't my family vacation nor was it the Ag Expo, while they rate one and two on my list, respectively. It was Farm Fun Day Camp. It is hard to believe that a program hatched by a cadre of volunteers and extension professionals has been going strong this long. It is one of my favorites because it combines two of my passions - working with youngsters and introducing people to agriculture. Where does milk come from?