My 40-gigabyte summer

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March 15, 2018

It was decided. I was going to spend a summer in the bush. I’d come to Canada in the summer as I had every year after moving to the Middle East 18 years ago. I always missed the green. The air without humidity, and dust. The wild. This year was going to be unusual. I was going to pick berries and forage to save our lives; teach my little kids how to navigate without a GPS. Bake pies. Tie knots. After seeing the state of the old house, not lived in for 7 years, and before that by a hoarding hermit, my sister said it was impossible. I would never be able to do it. To live like that with some much wild around us, no one for miles. My dad said I’d have until Tuesday. All bets were in.

I am a Canadian girl. Spent summers in the north. I am no quitter. Without a landline reaching me, I’d done some research. Rogers had installed a new cellphone tower in the nearest village, Nipissing, about 20 minutes from our old homestead. We were sitting on 200 acres, with a 100 year-old house on a remote logger’s road, an area known for harboring American Vietnam draft dodgers in the 70s – no one would find them there! And a few short years ago, cellphone access was just a dream. Locals I’d chatted with who’d been in the region or on our property for maintenance said by all accounts I should get a cell phone signal at my place. Maybe one bar or two, but a signal no less. For me a signal means data, and for me an Internet connection is life or death. I could afford to stay a month in the middle of nowhere if I could work on essentials in order to keep my online businesses afloat. Otherwise I’d have to go back to suburbia where my parents live near Toronto.

On a trial run at my parent’s cottage on a nearby lake, 20 minutes down the road, I’d calculated my appetite for data. In three days applying basic Internet surfing habits for work and pleasure – an online video chat, some work on collaborative documents, uploading some photos to a publishing platform, a Netflix TV show and a few Spotify songs, I’d consumed 2 gigabytes worth of data. I couldn’t do piecemeal because I’d end up spending a thousand dollars over the month.

I needed a plan.

If I were to spend a month in the bush alone with two small kids, and black bears and raccoons clawing at the windows (not to mention the moose!), I’d need 40 gigabytes to play it safe. My cellphone signal in the bush was barely attainable, but when connected to data, I could Skype whoever I wanted with relative ease, even locals. I could find recipes for pies. I could figure out what mushrooms are poisonous; I could get us out of the bush when we get lost.

In what was to be the most expensive Internet transaction in my life, $350 for unlimited phone calls (who cares!) and 40GB of data, this was the best offer I could find in North Bay. If I were to last a month in the wild, I would have no choice but to cough up the cash like any addict.

Of course I lied to my family about the outrageous fee. My parents still hang in there with the $10 a month pay-as-you-go plan, and their phone is too old to get a signal in the north. Because they are afraid of unwanted charges and fees for using the phone, they turn it off most of the time. This means they aren’t really reachable in an emergency.

My sister turns her data on in the north about once a day to see if she has any direct messages on Facebook or Whatsapp. I couldn’t live like this. I was a data junkie and I knew it. But my experience in Northern Ontario for one month wouldn’t stop me comparing Canada’s Internet to the Developing World.

I live most of the time in Israel, also known as the Startup Nation for its advances in high-tech. You might have heard of Waze and other inventions from Israel. And today because of its openness and encouragement, I managed to start my own high-tech company that helps people in remote locations grow food. But that help also requires a data plan. We’d be foiled in Canada.

When I first visited Israel some 20 years ago I was appalled by how many people used cellphones. Everyone on the street, no matter their age, was walking and talking with little black rectangles in their ears. I found it rude and insensitive, but another part of me was enthralled by a nation’s willingness to communicate to stay connected. I’d just arrived there from Europe where few people had or used cellphones.

I was a late bloomer and succumbed to using a cellphone nine years ago. It was only since my son was born 5 years ago that I got a smartphone. All my Internet consumption was through my high-speed Wi-Fi connection at home. Today Israel has one of the highest rates of Internet usage, and thanks to public protests and reforms the country boasts one of the lowest costs per country for cellphone and data plans. We pay about $30 a month for a cellphone that has unlimited minutes and unlimited data. I am never slowed down by the Internet in Israel and it’s free everywhere. On the streets, in cafes. But you don’t need it if you have a local phone. Your low-cost coverage gives you complete freedom. Want to find my way on the road or a restaurant review, or live stream my kids on the beach? No issue at all. We’ve entered the future. Returning to Northern Ontario this summer, yeah okay there were bugs, the gravel roads, the bear warnings, lack of fresh produce. But people in the north are growing in awareness and education, much of it self-education. I’d come into contact with hyper-aware advanced people one could expect to meet on Queen Street in Toronto or at Berkeley in California.

But the cost of data for cell phones and Internet for people living in Northern Ontario is limiting everyone’s growth. There are few jobs to be done, so people end up bartering for firewood, or eggs. I’d love to spend months there. and I dream of it. Writing a book in nature, teaching the kids how to weave rugs. Yeats called his mythological home in Ireland Innisfree. I call mine Nipissing.

While there is a fat chance I can work in growing vegetables or selling homemade kombucha at a Farmer’s Market in Sturgeon Falls, I do dream about planting beans and raising honeybees, listening to the sounds of birds and trees crackling from mating moose, letting nature enfold me. I could make a good living in Northern Ontario working in high-tech where my location matters to no one. Of course there are people who will say that when you go to the north, one of the joys is that you are not connected. Maybe that was true once but not really anymore. Because people are now connected, just not well, and in a way that is discriminatory.

A friend of mine from Toronto, Cathy, just sold her snack food business and decided with her partner to invest in a lodge in the north. She likes to go there alone to forage for mushrooms on the weekends to decompress from the city life. She has created jobs for locals, including the Amish community nearby. But with a severe medical condition, she can’t live without Internet access, which she can only get when she takes a walk down to the bridge with her dogs about a mile away. There is always a satellite phone, with its high cost and limitations. She’s held out for now, leaving us sparse messages when she comes into town to fetch groceries.

