Dec 4, 2015
Did You Know
December is the month with
the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Northern
Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the
Southern Hemisphere. December starts on the same day of the
week as September.
Apple Brandy vs. Calvados
Fall is the time when apple harvesting is at its
peak. Along with
that comes fresh apple cider (and usually fresh warm
doughnuts). Apple cider is a drink made from
crushed apples, and sometimes fermented (hard cider).
Brandy is distilled from fruit, but if it is made from anything other than grapes, it is specified so, like apple brandy. US guidelines say this drink must be made from at least twenty percent apple brandy that has been stored in oak for no less than two years. To create a lighter profile, apple brandy is blended with a neutral spirit.
Like tequila and champagne, the French have Calvados, a legally protected appellation, which means that it must come from a specific geographic location, this is the Lower Normandy region of France. It also must be aged in oak casks for at least two years. Calvados tends to taste 'oakier' and slightly less apple than its American counterpart.
Brandy is distilled from fruit, but if it is made from anything other than grapes, it is specified so, like apple brandy. US guidelines say this drink must be made from at least twenty percent apple brandy that has been stored in oak for no less than two years. To create a lighter profile, apple brandy is blended with a neutral spirit.
Like tequila and champagne, the French have Calvados, a legally protected appellation, which means that it must come from a specific geographic location, this is the Lower Normandy region of France. It also must be aged in oak casks for at least two years. Calvados tends to taste 'oakier' and slightly less apple than its American counterpart.
Dust to Dust
Several companies
offer environmentally friendly coffins. Some are biodegradable and
made from recycled paper or bamboo. I wonder what kind of
sinkholes this might cause when the practice becomes widespread.
Grocery Store Tricks
If meat is packaged under the watch
of federal inspectors, supermarkets cannot change the date on the
package, but if retailers butchered and packaged the meat
themselves, they can change the label any time they choose. In
fact, 30 states do not regulate the expiration dates for most
items.
Some stores use special lighting to make bananas look more appealing. They filter an ambient light to highlight the bananas so they appear more yellow. Water sprayed on produce makes veggies look fresh, but keeping them wet actually makes them rot faster. It also makes produce heavier and therefore pricier.
Some stores use special lighting to make bananas look more appealing. They filter an ambient light to highlight the bananas so they appear more yellow. Water sprayed on produce makes veggies look fresh, but keeping them wet actually makes them rot faster. It also makes produce heavier and therefore pricier.
Salty Fact
Morton Salt is the US leader in salt sales.
Initially, salt was sold in bags, then boxes. There was a problem
with the salt clumping, because of moisture. Morton discovered
that adding magnesium carbonate to absorb moisture solved that
problem, but, salt tended to get stuck in the corner of boxes, so
the company came up with a round container. It costs more and that
cost gets passed on to the consumer. All other salt companies have
copied the round shape to sell salt. Morton sells salt in bulk, in
other kinds of containers to institutions.
Egg Terms
There are many terms grocers use to sell us
eggs and many of them do not mean much. The one that most strikes
me is 'vegetarian diet'. Since chickens are omnivores, feeding
them a vegetarian diet is unnatural.
- Farm fresh: Means nothing and is only used to make the eggs sound more appealing.
- No hormones: Means nothing and is completely misleading, because it is illegal to give poultry hormones.
- Free-range: Means the hens are cage-free, but only have "access to the outdoors." Usually a small screened off patio or enclosure.
- Pasture raised: Pasture-raised birds spend most of their life outdoors, with a fair amount of space, plus access to a barn. Many are able to eat a diet of worms, insects, and grass, etc.
- Cage Free: The hens do not live in cages. They usually live in aviaries: massive industrial barns that house thousands of birds. Each bird has, on average, 1 square foot of space.
- All Natural: This phrase has no real meaning, because [conventional chickens] are raised in the least natural conditions.
- No Antibiotics: Antibiotics are rarely used in the egg industry. However, chickens raised for their meat do commonly get antibiotics to fend off disease and increase animal growth.
- Vegetarian Diet: Chickens are not vegetarian. They are omnivores and in the wild, get most of their protein from worms, grasshoppers and other insects. Hens that are fed a "vegetarian diet" are probably eating corn fortified with amino acids.
- Omega-3: Hens are likely given a bit of flaxseed mixed in with their corn feed. This could possibly lead to higher levels of omega-3 in their eggs.
- Organic: This means something more specific, and egg producers who use it are subject to USDA regulation. Organic eggs must come from hens that are free-range, fed organic feed (no synthetic pesticides), and receive no hormones or antibiotics (most do not get these anyway).
Free College Living
Humanitas is one of the Netherlands’
main social services organizations. It provides support to people
who are temporarily unable to manage on their own, and one of its
major areas of focus is elder care.
Social isolation and loneliness is a chronic problem for the elderly, but a Humanitas nursing home has come up with a unique solution. The home offers free housing to local students if the students agree to spend a minimum of 30 hours per month interacting with the 160 elderly residents. The time can be spent doing anything from helping with meal preparation, shopping trips, teaching seniors to use computers, playing games, or just sitting and talking. The students might also learn a thing or two in the process.
Social isolation and loneliness is a chronic problem for the elderly, but a Humanitas nursing home has come up with a unique solution. The home offers free housing to local students if the students agree to spend a minimum of 30 hours per month interacting with the 160 elderly residents. The time can be spent doing anything from helping with meal preparation, shopping trips, teaching seniors to use computers, playing games, or just sitting and talking. The students might also learn a thing or two in the process.
Nov 27, 2015
Optimus Prime
Voice actor Peter Cullen did the voice of Optimus Prime in the original Transformers series, in the 2007 Transformers, 2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and 2011 Transformers: Dark of the Moon. He also did the voice of Optimus Prime in the Transformers: War for Cybertron video game.
