Also be sure to visit our web site throughout the coming weeks — we’ll have great stories and articles from our advertisers, updates on community events and much, much more.

Each BioLife center is a vital part of its community. The donors not only contribute the source of life-saving therapeutics, but also contribute to the commercial vitality of their neighborhoods. The fees donors receive for their commitment to the BioLife program are used to support church, civic and charitable organizations and activities for their families. These dollars are then spent and re-spent in the community, multiplying their impact and the benefits to the donors, neighboring businesses and the community at large.

BioLife Plasma Services is part of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, the principal domestic operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX).

To learn more about our life-saving program or to schedule a plasma donation, visit www.biolifeplasma.com. The DeKalb BioLife center is located at 1455 County Farm Road, near Walmart. The phone number is 815-754-5777. Donors can enjoy the convenience of free wireless Internet and a free supervised playroom for donor’s children.

Also be sure to visit our web site throughout the coming weeks — we’ll have great stories and articles from our advertisers, updates on community events and much, much more.

Check out the Hurricane Pizza Challenge video at: vinnyspizzadekalb.com

It’s back to school time! Check out the August issue of New Values Magazine for great Back2School values. The magazine is loaded with other great information like puzzles, trivia and community annoucements. Check out DeKalb County’s leading monthly coupon magazine.

And be sure to visit our web site throughout the coming weeks — we’ll have great stories and articles from our advertisers, updates on community events and much, much more.

Our mission at Paw Lickin’ Good Treats is to help people select food, treats, supplements, toys and accessories for their pets that will optimize health, happiness and well-being. We all want the best for our pets, but often pet owners are unsure as to which products are best for their needs. We are passionate about constantly educating ourselves and seeking out the best products available. In turn we strive to pass that knowledge to our customers. Knowledge is power.

We regularly get customers in the store who are seeking information about selecting the best food for their pets. Dogs and cats are individuals with their own special needs. There is no one food that is the best for all dogs and cats. That being said, it is clear that there are some general guidelines that set better foods apart from the less healthy options.

There are many options to consider when choosing a commercially prepared pet food. Some say that a frozen raw food is closest to dogs’ and cats’ natural diet. However, not everyone is comfortable with raw or can afford raw. Many people choose to combine a canned food with a dry kibble diet, but most people tend to feed a diet of primarily dry kibble. Dogs and cats can live healthy lives with any of these options as long as the food they consume consists of high quality ingredients. But how do you choose the best brands for your pet?

We have learned in recent years to carefully read the labels on the food we feed ourselves and our families. The wise pet owner will study the ingredients listed on the label of pet food as well. Begin by looking for a named protein source as the first ingredient. This can either be a specific meat or better yet a specific meat meal (the meal is the meat with the water content removed). Protein should be the majority ingredient in the food. Beware of labels that divide up grain sources to make it look as if meat is the main ingredient when actually the main ingredient is a variety of grains in different forms scattered throughout the list. Many dogs are allergic or sensitive to certain grains. We generally suggest avoiding corn, wheat, soy and gluten in food. The second most prevalent ingredient should be easily digested vegetables. One should always avoid bi-products, artificial preservatives and artificial coloring and sugar. Some people prefer to avoid grains all together and fortunately there are several grain-free options. Not every dog, however, needs to avoid all grains and there are many high quality foods that use such grains as barley, oatmeal, or brown rice as binders.

Unlike dogs, cats are true carnivores and therefore thrive on a diet of meat. Sadly, many cats spend their lives chronically dehydrated because they live on a diet of dry kibble that has many ingredients that are frankly unhealthy for a carnivore. Cats’ digestive systems are simply not designed to digest grains so a totally grain-free diet is best. In the wild, cats exist on eating prey that provides them with necessary water. This is not so for our domestic cats, which is why renal failure is one of the top medical problems from which cats suffer. We suggest feeding cats a diet that consists at least partially of a quality canned food. As with dog food, ingredients to avoid in cat food should include bi-products, artificial preservatives, artificial coloring, and sugar. Again, it is best to avoid all grains.

Basically, when deciding on a good food for your pet it is best to remember that health comes from the inside out. Whether your dog is itching, or simply lacking a zip in his step, changing his diet to include a holistic approach can often make a huge difference. And while you are at it, don’t forget that the same goes for treats.  When selecting treats for your pets, it is best to avoid the same ingredients that you avoid in food. It all adds up!

We are happy to help you make a food selection that works for your pet!

Also be sure to visit our web site throughout the coming weeks — we’ll have great stories and articles from our advertisers, updates on community events and much, much more.

One of the most common conditions affecting older Americans is age-related macular degeneration or AMD. It’s the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 55. AMD results from the breakdown of the macula or small area in the retina at the back of the eye. Contributing factors to AMD include exposure to sunlight, smoking and even everyday contaminants in your environment.

One preventative solution to AMD are antioxidants. Research over the past decades has shown that eye health is linked closely to diet and lifestyle. Being overweight, diabetic, smoking, eating a high-fat diet and consuming alcohol excessively can all contribute to poor eye health. Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables is also shown to be detrimental.

So, what should you eat?
We all grew up hearing that carrots were important for eye health, but there’s actually more evidence that other color foods may have an even bigger impact on our eyes. Specifically, foods that are naturally green and yellow in color have been shown as more effective at reducing the risk for AMD and cataracts than orange-colored foods.

Why does color matter?
Green and yellow fruits and vegetables are packed with two chemicals — lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that seem to protect the retina against oxidative damage and decrease the risk for AMD.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in foods containing natural fats, such as egg yolks, pistachios and avocados. Corn, spinach, squash, collard greens, kale, tomatoes and lettuce are all also good natural sources of these two nutrients.

While there is no current recommended amount of lutein and zeaxanthin to ingest to help protect your eye’s health, eating the recommended five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day will help to ensure that you get enough. If you have a family history of eye diseases or have any questions, please be sure to give Dr. Frank or Dr. Marczewski at call at (815) 758-1039. They would be happy to answer any of your questions.

You may be a survivor and in various stages of recovery or remission. You may be a caregiver, family member or a friend of someone affected by cancer.

Cancer was once considered a deadly, incurable disease. For many, cancer is now survivable and curable. Still, it is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

DeKalb County has several wonderful events that help raise awareness as well as funds for cancer research. Ladies Night Out in downtown Sycamore on June 9th draws large crowds — dress in pink! Relay for Life is another annual event (held this year, June 17th and 18th).

Make plans to attend and enjoy these events.We all can help make a difference.

These are time-sensitive coupons, so be sure to “Like” us and get yours! Visit us online at Facebook.com/newvaluesmagazine.

Check out what I’m up to every day. Mostly wanting to go outside. Sleeping. Looking for treats and wanting to lick people. See you around!

We’d like to welcome some new advertisers to New Values Magazine this month, including:

• Mediterraneo Restaurant in downtown DeKalb
• Sunshine Scoop Shop and Bakery in DeKalb
• NB&T
• ServiceMASTER Clean
• Biolife of DeKalb
• LED Light Solutions in Sycamore
• Ralph’s Car Wash & Detail Center
• Amber Manor in DeKalb
• Pardridge Insurance of Sycamore

Welcome our new advertisers and be sure to check out their ads in our magazine and their helpful and informational articles here online.