Just because summer is already full on, it doesn’t mean you have to stop eating soup. If you’re craving a soothing, savory dinner in a bowl but don’t want to raise a sweat eating it, vichyssoise is just the ticket.
The recipe is based on a traditional French leek and potato soup, and was first introduced to diners at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in 1917. The chef, Louis Diat, had been feeling nostalgic for the delicious cool, creamy soup his mother and grandmother would serve when he was a child. While the original recipe calls for chicken stock, a well-flavored vegetable stock works just as well.
Use a large pot for this soup. Part of its cool charm is it’s white look, so be sure to peel the potatoes and use ground white pepper, not black.
It’s one of those recipes that keeps the customer satisfied – for generations to come.
Vichyssoise Soup
Serves 6
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
White part of 8 large leeks
2 medium potatoes, peeled
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons white wine (optional)
Salt and white pepper
For garnish:
2 tablespoons chopped chives or parsley leaves, or 3 tablespoons small croutons
Clean the leeks and slice thinly.
Peel the potatoes and chop into large dice.
Melt the butter in the soup pot and add the leeks. Stir over low-medium heat 5 minutes.
Add the potatoes. Cook another 2 minutes, stirring.
Pour the vegetable stock in. Raise the heat and bring to a boil.
Now reduce the heat so that the soup only simmers. Cook 35 minutes, covered.
Remove the soup from the heat and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
Blend the soup slowly with an immersion blender. If using a stand blender, blend it in several small batches to avoid getting burned from hot liquid bursting out.
Pour the soup back into the pot. Add the cream, salt and white pepper.
Bring the soup to a boil again, then lower the heat. If using white wine, add it now. Cook at a simmer for 5 minutes.
Allow the soup to cool to room temperature. Cover it tightly and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
You may also chill it overnight; the flavors will deepen. In that case, remove it from the fridge half an hour before serving to let the flavors re-assert themselves.
Garnish each serving with chopped chives, parsley, or a few croutons. Enjoy!
Google recently announced that it got the blessing from the State of Georgia to fuel a new energy program that will allow the major corporate giant buy renewable energy. The source to power their Georgia facility will come straight from Georgia Power, a major utility provider in the state.
The newly inked approved partnership will be the first of its kind and has some major corporate players in on it. Besides Google, the the deal will include Walmart Inc., Target Corp., Johnson & Johnson, and Alphabet Inc. in a program that will allow companies to go straight to the state’s largest utility provider to directly buy renewable energy.
Solar Access Increases with Big Company Initiatives
Using this program, Google will be able to obtain 78.8 megawatts of solar power for their Douglas County, GA data center. This is part of Google’s efforts to use as renewable energy sources wherever possible in every market it operates.
Corporate buyers will be picking up the tab for the costs of the renewable energy infrastructure, while adding low-cost, renewable electricity to the state of Georgia’s energy profile. The California based company said that their new partnership with Georgia Power, a subsidiary of the Southern Company, and other big corporate energy buyers was a major step in the right direction and a testament to the major role businesses can play in expanding access to renewable energy. The partnership is a deal more than two years in the making as the tech giant has long wanted to work with the state of Georgia.
“Solar is abundant and cost-competitive in the region, but until now the market rules did not allow companies like ours to purchase renewable energy,” said a Google rep in the announcement. “This shows that providing a cost-competitive, fixed-price clean power option is not only good for the environment, it also makes business sense,” Google continued.
Google’s new project will give the green light on construction of two solar energy projects that will total 177 megawatts of power. The supply will be part of their Commercial & Industrial Renewable Energy Development Initiative. These projects are set to be completed by 2019 and 2020, and at this time Google and other participating customers will be able to substitute part of their electricity bill with a fixed price. The price will be determined by the production of renewable energy generated.
This is a type of partnership that is happening in other parts of the United States as Google already broke ground on a new data center in Alabama, and are planning to scout a new wind and solar project through the Tennessee Valley Authority for their electrical grid.
Meanwhile, In Solar News Around the World…
“Many companies are feeling the rise of the solar industry growth. In that list you can find inspection technology companies and we happen to be very close to one, which is SPI Borescopes. Representative from SPI noted that solar panel industry growth is developing higher demand also for inspection technology tool use, most popular ones being borescopes. Interestingly, besides the installation of solar panels, maintenance of ones are much needed as well, and when it comes to that borescope use is number one go to for solar panel engineers.”
The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2018 report was released earlier this month and shows a surge in investment into renewable energy. Solar energy attracted investment dollars at a higher rate than any other energy source last year — yes, that includes coal, natural gas, wind, and nuclear. This is mostly due to the fact that solar power costs much less to install and maintain than most other forms of energy generation.
“The extraordinary surge in solar investment shows how the global energy map is changing and, more importantly, what the economic benefits are of such a shift,” says head of UN Environment, Erik Solheim. “Investments in renewables bring more people into the economy, they deliver more jobs, better quality jobs and better paid jobs. Clean energy also means less pollution, which means healthier, happier development.”, he continued.
More than $160.8 billion was spent on solar energy than other sources, and that number was up 18% over 2016. The total spent on all renewable energy sources was $279.8 billion, more than doubling the $103 billion invested for coal and natural gas.
China has done a tremendous job in new solar investments during 2017 by adding 53 gigawatts of solar power last year, with a whopping $86.5 billion in investments. Australia is up 147% in solar investments in 2017, with Mexico and Sweden also seeing significant increases in solar power developments.
Since 2004, the investment of renewable energy worldwide now reaches about $3 trillion, but the energy market still has a long way to go. Solar and other renewable sources included only make up a measly 12% of global power production, with some countries actually pulling back on its use.
There are many challenges facing new business entrepreneurs today, and one of these is being able to make their business stand out from the competition – and grow. In these times, it’s particularly difficult for start-up entrepreneurs to expand their business when they have to compete on a broader stage. So what can you do to make your small business grow? How can you effectively meet your goals and make sure that your business becomes adequately recognized by your target customer base? Here are some simple but effective ways through which you can really help your small business grow.
