Owl (8 gifs)
HEATSWELL Coffee Cups
Pour a hot beverage like coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soup into this thin stackable coffee cup and watch its midsection swell to form a cool insulating collar – a 100% genuine endothermic reaction.
Features:
- No sleeves to slide on or fall down
- Stacks / Ships thin like a coffee cup
- Insulates fat like a coffee collar
- Hot Beverage activates insulating band
- 3D logos pop when hot drinks are poured
- Design textures with 0-1 inch swells
- Knitted-on cloth towel feel
- Saves time by removing a routine step
- Save on shipping sleeves separately
- Non-toxic and FDA approved
- Recyclable and Biodegradable
- Insulates with less material
- Will not swell at shipping temperatures
- Costs less than a cup plus a sleeve
Features:
- No sleeves to slide on or fall down
- Stacks / Ships thin like a coffee cup
- Insulates fat like a coffee collar
- Hot Beverage activates insulating band
- 3D logos pop when hot drinks are poured
- Design textures with 0-1 inch swells
- Knitted-on cloth towel feel
- Saves time by removing a routine step
- Save on shipping sleeves separately
- Non-toxic and FDA approved
- Recyclable and Biodegradable
- Insulates with less material
- Will not swell at shipping temperatures
- Costs less than a cup plus a sleeve
10 Deceptive Food Labels
1. “Natural” or “All Natural”
This means absolutely nothing. It means that some part of the food was originally grown or produced from actual food. It doesn’t mean it isn’t processed. It doesn’t mean that it is remotely natural still. And it certainly doesn’t discuss how the food was raised (was the meat pastured, were the vegetables organic?).
2. “Cage-free”
Usually applied to eggs or chicken. All it means is that the animals weren’t shoved into cages. Usually this means they are in large, open chicken houses, crammed together on the floor. It does not mean they have access to the outdoors, much less that they are fully pastured. It is no healthier than caged chickens, and certainly not more ethical.
3. “Good Source Of _________”
Insert any vitamin or mineral. To be labeled as a “good source of,” a product only has to contain 10% of the RDA for that nutrient. The RDA, by the way, is the absolute minimum amount that a person needs each day to stave off serious deficiency and the resulting health problems. The RDA is not the ‘recommended amount’ nor any sort of ‘limit.’ This claim also does not mean that the nutrient is natural (not synthetic) or bioavailable. Ignore this claim entirely, and remember that bit about the RDA — it’s important.
4. “No artificial flavors”
It’s true that if this is on the front of the package, artificial cannot be listed in the ingredients. However, ‘natural flavors’ can still be listed, and often is. The difference is that artificial flavors are made in a laboratory and are intended to be an entirely unique flavor (not found in nature), while natural flavors are made in a laboratory and are intended to imitate flavors found in nature. Either way, they’re both still made in a laboratory and are not healthy.
5. “Made with real fruit”
This product contains something that was originally fruit, usually juice, which is concentrated sugar. It doesn’t mean that any real, whole fruit is in the product. There is also no requirement for how much of the product must be fruit — it could be 1% and it could still be labeled that way.
6. “No MSG”
It’s true that the label cannot read “monosodium glutamate.” However, there are a lot of other food additives that contain free glutamic acid (a form of MSG) that can still be in the food. This includes things like autolyzed yeast extract contain MSG. (Autolyzed, hydrolyzed, or modified are words you don’t want on your label.)
7. “Hormone-free chicken”
Lots of companies like to put “antibiotic and hormone-free” on the front of their chicken. In tiny print on that label, it will say, “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in chickens.” This is the whole point. If it’s chicken, no matter how it was produced, it doesn’t contain any added hormones, because federal regulations prohibit it. The chicken isn’t any more natural or healthier because of this.
8. “Sugar-free”
This is a red flag for “There’s artificial sweetener in here!” It may not contain actual sugar, but it has some form of sweetener — usually aspartame or sucralose. ”No sugar added” is a better claim, but always read the label to find out what’s in it. Even ‘no sugar added’ usually uses some form of fruit concentrate to sweeten. It’s an improvement over GMO beet sugar or corn syrup, certainly, but you may not want it.
9. “Trans-fat free”
Federal regulations allow any product containing less than 0.5g per serving of any particular nutrient to make the claim “free of” whatever it is. Manufacturers can play with the serving sizes, making it unusually small, in order to get the amount of trans fats per serving under the limit so they can make the claim. But if you eat a normal amount, you may be getting a few grams of trans fats anyway.
10. “Gluten-free”
This claim is usually true. However, popular products have been found, in some cases, to contain trace amounts of gluten. Some are made in factories where gluten products are also made, meaning cross-contamination is possible. Always look at the ‘allergy panel’ on the box, where it must state “Made in a facility that processes” or “Made on shared equipment with products containing” which will tell you if the product may be contaminated. Additionally, if you’re choosing gluten-free products not because you have celiac or gluten-sensitivity, but just because you believe the product is healthier because it’s gluten-free, you might want to reconsider that.
