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A Few Changes Ruined ‘The Big Family Cooking Showdown’ on Netflix

This post originally appeared on March 8, 2019, in “Eat, Drink, Watch” — the weekly newsletter for people who want to order takeout and watch TV. Browse the archives and subscribe now.

Welcome back to Friday afternoon. I’ve got some TV recommendations and a roundup of the week’s food-related entertainment news, as well as a WORD OF WARNING about a food show that is alluring on the surface, but completely skippable. Let’s jump right in, shall we?

The ‘Big Family’ letdown

Netflix/Big Family Cooking Showdown

As Netflix continues expanding its already-impressive food TV catalog, the streaming titan is scooping up shows that were previously big hits in other markets. And while many of these imports are delightful additions to the library (hello Flavorful Origins and Chef & My Fridge!), the culinary competition The Big Family Cooking Showdown is not one of them. The one thing this series does really well is make you want to watch its obvious inspiration, The Great British Baking Show.

The similarities between the two programs are not coincidental: When The Great British Bake Off (as it’s called in the U.K.) left the BBC for rival network Channel 4, Big Family was created to fill its place. The first season of the show was co-hosted by previous Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain as well as TV/radio personality Zoe Ball. Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli was cast in the Paul Hollywood role, and cooking school administrator Rosemary Shrager filled the Mary Berry seat. Most of the challenges in Season 1 took place in a massive barn that had a similarly fantastical vibe to the big white tent. Although it was an obvious copycat, I liked the chemistry between the hosting crew, the personalities of the home chefs, and the generally jovial vibe of the first season.

Unfortunately, in the lead-up to Season 2, the producers made a series of changes that somehow drained the show of its lifeblood. The charming quartet of hosts and judges has been replaced by Celebrity MasterChef winner Angellica Bell and Great British Menu contestant Tommy Banks, who have absolutely no chemistry together. That big fancy barn has been replaced by a space that looks like the kitchen of a condo timeshare. And instead of two families squaring off against each other, there are four clans duking it out at the start of each new round, making it a frenzied affair.

Another big issue with the show, at least for me, is that a lot of the food just doesn’t look very good. The nature of the challenge — home cooks with no professional experience making hearty recipes, often with frozen ingredients — lends itself to gloppy, monochromatic plates of food, and some of the mashups that come out of the kitchen seem like obvious conceptual misfires. “Coconut pancakes topped with salmon two ways and a strawberry-balsamic salsa” might taste good IRL, but it sure doesn’t look good on screen.

The silver lining here is that the families are as charming as ever, and it is nice to see them working as teams together. But unlike its predecessor, there’s hardly any drama in the Family Showdown because the program just isn’t structured in a way that allows for suspense to build. The result is yet another Baking Show clone that pales in comparison to the original.

All 14 (!) hour-long episodes of The Big Family Cooking Showdown Season 2 are now available to stream on Netflix. But if you’re seriously jonesing to watch a culinary competition, you’re probably better off watching the original Baking Show, The Final Table, or Top Chef.

Streaming recommendations du jour

Blindspotting/Amazon Video

Blindspotting

Watch it on: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play

The gist: Some of the best moments in this ambitious comedy/drama feature references to gourmet food as a harbinger of gentrification in Oakland, California.

The film begins with parolee protagonist Collin (played by Daveed Diggs) and his pal Miles (Rafael Casal) eating take-out from their favorite old-school burger stand, which, much to their surprise, was just renovated and now serves vegan food by default. On the way to work the next morning, Collin surprises his friend by purchasing a $10 green juice from their local liquor store, establishing a running joke about the changing culture of the neighborhood. And one of the movie’s biggest surprises involves a yuppie doofus ordering a flaming scorpion bowl at a local dive where Collin used to work.

Longtime friends (and occasional musical collaborators) Diggs and Casal wrote the movie together over the last decade and you can tell it’s a labor of love. While some of the ideas don’t totally gel, I really hope the duo and director Carlos López Estrada keep working together and developing the heady style that they’ve established here.

Documentary Now!, “Waiting for the Artist”

Watch it on: Amazon Video, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play

The gist: You don’t have to be a fan of performance artist Marina Abramovic to enjoy this parody of the 2012 documentary about her work, The Artist Is Present.

Cate Blanchett’s performance as the aloof art world legend Izabella Barta is reason enough to watch this Documentary Now! episode — she completely owns this character. One of her works, “Late for Dinner,” features her partner, Dima (played by Fred Armisen), eating at a table for two as Barta is tethered to a wall by a giant spring. And her grand masterpiece, “Ein Tag Ein Frankfurter,” involves the artist eating a hot dog all day, every day for a year.

Like all the best Documentary Now! episodes, “Waiting for the Artist” is a sublime mash-up of highbrow cinema and low-brow comedy.

In other entertainment news…

Have a great weekend, and if you’re looking for something vegetable-forward but not particularly health food-esque to make, consider peeping Hugh Acheson’s recipe for creamed kimchi collards.

Eat, Drink, Watch.

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Source: https://www.eater.com/2019/3/9/18256719/big-family-cooking-showdown-netflix-season-2

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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Raw Diet for Dogs: Best Foods and Supplements for a Healthier Pup

You know by now that a diet full of nutritious whole foods will make you look and feel your best. The same can be said for your pets, something that Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey discovered firsthand. Despite age, blindness, and congenital defects, his 13-year-old dachshund Merlin is a healthy and happy pup — all thanks to a raw diet that keeps him thriving.

Like humans, your dog’s diet may make or break his performance. Given the rise in diseases like cancer among dogs,[1] diet may play a role in managing underlying inflammation and nutrient imbalances. Yet many pets eat kibble loaded with corn, soy, and artificial flavors — the same foods that can mess with human biology.

From a health standpoint, a raw diet for dogs makes sense. Wolves, the closest ancestors to dogs, follow a raw carnivorous diet with long fasting periods when prey are not readily available.[2] Research also links a raw diet for dogs with lower triglyceride levels, despite their higher fat content.[3]

Health benefits of a raw diet for dogs

Little research supports a raw diet for dogs. However, pet owners that transition to raw feeding say the benefits are clear:

More nutrient absorption

Smaller stools

More energy

Cleaner teeth

Improved skin health with less shedding

More satiety, so dogs eat less often

Want to experiment with a raw diet for your dog? Check this list for the best foods to serve (and avoid), plus Dave’s feeding regimen for Merlin.

Raw diet for dogs: Recommended foods and supplements

1. Pastured and wild-caught protein (especially beef)

Dogs need grass-fed beef for the same reasons humans do: It’s loaded with nutrients and healthy fats to keep them fueled. Ground beef makes a delicious protein option on a raw diet for dogs, but occasional raw wild-caught fish, like salmon and sardines, can also deliver a dose of wholesome protein.

Consider adding pastured collagen peptides to your dog’s diet, too. Just like in humans, it supports stronger joints and silky hair (or fur). Depending on your dog’s size, you can mix up to one scoop directly into their food.

Avoid feeding your dog raw chicken, since it puts your pet at risk for salmonella, a bacterial disease commonly linked to raw poultry and undercooked eggs. Lightly cooked poultry can serve as an occasional protein source, but won’t deliver the same punch of healthy fats as beef.

2. Healthy fats

For a more Bulletproof pet, add wholesome fats to your dog’s raw diet to improve satiety. Add raw egg yolk directly on top of your pup’s meal twice per week for a dose of potassium, antioxidants, and calcium that can also support a shiny coat.

Dogs (especially overweight ones) can also benefit from MCT oil in their food — up to 15% of their calories. A growing body of research suggests that this highly-refined coconut oil forms fat-burning molecules called ketones for dogs, making it a better choice than coconut oil alone. Adding as little as a teaspoon of Brain Octane Oil — an ultra-purified form of MCTs from 100% coconut oil — to your dog’s bowl can turn off his “hangry” behavior and keep him energized well into his golden years.

3. Key vitamins

Dogs suffer from constipation, mitochondrial deficiencies, and nutrient imbalances, too. Adding targeted supplements to a raw diet for dogs can fill in those dietary gaps.

Try dried (dessicated) beef liver or finely chopped fresh liver for extra minerals, chlorella for toxin binding, coconut charcoal for constipation relief, or magnesium for more energized mitochondria. Dog size and dosage needs will vary, so talk with your vet before adding supplements to his raw diet.

What to avoid on a raw diet for dogs

1. Vegetables (maybe)

Wild canines and their ancestors got their fiber by eating the fur, bones, and ligaments of their prey, along with whatever plant matter remained in their digestive systems. Thus, while some raw food believers opt to include veggies in their dog’s diet, it may not be necessary — and it may make the dog hungry more often. Some pets need more fiber than others on a raw food diet: If your pup suffers from diarrhea or constipation, he may need to up his fiber intake. If you do feed your dog vegetables, add a small amount of shredded raw carrots or celery to each meal.

2. Grains

Cut out all grains, including corn, wheat, rice, and oats. Dogs are not wired to eat grains, and a grain-heavy diet can lead to allergies or obesity. Your pet should only get protein from meat on a raw diet for dogs.

3. Cooked “people” food (even scraps)

Once your dog transitions to a raw diet, avoid all cooked table food — especially scraps. Scraps high in added fats can cause diarrhea in dogs, while cooked bones can splinter and damage teeth or internal organs. Scraps can also contain toxic or fatal ingredients for dogs: Food with garlic or onions, for instance, can cause anemia.

4. Xylitol

Xylitol makes a delicious low-carb sweetener on a ketogenic diet, but use with caution if you have a furry friend in your household. Since xylitol tastes just like sugar, dogs will secrete insulin and get fatal hypoglycemia if they consume it. Keep it out of reach and never add it to a raw diet for dogs.