My other friend Raven has been living in the bush near Powassan for 24 years. She’s far from the village but it’s her lifeline to supplies and the Internet. This village has been decreasing in population since I’d been going there 30 years ago. It got worse after a highway circumvented all the local villages, Sundridge, Trout Creek, South River, Callander cutting them off from tourism so their restaurants and shops die, but hey –– now you can get to Walmart in North Bay faster.

If you are told about my friend Raven, living off the grid on 77 acres, you might imagine a bush woman. She bakes cookies and tends a garden. She forages for food from the forest. But she also studies Buddhism and Quantum Physics, and gets books from the interlibrary loan system, but I have to be choosy when I decide what links to send her from the Internet. A YouTube video can eat up half her month’s budget for data, 2GB, podcasts less, but still data-hungry. I worry about sending her photos that might weigh more than a megabyte. I know that she uses her data sagely, and visits the library in Powassan 20 minutes away when she has to do something serious on the Internet. Thankfully the Internet there is free and unlimited. But isn’t it limiting to have to drive to your Internet? For me it would take 40 minutes. That’s like going from Downtown Toronto the airport to check your emails. And I’ve done it many times.

A neighbor at my parent’s cottage, moved from the city of North Bay to the country –– on a lake –- as a way to change pace. But as a game developer cannot get reliable, reasonably cost Internet to let him work from home. The lag is too slow. Unless, as he was told by Bell, that he invests $10,000 of his own money in helping them install lines for high-speed Internet access.

I was in India not long ago, and for 60GB a month (2GB a day) and unlimited calling in India, I paid about $10 Canadian dollars.

Canada has a problem. People who live in the north are intelligent. They are fierce, they are survivors and they appreciate the best of what Canada has to offer: fresh water, abundant wildness, good spirited neighbors who will help you in a jiffy if you ever need them. They are our lifelines to protecting what’s ours. Our own wild. You can’t compare this to living in a compressed single-family house with no property in the Greater Toronto Area. People there are cut off from nature.

I understand that one of the problems, and arguments that Bell, Rogers and the other cell phone companies is that Canada is a big country. It costs a couple or a few millions to install a cell phone tower to service rural populations. Usage of those towers will require steep fees, crippling fees to anyone who can never dream of getting home-based Wi-Fi cables. Cell phone Internet is the only option. But the government rather than owning this business has sold it to the highest bidder. Cell phone tower construction is privatized. Of course profits trump building better societies. I thought Canada was better than this.

While my summer and the reality I created for myself came with a lot of hard work: soul-searching, cleaning out raccoon dung from a house not lived in in 7 years, learning how to fire a rifle to keep the bears and moose away, my summer in the north turned out well thanks to the community of scattered people I met along the way –– but also thanks to those 40 gigabytes that helped me share, reach out, connect to people. With them, I could download songs in time of need, or to watch a TV show to keep the fear of being alone at bay.

Now, your neighbors in the north may live 3 miles down the road, or a 20-minute ride down the Alsace but they always have time for a chat, a walk around the forest or to teach you how to shoot a rifle. These same people I had met and come to love, had tried the Facebook app on their smart phones, and loved it, but the cost of data in the north, on their limited salaries, pensions or disability checks forced them to unplug Facebook, and for the most part connection to the Internet. Their smart phones are really just featureless without low-cost data access.

Maybe this is Mother Nature at work? Keeping the locals in Northern Ontario off Facebook to protect their way of life in the wild so they have time to bake cookies? Collect wild mushrooms? I was there for a month. I had all the time in the world to do those things, and even collect footage for a documentary movie, and meet more friends that some locals meet in 10 years. Those 40 gigabytes for me helped keep me grounded in the wild. To ask friends for words of support. Without them my dad would have won the bet. I would have been back to Newmarket and shopping at the mall on Monday.

7 tips for raising children with diabetes

Health

Bhok Thompson

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March 15, 2018

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7 tips for raising children with diabetes

Facing and accepting your child’s diagnosis with diabetes is rarely easy. Unless you were able to catch the signs of diabetes early on, a scary and traumatizing experience all too often leads to the discovery that your child needs to take special precautions when eating. There are ways you can manage the disease with diet obviously.

It’s important to remember that—while childhood diabetes is a difficult disease to manage—that you stand with others. In the United States alone, it’s reported that nearly 200,000 children deal with diabetes and most live perfectly healthy lives.

Consider the following seven tips in order to successfully raise your child with diabetes:

Tell everyone—who needs to know

Diabetes often comes with the need to check in on blood sugar levels multiple times per day. That means that pretty much anyone partially responsible for your child’s healthcare—especially those who give food to your child—need to know about specific considerations when caring for your child.

Consider taking one-on-one with teachers and coaches—explaining to them what they need to do and who they need to call in case of an emergency.

It’s important to remind the influences in your child’s life that—while they may have diabetes—they deserve to be treated like any other child in their care. Don’t single out your child or demand special preferences due to your child’s diagnosis.

As important as it is to tell healthcare providers and teachers about the diagnosis, it isn’t necessary to make a grand public announcement. Respect the agency of your child and allow them to tell who they want—when they want.

Consider seeing a family therapist

Since childhood diabetes often involves a greater involvement with your child, you may experience fatigue and anxiety while taking on the extra responsibilities. Others in your family—such as older and younger siblings—may also dislike this extra care, and perceive it as favoritism.

Remember that mental healthcare is just as important as physical healthcare.

Booking an appointment with a family therapist will give you the tools to understand and relate to the social difficulties that may come with a diabetes diagnosis.

If you’re experiencing problems within your family unit, or even if it’s not an issue, it never hurts to allow a medical professional to try and find new ways for your family to grow together while you transition into newfound responsibilities.