In addition to those, he also did the voice for Eeyore, in the Winnie-the-Pooh series, and was the first person to voice Nintendo’s Mario character. He also did voices for other characters in: Duck Tales, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Adventures of Captain Planet, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, Garfield and Friends, Darkwing Duck, The Jetsons, and Gremlins.
In addition to those, he also did the voice for Eeyore, in the Winnie-the-Pooh series, and was the first person to voice Nintendo’s Mario character. He also did voices for other characters in: Duck Tales, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Adventures of Captain Planet, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, Garfield and Friends, Darkwing Duck, The Jetsons, and Gremlins.
What's in a Name, Applejack
Apple brandy has been
produced in the US since colonial times. Farmers would let apples
ferment, then put the fermented juice in a barrel outside when it
became cold. Since the freezing point of water is higher than that
of alcohol, the water in the mixture would freeze. The farmers
would scoop the ice out, leaving the alcohol behind. This process,
known as jacking left behind a higher proof product and it was
referred to as "applejack." The name eventually became synonymous
with apple brandy.
Cartoon Character Original Names
Tweety was not
specifically named in the original cartoon, but staff called him
Orson.
Mickey Mouse was originally to be named Mortimer by Walt Disney until his wife suggested the friendlier-sounding “Mickey.”
Pluto was originally Minnie’s dog Rover. He then became Pluto a few months after the discovery of Pluto in 1930.
Goofy was originally Dippy Dawg for a few years until 1934, when he became Goofy.
Elmer Fudd was originally Egghead until the 1940 cartoon “Elmer’s Candid Camera.”
Mighty Mouse was Super Mouse until another cartoon character by the same name came out. It was changed to Mighty to avoid confusion.
Betty Boop was originally called "Nancy Lee" or "Nan McGrew" in a few episodes. She was also originally a poodle. In her first official color cartoon, she was actually portrayed as a redhead. Later she was changed back to black hair and a red dress.
Mickey Mouse was originally to be named Mortimer by Walt Disney until his wife suggested the friendlier-sounding “Mickey.”
Pluto was originally Minnie’s dog Rover. He then became Pluto a few months after the discovery of Pluto in 1930.
Goofy was originally Dippy Dawg for a few years until 1934, when he became Goofy.
Elmer Fudd was originally Egghead until the 1940 cartoon “Elmer’s Candid Camera.”
Mighty Mouse was Super Mouse until another cartoon character by the same name came out. It was changed to Mighty to avoid confusion.
Betty Boop was originally called "Nancy Lee" or "Nan McGrew" in a few episodes. She was also originally a poodle. In her first official color cartoon, she was actually portrayed as a redhead. Later she was changed back to black hair and a red dress.
Alcohol and Calories
Good news for the holidays, a
five-ounce glass of red, white, or rosé has about 100 calories per
glass. Many believe wine is high in sugar because it is made from
grapes, but because the fermentation process in wine-making
converts sugars into alcohol. Only sweet or dessert wines are high
in sugar. Wine is considered a heart healthy drink, especially red
wine, which contains resveratrol, the antioxidant compound linked
to heart health benefits. The American Heart Association
recommends 1-2 four-ounce servings of wine per day.
Hard liquor is higher in calories per-ounce than wine, but not by much since after distillation, spirits such as vodka, whiskey, gin, and rum have nothing left but the alcohol. They contain zero carbs, which makes them a diet-friendly option, plus, the standard 1.5 ounce serving of spirits has 105 calories.
The average 12-ounce serving of beer contains 150 calories and 13g carbs, higher than wine and spirits. Choosing light versions of beer will save about 50 calories per serving and cut carbs in half. Lager and wheat beers are generally lower in both calories and carbs per serving compared to heavier beers such as ales, stouts, and porters. Beers differ in color, flavor, and consistency, and the good news all offer some nutritional value. The brewer’s yeast used to ferment beer contains B vitamins that benefit the nervous system health and reduce homocysteine, a chemical that can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Bottoms up!
Hard liquor is higher in calories per-ounce than wine, but not by much since after distillation, spirits such as vodka, whiskey, gin, and rum have nothing left but the alcohol. They contain zero carbs, which makes them a diet-friendly option, plus, the standard 1.5 ounce serving of spirits has 105 calories.
The average 12-ounce serving of beer contains 150 calories and 13g carbs, higher than wine and spirits. Choosing light versions of beer will save about 50 calories per serving and cut carbs in half. Lager and wheat beers are generally lower in both calories and carbs per serving compared to heavier beers such as ales, stouts, and porters. Beers differ in color, flavor, and consistency, and the good news all offer some nutritional value. The brewer’s yeast used to ferment beer contains B vitamins that benefit the nervous system health and reduce homocysteine, a chemical that can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Bottoms up!
Germ Fact
More germs are passed by shaking hands than by
kissing. This holiday season, be safe and liberally pass out hugs
and kisses at every opportunity.
Bug Repellant Pill
Nice go outdoors without the threat of
mosquitoes. Mozi-Q is a new bug repellant pill. This revolutionary
pill invented by Erin Bosch has been cleared by the Canadian
Health board as being safe for users as well as quite successful
at keeping the bugs away.
The pill is available online and Bosch claims its effectiveness come from the five types of flowers that it is made from. The pill takes about thirty minutes to take effect after it is ingested. It is a combination of several homeopathic remedies claimed to be up to 90% effective at reducing bites. By changing the body’s susceptibility to being bitten, bugs lose interest in the attack.