5. Shelf-stable food and treats

Not only is shelf stable food not raw, it can be harmful for your dog’s gut bacteria.

Merlin’s raw diet routine

Disclaimer: Merlin is a small dog. Portions and foods will vary depending on your dog’s size and unique dietary needs.

Daily diet:

2 ounces raw ground grass-fed beef or lamb

1/2 scoop pastured collagen protein

1 teaspoon Brain Octane Oil

2 ounces steamed carrots, celery, or brassica vegetables

1 teaspoon raw carrot or celery

Added food and supplements:

1 capsule Eye Armor, broken open and added to meat (every other day)

1 capsule grass-fed desiccated lamb heart and liver blend, such as Pure Power (broken and poured over food, every other day)

Raw egg yolk (about 2 times per week)

1/2 teaspoon Carbon60 Plus (every other day; learn more here)

1 teaspoon olive oil (about 2 times per week)

1/8 teaspoon magnesium complex (glycinate, ascorbate, malate, aspartate), such as AOR (roughly every other day)

1 Omega Krill Complex capsule (about 2 times per week)

A small amount of activated charcoal, if experiencing digestive issues

1 capsule brain health vitamin blend, such as Neurovite Plus (every other day)

Should your dog try a raw food diet?

Despite the health benefits of a raw food diet for dogs, it may not be for everyone. Raw food costs can add up quickly for large breeds, and keeping meat and organs fresh requires more effort than storing a bag of kibble in your pantry.

You don’t have to adopt a full raw diet to keep your dog healthier. Small changes, like adding Brain Octane Oil to meals or adopting a partial raw diet, will help your pup more than feeding him dry food alone.

Whatever diet you choose for your dog, keep his food wholesome and nutritionally balanced — and watch him thrive for years to come.

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Source: https://blog.bulletproof.com/raw-diet-dogs/

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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Dogs Have to Sleep With Their Faces Touching

<![CDATA[ #menu font-size: 14px; #menu:hover .admin-menu display: block; .admin-menu display:none .admin-label:before float: left; content: ""; background-image: url(//media.mercola.com/Themes/mercolaArticle/images/badge-expert-user.png); background-size: 15px; height: 15px; width: 15px; margin-right: 6px; margin-top: 2px; ]]>

When you see these two dogs sleeping together, you’ll find that one seems to have his nose pressed right into the other dog’s cheek. They’re each other’s security blankets!

Source: https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2019/01/14/dogs-have-to-sleep-with-their-faces-touching.aspx

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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Fermented soluble wheat fibre found to possess high prebiotic potential: Study

Findings point to AGP’s potent prebiotic activity during in vitro fermentation with higher beneficial bacteria populations noted that include Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium genera.

Further findings also reveal an increase in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have anti-inflammatory effects.

“The most abundant SCFAs, acetate, propionate and butyrate, have been shown to have multiple beneficial effects for the host, the team of UK scientists said.

“For example, by providing dietary energy, and by suppressing the growth of pathogens by decreasing the pH of the intestinal lumen.”

The fermentation process, where colonic microbiota break down carbohydrates to eventually produce SCFAs appears to be particularly important to health benefits of dietary fibre (DF).

Cereal DF components like β-glucan and fructans, are considered prebiotic, while studies demonstrate notable prebiotic activity for wheat flour arabinoxylan (AX).

However, although the AGP concentration in wheat flour is similar to that of water-soluble AX and total β-glucan, its prebiotic potential has not been determined.

Study details

The team from the University of Reading and Rothamsted Research in the UK tested AGP prepared from white wheat flour using in vitro fermentation by colonic bacteria in anaerobic stirred batch cultures.

This preparation was compared to fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and AX. Bacterial populations were measured using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (flow-FISH) and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were measured using HPLC.

Findings indicated that the fermentation of AGP resulted in a significant bifidogenic activity and increased concentrations of SCFAs, mainly acetate after 24 hours of fermentation.

Further results reveal a combination of AGP and wheat flour arabinoxylan (AX) are potentially more effective as prebiotics than single substrates.

“AGP showed slower bacterial fermentation than FOS, however, this persistence is unlikely to occur when wheat products are consumed as combining AGP with AX resulted in faster utilisation of the substrates,” the study said.

“Since the ratio of water-soluble AX to AGP used in these experiments is similar to that in white wheat flour, their potential to act synergistically is more relevant to the consumption of wheat products than the results obtained with single substrates.”

Bifidobacterium a target

In discussing the finding’s significance, the team pointed to the bacterial genus Bifidobacterium as a common prebiotic target.

This is due to its link with a number of health benefits, including the reduction of colorectal cancer rates and concentration of circulating cholesterol.

Previous studies have identified a decrease in Bifidobacterium levels with conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and allergies.

“In this study, all substrates demonstrated beneficial effects by significantly increasing the populations of Bifidobacterium from 8 to 24 hours compared to the negative control.

“Unlike the FOS and AGP + AX mixture, which showed the maximum Bifidobacterium growth at 8 hours, proliferation was slower with AGP and AX singly as substrates, reaching the greatest population numbers after 24 hours.”

The team believed bifidobacteria fermented soluble wheat flour AX and AGP at a slower rate than FOS.

The same effect was observed with the populations of the predominant beneficial bacterial group Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale.

A previous study showed significant increases simultaneously with bifidogenic effects indicating a number of cross-feeding interactions.

Source: European Journal of Nutrition

Published online: doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-01908-7

“Determination of the prebiotic activity of wheat arabinogalactan peptide (AGP) using batch culture fermentation.”

Authors: Suzanne Harris et al.

Source: https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2019/02/21/Fermented-soluble-wheat-fibre-found-to-possess-high-prebiotic-potential-Study

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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Toxins: Public health scourge and financial disaster

Here’s my beef: As your friendly, neighborhood food quality and safety systems engineer, I continue to be baffled by the sheer volume of money and brand reputation that goes down the drain due to a lack of strong Quality Assurance (QA) systems.

A comprehensive QA program protects consumers, products and brands from expensive liabilities relating to regulatory and quality lapses. Financial repercussions aside, there are countless other dangers when brands lack strong QA systems to maintain product safety and quality, or they turn a blind eye to potential toxins in their products. On the heels of the Consumer Reports investigation into the levels of heavy metals in America’s favorite childhood juices, as well as the Clean Label Project’s peer-reviewed study into industrial and environmental contaminants in America’s best-selling infant formulas and baby foods, heavy metals are clearly a legal, media and consumer advocacy matter that is not going away.

Related: Secret Shopper: How do I know if a product's packaging contains unsafe chemicals?

In a September report, UNICEF said, “In the modern era, while undernutrition remains the major challenge worldwide, we humans are now faced with the negative effects of ‘overnutrition’ in the form of obesity, as well as risk in the form of unbalanced diets or diets contaminated with potential toxins.” The status quo for food safety in America focuses predominantly on short-term microbiological contaminants. Minimizing dietary exposure to known carcinogenic industrial and environmental contaminants has largely not yet made its way into the food safety regulatory fabric in America.

Except for in California. With regard to toxin awareness, the state of California has set strict regulatory guidelines to protect consumers. In 2017, 688 consumer packaged goods companies were sued under California Proposition 65. If you’re unfamiliar with the California Proposition 65, (also referred to as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxin Enforcement Act of 1986), it was a voter initiative with the goal to protect consumers and water sources from toxic substances that may cause cancer and birth defects by reducing or eliminating exposures in consumer products. The statute requires warnings in advance of those exposures. In the absence of federal law setting maximum dietary exposure tolerance levels for environmental contaminants like heavy metals (such as lead or mercury) or plasticizers with known endocrine disruption properties (such as BPA, BPS or phthalates), the State of California Proposition 65 limits are the default law of the land.

The average settlement from those Prop 65 lawsuits is $37,453. However, this price tag pales in comparison to the additional costs of quality associated with to reformulating and relabeling affected products. In addition, brands suffer the loss of retail and consumer trust by having to explain online or on packaging that “This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.”

In the absence of federal regulatory policy, brands can be proactive in protecting public health, their reputation and their pocketbooks. Heavy metals testing averages a mere $100 per sample. Incorporating maximum contaminant level thresholds into your product specifications and using heavy metals confirmation testing serves as an effective and affordable insurance policy.

For more information about the Clean Label Project and safer products for consumers, contact [email protected].

Source: https://www.newhope.com/ingredients/toxins-public-health-scourge-and-financial-disaster

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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2 dry dog foods recalled over possible vitamin D toxicity - WAVY-TV

WFLA Photo

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Two pet food makers are voluntarily recalling certain products that may contain an excess of vitamin D, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

At least three people complained that their pets had suffered vitamin D toxicity after eating products from Natural Life Pet Products and Nutrisca.

Dogs who ingest elevated of Vitamin D may experience symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, weight loss or renal dysfunction, according to the FDA.

Natural Life Pet Products pulled the following product off the shelves:

17.5 lbs. Natural Life Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food Bag UPC: 0-12344-08175-1 The bagged food has expiration dates of May 29, 2020, through Aug. 10, 2020.

Nutrisca has pulled the following products off the shelves as well:

4 lbs Nutrisca® Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food Bag UPC: 8-84244-12495-7 15 lbs Nutrisca® Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food Bag UPC: 8-84244-12795-8 28 lbs Nutrisca® Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food Bag UPC: 8-84244-12895-5 The affected products have expiration dates of Feb. 25, 2020, through Sept. 13, 2020.

Consumers with questions can contact a Nutrisca representative at (888) 279-9420 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by email at [email protected].

