Here you will see one really educative video about breast difference...I stumble upon this video when I blog about giant wasp and I find it interesting... I can bet that many time in your life you have argued with your friends about this. But after seeing this video, hope everything will be clear to you ;) Enjoy! but be careful when you try to figure out whether someone's fake or real =)
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Sunday, August 28, 2011
Giant 'warrior wasp' discovered with jaws longer than its legs
It sounds like a creature envisioned in a B-grade horror movie: a giant, predatory wasp with jaws so large that they drag when it walks. But that's exactly what entomologist Lynn Kimsey of the University of California, Davis, encountered during a recent expedition to the remote Indonesian island of Sulawesi
Dubbed the 'Komodo dragon' of the wasp family, the males of the species measure two-and-a-half inches long.
The warrior wasp was found on the remote Indonesian island of Sulawesi. It has been named 'Garuda' after the part-human, part-eagle mythical beast |
Entomologist Lynn Kimsey of the University of California, Davis, encountered the wasps during a recent expedition to the island.
The UC Davis Department of Entomology said they picked the name warrior wasp because of its huge ninja-like mandibles.
The wasp has jaws longer than its legs |
Ms Kimsey, who is also director at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, said: 'Its jaws are so large that they wrap up either side of the head when closed. When the jaws are open they are actually longer than the male's front legs. I don't know how it can walk.'
Luckily the species prefers to dine on insects, but if threatened I believe it could leave a sizeable mark on human flesh too.
How the common British wasp (vespula vulgaris) compares to the newly discovered warrior |
Ms Kimsey plans to name it 'Garuda' after the part-human, part-eagle mythical beast that is well-known as a national symbol in Indonesia.
The wasp was discovered in the Mekongga Mountains in south-eastern Sulawesi, a little-explored Indonesian island between Borneo and New Guinea.
The male (left) and female (right) wasp |
Ms Kimsey described it as one of the world's top three islands for biodiversity alongside Australia and Madagascar.
Aside from gigantic wasps the island is also home to dwarf buffalo called anoa and colonial spiders whose webs can stretch for acres.
Dwarf buffalo, Anoa |
Ms Kimsey and a team of researchers have received a five-year, £2.5 million grant to study the island's rich biodiversity.
So far in her three trips to Sulawesi, she estimates that hundreds - maybe even thousands - of new species could be catalogued.
She hopes that the discovery of the warrior wasp and other surprising new creatures will help raise awareness about just how unique and precious the region is.
'There's talk of forming a biosphere reserve to preserve this,' she said. 'There are so many rare and endangered species on Sulawesi that the world may never see.'
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Apple to release cheaper iPhone 4 with a smaller memory 'within weeks'
Apple has begun manufacturing a lower-priced version of its phenomenally popular iPhone 4 with a smaller 8GB flash drive.
The flash drive for the 8GB iPhone 4 is being made by a Korean company, a source told Reuters, declining to name the company.
Apple currently sources its flash drives from Japan's Toshiba and South Korea's Samsung Electronics.
Apple, which demands high levels of secrecy and security from suppliers and employees, declined to comment, as did Samsung.
The existing iPhone 4 was first launched in June 2010 with 16GB and 32GB versions, with a white version added to the line-up in April.
The 8GB version is expected to launch within weeks.
Some analysts said the cheaper 8GB iPhone 4 could help Apple boost sales in emerging markets.
Bonnie Chang, an analyst with Yuanta Securities, said: 'Apple may want to push into the emerging market segment where customers want to switch to low to mid-end smartphones from high-end feature phones.
'So Apple will still need a completely new phone with low specifications for the emerging markets.'
In addition to the launch of the smaller iPhone 4, Apple is thought to be launching the iPhone 5 next month.
The new iPhone, which some call the iPhone 4S because of its largely identical appearance to the existing iPhone 4, will have a bigger touch screen, better antenna and an 8-megapixel camera, a source revealed.
The iPhone 5's two manufacturers have been told to prepare production capacity for up to 45million units altogether.
