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Chicken Quesadillas

By Barbara Beltrami

Ola! When I sat down to write this column and realized it would be published on Cinco de Mayo, I couldn’t resist sharing with you some recipes for popular food from Latinx friends. My repertoire for this type of cuisine is not all that extensive, but here are 3 favorite recipes  that will help make Cinco de Mayo a delicious celebration.

Consuelo’s Shrimp Fajitas

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 1/4 pounds fresh large shrimp

8 fajita flour tortillas

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, sliced into rings

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2” strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2” strips

1 orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2” strips 

3 canned chipotle peppers in Adobo  sauce, diced

2 tablespoons chipotle sauce from can

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Peel and devein shrimp and remove tails. Warm tortillas In medium skillet and set aside to keep warm; heat oil over medium-high heat; add onion and bell peppers and saute, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add shrimp and cook another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to turn pink. Finally, add the chipotle peppers and sauce, lemon juice and brown sugar, stir and cook another minute. 

Place tortillas on individual plates, spoon shrimp mixture in center of each one and serve immediately with sour cream, red or green salsa, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce and guacamole.

Juanita’s Grilled Grouper Tacos

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound grouper filets, washed, patted dry

One 24-ounce bottle ceviche marinade

1/2 small head green or red cabbage, cored and coarsely shredded

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Juice of one freshly squeezed lime

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

8 flour tacos

DIRECTIONS:

In a nonreactive bowl combine fish and marinade; make sure that fish is completely submerged, cover and refrigerate for 2 t 4 hours. Drain fish and discard marinade. In a medium bowl thoroughly combine cabbage, onion, most but not all of the cilantro, 1 1/2 tablespoons of the lime juice, oil, salt and pepper, 1/2 a teaspoon each of the coriander and cumin; cover and refrigerate. 

In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise and remaining cilantro, lime juice and spices; vigorously whisk, then cover and refrigerate. 

Grease grill grates, then pre-heat to medium-high; add fish to hot grates, grill, turning once, for about 6 to 8 minutes, until charred on the outside and opaque on the inside. Flipping once, add tortillas to grill to warm, about 30 seconds, slightly charred. Place fish in center of each tortilla, top with cabbage mixture and add sour cream-mayonnaise mixture. Serve with ice cold Mexican beer.

Nestor’s Chicken Quesadillas

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

3 tablespoons olive oil 

2 bell peppers (any color), cleaned and thinly sliced into rings

1 medium onion, chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1  pound chicken tenders

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon zataar

4 medium flour or corn tortillas

2  cups shredded Manchego cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced

4 scallions, clean and sliced

DIRECTIONS:

In a large skillet over medium high heat, warm one tablespoon oil and add peppers, onion, salt and pepper; cook 5 minutes or until, soft. Remove from skillet and set aside to keep warm. Season chicken with salt, pepper and spices, and heat another tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add chicken and, stirring occasionally, cook until golden, about 8 minutes; remove and set aside to keep warm. 

Reduce heat to medium-low; heat remaining tablespoon oil; place one tortilla in skillet, add 1/4 each of pepper and onion mixture, chicken, cheeses, avocado and scallions to top half of tortilla. Fold other half over filling and cook, turning once, until golden on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat procedure with remaining 3 tortillas. Cut into wedges; serve with sour cream, salsa and a green salad.

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Mango Souffle

Mothers selflessly devote themselves to their children from infancy into adulthood. A mother’s love never wanes, and she’s always ready and willing to step in and put her children first. Mother’s Day is a great chance for men, women and children to honor the special women in their lives.

Delicious homemade treats can show mothers just how much they’re appreciated and adored. Try this tasty recipe for Cold Mango Soufflés Topped with Toasted Coconut from “The Complete Mexican, South American & Caribbean Cookbook” (Metro Books) by Jane Milton, Jenni Fleetwood and Marina Filippelli

Cold Mango Soufflé

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 small mangoes, peeled, pitted, chopped

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon powdered gelatine

2 egg yolks

1⁄2 cup superfine sugar

1⁄2 cup milk

11⁄4 cups heavy cream

Grated rind of one orange

Toasted flaked or coarsely shredded coconut, to decorate

Directions:

Place a few pieces of mango in the base of each of four 2⁄3-cup ramekins. Wrap a creased collar of nonstick parchment paper around the outside of each dish, extending well above the rim. Secure with adhesive tape, then tie tightly with string.  Pour the water into a small heatproof bowl and sprinkle the gelatine over the surface. Leave for 5 minutes or until spongy. Place the bowl in a pan of hot water, stirring occasionally, until the gelatine has dissolved. 

Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the superfine sugar and milk in another heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and continue to whisk until the mixture is thick and frothy. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until the mixture cools. Whisk in the liquid gelatine.

Puree the remaining mango pieces in a food processor or blender, then fold the puree into the egg yolk mixture with the orange rind. Set the mixture aside until starting to thicken.

Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Reserve 4 tablespoons and fold the rest into the mango mixture. Spoon into the ramekins until the mixture is 1 inch above the rim of each dish. Chill for 3 to 4 hours, or until set.

Carefully remove the paper collars from the soufflés. Spoon a little of the reserved cream on top of each soufflé and decorate with some toasted flaked or coarsely shredded coconut before serving. 

 

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Pixabay photo

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed.”                           — William Faulkner

The founding of this nation would have been impossible without letters to the press. 

In 1776, Thomas Paine had captured the spirit of his times and wrote the most influential pamphlet of the American Revolution, “Common Sense.” Paine was not writing to the powers that be. Rather, he addressed his essay “to the inhabitants of America.”

The Revolution was fought and won because ordinary Americans — people like Paine — had ideas they believed were worth reading. They wrote down their grievances of British rule and shared them with their countrymen. Through these revolutionary writings, a common folk resurrected an ancient principle: unearthing democracy from the ashes of antiquity.  

So what happened? Why have we lost touch with this uniquely American tradition?

 In this Information Age, we find that access to information has become, paradoxically, severely limited. With the introduction of the internet, we were sold the hope that new technologies would educate the masses, that instant messaging and social media would create a wider forum for democratic participation. While this has happened, our era also is marked by censorship and misinformation.

Americans no longer trust their institutions. Everywhere we look, we find politicians who disregard our interests and tech executives who monitor and monetize our activity online. Globally, powerful interests invest billions every year to restrict access to information and keep the people in the dark. Our technologies have become the instruments of autocrats, used to subvert democracy rather than promote it. 

To the readers of TBR News Media and the people throughout this community, do not put your faith in tech moguls to represent you fairly. Regular people are left not knowing what to believe and what are the facts. This is why letters to the editor in newspapers are so crucial. 

Democracy depends on ordinary Americans speaking truth to power. We must remember the example of Paine and be unafraid to let our opinions be heard. We must present our own unique ideas to our fellow Americans, reopening the robust political exchanges of the past. The staff of TBR News Media welcomes letters. Write to us because our democracy requires it.

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Comedian Debbie D'Amore at the April 15 show. Photo by Barbara Anne Kirshner

By Barbara Anne Kirshner

I usually share my theatre reviews with you, but this time I want to tell you about something a little different.

My husband and I love comedy, especially stand up, but haven’t gone to anything like that in a long time. We decided to try McGuires Comedy Club in Bohemia. McGuires and The Brokerage in Bellmore are sister clubs to Governors’ Comedy Club in Levittown, an institution in comedy that has been around for over 35 years and has featured home grown Long Island comedians in addition to national headliners such as Kevin James, Andrew Dice-Clay and Gilbert Gottfried. McGuires opened in 2017 and quickly established a reputation for bringing some of the finest comedy to Suffolk County for a reasonable price.

Host John Trueson at the April 15 show. Photo by Barbara Anne Kirshner

McGuires offers a variety of comedy nights. Sometimes it hosts headliners like Joey Kola (May 7) or Don Irrera (June 2). Sometimes it’s a 2-man show like Kevin Brennan and Bob Levy (April 29). Showcases are a popular staple like the All Star Comedy Show and the one we caught Friday night, April 15, Stars of Tomorrow. This showcase attracted us because we thought, who knows, maybe we’ll see the next Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld or Eddie Murphy.

John Trueson hosted the evening’s festivities. Trueson, an obvious professional, energized the audience with his personable banter as he kept the pace throughout the evening, quick and flawless, introducing one comedian after the next. 

I consider stand up a challenging art form and I admire anyone with the guts to get up in front of an audience and try to make them laugh. Most of these comedians joked about themselves and the foibles of their families which made it good fun.

