Random Facts Friday February 10, 2012

So sorry to post this late! Life gets in the way sometimes.
Hope your weekend was relaxing and refreshing!
Here are the facts for this past week:

1. Inspired by a correction Fortune noted for one of their articles about 4-H bovines named Napoleon and Duke, I found out a steer is a male cow that has been castrated and is raised for beef. A bull is  uncastrated. Napoleon and Duke are steers, not bulls.

2. Take your blood pressure in both arms. So says the research published in the British medical journal Lancet. If there is a difference, there is strong indication of heart problems, such as a blocked artery. Taking blood pressure is pretty easy and quick if you ask me to help detect problems at much earlier and treatable stages. See: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700220373/Taking-blood-pressue-in-both-arms-may-find-silent-heart-disease.html

3. To preserve your eyesight: 1. exercise 3 times a week, improving blood circulation. This will increase oxygen, reduce inflammation, and remove toxins. 2. Eat carrots, milk, cheese, egg yolk, liver: all high in vitamin A which keeps eyes moist and fights infections. Kale, spinach, and broccoli have lutein, an antioxident which help eyes discern contrast and color. 3. Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection because frequent exposure to the ultraviolet rays increases your chances for cataracts.

4. Need/want to have more creative thoughts? The University of Western Ontario has found an answer.  You can listen to peppy music or watch a happy video. Their suggestions were Mozart for music and a happy baby for the video. In other words, what makes you smile. Feeling happy will help you be more innovative and assist you in solving problems.

5. Recipe: from Cooks.com this sounds good, using red delicious apples:
  Taffy Apple Salad

5 large Red Delicious Apples
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip
1 (6-1/2 oz.) pineapple in heavy syrup
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 c. salted peanuts

In a saucepan over low heat, mix pineapple juice, sugar, vinegar, flour and egg. Stir until dissolved. Refrigerate 1 hour. Cut up apples, mix with pineapple, Cool Whip and refrigerated mixture.Add peanuts when ready to serve.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.