Apple sold 20.34million iPhones in the second quarter and is increasingly looking to Asia to boost future earnings.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Facts about the Devil
IN THE IMAGINATIONS OF MEN the devil has been portrayed as some kind of grotesque creature having horns, hooves, a forked tail, holding a pitchfork in his hand, and dwelling in the chambers of hell. As we turn to the Bible we find an entirely different kind of creature.
No horns, hooves, forked tail or pitchfork are found. He is rather revealed as a fallen cherub angel, full of beauty and wisdom (Ezekiel 28). Because of pride, he lost his exalted position in heaven and became the arch enemy of God and His throne.
1) A REAL PERSON ON EARTH
The devil has never been in hell, but knows that his day is coming, when the power of God shall thrust him there (Revelation 20:10). Presently he is on earth, walking up and down in it (Job 2:2). Our Lord encountered Him while here (Luke 4), and the apostle Paul was hindered in his work for God by him (I Thessalonians 2:18).
Little do we realize his activity and power. He works behind the scenes, using human instruments to further his vile work, doing it so subtly, that even the instruments themselves don't realize they are being controlled and used by him. Yes, he is a real person, manipulating the strings of his puppets!
The Devil rules the world |
2) A ROARING LION
The apostle Peter describes the devil as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). This was seen in the early Church as thousands suffered a martyr's death. The lion's roar was heard! However, persecution caused Christianity to prosper instead of hindering it. Learning from this mistake, the devil changed his tactics.
3) AN ANGEL OF LIGHT
It is interesting to notice how concerned Satan is about the Bible! He knows that it is the only sure guide to heaven - that the Holy Scriptures are able to make men wise unto salvation (II Timothy 3:15). So, naturally, the Bible is what he attacks! His fiendish desire is for men to miss Christ as their Saviour and be lost in hell forever. Here are two of his methods.
(1) He discredits the Word of God! His first victim was Eve. He caused her to doubt God's Word by saying, "Yea, hath God said?" (Genesis 3:1). As a result, she and her husband sinned against God and ruined the whole human race, bringing sin and death into this world.
Today the Bible is scorned and laughed at as an old fairy tale. It has been taken out of our schools; the fact of its being divinely inspired is being denied in colleges, churches, and many other places. Why is this? For the simple reason that if the devil can get the younger generation to discredit the Word of God, he knows that they will then be held in darkness as to the way of obtaining God's eternal salvation.
(2) He perverts the Word of God! Satan knows the Bible better than any preacher, and he knows how to twist and misquote it, too. If he can't get a soul to hell by causing him to doubt the Bible, then he will try to deceive him with the Bible.
God says the devil is transformed into an angel of light (II Corinthians 11: 14)! As the god of this world he blinds the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, should shine unto them (II Corinthians 4:4). He preaches, through human instruments, a gospel that is "another gospel," thus perverting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7,8).
He tells folks that everybody is born heaven-bound, yet God says, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). He also preaches that salvation comes by good works, yet God says it is "not by works of righteousness" (Titus 3:5).
To others he promotes the lie that God is too loving to punish one of His creatures forever, yet God says, "these shall go away into everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46). He is an expert in smoothing over the Word of God. He tells his listeners about heaven, but not how to get there.
He tells them about Jesus, but not why Jesus died! His words are smoother than oil, giving his subjects a sense of dignity and self- righteousness. However, he leaves the subject of sin and its consequences, the need of repentance, and the sobering subject of hell entirely alone - lest their conscience be disturbed!
Thus God speaks of him as, "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Yes, modernistic religion is one of his best blindfolds.
Lord Jesus Christ |
GOD'S TRUTH
Friend! - forget the devil's lies and listen to God for a minute! He says, "All have sinned" (Romans 3:23). This takes you in! It is hard for one to believe that his sins are taking him to hell fire. However, God says, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This means the second death. They "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).
Jesus is the mediator between God and man |
What awful wages sin pays! God in mercy has provided a way of escape from the burning lake of fire - not through religion or good works, but through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Listen to His words to you.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).
My friend, on what are you resting your soul for eternity? The devil's lies, or God's truth?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Fernandes promises to turn QPR into a diamond after finalising takeover deal
Tony Fernandes has completed his takeover of Queens Park Rangers.
The Air Asia tycoon now has a 66 per cent stake, buying his shares from Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
Lakshmi Mittal will retain his 33 per cent stake in the Premier League club.