The pill is available online and Bosch claims its effectiveness come from the five types of flowers that it is made from. The pill takes about thirty minutes to take effect after it is ingested. It is a combination of several homeopathic remedies claimed to be up to 90% effective at reducing bites. By changing the body’s susceptibility to being bitten, bugs lose interest in the attack.
Turkey Sex
Some turkeys (and chickens) reproduce without
sex. Parthenogenesis is reproduction without benefit of sex. In
other words, asexual reproduction in which the offspring develops
from unfertilized eggs. It occurs spontaneously in a handful of
species, like insects, lizards, snakes, and sharks. Turkeys have a
virgin birth rate in some breeds of up to 40 percent. Virgin birth
can become more frequent in turkeys if the female is exposed to
semen having a low sperm count.
Turkey Terms
A few common labels and what they actually
mean, which is not much. I hope you are enjoying the leftovers
from your premium, young, fresh, free range turkey, with no
hormones added.
- Young: Most commercial turkeys are killed at 16 to 18 weeks, so this is mostly meaningless. The USDA does not define “young” for turkeys and only requires the label of “mature” or “yearling” for turkeys that lived more than a year.
- Fresh: This means the turkey was never frozen.
- No Hormones Added: Mostly meaningless as commercial turkeys, and other poultry are not given growth hormones, per USDA rules.
- Premium: Meaningless as premium has no USDA definition.
- Free range: Often misleading, as it means the animal was given “access to the outdoors.” In most cases, the animal is still raised in standard, crowded cages.
Immortal Lobster Myth
Photos of lobsters can be found at
many sites on the net with captions calling the crustaceans
biologically immortal. A 2007 news story that reported that
lobsters do not show typical signs of senescence, the process of
growing older. The report said that lobsters do not age the way
other living creatures do, because they do not lower their
reproductive ability, slow their metabolism, or decrease in
strength.
It is true that lobsters continue reproducing, and growing until the end. Like most decapod crustaceans, which also include crayfish and shrimp, they have indeterminate growth. That means they do not reach a set size limit in their lifetimes, continuing to grow until they die. Previous research has suggested that the biggest European lobster males in the wild live an average of 31 years, and the females an average of 54 years.
According to the Animal Aging and Longevity Database, other organisms with negligible aging includes: Rougheye rockfish – 205 years, Painted turtle – 61 years, Blanding's turtle – 77 years, Eastern box turtle – 138 years, and Red sea urchin – 200 years, among others.
It is true that lobsters continue reproducing, and growing until the end. Like most decapod crustaceans, which also include crayfish and shrimp, they have indeterminate growth. That means they do not reach a set size limit in their lifetimes, continuing to grow until they die. Previous research has suggested that the biggest European lobster males in the wild live an average of 31 years, and the females an average of 54 years.
According to the Animal Aging and Longevity Database, other organisms with negligible aging includes: Rougheye rockfish – 205 years, Painted turtle – 61 years, Blanding's turtle – 77 years, Eastern box turtle – 138 years, and Red sea urchin – 200 years, among others.
Nov 20, 2015
Happy Friday
If you have only one choice, choose happiness.
I always choose to be happy, especially when celebrating a Happy Friday!
I always choose to be happy, especially when celebrating a Happy Friday!
Whats in a Name
A 16-week-old turkey is
called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a
young roaster. A group of turkeys is
technically called a “rafter”, though they are often incorrectly
referred to as a “gobble” or a “flock.”
Turkeys and Bowling
Late
eighteenth and early nineteenth century prizes given out
during bowling
tournaments were often food items, such as a basket filled
with various grocery items, a large ham, etc. Around
Thanksgiving in the United States, turkeys became common
prizes. At some point, one tournament decided to give away a
turkey to people who managed to bowl three strikes in a row. This practice spread and eventually
embedded itself in common bowling vernacular,
long after giving away actual turkeys stopped.
Back then, bowling three strikes in a row was extremely difficult to do, because they did not have the beautiful lanes we have now. Also, bowling pins were setup by hand and not always uniform, bowling balls were not well balanced, and people running the tournaments would often use tricks to make the pins more difficult to knock down.
Because it is more common to hit three strikes or more in a row today, new names have been developed. Six consecutive strikes is a Wild Turkey and nine consecutive strikes is a Golden Turkey.
Back then, bowling three strikes in a row was extremely difficult to do, because they did not have the beautiful lanes we have now. Also, bowling pins were setup by hand and not always uniform, bowling balls were not well balanced, and people running the tournaments would often use tricks to make the pins more difficult to knock down.
Because it is more common to hit three strikes or more in a row today, new names have been developed. Six consecutive strikes is a Wild Turkey and nine consecutive strikes is a Golden Turkey.
Earliest Thanksgiving Celebrations
Scholars agree that the first Plymouth
Thanksgiving, which lasted for three days, occurred in the fall of
1621 with 90 Native Americans and 50 white settlers in attendance.
It was based on English harvest festivals. The Wampanoag men may
have been trying to negotiate a peace agreement. They brought five
deer to the feast, which probably also included cod, goose, dried
corn, and fruit.
There is no historical record of turkey or pumpkin pie. The first feast was not repeated, so it was not the beginning of a tradition and the colonists did not call the day Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was a religious holiday and they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle. On such a religious day, the types of recreational activities the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians participated in during the 1621 harvest feast, such as dancing, singing secular songs, and playing games would not have been allowed. That feast was a secular celebration, so it never would have been considered a thanksgiving in the colonists minds.
There is no historical record of turkey or pumpkin pie. The first feast was not repeated, so it was not the beginning of a tradition and the colonists did not call the day Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was a religious holiday and they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle. On such a religious day, the types of recreational activities the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians participated in during the 1621 harvest feast, such as dancing, singing secular songs, and playing games would not have been allowed. That feast was a secular celebration, so it never would have been considered a thanksgiving in the colonists minds.
