Global Includes

[eluser]Last Pariah[/eluser]
Normally when I am developing I create a utilities.php file which includes global functions like checking if a user is logged in or if they are authorized to edit a page. I am use to just putting an include at the top of every page.

Is there a better way of doing this with CI? or do I have to just go back to my usual way of putting an includes at the top of every page? I am new to CI, the coding model and RAD so I am sort of a newbie.

I know there is probably a really simple answer to this or I am over thinking it. Any help would be appreciated.