Find conscious ways to punish diabetes-related issues

Your child may know they need to eat certain foods, or check in on their blood sugar regularly, but they are still children. You may find your child willingly disobeying rules that were meant to keep them safe.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) provides a helpful guide for parents on how to navigate punishments for diabetes-related behavioral issues. This is an especially difficult topic to address, as all too often a child feels as if they are being punished for having diabetes—as opposed to any other behavioral infraction.

If you’ve talked to a family therapist, this would be a good discussion to have to help mitigate disciplinary action and help both sides understand and realize that you still need to be the parent.

Forgive yourself—and your child

There will be hard days ahead—times when your child feels abnormal or broken, or when you’re struggling to balance all of the responsibilities of parenthood on top of a diabetes diagnosis. This is especially true if the child had a diet which was loaded with sugar and unhealthy foods. Sometimes in broken homes sweets are used for comfort and nurturing or they are handed out easily by grandma as a way she shows her love.

Don’t be overbearing

Diabetes is a disease that needs constant attention, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing your child’s relative freedom in exchange for your peace of mind.

Learn to take a step back when possible. There’s no need to call teachers at every minor worry or inconvenience along the way. Being too overbearing on your children—with diabetes or without—only serves to breed dishonestly, deception, and distrust.

Don’t miss your appointments

As with all illnesses, it’s important to take your child in to see their physician or doctor when needed. These routine check-ups may seem superfluous at first, but never allow laziness or distain keep you from keeping up with your child’s healthcare.

Don’t deny your doctor’s expertise. Chances are, they only want what’s best for your child.

Let them handle it

As your child grows up, relinquishing control on their lives is never a comfortable transition. For children with diabetes, this may mean allowing your child to manage their diabetes without your intervention or knowledge. Since your child will eventually be dealing with the disease on their own, it is crucial that you let them take small steps towards independence.

Update 2022: new sugar-blocking gum based on the gurmar plant may help sweet addictions in children in adults and serve as a way to reduce blood sugar spikes.

Solving world hunger with hybrid potatoes

Food

Faisal O'Keefe

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March 14, 2018

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Solving world hunger with hybrid potatoes

Can hybrid breeding effectively mitigate aspects of climate change? Across the planet, communities face a constant struggle to produce enough food to survive. Harsh climates, insect infestation, and a lack of affordable fertilizers and pesticides mean that crop yields are far lower in developing countries. The scientists at Solynta believe potatoes may be the solution.

One in eight people around the world are chronically hungry, and in the future things may get even worse. Human population is expected to increase significantly, and climate change is making it harder than ever to grow healthy crops in more and more regions.

Netherlands-based Solynta is a leading seed breeding company which has developed an innovative technology for targeted breeding of one of the world’s fourth largest staple crops – potatoes. The mighty spud is relatively cheap, highly nutritious, and already eaten in most countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends potato cultivation for countries seeking to increase their food security, as they can be grown most anywhere.

Compared to other crops like rice, corn and wheat, potatoes produce far more food per hectare, and far more food per liter of water used, helping feed large numbers of people while also mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the FAO, up to 85 percent of the plant is edible human food, compared to around 50% in cereals.

Potatoes are highly nutritious and contain more of the 21 vitamins and trace elements than any other staple crops. They are rich in carbohydrates, making them a good source of energy, and boast the highest protein content (around 2.1 percent on a fresh weight basis) in the family of root and tuber crops. They are also rich in vitamin C and contain a fifth of the recommended daily value of potassium.

Currently, most potato farmers are forced to rely on poor-quality ‘seed tubers’ – specially-grown potato tubers which are used as starting material, but which are easily perishable and are infected with pests and diseases. The result is low yields.

Solynta’s “True Seed” technology has the potential to help solve all these problems, by delivering potatoes which can double yields over seed-tubers; are more resistant to drought; and require fewer harmful pesticides and fungicides. These hybrid seeds are completely disease-free and are also far easier to store and transport than tubers. On average, 25 grams of True Seeds produces the same crop as 2,500 kilos of seed tubers, resulting in significant reductions in transport costs and carbon emissions.

Agriculture consumes more than 2/3 of total available freshwater through irrigation. Depletion of water reserves could cause a 40% supply gap by 2030. An increase in the proportion of potato in the diet would alleviate pressure on water resources. Also, by breeding natural resistances into the crop there will be a significant reduction (>60%) of pesticide use and therefor limit the runoff of pesticides into the water system.

Shipping giant Maersk seeks start-ups via Israeli innovation hub

Business

Bhok Thompson

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March 13, 2018

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Shipping giant Maersk seeks start-ups via Israeli innovation hub

Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, has teamed up with theDOCK Innovation Hub, a startup accelerator in Israel that focuses on innovative maritime technologies. The Danish-based shipper will use the partnership as an opportunity to meet start-ups working on new technology specific to logistics industry improvements.

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Powerful photos address violence against children

Peace

Faisal O'Keefe

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March 13, 2018

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Powerful photos address violence against children

The Untouchables, a 2013 photo series produced by Cuban artist Erik Ravelo, is again making the rounds on social media – perhaps prompted by the latest American school shootings, or more likely because powerful art refuses to die.

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Dealing with chronic pain? Try a cannabis suppository treatment

Health

Bhok Thompson

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March 13, 2018

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Dealing with chronic pain? Try a cannabis suppository treatment

More than 158.8 million people around the globe are using cannabis, according to the United Nations (U.N.). This is approximately 3.8 percent of the global population and the figure will undoubtedly grow as cannabis legalization spreads. First used for medical purposes sometime around 2900 B.C in China, medical cannabis is a reliable solution for patients who are suffering from chronic pain.

