Greenpeace activists

Hippie Culture

Money or Knowledge?

i use this analogy whenever this topic comes up.




Imagine a racetrack. with money, you can drive the most powerful car on the track. with knowledge, you're bestowed the ability to push the car you're given to its very limit.

which would you rather have? or what has been your experience?

Knowledge is a very liberating thing. Money, on the other hand can be argued to buy the knowledge.

Both are not mutually exclusive of each other but let's say you pursue knowledge, what happens when your work sector is out of demand, and you're out of a job? why don't all scholars get free education? the society still requires you to have money regardless as the fundamental resource in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

If you only had money but no knowledge, (e.g. inheritance) it may be a case of easy come, easy go. sure, you can hire a financial planner but what if you even lack that?

definitely an interesting topic that comes up in everyones mind once in a while!

a good article on the topic from an Islamic view
http://www.inter-islam.org/Lifestyle/moneyknow.htm

" Once a person came to Hadhrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu and questioned him, “What shall I gain; knowledge or wealth?” Hadhrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu answered “Gain knowledge because it is more beneficial then gaining wealth”. The person then asked for some benefits of gaining Knowledge over wealth, Hadhrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu replied:

• Knowledge is the inheritance of the Prophets (alayhisalaam), and wealth is the inheritance of Fir'awn (Pharaoh) and Qaroon,

• The more knowledge you gain, the more beloved you become in the eyes of people and the more wealth you gain, the more people hate you out of jealousy…

• As time passes, the value of money decreases and the value of knowledge increases,

• Wealth needs to be looked after, whereas knowledge protects you,

• You will always fear the theft of money, but knowledge cannot be stolen from the heart,

• On the Day of Judgement, Allah Taa'la will ask you two questions regarding your wealth; how it was earned and how it was spent. These are two separate questions regarding Wealth whereas one question regarding knowledge will be asked: How much you acted upon it,

• Knowledge helps you gain money but money cannot buy you knowledge,

• Excess money brings pride.

The moral of this topic is not so that one stops earning so that he may gain knowledge, as to earn for one's family is equally as important. The main point is to recognise that excess money could ruin you in this world, and in the next. Also, if you can take some time out and study the Deen (Religion) of Allah Taa'la, Inshallah it will be of great benefit in both worlds."

Anatomy of the human body

So i chanced upon this documentary in SBS which showcases highly controversial anatomist by name of Dr Gunther von Hagens.

as you can see, this guy looks exactly the part of a german killer topped with his signature hat and trench coat... but really is a misunderstood genius for those who're skeptic with his work.

he's also the inventor for plastination, (a method that preserves bodies and body parts, where his works are showcased around the world in the Body Worlds exhibition.

anyway, this documentary was filmed in 2005, in Gunther's lab in Germany with a live audience, presenting 4 parts of the human anatomy from:
1) Movement
2) Circulation
3) Digestion
4) Reproduction

as the guy from JB Hifi said, "How can you bear to watch this?", to "but it's highlyeducational if you bear it". I couldnt agree more.

in other words, this guy cuts up cadavers and shows the inner linings of the human body. can be gross to many who're never exposed to this level of detail of our human anatomy.

Korean Side Dishes aka (Banchan)

Banchan.

Every Korean meal includes anywhere from 2 to 12 side dishes also known as (banchan). The most important and well-known is kimchi, of which there are 100+ varieties

http://koreanfood.about.com/od/sidedishesbanchan/Korean_Side_Dishes_Banchan_including_Kimchi.htm

A place to chck out for good seafood and atmosphere of a seafood market is th Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market



koreans love their baby octopus (which are eaten live)and sea-slugs known as gaebul and monggae. both are eaten raw too!

Tip: Dipping them in sesame oil prevents the tentacles from gripping on the inside of your mouth!

Should these be taken into consideration when travelling?

Visiting UNESCO World heritage sites?
The 7 wonders of the world, ancient, natural, modern e.g. ? (Great wall, The Pyramids, Northern lights)
Political unstable areas? (Gaza, Bangkok)
Tallest structures? (Dubai Khalifur)
volcanoes, tornadoes, earthquake-prone? (Pacaya, Oklahoma,
Festivals (Songkran, Oktoberfest, Bull Run, Tomatina)?
Food (from the most prestigious restaurants, 3 Michelin Hat El Bulli, to the strange street foods in China)?
Natural Landscape (glaciers, Missisippi river,
Environmental disaster area (oil spill in Gulf Mexico)?
Adrenaline charged tourist spots (Queenstown)?
Biggest parties (Ibiza)?
Cultural historical sites (Museums)

Dieting - Day 3

breakfast: 1 banana (100 calorie)
1 skimmed latter (100 calorie)
1 mandarin (32 calorie)

lunch: 1 banana, 6 inch Veggie Delite (340 calorie)

dinner: 6 inch Veggie Delite (240 calorie)
1 mandarin (32 calorie)

Total - 844 calorie

How to lose 1 kg per week

To lose 1 kg, you theoretically have to cut back on 3850 calories per week or 550 calories per day. Instead of cutting back on calories alone, you can burn some calories by exercising.

To lose weight you have to use up more energy than you are taking in. There are several ways to do that which includes increasing activity levels and decreasing caloric intake

Word of caution: Do not consume less than 1200 calories per day if you are dieting for extended periods. Diets which are less than 1200 calories per day are not nutritionally adequate and over a period of time, you may not be getting enough of certain nutrients

For a healthy diet: The present recommendation for carbohydrate, protein and fat distribution is 50-55% for carbohydrate, 12-15% for protein and 30-35% for fat for healthy adults. That works out to 250- 275 grams of CHO, 60-75 grams of protein and 66-78 grams fat for a 2000 calorie diet.