Learn more about your customers
This may already be obvious, but you don’t know how advantageous it really is if you can get to know your customers and their needs and wants. By learning more about your customers, you can develop your products and services to cater to their precise needs. One way through which you can get to know your customers more is by making your services more personalized – focusing more on customer service – and asking your customers to give feedback about your products or services. In this age when everything has already become so impersonal (even consumers’ shopping experiences are more impersonal, with online shopping and automatic email responses), providing your customers with a highly personalized service can work wonders for your business. Remember to go the extra mile whenever you can. Customers are more likely to remember your business – and recommend your business to friends – if you make it a point to give them personal care and attention.
Build on existing clients and be open to more opportunities
When you already have a customer base, it also pays to build on your relationship with them. You should nurture your relationship with your existing clients; you can do this by presenting them with updates through email newsletters or social media networks and letting them be part of various promotional discounts or offers. In the same vein, you should keep your eyes open for opportunities to get more customers, especially through events, social media interactions, and so on. Social media is particularly important for any business since it is where you can learn what your customers think about you and gain more insight into what they want. Through social media, you can also identify trends which may be appealing to your clients, and you can build up your business image and profile.
Think about developing a loyalty program for your customers
Another way through which you can help your small business grow is by developing a loyalty program for your customers. Did you know that it can cost 3 times more for you to get new customers compared to successfully selling something to an existing customer? But if you build and develop a loyalty program for your customers, you can retain their interest and increase your sales at the same time. Also, people love being part of a ‘group’ or a ‘club’. By having your own loyalty program, you may even be able to pique the interest of new customers who are curious about your program and may want to join in and be included.
Form a good partnership
If you want your business to grow, you have another option: form a good partnership with a company or business which complements yours. If you can form an alliance or partnership with a good business, you can reach a wider customer base. It may not be that easy to find a good partner, but be on the lookout, and find out what’s going on in your community. Once you find a business which can become a good partner and which complements your own products and services, contact them and make a partnership proposal. You have nothing to lose, but you have everything to gain.
Prioritize your cash flow
One aspect which many small business owners fail to pay the right amount of attention to is cash flow. Remember this: cash flow is your lifeblood. Proper cash flow allows you to run and operate your business even if you haven’t received your accounts receivables yet. This is why it’s important to keep your records updated and make sure you invoice promptly and correctly. You need to have a precise idea of what you spend and what you earn every month and establish a budget which allows you to meet your various expenditures.
If you’re having trouble with your cash flow, it’s best to address it from the beginning – find ways to save money and lessen your expenses, or, better yet, find ways to increase your income. You can also take advantage of small business funding options such as factoring, small business loans, lines of credit, merchant cash advances, and invoice financing. Invoice financing is particularly attractive to many small business owners because the amount you borrow is based on your actual invoices, and the process of approval is often quick and painless and the fees are often transparent as well.
A refreshed approach to your financial management can make a significant difference in maintaining steady cash flow. Creating proper business bank statements allows you to track your revenue and expenses effectively, making it easier to identify areas where adjustments are needed. Regularly reviewing your financial records helps you anticipate potential cash shortages and plan accordingly. With a clearer picture of your finances, you’ll be in a better position to secure funding and make informed business decisions. A refreshed approach to your financial management can make a significant difference in maintaining steady cash flow.
Know the value of networking, events, and trade shows
The value of networking cannot be denied, especially if you are just starting out. If you want the right exposure for your business, one thing you can do is network. Network as much as you can – after all, it’s not always what you know, but who you know. When you attend networking events, you may be able to meet like-minded business owners, prospective business suppliers, and so on. Another thing you can do is create your own unique event. Think about a kind of ‘meet and greet’ event where you invite your existing customers and prospective customers and give them an opportunity to get to know your business. Don’t forget the freebies – but just consider it an investment that will pay off as well.
You should also keep yourself informed about what’s going on in your industry. Joining a trade show is a great way of staying in touch with your industry and learning about some new trends. The good aspect about trade shows is that often, the visitors are already open to what you may be selling or offering – that’s why they are there in the first place. Since they are already interested, it may be easier to sell your wares and offerings to them.
There are many other ways through which you can help your small business grow, but by starting out with these key strategies and aspects, you can give your business the boost it needs.
Sabras – prickly pears – opuntia ficus-indica. The reddish-purple sabra fruit is ripening in empty lots and gardens all over Israel and the Levant. But you have to know how to pick them. As one who ignored the warning cries of experienced foragers and grasped a ripe sabra with my bare hand, I know. The innocent-looking fuzzy patches on the fruit are actually clusters of minuscule, barely-visible needles that embed themselves in the skin, and sting and itch like crazy. It was days before the torment stopped.
So I learned to gather sabras the right way. Cut the fruit off the cactus with a long-handled knife, or pick it with tongs. Let it drop into a shallow basket with handles, so you don’t touch it. There are also those who nail a tin can to a stick and nudge the fruit off.
To remove the needles, put on gloves and scrub the fruit with a stiff brush. Or impale the fruit on a fork and burn the needles off over a gas flame.
It’s a good idea to wear gloves to skin the fruit, even after processing it, just in case you missed a cluster of needles. Make a slit in the peel and work your knife around the fruit to slip it off entirely.
Is it worth all that trouble? Well, if you love the thrill of foraging – harvesting what you did not sow – yes. If you’re diligent, there’s lots of free fruit out there to harvest, as sabras grow in abundance wherever they take root. On the other hand, many supermarkets sell sabras already de-fanged. If sabras are common in your part of the world, you too may find them cleaned for sale.
It’s said that the cactus was brought to other parts of the Levant from Spain, by the Moors, centuries ago. Israel’s sabras are wild descendants of ornamental Mexican plants that someone brought over for his or her garden.
It’s true that the plant is easy to grow: just slice off one of the leaves, or paddles as they’re called, and let it dry, upright, until a scab forms on the cut part. Depending on the weather, this will take from a few days to a few weeks. Plant the paddle, cut side down, in sandy compost. It won’t need watering right away, as it provides its own moisture at first. When the paddle stands up by itself, it has made roots. Then water it, but only once a month afterward.
