Most people know about Alka-Seltzer as the fizzy pill to take when your stomach’s upset or you’ve had a bit too much to drink the night before. This effervescent pill is made of aspirin, citric acid, and baking soda, which means it has more uses besides medical ones. These useful ingredients make this tablet a worthwhile household cleaning product. Discover the many items in your home that a little bit of this bubbling medicine can fix or clean.

This trick is a safe and natural solution to a clogged drain. Drop four effervescent tablets down the drain. Next pour a cup of white vinegar, and let it stand for ten minutes. Boil water in the kettle and flush it down the drain. Regularly doing this cleaning procedure ensures a clean, deodorized drain.

2. Quickly clean a toilet

If you want to efficiently and quickly clean your toilet bowl, this trick works wonders. Drop two tablets in the toilet. After 20 minutes the citric acid should have loosened the grime. Scrub the bowl and then flush. You will be left with a shiny, clean and deodorized bowl. This is especially helpful if you find yourself with short-notice guests.

Iron deficiency is an extremely widespread health problem that affects many tens of millions of people. It is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world and if left untreated, it can lead to a range of serious health issues, including anemia. Iron is important because it provides the body with the energy it needs to go about daily life. It is important that you understand what iron is, what it does and how to recognize the warning signs that indicate a deficiency.  

Why is iron so important?

Iron is a mineral found in every cell in the human body. It supplies us with the means to perform a number of important functions, including the transportation of oxygen within the blood. As part of the protein hemoglobin, it carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, a process that provides energy for your daily tasks. If you have insufficient iron in your body, you are likely to feel tired and weak, and your immune system to waver, so you will be more prone to illness.

It is vital that we keep our levels of iron within healthy limits. Some people may require supplements if their diet is not providing the iron they need. However, it should be noted that too much iron can result in health problems too. For this reason, you should always consult your doctor before taking supplements.

Harry McCormick is an American realist artist I recently discovered. This talented painter is self-taught and paints interior scenes. He is particularly fascinated with hotel bars and dining areas because of the lighting and the unique characters who inhabit them. He likes to include antiques and often offers odes to famous paintings in the background.

Charlie's Bar

Michelle in Green

There are various vegetables and herbs that are staples in almost every meal. Normally, this means you’d have to buy them. Although produce is relatively cheap, continuously buying it means that costs add up over time.

That’s why I’ve chosen to take a different route, and plant whatever I can so that I can grow my own produce and save money each time I go to the grocery store. Here’s a list of vegetables and herbs that only need planting once, and will keep re-growing forever:

1. Garlic

Sprouting garlic is just too bitter to cook with, but you shouldn’t throw the sprouts away – put them in a glass of water and leave them to grow instead. They are much milder on the palate than garlic cloves, and make a fantastic complement to salads, pasta, or even used as a garnish.

• 28 июля 2015

Выбор масла для стряпни - непростое дело, пишет Майкл Мозли.

Когда речь заходит о жирах и маслах, мы избалованы предложением. Полки супермаркетов ломятся от всевозможных вариантов. Но в последнее время выбор приводит в замешательство из-за огромного числа дискуссий о пользе и вреде потребления различных видов жиров.

В программе Trust Me, I'm a Doctor ("Доверьтесь мне, я врач") мы решили посмотреть с другой стороны, задав вопрос: "На каких жирах и маслах лучше готовить?".

Вы можете считать очевидным, что жарка на растительных маслах должна быть полезнее, чем готовка с использованием животных жиров, таких как сало или сливочное масло. Но так ли это на самом деле?

Процесс получения масла

Нельзя допустить, чтобы на трон в Белом доме уселась леди-ястреб, продвигаемая генералами. Так думают многие американцы, ненавидящие Хиллари Клинтон за её воинственность, глупость и «вау». По данным одного из опросов, сегодня многие американцы предпочли бы реальному кандидату в президенты вымышленного персонажа из «Игры престолов». Журнал «The Nation» объявил национальную систему выборов США «бардаком» и призвал к переменам.

«Агрессивная» и «мускулистая»

They do say that truth is stranger than fiction, and that statement definitely applies to the case of Owen Baggett, who disabled an enemy aircraft with a single handgun bullet while falling through the sky. He had just evacuated his B-24 bomber, which was shot down by enemy fire during a sortie to Burma (Myanmar) during World War II. Here is the story of the man behind this incredible feat, which hasn’t been replicated in the time before or since.

