Feb. 17: Grapes and blood flow and other headlines

Grapes help blood flow, and that shouldn't surprise. It would surprise us - and perhaps delight us - if Twinkies and quarter pounders helped blood flow. Yet we are happy enough with grapes and their apparent benefit for our bodies. Read on...

Eat this: flex better Seattle PI
The evidence: Just three hours after eating the equivalent of 1 1/4 cups of grapes, people had better blood flow through their arteries than did people who drank a sugar solution. Blood-flow benefits were even better after three weeks of daily grape eating. At only 75 calories in a cup and a quarter, the habit is easy on your waist, too.

FDA and USDA have lost all credibility Farming UK


Republicans in Washington flee back to Florida The Miami Herald

Putnam, 34, was the third-most-powerful Republican in the House until November, when he passed up another term as chairman of the House Republican Conference. His boyish face, fire-engine red hair and sharp debating skills set him apart from the other suits who frequent the cable news circuit.

If elected agriculture commissioner, he'll serve with the governor on Florida's Cabinet but rarely field calls from ABC's This Week.

Meet the locavores From the Columbian
With a few exceptions — rice from Northern California, for example — Dupre tries to stock her pantry with food from farms in Washington and Oregon. Citrus is a once- or twice-a-year treat for her family. She said a recent trip to Fort Vancouver with her girls reminded her that throughout history, people had special items they traded for.

"I always say, 80-20 — 80 percent of the time, you eat local," Dupre said. "If everyone did that, it would drastically change the food system.






Stemilt Growers offer more scholarships From The Packer