It’s unfortunate, but these claims are used just as much — if not more — on ‘natural’ products as they are on regular products. Many consumers know that regular products aren’t the healthiest choices (ding-dongs or Twinkies, anyone?), but when they’re buying organic snacks or even supposedly better-for-you foods, they want to feel like what they’re buying is good for them. It’s often referred to as “green washing,” when it is applied to natural/organic products (both food and non-food items). And it’s ultimately deceptive advertising.
Other dubious claims include:
- “Real sea salt” (if it’s pure white, it’s a lie)
- “Fat free” (and laden with chemicals)
- “Organic” (if it’s a processed food, it’s still not healthy; and if it’s produce but wasn’t grown in the US it’s probably not really organic)
- “Pesticide-free” (this basically claims there’s no residue, but it’s not regulated, so the crop can still have been grown with pesticides)
- “Pure” (which means nothing)
- “Nothing artificial” (can still include ‘natural’ preservatives and natural flavors)
- “Uncured” (applied to meats like bacon or hot dogs; it’s not cured with sodium nitrite, but instead celery juice, which is a natural source of nitrites and many argue isn’t any better)
- “Raw” (often on cheese, but it’s usually heated at some point during the process and isn’t really raw…plus it won’t say if it’s grass-fed or not, which matters)
- “Grass-fed” (means the animal, usually beef, was fed grass at some point, but was not necessarily exclusively grass-fed. On all but the biggest CAFOs, most animals do have some access to pasture, even if it is only a small percentage of their diet)
- “No GMOs” (unless it’s certified by the GMO project, there is no way to verify this)
- “Made with whole grains” (maybe, but it doesn’t have to have much; plus, the grains weren’t properly prepared)
- “Low sodium” (we need salt in our diets, so this isn’t really a benefit)
- “Vegetarian-fed hens” (it means they weren’t fed chicken by-products, which is good, but probably also means they weren’t pastured and didn’t eat bugs and worms, which they should)
- “Grass-fed chicken” (or pork. These animals don’t and shouldn’t live on grass alone. This is a marketing gimmick because they know people are looking for grass-fed.)
The best rules to avoid this problem are these:
- Don’t buy anything that has a label on it in the first place
- If you do buy something with a label, make sure ALL the ingredients are recognizable food items (it should not say ‘spices,’ or ‘natural flavors’ or anything even slightly questionable)
Plantains Nutrition Facts
Plantains look like bananas, so many people confuse plantains with bananas. The accompanying picture shows the difference between bananas and plantains. Plantains are starchy and not sweet like bananas. Plantains are used as vegetable while banana is eaten as fruit. Plantains resemble green bananas but ripe plantains turn black. They are quite longer than bananas and they also have thicker skin as compared to bananas. Before taking a look at plantains nutrition facts, let us take a look at the information on the origin of plantains.
Plantains
Plantains belong to the genus Musa and they are quite firmer than bananas. They are lower in sugar content than dessert bananas. Banana is often eaten raw but plantains require cooking or other processing. Nutritional benefits of plantains and banana nutritional benefits are almost the same. When plantains are green or under-ripe, they are starchy and when they are overripe, they are sweet. Plantains contain about 65% moisture while bananas contain about 83% moisture. Plantains are a staple food and they are consumed in almost the same way as potatoes. Plantains are native to India and Southern Asia but they are very popular in Western Africa and the Caribbean countries and other parts of America. Plantain leaves are larger and stronger than banana leaves. They can be as large as two meters long and can be used to wrap any kind of seasoned meat while cooking to keep the flavor in. These leaves are used like plates while serving and they add a subtle but essential aroma to the dish. They also have a religious significance in almost all Hindu rituals. Plantains are simply boiled or fried or added to a soup. Grilled, baked, steamed plantains are also popular. Ripe plantains are used in sweet dishes. Steam-cooked plantains are considered nutritious for both infants and the elderly. Here follows information on nutrition facts of green plantains, fried plantains and sweet plantains.
Plantains
Plantains belong to the genus Musa and they are quite firmer than bananas. They are lower in sugar content than dessert bananas. Banana is often eaten raw but plantains require cooking or other processing. Nutritional benefits of plantains and banana nutritional benefits are almost the same. When plantains are green or under-ripe, they are starchy and when they are overripe, they are sweet. Plantains contain about 65% moisture while bananas contain about 83% moisture. Plantains are a staple food and they are consumed in almost the same way as potatoes. Plantains are native to India and Southern Asia but they are very popular in Western Africa and the Caribbean countries and other parts of America. Plantain leaves are larger and stronger than banana leaves. They can be as large as two meters long and can be used to wrap any kind of seasoned meat while cooking to keep the flavor in. These leaves are used like plates while serving and they add a subtle but essential aroma to the dish. They also have a religious significance in almost all Hindu rituals. Plantains are simply boiled or fried or added to a soup. Grilled, baked, steamed plantains are also popular. Ripe plantains are used in sweet dishes. Steam-cooked plantains are considered nutritious for both infants and the elderly. Here follows information on nutrition facts of green plantains, fried plantains and sweet plantains.