Pilgrims, Colonists, and Puritans
The word pilgrim was
never used by the actual people it describes. It is a myth that
pilgrims wore only black and white clothing and had buckles on
their hats, garments, and shoes.
The Church of England Separatists living in Plymouth during the 1600s were much more colorful than story books portray. Black and white were commonly worn only on Sunday and formal occasions and women typically dressed in red, earthy green, brown, blue, violet, and gray, while men wore clothing in white, beige, black, earthy green, and brown. Buckles did not come into fashion until late in the seventeenth century.
Colonists (pilgrims and puritans) did not live in log cabins. The log cabin did not appear in America until late in the seventeenth century, when it was introduced by Germans and Swedes. Log cabins were virtually unknown in England at the time the Pilgrims arrived in America. Pilgrims lived in wood clapboard houses made from sawed lumber.
Pilgrims and Puritans were two different groups. The Pilgrims came over on the Mayflower and lived in Plymouth. The Puritans, arrived a decade later, settled in Boston, and came to America strictly in search of religious freedom. They did not welcome dissent.
Puritans considered the Pilgrims incurable utopians. While both shared the belief that the Church of England had become corrupt, only the Pilgrims believed it was beyond redemption. They therefore chose the path of Separatism. Puritans held out the hope the church would reform.
Puritans welcomed laughter and upper class dressed in bright colors, but lower classes dressed in dark clothes. The anti-liquor and anti-sex attitudes usually attributed to the Puritans are a nineteenth-century addition to the views of early settlers in New England.
The Church of England Separatists living in Plymouth during the 1600s were much more colorful than story books portray. Black and white were commonly worn only on Sunday and formal occasions and women typically dressed in red, earthy green, brown, blue, violet, and gray, while men wore clothing in white, beige, black, earthy green, and brown. Buckles did not come into fashion until late in the seventeenth century.
Colonists (pilgrims and puritans) did not live in log cabins. The log cabin did not appear in America until late in the seventeenth century, when it was introduced by Germans and Swedes. Log cabins were virtually unknown in England at the time the Pilgrims arrived in America. Pilgrims lived in wood clapboard houses made from sawed lumber.
Pilgrims and Puritans were two different groups. The Pilgrims came over on the Mayflower and lived in Plymouth. The Puritans, arrived a decade later, settled in Boston, and came to America strictly in search of religious freedom. They did not welcome dissent.
Puritans considered the Pilgrims incurable utopians. While both shared the belief that the Church of England had become corrupt, only the Pilgrims believed it was beyond redemption. They therefore chose the path of Separatism. Puritans held out the hope the church would reform.
Puritans welcomed laughter and upper class dressed in bright colors, but lower classes dressed in dark clothes. The anti-liquor and anti-sex attitudes usually attributed to the Puritans are a nineteenth-century addition to the views of early settlers in New England.
Annual Turkey Pardon
President Truman received two
turkeys in December 1948 from the poultry industry and began the
tradition of the president receiving turkeys from a business,
rather than random folks. However, Truman did not pardon either of
them. He said the birds would make for a tasty Christmas dinner.
In 1963, John F. Kennedy was presented with a turkey and remarked, "Let's keep him going." A Washington Post article about the comment was first to use the words "reprieve" and "pardon" to describe the fate of the turkey. So, JFK began the modern turkey pardon tradition.
In 1963, John F. Kennedy was presented with a turkey and remarked, "Let's keep him going." A Washington Post article about the comment was first to use the words "reprieve" and "pardon" to describe the fate of the turkey. So, JFK began the modern turkey pardon tradition.
Origin of Bowl Games
During 1916, the Roses Association
decided to sponsor a football tournament between WSU (then called
The State College of Washington) and Brown. This game was held at
Tournament Park in Pasadena, as were subsequent annual matches.
Fast-forward five years and they needed a larger stadium to play the game as attendance outgrew that venue. Myron Hunt was commissioned to design a stadium for this purpose which was named Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl was modeled after the design of Yale’s stadium, Yale Bowl, which resembled a bowl. This tournament sponsored by the Roses Association then was named the “Rose Bowl,” after the stadium.
As other universities with football teams saw the money making opportunities and promotional value of these tournament games, they began creating their own 'bowl' games, even though many of these games were not played in bowl shaped stadiums.
The NFL borrowed this terminology when it created the Pro Bowl in 1951. In 1970, the AFL and NFL merged and they created a championship game called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Once the merger was completed two years later, the championship game was re-branded the Super Bowl, using the college naming convention. The third match-up, was named Super Bowl III and also set the tradition of using Roman numerals for the Super Bowl.
Fast-forward five years and they needed a larger stadium to play the game as attendance outgrew that venue. Myron Hunt was commissioned to design a stadium for this purpose which was named Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl was modeled after the design of Yale’s stadium, Yale Bowl, which resembled a bowl. This tournament sponsored by the Roses Association then was named the “Rose Bowl,” after the stadium.
As other universities with football teams saw the money making opportunities and promotional value of these tournament games, they began creating their own 'bowl' games, even though many of these games were not played in bowl shaped stadiums.
The NFL borrowed this terminology when it created the Pro Bowl in 1951. In 1970, the AFL and NFL merged and they created a championship game called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Once the merger was completed two years later, the championship game was re-branded the Super Bowl, using the college naming convention. The third match-up, was named Super Bowl III and also set the tradition of using Roman numerals for the Super Bowl.
