My Favorite Frasier

Question ?

How many words are on the Internet ?

Answer,

Twelve more now :-)

For Cintaku,

Happy Birthday

Sweetheart x♥x

Popcorn is Good for you! Hooray!

You wished it was true, and now it is:

Popcorn is officially good for you.

According to new research, popcorn and many types of breakfast cereal contain lots of polyphenols, which are antioxidant substances that can have a potentially beneficial role in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other conditions.

Polyphenols remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are chemicals that have the potential to cause damage to cells and tissues. They are found in many fruits, vegetables, and other plants, such as berries, walnuts, olives, tea leaves and grapes, as well as in chocolate, wine and coffee.

However, until now no one knew that hot and cold whole grain cereals, which are regarded as healthy for their fibre content, were also a source of polyphenols.

"Early researchers thought the fibre was the active ingredient for these benefits in whole grains, the reason why they may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease," said Joe Vinson, Ph.D., who headed the study. "But recently, polyphenols emerged as potentially more important. Breakfast cereals, pasta, crackers, and salty snacks constitute over 66 percent of whole grain intake in the diet in the USA."

"We found that, in fact, whole grain products have comparable antioxidants per gram to fruits and vegetables. This is the first study to examine total phenol antioxidants in breakfast cereals and snacks, whereas previous studies have measured free antioxidants in the products," Dr Vinson added.

Whole grain cereals with wheat contain the most antioxidants, with corn, oats and rice cereals following. Raisin bran is even better, because of the raisins.

The study also found that whole grain flours are very high in antioxidants; whole grain snacks have slightly lower levels of antioxidants than cereals; of snacks, popcorn has the highest level of antioxidants; and there is a wide variation in the amount of antioxidants in each class of cold cereal.

Searching for the BoNessie Monster

This week Monster hunters have been using sonar equipment for the first time to search for a mysterious creature reportedly living in England's largest lake.

Sky News has also been filming the goings on out on Lake Windermere with the chaps looking for proof that the beast exists.

Over the last four years there have been seven reported sightings of a long humpbacked animal, who now goes by the name of “Bow-Nessie”.

One Windermere hotel owner, Mr Thomas Noblett, described his strange encounter in the water, saying:

"All of a sudden I felt something brush past my legs like a giant fish, and then I was lifted up by a 3ft wave. I've no idea what it was."

During the sweep of the lake, the team spotted a strange 14 metre long disturbance in the water but were unable to detect anything positve on the sonar scanner.

Searching Windermere is a very big task to undertake as the lake is 220ft (67m) deep in parts and over ten miles long.

The organizer of the Bonessie Hunt, Mr Dean Maynard, said: "We've had more creature sightings here than at Loch Ness in recent years so we think it's time that Bow-Nessie received more attention."

Last year, a local film crew spotted a 20 metre long object below the surface of the lake but sceptics believe the footage shows a wave from an unseen boat.

Have you seen Him ?

See the Video here ➸ The Bonessie Hunt

Another Home favorite

Indonesian Grilled Chicken with a Mango-Peanut Salsa

Chicken legs or thighs are great for grilling, as they seem to keep their juiciness better than Chicken breasts. These are rubbed with a sweet hot spicy paste and served with nice chunky salsa.

Serves us 3 (double if you have friends round)

2 tsp. finely grated fresh ginger

2 tsp. finely chopped coriander

1/2 tsp. finely grated fresh turmeric

1 tsp. crushed garlic

1 Tbs. Crushed birds eye chilies or which ever is your favorite

2 Tbs. Light Olive Oil and maybe some vegetable oil for the grill

2 tsp. dark palm sugar

1 tsp. salt or low salt if you have it,

½ tsp Freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. Chicken legs or thighs

(About 3 large or 6 medium,)

1 cups small-diced fresh mango

(From 1 large mango)

1/2 cup small-diced red or green bell pepper, (the red is sweeter, from 1 small pepper)

1/4 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped,

(in a wizzer is best, but try not to brake it, like some people! )

1/3 cup thinly sliced spring onions or scallions

(white and green parts of 3)

1 Tbs. Chopped fresh coriander or mint or both

2 tsp. seeded, very finely chopped chili pepper

2 to 3 Tbs. Fresh limejuice

Mix the ginger, coriander, turmeric; birds eye chilies and garlic in a medium bowl. Heat 1Tbs. Of the olive oil in an 8-inch wok or large heavy pan over low heat.