Fernandes said: 'I lived in Uxbridge Road for many years and grew up around the area.
'Everyone knows I’ve followed West Ham all my life, but I’ve always had a soft spot for QPR.
'Rangers were one of the first teams I watched as a child at Loftus Road.
'The opportunity to get involved with the Club was mentioned to me by the previous owners and here I am.
'I’ve always wanted to be involved in football and the appeal of a London Club, like QPR, was too good an opportunity to turn down.
'It’s funny how life has a way of spinning things round. It goes full circle sometimes.
'QPR is a raw diamond and hopefully I can contribute into turning it into a diamond.'
Fernandes added: 'I have ambitions in the long term.
'I could easily say we’re going to win the Champions League and the Premier League, but that’s really not my style. I don’t want to make big promises I can’t guarantee.
'I want the fans to be proud of what we’re doing and be involved as much as we can.
The fans pay good money and are stakeholders, so whatever we do, I want the fans to be proud. We’ll do it in style and with integrity.
'I’m keen to create a good Academy, so that there’s a constant supply of players. We’re in a fantastic part of London and we should be bringing kids through.
'The third aspect is to be a strong partner in the community and to make a difference in the community.
'Of course you don’t go into anything in the sporting world and not want to be the best, but these things take time and I’d rather let the results speaks for themselves.'
Amit Bhatia, who will resume his position as Vice Chairman of the Club, said: 'I'm very excited to welcome Tony to QPR and having spent considerable time with him, know that we share the same vision and values.
'We have discussed in great detail how to restore pride at the Club and I'm very pleased with the outcome of these discussions.
'It was a very difficult decision to resign from the board when I did, so I'm thrilled to be back and would like to thank all those who supported me and my family and look forward to serving the Club to the best of my abilities again.
'Tony and I will work alongside each other to try and make this season as exciting and successful as possible. I love this Club and this is a very happy day for me.'
The Air Asia tycoon now has a 66 per cent stake, buying his shares from Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
Lakshmi Mittal will retain his 33 per cent stake in the Premier League club.
Tony Fernandes now has a majority share in QPR |
Fernandes said: 'I lived in Uxbridge Road for many years and grew up around the area.
'Everyone knows I’ve followed West Ham all my life, but I’ve always had a soft spot for QPR.
'Rangers were one of the first teams I watched as a child at Loftus Road.
'The opportunity to get involved with the Club was mentioned to me by the previous owners and here I am.
'I’ve always wanted to be involved in football and the appeal of a London Club, like QPR, was too good an opportunity to turn down.
'It’s funny how life has a way of spinning things round. It goes full circle sometimes.
'QPR is a raw diamond and hopefully I can contribute into turning it into a diamond.'
Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore have sold their stakes |
Fernandes added: 'I have ambitions in the long term.
'I could easily say we’re going to win the Champions League and the Premier League, but that’s really not my style. I don’t want to make big promises I can’t guarantee.
'I want the fans to be proud of what we’re doing and be involved as much as we can.
Tony Fernandes |
The fans pay good money and are stakeholders, so whatever we do, I want the fans to be proud. We’ll do it in style and with integrity.
'I’m keen to create a good Academy, so that there’s a constant supply of players. We’re in a fantastic part of London and we should be bringing kids through.
'The third aspect is to be a strong partner in the community and to make a difference in the community.
'Of course you don’t go into anything in the sporting world and not want to be the best, but these things take time and I’d rather let the results speaks for themselves.'
Amit Bhatia, who will resume his position as Vice Chairman of the Club, said: 'I'm very excited to welcome Tony to QPR and having spent considerable time with him, know that we share the same vision and values.
'We have discussed in great detail how to restore pride at the Club and I'm very pleased with the outcome of these discussions.
Neil Warnock will be given fund to boost the squad |
'It was a very difficult decision to resign from the board when I did, so I'm thrilled to be back and would like to thank all those who supported me and my family and look forward to serving the Club to the best of my abilities again.
'Tony and I will work alongside each other to try and make this season as exciting and successful as possible. I love this Club and this is a very happy day for me.'