Consumers with questions about Natural Life Pet Products may call (888) 279 - 9420 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by email at [email protected].

Source: https://www.wavy.com/news/national/2-dry-dog-foods-recalled-over-possible-vitamin-d-toxicity/1589772580

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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These 6 UPSC Rankers Beat Poverty & Fought All Odds To Follow Their Dreams!

From the 22-year-old whose mother rolled out thousands of rotis to pay for his education to the man who slept on platforms to get free coaching and cracked IIT, over the last few years, we have seen candidates who have crushed crippling poverty and fought odds to follow their UPSC dreams.

These achievers prove that no financial crisis, hardship, and adversity can be a deterrent from attaining their goals because they were willing to do everything it took. They gave it their best shot, and the results are out for everyone to see!

1. How Thousands of Rotis Made By This Mother Fuelled her Son’s UPSC Dream

Hasan Safin. Source: Facebook/Hasan Safin

22-year-old Hasan Safin, who cracked the Union Public Services Commission exams 2017, with an all-India rank of 570, credits his success to the unconditional love and support of his mother.

Hailing from a low-income family from the village of Kanodar in Palanpur district of Gujarat, his parents worked in a small diamond unit. There were several days when he would go to sleep on an empty stomach. But his parents knew Hasan’s hunger for education was far beyond the physical need to fill his stomach. So his mother Naseem Banu began rolling out hundreds of rotis for local restaurants and marriage halls.

Waking up at 3:00 a.m. every day, she would make anywhere between 20 to 200 kilos of medium-sized rotis earning Rs 5,000-8,000 a month–all of which was collected to fund his education.

Such was his dedication that he also received help from a local businessman who spent Rs 3.5 lakh to fund Hasan’s two-year stay in Delhi, including the fees of a coaching institute, travel, and accommodation. Read his success story here.

2. How 75 Percent Loss of Vision Could Not Keep Jayant From Cracking UPSC!

Jayant Mankale. Source: Facebook/Jayant Mankale

While clearing the UPSC is no cakewalk, doing it while being a visually-challenged candidate with no financial resources even to afford audio books or screen readers for preparation can be taxing.

“I could not afford audio books or a screen reader. Therefore, I started listening (to) various debates on the radio, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha TV. I took pictures of pages through my mobile and often zoomed in to read them. I have never read a National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) book, and I couldn’t use hand-written notes, which made preparation very difficult,” says Jayant Mankale from Beed district.

Despite all odds, this visually-impaired man who lost 75 percent of his vision in 2014 to retinitis pigmentosa secured the All-India rank of 923 in his fourth attempt for UPSC this year.

While his mother and sister sold homemade spices, pickles, and other food items to help him, his late father’s pension did little to pay off his college loans. But he was fortunate to get guidance from Pravin Chavan and Manohar Bhole free of cost. Read his story here.

3. Farmer’s daughter ranks 23 in UPSC

Tapasya Parihar. Source: Facebook

25-year-old Tapasya Parihar nailed the UPSC exams this year after she secured an AIR 23 among the 990 selected candidates. The young daughter of a farmer hails from the underdeveloped village of Jowa in Madhya Pradesh, that has a sparse population of only 800 people and an overall literacy rate of 63%. Most girls in this village never had the opportunity to pursue education as many of them have to get married and become mothers at a tender age.

But Tapasya, whose educational dreams were also supported by her father and family cleared the exam in her second attempt. Although she attended coaching classes in Delhi for her first attempt, she failed to make it through the preliminary examination.

So the law student decided to quit coaching and decided to prepare on her own the second time around. She proved all naysayers wrong when she not only cracked the competitive exam but also managed to rank among the top 25!

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the “farmer’s daughter from Narsinghpur” who left no stone unturned to reach her goal.

Source: http://www.xaam.in/2018/10/these-6-upsc-rankers-beat-poverty.html

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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“We couldn’t be silent any longer”: Ben & Jerry’s new flavor gets political

Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of speaking out for causes and issues that align with its mission and values, which often gets political. During the 2016 US general election it launched ‘Empower Mint’ as a part of its work with the NAACP to raise awareness of voting barriers in states like Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

In 2009 it renamed its popular ‘Chubby Hubby’ flavor to ‘Hubby Hubby’ in support of marriage equality. The list of examples extends back through the brand’s 40-year history, as it has never shied away from making a statement.

Licking injustice

On October 30 Ben & Jerry’s introduced ‘Pecan Resist’, a limited flavor and campaign “to lick injustice and champion those fighting to create a more just and equitable nation for us all.”

The ice cream recipe is a re-name and re-packaging of its existing New York Super Fudge Chunk flavor, described as chocolate ice cream with white and dark fudge chunks, pecans, walnuts and fudge-covered almonds. The special pints can only be purchased through the Ben & Jerry’s website or at its participating Scoop Shops for a limited time.

The announcement on social media generated immediate feedback, mixed with both positive and negative reactions, which doesn’t affect Ben & Jerry’s decisions to talk about its political opinions.

Lindsay Bumps, PR representative at Ben & Jerry’s, told DairyReporter, “There are people that support anything we do and people that do not want to support things we do. But I think the important thing here is that this is a campaign that goes to support all of the issues we believe in.”

She shared that Ben & Jerry’s worked on the ‘Pecan Resist’ campaign for most of 2018 to release it in time for the midterm elections on November 6.

“There’s a lot being done with the current administration that counteracts our beliefs. We felt very compelled to speak out and we couldn’t be silent any longer in the face of what’s going on,” Bumps said.

Color Of Change designs campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champions solutions that move everyone forward.

Honor the Earth works on issues of climate change, renewable energy and environmental justice with Indigenous communities.

Women’s March is committed to harnessing the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change.

Neta is one of the fastest-growing independent media platforms led by people of color along the Texas-Mexico border.

Spoons of solidarity

A pop-up on the main Ben & Jerry’s site introduces the flavor and encourages customers to sign up for email information about the four advocacy groups the campaign supports. It also shows how to find local polling places and displays the following statement:

“We honor and stand with women, immigrants, people of color and the millions of activists and allies who are courageously resisting the President's attack on our values, humanity and environment. We celebrate the diversity of our glorious nation and raise our spoons in solidarity for all Americans. Take a stand and join those on the front lines at benjerry.com/pecanresist.”

The biggest part of ‘Pecan Resist’ is Ben & Jerry’s support of groups and activists that are resisting oppression, harmful environmental practices and injustice. It is donating a total of $100,000 to them, with $25,000 each going to Color of Change, Honor the Earth, Women’s March and Neta.

‘Pecan Resist’ also features the work of Favianna Rodriguez, the artist commissioned to create the design on the pints. Rodriguez is an activist, speaker and organizer in addition to an artist. She is also director of CultureStrike, an arts-driven social-justice nonprofit.

“I've always felt very much engaged in politics — not because I wanted to, but because inequality was just so blatant … I think that all art is political. I think that art is always an expression of a human experience, and I very much believe that the arts are central to our society,” she said.

“I wanted the [pint] design to feel positive, and I wanted the color palette to invoke the natural world. Our fight for the environment is connected to our fight for human rights. I wanted to have characters of color who look dignified, but who also look like they are having fun.”

Source: https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2018/11/02/We-couldn-t-be-silent-any-longer-Ben-Jerry-s-new-flavor-gets-political

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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Travelogue: Travel Tips to Ayutthaya, Thailand

Just a quick hour drive up north of Bangkok is the beautiful city of Ayutthaya -- an ancient kingdom built by Rama I U-Thong, the first ruler of Thailand.

The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there's at least 58 beautiful attractions to tour!

