Instagram, an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing, and social networking service, is a fun and quirky way to share your life . . . and follow the Crestview Public Library!

More than 300 million global users capture and share more than 60 million photos every day.

The free app is available in the Apple App store and Google Play store.  Just snap a photo with your mobile (iPhone or Android) phone, choose a filter to transform the image into a unique memory, and share through a variety of social networking platforms such as Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr or the ubiquitous Facebook (that bought Instagram in September 2012).

You will find the Instagram icon link on our library home page, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php, along with the other social media logos.  Tina Verrier is our Instagram staff guru, so feel free to call her with questions.

Sandra Dreaden is the Crestview Public Library's reference librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DREADEN: Follow the Crestview library on Instagram

“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans” is the nation’s trusted resource for science-based nutritional recommendations that serve as federal nutritional policies’ cornerstone.

These guidelines set the tone for how Americans should eat, and provide health professionals information to help the public make informed choices about their diets at home, school, work and throughout their communities.

To stay current with nutritional research, DGAs are updated every five years, and recently went through an update for the 2015-2020 term.

Well guys, it looks like Americans are eating too much salt, sugar and saturated fat. We don’t eat enough foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish.

No surprise there, right?

Sugar, specifically “added sugar,” was singled out as a major concern.

Previous dietary guidelines included warnings about eating too much “added sugar,” but never  set a limit on the amount.

For the first time, new dietary guidelines have a clear limit on the amount of “added sugars” that should be included in Americans diets — no more than 10 percent of daily calories, which is about 12 teaspoons a day. For many people, a single sugary soda per day could put them over the limit.

What are “added sugars?” Well, they include  brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, raw sugar, sucrose and other caloric sweeteners. When sugars are added to foods and beverages to sweeten them, they add calories without giving any nutrients.

Naturally occurring sugars found in milk and fruits are not included in the “added sugars” limit.  The new guidelines have shown that the current intake of added sugars is more than 13 percent of calories per day in the U.S. population. 

Major sources of “added sugars” typically include sodas, energy drinks, fruit drinks sweetened tea and coffee. (Surprise, Surprise!) Other major sources of added sugars are in snacks and junk food, desserts such as cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts and pastries. Let’s not forget dairy products like  ice cream, other frozen desserts and puddings also include “added sugar.”

The combination of these categories make up more than 75 percent of intake of all “added sugars.”

So when you pop open a can of soda or take a bite out of that sprinkle doughnut, remember to limit that “added sugars” intake to 10 percent of your daily caloric intake or approximately 12 teaspoons per day.

See http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/ for a more in-depth look at the Dietary Guidelines.

Rebecca Catalena is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CATALENA: How to limit your 'added sugars' intake

Crestview Public Library and all other Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative member libraries will take part in the Big Library Read program, the world’s largest global eBook reading club.

Libraries and schools will connect millions of readers around the world who are simultaneously reading the same eBook. Crestview library users can borrow the eBook, “American Sniper: The New York Times bestselling memoir of U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle,” now through Thursday, March 31 by visiting okaloosa.lib.overdrive.com.

In the book — the source for a blockbuster movie nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture — Kyle writes honestly about the pain of war, including two close SEAL teammates’ deaths. His wife, Taya, speaks openly about war’s strains on their family. Kyle, who was killed tragically in 2013, recorded the most career sniper kills in U.S. military history.

The free Big Library Read program — facilitated by OverDrive, the leading platform for eBooks and audiobooks from the library —  runs for two weeks. To start reading, all you need is a Crestview Public Library card.

“American Sniper” can be read on all major computers and devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Chromebook and Kindle, without worrying about wait lists or holds. The eBook will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.

The Big Library Read program is made possible through a partnership between the OCPLC, OverDrive and HarperCollins, publisher of “American Sniper.” See BigLibraryRead.com for more information on Big Library Read.

We also have copies of the book and audiobook available for ‘traditional’ check-out at the library. Come visit us!

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: Connect with the world by reading 'American Sniper'

Many who’d once hailed Jesus as their king turned against Him. They didn't realize Jesus’ persecution was part of God's plan for a sinful humanity’s redemption.   

What was going through the minds of Jesus' followers — His disciples and His friends? I am sure they were watching in horror as the crowd asked Pontius Pilate to crucify Him.

Never had there been such a man; one who could heal the blind, deaf and diseased, who could raise people from the dead — and now He was being put to death. 

Through it all, Jesus humbly, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for the world’s sins so we could be redeemed from the bondage of sin and justified before God.

Are we like Mary, who arose early to make sure the body of the Lord was anointed for burial? She found an empty tomb with an angel who told her, "He is risen, just as He said."

Although Jesus had spoken to his followers of His death, burial and resurrection, they didn't seem to understand, so this must have been a shock to Mary.

When she ran to the disciples, Peter and John immediately ran to the tomb to see if Jesus had really risen from the dead. 

How would we have reacted? You can be sure all of Jerusalem was stirred up once it was discovered that Jesus had risen from the grave.

Easter is the pinnacle of the Christian faith; without Christ's death, burial and resurrection we would not have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Christ Jesus when we accept Him as our Savior.

Have a glorious Easter as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. He is Risen!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

●6:30 a.m. March 27, Old Spanish Trail Park, on Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. Presented by the Crestview Area Ministerial Association.

●6:30 a.m. March 27, Gene Clary Park, located on the corner of New Ebenezer Road and Park, Laurel Hill.

Bring chairs, dress in warm clothing and, if it is cold, bring blankets.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICES:

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Easter is the pinnacle of Christianity