Monday, August 15, 2011
Google buys Motorola
Google Inc. is buying cell phone maker Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for US$12.5bil in cash! It's by far Google's biggest acquisition and a sign the online search leader is serious about expanding beyond its core Internet business and setting the agenda in the fast-growing mobile market.
Google will pay US$40 per share, a 63 percent premium to Motorola's closing price on Friday.
Google's Android operating system runs smartphones that compete with iPhones, BlackBerrys and Windows-based mobile devices. Motorola Mobility was separated from the rest of Motorola in January. The company has remade itself as a maker of smartphones based on Android, but has struggled against Apple Inc. and Asian smartphone makers.
"Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies," said Google CEO Larry Page in a statement. "Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers."
The acquisition has the approval of both companies' boards and is expected to close by the end of this year or early 2012. That may be overly ambitious, however, as the deal is likely to face regulatory scrutiny. It dwarfs Google's previous biggest deal, the 2008 purchase of DoubleClick for US$3.2 billion, which took a year to get approval.
What Google likely wants from the acquisition is Motorola's trove of more than 17,000 patents on phone technology. Google recently lost out to a consortium that included Microsoft Corp., Apple and Research In Motion Ltd. in bidding for thousands of patents from Novell Inc., a maker of computer-networking software, and Nortel Networks, a Canadian telecom gear maker that is bankrupt and is selling itself off in pieces
Motorola has nearly three times more patents than Nortel.
thesun.co.uk
Google will pay US$40 per share, a 63 percent premium to Motorola's closing price on Friday.
Google's Android operating system runs smartphones that compete with iPhones, BlackBerrys and Windows-based mobile devices. Motorola Mobility was separated from the rest of Motorola in January. The company has remade itself as a maker of smartphones based on Android, but has struggled against Apple Inc. and Asian smartphone makers.
"Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies," said Google CEO Larry Page in a statement. "Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers."
The acquisition has the approval of both companies' boards and is expected to close by the end of this year or early 2012. That may be overly ambitious, however, as the deal is likely to face regulatory scrutiny. It dwarfs Google's previous biggest deal, the 2008 purchase of DoubleClick for US$3.2 billion, which took a year to get approval.
What Google likely wants from the acquisition is Motorola's trove of more than 17,000 patents on phone technology. Google recently lost out to a consortium that included Microsoft Corp., Apple and Research In Motion Ltd. in bidding for thousands of patents from Novell Inc., a maker of computer-networking software, and Nortel Networks, a Canadian telecom gear maker that is bankrupt and is selling itself off in pieces
Motorola has nearly three times more patents than Nortel.
thesun.co.uk
Is that a sunflower or a beanstalk? Sunflower heads for World Record.
This enormous sunflower has been nicknamed the ‘Eiffel Flower’ after growing to a whopping 23ft - and is on course to break a world record.
The huge plant has grown from a humble seed planted in the garden of the home of Eve Fielding, in Margate, Kent.
Eve, 48, had sown a handful of seeds as part of a light-hearted competition with her four-year-old granddaughter, and planted this one as a spare.
She watered it every day but didn't give it any special attention and says she expected it to grow to around 12ft, just like the dozens of other flowers she's planted over the years.
But to her amazement it soon shot past the height of her other blooms - and shows no sign of stopping.
It now towers well above the mother-of-two, who is 5ft 2in, and could even break the world record of 26ft 4in.
Eve said: ‘It's enormous - I really can't believe it's grown this tall.
‘I planted a few seeds with my granddaughter so we could have a race to grow the biggest one.
‘This was one of the leftover ones so I thought I might as well sow it and see what happened.
‘I watered it every day, but I didn't put anything special in the soil or anything daft. And it just carried on growing.
‘This is by far the biggest sunflower I've ever had - usually they're around 12ft.
‘My neighbours and visitors have all been quite surprised and shocked at the size - they think it's a beast.
‘I've heard of people talking to their plants to make them grow and I've never done that, but I have started telling it how well it is doing since it got really big.’
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world's tallest sunflower was an incredible 26ft 4in (8.03m).
It belonged to Hans-Peter Schiffer and was measured in Kaarst-Voorst, Germany, on August 17, 2009.