There is so much history, ancient relics and beautiful temples to soak in in this beautiful city and it's unfortunate that we only had a day to tour around.

~~~~~~~

If you find yourself in this lovely city, here's a few tips to enjoy your visit:

1. Hire a private van from Bangkok. It's a bit pricey but it's the fastest and safest.

We hired a chauffeured van from this company and was very pleased with their service.

2. Visit Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan to see an impressivly towering 60-feet golden Buddha

statue! Linger long enough to see a robe ceremony -- where faithful Buddhists honor their Buddha by offering the statue a vibrant orange new robe.

3. Arrive early to see Wat Yai Chai Mhang Khon (Monastery of Auspicious Victory) before the

morning sun casts directly to the temple. And if your timing is lucky enough, take this

shot (scroll below to see the 2nd photo that we took of a teenage tourist with the lovely brick

temple at the backdrop).

4. Visit Ayutthaya Historical Park to see the ruins of this historic city, the once capital of the country

and home of the 1st King from the 13th century. Find out how this once great

kingdom fell to its enemy in a gruesome and gory battle. I hope not to get nightmares from it.

5. Always rent an audio wherever it's offered. For a mere $3 (฿100), you get a lesson in history

with a very interesting narration. It's how I found out the interesting story in #5 above.

If nothing else, it will surely help bring the relics come back to life in your imagination.

Without it, everything will just look like another brick from another century.

6. Visit Wat Maha That (Monastery of the Great Relic) and look for the sandstone Buddha

surrounded by tree roots. Sure you'll get a wee bit disappointed realizing it's a tad small than

what the travel magazines promised and lured you into. Regardless, it's not something you see

everyday and can't buy at the malls!

7. Stop for lunch at Coffee Old City. There's a reason why it's voted #1 on Tripadvisor. Order

their Tom Yum fried rice, Pad Thai to find out for yourself.

8. Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram and find out what gift this once king gave his mom. Puts our

mother's day card and charm bracelet gifts to shame.

9. Hire a boat to cruise around Chao Phraya or a bike to tour around the city. But no matter

what you do, I beg not to hire an elephant ride! Should you consider it for a moment, read this

blog and you'll surely change your mind.

10. After learning so much history of this great city, (assuming you followed #9 above), you'll

slowly start to harbor a little resentment to the people who ruined this city. Chill!! It happened

more than 400 years ago. Suggest to go back to the place in #7 to have a Thai Iced Tea.

10. I was told to visit 9 temples in a day for good luck. I had a all the good intentions but

unfortunately, I reached some form of temple fatigue towards the late afternoon after hours

in grueling heat. (It's high 85F that day. I live in Minnesota, 80's is a grueling heatwave for

me!).

So after 7 hours, 5 temples, countless relics and a lesson in Thai history -- all for a mere $30

(฿900), we called it a day.

It's a shameless plug, I know... but thought you might enjoy my other travelogue posts here too!

Source: http://vitaminnstyle.blogspot.com/2014/01/travelogue-travel-tips-to-ayutthaya_29.html

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

These Raspberry Oatmeal Bars are a combination fresh raspberries with raspberry jam over a shortbread type base and topped with an oats and pecan streusel.

Raspberry oatmeal bars are the perfect way to celebrate berry season but don’t wait for berry season to enjoy these bars. They are too good to wait for berry season and we are lucky enough to be able to find fresh raspberries in the grocery store year round.

I first made these oatmeal bars for my daughters 19th birthday. I wanted to send some treats to work with her and these were the perfect choice. I’ve made them many times since and each time I think to myself, why don’t I make them more! Although I chose to make the oatmeal Bars with raspberries they would be yummy with just about any berry – especially blackberries or blueberries. I don’t think you could go wrong.

What is Streusel?

Streusel is typically used to top baked goods such as muffins, cakes and pies and bar cookies. A streusel topping creates a sweet and crumbly topping for your baked good. It is a simple combination of flour, sugar, butter and sometimes oats and nuts as in this recipe. I love the flavor and texture that the streusel adds to the raspberry oatmeal bars.

How to Make Raspberry Oatmeal Bars?

To make these raspberry oatmeal bars I used a combination of fruit jam and fresh fruit. Lucky for me I had some homemade raspberry jam in the freezer I used along with my fresh raspberries but store bought jam and berries will work just fine. I think you could also use frozen berries with this recipe, just be sure to drain them well.

I like to line my 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper to make the bars easier to remove. Spray the parchment paper with baking spray.

The base of the bar is made with butter, sugar, flour and salt. After it is baked for 15 minutes or so it is covered with a layer of raspberry jam and fresh raspberries that have been smashed together. The streusel topping is the best part in my option. It is made with butter, brown sugar, oats and chopped pecans. Allow the bars to cool before cutting.

These Raspberry oatmeal Bars totally fits my criteria of pretty and delicious!

Check out more of my favorite cookie bar recipes:

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

These Raspberry Oatmeal Bars are a combination fresh raspberries with raspberry jam over a shortbread type base and topped with a crispy and crunchy streusel topping of oats and chopped pecans

Course: Bar Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: raspberry oatmeal bars, raspberry streusel bars

Servings: 24 servings

Calories: 198 kcal

Author: Leigh Anne Wilkes

Ingredients

2 1/2 C all purpose flour

2/3 C sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 C butter cut into 1/2 inch pieces softened and divided

1/4 C brown sugar packed

1/2 C old fashioned oats

1/2 C pecans chopped fine

3/4 C raspberry jams

1 C fresh raspberries

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375. Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and spray the paper cooking spray.

In a mixer, with a paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, salt and 14 Tbsp of butter, one piece at a time.

Mix until it resembles the texture of wet sand. May also use food processor

Set aside 1 1/4 C flour mixture.

Put remaining flour mixture into bottom of pan and press evenly to make bottom layer.

Bake until edges turn brown, about 14-18 minutes.

While it is baking, add brown sugar, oats and pecans to flour mixture. Mix together.

Work in remaining 2 Tbsp butter with fingers until pea size clumps form.

Set streusel aside.

Mix together jam and fresh berries along with lemon juice in a bowl.

Mash with a fork until only some berry pieces remain.

Spread raspberry filling over hot crust; sprinkle streusel topping evenly over filling (do not press into filling).

Return to oven and bake until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

About 22-25 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 198 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9g 14%

Saturated Fat 5g 25%

Cholesterol 20mg 7%

Sodium 120mg 5%

Potassium 49mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 13g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 4.7%

Vitamin C 3%

Calcium 1.2%

Iron 4.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Originally posted July 18, 2012

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Hi – I’m Leigh Anne! Food, family and friends are three of my favorite things. I love sharing easy, delicious recipes and entertaining ideas that everyone will love. When she started her blog, Your Homebased Mom, over 9 years ago she had no idea that it would one day house over 2,400 recipes and ideas! .

Latest posts by Leigh Anne (see all)

Source: https://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/raspberry-oatmeal-bars/

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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Multiple brands of dog food have been recalled due to elevated levels of Vitamin D - Voice of the Valley

Dogs ingesting elevated levels of Vitamin D could have symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss. Vitamin D, when consumed at very high levels can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction.

Sunshine Mills, Inc., ANF Pet, Inc. and ELM Pet Foods have all issued recalls due to high levels of Vitamin D. The FDA says pet owners should stop feeding their animals the recalled dog foods.

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of select products of Evolve Puppy, Sportsman’s Pride Large Breed Puppy and Triumph Chicken and Rice Dog Food.

The following products are affected:

14 LB Evolve Chicken & Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC: 0-73657-00862-0

28 LB Evolve Chicken & Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC: 0-73657-00863-7

40 LB Sportsman’s Pride Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC: 0-70155-10566-0

40 LB Sportsman’s Pride Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC: 0-70155-10564-0

3.5 LB Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC: 0-73657-00873-6

16 LB Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC: 0-73657-00874-3

30 LB Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, Bag UPC 0-73657-00875-0

ELM Pet Foods, Inc is issuing a voluntary recall of Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe.

The following products are affected:

3lb ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE – UPC (0-70155-22507-8)

TD2 26 FEB 2019

TE1 30 APR 2019

TD1 5 SEP 2019

TD2 5 SEP 2019

28lb ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE – UPC (0-70155-22513-9)

TB3 6 APR 2019

TA1 2 JULY 2019

TI1 2 JULY 2019

40lb ELM K9 NATURALS CHICKEN RECIPE – UPC (0-70155-22522-9)

TB3 14 Sep 2019

TA2 22 Sep 2019

TB2 11 Oct 2019

ANF, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of select products of ANF Pet Lamb and Rice Dog Food

The following products are affected:

(Sold in Puerto Rico)

3 Kg ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog FoodBag UPC: 9097231622

BB NOV 23 2019

7.5 Kg ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog FoodBag UPC: 9097203300

BB NOV 20 2019

Source: http://voiceofthevalley.com/2018/12/03/multiple-brands-of-dog-food-have-been-recalled-due-to-elevated-levels-of-vitamin-d/

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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Nutrients, Vol. 10, Pages 1692: Use of a Smartphone Application Can Improve Assessment of High-Fat Food Consumption in Overweight Individuals

Nutrients 2018, 10(11), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111692 (registering DOI)

Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences, 60-624 Poznań, Poland

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, USA

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 30 August 2018 / Revised: 26 October 2018 / Accepted: 30 October 2018 / Published: 6 November 2018

Full-Text | PDF [791 KB, uploaded 6 November 2018] |

Background: We evaluated the feasibility of an application for measuring the frequency of consumption of high-fat foods and compared this application with standard methods. Methods: Twenty-six females and thirty six males aged 20–40 were enrolled in Poland. Participants completed the Block Screening Questionnaire for Fat Intake (BSQF; Q1) and a second questionnaire (Q2) with additional high-fat foods. The participants were then monitored for ten days in a real-time manner using a smartphone application that employed the same lists of food as Q2. Results: Most subjects (84%) gave replies to at least three prompts on at least 5 days. The results from Q1 and the application were correlated (r = 0.42, ppView Full-Text

►▼ Figures

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).

MDPI and ACS Style

Chmurzynska, A.; Mlodzik-Czyzewska, M.A.; Malinowska, A.M.; Czarnocinska, J.; Wiebe, D. Use of a Smartphone Application Can Improve Assessment of High-Fat Food Consumption in Overweight Individuals. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1692.

AMA Style

Chmurzynska A, Mlodzik-Czyzewska MA, Malinowska AM, Czarnocinska J, Wiebe D. Use of a Smartphone Application Can Improve Assessment of High-Fat Food Consumption in Overweight Individuals. Nutrients. 2018; 10(11):1692.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chmurzynska, Agata; Mlodzik-Czyzewska, Monika A.; Malinowska, Anna M.; Czarnocinska, Jolanta; Wiebe, Douglas. 2018. "Use of a Smartphone Application Can Improve Assessment of High-Fat Food Consumption in Overweight Individuals." Nutrients 10, no. 11: 1692.

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Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.

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Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/11/1692

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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21 Coffee Shops Perfect for Working

Ian Schrager’s sexy Lower East Side hotel might come to mind more for nighttime carousing than as a workplace, but the Public is surprisingly conducive for hunkering down. There are two options, including Louis, a cafe operated by Jean-Georges Vongerichten with slightly pricey coffee and food. But the best bet is to ascend the dark, glamorously mirrored escalator one floor to the Lobby Bar. There, find floor-to-ceiling windows, two big, boardroom-sized communal tables with built-in outlets, and a sort of apres-ski lodge vibe seating area, where plush white couches are strewn with shearling pillows. There’s also a wall lined with stadium-type wood seating. The bathrooms, tucked behind check-in to the left of the escalators, are clean and plentiful, and the whole place reeks of a expensive-smelling, sandalwood-heavy signature scent.

215 Chrystie St New York, NY 10002

Source: https://ny.eater.com/maps/quiet-coffee-shops-wifi-manhattan-brooklyn

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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7 Beneficios de la semilla de moringa para tu salud, mentiras y propiedades

La moringa proviene del árbol Moringa oleifera, que se encuentra en el sur de Asia y en el trópico y ha sido consumida por poblaciones indígenas de todo el mundo desde hace más de 4000 años. Las semillas de moringa presentan virtudes antioxidantes, antiinflamatorias, aporta gran cantidad de nutrientes, es rica en vitamina A y ayudan a reducir el colesterol (Referencia).

¿Para qué sirven las semillas de moringa?

En la medicina Aryuveda se usa mucho por sus supuestas medicinales para tratar infecciones bacterianas y para bajar el azúcar en la sangre, lo usan mucho como remedio casero para bajar el azúcar en la sangre y para la diabetes pero sin evidencia científica significativa, hasta ahorita la mayoría solo con estudios en ratones. (Referencia) (Referencia)

Se usa en países como Senegal, Malawi y la India para combatir la desnutrición a bajo costo, porque aporta gran cantidad de proteínas y grasas saludables (como el ácido oleico) y sirve para tratar la deficiencia de vitamina A. El árbol de la moringa es resistente, se adapta a cualquier lugar y crece en poco tiempo, lo cual es de gran ayuda en países con altas tasas de deficiencias nutricionales.

Se utiliza también en la potabilización de agua para consumo animal y humano, los extractos de las hojas y semillas tienen actividad biopesticida.

¿Para qué sirve la semilla de moringa en la mujer?

La moringa se ha usado para par al mujer en la etapa de menopausia, debido a que mejora los síntomas de los sofocos intermitentes y sudoración profusa que presentan las mujeres por los cambios hormonales.

Este efecto de la moringa se obtiene gracias a uno de los componentes que es la Quercitina que está contenida en las hojas de la planta.

Beneficios de la moringa en las mujeres

Entre los beneficios mas importantes está su efecto para mejorar los síntomas de sudoración y sofocos en la menopausia.

También por su alto contenido en calcio, es una planta muy beneficiosa en mujeres que tienen osteopenia u osteoporosis.

Su alto contenido en vitamina A y vitamina E, ayudan a reparar los daños en la piel de resequedad en la menopausia.

Beneficios de la semilla de moringa en los hombres

La moringa se ha usado para mejorar la disfunción sexual en el hombre. a través de sus propiedades antioxidantes que eliminan radicales libres de la sangre y se produce vasodilatación, que es el mecanismo que usan medicamentos conocidos para la disfunción sexual masculina.

¿La moringa sube la testosterona?

A pesar de que la moringa es usada por la medicina Ayurveda como afrodisiaco, los estudios experimentales no han permitido demostrar que exista una relación entre el consumo de moringa y el aumento de la actividad sexual y de la tetosterona. (Referencia)

La utilidad de las hojas de moringa según el Ayurveda

Esta ciencia tradicional de la India utiliza las hojas de moringa para prevenir y tratar más de 300 enfermedades, por sus propiedades antihipertensivas, diuréticas, antidiarreicas, ansiolíticas, antidiabéticas y contra la colitis, pero de esto no hay evidencia científica significativa, la mayoría solo son estudios en ratones.

Para qué sirve la moringa en la industria de los alimentos

En Bangladesh se elaboró una saludable sopa de verduras en polvo suplementada con harina de soya, hongos y hojas de moringa. En comparación con otros polvos para sopa localmente disponibles, en este polvo se encontró un contenido más alto de vitamina D, minerales, proteínas y fibra y el contenido más bajo de humedad, grasa e hidratos de carbono. La vitamina C también fue significativamente mayor que en otros polvos para sopa.

Además se han elaborado yogures para la suplementación de mujeres embarazadas propensas a desnutrición. Se encontró que este yogur mejoró la flora intestinal, que tiene un papel importante en nuestra defensa inmune (Referencia).

Datos nutrimentales de las semillas de moringa

Las semillas de moringa son globulares y miden aproximadamente 1 cm, siendo el aceite el mayor componente de su peso.

La semilas moringa tiene los siguientes nutrientes en 100 g: (Referencia)

35 g de proteína

38 g de grasa

8.67 mg de carbohidratos

751 mg de vitamina E

4.5 mg de vitamina C

45 mg de Calcio

2.87 g de fibra

75 mg de fósforo

5.2 mg de fósforo

También contienen fibra y las hojas de moringa poseen 35 g de proteínas en 100 g, lo mismo que un huevo y dos veces más que la leche.

¿Por qué comer semillas de moringa?

Porque muchos de los que consumen semillas de moringa dicen que renueva la energía, mejora la calidad del sueño, la presión sanguínea y equilibra los niveles de glucemia, fortalece el pelo y da firmeza a la piel.

En un estudio se investigó el efecto anticancerígeno de las hojas, la corteza y los extractos de semillas de Moringa oleifera. Los extractos de hojas y corteza mostraron propiedades anticancerígenas notables, especialmente para cáncer de pecho y colon, mientras que, sorpresivamente, los extractos de semillas no exhibieron ninguna de tales propiedades (Referencia).

Beneficios de consumir semillas de moringa

Veamos a continuación 7 importantes beneficios de la moringa para tu salud.

1. Baja la presión arterial

Se necesitan más investigaciones para asegurar esta virtud de las semillas de moringa. Sin embargo, el aceite de moringa, al contener aceite oleico, tiene un efecto cardioprotector. Además, la moringa tiene un efecto sedante y por la presencia de antioxidantes regula la presión arterial. Los antioxidantes previenen la oxidación causada por los radicales libres, sustancias tóxicas responsables de ocasionar enfermedades y envejecimiento (Referencia).

Lee nuestra guía sobre las 15 formas naturales para bajar la presión arterial

2. Mejora el sueño

Bebe antes de acostarse una infusión echa con hojas de moringa remojadas en agua caliente por 15 minutos. La moringa potencia el sueño y es sedante. En estudios experimentales se demostró su efecto ansiolítico (Referencia).

Lee nuestra guía sobre los 5 alimentos que sirven para el tratamiento del insomnio y ayudan a mejorar el sueño.

3. Aumenta la energía

La moringa provee cantidades importantes de hierro, el cual se encarga de transportar el oxígeno en el cuerpo y en la moringa además esta combinado con vitamina C, lo que favorece su absorción. De modo que si eres vegetariano o presentas anemia, considera tomarla.

Por otra parte, el aceite de moringa tiene propiedades antioxidantes y antifatiga demostrado en estudios experimentales (Referencia).

4. Disminuye los valores de glucemia

Escasos estudios avalan esto y otros se encuentran en etapa de investigación en ratas, por lo que debemos aguardar los resultados en seres humanos. No obstante, se ha probado un posible efecto de reducción de la resistencia a la insulina, pero también podría deberse a los flavonoides, sustancias antioxidantes presentes en la moringa (Referencia).

No está aprobada la moringa para la utilización en diabéticos porque aún no se conoce la dosis diaria recomendada.

5. Aporta gran cantidad de fibra

La fibra mejora tu tránsito intestinal y ayuda a reducir el colesterol y los valores de glucemia, así como a proteger el sistema inmune (Referencia).

Lee nuestra guía sobre los 50 alimentos ricos en fibra que debes probar

6. Reduce el colesterol

El aceite de moringa es rico en ácido oleico, el cual contribuye a disminuir los niveles de colesterol y para ello las flores también son útiles, pues reducen el colesterol, los fosfolípidos y triglicéridos, así como las grasas en hígado y corazón (Referencia).

La utilización de la moringa en animales demostró ser igual de efectiva que los medicamentos prescritos para el colesterol y para prevenir la formación de plaquetas que provocan problemas circulatorios y cardiacos. En estos estudios las hojas de moringa disminuyeron el colesterol total, aumentando el colesterol bueno.

