Before you chop onions, place the whole onion in the microwave
for 45 seconds. By heating the onion before cutting it, you help
break down the chemicals that cause your tears.
Peeling garlic does not
have to be a daunting task. Pop a full bulb in the microwave for
20 seconds to soften it, making peeling easier. The cloves will
slide right out of their skins with no mess or sticky, smelly
garlic juices.
Get every last drop out
of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. If a recipe calls
for citrus juice, zap the fleshy fruit in the microwave for
about 10 to 20 seconds. Then, slice it in half and squeeze.
Steam all types of
vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, asparagus, green beans, and
artichoke. You only need some water in a microwave-safe bowl and
a microwave-safe plate to cover it.
May 31, 2019
Wordology, Cataglottism
This means kissing with the tongue, or a
French Kiss. Derives from Greek cato (down) and glotta/glossa
(tongue). Sure makes it sound much less sexy.
BBC, Bombs, and Perry Como
The BBC banned a song because listeners kept
clapping to its lyrics. “Deep in the Heart of Texas” was written
by June Hershey and Don Swander. Perry Como recorded the song
two days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The song
quickly became popular in both the US and the UK. It remained at
the top of UK charts for five weeks during 1942.
LINK
Listeners often clapped along with Como as he sang. The BBC soon realized this could become a problem, because workers in bomb-making factories might accidentally drop their bombs while clapping. So it banned its broadcasters from playing the song during work hours.
LINK
Listeners often clapped along with Como as he sang. The BBC soon realized this could become a problem, because workers in bomb-making factories might accidentally drop their bombs while clapping. So it banned its broadcasters from playing the song during work hours.
Fixed Phones Fading
Recently saw a funny video on YouTube of teenagers trying
to dial a rotary phone. LINK
Made me realize how quickly technology changes. Most of us have abandoned our home phone, the old "land line". The once staple of every home is quickly fading away. In fact, the World Bank estimates that the number of fixed telephone subscriptions in the world fell to just over 13 per 100 people during 2018.
Made me realize how quickly technology changes. Most of us have abandoned our home phone, the old "land line". The once staple of every home is quickly fading away. In fact, the World Bank estimates that the number of fixed telephone subscriptions in the world fell to just over 13 per 100 people during 2018.
Spray on Skin
Biomedical scientists have
created a device that sprays stem
cells onto wounds, helping them grow a new, healthy layer of
skin in as few as four days. Biotech firm RenovaCare recently
obtained a patent for the SkinGun and has used it to
successfully treat dozens of burn patients in trials. While the
device still needs FDA approval, it could help eliminate the
painful and scarring process of skin grafting.
May 24, 2019
Happy Friday
Some folks are not
happy that roses have thorns, but others are happy that thorns
have roses.
I am happy that happiness has no thorns, especially on a Happy Friday!
I am happy that happiness has no thorns, especially on a Happy Friday!
Robocall Blocking
I do not know of any person who does not hate them. They seem to
be sneaking into our lives more and more. Solutions are
available, or soon to be available to stem the tide, but they
will not end soon.
The Federal Communications Commission announced new rules it said would tackle the avalanche of robocalls we are receiving, but did not offer anything that is not available now. It said it would vote on a ruling that would allow phone companies to have call-blocking as a default, implement strong call-blocking services as the default setting for their customers and to make it easier for us to block unwanted calls. "That means your phone is only going to ring if the call is coming from somebody in your list of contacts," said FCC chairman Ajit Pai.
Until that is finalized, here are a few things more we can do now to eliminate the vast majority of them.
For IPhone users, in Settings, click on “Do Not Disturb” and “Allow Calls From” then “All Contacts.”
For Android, in the Phone app, click the three lines on the top right of the screen, select Settings then Block Numbers, then click on "Block Unknown Callers." Only numbers from your contacts will ring.
There does not appear a way to have phone mail blocked from anyone, but if we can at least eliminate the ring, it is a good first step to eliminate distractions and you can listen to voice mail at your convenience and add the number to contacts if it is someone you want to hear from.