A plague of aphids from Lebanon appeared in Israel’s north, destroying many of these iconic plants. But there’s hope. In June of 2017, the Volcani Institute in the Arava imported Mexican ladybugs that eat the aphids. The BioBee farm on kibbutz Sde Eliyau raised them, and the Keren Kayemet LeIsrael set them loose to feast on the pests. The plan is apparently working; infected sabra plants treated with ladybug therapy have recovered and returned to good health.
There are many ways to enjoy the fruit. One, and maybe the best, is to put several ready-to-eat raw sabras in a bowl of ice water and eat them raw and chilled. You can also make jam from the fruit, or a fruity syrup that makes a delicious base for mojitos. The paddles, also known by their Mexican name, nopales, are edible too, but that’s a topic for another post.
Sabra Jam
Weigh the peeled fruit.
Weigh out the same quantity of white sugar.
Cook the fruit with the sugar over low heat, until the sugar is dissolved.
Place into a large saucepan with the same weight in sugar.
Add the juice of one lemon or one lime.
Bring the jam to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to medium and continue cooking until you have obtained a thick gel.
Strain the jam through cloth or a fine sieve to remove the seeds.
Store in sterilized jars.
Rosy Sabra Syrup
A base for cocktails and sorbets.
Ingredients:
12 large sabra fruits
2 cups white sugar
Juice of 1 large lemon
Chop the fruit and scrape it into a large saucepan. Cover it with water.
Bring the fruit and water to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook another 15 minutes.
Strain the liquid. Lacking cheesecloth or a jelly bag, a large, clean kitchen towel with a loose weave works too.
Measure the liquid. Rinse the saucepan out and pour the sabra liquid back into it.
Add the sugar and lemon juice to the sabra liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat when the sugar has dissolved.
Skim off any foam that forms on the surface of the syrup.
Pour the syrup into clean jars while it’s still hot – make sure to place a metal or wooden spoon in the jars before pouring the syrup in.
Fig trees on the southern side of Jerusalem Boulevard. Their days are numbered.
Tel Aviv is a relatively new city, but its older sister city next door, to which it shares the same municipality is home to dozens of hundreds of ancient trees, some which the city of Tel Aviv is hellbent on cutting down.
Since 2002, the city has proposed a light rail train to traverse the sister cities of Tel Aviv and Jaffa and to connect them to the suburbs. It’s a great idea, but there is a slight problem. How will passengers get on and off the train with the old trees in the way?
Why cut them down of course!
The trees in question grow on the main artery road Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa. There are at least 29 trees from 70 to 102 years old, all historical, and selected to be cut down to make space for train train stations. The city has already starting marking the trees destined for removal, arguing that they are sick anyway, says Vered Navon, activist and photographer working on a book about the trees. She helped found a group called Save the Trees, of which there are 500 members. And they are fighting to save the trees.
A boy on a fig tree in Mikve Israel
A meeting next Tuesday night in Jaffa is set up to inform the public about what the city plans to do. Professors and activists will explain the situation and propose alternatives.
Says Navon, “They in the city, they don’t think about the trees. They only consider the electricity and water it will take to maintain them. They don’t understand that they give us shelter, shade, clean air. It’s Jaffa’s green lung.”
The trees slated for removal are 102-year old spindly Washington palms and 70-year old sprawling fig trees with arms hugging in every direction. The figs were planted when Israel became a state 70 years ago. The figs give enormous amounts of shade and are home to birds and bats that eat berries and bugs. The vision is to turn the boulevard, or at least part of it, into a pedestrian only area, with the train connecting people to shops, cafes and their homes.
Instead of the dozens of buses that run down the street every few minutes, a smooth and easy electric train will traverse the city in speed and style. Activists say that the trees don’t need to be cut down. That one of the city planners that is on the side of the trees says that the stations can be moved 20 meters and the trees can be spared. But the city isn’t listening.
The activists propose that the company the city hired, Netta, can carry out the engineering work and simply move the three stations along the boulevard to spots where the doors of the trains can open with ease.
The palm trees are a common variety, the Washington palm. But they are uncommonly tall, and have some history: “The ancient palms were planted by the students of Elihau Krause, the founder of Mikve Israel,” says Vered, citing Israel’s first agriculture college located in Holon. Funded by the Rothschilds and other prominent figures, it is this school that in the 1800s already was growing cultivars tolerant to desert climates. It is this school and its researchers that gave Israel the ability and spirit to transform the country into an agriculture dynasty.
Fig trees on Jerusalem Boulevard
Jaffa resident Yisrael Borochov who lives on Dr. Paul Erlich Street, one of the proposed train stops said that the city has a history of doing what it wants, without regard for the environment or what’s right for the future. He tells Green Prophet: “They cut down two Washington palm trees on Erlich without asking anyone, and when I turned to Nitza Smoke, in charge of preserving the environment for the city, she didn’t even reply. The trees were about 120 years old. From that moment I lost faith in the establishment because I understood they do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do, and it’s going to happen today with the train.
“There are not too many ancient trees in Jaffa or Tel Aviv. The city of Tel Aviv should be proud of every single tree and not looking for a reason to cut them down.”
Navon says that the same trees, the fig trees, were not cut down on the wealthier established part of Tel Aviv along Rothschild Boulevard. She insinuates that the reason the city is marking the so-called “sick trees” is because the weaker demographic of Jaffa won’t resist what the city wants to do.
We wrote the city for feedback and will post in the comments or update the article when we get their reply.
Meanwhile, want to fight for the trees? Join the Tuesday evening event in Jaffa. Details here.
As per a survey conducted by ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), it has been found that approx. 53% of corporate firms have enrolled for yoga sessions to increase productivity of their employees and reduce the attrition rate. Apart from these two attributes, workplace wellness programs also increase the employees’ loyalty and overall work performance.
These days, companies are spending a good amount of money on buying the best health insurance policy for their employees; however, by signing up for a wellness program, they can significantly reduce the cost involved in health insurance premiums.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a small business owner, self-employed, or a corporate mogul, your business as well as your employees will benefit from yoga if incorporated into the organization’s wellness programs and daily work culture.
