8th Grade ELA

(1) Mr. Pontellier finally lit a cigar and began to smoke, letting the paper drag idly from his hand. He fixed his gaze from the beach. He could see it plainly between the gaunt trunks of the water oaks and across the stretch of yellow camomile. The gulf looked far away, melting hazily into the blue of the horizon.

(2) The sunshade continued to approach slowly. Beneath its pink-lined shelter were his wife, Mrs. Pontellier, and young Robert Lebrun. When they reached the cottage, the two seated themselves with some appearance of fatigue upon the upper step of the porch, facing each other, each leaning against a supporting post.

(3) "What folly! to bathe at such an hour in such heat!" exclaimed Mr. Pontellier. He himself had taken a plunge at daylight. That was why the morning seemed long to him. "You are burnt beyond recognition," he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage. She held up her hands, strong, shapely hands, and surveyed them critically, drawing up her lawn sleeves above the wrists. Looking at them reminded her of her rings, which she had given to her husband before leaving for the beach. She silently reached out to him, and he, understanding, took the rings from his vest pocket and dropped them into her open palm. She slipped them upon her fingers; then clasping her knees, she looked across at Robert and began to laugh. The rings sparkled upon her fingers. He sent back an answering smile.

(4) "What is it?" asked Pontellier, looking lazily and amused from one to the other. It was some utter nonsense; some adventure out there in the water, and they both tried to relate it at once. It did not seem half so amusing when told. They realized this, and so did Mr. Pontellier. He yawned and stretched himself. Then he got up, saying he had half a mind to go over to Klein’s hotel and play a game of billiards.

(5) "Come go along, Lebrun," he proposed to Robert. But Robert admitted quite frankly that he preferred to stay where he was and talk to Mrs. Pontellier.

(6) "Well, send him about his business when he bores you, Edna," instructed her husband as he prepared to leave.

(7) "Here, take the umbrella," she exclaimed, holding it out to him. He accepted the sunshade, and lifting it over his head descended the steps and walked away.

(8) "Coming back to dinner?" his wife called after him. He halted a moment and shrugged his shoulders. He felt in his vest pocket; there was a ten-dollar bill there. He did not know; perhaps he would return for the early dinner and perhaps he would not. It all depended upon the company which he found over at Klein’s and the size of "the game." He did not say this, but she understood it, and laughed, nodding good-by to him.

(1) Thai food is the healthiest food you can eat. Not everyone agrees, but that is because many people are misinformed. It contains much less fat than typical American food and numerous herbs and spices that help digestion. Block Medical Center recently conducted a study on patients with high cholesterol. Patients substituted lower fat foods five times a week for their typical meals. The study found that the majority of the patients lowered their cholesterol twenty percent or more.

(2) Part of the reason why Thai food is so healthy is because of the way it is prepared. Thai food is often grilled, boiled, or stewed. These methods lower fat and maintain vitamins and nutrients in the food. American food is often deep fried or pan fried in grease or oil.

(3) Another reason Thai food is so healthy are the ingredients. Lemongrass, ginger, garlic, basil, and lime are all used in Thai cooking and are very good for you. Many believe these ingredients can cure a headache, relieve pain, and even cure the flu or the common cold. Thai food really is the healthiest food you can eat. It does a great job of providing a balanced, nutritious diet.

(1) A healthy diet is a balanced diet. People need a variety of foods to maintain a fit and healthy body, including fruits, vegetables, grains, lean protein, oils, and dairy products. A recent university study compared two control groups of eaters. Both groups claimed they desired a healthier diet and were prepared to make lifelong changes. In the first group, participants were limited to a narrow selection of healthy foods. Participants in the second group were given the same balance of food groups and portion sizes as the first group, but they were given a wide variety of foods to choose from. People in the first group reported veering away from healthy eating choices when given free choice; however, those in the second group maintained their healthy eating habits. Luckily, there are so many choices available to consumers today that people can eat healthy without ever getting bored by their options.

(2) Remember the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, it is as true today as it was a hundred years ago. In fact, at least half of your daily food intake should be fruits and vegetables. That doesn’t mean you should be eating apples all day. Raisins, mangos, kumquats, and bananas work just as well. So do carrots, broccoli, spinach, and artichokes. The secret is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to stave off boredom and achieve a balance of nutrients.

(3) Grains, which can be eaten as either whole grains or refined grains, are another important part of the human diet. To maintain a balanced diet, try to select at least half of the grains you consume from the whole grains group. Whole grains are just as their name suggests – the whole grain. This includes the bran, germ, and endosperm. Refined grains have part of the whole grain removed. Wheat, rice, corn, oats, and barley are all examples of grains. Grain foods include oatmeal, popcorn, breads, crackers, and tortillas, as well as many other food choices. Like fruits and vegetables, the key to grains is variety. Eating a variety of grains ensures you will get a variety of minerals and vitamins while avoiding mealtime boredom.

(4) Foods in the protein group help build strong muscles, maintain the body’s energy level, carry oxygen in the blood, and increase iron levels. Proteins include meat, fish, poultry, peas and beans, nuts and seeds, eggs, and soy. Once again, attention should be given to including a variety of these food group members in a diet.

(5) Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter, are also part of a balanced diet. Whenever possible, make these the fat-free or low-fat varieties. Dairy products help maintain strong bones and are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Since so many delicious foods, like puddings and ice creams, fall into this food group, it is easy to include dairy in your diet.

(6) Oils are not a food group, but they are necessary for a balanced, healthy diet. Many oils contain fatty acids that are needed to maintain good health. A typical teenager only requires five or six teaspoons of oils a day. These are most often consumed without a second thought since they are often a part of other foods we eat, such as vegetable sautéed in olive oil or salad splashed with salad dressing. Use oils from a variety of sources (plants, olives, fish, and nuts) to absorb a balance of nutrients.

(7) In short, the key to healthy eating is balance and variety. Eat a variety of foods from all of the categories, and you’ll never be bored or short of nutrition.