The Federal Communications Commission announced new rules it said would tackle the avalanche of robocalls we are receiving, but did not offer anything that is not available now. It said it would vote on a ruling that would allow phone companies to have call-blocking as a default, implement strong call-blocking services as the default setting for their customers and to make it easier for us to block unwanted calls. "That means your phone is only going to ring if the call is coming from somebody in your list of contacts," said FCC chairman Ajit Pai.
Until that is finalized, here are a few things more we can do now to eliminate the vast majority of them.
For IPhone users, in Settings, click on “Do Not Disturb” and “Allow Calls From” then “All Contacts.”
For Android, in the Phone app, click the three lines on the top right of the screen, select Settings then Block Numbers, then click on "Block Unknown Callers." Only numbers from your contacts will ring.
There does not appear a way to have phone mail blocked from anyone, but if we can at least eliminate the ring, it is a good first step to eliminate distractions and you can listen to voice mail at your convenience and add the number to contacts if it is someone you want to hear from.
More Body Facts
The human brain uses as much power as a 10-watt light bulb.
The word “organ” comes from an old Greek word, organon, which means “tool” or “instrument.”
There are so many nerve cells in a human brain that it would take almost 3,000 years to count them.
An adult’s skin weighs between 8 and 11 pounds (3.6 to 5 kg). Its surface area is about 18-22 square feet (1.7 to 2 sq. m).
The longest bone in an adult human is the thighbone, measuring about 18 inches (46 cm). The shortest bone is in the ear and is just 0.1 inches (.25 cm) long, which is shorter than a grain of rice.
The word “organ” comes from an old Greek word, organon, which means “tool” or “instrument.”
There are so many nerve cells in a human brain that it would take almost 3,000 years to count them.
An adult’s skin weighs between 8 and 11 pounds (3.6 to 5 kg). Its surface area is about 18-22 square feet (1.7 to 2 sq. m).
The longest bone in an adult human is the thighbone, measuring about 18 inches (46 cm). The shortest bone is in the ear and is just 0.1 inches (.25 cm) long, which is shorter than a grain of rice.
Free Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Many municipalities offer free
alarms or free battery replacements from local fire departments.
There are a few restrictions, such as elderly, ability to pay,
and others, such as height that vary from location to location.
Look up your city fire department for details. You are
welcome.
Frozen Produce Myth Debunked
Frozen produce can actually be even healthier
than fresh fruits and vegetables. Those fruits are often picked
at the peak of their ripeness, then flash-frozen within six to
ten hours, says registered dietitian nutritionist Jenna
Braddock, founder of MakeHealthyEasy.com. “That freezing locks
in that nutritional value, so it no longer degrades until you
use it,” she says. In fact, frozen produce might have even more
nutrients than out-of-season fresh veggies.
Carrots, mangos, peas, spinach, squash, corn on the cob (keep it in the husk), peaches, also good to buy frozen or freeze at home.
Any vegetable or fruit that has a high water concentration, like celery, cucumber, salad greens, and watermelon will not survive the freezer because the water inside quickly forms ice crystals.
Fresh produce, such as apples may be stored for a year before reaching the grocery store shelf. Did you know you can freeze potato chips, nuts, and pretzels to prolong shelf life - if it that is a problem in your house. Incidentally, fresh produce can be kept on the counter if it is to be used within a few days, but is better in the fridge if it is not needed soon. Peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots are all best kept at room temperature so they can ripen to perfection.
keep apples in crisper drawer instead of on the counter. They ripen too fast on the counter. And a cool crisp apple tastes great, especially with some cheddar cheese on the side and maybe a pinch of salt to bring out peak flavor.
Carrots, mangos, peas, spinach, squash, corn on the cob (keep it in the husk), peaches, also good to buy frozen or freeze at home.
Any vegetable or fruit that has a high water concentration, like celery, cucumber, salad greens, and watermelon will not survive the freezer because the water inside quickly forms ice crystals.
Fresh produce, such as apples may be stored for a year before reaching the grocery store shelf. Did you know you can freeze potato chips, nuts, and pretzels to prolong shelf life - if it that is a problem in your house. Incidentally, fresh produce can be kept on the counter if it is to be used within a few days, but is better in the fridge if it is not needed soon. Peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots are all best kept at room temperature so they can ripen to perfection.
keep apples in crisper drawer instead of on the counter. They ripen too fast on the counter. And a cool crisp apple tastes great, especially with some cheddar cheese on the side and maybe a pinch of salt to bring out peak flavor.