Otros estudios también realizados en animales revelaron que las hojas de moringa lograron mejorar los daños del hígado producidos por medicamentos, pero aún se requieren mayores investigaciones en humanos.

Lee nuestra guía sobre los 11 alimentos para reducir el colesterol

7. Embellece la piel

El aceite de semillas de moringa contiene antioxidantes, por lo que repara los tejidos dañados y se utiliza como hidratante y antiséptico por su alto contenido de ácido oleico.

Las crema de moringa revitaliza la piel de los efectos dañinos producidos por la exposición solar y tiene un efecto antienvejecimiento (Referencia).

Semilla de moringa beneficios y consecuencias

Son múltiples los usos benéficos adjudicados a la moringa, entre ellos, para el tratamiento del asma bronquial, diabetes, controlando la glicemia. Por su efecto antioxidante y vasodilatador se usa en algunas enfermedades cardiovasculares. También se usa para el cuidado de la piel y el cabello por su cantidad de vitamina A.

Se ha usado como energizante, también para tratar el estreñimiento.

Las consecuencias de consumir las semillas de moringa son básicamente de origen gastrointestinal, con náuseas, vómito y diarrea.

No se debe consumir durante el embarazo o la lactancia.

¿Qué enfermedades cura la semilla de moringa?

La investigación clínica en humanos de los efectos de la semilla de moringa no son muy amplios. Se han hecho estudios experimentales con animales y algunos estudios en humanos para demostrar algunas de sus efectos que tradicionalmente se le han adjudicado.

Las semillas de moringa, por tanto, pueden servir como ayuda para algunas enfermedades, pero no para su cura definitiva.

La moringa ha sido estudiada en algunas enfermedades:(Referencia)

Algunas infecciones.

Deficiencias nutricionales específicas de vitaminas y minerales.

Diabetes.

Hiperlipidemias.

Beneficios de la moringa para el cabello

Por su alto contenido nutricional y sus componentes antioxidantes, se ha usado para el cuidado del cabello. Mejora la irrigación sanguínea del folículo piloso, aumentando la oxigenación. Aporta alto contenido en zinc y otros nutrientes vitales para la salud del cabello.

Disminuye la cantidad de grasa y mejora el aspecto y crecimiento del cabello.

Se usa frecuentemente como mascarilla capilar, la cual se prepara con 30 gramos de semillas de moringa, aceite de jojoba, aceite esencial de romero y agua.

¿Sirven las semillas de moringa para adelgazar?

La moringa no es una planta milagrosa, siempre es necesario planificar una dieta baja en calorías y ejercicio para obtener el mejor resultado en un plan para bajar de peso.

No obstante, la moringa se usa con éxito para mejorar el contenido de nutrientes si se hace una dieta muy estricta.

Se ha usado en combinación con otros elementos herbales como la Cúrcuma longa y Murraya koeingii para crear combinaciones que permiten disminuir el apetito y tratar la obesidad. (Referencia)

¿Cómo tomar las semillas de moringa para adelgazar?

Té de moringa: se hierve agua, luego se añade una cucharada pequeña de hojas secas de moringa y se deja reposar durante 5 minutos, se puede tomar caliente o frío y preferiblemente en ayunas.

Cápsulas: existen numerosas presentaciones comerciales, que se consiguen con facilidad en las casas naturistas y dietéticas

¿Sirve la semilla de moringa para diabetes?

Se han publicado estudios experimentales en animales que revelan la efectividad de la moringa en el tratamiento de la diabetes.

No obstante, hay pocos estudios en humanos, en los cuales se ha observado un beneficio mínimo que necesita mayor investigación con un número mayor de pacientes en la muestra. (Referencia)

Hay varios mecanismos propuestos por medio del cual la moringa baja la glicemia. Disminuye el vaciamiento gástrico y la cantidad de glucosa absorbida a nivel intestinal, por la fibra de la moringa.

¿Dosis de semilla de moringa para diabetes?

La dosis máxima que se recomienda es 3 a 4 semillas diarias. Lo aconsejable es comer o masticar una semilla cada 12 horas por un mes y luego aumentar la cantidad si es necesario, pero nunca superar las 4 semillas diarias.

¿Cómo tomar la moringa para el control de la diabetes?

Si tomas cápsulas de moringa ya procesadas, la dosis no debe exceder a cápsulas diarias, tomadas media hora antes de las 3 comidas principales.

Puedes hacer té de hojas de moringa e igual beber antes de las comidas.

Cómo tomar semillas de moringa para la diabetes: se debe pelar la semilla hasta que quede de color blanco o amarillento, se tritura y luego se traga con agua o jugos. La dosis recomendada es de 2 semillas diarias, tomadas una cada doce horas.

¿Tiene beneficios la moringa para los ojos?

La gran cantidad de vitamina A que contiene la moringa supera a otros alimentos, que clásicamente se han relacionado con la salud de nuestros ojos, como la zanahoria.

La vitamina A está ampliamente relacionada con la salud visual y mejora de degeneración de la mácula y la retina, así como evita la aparición de cataratas.

¿Cómo tomar la semilla de moringa?

Las semillas de moringa se obtienen de la planta que proporciona una vaina con varias semillas. Las semillas se deben pelar y se pueden conservar a temperatura ambiente.

Se pueden triturar antes de consumir si se desea. Pero se pueden masticar directamente, después de peladas.

Dosis de las semillas de moringa

Los estudios realizados en ratas permiten estimar las dosis de consumo diario en adultos según el peso. Se sugiere comenzar con dosis bajas y aumentar diariamente según la respuesta del cuerpo. Se calculan de 1600 a 2000 mg para una persona de 150 libras (70 kg). El límite de la dosis que debemos consumir es de 2000 mg/kg.

Por otra parte, estudios realizados del aceite de moringa muestran que no es tóxico en las cantidades presentes en productos alimentarios y cosméticos. No se han encontrado efectos adversos en los estudios realizados en humanos.

En suma, las distintas formas de consumo de la moringa nos brindan energía, mejoran la calidad del sueño, disminuyen la tensión y otorgan turgencia a la piel por su alto contenido de antioxidantes, aceites saludables y fibra. Anímate a probar algunas de las opciones de esta planta ahora que conoces para qué sirve la semilla de moringa.

Formas de uso de la moringa

Todas las partes de la planta son comestibles: las vainas verdes, hojas, flores, semillas y raíces.

Aceite: se utiliza en cosméticos y también es comestible. Se encuentra en perfumes, jabones, productos para el cabello. También puedes agregarlo como aliño de ensaladas. Es 15 veces más caro que el aceite de oliva.

Raíces: se muelen para usarlas en cápsulas como suplemento. Nos aportan beneficios importantes, pues son antiinflamatorias, estimulan la circulación y alivian dolores de reumatismo y articulaciones.

Hojas: sécalas y úsalas para preparar infusiones, ensaladas, salsas, sopas, cremas, guisos, arroz y aliños en general. Puedes mezclarlas en diferentes platillos, como tortillas y purés. También hay hojas en polvo que puedes agregar al yogur, batidos o jugos. Por otra parte, los fomentos y cataplasmas hechos con las hojas se usan en pacientes con cefalea, bronquitis, infecciones oculares e infecciones de la piel.

Flores: las puedes consumir crudas o cocidas, acompañando ensaladas, sopas e infusiones. Son ricas en calcio y potasio. El calcio es necesario para la formación y mantenimiento de los huesos y el potasio regula el equilibrio hidroelectrolítico y la contracción muscular. También se utilizan para tratar inflamaciones, enfermedades de los músculos y tumores.

Semillas: las puedes consumir como frutos secos y junto con granola o con semillas de cáñamo para aumentar tu energía. Si las semillas son frescas, puedes hervirlas y consumirlas al igual que las legumbres. Las semillas de moringa son altas en vitamina C, que es un poderoso antioxidante y ayuda a fijar el hierro. También tienen efecto antiepiléptico y antiespasmódico.

¿Cuántas semillas de moringa tomar al día?

La dosis aconsejada de semillas de moringa es dos semillas diarias. Se toma una semilla cada 12 horas.

Siempre es necesario evaluar posibles efectos gastrointestinales de las semillas de moringa. Por ello se comienza con una diaria por varios días y se prueba la tolerancia, antes de subir la cantidad de semillas al día. Nunca se deben ingerir más de 4 semillas diarias.

¿Cuántas semillas de moringa me puedo tomar?

No hay trabajos científicos sólidos que demuestren la cantidad exacta de semillas de moringa para cada uso en particular.

En general, se recomienda una dosis que oscila entre 2 y un máximo de 4 semillas diarias.

¿Se toman las semillas de moringa en ayunas?

Si la intención es bajar de peso, o tratar la diabetes, la mejor forma de tomar la semilla de moringa es una media hora antes del desayuno y de la cena.

Si se hace para complementar nutricionalmente nuestra dieta o por otros motivos, es indiferente el momento del día para ingerirlas.

¿Cómo se comen las semillas de moringa?

Las semillas de moringa se obtienen de la vaina de la planta. Primero es necesario pelar para poder consumir.

Para algunas personas la consistencia de la semilla pelada es muy dura. En estos casos se pueden triturar antes de ingerir, para facilitar la masticación. Pero también se puede masticar luego de pelar sin necesidad de triturar.

¿Cuántas hojas de moringa se pueden comer al día?

Las hojas de moringa se pueden comer en ensaladas o agregar crudas a las comidas, para obtener el mejor beneficios de los nutrientes de las hojas.

La cantidad exacta de hojas no se ha establecido en estudios en humanos. En forma general, su consumo no debe superar las dos cucharadas diarias.

¿Es bueno masticar semillas de moringa?

Masticar las semillas de moringa es una de las maneras de obtener los nutrientes y los elementos activos que tienen la planta de moringa. Se pueden usar las hojas, el tallo y sus semillas. En todos los casos, se encuentra abundante cantidad de vitaminas, oligoelementos, polifenoles y ácidos grasos esenciales.

Efectos secundarios de las semillas de moringa

Se han hecho varios estudios científicos para determinar el potencial tóxico de la moringa. (Referencia)

De toda la planta, las hojas parecen ser las más seguras. Pero se ha demostrado la presencia de alcaloides como la moringina, moringinina y spirocina y el fitoquímico bencil isotiocianato, los cuales se consiguen en la corteza y raíces en mayor concentración.

La toxicidad por tanto solo se ha medido a nivel experimental. En 2011 se publicó un estudio donde se demostró la toxicidad neurológica y hematológica de las semillas de moringa, lo cual estaba relacionado con la dosis administrada. (Referencia)

Se debe evitar el consumo en grandes cantidades, consulta a tu médico antes de iniciar esta terapia a pesar de que sea natural.

Debe evitarse en casos de tomar anticoagulantes o si se tienen enfermedades asociadas a la coagulación. No tomar durante el embarazo ni la lactancia.

¿Dónde comprar las semillas de moringa?

La forma más fácil de adquirir las semillas de moringa en México es a través de Mercado libre.

Hay algunas tiendas donde se puede adquirir: OC Market en Hipódromo Condesa. Ciudad de México.

