Unheralded

BEV BENDA: My Coach Bev — You Guys, You Guys, You Guys!

Recently, I listened to a professional webinar by a registered dietitian with a master’s degree. There was a recurring theme in the message, and it had nothing to do with the theme of the webinar. It was a bad habit that distracted me so much that I couldn’t tell you what the webinar was about. The presenter could not stop …


Unheralded

BEV BENDA: My Coach Bev — Are You Smarter Than A First-Grader About Fruits And Veggies?

I was listening to the radio recently when I heard a breakthrough news flash. It was so earth-shattering, I almost had to stop to reset my breathing. The radio announcer reported that “new research” is out there that implies that fruits and vegetables are healthy for you and can help prevent disease. Furthermore, if you can manage eating 10 servings a …


BEV BENDA: My Coach Bev — How To Escape Back To School Shopping And Save Thousands of Dollars

I recently read that the National Retail Federation projects parents will pay on average $970 for back-to-school expenses. “Back to School” shopping is the second-largest retail shopping season next to Christmas. So if each family spends roughly $1,000 annually, we are up to $13,000 on average from kindergarten to 12th grade! Ouch! Want to save thousands of dollars in back-to-school …

BEV BENDA: My Coach Bev — HighMont Beef — A North Dakota Treasure For Heart Health

Do you enjoy the taste of beef but worry about the saturated fat and cholesterol content? Look no further than the Red River Valley Ranch in Walhalla, N.D. Recently, my artist twin sister Barb, her husband Paul, and I took a road trip up to Walhalla. We had three agendas: Do a little hiking in the Pembina Gorge, visit the …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — When Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees, Must We Cut Them Down?

Six years ago, my childhood home was bulldozed after the new owners had a fire and the city condemned it. When I learned that it took less than a half-hour to crush our huge old house into a pile of rubble and lay pavement in its place, I felt like my parents and seven sisters were also crushed into that pile. …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — Bison Named National Mammal: Love, But Do Not Touch!

On May 9, the bison was named the national mammal through the National Bison Legacy Act. The campaign was led by Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and 11 other co-sponsors. This act passed through Congress and the Senate easily before being signed by President Obama. A few facts: Bison are the largest land animal in America, found in all …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — Looking For Lucy’s 5 Cent Psych Booth

After watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” for the umpteenth time (yes, I have my Christmas rituals), I had the urge to join Charlie Brown and visit Lucy’s Psychiatric Booth for some advice. After all, her advice was quite sound. At the start of the movie, Charlie Brown was feeling down as the holidays approached, much like 45 percent of the population at this time of year. He told …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — Gentleman’s Final At Wimbledon

I got up early so I wouldn’t miss any of the commentary of “Breakfast at Wimbledon” in preparation for the matchup between the two greats, Novak Djokovic (No. 1 Seed) and Roger Federer (No. 2 Seed.) I have been cheering for Roger Federer throughout the tournament despite friends telling me “he’s over the hill,”, “past his prime” and “on his …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — The Eagles Do It Right!

On Friday night, the 1970s rock band The Eagles came to town. I remember a comment someone made on Facebook when the announcement was made: “But they’re so old!” From my seat in Section 213 at the Alerus Center, the age of the Eagles did not show at all. Of course, they aren’t in their 20s, but if I were …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — Las Vegas, It’s Not For Kids

I was in Las Vegas last week. When I told friends and family I was going, I got similar reactions from everyone: “You?” “Why?” “Are you serious?” Some were speechless. When I told them I was going for a nutrition conference, that helped ease the mystery. They all know it’s not my “kind of city.” How did it go? Let’s …

Bev Benda: My Coach Bev — Accentuate The Positive

“Be There!” “Bite!” “Make It!” These are some of the words I heard Jordan Spieth use to coach himself on the final round of the Masters Golf Tournament. The golf ball came under Spieth’s verbal command, and the grounds of Augusta National surrendered to his brilliant 18-under-par round, giving the 21-year-old his well-deserved Green Jacket. What I saw Jordan Spieth …