Art exhibit by Tucker Stilley in the Cape Able Art Gallery on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, from noon to 2pm SLT

Virtual Ability announces the opening of an exhibit by Tucker Stilley in the Cape Able Art Gallery on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, from noon to 2pm SLT.

Tucker is an artist in four genres: music, film, lifestyle, and painting. This gallery show displays 20 of his works. Tucker has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) which has resulted in progressive paralysis of his body as it leaves his mind and creativity intact. He has come to a deep understanding of the frailty of the human condition over the past 15 years.

Tucker has had a Second Life account since about 2005. Over the years, as his disease progressed, he has used a variety of assistive technology, not only to access Second Life, but also to create his art. Most recently he has used eye gaze technology.

However, now that he can no longer reliably control even his eyelids, he will not be able to attend the opening event. His sister Kate Stilley Steiner, a documentary filmmaker, will be available to respond to questions. Music for dancing will be provided by DJ Suellen Heartsong.

Treasure Ballinger, curator of the Gallery, said, “As estate manager for Cape Able, and a member of the Virtual Ability Executive Team, I’m honored to facilitate the exhibit by Tucker Stilley.  His love of art is apparent, as well as his obvious determination to ‘get it done.’  Welcome to Excellence!”

The general public is reminded that, if you are unable to attend the gallery opening on Tuesday between noon and 2pm SLT, you can visit the sim at any time during January to see this impressive exhibition.

The SLURL to the Cape Able Art Gallery is: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cape%20Able/115/121/23.

For more information about Tucker Stilley and views of other collections of his artwork, please see his website: http://www.tuckerstilley.com/About-the-artist.cfm.

For information about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: https://www.als.org/understanding-als/what-is-als.

Virtual Ability promotes the Ability of persons with DISability by showcasing artwork by artists with disabilities. For more information about Virtual Ability, please see our website: https://virtualability.org.

Healthinfo Island Exhibits and Displays for January 2021

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits by left-clicking the links or the pictures.  If you don't already have a Second Life account, it's free and easy to join! Simply click here and follow the steps!

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

Fiber and Your Microbiome
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/196/156/23

National Blood Donor Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/187/181/24

Wearing a Mask
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/154/22

Dry Skin - Causes and Cures
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/111/81/24

Thyroid Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/99/37/26

Annoyed by Hemorrhoids?
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/51/27/28

Coenzyme Q10
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/25/24/30

Grapefruit is Great!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/62/32

Grocery Shopping Tips for Healthier Cooking

Supermarket stalls

To prepare healthy meals at home, you need the right ingredients. Here’s how to shop so that you have the best recipe materials in your pantry.

1. Take an inventory of what you already have.
   Make a list of not only the staples (low-fat milk, whole grains in breads and pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables) that you regularly run out of, but also of items on kitchen and pantry shelves. What canned goods do you already have that you could incorporate into upcoming meals?
   
   
2. Plan meals until your next shopping trip.
   Using the inventory, find nutritious recipes that incorporate the items on the list. Make a plan for daily meals and snacks that include these products in healthy recipes. 
   
   
3. Make a shopping list.
   Using the menu plan you have developed, make a list of items to purchase. Try to organize your list so that items are arranged in the order you will encounter them as you move through the store. Shopping from a list makes the trip more efficient, and curbs impulse buying of unhealthy items.
   
   You can always be on the lookout for healthy items that are not on your list. Give yourself the opportunity to try out a new fruit or vegetable. Often these make convenient healthy snacks.
   
   
4. Don't shop when you're hungry.
   You are more likely to grab high-fat, high-calorie snack items when you're hungry. Shop for groceries only after you've eaten a good healthy meal. If you must shop on an empty stomach, drink some water or buy a single piece of fruit. Pay for it, enjoy eating it, then shop.
   
   
5. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store for fresh foods first.
   Fresh produce, dairy, poultry and seafood are generally found around the outer edges of most grocery stores. These fresh foods are generally better for your health than ready-to-eat foods; when you cook with fresh ingredients, you know exactly what is in the dishes you serve.
   
   
6. Read nutrition labels.
   Check nutrition labels on packaged goods. Look at the serving size, calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium. Even low-fat or fat-free foods may have a lot of calories. Don't be fooled; not all packages are single-serving.
   
   Compare the nutrition labels of similar products so that you can choose the healthiest option. Even when ordering groceries online, you can often examine the labels.

Tips to Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Man after eating too much sugar

Probably the first thing people think of as a way to limit sugar intake is to exchange sodas sweetened with sugar for “diet” low-calorie or sugar-free sodas. However, drinks with artificial sweeteners are not healthy. “Higher consumption of artificially-sweetened soft drink was associated with an increased risk of both stroke and dementia.” (Read the research here.) A better choice is water, flavored with a slice of fruit.

Here are some other suggestions for reducing sugar in your diet:

• Instead of topping your morning cereal or oatmeal with sugar, add chopped fresh fruit.
• Eat fruit instead of pastries, cake or cookies for dessert or a snack.
• Barbecue sauce and catsup contain significant amounts of sugar. Instead, use lower-sugar condiments such as hot sauce, mustard or salsa. 
• When baking your own goodies, you can usually decrease the amount of sugar up to half. Or try substituting unsweetened applesauce for some or all of the sugar in the recipe.
• Read nutrition labels on packaged foods to help find those with the lowest sugar. You can often get nutrition information on restaurant menus as well. Make wise choices to lower your sugar intake.