Brownie Points
The term originated with the points earned
for various achievements by the youngest group of the Girl Scouts,
called Brownies. Brownie points are imaginary points earned by
someone for doing a good deed, and lost by doing something bad.
The Girl Scout or Girl Guide Brownies took their name from the mythical creature, the brownie. The mythical brownies were known for being kind and helpful and performing household chores while a family slept. The girl-brownies are supposed to emulate this behavior, being quietly helpful without asking for much in return. (Historical Dictionary of American Slang argues that Brownie points, was US army slang from WWII.)
The slang brown-noser, seems to have first popped up around 1939. It is defined in the 1944 edition of American Speech, as: "A person who is always asking and answering questions in class to impress the instructor. Also a person who stays after class to try to insinuate himself into the teacher’s good graces." This hints at the brown-noser / brownie points connection and how the behavior of Brownies might have overlapped with that of brown-nosers. However, it is American military slang and alludes to the practice of 'brown nosing', or 'arse-licking'. The older term brown-nose is used for a person who curries favor to such an extent that his nose seems to be up his superior’s backside.
The Girl Scout or Girl Guide Brownies took their name from the mythical creature, the brownie. The mythical brownies were known for being kind and helpful and performing household chores while a family slept. The girl-brownies are supposed to emulate this behavior, being quietly helpful without asking for much in return. (Historical Dictionary of American Slang argues that Brownie points, was US army slang from WWII.)
The slang brown-noser, seems to have first popped up around 1939. It is defined in the 1944 edition of American Speech, as: "A person who is always asking and answering questions in class to impress the instructor. Also a person who stays after class to try to insinuate himself into the teacher’s good graces." This hints at the brown-noser / brownie points connection and how the behavior of Brownies might have overlapped with that of brown-nosers. However, it is American military slang and alludes to the practice of 'brown nosing', or 'arse-licking'. The older term brown-nose is used for a person who curries favor to such an extent that his nose seems to be up his superior’s backside.
Holiday and Booze Myths
Drink dark liquor and get a
hangover, drink light and you are good all night. Congeners are in
alcoholic beverages, mostly as a result of the processes used in
fermenting and aging, or are leached from oak barrels. They are
toxins such as acetone, histamines, and tannins. Although they are
only slightly toxic in the small amounts found in booze, some
believe congeners are to blame for typical hangover symptoms. Gin
and vodka have the least congeners while bourbon and scotch have
the most as dark liquors have more than clear ones in general.
However, the biggest determinant of getting hung-over is alcohol
intoxication, not dark vs. light drinks.
The old saying: “Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” People tend to down liquor but sip beer. As such, drinking liquor first might do more damage because of greater speed of drinking. The one truth in this adage is that if you drink much beer before drinking much liquor, you very well could get sick. The truth is that it is more about how much you drink than the order you drink it. If you drink enough, you will probably get sick either way.
The old saying: “Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” People tend to down liquor but sip beer. As such, drinking liquor first might do more damage because of greater speed of drinking. The one truth in this adage is that if you drink much beer before drinking much liquor, you very well could get sick. The truth is that it is more about how much you drink than the order you drink it. If you drink enough, you will probably get sick either way.
Meaning of Emojis
Have you ever wondered what the
meaning of a particular emoji is, or how to use it? Here is a LINK to the emojipedia. You
can find all those confusing and amusing emoji pictures and you
might find that you are likely using some of them to mean
something completely different than you intend. Beware bad emoji
use can get you in trouble.
Old Movie Dance Mashup
This will stir some emotion and
get your heart pumping. Some of the greatest dancers on the big
screen to Mark Ronson-Uptown Funk ft.Bruno Mars. My toes are still
tapping. LINK
Nov 13, 2015
Happy Friday
You cannot be satisfied until you do something to be satisfied
about.
I am always satisfied when I smile and celebrate a Happy Friday!
I am always satisfied when I smile and celebrate a Happy Friday!
Wholistic vs. Holistic
Wholistic
emphasizes the organic or functional relation between parts
and the
whole. Wholistic refers to a philosophy of life.
Holistic is the philosophy that all parts of a thing are interconnected. In medicine, holistic treatment is the treatment of a person as a whole, mind, body and social factors. Related words are holism and holistically. The word holistic is first seen in 1926, holistic medicine appears in 1960. Wholistic and holistic are words that are interchangeable, though holistic is used more often when referring to holistic medicine and wholistic when referring to a philosophy of life.
Holistic is the philosophy that all parts of a thing are interconnected. In medicine, holistic treatment is the treatment of a person as a whole, mind, body and social factors. Related words are holism and holistically. The word holistic is first seen in 1926, holistic medicine appears in 1960. Wholistic and holistic are words that are interchangeable, though holistic is used more often when referring to holistic medicine and wholistic when referring to a philosophy of life.
Holy Mackerel
It is an exclamation
of surprise. Holy Mackerel dates back at least 200 years
and is one of very many blasphemous oaths with the Holy
prefix. Holy Mackerel was almost certainly a reference to
Catholics eating fish on Fridays (rather like Holy Cow is
a reference to Hindus, and Holy Smoke is a reference to
incense burning and funeral pyres. Mackerel was popular
because it did not cost much.
Holy Moses was shortened to the rhyming Holy Moley or Holy Moly. The way that words roll off the tongue is significant in how these expressions become widely used and adopted.
Another slang for Catholics of the 19th century was mackerel snatchers. The word Mackerel has historically been a strong fish symbol and fish stereotype.
Holy Moses was shortened to the rhyming Holy Moley or Holy Moly. The way that words roll off the tongue is significant in how these expressions become widely used and adopted.
Another slang for Catholics of the 19th century was mackerel snatchers. The word Mackerel has historically been a strong fish symbol and fish stereotype.