Background

Born in the Lone Star State of Texas in 1920, Baggett graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene before making his way to New York City to start a job at an investment securities firms. Just a short while after he started, he volunteered to join the US Army Air Corps, and began his flight training shortly after.

Upon completion of his training, Baggett was deployed to India, more specifically to a town close to the border with Japanese-occupied Burma. He became a B-24 heavy bomber pilot, and began flying sorties to assist in defending Allied supply routes between India and China.

A long morning walk or a light jog will certainly leave you feeling refreshed and give you a boost of energy. But if you want to get more from your daily efforts try a relaxing practice like tai chi. Originally practiced as a martial art in China, in the west, tai chi's particular emphasis is on wellness. In fact, there is no better form of exercise that'll improve your balance and flexibility, and keep you looking and feeling young too.

The anti-aging benefits of tai chi

A growing body of research is building a compelling case for tai chi and its anti-aging benefits. Let's take a look at four of them:

1. It reduces inflammation: Inflammation occurs as a result of the body's attempt to heal an injury. But stress or lack of sleep can ramp up inflammation, causing heart problems, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune disease and cancer. Tai chi however, can control this response, especially when practiced on a daily basis. In fact, a study published in Biological Psychiatry found that the meditative movements of tai chi reversed the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, reducing inflammation.

2. It eases knee pain: The statistics are shocking: the Centre for Disease Control reported that almost 50 percent of adults aged 65 and older have arthritis. What's more, by 2030, it is projected that nearly 67 million Americans aged 18 and older will suffer from this condition. One of the most common types is osteoarthritis in the knee - a condition where the joint cartilage breaks down.

In the not-so-distant past, I used many kinds of creams and lotions to keep my skin healthy and clear, but I recently discovered that the best treatment lies in my pantry, not my medicine cabinet. The best way to take care of our skin is from the inside, not the outside, and when I started drinking this delicious beverage, I saw a change almost immediately. This terrific drink is nothing more than chai with cinnamon and turmeric – a delicious cup of health, rich in health-boosting ingredients. This article will teach you why this delicious drink is so good for you, and how to make it yourself.

A wealthy couple had planned to go out for the evening. The woman of the house decided to give their butler, Jeeves, the rest of the night off. She said they would be home very late, and that he should just enjoy his evening. 

As it turned out, however, the wife wasn't having a good time at the party, so she came home early, alone. Her husband had to stay there, as several of his important clients were there. 

As the woman walked into her house, she saw Jeeves sitting by himself in the dining room. She called for him to follow her, and led him into the master bedroom. She looked at him and smiled.

"Jeeves," she said. "Take off my dress. " 

He did this carefully. 

"Jeeves," she continued. "Take off my stockings and garter." 

He silently obeyed her. 

"Jeeves," she then said. "Remove my bra and panties. " 

As he did this, the tension continued to mount. 

She then said, "Jeeves, if I ever catch you wearing my clothes again, you're fired!"

The Pope goes to New York and gets picked up at the airport by a limousine.   When he sees the car, he motions to the driver and says: "Do you mind if I ask you a favor?"   "A favor for the Pope??" exclaims the driver, "of course - anything!"   "You know, I hardly ever get to drive, and I'd really like it if I got to drive now. Would you please let me?"   The thought of the Pope getting behind the wheel scared the driver - what if he got in into an accident?    On the other hand, the driver felt that he couldn't say no to the Pope himself, so he reluctantly obliged and let his Holiness get behind the wheel.    To his utter dismay, the Pope turns the key, lights up the limousine's rear tires and speeds up like a maniac!   After driving in excess of 100 mph in a 45 mph zone, a police car drives up alongside them and orders them to stop immediately. The Pope slams on the brakes and comes to a dead stop, as does the pursuing police officer.    The police officer emerges from his vehicle, briefly peers through the limousine's window, then hurriedly steps back in.    His sergeant got this call:   Cop: "Sir, I have a problem."   Sergeant: "What kind of problem?"   Cop: "Well, I pulled over this driver for speeding, but he's someone really important."   Sergeant: "Important like... the mayor?"   Cop: "No, no - a lot more important than that."   Sergeant: "Important like... the governor?"   Cop: "Way more important than that, sarge."   Sergeant: "Important like... the President?"   Cop: "Even more important than him."   Sergeant: "Who's more important than the President?"   Cop: "I don't know sarge, but he has the Pope DRIVING for him!"

