Noshing Around

French Quarter

Bryce Zeagler, owner of the French Quarter, grew up in Baton Rouge. During September, he is donating 5 percent of his gross sales to Katrina rescue efforts. Come on down for gumbo, crawfish étouffée and Pat O'Brien's signature drink, the hurricane. Pat O'Brien's is a famous Bourbon Street bar that made famous the hurricane; supplies may be limited. The French Quarter is open daily from 11 a.m. and serves food on weekends until 1 a.m. at 3146 E. Grant Road; 318-4767.

Katrina BBQ Benefit

On Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join Terra Cotta and the Metro Fire Department for a burger and hot dog barbecue benefiting hurricane victims. Minimum suggested donation is $10; donations of personal hygiene products are also welcome at 3500 E. Sunrise Drive; 577-8100.

Fuel Prices Lowered

Fill your body with premium fuel as Xoom Juice drops the price of the 16-ounce smashing strawberries with protein drink to $2.75, from $3.50. The sale remains at $2.75 until the price of premium gasoline goes below that amount or Oct. 31, 2005, whichever happens sooner. Xoom is made with only the purest fruit, all-natural juice and nonfat yogurt. In these stressful times, consider the benefits of a healthy drink for your body at 2739 E. Speedway Blvd, 6222 E. Speedway Blvd. or 3055 N. Campbell Ave.

The Yin Yang of Coffee

Yet another study has determined that coffee is good for you. Not only does coffee help clear the mind and rev up energy, but also provides more healthful antioxidants than any other food or beverage in the American diet. In Japan, researchers reported that people who drank coffee daily, or nearly every day, had half the liver cancer risk of non-coffee drinkers. The Harvard School of Public Health found that drinking coffee cut the risk of developing diabetes by 50 percent for men and 30 percent for women. Of course, too much coffee can make people jittery and even raise cholesterol levels, so imbibe with moderation. Here's kudos to CaffeNation (3191 E. Valencia Road; 294-4995) for sending me the article. Noshing may go on a liquid diet of coffee, tea and red wine, since studies have demonstrated their healthfulness, along with bittersweet chocolate.