Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Treadmills History ~ BLT Bites ~ National Chocolate Mint Day

  

Good 25º frozen morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we got clear sky and sunshine and topped at 55º.

 

 

Picture of the Day ... perfect timing!

 

 

Interesting about treadmills ....

 

A treadmill is a device generally used for walking, running, or climbing while staying in the same place. Treadmills were introduced before the development of powered machines to harness the power of animals or humans to do work, often a type of mill operated by a person or animal treading the steps of a treadwheel to grind grain. In later times, treadmills were used as punishment devices for people sentenced to hard labor in prisons. The terms treadmill and treadwheel were used interchangeably for the power and punishment mechanisms.

 

More recently, treadmills have instead been used as exercise machines for running or walking in one place. Rather than the user powering a mill, the device provides a moving platform with a wide conveyor belt driven by an electric motor or a flywheel. The belt moves to the rear, requiring the user to walk or run at a speed matching the belt. The rate at which the belt moves is the rate of walking or running. Thus, the speed of running may be controlled and measured. The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven (usually by an electric motor). The simpler, lighter, and less expensive versions passively resist the motion, moving only when walkers push the belt with their feet. The latter are known as manual treadmills.

 

Treadmills continue to be the biggest selling exercise equipment category by a large margin. As a result, the treadmill industry has hundreds of manufacturers throughout the world.

 

History

William Staub, a mechanical engineer, developed the first consumer treadmill for home use. Staub developed his treadmill after reading the 1968 book, Aerobics by Kenneth H. Cooper. Cooper's book noted that individuals who ran for eight minutes four to five times a week would be in better physical condition. Staub noticed that there were no affordable household treadmills at the time and decided to develop one for his own use during the late 1960s. He called his first treadmill the PaceMaster 600. Once finished, Staub sent his prototype treadmill to Cooper, who found the machine's first customers, including sellers of fitness equipment.

Staub began producing the first home treadmills at his plant in Clifton, New Jersey, before moving production to Little Falls, New Jersey.

 

Treadmills as power sources originated in antiquity. These ancient machines had three major types of design. The first was a horizontal bar jutting out of a vertical shaft. It rotated around a vertical axis, driven by an ox or other animal walking in a circle and pushing the bar. Humans were also used to power these. The second design was a vertical wheel, a treadwheel, that was powered by climbing in place instead of walking in circles. This is similar to what we know today as the hamster wheel. The third design also required climbing but used a sloped, moving platform instead.

 

Treadmills as muscle powered engines originated roughly 4000 years ago. Their primary use was to lift buckets of water. This same technology was later adapted to create rotary grain mills and the treadwheel crane. It was also used to pump water and power dough-kneading machines and bellows.

 

If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadmill

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Bring home the bacon and be the top tomato in the kitchen when you make these novel bite-size BLT Bites as super appetizers or snacks!

 

 

• 12 -14 cherry tomatoes
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup bacon bits

 

1. Cut off a thin slice off of each tomato top. Scoop out and discard seeds.
    
2. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate for several hours.

 

 

Historically this date.........

1807 – In Alabama, former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr is arrested for treason and confined to Fort Stoddert.

1847 – The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party.

1942 – World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the executive order 9066, allowing the United States military to relocate Japanese-Americans to Japanese internment camps.

1945 – World War II: Battle of Iwo Jima – about 30,000 United States Marines land on the island of Iwo Jima.

1976 – Executive Order 9066, which led to the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps, is rescinded by President Gerald R. Ford's Proclamation 4417

 

 

And births this date include....

1924 – Lee Marvin, American actor (d. 1987)

1955 – Jeff Daniels, American actor

 

1960 – Prince Andrew, Duke of York

 

1967 – Benicio del Toro, Puerto Rican actor

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Sunday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Recognized by the US National Confectioners Association, National Chocolate Mint Day is observed annually across the nation on February 19th. This holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long.

The Aztecs and Mayans are given much credit for their ways with chocolate. And while chocolate was brought back to Europeans, they were not fond of the dark, bitter bean, so they used more for medicinal purposes.

As it was mostly consumed as a hot beverage, Europeans mixed mint, cinnamon and other spices to make it more palatable. Over time, they added sugar, and the combination of chocolate and mint became fashionable.

Fast forward to the mid-1800s when inventions and improvements in processes made it possible for confectioners to begin mass-producing chocolates. Even then, small candy shops served a local public. Advertisements for mint chocolates, or chocolate mints, did not start showing up in newspapers until the turn of the century.

The International Dairy Foods Association states that mint chocolate chip is the 10th most popular flavor of ice cream.

One of the earliest mass-producers of chocolate mints was Huyler’s in New York. Their chain of stores spread across the country.

Today we find mint chocolate in everything from ice cream to brownies, cookies and candies, liquors and sauces. Girl Scouts first sold Thin Mint cookies in 1953 and are still their most popular cookie. Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves that tastes like chocolate and mint.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Below is a favorite frosting recipe for chocolate cake. It looks great decorated with chocolate mint candies, a perfect way to celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day!

Mint Frosting for Chocolate Cake

1 package cream cheese (8 0z), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
Green food coloring

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.  On low speed, beat in mint extract, 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring and 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed.  Beat on medium speed until fluffy. Store frosted cake in refrigerator.

The following are some other chocolate mint recipes for you to try:

Layered Mint Chocolate FudgeChocolate Mint BrowniesMint Chocolate Chip CookiesChocolate Mint Pie

And, for those who are thirsty:

Chocolate-Mint Martini