The playlist for the evening was well thought out. First up, Tim Gage, who jumped onstage full of energy and never let up. His jokes were about highly relatable family matters. His observation of, “Have you ever looked at your own parents and wondered what it was that brought those two together?” brought down the house. He poked fun of the school system with his son’s teacher telling him, “Your son’s got ADD, he might be good in sports.” So, he started coaching his son’s little league. “My son made it to first base once; he didn’t know where he was.” The jokes were quick and furious.

Next up was Nick Damadeo who started off, “My wife listed a few topics I’m not allowed to discuss.” He went through the list then concluded, “ Most people don’t give a damn about anything on that list.” He poked fun at his profession, “The doctor said to me you’re a lawyer, aren’t you? Yeah, how’d you know? I can’t find a heart.” Yes, there were lots of lawyer jokes.

Comedians Debbie D’Amore and Chris Road at the April 15 event. Photo by Barbara Anne Kirshner

Chris Roach introduced himself with put on snobbery, “I’m from upper Ronkonkoma.” He had the audience in the palm of his hand with jokes on the pandemic. “I want to pass a new law that anytime anyone says ‘variant’ I want to punch them in the mouth.” And “I’m not going back in the house. I’m going to kill somebody if I have to do one more puzzle.”

Not all the comedians were funny. There was one who was brave enough to let us know this was his first stand up gig and it showed. Another went into political “humor” that received groans. This crowd, like most of us, is done with political humor.

There were only two female comedians and they brought up the end of the billing. Debbie D’Amore, with her engaging smile, makes you feel like she’s inviting you into her living room for an evening of fun. She started by shaking her head saying, “Why do I do this? My friends are retiring and I go to comedy college.” Then she laments, “Gone are the days of the masks. Now I got to shave!” 

Her timing was smooth as she segued from one joke into the next often making fun of her well-endowed self. She quipped about the time she and her husband went to Gurney’s Inn. She shared that he had red trunks, so she went to the resort shop and bought a cute red bathing suit. Only problem was it didn’t support her in the waves; the visual was hysterical. 

The last up was 20-something blonde, Kelsey McKeon who said, “I recently became a blonde and if you wonder if blondes have more fun; with me, I’m a train wreck at any color.”

On the way out, I stopped to congratulate D’Amore. As we spoke, a young woman approached and said, “Thank you for making me laugh uncontrollably tonight.” That about summed it up for me too.

Don’t we all need an escape, a place we can rely on for some laughs? Come to McGuires or The Brokerage or the mother club, Governors. You’ll be glad you did.

Miller Place resident Barbara Anne Kirshner is a freelance journalist, playwright and author of “Madison Weatherbee — The Different Dachshund.”

 

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Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake. Photo from Family Features

By Barbara Beltrami

Last week I wrote about spring pastas. This week it’s about spring desserts, and don’t be surprised if next week it’s about spring something else because I am so happy to see this beautiful season that it’s just about all I can think of. Now is the time for some tangy lemon pavlovas and in May a rhubarb tart (I like rhubarb straight without strawberries upstaging it), and finally when those strawberries are ready to be plucked from local fields, they can have their own spotlight with old-fashioned strawberry shortcake. 

Mini Lemon Pavlovas

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

3 large egg whites, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon potato starch

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup + 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 extra large egg or 2 medium eggs, beaten

Freshly grated zest of half a small lemon

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 225 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl combine egg whites with vinegar, vanilla, salt and cream of tartar; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add 3/4 cup of sugar, one heaping tablespoonful at a time and beat on high speed after each addition until sugar is dissolve. After all the sugar has been added continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. 

Gently transfer meringue to a pastry bag or plastic bag with a small corner cut out and pipe the mixture into six 3-inch circles, building up the sides to form shells or cups; bake 45 to 50 minutes until dry and set; turn off oven but leave shells inside (without peeking!) for one hour. Then remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet. 

In a small saucepan combine remaining sugar and potato starch; whisk in water and the 1/4 cup lemon juice until smooth; over medium heat cook, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Reduce heat to low and cook and stir over low heat two minutes more; remove from heat, stir in remaining lemon juice and the zest, transfer to a small bowl, let cool but don’t stir and refrigerate, covered until chilled. When ready to serve, spoon into shells and serve with whipped cream and fresh raspberries.