Chronic pain is just one example of the medical problems that can be relieved using herbs and infused products from a trusted dispensary, such as the Green Cross SF. Since cannabis is a natural, non-addictive treatment that has never been linked to death (unlike addictive opioid pain relievers,) it is worth exploring your options when it comes to getting your recommended daily dose. One such method that is proven to be highly effective at relieving the symptoms of pain is a rectal cannabis suppository.

What is a Rectal Cannabis Suppository?

For thousands of years, plant-based medicines and suppositories have been referenced in recorded history. In fact, excavations of ancient Heidelberg Castle resulted in the discovery of age-old suppository molds! Medical cannabis is gaining more popularity by the day, as scientists, researchers and advocates reveal the plant’s medicinal benefits to the world.

Rectal plant suppositories might not be anything new, but they are a fairly new addition to the menu of many medical marijuana dispensaries. This is because research is ongoing and until sufficient evidence about rectal cannabis suppositories was gathered, dispensaries were not so open about selling these products.

Although a rectal cannabis suppository might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is a worthwhile solution for chronic pain sufferers. Why, you ask? Well, when compared to smoking cannabis, which transfers approximately 15 percent of the essential cannabinoids to the bloodstream, a rectal cannabis suppository can deliver as much as 35 percent! What’s more, suppositories work quickly, with most providing pain relief in as little as 10 minutes.

The Benefits of Treating Chronic Pain with Cannabis

As much as 20 percent of the global population endures chronic pain on a daily basis, according to The World Health Organization. These statistics demonstrate how a significant percentage of people on the planet suffer from some type of chronic pain. Examples of the most common types of chronic pain include:

Chronic fatigue syndrome
Back pain
Neck pain
Fibromyalgia
Sciatica

Numerous other conditions fall under the chronic pain category. In an attempt to reduce symptoms, patients are spending money on pharmaceutical drugs, such as dangerous opioid medications like Oxycodone. Pharmaceutical industry data has exposed how the market is worth an estimated $13.2 billion in the U.S. alone. The data also shows how as much as $294.5 billion is being spent on chronic pain medication and treatment every year.

Medical cannabis, on the other hand, can be obtained for a reasonable price. Since this type of natural pain reliever tends to be more effective, the long-term savings may be substantial for someone who switches from pharmaceutical drugs to cannabis. With so many options available to medical cannabis users, the versatility of this treatment option is a major appeal for consumers.

Is cannabis a proven treatment for chronic pain?

Raphael Mechoulam, TCH, medical cannabis, CBD — Chemist Raphael Mechoulam from Hebrew University was the first to isolate THC and CBD and has authored many papers on its ability to heal epilepsy and pain.

Indeed it is and the evidence to support medical cannabis use is stacking up by the day. This is not to say that scientists know every single thing about the plant, because 4,000 years after early civilizations started using medical cannabis, research is still taking place to determine precisely which conditions cannabis can be used to treat.

However, one study on cannabinoids for pain relief showed a major decrease in pain when high doses were administered to a group of healthy volunteers. Cannabis for clinical pain has been widely studied, with one systematic review of cannabinoids revealing up to 37 percent reduction in pain among 2,454 patients who underwent 28 randomized trials.

How to Diagnose Chronic Pain

If you think that you might need to buy medical-grade cannabis products from a medical cannabis dispensary in SF, make sure you get a clear diagnosis beforehand. Any type of pain that persists for longer than 12 weeks is usually defined as chronic pain. The problem may manifest itself in one or multiple body parts for a number of reasons, such as an injury or underlying genetic condition. Visit a Doctor for a diagnosis and make sure you get a certificate of recommendation. This is necessary to obtain a prescription for rectal cannabis suppositories.

Finding a Licensed Dispensary to Buy Cannabis Products

Certain standards and regulations must be met to ensure cannabis products are safe for human use. Avoid working with a medical marijuana dispensary if they cannot inform you about how the plants were cultivated and processed, before being sold inside a licensed store. Thorough testing ensures that the cannabis products have not been contaminated with pesticides, solvents and other hazardous substances.

Due to the fact cannabis is highly absorbent, the environment in which dispensary products are sold will make a difference to its quality. Some other considerations to think about when finding a licensed dispensary include location (think about convenience,) product selection and pricing.

40 United Kingdom eco destinations worthy to see

Travel

Bhok Thompson

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March 13, 2018

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40 United Kingdom eco destinations worthy to see

Conceptual floating home in London. Alternative and ecological living.

Home to more than 60 million people, the U.K is the first stop on any European road trip. Its capital, London, is perhaps one of the most famous cities on the planet and has a population of eight million. Enclosed by the North Sea on its North side, the Atlantic Ocean to the West, the U.K is also a main point of travel to other must-see European countries like Iceland and Norway.

Fancy a British break away with the family? Perhaps you are headed to the United Kingdom on a business trip and want to see what this territory has to offer? Whatever you desires for discovering the sovereign state, don’t do it without first familiarizing yourself with the top U.K. destinations.

Below, we have cleverly compiled a list of the top 10 attractions in all 4 countries in the United Kingdom that you need to see on your travels.

England

It is the birthplace of Shakespeare and has evolved into a multicultural country with a thriving economy. Here’s what you need to see during your trip to England:

Tower of London – Formerly the Fortress and Royal Palace of Her Majesty, the historical Tower of London sits on the northern banks of the River Thames.
Big Ben – Book your flights from Dublin to London through Expedia if you want to see Ireland first, but do not miss Big Ben! Why would you? The clock tower was built way back in 1859 and its Gothic Revival architecture is incredibly intricately designed.
Buckingham Palace – Another major attraction in London is where the UK’s sovereigns had officially resided since 1837. The Queen makes frequent appearances inside the palace for events. Public tours of the State Rooms open every summer.
Hyde Park – Located in Central London is this Grade I-registered park, which is the biggest park of four that make up Kensington Palace’s verdant entrance.
Stonehenge – Standing tall at 13 feet and stretching 7 feet in width are the stones that form this wonder of the world. Visit to walk on the land where Neolithic ancestors once walked.
Hadrian’s Wall – Also known as the Roman Wall, this ancient structure was built as a defensive fortification when emperor Hadrian was the Roman emperor (117-138).
Peak District – Located in central England is this wildlife-rich national park. It is most well-known for its stepping stones in White Peak. If you enjoy hiking, venture up to the highest point at Kinder Scout.
Roman Baths – The remaining fragments of the Temple of Aquae Sulis are housed inside this well-preserved Roman site. A hot spring feeds the Roman baths.
North York Moors – Molded by nature, this flourishing national park is a place for hiking and sightseeing at ruined Whitby Abbey.
Eden Project – An educational center and eco park, the spectacular domes at this park contain thousands of plants from all corners of the globe.