Add the chopped spices to the hot oil and heat until they bubble and become fragrant, about a minute or so.

Then put the spice mix back into to the bowl and now stir in brown palm sugar, black pepper and salt.

The mixture will be thick and pasty. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.

In a smallish bowl, mix the mango, bell pepper, peanuts, spring onions, coriander or mint, jalapeño, and the rest, about 2 Tsp. of olive oil. Add the limejuice to taste, and leave to mingle, if you prefer your salsa on the sweet side, you can add I little clear blossom honey too, ummm

And, if you have lots of time you can season the chicken in the paste and make the salsa up to 2 hours ahead and leave it in the fridge until you want to cook.

Prepare a hot charcoal fire or heat the oven up to about 200°C. Clean the hot grate with a wire brush and then coat it with an oil-soaked paper towel or a pastry brush is quite good.

Put the chicken on the grate and grill until one side has dark grill marks, 5 to 6 min. for large thighs or 4 to 5 min. for medium and small thighs.

The chicken will take about 45 mins to cook if your doing it in the oven, keep at the top of the oven and make sure to turn over a few times.

Turn and continue to grill until well marked on the other sides and cooked through, 5 to 6 min. longer for large thighs or 4 to 5 min. for medium and small thighs.

Move the thighs to a nice serving plate, let rest 4 to 5 min., and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature with the salsa alongside.

Some Variations

You could do the same recipe but prepared as kebabs, you would just need to use boneless thighs and slice them lengthwise into 1-1/2- to 2-inch-wide strips.

Cover with the flavorings and then thread the chicken onto six 8- or 12-inch skewers (remember to soak wood skewers in water for at least 20 min. first), folding each strip in half as you skewer it. Grill the kebabs, turning them every 4 to 5 min. as dark grill marks form, until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes in total.

Some other suggestions, you could also try this with Halloumi cheese and or Aubergines which also grill very well and the spice, mango and peanut combination adds a new twist.

Enjoy your Indonesian.

You Say Tomato - I Say Superfood

Tomato has been called many things throughout history: Peruvian apple, love apple, and even, by Some people at least, a vegetable. Today, however, this lovely fruit is fast becoming known as Superfood!

While not able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, this super hero of the nutrition world is able to do some pretty amazing things. For example, some studies show the tomato may help decrease the risk of prostate cancer, as well as breast, lung and stomach cancers.It’s said also that the yellow jelly around the seeds have yet another benefit: They may stop blood cells from clumping together, which sometimes leads to strokes and heart attacks.

Okay, so the word lycopene doesn't sound very appetizing, but this powerful antioxidant is the chemical in tomatoes that not only is responsible for it's red color, but also responsible for its disease-fighting powers.

Just ask an Italian. Italian cooking relies very heavily on tomatoes and tomato products. And, some studies have suggested that this heavy intake of tomatoes by Italians has resulted in a lowering of cancer of the digestive tract.

Of course, fresh tomatoes are still beneficial, and packed with wonderful nutrients (not to mention delicious). Just remember the one rule of fresh tomatoes: don't put them in the refrigerator. The refrigerator destroys not only the flavor, it also destroys the nutrients.

So, go ahead, do something good for your health tonight.

Have a tomato.

Sam, the youngest British Inventor,

" The Double Broom" recently created by a five-year-old boy is one of the cleverest inventions of the last decade, according to the British Library.

Sam Houghton came up with the idea at the tender young age of three while watching his father trying to sweep up some dusty garden leaves.

His Wallace & Gromit-style idea is now patented by the now five-year-old Sam, is among the UK's Top 15 'ingenious' inventions of the last decade, according to the British Library.

So inspired was he by his heroes Wallace & Gromit, he decided to tie two brooms together using a rubber band, creating what he called the "Improved Broom".

