Decoding the Secret Language of Food Expiration Dates Americans tend to harbor dark suspicions about that forgotten can of beans in the back of the pantry, far past its sell-by date. If you’re like most consumers, you probably just toss expired items on the better-safe-than-sorry principle (unless, perhaps, it’s a Twinkie). But there’s a good chance many aged food remains totally safe to eat, according to a new report (PDF) that blames the flawed food-dating system for tons of perfectly edible food getting wasted each year. While many consumers consider the dates printed on foods a hard deadline, they actually indicate maximum quality or freshness, not safety, explains David Fikes, vice president in charge of consumer affairs at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), a food trade group. While some of those products are donated to food banks, many end up in the landfill. One of the problems, NRDC scientist Dana Gunders says, is that none of the myriad ways foods are labeled actually tell consumers when they should throw out a product.
Why you shouldn’t go to the doctor at 10 a.m. on a Friday This mock appointment book shows the most and least popular times for Americans to schedule a doctor’s visit during the week. Overall, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. are the most popular times for any kind of appointment; Tuesday is the most popular day; and Friday at 10 a.m. is the most popular time slot of all. If you’re in need of a checkup, steer clear! The data come from ZocDoc, an online service that uses access to scores of appointment books from across the country to help patients schedule visits more efficiently. The patterns revealed by ZocDoc’s scheduling data beg for psychological analysis.
To wipe deodorant buildup under your arm, use hand sanitizer How to sleep in hot weather 20 August 2012Last updated at 12:29 GMT By Tom de Castella BBC News Magazine Southern and eastern Britain has experienced a mini heat-wave. What's the best way to get to sleep on sticky nights? The hot, humid weather across parts of Britain has made for uncomfortable nights. Humidity is a big part of the problem, making it hard for sweat to evaporate. In places like the US, where powerful air conditioning units are reasonably common in houses in hot and humid areas, it's not so much of a concern. But in places like the UK where it's hot and humid less frequently how should people ensure they get a good night's sleep? Weather expert Philip Eden recommends a technique common in Mediterranean countries. Continue reading the main story Sleep strategies "As a species, we are diurnal," says Dr Malcolm von Schantz, a molecular neuroscientist at the University of Surrey's Sleep Centre. "We have evolved to sleep in a consolidated way during the night, when it is cooler and darker.
The Minimalistic Gmail Cheat Sheet 79,178views 72faves 72shares Did you know that you can browse through gmail without using the mouse much? This is a cheat sheet that provides you with an in depth view of gmail shortcuts, the description of what they do, and a il... lustration of where the results appear in your monitor. Did you work on this visual? Get a Quote 79,178views 72faves 72shares Did you know that you can browse through gmail without using the mouse much? Did you work on this visual? Get a Quote 79,178views 72faves 72shares Did you know that you can browse through gmail without using the mouse much? Did you work on this visual? Get a Quote The Hidden Way to Zoom in Closer in Google Maps
How to Get in Touch With Loved Ones During a Disaster | Gadget Lab Photo: Alex Washburn/Wired Disasters often strike without warning–and if you have family or friends who are in or near harm’s way, you’re going to want to get in touch. Unfortunately, that isn’t always so easy: Cell signals and land lines can be jammed with the massive amount of calls flowing in and out of an area. And in the case of today’s Boston Marathon tragedy, there are reports that cell service has been shut down altogether. Here are some of the best tips we know for getting in touch, but this is by no means a complete list. Don’t call. Additional tips: Use a battery case for your smartphone–that thing can’t make it through a whole day when it’s not constantly scanning for a signal. Also, be sure to keep your emergency contact list up to date. Again, please share your tips in the comments below.
