Foods that are Secretly trying to Kill you!

What?  How can food secretly be trying to kill me?  You probably think I'm talking about junk food which we all know is bad for us. Actually I'm talking about every day foods that you would never think could harm you.

Below is a great video from BuzzFeedYellow "10 Foods That Are Trying To Kill You."

• Cherries - Pits contain Cyanide.
• Rhubarb - The stems are edible but the leaves contain oxalic acid this chemical is often found in bleach.
• Star fruit - Contains Caramboin which can cause seizures and death in those with kidney problems.
• Green Potatoes - Contain Solanine
• Cassava - Raw Cassava has compounds that turn into Cyanide in the body.
• Brazil nuts - These nuts are radioactive and contain more Radium than any other food.
• Red Kidney Beans - If eaten raw will cause extreme nausea due to cyanide poisoning.
• Lima Beans - Same issue as Red Kidney Beans
• Nutmeg - More than 2 Tbsp. can cause hallucinations and even death.
• Moldy Rye Bread - Contains compounds similar to LSD.

Crazy!

I actually knew a few of these like Cherries, Rhubarb, Green potatoes, Nutmeg, and of course the Moldy Rye Bread.  Hello! Salem Witch Trials!   I had no idea about Star fruit, Cassava, Brazil nuts or the Beans.  Wonder what other foods are out to get us?

School Lunches Around the World

I read a very interesting article on Upworthy on how American lunches stack up against school lunches around the world.  It's interesting to see the difference in what children eat and what kind of nutrition is offered.

American lunch: Fried popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, fruit cup, and a cookies.


Spain: Shrimp over brown rice and vegetables, gazpacho, whole grain bread, an orange, and fresh bell peppers.


Ukraine: Mashed potaotes with sausage, borscht, cabbage, and syrniki.


Greece: Chicken over orzo, stuffed grape leaves, tomato and cucumber salad, fresh oranges, and Greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds.


South Korea: Fish soup, tofu over rice, kimchi, and fresh vegetables.



Brazil: Fresh mixed vegetables, black beans and rice, salad, bread, and baked plantains.


France: Steak, carrots, green beans, brie and fresh fruit.


Finland: Pea Soup, beet salad, carrots, bread, fresh berries, and pannukakku.


Italy: Fish on arugala, pasta with tomato sauce, caprese salad, baguette, and grapes.


The organization that headed this project of viewing school lunches is called Sweetgreen. 
They are committed to helping student choose healthy choices for lunch with their in school lunch program. They've also conducted workshops in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and New York City on fitness and sustainability.

While each picture doesn't represent all school lunches.  A variety of pictures were received and they reconstructed an accurate blend of what is offered.  To me it's interesting to see the variety offered in other countries like Italy, France, Brazil, and Greece.  I know I would have traded my school lunch for theirs in a heartbeat!

In contrast it was interesting to look at the pictures of lunches posted on Twitter from students across America.  It seems the new food restrictions on calories and other nutrients has really reduced the choices for many.  Some of the food looks absolutely disgusting.

Below are some examples of what was sent in.



Buzzfeed did another article with pictures of authentic school lunches around the world.  I'll add some of those pictures below.  Again it's interesting to see the variety.





Above: Japan



Above: Korea

 France

 Sweden

 Czech Republic

 
Singapore

 Kenya

 Honduras



Slovakia

 UK



Taiwan

 Ghana

 Chile

 Philippines

 Estonia

 Brazil

 China

 USA

It's interesting how many countries have nutrient dense school lunches.  It's also curious to see how little some children are fed.  Some children only receive seasoned rice, porridge, or only avocados.  While lunches in the United States are filled with fat, preservatives, and sugar there are other children who receive a healthy choice but it's only one food and doesn't offer anywhere near the amount of nutrition they require. 

Sources:

• http://www.upworthy.com/these-school-lunches-from-around-the-world-should-embarrass-the-us?c=tkp1
• http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/teens-are-sarcastically-tweeting-thanksmichelleobama-with-th#.hhdBnNRBR
• http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/what-school-lunches-look-like-in-20-countries-arou#.gvAOw6jOj

Life Hacks

I have to admit I love Life Hacks.  Anything that makes life easier gets an A+ in my book!

I noticed recently that one of the things I've done for years is now coming up in a list of life hacks!
I used to be an avid Amp energy drinker and I hate drinking straight out of cans.  The only way to get the straw to stay in was to do this.  I had someone tell me it's also a great thing to do to help when chugging beer, lol. 

Here are some other's I've tried that has worked!

Put your phone on airplane mode when you need it to charge faster.  Once the phone is in airplane mode it won't be sucking up energy trying to do multiple things while charging.

 

 Here are some great ones I want to try!

 I went to the site and it looks awesome.  There's a multitude of sites to choose from.

Here's a great link for directions on how to make this crib: Baby Bed to Desk Directions

Who doesn't love a good BLT?

 

I guess this would be a better use for those candles once you get done laughing.

This would probably be better than me stabbing plastic packaging with knives.

This looks better than hammering your hand.

Who doesn't love chocolate?  Cures migraines, reduces heart disease and cancer, boots appetite, makes you live longer, can work as a pain-relievers, and can reduce stress! Amazing!

 

I love repurposing things and what a wonderful way to hide things!

 I struggle with keeping eye contact with certain people.  I do know that when I'm able to maintain it I feel more powerful in the end.

 



This is common sense.  It's something you learn when you learn fire safety.

I like this!  I always forget my list or forget what I actually have.

 I'll have to try this.  I always have a suction issue when putting in the bag and taking it out!

 

 

I don't drink or smoke but I bet this would work to curb other bad habits.

I'm going to do this!  I have several allergies that emergency response would need to know about.

This site is pretty awesome!

Looks like a great idea!

 Ah, had I known this in college nutrition.

 

I'll have to try this one.

This would be a great idea on most phones.  My phone is always locked so they would have to get through that first.

I always roll my clothes.  Next time I go somewhere I'm going to try this method.

 This site is really awesome!  It has a lot of questions I've been asked in interviews as well as questions I've asked while conducting interviews.

 



I love random knowledge!

I've used Velcro for similar things, never thought about the remote!

So that's how you cover the bread!

I'm pretty positive this works.  My grandfather used to use a 20oz bottle of water instead of a brick.

Wonder if this really works?

This is the only way I know how to tie a tie.

This looks like an awesome storage idea!

Works in volcanoes why not my sink!

 Sources:

1. http://1000lifehacks.com/
2. http://www.epicdash.com/the-46-most-brilliant-life-hacks-every-human-being-needs-to-make-life-easier/
3. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html