If you still don’t think that yoga is important for your business, these 5 benefits of yoga will definitely change your thoughts:
Beats Stress:
The ASSOCHAM survey has also revealed that more than 40.5% of the employees sleep less than for 6 hours a day. The reason for so is mostly recognized as high stress levels.
Both mental and emotional stresses are considered as the top factors affecting employees’ health and productivity for the obvious reason. They are also responsible for aggravating ailments and several medical conditions, such as cold, allergies, heart diseases and diabetes.
You might haven’t thought about it but the stress factor alone accounts for a loss of billions of dollars every year due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, employee turnover, medical fees, etc.
Following yoga routine can be helpful in regulating your stress level by gently releasing tension and hence, it can be of paramount help to both employers as well as employees.
Reduces Fatigue
As per a study, sitting in the same position for more than 5 hours can easily make you feel fatigued and result in reduced productivity. Also, working non-stop can easily lead to stress. Just standing up from your seat or doing some physical activity, such as stretching, etc., every thirty minutes or so can increase the blood circulation in your body and efficiently avoid fatigue.
Alleviates Physical Ailments
Any form of pains or aches can easily affect your productivity in the workplace. If you are suffering from any type of ache, it’s quite natural that your work concentration and productivity will be affected, as you would be constantly thinking about the physical discomfort you are facing.
You would be surprised to know how effective yoga can be to help you relieve even the most severe aches like those related to traumatic brain injury. Now, if it can be so effective in dealing with such severe aches, just imagine how effective it is going to be for regular headaches, neck strain, arthritis, shoulder stiffness, etc.
Improves Focus & Concentration
Endless meetings, stressful deadlines and the general harshness of a workplace create mental chaos that affects your power to make good decisions and your concentration power as well. Meditation activities in yoga along with breathing exercises help employees clear their mental clutter and silence the surroundings, making them more alert and focused.
With better concentration and focus, your creative energy flows in a better way, eventually blessing you with creativity to think outside the box.
Promotes Team-Building Capabilities
Regular yoga sessions are a great way to increase team building as well as capabilities of individual employees.
Due to a stressful lifestyle and long commuting hours, one hardly gets time to engage in any personal wellness program, which results in stressed workers at different level affecting the overall productivity of your organization.
You can conduct special Yoga training programs in your workplace or any other venue and help your employees get a productive break from their hectic lifestyle.
Final Thoughts!
If you are feeling physically, emotionally and mentally well, your morale will automatically be high. As a matter of fact, healthy and relaxed employees are always better to work with rather than a lethargic and demotivated bunch of people. Being an employer, it’s your duty to keep your employees motivated, and then you can easily do the job by encouraging your teammates to take just 10 minutes of break every day and follow some simple yoga exercises.
One can easily perform stretches and breathing exercises at her/his working desk, in the fresh air or in a conference room. Thus, providing your employees with free yoga classes is certainly one of the most cost-effective ways to get them motivated and achieve productivity from them.
Soy has been touted as a source of perfect protein for decades. It was believed that soy prevents breast cancer and heart disease. Women built soy into their diets as a nutritional shield against breast cancer. Soy-based baby formula was hailed as a convenient and healthy alternative to mother’s milk. In 1999, the FDA authorized a claim that soy protein reduces coronary heart disease.
But newer studies have reversed those theories. What we are seeing now is that soy, and especially unfermented soy and its derivatives, inhibits absorption of vital minerals and protein, disrupts hormone function, and actually increases the risk of cancer. Green Prophet has been pondering the effects of soy in human diet for years (see our article Oy! Soy! and watch us shudder at Soylent).
So what’s wrong with soy?
The FDA is now proposing to revoke the soy health claim authorization. Susan Mayne, director of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, stated in October 2017,
“We are proposing a rule to revoke a health claim for soy protein and heart disease. For the first time, we have considered it necessary to propose a rule to revoke a health claim because numerous studies published since the claim was authorized in 1999 have presented inconsistent findings on the relationship between soy protein and heart disease.”
Make your own oat milk at home!
Oat milk may the only option after milk and soy has let us down. We tried almond milk but that was killing the bees. Read here for our recipe
Soy and its derivatives can cause mineral and protein deficiencies. Lignins and phytic acid are substances present in all grains and pulses, but soybean has the highest levels of them. These substances are known as anti-nutrients, because they decreases the body’s absorption of vitally important minerals and vitamins, like zinc, copper, and magnesium; iron, calcium, vitamin D and the B vitamins.
Soybeans also contain enzyme inhibitors that can block absorption of the proteins in food. The Western diet, so often dependent on industrially prepared foods, is already deficient in minerals and high-quality proteins. Consuming soy reduces your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and puts your health even more at risk.
Soy is proven to inhibit thyroid function. In children, this can block normal growth. In adults, low thyroid function causes fatigue, irritability, weight gain, and problems throughout women’s reproductive and post-menopausal life. Iodine deficiency is known to weaken thyroid activity; given that 1 billion people worldwide are iodine-deficient, one wonders how at much additional risk a diet high in soy puts them.
Soy is rich in phytoestrogens, which are substances with weak estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity. Phytoestrogens mimic, or in some cases suppress, the body’s natural hormone production. Soy overload makes the body produce more estrogen. Consequently, girls raised on soy hot dogs, soy ice cream, and the myriad varieties of soy in their food, are attaining puberty earlier every year. It used to be unheard of for a 9-year-old child to have adult breasts and to menstruate. In industrially developed countries, it’s common now. Consider that these young children are exactly that – young children who are not prepared to cope with sexual maturity in any way. This potentially has far-reaching consequences not only in their personal lives, but in society as a whole.
As for soy overload in boys, it’s now suspected of disrupting normal male hormone production, leading to delayed adolescence.
Most soy is genetically modified and treated with pesticides
More than 80% of the world’s soy crops are genetically modified. Monsanto, the world’s largest agricultural corporation, modified soy to survive repeated exposure to pesticides in 1994. Monsanto now sells GM soy paired with Roundup pesticide, whose main ingredient (glyphosate) is proven to be carcinogenic. Roundup also destroys valuable organic compounds in soil, so crops grown on that soil are less nutritious.