Precio de las semillas de moringa

El precio de semillas de moringa en Mercado libre de México es aproximadamente 500 pesos mexicanos por kilo, que equivalen a 24 US $.

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

¿Existe alguna semilla para la diabetes?

Aparte de la semilla de moringa se disponen de otras semillas que se pueden usar para el tratamiento de la diabetes.

Semillas de alpiste

Zopilote o cobano

Mara

Lino

Semillas de cedro

En todos los casos, no se sustituye el tratamiento convencional para la diabetes y siempre debe consultar al médico antes de intentar agregar algún tipo de medicina herbal o natural a su dieta diaria.

¿Sirve la moringa para la sexualidad?

La medicina tradicional ayurveda ha usado la moringa como afrodisiaco por mucho tiempo. Sin embargo, no hay muchos trabajos científicos que demuestren cambios hormonales producidos por la moringa.

Se ha propuesto que el efecto antioxidante y vasodilatador mejora la disfunción sexual masculina.

¿La moringa sirve para los calores de la menopausia?

La moringa contiene una sustancia llamada Quercitina que tiene la propiedad natural de mejorar los sofocos o calores propios de la menopausia.

¿Cómo tomar moringa para la menopausia?

En el caso de menopausia, como para otros fines, se pueden usar las hojas frescas en ensaladas o platos. También usar las hojas secas para preparar té de moringa. O usar las semillas trituradas: una semilla dos veces al día.

¿Sirve la moringa para quedar embarazada?

No hay evidencia científica que indique a la moringa en algún cambio hormonal beneficioso para poder quedar embarazada.

En forma indirecta, disminuir el estrés oxidativo, bajar de peso y mejorar la resistencia de la insulina en los tejidos con la disminución de grasa en el cuerpo, pudiera tener influencia en mujeres que desean quedar embarazadas.

Por el contrario, se encontró en un estudio experimental en ratas, que dosis altas de hojas de moringa podían inducir aborto. (Referencia)

¿Sirve la semilla de moringa para los riñones?

En estudios experimentales en animales (ratas diabéticas) se demostró que el efecto antioxidante de la moringa redujo la excreción excesiva de proteínas y de glucosa por el riñón. También puede proteger del efecto de toxinas oxidativas a ese nivel.

No hay corroboración en humanos de este tipo de hallazgos.

¿Sirve la semilla de moringa para las hemorroides?

Las semillas y hojas de moringa tiene un alto contenido en fibra que mejora el estreñimiento y la consistencia de las heces. De esta forma se pueden beneficiar las personas que tienen problemas hemorroidales.

¿Sirven las semillas de moringa para la próstata?

Se han publicado estudios, donde parece tener un rol importante la moringa para disminuir la hiperplasia prostática benigna inducida por tetosterona, a través de sus propiedad antioxidantes. (Referencia)

¿Sirven las semillas de moringa para la gastritis?

Se ha adjudicado un efecto protector de la mucosa gástrica contra la aspirina en modelos experimentales. Esto parece ser una propiedad muy importante antiulcerosa de la moringa.

¿Las semillas de moringa se mastican?

Si se pueden masticar después de pelar. Debe quedar una semilla de color blanco o amarillo pálido. Si es muy dura se puede triturar un poco antes de ingerir.

¿Sirve las semillas de moringa para purificar el agua?

Si sirven las se millas de moringa para purificar el agua. Ha sido desde siglos una forma sencilla y económica de tratar el agua para consumo por sus propiedades antibacteriales, en áreas donde no hay agua potable.

Recursos de salud:

Referencias

Stohs, SJ, and Hartman, MJ. Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleifera. Phytother. Res. 2015; 29: 796–804. Disponible en: https://doi.org10.1002/ptr.5325.

Lakshmipriya Gopalakrishnan, Kruthi Doriyaa Devarai, Santhosh Kumara. Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2016, Pages 49-56. Disponible en: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453016300362#bib0410

Al-Asmari, A. K., Albalawi, S. M., Athar, M. T., Khan, A. Q., Al-Shahrani, H., & Islam, M. Moringa oleifera as an Anti-Cancer Agent against Breast and Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines. PloS one. 2015; 10(8): e0135814. Disponible en: https://doi.org10.1371/journal.pone.0135814.

Tumer, T. B., Rojas-Silva, P., Poulev, A., Raskin, I., & Waterman, C. Direct and indirect antioxidant activity of polyphenol- and isothiocyanate-enriched fractions from Moringa oleifera. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2015; 63(5): 1505-13. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4798254/.

Waterman, C. , Rojas‐Silva, P. , Tumer, T. B., Kuhn, P. , Richard, A. J., Wicks, S. , Stephens, J. M., Wang, Z. , Mynatt, R. , Cefalu, W. and Raskin, I. Isothiocyanate‐rich Moringa oleiferaextract reduces weight gain, insulin resistance, and hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice. Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2015; 59: 1013-1024. Disponible en: 10.1002/mnfr.201400679.

Nadeem, M., & Imran, M. Promising features of Moringa oleifera oil: recent updates and perspectives. Lipids in health and disease. 2016; 15(1), 212. Disponible en: https://doi.org10.1186/s12944-016-0379-0.

Bisanz, J. E., Enos, M. K., PrayGod, G., Seney, S., Macklaim, J. M., Chilton, S., Willner, D., Knight, R., Fusch, C., Fusch, G., Gloor, G. B., Burton, J. P., … Reid, G. Microbiota at Multiple Body Sites during Pregnancy in a Rural Tanzanian Population and Effects of Moringa-Supplemented Probiotic Yogurt. Applied and environmental microbiology. 2015; 81(15): 4965-75. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4495201/.

Ali, A., Akhtar, N., & Chowdhary, F. Enhancement of human skin facial revitalization by moringa leaf extract cream. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii. 2014; 31(2): 71-6. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4112252/.

Sandanamudi Anudeep, Vaddi K. Prasanna, Shruthi M. Adya, Cheruppanpullil Radha. Characterization of soluble dietary fiber from Moringa oleifera seeds and its immunomodulatory effects. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2016; 91: 656-662. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.06.013.

Prabsattroo, T., Wattanathorn, J., Iamsaard, S., Somsapt, P., Sritragool, O., Thukhummee, W., & Muchimapura, S. Moringa oleifera extract enhances sexual performance in stressed rats. Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B, 2015; 16(3): 179-90. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4357367.

Bhat Shankar K., Joy Anu Elizabeth. Antianxiety effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Moringa oleifera in Swiss albino mice. AMHS. 2014; 2(1): 5-7. Disponible en: https://www.amhsjournal.org/citation.asp?issn=2321-4848;year=2014;volume=2;issue=1;spage=5;epage=7;aulast=Bhat;aid=ArchMedHealthSci_2014_2_1_5_133771.

Joseph I. Randriamboavonjy, Gervaise Loirand, Nathalie Vaillant, Benjamin Lauzier, Sévérine Derbré, Serge Michalet, Pierre Pacaud, Angela Tesse; Cardiac Protective Effects of Moringa oleifera Seeds in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats. American Journal of Hypertension. 2016; 29(7): 873–881. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajh/hpw001.

Lamou, B., Taiwe, G. S., Hamadou, A., Abene, Houlray, J., Atour, M. M., & Tan, P. V. Antioxidant and Antifatigue Properties of the Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera in Rats Subjected to Forced Swimming Endurance Test. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2016: 3517824. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4745945/.

Therapeutic Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaves in Chronic Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia: A Review. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2012; 3, 24. Disponible en: https://doi.org10.3389/fphar.2012.00024.

Source: https://laguiadelasvitaminas.com/beneficios-de-la-semilla-de-moringa/

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What do Doctors Learn in Medical School About Vaccines?

The idea that there are “medical experts” who, by virtue of the MD initials placed after their names, automatically know more than anyone else about vaccines is pervasive.

This commonly held belief persists, despite overwhelming evidence that doctors are taught almost nothing about vaccines in medical school.

Doctors are taught that vaccines have saved the world from infectious diseases and they are taught to follow the vaccine schedule promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—which tells them which vaccines to give and when.

They’re taught that they must always abide by the schedule and vaccinate every patient. That’s pretty much it.

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but don’t take my word for it.

In an article I wrote several years ago titled “Doctors Are No Experts On Vaccines,” I included quotes from several medical doctors to backup my allegation.1

There is the following quote from biochemist Boyd Haley, PhD, who taught at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington:

I can tell you, having been in a medical center, having taught biochemistry to medical students, and talking to hundreds of medical doctors, they get very little training in toxicology… I mean, no courses that are specifically designed, such as a PhD student in toxicology would have, or a PhD student in biochemistry.

They don’t understand it at all. They are not trained to evaluate the toxic effects of chemicals, especially at the research level.

One, they don’t do research programs, they don’t have the insight that’s developed and required for someone writing a PhD thesis in toxicology or biochemistry of materials that inhibit enzymes.

They just don’t understand the science and the chemistry at that level. And certainly pediatricians don’t.12

It turns out that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many testimonies by medical doctors (and professors who taught them) regarding how little they learned about vaccines in medical school.

It is important to listen to them so that the magnitude of the myth that physicians are the experts on vaccines can fully sink in.

It is time to put this myth to rest because it is too often used as a way to disparage anyone who dares to disagree or even mildly question doctors about the safety and effectiveness of vaccination.

Case in point, there was an article published recently in The Conversation titled “Why vaccine opponents think they know more than medical experts.”

The article is essentially a hit piece on anyone who refuses to toe the line and agree with “medical experts” that the benefits of vaccination always outweighs the risks.

The authors, Matthew Motta, Steven Sylvester and Timothy Callaghan, argue that “anti-vaxxers” may suffer from a cognitive bias known in the field of psychology as the “Dunning-Kruger effect.” They ask:

Could the inability of anti-vaxxers to accurately appraise their own knowledge and skills compared to those of medical experts play a role in shaping their attitudes about vaccines?

