Good 26º frozen morning.
Yesterday all that snow was something else.
Picture of the Day
Interesting about honey........
Honey is something of an oddity, in that, unlike most foods, it doesn’t spoil over time. In fact, the oldest known sample of honey, found in an Ancient Egyptian tomb and dated to approximately 3000 years ago, was still perfectly edible.
Honey is magic. Besides its delicious taste, it's pretty much the only food that does not spoil while in an edible state. But why, exactly, doesn't honey go bad?
Honey has a lot of pretty incredible properties. It's been used and investigated for medicinal properties for a long time, especially as a treatment for open wounds. Herodotus reported that the Babylonians buried their dead in honey, and Alexander the Great may have been embalmed in a coffin full of honey.
Pots of honey dating back over 5000 years have been found in tombs in ancient Egypt and have been determined to be just as safe and edible as honey bought at the local grocery store. Because of its unique properties, being high in sugars which are naturally hygroscopic, very few bacteria and microorganisms can live in the resulting low-moisture environment. Further, honey has a high acidity with a pH between 3.26-4.48 which kills off any microorganisms trying to make their home in the honey.
The primary reason honey has such a low moisture content is thanks to its makers: bees. The flapping of their wings helps the moisture in the nectar evaporate. After they gather the nectar, the way bees get it into the honeycombs is by vomiting. As gross as it sounds, the chemical content of bees stomachs contains the enzyme glucose oxidase which remains in the nectar after it is regurgitated. The enzymes mix with the nectar to create gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide which is also excellent at preventing bacterial growth.
While honey does not spoil, it can crystalize over time. Crystalized honey is not spoiled and heating it slightly will dissolve the crystals and return the honey it its natural liquid state. Honey most quickly crystalizes at temperatures between 50-59 degrees F so avoid refrigerating to help prevent crystallizations.
Infants under a year old, whose gastro-intestinal tracks aren't fully developed, should never be given honey.
Coffee Cup Scramble
From Mr. Food
No need to skip breakfast with this quick and easy recipe for Coffee Cup Scramble. It cooks up fast in the microwave for a healthy way to start your day.
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Coat a 12-ounce microwave-safe coffee mug with cooking spray. Add eggs and milk; beat until blended.
- Microwave 45 seconds at high power; stir. Microwave 30 to 45 seconds more, or until eggs are almost set (see Note).
- Top with cheese, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
***Since microwave ovens vary, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Three friends are celebrating their birthdays today.... Lee Taylor (aka Tiffany!) (LASD ret). HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE!! xo
and....... Olga Duran (wife of infamous LASD ret. Lt. Jimmy) is celebrating... HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLGA!! xo
and last but not least, Chuck Kuehl (son of my pal Patty and with is bride Linda in the photo) is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUCK!! xo
Historically this date......
1954 – Canada and the United States agree to construct the Distant Early Warning Line, a system of radar stations in the far northern Arctic regions of Canada and Alaska.
1965 – A new red-and-white maple leaf design is adopted as the flag of Canada, replacing the old Canadian Red Ensign banner.
1989 – Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan.
And births this date include...
1907 – Cesar Romero, American actor (d. 1994)
1927 – Harvey Korman, American actor and comedian (d. 2008)
1947 – Rusty Hamer, American actor (d. 1990)
1951 – Jane Seymour, English actress
1964 – Chris Farley, American actor and comedian (d. 1997)
All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Wednesday. Ciao.
xo Sue Mom Bobo
On February 15th, Singles Awareness Day reminds us that there’s nothing wrong with being single. In fact, the day after Valentine’s Day points out all the ways that singledom benefits our communities and more.
There are several benefits to being unattached. Singles can come and go as they please with no regard to a partner’s schedule, wants or needs. Career opportunity? A single doesn’t need to consult a spouse before accepting an offer. It’s also easier for a single to keep up healthy habits. There isn’t anyone to sabotage their efforts to work out and eat healthily. Singles also tend to be more self-reliant and involved in their communities.
Singles come in all ages, too. Whether they’re single by choice or happenstance, recently single or pursuing singledom for the long haul, they tend to lead independent lives. However, that doesn’t mean they are alone. Singles may be raising a child or grandchild. They may be caring for a parent or sibling.
Despite the images of a spinster, a partying bachelor, a single’s lifestyle can take on quite a different look. They may take on many roles from a professional to a community leader, caregiver, and volunteer.
HOW TO OBSERVE
- Celebrate your singleness.
- Join other singles for coffee, dinner, or other events.
- If you aren’t single, don’t overlook the singles in your life. Include them in your activities. They may not be seeking a life partner, but they do like to be included.
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- Recognize the contributions singles make in the organizations, communities, and schools around you.
- Read books like How to be Single and Happy by Jennifer L Taitz or Single on Purpose by John Kim.
SINGLES AWARENESS DAY HISTORY
- Our research has found that Singles Awareness Day has been around since 1999. In a blog post dated February 11, 2005, Mississippi State University student, Dustin Barnes lays claim to the creation of the day. According to his article, Barnes and his high school friends invented it “back in the day.” The earliest record we could find of the day in print is 1999. Another celebration has been taking place in the United Kingdom for
- some time. Some of the articles we found references to the celebration in the UK while others make no reference at all. Whether the observance was created in the US or crossed the pond and grew from there, we can’t be sure.
Singles FAQ
Q. Is this day just for single people?
A. No. It’s also a day for those in relationships to recognize their friends who are single. Sometimes people who are single choose to be single. Other times, it’s the circumstance. Either way, there’s nothing wrong with being single.
Q. I’m single and I love it. How can I get my friends to stop setting me up on dates?
A. First, have you told your friends that you’re happy being single? If not, tell them. Secondly, tell them WHY you’re happy being single. It may be the freedom to travel, the ability to put work first, or just a general feeling of being fulfilled and happy. Whatever the reason, express it to your friends. They are your friends after all. Finally, if they still continue to set you up on dates, flat out refuse to meet this new person. They will eventually get the message.
Q. I’m single but I really wish I wasn’t. How do I meet someone who has similar interests?
A. There are several ways to meet new people. Some of them work best if you go into it interested in the experience more than meeting someone. Try these:
- Take a class. It may be art, cooking, woodworking, dog training, or any variety of things.
- Volunteer. When you volunteer for a cause you feel strongly about you are bound to meet people with similar interests.
- Attend to your spiritual nature. Whether it’s through a church, meditation class, or a retreat, you will expand your circle spiritually.
- Travel. Yes, travel alone or with other friends. You might meet someone who loves to travel, too.
- Ask your friends about their other single friends. Our friends may be terrible match-makers, but this does allow you to meet new people.
- Host a party. Invite friends to bring other singles.
- Try speed dating or a dating app.