Soy also is a common allergen
Allergies and food sensitivities are rising dramatically, worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations includes soy in its list of the eight most significant food allergens, and has identified at least 16 potential soy protein allergens.
Baby formula should never be made with soy
The darkest side of soy consumption lingers in what should be the most innocent of foods: baby formula.Natural nutritionist Dr. Eric Osansky states on his blog,
“Infants on soy formula consume approximately 6–9 mg of isoflavones (one of the phytoestrogens) per kg. of body weight per day, an amount, when adjusted for body weight, that is up to seven times higher than for adults meeting the FDA soy consumption guideline (our italics)…
Just about all animal studies have demonstrated that the manipulation of estrogen during specific critical windows of development throughout gestation and early infancy leads to a myriad of adverse health outcomes.
This includes malformations in the ovary, uterus, mammary gland and prostate, early puberty, reduced fertility, disrupted brain organization, and reproductive tract cancers… A 2008 study consisting of 694 girls in Israel found an increased prevalence of breast buds in 2-year old girls who were fed soy formula as infants.”
What about soy versus breast cancer?
A study done at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2014 cautiously concluded that soy protein could potentially speed up the progression of breast cancer in certain groups of women, and certainly reduce the effects of certain cancer medications.
The myth of the Japanese diet
You might hark back to outdated beliefs that insist, “The Japanese eat lots of tofu and soy, and their cancer rates are low.” Neither assumption is true. The traditional Japanese diet includes a great variety of foods; tofu and other soy-derived foods account for no more than a daily ounce. In recent decades, though, Japanese youngsters have been eating less traditional and more Western-style processed foods. According to the Japanese Cancer Society, one in three deaths in Japan is due to cancer. How much is due to soy overload? An open question, but it’s reasonable to assume that increased soy consumption is among the factors.
Soy in our daily foods
Snack foods and deep-fried foods, baked goods and industrially manufactured products like mayonnaise and cheap ice cream depend on soy oil. Soy cooking oil, so cheap, and available in every grocery store. Soy milk, soy cheese, soy yogurts. Veggie-burgers.
Tofu hot dogs and tofu ice cream. Those are products where you’d expect to find soy. But frozen ground beef often incorporates soy – it says “vegetable protein” on the label, but you know it’s soy; a cheap way to stretch the meat.
Soy flour finds its way into baked goods too, in cookies and crackers as in your daily bread. Look at the label on that package of cookies in the pantry: I’ll bet it reads “soy flour,” “lecithin” and “hydrogenated vegetable oil.” What’s the cheapest source of lecithin (an emulsifier) and oil for manufacturers to use? Soy.
Soy protein is the mainstay of intensive beef, dairy, poultry, fish and pig farming. It’s a cheap way to bulk out animal feed and helps deliver animal products to supermarkets at cheaper prices.
So even if you never touch tofu, you’re probably getting soy compounds in your meat.
Babies are most at risk for soy
Babies surviving on soy-based formulas are being cheated of nutrition and getting filled up potentially dangerous phytoestrogens – not to mention getting a soy overload that drives allergies. Vegans and vegetarians who eat a lot of soy products are mistakenly assuming that their protein needs are being met. They’re not. Women who have been told to increase their soy intake to avoid menopausal problems are finding that lots of soy not only doesn’t help, it makes things worse.
With all of that dire information, can you still cook with fermented soy products like soy sauce, miso, tempeh and natto? Yes. If you’re clear of soy allergies and don’t have thyroid or other hormone health issues, a little of those fermented foods won’t hurt. Even a few cubes of organic tofu tossed into salad, soup, or a stir-fry won’t hurt. But stay clear of dishes heavily based on soy, like soy milk shakes and tofu-based desserts.
What can you do to keep soy out of your life?
First, check labels. Reject foods that contain soy. Eat organically raised meat and fish if you can. That bowl of edamame you love to snack on? Think twice. Being organic doesn’t take away the natural anti-nutrient properties of the soy bean.
And those processed chicken nuggets and fish fingers, made of scraps and soy pressed together with meat glue – just give them a miss.
We realize that sources of organic protein aren’t always available or affordable. But if you dedicate some time every week to home cooking, you and those you cook for will still come out ahead. Making your own mayonnaise takes minutes if you have a blender, or even a wire whisk. Mineral-rich soups, roasts, stews, beans and grains need only minutes of preparation. Put on a timer to remind you when to take your pots off the heat, and you’re free to do other things while your food is cooking.
And for new mothers, do the wise thing and resist those formula ads promising your baby adorable glowing health. Soy milk doesn’t do it. Give your baby the best milk for babies in the world – her mother’s.
Hiring outside help to complete your assignment doesn’t seem like the ideal thing to do. But in certain situations, it can save your skin. Following, we will debate on this topic and decide whether you should invest in assignment writing services or not. So stick with us.
Can You Trust A Writing Service?
It’s a risk trusting someone else with your assignment, but is it a risk that pays off? Professional writers are naturally better at their wordplay. They take less time, yet curate far better content. They do help students to secure better grades.
These writers know how to put content in a more presentable way for teachers. Once the document is completed, and the writer is paid, students get completed ownership of the respective work, and the writer is forbidden to use them ever again. These writers assure high-quality work and check for plagiarism.
The service makes sure students, and writes are in direct contact so they can convey necessary instructions and make changes as needed. Every University Program requires its student to produce high-quality work. These papers are very important as they mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful career.
Professional Essay writing services are well aware of this, and they assure you impress your superiors with the assignment.
Is It the Right Thing to Do?
Everyone a student looks forward to buy essay UK, they think about this for a moment. We are not going to give you a long interpretation of your actions, nor will we jump to a conclusion. Instead, we will try to clarify some important things.
Teachers hardly get past the fact that students use grammar tools to proofread their work. Therefore they will never forgive once they have learned that you had some help with your assignment. We know of this notion, and we assure by our work that things don’t come to it. The risk appears much greater when it’s your degree on the line.