Image courtesy of: stockimages / freedigitalphotos.net

Philosophy: We all question why we exist, how much we know, what we stand for. There have been individuals throughout history that have towered over everyone else in terms of their sheer ability to ponder these questions. Below is a list of men who are famous for coining universally-known phrases such as “happiness is the highest good” (Aristotle) and "I think, therefore I am" (Descartes). Join me on a journey through the lives and musings of some of the greatest thinkers in history - come on, it'll be fun! 

To watch the videos, just click with your mouse on any of the photos to learn about that philosopher. If you want to learn about another, just click on the  button on the right upper corner of the video. If you wish to see the video in full size, the full screen button is located on the bottom right of the video player. Happy discovering!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Created by: Jake Schembri 

A champion jockey is about to enter an important race on a new horse. The horse's trainer meets him before the race and says, "All you have to remember with this horse is that every time you approach a jump, you have to shout, "ALLLLEEE OOOP!" really loudly in the horse's ear. Providing you do that, you'll be fine."

The jockey thinks the trainer is mad but promises to shout the command. The race begins and they approach the first hurdle. The jockey ignores the trainer's ridiculous advice and the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump.

They carry on and approach the second hurdle. The jockey, somewhat embarrassed, whispers "Aleeee ooop" in the horse's ear. The same thing happens - the horse crashes straight through the center of the jump.

At the third hurdle, the jockey thinks, "It's no good, I'll have to do it," and yells, "ALLLEEE OOOP!" really loudly. Sure enough, the horse sails over the jump with no problems. This continues for the rest of the race, but due to the earlier problems the horse only finishes third.

The trainer is fuming and asks the jockey what went wrong. The jockey replies, "Nothing is wrong with me - it's this bloody horse. What is he - deaf or something?"

The trainer replies, "Deaf?? DEAF?? You idiot, he's not deaf - he's BLIND!"

This bright green veggie has been deemed a spring superfood with good reason. It is packed with goodness - vitamins A, C, E, K, B6 and folate, as well as essential minerals like iron, copper, calcium, protein and fiber. In addition, there are many ways this nutritious vegetable can be enjoyed (be sure to take a look at our recipe tips and easy-to-prepare recipe video below).  

Here are 10 reasons why you should include more asparagus in your diet this season:

1. They may help you lose weight

Asparagus is low in fat and calories (one cup is a mere 32 calories). It is also packed with lots of soluble and insoluble fiber, making it a good choice if you are trying to lose weight, primarily because your body digests fiber slowly, helping you feel satiated in between meals. In addition, asparagus can also aid constipation and studies have shown that it may help lower cholesterol.

Recipe tip: Grill a couple of asparagus spears, lightly drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with a perfectly poached egg.

2. They may prevent urinary tract infections

There are times when some of the best remedies can be found in techniques used in the ancient past, and this two-breath finger technique is one of them. Referred to as the ancient art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, this technique enables you to harmonize your emotions and nourish your body by holding each of your fingers in sequence. It's a subtle, yet powerful self-help approach that you can practice at any time, no matter where you are. 

A little history 

A Japanese healer and philosopher, Master Jiro Murai, rediscovered this ancient healing practice in the 20th century. He had been led to the Jin Shin Jyutsu healing technique in response to his own health problems, which he had developed from his youth. At the time, he was overindulgent and frequently entered (and won) contests that involved consuming large amounts of food and drink. At 26 he fell seriously ill and doctors diagnosed his condition as incurable and terminal.

Residing in his family's mountain cabin he asked that he be left alone. Passing in and out of consciousness he had visions of masters using hand mudras, which he then began to practice on himself. Having done so for seven days, on his last day he underwent an intense healing experience and from that point on he vowed to devote his life to discovering the connection between the hand mudras and his dramatic recovery.

In his quest to discover more, Murai looked for clues in holy and ancient texts. His search led him to the ancient records of the Kojiki which he recovered from the Archives of the Imperial Palace. These writings were what provided information on the origins, philosophy and techniques of Jin Shin Jyutsu.