The huge plant has grown from a humble seed planted in the garden of the home of Eve Fielding, in Margate, Kent.
Eve, 48, had sown a handful of seeds as part of a light-hearted competition with her four-year-old granddaughter, and planted this one as a spare.
Healthy height: Eve Fielding was shocked to see her sunflower grow to 23ft |
She watered it every day but didn't give it any special attention and says she expected it to grow to around 12ft, just like the dozens of other flowers she's planted over the years.
But to her amazement it soon shot past the height of her other blooms - and shows no sign of stopping.
It now towers well above the mother-of-two, who is 5ft 2in, and could even break the world record of 26ft 4in.
Eve said: ‘It's enormous - I really can't believe it's grown this tall.
‘I planted a few seeds with my granddaughter so we could have a race to grow the biggest one.
Eve puts the sunny coastal weather, a sheltered spot and warm south facing wall down to the incredible growth |
‘This was one of the leftover ones so I thought I might as well sow it and see what happened.
‘I watered it every day, but I didn't put anything special in the soil or anything daft. And it just carried on growing.
‘This is by far the biggest sunflower I've ever had - usually they're around 12ft.
‘My neighbours and visitors have all been quite surprised and shocked at the size - they think it's a beast.
‘I've heard of people talking to their plants to make them grow and I've never done that, but I have started telling it how well it is doing since it got really big.’
The Guinness World Record Holder! Hans-Peter Schiffer's Record Holder Sunflower |
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world's tallest sunflower was an incredible 26ft 4in (8.03m).
It belonged to Hans-Peter Schiffer and was measured in Kaarst-Voorst, Germany, on August 17, 2009.
The sunflower head can grow to this size! Grown by Emily Martin in 1983 |
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Olive Oil: The wonders of nature
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive (Olea europaea; family Oleaceae). It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps. Olive oil is used throughout the world, but especially in the Mediterranean countries. Olives, one of the oldest foods known, are thought to have originated in Crete or Syria between five and seven thousand years ago.
Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.
The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have proven that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels.
Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.
Olive oil and heart disease
Studies have shown that people who consumed 25 milliliters (mL) - about 2 tablespoons - of virgin olive oil daily for 1 week showed less oxidation of LDL cholesterol and higher levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenols, in the blood.(4)
But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Most people do quite well with it since it does not upset the critical omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually an omega-9 oil which is monounsaturated.
Olive oil and colon cancer
Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention . Their study results showed that rats fed diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed safflower oil-supplemented diets. In fact, the rats that received olive oil had colon cancer rates almost as low as those fed fish oil, which several studies have already linked to a reduction in colon cancer risk.
Types of olive oil
Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:
Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
Virgin - from the second pressing.
Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.
When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive, is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has no "off" flavors is awarded "extra virgin" status. The less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil. If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as "extra virgin".
What is pure and light olive oil? "Pure" olive oil is made by adding a little extra virgin olive oil to refined olive oil. It is a lesser grade oil that is also labeled as just "olive oil".
"Light" olive oil is a marketing concept and not a classification of olive oil grades. It is completely unregulated by any certification organizations and therefore has no real precedent to what its content should be. Sometimes, the olive oil is cut with other vegetable oils.
How to care for your olive oil
Resist the temptation to place your beautiful bottle of olive oil on the windowsill. Light and heat are the #1 enemy of oil. Keep olive oil in a cool and dark place, tightly sealed. Oxygen promotes rancidity. Olive oil is like other oils and can easily go rancid when exposed to air, light or high temperatures.
You can of course buy extra virgin olive oil in any grocery store. But my favorite is still the Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It was made from the best selected olives in Sicily and it comes with a powerful taste...you must give it a try!
Olive oil versus canola oil
Do not fall into the hype which is put out by traditional medicine regarding the promotion of canola oil (rapeseed) as superior due to its concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil is far superior and has been around for thousands of years. Canola oil is a relatively recent development and the original crops were unfit for human consumption due to their high content of a dangerous fatty acid called euric acid.
Olives |
The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have proven that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels.