Wales

Hiker’s and nature lovers are overwhelmed by the beauty of Wales, which sits in Great Britain’s southwestern segment. When you venture to this coastal country, visit the following top destinations :

Snowdonia – Reach Mount Snowdon’s summit on a train journey along the Snowdon Mountain Railway when you visit this sublime regional park.
Cardiff Castle – A medieval castle in the capital of Wales, this 11th-century structure was constructed by Norman invaders.
Hafod Estate – A landscaped estate enclosed by trees, Hafod Uchtryd was formerly used as a hunting lodge. The drive to the estate is considered one of the 10 most scenic drives in the world, according to the Automobile Association.
Devils Bridge – Watch as the water crashes down to a wooded gorge at this tourist attraction in Pontarfynach. Legend has it the Devil was the creator of this bridge!
Brecon Beacons National Park – Come rain or shine, this national park is perfect for wandering amidst fresh water springs, waterfalls and various tree species. Consider it Wales’ version of Pandora – remember, that extraordinary tree-filled planet on the movie Avatar? It might not be as colorful as Pandora, but it’s certainly as enchanting.
Caernarfon Castle – A medieval fortress that is maintained by the Welsh Government, this huge structure dominates the scene from across the River Seiont.
Portmeirion – Based in a Gwynedd, North Wales is this village. It seems a little out of place in Wales, since it was designed to replicate the architectural style of a traditional Italian village!
Pembrokeshire Coast – Spend a day breathing in the fresh British air as you explore this coastal region, which claimed its title as a National Park in 1952.
Anglesey – An adventure to this sandy island in Wales will require a journey along the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns – An underground attraction in Snowdonia, this historic deep mine is open for public tours. When you leave, you’ll have increased your understanding of the area’s sate quarrying history.

Scotland

Enjoy the solemn and preserved beauty of Loch Ness. Can you spot the monster?

The northernmost part of the U.K. is home to Scotland. Arguably one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, it features iconic castles, lush green valleys, large lakes and the following attractions:

Loch Ness – The freshwater abyss that is, according to legend, home to the Loch Ness Monster, this freshwater loch covers an area of 56.4 km².
Edinburgh Castle – This iconic tourist attraction in Scotland stands on top of an extinct volcano!
Ben Nevis – A pony track and hiking paradise, Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the British Isles at a height of 4,411 feet above sea level.
Urquhart Castle – With ruins dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries, history lovers will not want to miss a visit to this former ancient battle ground.
Arthur’s Seat – You may not be able to drive to the summit of this high-rising mountain peak, but you can hike to the top, which is 251 meters!
Museum of Scotland – Interested in art, design, science, technology, fashion or nature? Inside this museum, you can explore collections that cover absolutely everything!
Mary King’s Close – Step back in time as you walk through the underground streets and spaces that make up this ancient close in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Glenfinnan Viaduct – Steam trains leave a white trail of smoke that creates a stark contrast against the greenery enclosing this West Highland Line railway viaduct.
Scottish National Gallery – A neoclassical structure that first opened in 1859, this national art gallery was designed by William Henry Playfair.
National War Museum – This Edinburgh-based museum tells the story of Scotland’s former battles with its display of military artifacts.

Northern Ireland

A country filled with Christian and Celtic monuments that give visitors a glimpse into its past, Northern Ireland’s landscape merges glacial valleys with ancient landmarks. The following destinations should be included on your travel itinerary:

Giant’s Causeway – An ancient volcanic eruption led to the creation of this distinctively shaped attraction, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Botanic Gardens – Open to the public, this 28-acre park is a vibrant landscape of herb-fringed gardens, trees and a bright red rose garden.
Ulster Museum – Learn about Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs, art, natural sciences and a whole lot more inside this museum, which displays artifacts over an area of 8,000 square metres.
Tollymore Forest Park – Established in 1955 as Northern Ireland’s first state forest park, Tollymore Forest Park contains wildlife such as red squirrels, wild deer and woodpeckers amidst a green scene of birch, Oak, beech and giant redwood trees.
Titanic Belfast – The iceberg-struck ship’s story is told inside this maritime heritage attraction, from the very beginning of her construction to her sinking in 1912.
Enniskillen Castle – More than 600 years ago, this 16th-century castle was built alongside the River Erne in County Fermanagh. Visit to browse military memorabilia and to walk around the ancient courtyard.
Old Bushmills Distillery – Ireland’s oldest operating distillery has been producing Bushmills whiskey for over 400 years.
Castlewellan Forest Park – Walk around this national park with water on one side and a variation of tree species on the other! The various types of trees come from Asia, Australasia, and North and South America.
Slieve Donard – Covering six acres of private land, this resort and spa is based close to the ocean at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne.
Anne’s Cathedral – You may have heard of this attraction being called Belfast Cathedral. It exhibits Hiberno-Romanesque style architecture and is a Church of Ireland cathedral.

So no matter where you end up going, you are sure to fall in love with the U.K. So look up some packing tips and set up your travel plans because you’re going to eventually knock each and every one of these amazing destinations off of your list.