Anchovy vs. Sardine
Speaking of fish, anchovies and
sardines come from two different families, but they do
share some traits - both are small, silvery fish
that are available fresh, preserved, and canned.
Sardine is an imprecise term for any number of small, silvery saltwater fish related to the herring and found throughout the world. They tend to travel in large schools close to the water's surface and are harvested fresh in the summer.
In the US, sardines are usually canned in oil or sauce, salted or smoked. In Europe, larger sardines are also eaten fresh, roasted in the oven or cooked on the grill either whole or in fillets. The name 'sardine' may be a reference to the Sardinian coast, where pilchards were one of the first fish to be packed in oil. The sardine is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and generally considered to be a brain food.
Anchovy refers to a family of small fish found in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. There is no single “anchovy fish” to be found, but rather a series of aquatic relatives that make them recognizable to us as members of the same fish family. Anchovies are sold flat or rolled, filleted and either salt-cured or oil-packed. The curing process is comparable to that of aged hams in that it is basically the anchovy’s own juices that make it happen, with bacterial fermentation playing a supporting role. For most of human history this salt packing was the way that anchovies were sold.
In Europe, marinated fresh anchovies are eaten frequently, available in restaurants and Spanish, Greek, and Italian groceries. Known mostly for their strong flavor and aroma, anchovies can be soaked in water to remove excess brininess.
Sardine is an imprecise term for any number of small, silvery saltwater fish related to the herring and found throughout the world. They tend to travel in large schools close to the water's surface and are harvested fresh in the summer.
In the US, sardines are usually canned in oil or sauce, salted or smoked. In Europe, larger sardines are also eaten fresh, roasted in the oven or cooked on the grill either whole or in fillets. The name 'sardine' may be a reference to the Sardinian coast, where pilchards were one of the first fish to be packed in oil. The sardine is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and generally considered to be a brain food.
Anchovy refers to a family of small fish found in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. There is no single “anchovy fish” to be found, but rather a series of aquatic relatives that make them recognizable to us as members of the same fish family. Anchovies are sold flat or rolled, filleted and either salt-cured or oil-packed. The curing process is comparable to that of aged hams in that it is basically the anchovy’s own juices that make it happen, with bacterial fermentation playing a supporting role. For most of human history this salt packing was the way that anchovies were sold.
In Europe, marinated fresh anchovies are eaten frequently, available in restaurants and Spanish, Greek, and Italian groceries. Known mostly for their strong flavor and aroma, anchovies can be soaked in water to remove excess brininess.
What's in a Name, Tank
WWI (1914
- 1918) military war machines were called
tanks, because they were originally disguised
to resemble water tanks. Tanks
with cannons were called
male tanks and tanks with machine guns
were called female tanks.
'Little Willie' was developed in 1915 by British scientists and inventors, and it was the first World War 1 tank. The British produced over 2,600 tanks during the war, but by the end of the war British Tank Corps had only 8 tanks left.
'Little Willie' was developed in 1915 by British scientists and inventors, and it was the first World War 1 tank. The British produced over 2,600 tanks during the war, but by the end of the war British Tank Corps had only 8 tanks left.
Space Explosions Myth
There are two
popular misconceptions about how explosions work in space.
The first is the kind you see in sci-fi movies, a giant
explosion when a spaceship blows up, often big enough to
destroy other ships with the shock wave. The second,
believed by many is that because there is no oxygen in the
vacuum of space, explosions are categorically impossible
.
The reality is somewhere in the middle. The latter misconception is predicated on the idea of setting fires in a literal vacuum, wherein you are in the vacuum of space and trying to flick a lighter on. That would not work, but if an explosion were to occur inside a spaceship, the oxygen inside could briefly mix with other gases and form the necessary chemical reactions for a fire. Depending on the gas concentrations, it could even be large enough to blow up a ship. Since there is no pressure in space, the explosion would dissipate in a matter of milliseconds once it hit the vacuum. If you blinked, you’d miss it. There would also be no shock wave, which is the deadliest part of an explosion in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The reality is somewhere in the middle. The latter misconception is predicated on the idea of setting fires in a literal vacuum, wherein you are in the vacuum of space and trying to flick a lighter on. That would not work, but if an explosion were to occur inside a spaceship, the oxygen inside could briefly mix with other gases and form the necessary chemical reactions for a fire. Depending on the gas concentrations, it could even be large enough to blow up a ship. Since there is no pressure in space, the explosion would dissipate in a matter of milliseconds once it hit the vacuum. If you blinked, you’d miss it. There would also be no shock wave, which is the deadliest part of an explosion in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Carotenoids
They are yellow, orange, and red pigments in
plants. The most common carotenoids in a Western diet are
alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein,
zeaxanthin and lycopene. Each of these carotenoids carries a
distinct set of actions, benefits and originating fruits and
vegetables. There are more than 600 carotenoids.
Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, papaya, watermelon, cantaloupe, mangos, spinach, kale, tomatoes, bell peppers, and oranges are among the fruits and vegetables in which carotenoids can be found.
In order to be properly absorbed, carotenoids should be consumed with a fat. Carotenoids are associated with antioxidant activity, eye health, immune system activity, intercellular communication, and reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
The body can convert alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin into vitamin A (retinol), which is associated with anti-aging and immune system function. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the retina and are associated with lower risks of macular degeneration.
Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, papaya, watermelon, cantaloupe, mangos, spinach, kale, tomatoes, bell peppers, and oranges are among the fruits and vegetables in which carotenoids can be found.