A highly beneficial fruit |
Olive oil and heart disease
Studies have shown that people who consumed 25 milliliters (mL) - about 2 tablespoons - of virgin olive oil daily for 1 week showed less oxidation of LDL cholesterol and higher levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenols, in the blood.(4)
But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Most people do quite well with it since it does not upset the critical omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually an omega-9 oil which is monounsaturated.
Olive oil and colon cancer
Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention . Their study results showed that rats fed diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed safflower oil-supplemented diets. In fact, the rats that received olive oil had colon cancer rates almost as low as those fed fish oil, which several studies have already linked to a reduction in colon cancer risk.
Types of olive oil
Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:
Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
Virgin - from the second pressing.
Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.
When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive, is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has no "off" flavors is awarded "extra virgin" status. The less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil. If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as "extra virgin".
Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The best quality Olive Oil |
"Light" olive oil is a marketing concept and not a classification of olive oil grades. It is completely unregulated by any certification organizations and therefore has no real precedent to what its content should be. Sometimes, the olive oil is cut with other vegetable oils.
How to care for your olive oil
Resist the temptation to place your beautiful bottle of olive oil on the windowsill. Light and heat are the #1 enemy of oil. Keep olive oil in a cool and dark place, tightly sealed. Oxygen promotes rancidity. Olive oil is like other oils and can easily go rancid when exposed to air, light or high temperatures.
You can of course buy extra virgin olive oil in any grocery store. But my favorite is still the Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It was made from the best selected olives in Sicily and it comes with a powerful taste...you must give it a try!
Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
Olive oil versus canola oil
Do not fall into the hype which is put out by traditional medicine regarding the promotion of canola oil (rapeseed) as superior due to its concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil is far superior and has been around for thousands of years. Canola oil is a relatively recent development and the original crops were unfit for human consumption due to their high content of a dangerous fatty acid called euric acid.
Sardine in Olive Oil: New Ayam Brand Mediterranean taste |
Friday, August 12, 2011
London 2011 riots: What a difference a day makes.
These extraordinary photos show the true extent of the destruction caused by the widespread rioting.
Before were businesses and homes, with one having survive two World Wars.
But after the rampaging rioters cruelly torched buildings, all that remains is the charred shells of people's homes and livelihoods.
After the thugs ransacked the streets they gleefully set properties alight, cheering with delight at their handiwork as they saw flames engulf the buildings.
But their actions have not only left many with just rubble as a reminder of their possessions, the smouldering remains have left a deep scar on England's streets.
The House of Reeves has stood on the same corner in Croydon for 140 years, surviving both World Wars but was targeted by rioters as violence spread across the capital on Monday evening.
Flames ripped through the historic building and spread to neighbouring businesses as firemen battled desperately to quell the inferno.
Now the damage has forced the owners, who have run their business for five generations, to demolish the the ravaged building and rebuild.
Allied Carpets has long been a landmark in Tottenham, one of the more historic and recognisable blocks in the area.
The building's official name is Union Point and it stands on a prominent corner site on Tottenham High Street, just a stone's throw away from White Hart Lane - the home ground of football team Tottenham Hotspur.
Built in 1930 by the London Co-operative Society (LCS), the Art Deco style of Union Point is said to typify the Co-operative Movement between the two world wars.
The grand three-storey building's upper floors were sold by Allied Carpets to the Metropolitan Housing Trust, which converted them into 26 one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats.
But the building was razed to the ground after flames ripped through the iconic building.
The Sony CD distribution centre erupted in flames just before midnight on Monday before partially collapsing.
Eyewitnesses described how they saw a gang of around 20 looters leaving the warehouse, in Solar Way, north-east Enfield, with electrical goods before the fire took hold.
Clapham, in South London, was badly hit by the looters, who even targeted a popular fancy dress shop, the Party Superstore, and consequently destroyed the homes above it.
But generous members of the public invoked London’s famous ‘Blitz spirit’ and responded to the worst violence the city has witnessed in decades by rolling up their sleeves and helping in the clean-up.
Outside Clapham Junction, 500 volunteers brandished their brooms and bin bags as they waited for a police cordon to be lifted so they could begin healing the wounds of the widespread destruction.
Tottenham erupted in violence when a peaceful protest about a death of local man Mark Duggan by his family was hijacked by rioters.
