Naked and Nude

Naked implies that a person is unprotected or vulnerable. It also describes something that is unadorned or without embellishment, as in the naked truth. Nude, on the other hand, means one thing: unclothed.

Think of it this way: if you doff your duds to pose while descending a staircase for a tasteful painting done by a respected artist, then you are nude. If a bunch of paparazzi suddenly burst in through the studio door and take your picture without permission, you are naked.

Cracking Another Egg Myth

The nutritional value of the egg and its yolk has been debated by nutritionists for years. Years ago, the egg received a bad reputation with regard to cardiovascular health, as one large egg contains approximately 187 milligrams of cholesterol. However, most research has shown that cholesterol found in foods isn't fully to blame for increased LDL cholesterol in the body.

“Eggs are an animal product, and they do contain cholesterol, but actually, cholesterol in foods doesn't affect our blood cholesterol as much as saturated fat does. Cholesterol in food, in general you do want to avoid, but it’s not necessarily the main culprit of high cholesterol." Lisa Cimperman, registered dietitian for UH Case Medical Center.

Compared to other animal products, the average egg actually contains relatively low amounts of saturated fats – approximately 1.6 grams per egg yolk. Additionally, various studies from the Harvard School of Public Health and the British Nutrition Foundation have found that eggs have clinically insignificant effects on blood cholesterol, and are not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Many consumers are still concerned over the yolk’s fatty content, so rather than eat the full egg, they often eat just the egg’s albumin, the egg white. However, some dietitians argue it is important to consume both the egg’s fat and protein, as the combination can have positive health benefits for blood sugar.

“You want the fat, because it not only satiates you, but also slows the absorption of your food, so you stay fuller longer, and it won’t increase blood sugar. A lot of people have toast with just egg whites, but it’s giving them a quicker rise in their blood sugar, but if you have the yolk with it or a different form of fat like avocado, your blood sugar won’t rise as quickly, because it takes longer to break the food down.” Laura Cipullo registered dietitian. Egg yolks are a good source of vitamin A and iron, along with a host of other nutrients. Eggs are also good sources of B vitamin, thiamine and selenium. Eggs also pair very well with bacon.

Wordology, Aptronym

Have you noticed that some people seem to have very appropriate and entirely coincidental names? Names such Usain Bolt (Jamaican sprinter), Lord Brain (brain surgeon), or Alto Reed (saxophonist). This is called an aptronym, as in 'aptly named'.

Some people believe that the name can influence life decisions leading a person to work in a field relating to their name. This is called 'nominative determinism'.

Five Household Uses for Tea Bags

Tea is a great, natural way to clean and polish wood furniture. Brew a full pot of tea and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then dip a light colored, clean towel in the tea and gently rub the wet end of the towel along the surface of wooden furniture. The tea removes light stains and scratches and leaves the furniture shining.

If you wipe mirrors down with room temperature tea, they will be clean and streak-free. A microfiber towel or newspaper both work well.

Empty wet tea leaves into a bowl and sprinkle them across the fireplace before cleaning. The wet tea leaves absorb the ash, making it easier to clean the fireplace and with less dust.

Add a few used tea bags to the bottom of a planter before adding soil. The tea bags absorb excess water.

Used tag bags actually absorb odors in small spaces, much like baking soda does. Let tea bags dry completely and add to sock drawers or toss a bag into shoes or sneakers. The bags soak up odors for a few weeks.

Henry VIII Wives

He actually had just two wives, not six. Henry’s fourth marriage to Anne was annulled, as the marriage was never consummated, also Anne was betrothed to Francis, Duke of Lorraine. At the time ‘betrothal’ would bar the individual from marriage. That leaves 5 wives. Henry’s second marriage to Anne Boleyn was declared illegal by the pope, because the king was still married to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. That brings it to four. Henry, as the head of the church of England, declared himself that his first marriage was invalid on the grounds that a man cannot sleep with his brother’s widow. Now down to three. He did the same with his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, leaving just two wives.

Close, But No Cigar

This  means to fall short of a successful outcome. It was first used in the United States in the early 1900s and is likely the phrase originated at fairgrounds.

Much like fairs today, booths would be set up and fair workers would host difficult to win games for fair goers to try. Games of strength, accuracy, and skill were played by men and women. Back then, prizes were for mom and dad, and cigars were a very common prize given out to winners. The phrase apparently originated when someone came close to winning one of the games, but ultimately lost and so did not win a cigar. Workers yelled it out out when people lost, trying to draw crowds and encourage the person to try again. As the fairs traveled, the phrase spread rapidly and it began to be used any time someone did not meet expectations.

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish have eyes shaped like the letter ‘w’. Although they cannot see color, they can perceive the polarization of light, which enhances their perception of contrast.

They have full use of their eyes before they are born.

Happy Friday

Talk is cheap, but actions are priceless.

My actions always lead to a Happy Friday!

Seven Common Quotes Debunked

Wrong - Money is the root of all evil.
Correct - “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”

Wrong - Nice guys finish last.
Correct - “Why, they’re the nicest guys in the world! And where are they? In seventh place!“

Wrong - Play it again, Sam.
Correct - “Play it once Sam. . . play it, Sam.“

Wrong - Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die.
Correct -  “Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.”

Wrong - Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Correct - “Heav’n has no rage, like love to hatred turn’d/Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorn’d.”

Wrong - Houston, we have a problem.
Correct - “Houston, we’ve had a problem”

Wrong - Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?
Correct - “Magic Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”