In order to be properly absorbed, carotenoids should be consumed with a fat. Carotenoids are associated with antioxidant activity, eye health, immune system activity, intercellular communication, and reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
The body can convert alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin into vitamin A (retinol), which is associated with anti-aging and immune system function. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the retina and are associated with lower risks of macular degeneration.
Manga vs. Anime
Manga is a Japanese style of graphic
novels and comic books that is aimed at adults as well as
children. In manga, the characters have oversized eyes and the
drawings are often in black and white. Manga stories are told in
serial form. Manga style descends from Japanese aesthetics, though
many see the influence of American comic books brought into Japan
during after World War II. Katsushika Hokusai coined the term
manga in 1814 to describe a free-flowing, quirky style.
Manga style has been popular since 1984 and literally means
involuntary pictures.
Anime is a Japanese style of animation for television and film, often based on previously published manga. Anime appears in Japan in 1985 as the Japanese word for animation, taken from the French verb, animé. So, manga is printed material and anime is video material.
Anime is a Japanese style of animation for television and film, often based on previously published manga. Anime appears in Japan in 1985 as the Japanese word for animation, taken from the French verb, animé. So, manga is printed material and anime is video material.
Seventeen More Banana Facts
Here are a few more facts
about why bananas, nature's wonder fruit, are so good for us.
- Bananas contain tryptophan which turns into serotonin after consumption.
- The boost in serotonin is an effective and natural way to reduce the effects of depression.
- Potassium in bananas greatly reduces the likelihood of getting muscle cramps.
- Bananas are a great source of calcium.
- Bananas have been known to reduce the prevalence of menstrual cramps.
- Bananas are high in vitamin B, promoting the production of white blood cells.
- Bananas contain a healthy amount of iron.
- The FDA says bananas can help lower blood pressure.
- Bananas contain pectin, which is a great digestion aid.
- Bananas are natural antacids and can calm heartburn.
- Bananas are one of the only foods that can combat the pain of stomach ulcers.
- Bananas are known to be natural protection against kidney disease and brittle bones.
- Bananas are high in antioxidants.
- Bananas can normalize blood sugar levels between meals.
- Rub the inside of a banana peel on a bug bite for quick itch relief.
- If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, bananas can reduce the effects due to their high level of tryptophan.
- To quit smoking, help curb the withdrawals with the high
levels of vitamins, potassium, and magnesium in bananas.
(Make banana ice cream. Peel two bananas and put in freezer for an hour. Take out, slice, put in blender with two tablespoons peanut butter, or some chocolate chips, or bacon - blend, scoop, enjoy.)
Oct 30, 2015
Happy Friday
“When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them.” ~ Evelyn
Waugh
I never place limitations on enjoying a Happy Friday!
I never place limitations on enjoying a Happy Friday!
Daylight Saving
Finally the US catches up with the rest of
the world. In the US, 2am Sunday morning, November 1. Remember to
"fall back." Also, replace your smoke and fire detector batteries.
Keeping Pumpkins Fresh
It is that
time of year again and we all know pumpkins can
turn mushy after a few days.
Here are a few hacks to keep it fresh longer. After your pumpkin has been carved, rinse it out with water to get rid of excess strings and gunk. Take a large bucket or tub and fill it with a few gallons of water.
Stir in three teaspoons of bleach, dunk in the pumpkin. Be sure to hold it down as it will try to float. Let it sit in the solution for two minutes, remove and let dry.
Spray the whole thing, inside and out with WD40 to keep it fresh and shiny.
If you want to spend a bit more, you can now buy a product, Pumpkin Fresh to spray the whole thing. Of course, you need to apply daily.
Vaseline or any oil you might have in your kitchen applied to the inside and cut edges will keep it fresh, but are all a bit messy.
Here are a few hacks to keep it fresh longer. After your pumpkin has been carved, rinse it out with water to get rid of excess strings and gunk. Take a large bucket or tub and fill it with a few gallons of water.
Stir in three teaspoons of bleach, dunk in the pumpkin. Be sure to hold it down as it will try to float. Let it sit in the solution for two minutes, remove and let dry.
Spray the whole thing, inside and out with WD40 to keep it fresh and shiny.
If you want to spend a bit more, you can now buy a product, Pumpkin Fresh to spray the whole thing. Of course, you need to apply daily.
Vaseline or any oil you might have in your kitchen applied to the inside and cut edges will keep it fresh, but are all a bit messy.
Helpful Happiness Hack
At the end of the day just before
you go to bed, write down something good that happened to you, or
something that made you happy, or made you smile that day. Put the
note where you will find it in the morning as you are getting ready.
It also helps if you look in the mirror and smile when you read the
note in the morning.
Do this for seven days and you will be at least 20% happier - and it will last for another week, even if you stop doing it.
If you want to stay happy, date the notes and save them. You will be amazed when you go back and look at them, the smallest things keep you happiest the longest.
Do this for seven days and you will be at least 20% happier - and it will last for another week, even if you stop doing it.
If you want to stay happy, date the notes and save them. You will be amazed when you go back and look at them, the smallest things keep you happiest the longest.
Lasgna vs. Lasagne
North American English speakers use
lasagna. English speakers from outside North America usually use
lasagne. The word comes from Italian, of course. In that language,
lasagna is the singular noun and lasagne is the plural, but this
does not carry over into the words’ treatment in English. Both the
plural and the singular forms are usually treated as mass nouns,
taking singular verbs.
Beer Benefits and Sexual Performance
Moderate beer drinking
decreases risk of heart disease by 31 percent (the same as wine). A
study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of
Nephrology also found that moderate consumption of beer reduces the
risk of developing kidney stones by 41 percent, and is one of the
few plant sources of vitamin B12.
It makes you last longer. The phytoestrogens in beer can help delay premature ejaculation.