Unfortunately, teachers never cut the students a break. Students have bombarded assignments; they are never assigned. Therefore, they do take whatever help is available. We understand the gravity of this situation, and we make sure our writing has the same flair as yours, and it will make it extremely difficult for your
The crux of This Situation
The hard truth is, you cannot disregard the benefit of these writing services, they help students to a great extent, but they do require help now and then. With the teachers not showing any soft corner, students are forced to take these drastic measures.
Unless the teachers are willing to soften, students will be forced to use such services as it takes some load off their backs. Besides, these services can produce better thesis as compared to students, and they are willing to pay the price.
Hire these services to prove to be a great learning student and learn how to structure, proofread, and add the final touches to craft a perfect assignment.
If you have not heard about cannabis oil, better known as CBD, you are missing out on an opportunity to improve your life naturally. CBD has shown to offer a broad range of benefits, including pain relief and improved sleep. However, this is only the beginning, as CBD oil delivers positive effects that can improve your mentality, cognitive functions,and immunity. Below, you will discover a list of the positive effects of CBD oil.
Induces Sleep
People have reported improved sleep after consuming CBD oil. When vaped about 15 minutes prior to bedtime,CBD e-liquid can make you calm, relaxed and drowsy, resulting in a good night’s sleep. Some medical experts believe that CBD oil is effective in treating some sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
Reduces Chronic Pain
CBD’s analgesic properties make it a great alternative to prescription opioids. If you are familiar with opioids, such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone,and fentanyl, you know that they are highly addictive. Commercial-grade CBD oil derived from some types of Cannabis sativa plant are not additive. So, you can utilize CBD oil to control your chronic pain and not worry about becoming addicted. What it boils down to is cannabis oil is a safer alternative to prescription opioids. If you’re looking for verified and certified cannabis oil products, you need to head over to Premium Jane.
Decreases Inflammation Associated With Arthritis
Millions of people living in the United States are living with some form of arthritis, any condition that affects the joints. As more people become aware of the dangers of corticosteroids, arthritis suffers are beginning to look for safer alternatives. One very safe alternative is CBD oil, which contains properties that can fight against inflammation in the joints.
Calming Effects
Anxiety is a serious condition that millions of individuals deal with only a daily basis. Not only can this condition eventually lead to suicide, but also it can have other adverse effects on your personal and professional life. While there are tons of medications available on the market to battle anxiety, they often times lead to mood changes and dependency. However, new and exciting studies are showing that CBD oil provides patients with an anxiolytic-like effect that can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Whether you suffer from social anxieties or you have panic attacks, CBD oil has the potential properties to aid in your quest for a better life.
Lowers Frequency Rate Of Diabetes
Diabetes is another serious health condition that is sweeping through the nation. Children from middle-aged men are being diagnosed with this horrible disease on a daily basis. Well, back in 2006 a study showed that the use of CBD oil could greatly reduce the frequency rate of diabetes. This study was conducted on non-obese diabetic mice and the results were truly astonishing. The results showed that 86 percent of the diabetic mice experienced an incidence occurrence.
Aiding In Drug Withdrawals And Smoking
Trying to stop using drugs and smoking are two difficult tasks to accomplish. While kicking some drug habits eventually lead to adverse withdrawal symptoms, trying to quit smoking can be just as hard. The scientific and medical world is in awe of the promising evidence that CBD oil has uncovered when it comes to helping individuals accomplish both of these tasks. A group of regular smokers was given an inhaler containing CBD oil on a daily basis and the results proved that not only did these patients have fewer nicotine cravings, but also they smoked fewer cigarettes than they normally would have.
The renewable energy industry created more than 500,000 new jobs globally in 2017, a 5.3 per cent increase from 2016, according to the latest figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based in Abu Dhabi. According to the fifth edition of Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review, launched at IRENA’s 15th Council in Abu Dhabi today, the total number of people employed in the sector (including large hydropower) now stands at 10.3 million globally, surpassing the 10 million figure for the first time.
China, Brazil, the United States, India, Germany and Japan remain the world’s largest renewable energy employers, representing more than 70 per cent of all industry jobs globally. Although growing numbers of countries are reaping the socio-economic benefits of renewables, the bulk of manufacturing takes place in relatively few countries and domestic markets vary enormously in size. Sixty per cent of all renewable energy jobs are in Asia.
“Renewable energy has become a pillar of low-carbon economic growth for governments all over the world, a fact reflected by the growing number of jobs created in the sector.” said Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
“The data also underscores an increasingly regionalised picture, highlighting that in countries where attractive policies exist, the economic, social and environmental benefits of renewable energy are most evident,” continued Mr. Amin. “Fundamentally, this data supports our analysis that decarbonisation of the global energy system can grow the global economy and create up to 28 million jobs in the sector by 2050.”
The solar PV industry remains the largest employer of all renewable energy technologies, accounting for close to 3.4 million jobs, up almost 9 per cent from 2016 following a record 94 gigawatts (GW) of installations in 2017. China was estimated to account for two-thirds of PV jobs – equivalent to 2.2 million – representing an expansion of 13 per cent over the previous year.
Despite a slight dip in Japan and the United States, the two countries followed China as the largest markets for solar PV employment in the world. India and Bangladesh complete a top five that accounts for around 90 per cent of global solar PV jobs.
Jobs in the wind industry contracted slightly last year to 1.15 million worldwide. While wind jobs are found in a relatively small number of countries, the degree of concentration is lower than in the solar PV sector. China accounts for 44 per cent of global wind employment, followed by Europe and North America with 30 and 10 per cent, respectively. Half of the top ten countries with the largest installed capacity of wind power in the world are European.
“The energy transformation narrative is one of improving economic opportunity and a rise in social wellbeing as countries implement supportive policies and attractive regulatory frameworks to fuel industrial growth and sustainable job creation,” said Dr. Rabia Ferroukhi, Head of IRENA’s Policy Unit and Deputy Director of Knowledge, Policy and Finance.
“By providing policy makers with this level of detail about the composition of renewable energy employment and skills requirements, countries can make informed decisions on several important national objectives, from education and training, to industrial policies and labour market regulations,” continued Dr. Ferroukhi. “Such considerations will support a fair and equitable transition to a renewables based energy system.”