Rhubarb Tart

YIELD: Makes one 9” tart

INGREDIENTS: 

One 9” pie crust, baked until golden

3 tablespoons currant or strawberry jelly

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons fruit-flavored brandy

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 pounds fresh rhubarb, leaves removed, ribs trimmed and cut into 1/2” pieces

DIRECTIONS:

Brush bottom of crust with jelly. In a large saucepan over medium heat combine sugar, water, brandy, lemon juice, nutmeg and cinnamon; stir until sugar dissolves and bring to a boil; add rhubarb and bring back to a boil, then reduce. Heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until rhubarb starts to soften, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove pan from heat, keep covered and let sit about 15 minutes, until rhubarb is tender, then uncover and cool completely.

With a slotted spoon, remove rhubarb from liquid and place in baked pie shell. Boil remaining liquid over medium-high heat until reduced to glaze consistency, then brush over rhubarb. Serve hot or warm with vanilla or strawberry ice cream.

Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake

Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Half a stick cold unsalted butter

1 cup milk

1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 tablespoon orange juice

1 tablespoon orange liqueur

2 cups whipped cream

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425 F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl combine flour, two tablespoons of the sugar, baking powder, and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal; gradually stir in milk to form a soft dough. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls into 8 mounds on baking sheet; bake until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes; cool on wire rack, then split horizontally. In a large bowl combine strawberries, remaining sugar, orange juice and liqueur. Spoon onto bottom halves of biscuits, add on top halves and finish with dollops of whipped cream. Serve with coffee or tea.

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A. Laurie Shroyer Photo by Jeanne Neville/Stony Brook University

By Daniel Dunaief

Publish or perish.

It’s the academic paradigm that defines the importance of getting great research and ideas in front of the public. Not only does publishing enable researchers to share discoveries, but it also provides additional rungs on a career ladder.

Science journals with greater impact can raise the visibility of up-and-coming researchers, helping them win more competitive grants, get papers published in other journals, and receive coveted promotions and tenure.

In a recent study led by A. Laurie Shroyer, Professor of Surgery and Vice Chair for Research at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, women authors in positions considered significant — first, second or last — appeared at a rate that was below their representation in academic medical school faculty for the three top ranking medical journals.

Published in the journal PLOS ONE of 1,080 author citations from 2002 to 2019 in The Lancet, the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine, a team of researchers determined that women were listed as senior, or last, authors 18.6 percent of the time. Meanwhile, 26.8 percent of women were first authors.

The first and last author rates for women were lower than the 37.2 percent of women full-time academic faculty members, according to Shroyer. “This is truly striking. I never in my wildest dreams thought [the publication rate for women] was this low” particularly for last authors.

Indeed, the percentages varied by journal, with the New England Journal of Medicine coming in the lowest for first authors, at 15.83 percent, and the Journal of the American Medical Association showing the highest rate, at 35.39 percent. Lancet had 29.39 percent.

In response to emailed questions about the study, officials at the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that the journal does not ask authors to self-identify.

“With a group of publishers lead by the Royal Society of Chemistry, we’re developing best practices for encouraging diversity among authors,” said Eric Rubin, M.D., PhD and Editor-in-Chief of the NEJM. “Diversity in medicine is important, and we are taking steps where we can to encourage change or highlight inequities.”

In September 2021, the NEJM published an editorial that said having more diversity among researchers is one way to help make trials more representative. Additionally, in April 2021, the NEJM published a Special Report about the diversity of the medical student body.

“We believe we must diversify our own ranks and encourage diversity at all stages of medical training,” Dr. Rubin added.

The Lancet, meanwhile, indicated that the data they collected on gender representation among their authors, peer reviewers and Editorial Advisory Board members led them to develop new strategies to improve gender representation in the editorial process, including a diversity pledge and no all-male panel policy, according to a public relations statement. All Lancet International Advisory Boards are now 50 percent women. This past March, the Lancet hosted a webinar on gender equity.

Shroyer lauded The Lancet for providing a public disclosure of their author gender profiles. The Lancet’s “positive actions are admirable,” she said..

A request for comment from the Journal of the American Medical Association was not returned by press time.

While the JAMA women first author rate did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference from the Association of American Medical Colleges, it was different, at 20.8 percent for last authors and for any significant author role, at 32.8 percent compared to 37.2 percent overall.

To be sure, Shroyer and co-author Henry Tannous, chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Division and co-director of the Stony Brook Heart Institute, didn’t receive the kind of information that would help shed greater light on the publishing process.