Riots swept through the area with police cars set alight, officers injured and businesses smashed by thugs ransacking the area.
Before were businesses and homes, with one having survive two World Wars.
But after the rampaging rioters cruelly torched buildings, all that remains is the charred shells of people's homes and livelihoods.
After the thugs ransacked the streets they gleefully set properties alight, cheering with delight at their handiwork as they saw flames engulf the buildings.
But their actions have not only left many with just rubble as a reminder of their possessions, the smouldering remains have left a deep scar on England's streets.
The House of Reeves has stood on the same corner for 140 years, surviving both World Wars but was targeted by rioters and will now have to be demolished |
The House of Reeves has stood on the same corner in Croydon for 140 years, surviving both World Wars but was targeted by rioters as violence spread across the capital on Monday evening.
Flames ripped through the historic building and spread to neighbouring businesses as firemen battled desperately to quell the inferno.
Now the damage has forced the owners, who have run their business for five generations, to demolish the the ravaged building and rebuild.
The landmark building in Tottenham has been completely ravaged by the violence, along with homes which were built on top of the shop |
Allied Carpets has long been a landmark in Tottenham, one of the more historic and recognisable blocks in the area.
The building's official name is Union Point and it stands on a prominent corner site on Tottenham High Street, just a stone's throw away from White Hart Lane - the home ground of football team Tottenham Hotspur.
Built in 1930 by the London Co-operative Society (LCS), the Art Deco style of Union Point is said to typify the Co-operative Movement between the two world wars.
The grand three-storey building's upper floors were sold by Allied Carpets to the Metropolitan Housing Trust, which converted them into 26 one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats.
But the building was razed to the ground after flames ripped through the iconic building.
The Japanese electronics company's warehouse in Enfield was left charred and looked on the brink of collapse after it was targeted by thugs |
The Sony CD distribution centre erupted in flames just before midnight on Monday before partially collapsing.
Eyewitnesses described how they saw a gang of around 20 looters leaving the warehouse, in Solar Way, north-east Enfield, with electrical goods before the fire took hold.
Clapham suffered heavily on the Monday riots, with rioters ransacking stores and even setting fancy dress shop, the Party Superstore, alight. |
Clapham, in South London, was badly hit by the looters, who even targeted a popular fancy dress shop, the Party Superstore, and consequently destroyed the homes above it.
But generous members of the public invoked London’s famous ‘Blitz spirit’ and responded to the worst violence the city has witnessed in decades by rolling up their sleeves and helping in the clean-up.
Outside Clapham Junction, 500 volunteers brandished their brooms and bin bags as they waited for a police cordon to be lifted so they could begin healing the wounds of the widespread destruction.
Tottenham was the first place in the capital to be targeted after a protest about the death of local man Mark Duggan was hijacked by rioters and spiralled into violence. |
Tottenham erupted in violence when a peaceful protest about a death of local man Mark Duggan by his family was hijacked by rioters.
Riots swept through the area with police cars set alight, officers injured and businesses smashed by thugs ransacking the area.
Friday, August 05, 2011
The Most Expensive Scotch Whisky
In its original form, the word “whisky” meant “water of life.” I’m sure some of you readers out there will agree with that sentiment. Luckily for you, there’s quite a variety of different whiskies (or “whiskeys,” if we’re talking about American or Irish liquors). But my favorite is still the Scotch whisky!
Scotch whisky is produced and aged, as the name suggest, in Scotland. By law, Scotch must be made from malted grain, must be matured in oak casks for at least three years and must have an alcoholic strength of less than 94.8% by volume. The age statement on a bottle of Scotch is determined by the youngest stock used in its production. The most expensive scotch whiskies in the world were each produced in one of the regions traditionally considered part of the Highlands region.
Whereas malt whisky is produced from pure malted barley without mixing with grain (the cheapest) of whiskey.
The fashion for quality, limited-edition whiskey started in Britain in the 1980s with the rapid expansion in the availability of single-malt Scotches, high-end whiskies made by individual distilleries in Scotland, using only malted barley.
...and below are some of the most expensive whisky that ever made!
The fashion for quality, limited-edition whiskey started in Britain in the 1980s with the rapid expansion in the availability of single-malt Scotches, high-end whiskies made by individual distilleries in Scotland, using only malted barley.