Schoolboy Sam Houghton came up with his idea of the double-headed broom a while observing his father struggling with the autumn leaves in their home garden, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK.

Sam has since been granted an official patent for his creation.

Experts have now termed the product, which was designed to collect large debris and fine dust simultaneously, one of the 'most inspiring' inventions of the last 10 years.

The product also now forms part of an exhibition which opens today at The British Library.

Steve van Dulken, a Patent Expert and Curator of Inventing the 21st Century, said he had been particularly impressed by the youngster's 'neat solution' to a problem.

Mr Van Dulken, the British Library's patent expert, said: "Sam is an inspiration to all of us so I was adamant throughout the selection of inventions that we include him and his broom.

"We need to encourage more children to get excited about inventing, and provide more emphasis on engineering and invention in our schools."

Other inventions which will be featured at the exhibition are Dyson's Bladeless Fan, the Road Refresher Dog Bowl, the Karbon Kinetics Gocycle, a SeaRaser Wave Power Generator, the Magnamole DIY Solution, a Money Saving Ewgeco Energy Monitor, the Yoomi Self-warming Baby Bottle, an All Terrain Trendy Trekinetic Wheelchair, some Pop Open Packaging, Speedo's Shark Inspired Swimsuit, the Mosquito Security System, A Lifesaver Portable Water Filter, TheRevolutionary Retinal Scanner and a Rail Track Leaf Laser (at long last! no more excuses,)

Read more ➸ Here,

Play with your Dog !

There are so many good reasons to play games with your dog.

It will strengthen your relationship.

It will keep the dog from getting bored, which will keep him from things you don't want him doing, and make him healthier. Many of these games mentioned here will actually help train your dog.

It's important that you can establish control of your dog even when he's very excited, and of course most people get a dog for companionship – So isn't playing with your dog the whole point? One thing to keep in mind is your attitude while playing.

Most dogs will have fun if it's clear you're having fun, too.

Games as Rewards

Remember that any simple act that your dog likes but which you control can be used as a reward for good behavior.

Use a favorite game like tug or fetch to reward him for his good play habits, long stays, when you’ve ask him to wait, and his commendable Behavior when he comes back after loose-leash walking.

(Click here for more information on games as rewards.)

Hide and Go Seek

When you are just out of sight from your dog, call him to you. You can either use your normal "come back" command, what ever you choose, or just His name.

Don’t forget to be very excited when he arrives. Start making it more difficult by hiding behind doors, couches, etc. If he doesn't find you at first, call him again.

If your dog is very good at "stay" you can use this to keep him in place while you hide. Some dogs will use their sniffer tackle, others will just look. Most of them will learn a faster recall, or “find Me” message from this. This is a great game for kids to play with dogs, as long as the kids don't encourage the dog to chase them, as it could get a little out of hand.

Treasure Hunt

Get your dog in a “lie downdown & stay” and place a treat ,food or toy, within his sight. Go back to your dog and release him, and encourage him to go for the treat – he should hopefully can eat it or play with it. Then repeat this, varying where you put the treat. Next time, "hide" the treat where the dog can't see it, but he can see you putting it there (behind a piece of furniture, for example). Let him go again, and let her get the treat, maybe show him if he can’t find it, just until he gets the idea. Next, hide the treat in further away, then in another room, out of sight, and if he stays in him "stay" let him find it. You can increase the distance, difficulty, and even number of treats ,several small food bits maybe, as your dog gets better at "stay".

This is especially good for dogs that have begun to learn "stay" but are nervous about having their people go out of sight.

(Thanks to Janet A. Smith for this one!)

Fetch

Some dogs are natural fetchers, others are not. All can learn to enjoy this game. Be sure to teach and practice "drop it" or “Thank You” first. Then throw it so he has to go get it, he’ll so learn he’ll get the praise when he brings it back to you, play with him a bit before you make him Drop it, then give him prise when he does. If your dog refuses to return the ball or toy (and this is pretty instinctive), or drops it too far away, end the game and tell him “he’s just not Playing”. If he doesn’t bring it back, No Game !

