June 2019
Not-Desserts That Are Such Desserts
In the modern world, corn syrup and sugar are added to just about everything, so it's no wonder that so many foods that we don't consider to be desserts are still pretty much desserts. Take candied yams; between the brown sugar and marshmallow, how did this even end up as a side dish instead of a dessert reserved for the end of the meal?
1980s Cola Wars
It makes sense that companies like Pepsi and Coke would have wars between them for drink dominance, but anyone who wasn't a teen or older in the 80s might not know that the two companies had an epic battle during that decade to establish who was the better drink. Between the Pepsi Challenge, various marketing and naming campaigns and diet drink offerings, the two were neck and neck as America's top drink choice.
Pee Is Not For Drinking
Our bodies have excretory systems for a reason: they get rid of wastes we're not supposed to have in our bodies. That's why we get rid of urine. We certainly aren't meant to drink it; we are not rabbits who consume their own excrement, after all. People in Colorado who attend the Urine Therapy Meetup think that consuming urine and rubbing it on one's skin has health benefits, which is ludicrous.
Meet Up At The Movies
Are you ready for this year's Grateful Dead Meet Up at the Movies? It's on August 1, and it will feature the band's performance from a 1991 concert at the Giants Stadium. Tickets are on sale now so it's a good time to start planning for the big show with friends and family!
Gender Equality Initiative
Combatting stereotypes and promoting equality begins in childhood, and it has to be across the board--not just in the home, but in the schools, media and society at large. That's why we still have inequality in the first place. In Spain, one school is combatting gender stereotypes and promoting equality by ensuring that boys learn how to do household chores.
Slurping Up The Sunscreen
We always say that we can assess an environment by checking out the local frogs, since everything permeates their skin so easily. They're like living environmental barometers. But we shouldn't sell ourselves short, because as it turns out, so are we. Years ago I read about a mother who attempted to keep her child free of any kinds of toxic chemicals by avoiding everything possible, keeping to an organic lifestyle, etc. only to find out that when his blood was tested, it still registered a bunch of fire retardants and other substances that horrified her.
Who Is The Most Annoying Character?
There's often a fine line between what's annoying and what's funny when it comes to Family Guy, right? Some characters are just annoying all of the time, and while they deliver a few laughs, you can't help but wince when they're on the screen. Others are often annoying in various ways that get on our nerves, but not enough to where we don't want to watch the show anymore.
Beluga Returns Woman's Phone
This week I read two incredible animal stories that I have to share! The first is about a beluga whale who returned a woman's phone to her when she dropped it in the sea. This story really touches my heart and makes me feel so many conflicted emotions because as a teenager, one of the most moving experiences I ever had was seeing a beluga up close. A mere panel of glass separated us and I was in awe.
Origami Hearts
Sure, origami hearts are great for Valentine's Day, but what better month to make and share hearts than Pride Month? Anytime is a great time to make hearts to share with the people you care about (or even people who could use something uplifting), so this tutorial is a great place to start to make an easy origami heart. I've found a great place to leave things like this is at the unemployment office, but feel free to make and share them with whomever you like!
South Holland's Beautiful Keukenhof
Have you ever heard of the Keukenhof? It's an incredible garden in South Holland where seven million flowes bloom each spring, creaing a river of color that has to be seen to be believed. It's 79 acres of colorful beauty that attracts visitors every year. While Holland is known for its tulips, there are all kinds of other colorful blooms on display as well.
Luna Park Cafe
Summer's here, which means it's definitely shake season! Where do you go to get the best shake in West Seattle? There are several places that come to mind, and one of them is Luna Park Cafe. It's such a cute diner with quirky decor and great eats at every hour, but did you know that you can mix and match from the eatery's extensive shake menu?
Your Favorite Family Games
Now that summer is here, maybe you're babysitting, subbing at summer school, or you have your own kids at home. No matter how young people are showing up in your life, playing games with them is usually a good idea. It's fun, it's both a learning and bonding experience and it helps to pass the time if it's too hot or rainy (and where I live, it's often one of those two things lately!).
Frogs' Brains May Be More Complex
Up until now, we've always assumed that only mammals and birds utilize mental mapping, placing us at the highest order of thought within the animal kingdom. It's an idea that reinforces how much we "deserve" to be at the top of the food chain, especially to those of us who eat meat, pollute (who doesn't do that?) and understand what we've done to this poor planet. Every day more insight into various species unveils how wrong we are about so many things, and the limitations we perceive regarding animal thought processes continue to crack on a daily basis as new research emerges.
Quiznos Spongmonkey Returns
Remember back when the Internet was relatively new (ha!) and the Quznos Spongmonkeys were all over YouTube? How many times did you listen to how much they liked the moon, but not as much as a spoon?
Summer Recipes To Learn
I am notorious for just sticking to summer salads during the hot months. Here in the Midwest, where "it's the heat and not the humidity," anything to keep your house one or two degrees cooler is a good thing, so if I can avoid cooking, I will. I'm known to eat only salad on hot days, which can get a bit dull!
Whale Songs
The fact that over 80% of our own ocean remains unexplored is unbelievable to me, and scientists tell us that most of the acoustics picked up in the ocean aren't even identified! We literally have an alien planet right amidst our own, and there could be anything lurking in the waters. How many creatures have we yet to discover? The giant squid alone is able to remain elusive from humans, so imagine what other life could be sharing the planet with us!
Is Instagram Bad For Poetry?
Many people believe that modern attention spans are dwindling, and social media is partly to blame. There's so much information at any given moment that we're constantly scrolling, losing interest and skimming information more than ever. Twitter has even reduced many of us to 140-character thoughts (although that's shifted in recent years).
Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act
This is exactly the kind of law we need in the modern world! A new Filipino law stipulates that all students must plant 10 trees in order to graduate. This makes as much sense as a biology lab or Constitutional test to me.
The Benefits of Tomato Juice
As a kid, I always saw my grandmother drinking tomato juice, and I never understood it. It was disgusting to me. Today I like it better as an adult, as long as it's been treated with a few ingredients, but I had no idea it had so many health benefits.