...and below are some of the most expensive whisky that ever made!
Ladybank Single Malt: $4,700
The Macallan 1947 Fine and Rare Collection: $6,800
Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50 year old: $10,000
The Macallan 1939 40 year old Fine and Rare Collection: $10,125
Glenfarclas 1955 50 year old: $10,878
Glenfarclas 1955 / 50 years of aging, 70cl / 44.4%, single-malt Scotch whiskey.
Spicy and silky with a sweet flavor, this is – the oldest party, ever bottled distilleries Glenfarclas.Bottled in 2005 exactly fifty years after it was distilled, was founded by George S. Grant, to celebrate the bicentennial of his birth “the great-grandfather,” John Grant, a farmer and breeder of Aberdeen-Angus breed of cattle, who bought the Glenfarclas distillery in 1865.
Dalmore 50 Year Old Decanter: $11,000
Macallan 55 Year old Lalique Crystal Decanter: $12,500
Glenfiddich 1937 Rare Collection: $20,000
Glenfiddich 50 Year Old
This golden amber Scotch, the darkest of Glenfiddich’s whiskies, is only the second vatting of Glenfiddich 50 Year Old. The first was between 1937 and 1939, when Glenfiddich founder William Grant laid down nine casks—one for each of the grandchildren who’d helped him build his distillery by hand.
To create this whisky—with its delicate rose petal and violet notes and green tobacco leaf, oak and smoke flavor—two casks, each one matured for 50 years in a cool and dark warehouse, were mingled in an American oak cask by renowned Malt Master David Stewart for another six months before finally being bottled and readied for sale.
Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch: $58,000
This single Highland malt Scotch whisky from the Dalmore Distillery in Inverness, Scotland, was one of only twelve bottles produced in 1943 from four single malts dating from 1868, 1876, 1926 and 1939. Each was labeled with its own unique name, this one being called Matheson after the Dalmore Estate’s owner, Alexander Matheson. It was purchased for £32,000 at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, where the anonymous buyer reportedly shared it with five of his friends. It has been speculated that the buyer and his friends are the only people to have actually enjoyed a bottle of the expensive vintage.
The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare: $75,000
Dalmore 64 Trinitas – $160,100.
The Macallan Lalique – $460,000.
A bottle of 64-year-old Macallan, the oldest whisky ever bottled by the Macallan distillery, became the most expensive whisky in the world when it sold at a charity auction in November, 2010. The catch, however, is that the auction also included a one-of-a-kind crystal decanter.
The decanter was created by Lalique using lost-wax casting, called “cire perdue” in French. The decanter was created to celebrate the anniversary of master glassmaker René Lalique’s birth. It is based on a decanter from the 1920s, when The Macallan distillery was founded. The crystal decanter and its expensive cargo have toured twelve cities to raise awareness for charity: water, including Paris, London, Hong Kong and its final stop at Sotheby’s in New York.
Aisla T’Orten 105 Years Old 1906 - $1.4 million
Some 105 years ago, a terrible fire destroyed the Aisla T’Orten distillery in the Highlands, after only one day of operation. Just one ceremonial cask survived the catastrophe and this is how the fascinating story of the oldest and most expensive whisky begins. The sherry butt spent most of the past hundred years in Aberdeen, in the basement of Allie Sisell, a Scottish historian. In 2010, Mr. Sisell contacted Master of Malt and sold the cask for what we can only guess to have been an enormous amount of money.
On March 8, 2011, the 105 years old spirit (it was distilled on February 17, 1906) was finally bottled by Master of Malt. After exhuming the contents, they were left with only 762 ml of whisky: twelve milliliters were tasted, 50 ml were kept for future generations and 700 ml were bottled into a single bottle.
According to the company’s sales director, Ben Ellefsen, the steep price – £870,000 or approximately $1.4 million – reflects only the special provenance of the spirit: “we’ve left out the extra cost incurred by fancy packaging”. Ellefsen also sais that the company hopes the buyer will enjoy the unique savor of the Aisla T’Orten 105 Years Old 1906 Liquid History and not just keep the bottle in a presentation case.
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