Shroyer explained that it would be helpful to have journal-specific editorial office data on author specific and publication specific details for manuscripts received, reviewed and accepted.

Without access to editorial office databases, “it will not be possible to discern the potential reasons behind the lower women author publication rates,” Shroyer explained, adding that with the unknown rate of gender-based submissions, it is possible that the relative proportion of submitted articles published might not be different between men and women.

“My hope is that this publication may inspire all of these top medical journals to publish their own summary reports and to share their own editorial office databases to facilitate future research in this field,” she said.

An ongoing pattern

Shroyer began investigating the author and publication characteristics associated with multiple successful publications in top medical research journals in late 2017.

To determine if the pattern had changed over time, Shroyer and Tannous divided the publication rates into early, 2002 to 2008; mid, 2009 to 2014; and late, 2015 to 2019. Using samples from these years, Shroyer concluded that there were no differences over time.

Among other conclusions, Shroyer said women first authors less commonly published clinical trials as compared with observational study designs. Their projects were also more frequently focused on infectious disease topics. Men, on the other hand, published more work focused on cardiovascular topics.

Shroyer added that the sampling of three journals’ records does not prove a gender bias. She could only show a discrepancy in the author publication rates.

She’s an advocate for individual investigator-based identifiers that are just numbers, which would allow for a more thorough and detailed analysis of any trends in publication rates.

This research provides a call for “greater transparency and accountability” Shroyer said.

As a potential optimistic sign, Shroyer found that first/ last authors with the same gender more often published clinical trials and had higher Web of Science citation counts, compared with first authors with different genders. First authors who were the same gender as last authors also had higher multiple top medical research journal publications.

While this doesn’t necessarily point to a clear mentor benefit, Shroyer suggests this connection between women principal investigators and their research staff may create greater publishing opportunities and advancement for women in science.

“My hope is that we can find ways to help each other,” she said. “Preliminary analysis shows potential promise.”

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The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police.

Centerport

■ A resident on Lakeside Drive in Centerport called the police to report that a wallet containing credit cards was removed from a vehicle parked in front of the home on April 20. Charges were later made on the card.

Commack

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported a shoplifter on April 22. A woman allegedly attempted to steal 44 assorted home goods valued at $828. She was arrested at the door.

■ Four women entered Dick’s Sporting Goods on Jericho Turnpike in Commack on April 22 and allegedly stole numerous Nike clothing worth approximately $2,000.

■ A man entered Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on April 17, broke a lock on the video game case and allegedly stole 12 SONY PS4 video games worth $586.

■ Two women entered Dick’s Sporting Goods on Jericho Turnpike in Commack on April 22, allegedly removed two backpacks from the shelf, and stuffed them with clothing before walking out of the store. The merchandise was valued at approximately $500.

■ Shoprite on Garet Place in Commack called the police on April 18 to report that a woman allegedly stole 5 Zyrtec and 3 Allegra bottles worth $344.

■ Ulta Beauty, Veterans Memorial Highway, Commack called the police on April 17 to report that a man entered the store, removed 10 Chanel women fragrances from the shelf and allegedly walked out without paying. The merchandise was valued at $1064.

■ A woman shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack on April 20 reported that a man allegedly stole her wallet from an unattended shopping cart.

East Setauket

■ Kohl’s on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket called the police on April 19 to report that a man and a woman allegedly stole assorted clothing items worth $853.

Huntington Station

■ Target on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on April 19. A woman allegedly stole clothing and groceries and cleaning supplies worth approximately $120.

■ Two men entered Best Buy on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station on April 18 and allegedly stole Wi-Fi routers worth $1,679. 

■ Target on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station called the police on April 21 to report a shoplifter. A woman allegedly stole 16 market items, 5 pharmacy items and one bedding item worth $188.

Kings Park

■ A resident on Main Street in Kings Park called the police on April 20 to report that someone stole their dirt bike from their property on April 20. The vehicle, a yellow 2014 Suzuki DR-Z, was valued at $3,000.

■ A resident on Beaver Drive in Kings Park reported that someone entered their vehicle and stole a wallet with cash on April 20.

Lake Grove

■ Zumiez at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported that two women allegedly stole numerous items of clothing from the store on April 23. The merchandise was valued at $224.