Personal injuries are far more common than most people could ever imagine, especially when you are an eco-activist. It could happen due to an accident, a fight or another traumatic event. If you’ve been injured and it wasn’t your fault, there is a good chance that you’re entitled to some form of payment. If you believe that this is the case, you should consider finding representation. A lawyer can help you get the money that you’re entitled to. So, when should you hire a personal injury lawyer? You’ll find out below.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common injuries in the United States. If you’ve been the victim of a vehicle accident, you should not hesitate to get a lawyer as quickly as possible. In fact, it is recommended that you get a lawyer immediately after the accident. It is imperative to make sure that you do not go through a single step of the process without suitable representation. Remember that it is possible to hire an attorney on a contingency basis. Don’t wait or you may regret it in the future.
Insurance Matters
Despite paying a great deal for your insurance each and every month, there is still a good chance that the insurance company isn’t going to want to pay out. The insurance company owes you money. A lawyer will fight on your behalf and ensure that you’re able to get the money needed to cover your medical bills and the damage to your automobile. With a lawyer by your side, you can rest assured knowing that your claims will be paid within a reasonable period of time. In return, you’ll get your vehicle back up and running before you know it.
Try to get a lawyer immediately after you’ve left the emergency room. If you did not go to the hospital, you should call a lawyer as soon as you get home. Click here to learn more about personal injury lawyers.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is far more common than you could ever imagine. If you believe that you have a malpractice claim, you’ll want to act as quickly as possible. There are specific state statutes that will require consumers to provide their doctor with notice within a reasonable amount of time. The amount of time you’re given depends on your location. Nevertheless, you should not delay. Medical malpractice cases can be incredibly lengthy and you’ll want to give your lawyer plenty of time to gather evidence. Get in touch with a lawyer as quickly as possible.
Certain mistakes doctors make can turn out to be fatal and you often can’t prove the extent of negligence without legal expertise. Families from all over the Golden State that lost a loved one are consulting this wrongful death lawyer in California to pursue accountability and secure justice for their loss. These cases require detailed investigations, medical expert testimony, and a deep understanding of the legal system. By working with experienced counsel, grieving families can focus on healing while their rights are protected.
Slips And Falls
There is a chance that you’re going to get injured when walking through a store or restaurant. The employees might not have wiped up the wet floor good enough. Or, they might not have put up a sign to warn you. If this is the result of your slip and fall, you should take action. The company in question may be responsible for your medical bills. Get in touch with a lawyer in your area and see whether or not they’re willing to help. If you have a case, you can guarantee that they’ll be willing to jump on board.
A middle-aged man with a yen for travel is documenting his wanderlust in wool, designing and crafting dozens of unusual sweaters which he proudly wears in the exact places that inspired them, posing for photographs that are endearing and bizarre.
Cauliflower is enjoying a big trend among dieters and health-conscious eaters. That’s because the vegetable has almost no calories and almost no starch. And it has so many phytochemicals – biologically active plant compounds – that listing them all here would make you think you’re reading a leaflet from a multi-vitamin box.
Cauliflower is such a healthy vegetable because of its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Its high vitamin and mineral levels, especially vitamins K and C, are part of cauliflower’s health package that help fight off cancer, heart disease, diabetes, brain disorders, and other ailments. Anything that reduces or helps prevent inflammation is good, especially as we grow older. And the fiber content certainly improves digestion. For another cauliflower recipe, one that includes broccoli, go here.
All very nice, but what about flavor?
I personally enjoy cauliflower steamed and served with a dribble of lemon butter, but when company comes over, I want to dress it up. Its characteristic flavor makes a good base for all kinds of seasonings. But if you’re tempted to cook cauliflower in a rich, cheesy sauce, remember that all that fatty goodness will undo most of the vegetable’s health benefits.
Here’s a healthier alternative, where cauliflower is seasoned and oven-roasted. It’s easy to make, and if you enjoy pungent garlic, you’ll like this recipe.
Garlicky Roasted Cauliflower
Serves 4 Ingredients:
1 large head of cauliflower
A few of the smaller, tender leaves, cut up in pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, chopped coarsely
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika – sweet or smoked
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Feel free to increase any of the dry seasonings by 1/4-1/2 teaspoon, if you love extra spiciness.
Preheat the oven to 450°F – 220°.
Slice the cauliflower in half from the top down. Slice the halves into quarters, again from the top down.
Lay the quarters on their sides and slice off the core and remaining stalk in one long piece. Discard these tough pieces, or save them to flavor soup.
Separate the florets with your fingers.
Place the florets and leaves on a baking tray lined with parchment.
Toss the florets and leaves with the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and dry seasonings until all are well coated.
Roast the cauliflower and leaves for 10 minutes, then move them around with a spatula or wooden spoon to ensure that they roast evenly. Resume cooking the florets until they’re golden and tender about 20 minutes altogether.
The leaves will be crunchy.
For even more nutrition, and to add Middle-Eastern flair, serve with tahini or yogurt.
There’s no doubt that the production of energy is something that mankind is heavily dependent upon. This is the main reason why fossil fuels have been so prevalent when it comes to the production of energy despite their obvious carbon footprint. Humanity’s continued efforts to produce energy has been leaving the planet in a worse and worse state, and while the planet is in no danger of truly suffering from the harmful effects of pollution and its ilk, we have no such luck.
This is why it’s essential to find ways of producing renewable energy that won’t leave a carbon footprint behind, and in some ways, we’ve actually been quite successful. After all, this isn’t necessarily something that would benefit only the planet – it’s to make sure that we still have a clean and green environment when the times comes for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy the world we live in.
Starting with kinetic energy
For this list, we’re going to start with one of the more modern and revolutionary means of producing energy without a carbon footprint – kinetic energy. In a nutshell, this energy is produced through the movement of our own bodies – see this one designer who is taking power from our veins.
This honestly comes as a surprise when you consider that we haven’t thought to make use of it until recently. To show just how simple yet revolutionary this is, one of the simplest ways of gathering kinetic energy is through the installation of special sidewalks and pathways.