Maybellene
This week during 1955 Chuck Berry released his first hit song
Maybellene (sic). Back in the time of innocent rock and roll
music and hot rods. Enjoy! LINK
Centrifugal Force vs. Centripetal Force
We see it in the spin cycle of a
washing machine or when children ride on a merry-go-round.
Centrifugal force is often confused with its counterpart, centripetal force, because they are so closely related. Centrifugal force is defined as the apparent force that is felt by an object moving in a curved path that acts outwardly away from the center of rotation. It is more inertia than a force. An example of centrifugal force is the earth's revolution around the sun. Another is passengers feeling pushed outward on a merry-go-round.
Centripetal force is defined as the force that is necessary to keep an object moving in a curved path and that is directed inward toward the center of rotation. If you are in a spacecraft orbiting the earth, the centripetal force is the force of gravity. Another example is spinning an object on a string. The tension on the rope pulls the object in toward the center.
Centripetal force and centrifugal force are the same force, just in opposite directions, because they are experienced from different frames of reference.
Centripetal force is an actual force; centrifugal force is an apparent force. In other words, when twirling a mass on a string, the string exerts an inward centripetal force on the mass, while mass appears to exert an outward centrifugal force on the string.
Centrifugal force is often confused with its counterpart, centripetal force, because they are so closely related. Centrifugal force is defined as the apparent force that is felt by an object moving in a curved path that acts outwardly away from the center of rotation. It is more inertia than a force. An example of centrifugal force is the earth's revolution around the sun. Another is passengers feeling pushed outward on a merry-go-round.
Centripetal force is defined as the force that is necessary to keep an object moving in a curved path and that is directed inward toward the center of rotation. If you are in a spacecraft orbiting the earth, the centripetal force is the force of gravity. Another example is spinning an object on a string. The tension on the rope pulls the object in toward the center.
Centripetal force and centrifugal force are the same force, just in opposite directions, because they are experienced from different frames of reference.
Centripetal force is an actual force; centrifugal force is an apparent force. In other words, when twirling a mass on a string, the string exerts an inward centripetal force on the mass, while mass appears to exert an outward centrifugal force on the string.
May 17, 2019
Happy Friday
“I love to laugh. It’s
the only way to live. Enjoy each day — it’s not coming back
again!” ~ Doris Day
I love to laugh and enjoy also, especially on a Happy Friday!
I love to laugh and enjoy also, especially on a Happy Friday!
Beyond Meat
Have recently read that some fast food places and TGI Friday's
are selling a meatless hamburger ($16.75 in New York). You have
likely read about the Beyond Meat company and its recent filing for a
successful IPO. Reviews are decidedly mixed and bottom line is
that the burgers are close, but not too close to regular meat
hamburgers in taste, texture, and looks. With the first two
ingredients of water and pea protein, I will be waiting for more
reviews before trying one. Of course, bacon might help.
Ingredients include:
Water
Pea protein isolate
Expeller-pressed canola oil
Refined coconut oil
- also 2% or less of:
Cellulose from bamboo
Methylcellulose
Potato starch
Natural flavor
Maltodextrin
Yeast extract
Salt
Sunflower oil
Vegetable glycerin
Dried yeast
Gum arabic
Citrus extract (to protect quality)
Ascorbic acid (to maintain color)
Beet juice extract (for color)
Acetic acid
Succinic acid
Modified food starch
Annatto (for color)
Ingredients include:
Water
Pea protein isolate
Expeller-pressed canola oil
Refined coconut oil
- also 2% or less of:
Cellulose from bamboo
Methylcellulose
Potato starch
Natural flavor
Maltodextrin
Yeast extract
Salt
Sunflower oil
Vegetable glycerin
Dried yeast
Gum arabic
Citrus extract (to protect quality)
Ascorbic acid (to maintain color)
Beet juice extract (for color)
Acetic acid
Succinic acid
Modified food starch
Annatto (for color)
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