The 100 most Jewish foods!

Food

Bhok Thompson

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March 11, 2018

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The folks at Tablet Magazine have created an interactive list of Jewish foods that is as addictive as salty pickles, chewy macaroons, or (insert your own guilty nosh). It’s not a roster of the most popular Jewish foods, or the healthiest, or the tastiest. Some are pretty obscure (making their last appearance on Bubbe’s bubbe’s table). Instead they aimed to identify foods with the deepest Jewish significance. Pull up a chair to this table and see how they fared!

According to Tablet, these foods were generated by a people that became many peoples, “a tribe at once bound together by a shared tradition and separated by radically different host countries, cultures, politics, and influences.”

Jewish food, soup, matza — Matza ball soup. A tasty Jewish soup eaten at Passover.

Instead of organizing the dishes chronologically or by originating region, the dishes are presented as they exist in reality: all on the same table. And the photo of that spread wasn’t Photoshopped, instead all 100 dishes were assembled and photographed in one day.

So spin the table (link here), click on each plate, and enjoy the blurbs that accompany each dish. You can also view the dishes in a simple alphabetical list or by contributor. In addition to Tablet writers and editors, contributors include leading chefs and food writers—Ruth Reichl, Eric Ripert, Joan Nathan, Michael Solomonov, Dan Barber, Gail Simmons, Yotam Ottolenghi, Tom Colicchio, Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, to name just a few.

Tablet is a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture, a project of the not-for-profit Nextbook Inc.

If you follow our contributor Miriam Kresh (here), she writes up a healthy dose of recipes for Green Prophets on how to prepare all sorts of Jewish foods, and Muslim food and Christian food… everyone’s food, inspired by the Middle East.

With that, there’s only one thing left to say: Enjoy! (Add let us know your favorite!)

Russian factory under fire for ‘Poor Jew’ ice cream

Bhok Thompson

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March 11, 2018

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Russian factory under fire for ‘Poor Jew’ ice cream

anti-Semitism — Poor Jew ice cream. Got hand it to the Russians for their great sense of awareness.

A Russian ice cream company is drawing criticism from members of the international Jewish community for a new dessert named “Poor Jew”. An advert on Russian social media states, “Introducing the ice cream ‘Poor Jew,'” Try all this deliciousness, it turns out that he is not so poor.” The cone may not be poor, but it’s surely tasteless.

In a social media post announcing the ice cream’s launch on Feb. 28, the company describes it as a “crusty horn” filled with chocolate- and prune-flavored ice cream and topped with peanuts. Prune-flavored ice cream my be a matter of subjective preference, but most will agree that the real problem is with the product name and packaging.

The brand Slavitsa wraps their pre-packaged ice cream cone in an Israeli flag, also featuring the Star of David, symbols of Judaism and modern Jewish identity. The cone made Russian national news after the head of a Jewish community in the western town of Naberezhnye Chelny – 600 miles east of Moscow – blew the whistle. Leonid Shteinberg has called the name “racist” and demanded its production and sale be halted, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Related: Read about really good “Jewish” ice cream from Tel Aviv that uses hummous as a base.

“Who allowed them to offend national feelings?” Shteinberg told the news website Tatar-inform.ru. He also threatened to sue the factory if they don’t stop production of the ice cream. Slavitsa’s director responded by saying, “Look at the sales! People love it! At the end of the day, it’s clear that this Jew is not poor at all,” making reference to the ice cream’s commercial success.

The city prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into whether the ice cream maker used the name “Poor Jew” and the Israeli flag legally on its packaging.

The Slavitsa company has long demonstrated questionable taste. They were previously criticized for creating a chocolate ice cream named after then-President Barack Obama, which had a wrapper depicting an African boy, and for naming another ice cream with an ethnic slur for Ukrainians.

Natural mallow salve calms mosquito bites

Lifestyle

Miriam Kresh

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March 11, 2018

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When the first warm days tempt you outdoors for a walk, take time to look at the wild mallows flowers. So soon to vanish in summer’s heat, they cast their light purple beauty wherever they’re permitted to exist.

Common mallow flower, calms mosquito bites — *The common mallow or malva can even be used as an egg white substitute for vegans*

Urbanization has deprived Nature of places where wild herbs and vegetables used to grow, but even the smallest space between buildings, waste ground and abandoned lots bear wild seeds that wait for winter rains to sprout. Kids in Israel like to eat the seeds raw and compare them to little round breads. Kids in America will see them as little round cheeses.

One of these is mallows, Malva sylvestris. See our post about eating nettles and mallows here.

Considered an invasive weed in some parts, mallows are yet a valuable edible and medicinal herb. And bees love mallows flowers; that’s crucial in a world that becomes less friendly to those important pollinators by the day.

Mallows’ leaves and green fruit release beneficial mucilage (goop) that herbalists have used to soothe dry, irritated skin since antiquity. Author Tracy Chevalier mentions making mallows ointment for chapped hands in her book “Girl With A Pearl Earring.” According to some herbalists mallow “talks cells out of dying.”

Here’s the recipe for a basic ointment or salve using mallows.

Basic instructions for any herbal ointment
Make an infused oil, then use it to make a beeswax ointment

What you need:

1 small, very clean, very dry glass jar with lid
Pot large enough to fit the jar in with some space around it
Clean, dry spoon or knife
Enough chopped herb to fill the jar
Good-quality oil
Another small, clean and dry pot
Beeswax

Pick the mallows at mid-day, when the dew has dried on the leaves and the flowers are open. Don’t wash the leaves, but pick them over and discard any dirty ones. It’s important to use only dry plant material – any trace of moisture will cause the oil infusion to mold.

Chop the leaves.

Fill the jar with chopped leaves and flowers.
Pour oil into the jar. Stir it once or twice. Keep filling the jar until all the herb is covered and the jar is full.