"Fetch" can be shaped by rewarding interest in a toy, then approaching a toy, then touching it, then mouthing it, then picking it up. Use a clicker or just a treat when he retrieves faster, or catches in the air, or quick good return.

Clean Up Your Toys

Get a box or bucket and collect a number of toys and other dog-safe favorite things, But don't start with things your dog likes to hoard or that you don't want them ever touching.

Scatter the toys in a small pile on the floor. With a bit of talking and teasing, get the dog to pick up the things one at a time, and place them in your hand, (a bit like fetch) Once the dog is lifting the items high enough to get your hand underneath to receive, you are well started.

Be sure to reward each "gift" with a food treat. Make it harder and harder to put stuff in your hand, while maintaining the fun of this "fetch for refund" game.

Each toy retrieved is dumped into the bucket. The dog will leave harder ones for later, so over time make substitutions that make the items increasingly difficult for the dog, just to keep his interest going.

Some dogs take the leap and start putting things directly into the bucket themselves.

(Thanks to Diana Hilliard for this one)

Simon Says

If you have a good attitude, you can make obedience training into a good game. Let your dog prove how clever he, or she is by sitting when you say "sit", lying down when you say "down", giving his paw for a handshake etc. Try it when your eyes are closed, your back is to the dog, or you are in a different position like lying down or even standing on your head!

Mix up "drop it", "take it,” “fetch it", "hold it", and "leave it". Just keep playing and they’ll enjoy the game more and more, remember, they always want to please you, just not sure what you mean somethimes, practice and repetition is the key.

Tug of War

The secret to playing this game successfully is for you, the human, to be in control of it. For this game, choose one particular toy that will be used as your tug rope (don't use one of your socks, or food items, or is lead). You can make a good quick “Tuggy” by rolling up a square of strong fabric, then tying some big knot in it. Never play tug with any other toy as you will quickly find your dog with just bits of toys left. You start the game by picking up the toy and encouraging your dog to also pick it up. Give a particular cue that the game has started, like "Pull ! or Mine !". Some dogs may refuse to do this with you, maybe if they've been punished for tugging on things in the past. You can start small by encouraging them and treating them for holding one end while you hold the other. However, tugging is instinctive for dogs as it's a cooperative act in packmate feeding, so your dog should catch on quickly. Tug a few times, then tell your dog "drop it or let go". (You can use the same cheerful possitive tone of voice you use for "sit" or "thank you"). You can reward him for dropping it with either a treat or another round of tug (preceded by " PULL !").

Make sure that you end the game if your dog gets too rough or agitated. Simply ask for "drop it", praise for it, and put the toy away. If the dog refuses to let go, you let go of your end and walk away (it takes two to tug). Don't try to take the toy back because that will be starting the game over.

Ignore the dog if she or he tries to start the game. Wait until she or he has stopped bugging you and is doing something your want to reward (even if that's lying quietly). Practice Tug - Drop it - Tug - Drop it. If the dog starts anticipating and grabs the toy, drop your end and leave in disgust. You decide when the game is over; reward the last "drop it" and then put the toy away where the dog can't get it.

Some books will warn against this because of the fear that the dog will try to establish dominance, or that the dog will refuse to drop other items (see side box). Dogs and wolves do not try to establish dominance through tug-of-war games, and the fact that you start and stop it the game at your will maintains your "dominance". If your dog has a problem with guarding items or refuses to drop things, work on that first. One way to train "drop it" is to give the dog a large item to hold, then offer a very desirable treat in exchange. Be patient -- don't try to chase the dog around, offering the treat (why should the dog take food from you when getting chased by you is so much fun? See "Keep Away", below). When the dog goes for the treat, click as soon as the toy is dropped and give the treat. Don't grab for the toy yourself. If the dog picks it up again, try another exchange. When the dog is dropping the toy regularly, start giving the cue "drop it" before each treat offer.

Some more information on playing "tug" from ClickerTraining.com is here, and from SF/SPCA here.

See also:

Go Wild and Freeze game and others

by September Morn