Miller Place

■ Two pocketbooks containing cash, credit cards, and keys along with Ray-Ban sunglasses were stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked at Sylvan Avenue Park in Miller Place on April 18.

Port Jefferson Station

■ An unknown person entered a construction site at Brightview Port Jefferson on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station between April 15 and April 18 and stole $4,700 worth of copper wire.

Rocky Point

■ Kohl’s on Route 25A in Rocky Point reported a shoplifter on April 22. A person allegedly stole a Remington men’s razor valued at $120.

Selden

■ Walgreens on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on April 21. A man allegedly stole 10 cases of Modelo beer worth $160.

■ Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden called the police on April 18 to report that a man allegedly took two DeWalt pressure washers out the store without paying. The items were valued at $999.

Smithtown

■ A resident on Ledgewood Drive in Smithtown called the police to report that his 2017 Nissan Ultima with multiple tools inside was stolen on April 19. The vehicle, which was unlocked and had the keys inside, was valued at $20,000.The tools were valued at $2,000.

South Setauket

■ Target on Pond Path in South Setauket reported a shoplifter on April 19. A man allegedly stole a Roomba vacuum worth $580.

Stony Brook

■ A vehicle was broken into on Sand Street in Stony Brook on April 23. A window was smashed and a wallet was removed. A second unlocked vehicle was entered and a a wallet was stolen.

■ Lowe’s Home Improvement on Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook reported a petit larceny on April 18. A man allegedly stole 11 Romex white electrical wire at 250 feet each. The items were valued at $1364.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

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Lignans found in plants can reduce risk. Pixabay photo

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

It’s always surprising the number of myths that still circulate about type 2 diabetes, considering its prevalence in the U.S. Science is continually advancing what we know about diabetes risk and disease management, and some older interpretations deserve to be retired. Let’s take a look at a few common myths and the research that debunks them.

MYTH: Fruit should be limited or avoided.

Fruit, whether whole fruit, fruit juice or dried fruit, has been long considered taboo for those with diabetes. This is only partially true.

Yes, fruit juice and dried fruit should be avoided, because they do raise or spike glucose (sugar) levels. The same does not hold true for whole fresh or frozen fruit. Studies have demonstrated that patients with diabetes don’t experience a spike in sugar levels whether they limit the number of fruits consumed or have an abundance of fruit (1). In another study, whole fruit actually was shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (2).

In yet another study, researchers looked at the impacts of different types of whole fruits on glucose levels. They found that berries reduced glucose levels the most, but even bananas and grapes reduced these levels (3). That’s right, bananas and grapes, two fruits people associate with spiking sugar levels and increasing carbohydrate load. The only fruit that seemed to have a mildly negative impact on sugars was cantaloupe.

Whole fruit is not synonymous with sugar. One of the reasons for the beneficial effect is the fruits’ flavonoids, or plant micronutrients, but another is the fiber.

MYTH: All carbohydrates raise your sugars.

Fiber is one type of carbohydrate that has distinct benefits. We know fiber is important for reducing risk for a host of diseases and for managing their outcomes, and it is not any different for diabetes. 

In the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHS II, two very large prospective observational studies, plant fiber was shown to help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (4). Researchers looked at lignans, a type of plant fiber, specifically examining the metabolites enterodiol and enterolactone. They found that patients with type 2 diabetes have substantially lower levels of these metabolites in their urine, compared to the control group without diabetes. There was a linear, or direct, relationship between the amount of metabolites and the reduction in risk for diabetes. The authors encourage patients to eat more of a plant-based diet to get this benefit.

Foods with lignans include flaxseed; sesame seeds; cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower; and an assortment of fruits and whole grains (5). The researchers could not determine which plants contributed the greatest benefit. The researchers believe the effect results from antioxidant activity.

MYTH: Soy should be avoided when you have diabetes.

In diabetes patients with nephropathy (kidney damage or disease), soy consumption showed improvements in kidney function (6). There were significant reductions in urinary creatinine levels and reductions of proteinuria (protein in the urine), both signs that the kidneys are beginning to function better.

This was a small randomized control trial over a four-year period with 41 participants. The control group’s diet consisted of 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent vegetable protein, while the treatment group’s diet consisted of 35 percent animal protein, 35 percent textured soy protein and 30 percent vegetable protein.

