The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 12 No. 29 - May 2, 2012

sports

Baseball at its basic level

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Scott dell | submitted
Dante Tilelli, of the Air & Energy Tee-Ball
team, is safe at home as Elek Brisson tags
him at home for Gulf-Bay
Realty during Community Center Baseball.

The Sun Sports game of the week was an enjoyable Friday night T-ball all game at the Anna Maria Island Community Center's baseball field. Baseball is back and opening day games were played this past week.

Fans packed the central courtyard at the Center to watch baseball at its beginning level. The Air & Energy team played the Gulf-Bay Realty team. The atmosphere of fun and excitement by both teams was only rivaled by the perfect springtime evening weather. The volunteer coaches did a great job of teaching these five-to-seven-year-olds the basics of baseball while making the game fun.

All the coaches took the time time to instruct their own teams and also the other teams' players. Even though it's a T-ball league, the coaches have the kids trying to hit coach pitch before using the tee. For these little tikes, it was an impressive accomplishment, and the majority of players were able to hit the live pitches.

The two-inning game took a little over an hour and was packed with so much entertainment. Seeing these youngsters trying so hard to hit, throw and field brought smiles to everyone. No score was kept and players, coaches and spectators walked away winners. I would encourage all baseball fans to catch a game and watch America's pastime at its purest and most innocent level.

Youth Baseball Schedule

May 4, Friday, 6 p.m.,
Gulf-Bay Realty vs. Air & Energy
May 4, Friday, 7:15 p.m., Miller Electric vs. Beach Bums

Adult Co-Ed Basketball Results

Beach to Bay Construction  62
The Island Sun newspaper (OT) 67

Bowes Imaging Center  45
BeachHouse restaurant  70

B.Y. Construction 52
Gator Man Pools  69

Adult Basketball Schedule

May 8, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Gator Man Pools vs. Bowes Imaging Center
May 8, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Beach House Restaurant vs. The Feast
May 8, Tuesday, 9 p.m., Island Sun Newspaper vs. B. Y. Construction

Youth Basketball Results

8-10-year-olds:

Walter & Associates  9
Gettel Toyota 11

Island Real Estate  18
Beach Bistro  22

11-13-year-olds

Southern Greens  32
Eat Here  39
Walter & Associates  27
Sandbar restaurant 43

Holy Cow Ice Cream  39
Ross Built Construction  46

14-17-year-olds
Dips Ice Cream 51
Integrity Sound  27

Integrity Sound  34
Anna Maria Oyster Bar  36

Youth Basketball Schedule

May 2, Wednesday, 6 p.m., Ross Built Construction vs. Southern Greens
May 2, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Holy Cow Ice Cream vs. Sandbar restaurant
May 2, Wednesday, 8: p.m., Eat Here vs. Walter & Associates

11-13-year-olds
May 7, Monday, 6 p.m., Island Real Estate vs. Walter & Associates

8-10-year-olds
May 7, Monday, 7 p.m., Gettel Toyota VS. Beach Bistro
May 7, Monday, 8 p.m., Dips Ice Cream vs. Integrity Sound

May 8, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Anna Maria Oyster Bar vs. Dips Ice Cream

Adult Co-Ed Soccer Results:

Don Meilner Construction  0
Slim's Place  3

Best Buy  3
Pink & Navy Boutique  5

Wash Family Construction  1
Island Pest Control  4

Adult Soccer Schedule:

May 3, Thursday, 6 p.m., Pink & Navy Boutique vs. Florida Discount Signs
May 3, Thursday, 7 p.m., Slim's Place vs. Agnelli Pools & Spa
May 3, Thursday, 8 p.m., Don Meilner & Son Construction vs. Wash Family Construction
May 3, Thursday, 9 p.m., Island Pest Control vs. Best Buy

 

Where do you get your protein?

The most common question vegetarians or vegans get about eating a plant-based diet is, "Where do you get your protein?" I got it long before I wrote my book, especially as an athlete. For reasons that have more to do with marketing more than science, some athletes believe that meat and dairy are the only good sources. This is not true.

Most of us are aware that protein has an important role in our bodies, but you may not know why. Made up of amino acids (oxygen, nitrogren, carbon, and hydrogen), protein is the nutrient responsible for growing new cells and building and repairing tissue. However, contrary to popular belief, we don't need to consume that much of it to be healthy.

According to T. Colin Campbell ("The China Study") and other well-known vegan doctors and dieticians, the average requirement of protein is only about 5 ounces a day, or about 5 percent of your daily caloric intake. Campbell and others write that too much protein can actually damage your bones and organs and that reducing the amount of protein in your diet can give you more energy, put your digestive system at ease and protect your immune system. I'm not alone in my observation of increased energy.

A common misconception is that meat is the best source of protein. Consider the following animals, some of the largest on the planet – gorillas, cows, elephants – all of them are vegans. That means they eat nothing that had a mother or a face.

As a runner, I don't want that body type, but these large animals are great examples of how big and strong a living creature can be on a plant based diet. While animal products contain large amounts of protein, they are also high in cholesterol and saturated fat, which can lead to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The plant-based diet is low in fat, free of cholesterol and full of fiber.

Almost every plant contains protein, though some have more than others. Luckily, we do not need to get all amino acids from one source, so eating a varied vegetarian diet will result in a complete balance of protein. Here are some excellent foods that you can depend on to keep your body fit:

• Beans contain more protein than any other vegetarian source, and they are high in fiber, so you'll feel full hours after eating them. There are countless varieties, the most popular being black, pinto, kidney, chickpea, lentil, split peas and soy.

• Whole grains are a great compliment to beans, and together they pack a protein punch into your diet. Rice is always a great choice, but quinoa is a powerhouse. While quinoa is technically a seed, it contains more protein than any other grain. Check out barly and millet, and keep in mind that even popcorn contains protein. Millet is a beautiful yellow whole grain and it almost deceives you into believing that it is coated with butter.

• Nuts are also very high in protein. One ounce of almonds has the same amount as one ounce of steak, 6 grams. Enjoy your favorite nuts raw, roasted, seasoned or in nutbutter form.

• Seeds are a great addition to any meal. Simply sprinkle them on top or mix them in to add an extra boost of protein to your dish. Flax, pumpkin, and hemp seeds are not only rich in essential amino acids, but contain other important nutrients like omega-3s, iron and fiber.

• There's a reason Popeye was obsessed with spinach - he wanted to maintain his big biceps! Other green veggies with high protein content are broccoli, kale, green beans, asparagus and watercress.

And speaking of biceps, whenever I give talks on a book tour and the protein question comes up as it always does, I say flexing my biceps, "Do I look like I have a protein problem? Do you know anyone with a protein deficiency? No? Bet you know a few people with heart and diabetes issues?" Amid the laughter, hands fly up answering that last question.

You can follow Island resident Ellen Jaffe Jones on her Facebook page and keep up with her just released book:,"Eat Vegan on $4 a Day," or her website: www.vegcoach.com. She is also a nationally certified personal trainer and running coach. For training in a gym or private hire, contact Ellen at ejones@vegcoach.com or 941-704-1025.


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