Close the jar tightly and place in a pot containing water to come half-way up the jar.

Place the pot over low heat and let the water simmer for 2 hours, replacing it as it evaporates.

Remove the jar from the water bath, wipe it dry, and set it aside to cool.
Strain the oil through cheesecloth or an old, clean nylon stocking. Diaper material and thin, worn-out kitchen towels are also useful here. Squeeze out as much oil as possible from the leaves. The best of it is in the last drops.

Discard the spent herb.

Measure the oil.

For every ounce (30 ml.)of infused oil, have ready 1 tablespoon (15 ml.) grated beeswax.

Heat the measured oil in a small pot, over very gentle heat.
Add the grated beeswax. Stir until it melts and you have a smooth semi-solid: one or two minutes.

Pour the warm ointment into a clean jar. Cover and let it cool until it becomes solid.

You can melt the ointment again and add more infused oil if it’s too solid, or more beeswax if it’s too soft. Add only teaspoons at a time until you’re satisfied with the texture.

Lacking commercial beeswax, you can measure a tablespoon-sized chunk from a genuine beeswax candle and melt it into the oil. Just draw the wick out of the liquid before pouring it into the jar.

The weird backstory to Daylight Savings Time

Energy

Faisal O'Keefe

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March 10, 2018

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The weird backstory to Daylight Savings Time

Set a reminder to set back your clocks this weekend, as we welcome back (for the hundredth time) Daylight Savings Time. This biannual tradition, established in 1918 America, sees much of the world get robbed of an hour sleep as clocks spring forward at 1 AM on Sunday, all to give us an extra hour of sunlight.

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Chinese invade Israel…on bikes!

Bhok Thompson

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March 10, 2018

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Human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track, two-wheeled bikes are emerging as the most disruptive tech in transportation. Now China’s top two dock-less bike-sharing titans are rolling into Startup Nation with plans to deploy thousands of bikes in Tel Aviv in the first half of 2018, threatening existing stationed bike platforms like local provider Tel-O-Fun.

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Saudi Arabia’s plan to mine shale oil

Cities

Green Prophet

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March 10, 2018

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Flaring of excess gas in drilling for oil is also a byproduct that’s vented into the atmosphere releasing all sorts of volatile organic chemicals, causing air pollution and releasing climate changing methane gas.

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco is eyeing a twofold increase in its natural gas production over the next ten years, and the plan includes the environmentally devastating process of producing oil from shale deposits.

One of the top spots for shale gas drilling is the Jafurah basin, which is similar in size to Texas’ Eagle Ford.

Reacting to Saudi Arabia’s plan to produce unconventional gas by the end of March for local consumption in order to export more oil for a bigger profit, Julien Jreissati Arab World Campaigner at Greenpeace Mediterranean said, “If the kingdom’s intention is to accentuate climate change and its devastating impacts than there is no better way to do so!”

“With this announcement Saudi Arabia demonstrates that it does not take the Paris agreement seriously,” said Jreissati. He continued, “Studies show that more than half of the known fossil fuels reserves, especially shale oil & gas, need to stay in the ground for the world to have a chance to limit the global average temperature increase to 2c let alone 1.5c”.

“The kingdom should rather focus on decarbonising its energy and economy by accelerating its transition to renewable energy considering that Saudi Arabia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change” concluded Jreissati.

The pros and cons of owning a Harley Davidson in the UK

Cities

Bhok Thompson

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March 10, 2018

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The pros and cons of owning a Harley Davidson in the UK

shiny harley bike, dead sea — Harley Davidson fanatics organize a trip around the Dead Sea.

Electric bikes have taken over the world. And there is a lot to be said about the environmental advantages to driving a 2 wheel vehicle, over a 4. Ownership of a Harley Davidson is a major goal for many motorcycle fanatics. These motorcycles are well-known all over the world and have become an icon of the biker life. Depending on where you live, using a bike for transportation can be either simple or complex. Weather patterns, traffic, and cost all play a part in how a motorcycle works into your daily life. Your geographical location can also be important when making the decision about purchasing a Harley Davidson. They are a group of specialty bikes that fit in to some lifestyles better than others. Owners of these bikes, however, stand strong in their support of the brand. Residents of the United Kingdom may have some very specific reasons for deciding for or against a Harley Davidson. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons for owning a Harley Davidson in the UK.

Pros

Cost Efficient

Gas prices have increased significantly in the UK. The cost of keeping a car full of gas is often an unmanageable expense. A Harley Davidson gets better gas mileage than a car and parking charges are often non-existent. In large cities, like London, parking for public places can be pricey. Many people opt for public transit to avoid the hassle. A motorcycle is an excellent way to save on parking while still enjoying personal transportation.

Insurance and maintenance are also an added expense when owning a car. These costs are still present when a motorcycle is involved, but they are much less. Insurance on a motorcycle can cut your monthly premium in half. A motorcycle does not require the same amount of maintenance. A car engine is larger, and more complex, making maintenance more extensive. The overall cost of a car payment is also more invasive to a monthly budget. A Harley Davidson purchase can easily be less financially destructive.

What’s more, you can buy from the range of Jennings used Harley Davidson bikes, which makes it far more cost efficient than purchasing one brand new.

Social Opportunities

Many social groups form over shared interests. Hobbies are a great catalyst for clubs and lasting friendships. Harley Davidson enthusiasts often form social groups that meet up for meals, outdoor activities, and group bike rides. Many also form an alliance with a specific charity. There may be coordinated volunteer events or money raising efforts. Charity events can be a great bonding experience with other Harley Davidson owners. By joining a specific club, you are guaranteed to have endless support and advice when it comes to maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for your bike. Online Harley Davidson forums also offer advice and social chat groups.