The nutritional value of plantain makes it stand out as a very important addition to any healthy living diet plan. Believe it or not, plantain is one of the healthiest foods in the world in terms of its nutrient content.
It is reach in low GI carbohydrate, dietary fibre, and vitamins and minerals. The nutritional value of plantain is even greater than that of its closest relation banana. When cooked, the fruit is extremely low in fat, high in fibre and starch. It is very low in cholesterol and salt too.
It is very rich in potassium, and it is commonly prescribed by doctors for people who have low level of potassium in their blood. The potassium in plantain is very good for the heart and helps to prevent hypertension and heart attack.It is also rich in potassium, magnesium and phosphate.
It is a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C which helps maintain vision, good skin, and build immunity against diseases. Cooked unripe plantain is very good for diabetics, as it contains complex carbohydrate that is slowly released over time.
The green plantain is very low in sugar. The carbohydrate in the green unripe plantain is stored as a complex starch, slowly released after cooking and it is a good inclusion in a diabetic diet. The ripe or yellow plantain is rich in sugar and very sweet to taste.
A diet of green plantain is filling, and can also be a good inclusion in a weight loss diet plan. No wonder the nutritional value of plantain is unsurpassed.
When fried and served with tenderly boiled brown beans, as shown above, it is a great meal for lunch or dinner, and it is truly delicious.
Include this banana-like fruit in your menu list today and try out any of its recipe today.Remember, you can buy plantain online here and get it delivered to your door anywhere in the UK.3 Harmful Plastics to Remove From Your Life
Plastic can seem pervasive at times. From food packaging and storage to flooring and household goods, plastic is everywhere. There are a number of ways that we try to eliminate plastic from our lives—taking reusable shopping bags to market, avoiding processed pre-packaged foods, eschewing the use of water bottles—but without drastic measures it can be nearly impossible to rid this non-biodegradable substance from our lives for good. Not all plastic is created equally, so if you’re picking and choosing plastics to rid from your life, start with these.
#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride): This plastic is used to make children’s toys, shower curtains, vinyl flooring and some wallpapers. To make PVC soft and pliable, phthalates are added during the manufacturing process. Phthalates can leach of plastic products and into the human body, where they’ve been linked to a number of health problems: hormone disruption, reproductive disorders, even liver cancer.
To avoid #3 plastics, don’t buy PVC shower curtains; opt for natural fabrics like organic cotton, linen or hemp. Don’t give young children plastic teething rings, and don’t wrap food in plastic wrap.
#6 PS (polystyrene): You’re probably most familiar with this plastic from Styrofoam. Polystyrene is made of petroleum byproducts and can be found in foam food containers, meat trays, plastic cutlery and more. Recycling polystyrene can be difficult, and because it’s so light, polystyrene is easily picked up by the wind and tossed into the ocean where it contributes to marine pollution. Polystyrene has been known to leach styrene, a possible neurotoxin and carcinogen that has been linked to hormone disruption, infertility and cancer.
To avoid #6 plastics, don’t store food in foam containers, especially fatty foods such as meat and cheese, which are more likely to absorb chemicals; try taking your own glass to-go containers when you eat out.
#7 PC (polycarbonate): This plastic encompasses all sorts of “other” plastics that don’t fit into the previous six categories. However, the most common type of #7 plastic is polycarbonate with added bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to make reusable food containers, baby bottles and reusable water bottles. When heated and washed with a strong detergent, polycarbonate plastic can break down and leach BPA. Among other health problems, BPA has been linked to hormone and reproductive system damage, early puberty, obesity and even cancer.
To avoid #7 plastic, opt for glass food storage containers instead of plastic ones. If you already have plastic food storage containers, never store fatty foods in them and wash them by hand instead of putting them in the dishwasher.
#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride): This plastic is used to make children’s toys, shower curtains, vinyl flooring and some wallpapers. To make PVC soft and pliable, phthalates are added during the manufacturing process. Phthalates can leach of plastic products and into the human body, where they’ve been linked to a number of health problems: hormone disruption, reproductive disorders, even liver cancer.
To avoid #3 plastics, don’t buy PVC shower curtains; opt for natural fabrics like organic cotton, linen or hemp. Don’t give young children plastic teething rings, and don’t wrap food in plastic wrap.