Coffee - calorie counting

in short, skim milk cuts half your calorie intake, cut the sugar and going espresso or long-black is the ultimate way to go!

http://www.completefitness.com.au/articles/nutrition/coffeecalories.php

Dieting - Day 2

living on VeggieDelite from Subway for the 2nd day now.

agonisingly hungry always..

here's how my day unfolds
-------------------------
Breakfast:
Acaiberry drink

Lunch:
6" Veggie Delite (wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, pineapple, carrot, onion and green capsicum) - no cheese, no condiments ~ avg 230 calories

Before gym:
Another Veggie Delite

After gym:
Another Veggie Delite

lots of water to keep hydrated

Gym: 1 Powerade sports drink ~ 180ml

Coffee: 100 calorie
1 Banana (almost ripe, med size) ~ 100 calorie

Total calorie: 230x3+180+100+100 = 1070 calorie
Target: under 1000 calorie/day

What is the Healthiest Oil to Use for Cooking?

The healthiest oil to cook with is one that is composed primarily of monounsaturated fat. Oils containing a high degree saturated fats are considered the least healthy by most doctors, though most doctors now feel that the naturally occurring saturated fats in products like butter are better than the saturated fats in products like margarine.



Most experts now agree that the healthiest oil to use is canola oil. One drawback of canola oil is that it may not respond well to high temperatures. Another good choice, and actually a frequent one is peanut oil, which is also high in monounsaturated fat.

Olive oil is considered by some to be the healthiest oil because it provides a mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It can also be obtained in very pure form, which most health experts recommend.

When looking for the healthiest oil, one should look for oils that are minimally processed. Frequently, the more processed the oil, the less healthy it is.

Even the healthiest oil can contain a lot of calories so moderation is key. In general, use non-stick pans and a canola or olive oil cooking spray, which adds very little oil to a dish!

The healthiest oil used to deep-fry will still be highly caloric, and in general give one more oil than is needed. Instead of deep-frying, stir-frying, grilling or baking are better methods for preparing food, since oil requirements in such dishes are much lower.


1. Olive Oil
Olive oil has the greatest amount of unsaturated fats known. This is a natural oil that preserves the taste, aroma, properties and vitamins of the olive fruit. Unlike all others, olive oil can be consumed freshly pressed. Studies show that olive oil is beneficial to assist those suffering from ulcers, gastritis, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Olive oil is best used for Italian breads, salad dressings, and marinades. A tablespoon of olive oil contains 14% saturated fat, 12% poly unsaturated fat, and 74% mono unsaturated fats.

2. Canola Oil
Canola oil, contrary to what you have heard, is also good for you. Made from the crushed seeds of the canola plant, this oil is an excellent source of the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, which the body can not produce. Canola oil is known to protect the heart by its effect on blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation. The light flavor and smooth texture is perfect for sautéing, grilling, stir-frying, baking as well as salad dressings, sauces, and marinades. A tablespoon of canola oil contains 7% saturated fat, 35% poly unsaturated fat, and 58% mono unsaturated fats.

3. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil also has its health benefits; as suggested by its name, it is made from peanuts. Nutritionally speaking, this is not the best oil, yet it is a popular choice. People with health issues relating to trans fats and saturated fats benefit from utilizing this oil. With its high smoke temperature, peanut oil is ideal for frying and deep frying foods. A tablespoon of peanut oil contains 18% saturated fat, 33% poly unsaturated fat, and 49% mono unsaturated fats.

4. Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil is considered one of the world's healthiest oils. This oil is made from the most important crop in the world, rice which is a common food in all countries. Lowering cholesterol, fighting diseases, and fighting free radicals are just some of rice bran oils health benefits. The extremely light and versatile oil is perfect for frying, sautéing, salad dressings, dipping sauces, and baking. A tablespoon of rice bran oil contains 20% saturated fat, 33% poly unsaturated fat, and 47% mono unsaturated fats.

5. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is popular in in Asia. This healthy oil comes in a variety of colors resulting from the numerous ways the seed is processed to make the oil. Packed with an outstanding amount of vitamins and minerals, sesame oil is known to lower cholesterol and lower the risks of heart disease. This oil is mainly used in stir-fries because of its short shelf life and low smoke temperature. A tablespoon of sesame oil contains 15% saturated fat, 43% poly unsaturated fat, and 42% mono unsaturated fats.

Difference between butter and margarine

butter is derived from animal fat while margarine is derived from hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Butter is a much older food product than margarine. Butter is produced from the fatty cream of cow's milk, although other animal milks can be used

Margarine, on the other hand, is a manufactured food product designed specifically to be a butter substitute in 1869. It's a solid butter substitute with no cholesterol and little if any saturated fat.

Margarine does contain polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids, however, which many health experts consider to be unhealthy for humans because of their artery-clogging tendencies.

BOTTOMLINE - not one is better than the other but if you're having an abundance, go with margarine as a substitute for butter, and choose soft (liquid or tub) margarines over harder, stick forms. Use margarine with no more than 2 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon and with liquid vegetable oil as the first ingredient.

else go with butter but cut down the intake

if using butter for cooking, then opt for naturally occurring, unhydrogenated oil such as canola or olive oil instead

Greece Bailout

Oil spill at Alaska Valdez vs Today

How is cheese, yoghurt and milk made?

What's the difference in blue cheese, tasty, swiss and kraft cheese?

Wat bout homogenised or pasteurised milk?

World Expo 2010

Be the centre of social issues, technology forefront and future dreams.

next stop, World Expo in Shanghai.. wait, i first need a visa :)