It’s almost mind-blowing how we didn’t think to do this a long time ago, considering the fact that sidewalks gather a great deal of energy throughout the day, every single day, as people simply walk on by.
It doesn’t stop at sidewalks either. In the same vein, the installation of dance floors is another great means of gathering kinetic energy. This is an incredible way of developing and producing renewable energy with barely anyone making an effort to do so. While it does take a good deal of movement to gather kinetic energy, it’ll be happening without any of us even knowing. And we’d be helping erase the carbon footprint bit by bit.
Making good use of hydropower
No matter where you live, there’s a very big chance that you have flowing water somewhere on your property. This is hydropower! Even if you don’t, you might have thought to add it simply for aesthetics’ sake.
However, what if you were told that this could be a great way of gathering energy? For example, utilising a wind turbine along with the constant flow of water in order to gather renewable energy for very little effort. With this kind of energy, you could be powering home appliances!
There’s a very good reason why many individuals and companies make use of hydropower as a source of energy production – because it’s easy and it’s clean. While it isn’t an obscure and newfound energy production source like kinetic energy might be, it’s still a surprise just how easily you could make use of it. You don’t have to be a powerful corporation after all; the only thing you need is a source of flowing water in order to make full use of it. Not only will it help you save money on electricity, it’ll also help reduce your carbon footprint.
Harnessing the wind
When it comes to making good use of hydropower, you’ll need a wind turbine to help gather the energy of flowing water. Or go visit the windcatchers of Yazd. However, why do they call it a wind turbine to begin with? This is mainly due to the fact that its primary source of energy is supposed to be the wind. For individuals who happen to have very large estates, it’s more than possible to build large wind turbines and have them work like a charm with no other effort involved. After all, it’s using the power of the wind to move the turbines and generate energy.
If you have an estate large enough to place more than one large wind turbine, you won’t have to worry about paying for electricity anytime soon. As an added bonus, your carbon footprint will be reduced significantly, because wind is a renewable power source that is as clean as you can possibly get.
Solar power
We would be remiss not to talk about one of the most popular means of clean and renewable energy production; solar energy. Having gained traction and popularity over the years, you’ll find many homeowners who gather solar energy through panels that absorb the heat of the sun and transform it into usable energy to power home appliances. Even if you haven’t yet experienced how solar panels work, chances are you’ve at least owned a calculator that uses the power of the sun via a small panel to work. It’s become so popular that some homeowners have even replaced much of their roof with solar shingles, which is an excellent option for anyone who’s serious about harnessing solar energy to power their home.
While some might argue that solar power is an imperfect method because it’s only effective when the sun is out, solar panels have evolved over the years to make more out of less and less solar energy. This means that anyone who has enough panels and uses solar shingles on their roof could enjoy an entire night of free and renewable energy provided that the sun shines during the day.
To conclude, there are many different ways of gathering energy without necessarily raising your carbon footprint. As these methods grow more in popularity and technology continues to evolve to better harness them, perhaps it’s no stretch to say that we’ll eventually use these methods exclusively. This will no doubt lead to a much greener and healthier world to live in.
Of course the train is best, but when you don’t have months to get around Europe, rent a car, and try to make it electric if you can! The ideas and itineraries suitable for a trip on board your car are not counted: you can leave for an adventure in the Alps, or travel the coastal cities of the Mediterranean, including ports, villages and naturalistic areas, or venture into the North Sea or long romantic routes between the castles and the countryside. Let’s see together which are the best European car trips you can’t miss.
Getting started for your car trips
Before start considering your next destination we are here to give you some advice related to the car rental. The holidayautos car hire could be the tool you need to learn about the available solutions and options for you so you can definitely save money and time. It is easy to use, absolutely convenient and totally customizable. You cannot miss it.
French Riviera for a scenic ride
The French Riviera is the ideal place for an exciting trip on the road by car: here are some of the most beautiful scenic roads in Europe. Wonderful is the Corniche de l’Esterel a stretch of highly scenic coastal road that develops around the Massif de l’Esterel, a relief of volcanic origin between the villages of Saint-Raphaël and Mandelieu -la-Napoule.
Romantische Strasse (“Romantic Road”) for an authentic complete German experience
This very impressive road crosses the heart of Germany and passes through green countryside, castles, and medieval villages. There are numerous points of interest worth a visit: the main cities include Füssen and Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, Augsburg and more.
Atlanterhavsveien, or the famous “Road of the Atlantic” for astonishing views
Initially conceived as a railway route, the project then took shape in a very unusual road section. The road is 8 km long and is located near the cities of Kristiansund and Molde, in the north of Norway (500 km from Oslo), where it connects the island of Averøy to the mainland. It is a unique road route because it is built on islets and rocks, with raised streets, viaducts and eight bridges, the most famous of which is the Storseisundet bridge.
Switzerland for a natural mind-blowing experience
Switzerland is another ideal destination for a journey of freedom and adventure in Europe. In Switzerland, there is the Gran Tour Switzerland, a 1,600-kilometer circular route that winds its way through lakes, Alpine passes, UNESCO sites through 4 linguistic regions.
Portugal exploring the seaside and relaxing moments
For those who want to go a bit ‘more to the west, another area at the top for an exciting on the road by car is definitely Portugal. With 800 km of coastline and a predominantly flat territory, the country lends itself well to a comfortable car trip to combine with a visit to its most important cities and relaxing beach life.
These are the best European car trips you can’t miss. You can choose what’s the one itinerary that suits you more or, if you are brave enough, you can combine multiple little trips for a wider road trip all over Europe! Use your creativity and your thirst for travel and you will rock it!
Sabras – prickly pears – opuntia ficus-indica. The reddish-purple sabra fruit is ripening in empty lots and gardens all over Israel and the Levant. But you have to know how to pick them. As one who ignored the warning cries of experienced foragers and grasped a ripe sabra with my bare hand, I know. The innocent-looking fuzzy patches on the fruit are actually clusters of minuscule, barely-visible needles that embed themselves in the skin, and sting and itch like crazy. It was days before the torment stopped.
