"Laughter is the tonic,
the relief, the surcease for pain." ~Charlie Chaplin
I always enjoy a good laugh, especially on a Happy
Friday!
Mar 30, 2018
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Cement, Concrete, Gunite, and Mortar
Although the terms cement and
concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an
ingredient of concrete. Concrete is basically a mixture of
aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel or
crushed stone; the paste is water and Portland cement.
Cement is a fine binding powder, which is never used alone. It is made most commonly of limestone, clay, shells, and silica sand. These materials are crushed and then combined with other ingredients (including iron ore), and then heated to about 2,700 F. This material, called Clinker, is ground into a fine powder. It is used to make both concrete and mortar.
Both mortar and concrete are widely used building materials. They cannot be substituted for each other without compromising the integrity of a build.
Concrete is much stronger and more durable than mortar. Because it needs a low water to cement ratio, it is much thinner when mixed, making it difficult to use as a bonding element. Concrete is used in structural projects and is often reinforced with steel rebar to maintain its structural integrity. It is best used for support, such as beams, walls, or other building foundations. Its unique characteristic is that it starts out as a simple, dry mixture, becomes a liquid flexible material capable of forming into any mold or shape, and ends up as a hard-as-rock material.
Gunite is a very durable mixture of cement, sand, and water that is sprayed on a surface under pneumatic pressure. It is used for tunnels, underground structures, slope stabilization, structural repairs, and swimming pools. Gunite or shotcrete material is mortar or small-aggregate concrete applied using a wet or dry process.
Mortar is used to hold building materials such as brick or stone together. It is composed of a thick mixture of water, sand, and cement. The water is used to hydrate the cement and hold the mix together. The water to cement ratio is higher in mortar than in concrete in order to form its bonding element. When mixed, it is a much thicker substance than concrete, making it ideal as a glue for building materials like brick.
Bottom line, a hydrated cement mixture forms the base of all three materials, the rock chipping in cement makes it much stronger for use in structural projects, and mortar is thicker, which makes it a better bonding element.
Incidentally, the name Portland cement comes from Joseph Aspdin, who first produced cement during the 1800s in England. He thought its color was like the color of stone from quarries on the island of Portland off the coast of England.
Cement is a fine binding powder, which is never used alone. It is made most commonly of limestone, clay, shells, and silica sand. These materials are crushed and then combined with other ingredients (including iron ore), and then heated to about 2,700 F. This material, called Clinker, is ground into a fine powder. It is used to make both concrete and mortar.
Both mortar and concrete are widely used building materials. They cannot be substituted for each other without compromising the integrity of a build.
Concrete is much stronger and more durable than mortar. Because it needs a low water to cement ratio, it is much thinner when mixed, making it difficult to use as a bonding element. Concrete is used in structural projects and is often reinforced with steel rebar to maintain its structural integrity. It is best used for support, such as beams, walls, or other building foundations. Its unique characteristic is that it starts out as a simple, dry mixture, becomes a liquid flexible material capable of forming into any mold or shape, and ends up as a hard-as-rock material.
Gunite is a very durable mixture of cement, sand, and water that is sprayed on a surface under pneumatic pressure. It is used for tunnels, underground structures, slope stabilization, structural repairs, and swimming pools. Gunite or shotcrete material is mortar or small-aggregate concrete applied using a wet or dry process.
Mortar is used to hold building materials such as brick or stone together. It is composed of a thick mixture of water, sand, and cement. The water is used to hydrate the cement and hold the mix together. The water to cement ratio is higher in mortar than in concrete in order to form its bonding element. When mixed, it is a much thicker substance than concrete, making it ideal as a glue for building materials like brick.
Bottom line, a hydrated cement mixture forms the base of all three materials, the rock chipping in cement makes it much stronger for use in structural projects, and mortar is thicker, which makes it a better bonding element.
Incidentally, the name Portland cement comes from Joseph Aspdin, who first produced cement during the 1800s in England. He thought its color was like the color of stone from quarries on the island of Portland off the coast of England.
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