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All Lettuce is not created the same. This crisp green vegetable is most often used in salads surrounded by an army of other vegetables, fruits, and sometimes nuts. Iceberg is the most commonly purchased variety of lettuce in the U.S., but how nutritious is it?

Iceberg Lettuce is a good source of fiber, zero fat, and very low in calories which makes it popular with dieters. However, it comes up short in the vitamin and nutrients department compared to its counterparts Romaine and Green Leaf lettuce, specifically Vitamin A, C, and Beta Carotene.

*One cup of shredded Iceberg contains 361 IU’s (International Units) of Vitamin A. Think that’s a lot? One cup of Romaine has 2729 IU’s, and Green Leaf has 2666 IU’s. Okay, let’s look at Beta Carotene, (based on one cup shredded), Iceberg; 215mcg, (micrograms), Romaine; 1637mcg, and Green Leaf 1599mcg. Vitamin C: Iceberg 2.0mg, (milligrams), Romaine 11.3mg, and Green Leaf 6.5mg.

The name Iceberg comes from the way the lettuce was transported in the US starting in the 1920s on train-wagons covered in crushed ice, making them look like icebergs.

*Another familiar lettuce I failed to mention, Butterhead (Bibb, or Boston), is also a good source of vitamins and nutrients boasting 1822 IU’s of Vitamin A, 1093mcg of Beta Carotene, and leads the other three in Potassium with 131mg per one cup shredded.

If you want to check out vitamins and nutrients for other veggies, fruits, and foods, hop over to http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/.

Bon Appetite
The Backseat Gourmet

*USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 19 (2006)

Popularity: 29% [?]

Ever wish you could do just a little bit of something to at least bring awareness to an issue? Well, if you’re passionate about an issue that involves abuse, on September 27th you can join thousands of bloggers around the world in BlogCatalog’s Blogging for a Great Cause Challenge.

What kind of abuse would you like to see end? What do you know about it? Are you aware of resources for the abused that they may not be aware of? Do you have any suggestions as to how they or someone acting on their behalf can stop or prevent the abuse they are suffering or witnessing?

Is there an organized effort in place in which others who may have an interest can become involved? Who are they? Where are they? What is their mission? What are they doing to stop abuse? How can others help the organization accomplish their goals?

It doesn’t matter what kind of abuse it is. Blog about it. Bring it out in the open for the world to see. Shine the light on it. Evil shuns and runs from light. Spread the word about BlogCatalog’s Challenge on September 27th and unite bloggers everywhere against abuse.

Popularity: 8% [?]

…use a Porta-Potty

Hehehe….

I know, not much to do with Boomers unless it reminds you of silly pranks you and your friends have pulled on others.

It’s been a hectic week already after a knuckle-whitenin’, eye-widenin’, toe-spreadin’ 7 1/2 hr drive home from Austin, TX Sunday (people were MANIACS and they were DRIVING…all OVER the road). Full moons and traveling the week leading up to Labor Day weekend can wreak havoc on this Boomer’s nerves.

At least I remembered to stash and lock up the ZZ Top CD so DH wouldn’t be one of the loony drivers on the road this past weekend. Then again, he has been much more cautious after our Mother’s Day fiasco.

Anyway, I needed a mid-week laugh and thought maybe you would, too.

Popularity: 11% [?]