This is very important since diabetes patients are 20 to 40 times more likely to develop nephropathy than those without diabetes (7). It appears that soy protein may put substantially less stress on the kidneys than animal protein. However, those who have hypothyroidism should be cautious or avoid soy since it may suppress thyroid functioning.

MYTH: Bariatric surgery is an alternative to lifestyle changes.

Bariatric surgery has grown in prevalence for treating severely obese (BMI>35 kg/m²) and obese (BMI >30 kg/m²) diabetes patients. In a meta-analysis of bariatric surgery involving 16 randomized control trials and observational studies, the procedure illustrated better results than conventional medicines over a 17-month follow-up period in treating HbA1C (three-month blood glucose measure), fasting blood glucose and weight loss (8). During this time period, 72 percent of those patients treated with bariatric surgery went into diabetes remission and had significant weight loss.

However, after 10 years without proper management involving lifestyle changes, only 36 percent remained in remission with diabetes, and a significant number regained weight. Thus, whether one chooses bariatric surgery or not, altering diet and exercise are critical to maintaining long-term benefits.

There is still a lot to be learned with diabetes, but our understanding of how to manage lifestyle modifications, specifically diet, is becoming clearer. The take-home message is: focus on a plant-based diet focused on fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes. And if you choose a medical approach, bariatric surgery is a viable option, but don’t forget that you need to make significant lifestyle changes to accompany the surgery in order to sustain its benefits.

References: 

(1) Nutr J. 2013 Mar. 5;12:29. (2) Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr.;95:925-933. (3) BMJ online 2013 Aug. 29. (4) Diabetes Care. online 2014 Feb. 18. (5) Br J Nutr. 2005;93:393–402. (6) Diabetes Care. 2008;31:648-654. (7) N Engl J Med. 1993;328:1676–1685. (8) Obes Surg. 2014;24:437-455.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com. 

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By Michael Ardolino

Michael Ardolino

The experts were right. U.S. Federal Reserve System Chair Jerome Powell recently said that raising interest rates 50-basis-points, which converts to .5%, is on the table for the central bank’s May meeting.

The May rate increase will follow the Fed’s decision to raise rates in March. It would be the first time since 2006 that rates were raised in back-to-back meetings. And, the half-point increase would be the first in 22 years.

Mortgage rates

Since January, mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage have climbed from an average of 3.11% to a current 5.35%. It’s the first time that the rate has gone above 5% in a decade. We’ve mentioned in several past articles that experts have always projected rising interest rates spread across 2022, even though they are still on the low side.

Mortgage rates on the rise and inflation fluctuating may prompt people to question where the housing market is leading. People may also wonder how home prices and home unit sales will be affected.

According to Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, mortgage rates increased for seven consecutive weeks. “While springtime is typically the busiest homebuying season, the upswing in rates has caused some volatility in demand,” Khater said. “It continues to be a seller’s market, but buyers who remain interested in purchasing a home may find that competition has moderately softened.”

This softening makes sense as many potential buyers may start looking for houses in a lower price range or take a break from looking at homes.

Debunking some myths

Some buyers may want to wait until home prices and mortgage rates decrease, which isn’t a financially-savvy move. It’s imperative to keep in mind that rates and prices will continue to rise, so the longer you wait, the more it will cost you.

Homeowners, don’t think you can set the asking price at whatever amount you want because of a seller’s market. Your house still needs to be priced appropriately. Real estate professionals have seen homes that have remained on the market for months, even though most properties have sold in days around them. It’s all about pricing.

Despite memories from the early 2000s, the housing market is not in a bubble ready to pop. The 2006-08 bust happened because of the foreclosures that flooded the market due to purchasers who weren’t qualified for the mortgage they had and homeowners using the equity in their homes as if it was an ATM.

What has happened in the real estate market the last few years has happened naturally and hasn’t been generated by financial institutions easing lending requirements. Today’s market is continuing as a seller’s market with homes continuing to appreciate due supply and demand, because the pandemic increased the number of people who realized the importance of having their own home, especially in the suburbs.

Takeaway

A recent article in The New York Times, “The Sky-High Pandemic Housing Market Finds Gravity Does Exist,” summed up the current real estate market best.

“By any standard that prevailed before 2020, this would be a hot real estate market.” While demand is subsiding slightly, home prices remain high, with economists predicting a continued rise in the near future.

So … let’s talk.

Michael Ardolino is the Founder/Owner-Broker of Realty Connect USA.

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