#6 PS (polystyrene): You’re probably most familiar with this plastic from Styrofoam. Polystyrene is made of petroleum byproducts and can be found in foam food containers, meat trays, plastic cutlery and more. Recycling polystyrene can be difficult, and because it’s so light, polystyrene is easily picked up by the wind and tossed into the ocean where it contributes to marine pollution. Polystyrene has been known to leach styrene, a possible neurotoxin and carcinogen that has been linked to hormone disruption, infertility and cancer.
To avoid #6 plastics, don’t store food in foam containers, especially fatty foods such as meat and cheese, which are more likely to absorb chemicals; try taking your own glass to-go containers when you eat out.
#7 PC (polycarbonate): This plastic encompasses all sorts of “other” plastics that don’t fit into the previous six categories. However, the most common type of #7 plastic is polycarbonate with added bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to make reusable food containers, baby bottles and reusable water bottles. When heated and washed with a strong detergent, polycarbonate plastic can break down and leach BPA. Among other health problems, BPA has been linked to hormone and reproductive system damage, early puberty, obesity and even cancer.
To avoid #7 plastic, opt for glass food storage containers instead of plastic ones. If you already have plastic food storage containers, never store fatty foods in them and wash them by hand instead of putting them in the dishwasher.
Top 10 Spring Superfoods
Artichokes—A medium-sized artichoke is loaded with fiber (about 10 grams) and vitamin C. It also contains plentiful amounts of the heart- and muscle-health minerals magnesium and potassium. It’s also high on the ORAC list of foods that have high antioxidant values. High amounts of antioxidants translate into reduced free radicals linked to aging and disease.
Asparagus—An excellent source of nutrients like vitamin K which is necessary for bone health and folate, asparagus also contains good amounts of vitamins C, A, B1, B2, niacin, B6, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Its high folate content makes it especially good for pregnant women who have higher folate needs than most people.
Chives—Potent in antibacterial, anti-yeast and antifungal compounds, chives has many similar properties to its relatives garlic and onion. Chives also help boost glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is a powerful detoxifier and anti-cancer compound.
Collards—Research shows that collards are among the best foods for lowering cholesterol levels due to its superior ability to bind to bile acids in the intestines. Collard also shows excellent anti-cancer properties thanks to its naturally-occurring components, including: glucoraphanin, sinigrin, gluconasturtiian, and glucotropaeolin.
Kale—Proven to lower the risk of bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate cancer, kale is among the best superfoods available. Great for building healthy bones largely due to its high calcium content, kale also improves the body’s detoxification systems by increasing isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from the vegetable’s glucosinolates. Researchers have identified over 45 phytonutrients in kale, including kaempferol and quercetin, giving it impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Rhubarb—High in fiber, vitamins C and K, rhubarb stalks (not the leaves which are poisonous), rhubarb is an excellent spring food but most people don’t know what to do with it. Sorry, dumping cups of sugar into it for jams and pies wrecks any superfood qualities this food might otherwise have. I enjoy it stewed or added to chutneys.
Spinach—Not just for Popeye anymore, spinach is high in iron, calcium, beta carotene (which turns into vitamin A in your body), and vitamin K, which is important for bone and blood health. The chlorophyll gives spinach their green color and is a powerful blood cleanser. High in neoxanthin, which is proven to aid prostate health, spinach also contains the phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin which strengthen the eyes and help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
Spring greens—Spring greens contain high amounts of calcium and magnesium needed for strong bones, muscles, and a relaxed nervous system. Like spinach, they also contain the blood cleansing phytonutrient chlorophyll.
Strawberries—Just eight strawberries pack more vitamin C than one orange. Whether you want to evade heart disease, arthritis, memory loss, or cancer, these berries have proven their ability to help.
Watercress—If ever there was a vegetable made for smokers, watercress is it. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that eating raw watercress daily increased the ability of cells to resist free radical damage to DNA, which reduces the risk of cell changes linked to cancer. Their research showed that this protective benefit was pronounced in smokers. But, anyone can benefit from this spring nutritional powerhouse. It is also high in beta carotene (essential for skin and eye health), B-complex vitamins (important for nerves, energy, and mood balance), and vitamin E (critical for skin and immune system health).
The Easter Island “Heads” Have Bodies
The Moai “heads” on Easter Island have bodies. Because some of the statues are set deep into the ground, and because the heads on the statues are disproportionately large, many people (myself included) tend to think of them as just big heads. But the bodies (generally not including legs, though there is at least one kneeling statue) are there — in many cases, underground. What’s even more interesting — there are petroglyphs (rock markings) that have been preserved below the soil level, where they have been protected from erosion.
Taking Photos with a 100-year-old Camera (10 pics)
Piccolette Contessa-Nettel (1919) folding camera attached to 5D.