Dark brews can help get you in the mood better, because they increase both red blood cells and overall circulation. Dark contains more iron than pale beers.
Beer increases stamina and is good for heart health.
Guinness is great for stomach issues, low in calories and alcohol content, and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. It contains only 128 calories and 11 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
50 Shades of Green beer is like green juice and Viagra combined. It is specifically engineered to enhance performance. It contains ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and damiana to achieve increased sexual desire, blood flow, and nerve stimulation. Gives a whole new meaning to 'Bottoms up!'
It makes you last longer. The phytoestrogens in beer can help delay premature ejaculation.
Dark brews can help get you in the mood better, because they increase both red blood cells and overall circulation. Dark contains more iron than pale beers.
Beer increases stamina and is good for heart health.
Guinness is great for stomach issues, low in calories and alcohol content, and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. It contains only 128 calories and 11 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
50 Shades of Green beer is like green juice and Viagra combined. It is specifically engineered to enhance performance. It contains ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and damiana to achieve increased sexual desire, blood flow, and nerve stimulation. Gives a whole new meaning to 'Bottoms up!'
Grammagrams
A Grammagram is a word, made of
letter sounds which are pronounced aloud. Great way to code things.
Here are a few interesting ones:
DEVIOUS - DVS (say each letter quickly D V S)
EFFENDI - FND
ENEMY - NME
ENVIOUS - NVS
ESCAPEE - SKP
ODIOUS - ODS
OPIUM - OPM
TEDIOUS - TDS
EXCELLENCY - XLNC
DEVIOUS - DVS (say each letter quickly D V S)
EFFENDI - FND
ENEMY - NME
ENVIOUS - NVS
ESCAPEE - SKP
ODIOUS - ODS
OPIUM - OPM
TEDIOUS - TDS
EXCELLENCY - XLNC
Weather Patterns
As we begin another change of season,
the weather changes dramatically from day to day. Seems like many
of us check the weather to see what to wear, should we take an
umbrella, etc. The Weather Company owns the fourth-most used
mobile app in the U.S., and their cloud handles 26 billion
requests a day.
IBM just made a bid to buy the digital assets for a few billion dollars and will feed the info into Watson for even more analysis. IBM said, "Weather is probably the single largest swing factor in business performance - it impacts 1/3 of the world's GDP and in the US alone; weather is responsible for about half a trillion dollars in impact." Next spring we might see a battle between Punxsutawney Phil and Watson.
IBM just made a bid to buy the digital assets for a few billion dollars and will feed the info into Watson for even more analysis. IBM said, "Weather is probably the single largest swing factor in business performance - it impacts 1/3 of the world's GDP and in the US alone; weather is responsible for about half a trillion dollars in impact." Next spring we might see a battle between Punxsutawney Phil and Watson.
Oct 23, 2015
Happy Friday
"Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness." Frank
Tyger
I am free to do what I like and I like smiling and celebrating a Happy Friday!
I am free to do what I like and I like smiling and celebrating a Happy Friday!
Daylight Saving
"Daylight Savings Time" is incorrect, but is commonly used, especially in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Officially, it is Daylight Saving Time.
The US and Great Britain used DST during World War I and II and reverted to standard time during peace years. It was not until the energy crisis of the 1970s that Daylight Saving Time was made permanent in many areas.
The US Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law on August 8, 2005. Among other things, the Energy Policy Act extended the Daylight Saving Time period by starting DST several weeks earlier (second Sunday in March) and ending it one week later (first Sunday in November).
- Countries and territories which do not observe DST 161, including China
- Countries and territories where at least one location observes DST 79
- Countries and territories where all locations observe DST some part of the year 68
- Countries and territories where many, but not all locations observe DST part of the year 11, including United States
- Countries and territories where at least one location observes DST all year 2
The majority, including Europe end DST on Sunday Oct 25. In the US, it ends 2am Sunday, November 1. Some other countries end it on other dates, such as: March 8, March 22, April 5, April 25, April 26, January 18, February 22, September 22, September 26, October 23, October 30, and November 8. Must be interesting for the global airlines to change the flight times almost monthly for beginning and ending DST.
On 31 October 2007 in a Press Release, Western Power researched and reported DST caused "a 0.6% increase in electricity consumption in Washington's main grid". It also stated that "The daylight saving research showed slightly less power was used on days when the temperature went below 30 degrees, and slightly more power when the temperatures went above 30 degrees."
The US and Great Britain used DST during World War I and II and reverted to standard time during peace years. It was not until the energy crisis of the 1970s that Daylight Saving Time was made permanent in many areas.
The US Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law on August 8, 2005. Among other things, the Energy Policy Act extended the Daylight Saving Time period by starting DST several weeks earlier (second Sunday in March) and ending it one week later (first Sunday in November).
- Countries and territories which do not observe DST 161, including China
- Countries and territories where at least one location observes DST 79
- Countries and territories where all locations observe DST some part of the year 68
- Countries and territories where many, but not all locations observe DST part of the year 11, including United States
- Countries and territories where at least one location observes DST all year 2
The majority, including Europe end DST on Sunday Oct 25. In the US, it ends 2am Sunday, November 1. Some other countries end it on other dates, such as: March 8, March 22, April 5, April 25, April 26, January 18, February 22, September 22, September 26, October 23, October 30, and November 8. Must be interesting for the global airlines to change the flight times almost monthly for beginning and ending DST.
On 31 October 2007 in a Press Release, Western Power researched and reported DST caused "a 0.6% increase in electricity consumption in Washington's main grid". It also stated that "The daylight saving research showed slightly less power was used on days when the temperature went below 30 degrees, and slightly more power when the temperatures went above 30 degrees."
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