Bread and Sugar Myths Busted

Sugar can be as addictive as heroin myth says some brain imaging studies have found that sugar activates similar parts of the brain as seriously addictive drugs, like heroin. However, an eating behavioral specialist explains, “In neuroimaging, there is no clear-cut sign of addiction.” Just because that part of the brain is activated, does not mean that the person experiencing it is actually addicted to the substance.

Brown bread is healthy myth equates color with whole wheat bread. Just because a loaf is brown does not make it better than a loaf that is white. “Contrary to popular belief, brown bread does not automatically translate to mean 100 percent whole wheat bread. To ensure you are buying the most nutritious bread option, read labels and check to see that the first ingredient listed is either whole wheat or ‘whole meal’ flour.”

Happy Friday

"Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain." ~Charlie Chaplin

I always enjoy a good laugh, especially on a Happy Friday!

Happy Easter

This year, Easter falls on April Fool's Day, April 1. Beware uncooked decorated eggs and other silly surprises. Think positive thoughts and enjoy the day.

Doctor's Day

Today is National Doctor's Day in the US. It began on March 30, 1933 and is a holiday that honors physicians for the work they do for their patients, the communities they work in, and for society as a whole. It is their hard work and devotion that keeps us healthy and this day thanks them for doing that. Be nice to your doctors, they keep you well.

Small Forks

Consider this for your Easter dinner. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that when diners were given smaller forks with which to eat their meals, they ended up eating less. According to the researchers, smaller forkfuls of food lead diners to, “feel they are not making much of a dent in consuming their food, and, hence, satisfying their hunger.”

Dilly Dilly

Contrary to some recent internet descriptions for the Budweiser commercial, dilly dilly is not new. Versions of the song date back to at least the 1700s. Below typical version (name back then was 'Lavender's Blue', from1849.
    Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,
    When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen:
    Who told you so, dilly dilly, who told you so?
    'Twas mine own heart, dilly dilly, that told me so.

Other versions from the 1940s were sung by Burl Ives and Dinah Shore. In addition, this is my favorite version from 1959 'Lavender Blue' by Sammy Turner. LINK            

Myth, Flaming Removes Most Alcohol

Many of us have cooked with alcohol, whether wine or straight alcohol for flaming dishes. There is a persistent myth that cooking removes the alcohol making it safe for alcoholics and children.

However, it is difficult to remove alcohol from food by cooking. Setting fire to alcohol in the pan actually reduces the total alcohol percentage by only 25%. In other words, when you add a cup of brandy to a pan and set it alight, once the flames go out you still have the equivalent of 3/4 of cup of brandy left behind with the alcohol intact. If you want to reduce the alcohol to five percent you need to cook for 2.5 hours.

Information comes from the 'Modernist Cuisine Book 1 History and Fundamentals'. The full six volume set contains 2,438 pages, which detail the history of cuisine and explain the science of cooking. The team comprises scientists, research, and development chefs.

Mickey Mouse Myth

Most people believe that Walt Disney drew Mickey Mouse. He did not draw his most famous creation. Mickey Mouse was his idea, and he provided the voice, but the pancake ears, the red shorts, etc., are the creation of Ub Iwerks, Disney’s favorite animator.

Light vs. Regular Beer

Most light beers contain about 100 calories, while regular only contains about 145 calories. Budweiser regular has 143 calories and Bud Light has 110, not much difference. According to Wikipedia, Budweiser Light has 3.5% ABV per 12 US fl oz (355 mL) and Budweiser regular is 5.0% ABV. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt.

Light beer has been brewed to be lower in alcohol, lower in calories, or lower in both, depending on the brand. Low-carb beer has only been brewed to remove carbohydrates, but can have the same alcohol content. Most light beers are made from a process made possible in 1964 with the commercial introduction of amyloglucosidase. This enzyme makes all the dextrins fermentable. Brewers generally add water to adjust the alcohol content to slightly below that of a regular beer.

Bottom line, with less alcohol, many tend to drink more light beer, negating any calorie reduction benefits, and costing more money in addition to consuming amyloglucosidase.

Library Seeds

Many libraries around the US now give out plant, herb, and vegetable seeds for free. Seeds change by region to accommodate local climate. For instance, a seed lending library is available at the Dallas library. Library card holders may check out seeds donated by commercials growers and Dallas gardeners. Users are encouraged to replace seeds in the fall with those from their own harvest, but it is not a requirement.

Among the seed available in Dallas, are vegetables, such as round baby carrots, leaf lettuces, French mesclun, yellow squash, pole beans and pumpkins. Available flowers included nasturtiums, zinnias, cleome, amaranth, white bishop's lace, purple coneflower, poppies, cosmos, foxgloves, moonflowers and morning glory.

Wordology, FOMO

According to the Urban Dictionary, fomo is "fear of missing out". The fear that if you miss a party or event you will miss out on something great. Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

Happy Friday

Happiness cannot hide from a broad smile.

Wake up with a smile every day, especially on a Happy Friday!

US Behind in Broadband

In telecommunications, broadband is wide bandwidth data transmission which transports multiple signals and data traffic types. The medium can be coaxial cable, optical fiber, radio or twisted pair. In the context of internet access, broadband is used to mean any high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than dial-up access. In other words, broadband is cable and internet.

According to a recent study, the five leading countries for broadband communications infrastructure are South Korea, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, and the Netherlands. The U.S. is #18.

In addition, US is #18 for broadband access and affordability. The top five are South Korea, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, and Norway.


The US is #13 for average fixed broadband connection speed. The top five are South Korea, Norway, Sweden, China and Switzerland.

World's Most Popular Fruit

Over 100 billion bananas are consumed worldwide each year. India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia account for half of that consumption.
Bananas make up approximately 75% of the annual tropical fruit trade. In fact, they are the world's most exported fruit. The world's top banana exporter is Ecuador, while the United States imports the most bananas.

Bananas grow in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Classified botanically as a berry, bananas grow on large plants that look like big bushes. The name "banana" comes from the Arabic word "banan," which means finger.