The Beauty of Maps: A Documentary Here we bring you the 4 part BBC series, The Beauty of Maps. Released almost a year ago the documentary takes us through the staggering four million map collection of the British Library in London. Through the ages the story of the worlds landscape and population has been told through the creative and colorful use of maps. Medieval Maps Pt 1 Medieval Maps Pt 2 Medieval Maps Pt 3 City Maps Pt 1 City Maps Pt 2 City Maps Pt 3 Atlas Maps Pt 1 Atlas Maps Pt 2 Atlas Maps Pt 3 Cartoon Maps Pt 1 Cartoon Maps Pt 2 Cartoon Maps Pt 3 Known in some circles as the most amazing man in the universe, he once saved an entire family of muskrats from a sinking, fire engulfed steamboat while recovering from two broken arms relating to a botched no-chute wingsuit landing in North Korea.
Random Wikipedia subject discovery Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication in people with diabetes mellitus. It happens predominantly in those with type 1 diabetes, but it can occur in those with type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances. DKA results from a shortage of insulin; in response the body switches to burning fatty acids and producing acidic ketone bodies that cause most of the symptoms and complications.[1] DKA may be the first symptom of previously undiagnosed diabetes, but it may also occur in people known to have diabetes as a result of a variety of causes, such as intercurrent illness or poor compliance with insulin therapy. DKA is a medical emergency, and without treatment it can lead to death. Signs and symptoms[edit] The symptoms of an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis usually evolve over the period of about 24 hours. On physical examination there is usually clinical evidence of dehydration, such as a dry mouth and decreased skin turgor. Cause[edit] Mechanism[edit]
The Serious Eats Field Guide to Asian Greens [Photographs: Ben Jay, unless otherwise noted] When you walk into the produce section of your local Asian supermarket, you'll probably be greeted by a dazzling but daunting display of unusual greens. They're all great, and easy to cook, but it helps to be armed with some knowledge to tell your shoots from your choys. That's why we highlighted the most common varieties you'll find in Asian groceries with notes on what they are, how they taste, and most importantly, what to do with your haul. AA Choy AA Choy stalks and leaves. Latin name: Lactuca sativaAlso known as: Taiwan lettuce, AA Chop Xin, stem lettuce, asparagus lettuce, celery lettuce, celtuce, wosunFlavor: The leaves are similar to romaine, while the stalks taste a little like cucumber. Back to the full list » Bok Choy Shanghai and baby bok choy. Chinese Broccoli Chinese Celery Chrysanthemum Greens [Photograph: Chichi Wang] Daikon Greens [Photograph: wikioticscan/Flickr] En Choy Fava Greens [Photograph: Lily Chin] Kokabu Greens Malabar Spinach
Moodle Tutorials ::: Educating Educators 30+ Moodle Videos and Tutorials by @sbrandt (nice work!) | Moodl Stumbled across this huge repository of video screencasts on Screenr.com last week and just had to share them. Shawn Brandt (@sbrandt) created them all and out of the nearly 80 videos he’s posted about 1/2 are all about Moodle. The topics range from beginner to more advanced and most videos are under 5 minutes. Note that many appear to pertain directly to a Moodle training course that is not available publicly. But that doesn’t detract from the great ideas and processes outlined in the videos. They include (but are not limited to), adding events and using the calendarusing assignmentscreating pages and resourcesdisplaying directoriesusing .zip files to upload multiple filesimproving your course aestheticsand so much more. Here’s a great one (creating a course that’s more learner-centric, For the full list of videos go to this link: And don’t forget to let @sbrandt know that the videos rock!
Marine turtles Habitat loss and degradation Uncontrolled development has led directly to the destruction of critically important nesting beaches. Lights from roads and buildings attract hatchlings and disorient them away from the sea. Vehicle traffic on beaches compacts the sand and makes it impossible for female turtles to dig nests. Sea walls and jetties change long-shore drift patterns and can cause erosion or destruction of entire beach sections. Important marine turtle feeding habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds are continuously being damaged or entirely destroyed as a result of sedimentation, nutrient run-off from the land, insensitive tourist development, destructive fishing techniques and climate change. Hunting and poaching Hunting and egg collection for consumption are major causes of the drastic decline in marine turtle populations around the world. Olive ridley turtles have been pursued for eggs and their skin used for leather production. Trade Incidental capture Climate change