City Life

Other than the traffic, life in the big city can be inconvenient for those with cars. Parking is often limited and expensive in the city. A motorcycle takes up much less space. City dwellers often have everything they need nearby, sometimes within walking distance. A car may sit in a parking space and be used rarely. There is no need to incur the cost of a car payment, gas, and parking for minimal use. A motorcycle can be used more efficiently and cost effectively.

Comfort

Harley Davidson’s have some of the most comfortable designs available for motorcycles. These bikes are made for cruising, not speed. They are, therefore built for comfort. There is no concern over extreme aerodynamics or racy décor. The seats are guaranteed to be large enough to fit a wide range of body shapes and weights. Unlike the slim seats on racing bikes, Harley Davidson seats are made to be seated on for long periods of time, If desired. Many motorcycle owners have a friend or significant other that enjoys riding with them. Harley Davidson bikes also offer a comfortable space for passengers.

Enjoyment of the Outdoors

A motorcycle is a nice way to enjoy a ride on a country road. If you live in one of the less condensed areas of the UK, a Harley Davidson can be a fun recreational tool. Country roads have less traffic, allowing for enjoyment of a steady ride with a nice breeze and warm sunshine. Riding on a motorcycle can be a way to lead a simpler lifestyle. Nature is more accessible when you are not closed up inside of a car. It can also be easier to park a Harley Davidson in local parks and other outdoor recreational areas. The UK is home to stunning scenery, such as the Welsh countryside, which is perfect to be witnessed on a motorcycle. Hop on your bike for a day of nature exploration.

Cons

Weather

The weather in the UK is often unaccommodating for outdoor activity. The well-known fog and overcast skies can contribute to low visibility. While these weather complications are not unique to motorcyclists, they do make transportation difficult. Rainstorms are the most prevalent weather pattern that affects those riding on their Harley Davidson. Rainy weather is abundant many areas of the UK. While protective gear can help, it is near impossible to stay completely dry when rain pours down on an exposed biker. Winters can also be unforgiving in parts of the UK. Those that do not tolerate cold temperatures well, may have a hard time riding a motorcycle when temperatures drop. The wind often seems colder when you moving on a bike. If you plan to use your Harley Davidson for daily commutes, it is best to invest in quality rain and cold weather gear.

Traffic

Traffic is a common occurrence in large cities. High traffic times, such as morning and evening rush hour, may leave you seated on your Harley Davidson longer than desired. People prefer the more relaxed nature of car seats during traffic jams. Your entertainment options are also limited when riding a motorcycle. In a car you can listen to the radio or an audio book fairly easily. Sound systems are present on many Harley Davidsons; however, they can present dangers to the driver. Motorcyclists must be very aware of their surroundings and may not be as responsive while listening to music. Traffic can also put a strain on a motorcyclist’s legs, as they have to stop repeatedly and sit at lights for long periods of time.

Foreign Parts

Harley Davidson is not a UK brand. The company that manufactures these bikes originates in the United States. When repairs are needed, parts may not be readily available. It is important to find a reliable dealer or mechanic that routinely stocks parts once you purchase a Harley Davidson in the UK. Planning ahead can help to avoid having your bike out of commission for a long period of time. Many parts can be ordered online, however, shipping times and charges may be elevated. Some parts of the UK may also not have a qualified shop to sell Harley Davidsons. A bit of travel, therefore, may be necessary to make your purchase.

Safety

Motorcycles of any kind come with safety issues. A Harley Davidson is, however, safer than a racing bike. Most operators do not excel to unnecessary speeds, and use their motorcycles for slower, enjoyable rides. Other motorists, however, cannot be controlled. Even safe motorcycle drivers can fall prey to a distracted car driver. Drivers of cars often are not conditioned to look out for motorcyclists. Bikes are smaller and not as easy to see. Wrecks that involve motorcycles carry a much higher risk of severe bodily harm, as there is nothing to protect drivers from the elements. Accidents can be avoided by following proper traffic rules and refraining from weaving between lanes. Moderate speeds and proper clothing can also help protect drivers of a Harley Davidson.

Limitations

There may be some instances where a motorcycle owner is unable to accomplish things they wish due to not owning a car. There is limited space on a Harley Davidson. Only one passenger is able to accompany the driver on a ride. Motorcycle owners are unable to be the host of large car trips. They may also have to take public transportation or secure a ride with friends during inclement weather.

Dressy occasions can be difficult to attend if you are arriving on a Harley Davidson. Alternate clothing may have to be worn on the journey to the location, with a change of clothes packed for the event. Formal wear could become dirty or wrinkled while operating a motorcycle. Storage space is limited, however, should hold a change of clothes or travel bag. Transporting pets, large amounts of groceries, and large items may not be possible. Think about your lifestyle before making a Harley Davidson your main method of commuting.

The decision to purchase a Harley Davidson is often dependent on a person’s lifestyle preferences. It can be surprising, however, how easily a Harley Davidson can fit into your life. They can be money saving for those who wish to avoid the costs of a car, and versatile for congested areas. Many people simply purchase them to use for fun, while they use their car for daily transportation. Preparations is key to manage a motorcycle during bad weather, as proper equipment or alternate transportation is necessary. The comfort level of a Harley Davidson also exceeds that of many bikes, making them a great choice for longer rides and hauling passengers. The choice to include a Harley Davidson in your collection is a personal one with several attributes to consider.

We need courage, not hope, to face climate change.

Nature

Faisal O'Keefe

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March 9, 2018

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We need courage, not hope, to face climate change.

end of the world

I’m sitting in Vail, Colorado, with a view fairly identical to the stock image above (my iPhone camera broken thanks to an especially poor run). Cracked phone aside, it was an epic week of skiing within a spectacular natural backdrop. I return to reality tomorrow, and was enjoying a few moments while the clothes wash to catch up on my Twitter newsfeed, when I was pulled into an essay that at once evaporated my Rocky Mountain high. Read this now.

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