This inability to accurately appraise one’s own knowledge is called the Dunning-Kruger effect, first identified in social psychology. Dunning-Kruger effects occur when individuals’ lack of knowledge about a particular subject leads them to inaccurately gauge their expertise on that subject.

Ignorance of one’s own ignorance can lead people who lack knowledge on a subject think of themselves as more expert than those who are comparatively better informed.3

You see what they did there? Of course, the problem with this cynical attack strategy is that it is based on a key faulty assumption—that the only way you can possibly know what you’re talking about when it comes to vaccines is if you have gone to medical school so you can put MD initials after your name.

According to Ramon Ramos, MD:

“The only thing we learned in [medical] school was that there was a program and that we should follow that vaccine program. As to the vaccine itself and the contents of the vaccines, no we didn’t study that. We assumed that what the pharmaceuticals, that what they did and the CDC accepted, that that’s the way it is.”45

Paul Thomas, MD recollected:

“We got a lot of microbiology, we learned about diseases, and we learned that vaccines were the solution to those diseases that, what they say, are ‘vaccine preventable.’ But, actually, what was in the vaccines, I don’t remember really learning anything. … I was never taught, when I was in medical school 30 years ago, what was in a vaccine. We were only taught they’re wonderful.”46

This lack of knowledge about vaccine ingredients and how vaccines can affect immune and brain function should be of particular concern to anyone getting a vaccine from a doctor.

“You’d be amazed at the number of physicians, you ask them what’s in a vaccine?” said neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock, MD. “They’ll say, well, there’s the bacteria, the virus you want to vaccinate against, and then there’s a little immune stimulant in there to help stimulate the immunity so they react against those viral antigens.”78

Dr. Blaylock points out:

They don’t know about these other chemicals in there like formaldehyde, special proteins, special lipids that are known to be brain toxic, that are known to induce autoimmunity in the brain. They’re not aware of that. They don’t know that MSG is in a lot of vaccines―monosodium glutamate, a brain excitotoxin. They’re not aware of what’s in the vaccine they’re giving.78

“We learned what [vaccines] were, what the diseases were,” said Joseph Mercola, DO.

“We probably learned more about the diseases and, of course, everyone accepted the dogma that vaccines work. There was just no critical analysis about the pros and cons. It was never discussed, let alone the side effects.”4

“I don’t remember them teaching me anything about adverse effects… at all,” said Patricia Ryan, MD.

“They just wanted you to memorize the schedule and make sure you knew when to give [the vaccines].”4 9

James Neuenschwander, MD recalled that, when he went to medical school more than 30 years ago, there was “not much training at all” on vaccines.

“I don’t know that it’s changed very much,” he said. “Basically, it was… here’s the schedule. These are the saviors of mankind, they are safe, and you need to make sure everybody’s vaccinated.”10

“We were told that vaccines are safe and effective, here’s the schedule, ignore the inserts… that’s lawyer jargon,” recalled Cammy Benton, MD.

“I think in medical school you’re learning so much that it’s kind of difficult to learn, that you assumed [with] vaccines the science was settled, tried and true. So you just didn’t question it, that was the easy part… okay, this is for sure. So you just accept it.”11

I could go on and on with examples of how doctors admit they are taught almost nothing in medical school about vaccines except to give them to everyone.

But you get the idea.

I’ll end with an observation by Stephanie Christner, DO, whose infant daughter did not survive vaccination:

I never learned in medical school how vaccines were studied, what type of clinical trials they went through, how they evaluated adverse reactions… how they even evaluated effectiveness.

So, after Victoria died, I started reading everything that is put out there.

Anything that would lead me to a topic, then I would Google that topic… and if there were textbooks in relation to that topic, I would order them and then, based on reading that book, I would order another book. What I have learned has shocked me. 12

In conclusion, medical school does not train future doctors to be vaccine experts. In fact, unless they took personal initiative and independently studied up on vaccines, those who graduate from medical school tend to be functionally illiterate about the subject.

This aura of all-knowingness surrounding physicians, the common belief that they are vaccine experts, is wholly undeserved. That is why, increasingly, people are hesitant to rely solely on pediatricians and other medical doctors for guidance when it comes to vaccination, especially parents making a vaccine decision for their child.

It has nothing do with any kind of cognitive bias. It has to do with trust.

Read the full article at TheVaccineReaction.org.

Comment on this article at VaccineImpact.com.

References:

1 Cáceres M. Doctors Are No Experts on Vaccines. The Vaccine Reaction Nov. 28, 2015. 2 Vaccines Are Not Safe. YouTube.com Mar. 13, 2014 (published by 999solomon999). 3 Motta M, Sylvester S, Callaghan T. Why vaccine opponents think they know more than medical experts. The Conversation July 12, 2018. 4 Vaxxed TV. How Much Is Taught on Vaccines In Medical School? YouTube.com Feb. 18, 2017 (published). 5 Vaxxed TV. VaxXed Tour: Dr. Ramon Ramos. YouTube.com Jan. 16, 2017 (published). 6 The Truth About Vaccines. The Truth About Vaccines Docu-series – Episode 1. YouTube.com Apr. 13, 2017 (published). 7 Cáceres M. Those Who Give Vaccines Should Know The Ingredients in Vaccines. The Vaccine Reaction Oct. 12, 2017. 8 Dr. Russell Blaylock MD Dangers of Vaccines. (start at 15:51) YouTube.com May 18, 2014 (published). 9 Vaxxed TV. VaxXed Stories: Doctor Patricia Ryan in Nebraska. YouTube.com Dec. 11. 2016 (published). 10 Vaxxed TV. James Neuenschwander MD. YouTube.com Sept. 2, 2017 (published). 11 Health Impact News. Dr. Cammy Benton MD Interview from VAXXED Team. YouTube.com Nov. 8, 2017 (published). 12 Vaxxed TV. Dr. Stephanie Christner on vaccines. YouTube.com Jan. 15, 2017 (published).

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shrinecanvas0 · 6 years ago

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Coaching for the Civil Services Exam: Is It Necessary?Anudeep Durishetty IAS | All India Rank 1, UPSC CSE 2017

This is a perennial question I get asked the most. And it’s understandable too. Many aspirants who begin their Civils preparation are clueless about this exam’s demands and most cannot simply afford to go to Delhi and take coaching.

There are a lot of doubts and misconceptions regarding whether to take coaching for Civils Services. So let me break it down for you.

Note: Keeping beginners in mind, let me clarify that for the rest of the post, by coaching I mean the generic sense of the word: the act of going to an institute and attending their classes. Test series, coaching notes and mock interviews at coaching institutes are clearly distinct. So when I say coaching isn’t really necessary for GS, it implies that there isn’t any need to attend classes. I don’t mean to say that you should not take any test series, or read any coaching material.

Q. Is coaching necessary?

Think of an elite sportsman like Virat Kohli. Does he have a personal coach? Yes, he does. But would you say his career success is purely down to his coach? Of course not. Kohli trains and suffers day in day out, practices consistently to learn and improve his game. His self discipline, hard work and the burning determination to excel at the game is what makes him the elite player he is.

Same goes with success in the civil services exam. Coaching merely helps you, it does not ensure you a rank. Your self study, consistency and the hard work you put in sitting at your study table matters far more than what you do in coaching classes.

So if you are attending coaching classes, do take their notes, but you should not rely excessively on them and neglect standard books. In my first Mains, I did this mistake of depending on coaching notes disproportionately— I barely read any of the standard books. When I wrote my first Mains in 2012, my lack of conceptual clarity was evident. Unsurprisingly, I failed to get an interview call.

Always remember that roughly, not more than 25-30% of your preparation should depend on coaching classes. To say that without coaching you cannot crack UPSC is to tell a lie. There are people who put in even that 25% of work by themselves and have cracked this exam (that is, they might have read coaching notes, but did not attend any classes.) So it depends on your personal belief, self discipline and your basic level of knowledge to determine whether you need coaching.

Suppose you know what standard books to study, what coaching notes to refer to, and by reading them you are able to understand the subject, that’s brilliant and you don’t need coaching.

On the other hand, if you are absolutely clueless about the exam process or the books you need to study, coaching institutes will definitely help you get a broad idea. But as I said, you still have to read standard books, make required notes and put in the work to outshine your competition.

Q. How do you compare coaching in Delhi versus elsewhere?

As I had said, coaching does not constitute more than 25-30% of your preparation. And there’s nothing profound about coaching institutes in Delhi.

For those preparing in far flung areas, if you cannot afford to go to Delhi, that’s perfectly alright. You can get notes of all the major coaching institutes in most cities. So make a trip once to your nearby city, buy them from a bookstore and study on your own.

Also, I believe internet has truly democratised information and made it accessible even to rural areas. These days many institutes are providing coaching classes via video lectures. You can opt for them too.

Moreover, online websites (Mrunal, ForumIAS, CivilsDaily, Insights, IASBaba etc) have emerged as brilliant and affordable alternatives to traditional coaching institutes. So if you cannot go to Delhi to take coaching, you are not losing out on anything.

Q. How helpful are coaching notes? Can they substitute standard books?

Standard books are important because they are written from the ground up and they form the foundation of your knowledge. Once you read standard books, reading coaching notes not only becomes much easier, but you can also see where in that big picture does a small topic fit in.

The problem with reading just the coaching notes is that they fail to you give you such big picture perspective. What you will be left with are fragmented concepts and broken knowledge which doesn’t stick for long in your memory. For long term memory, we need a topic’s context which is why you should always start with standard books.

For example, when I started Anthropology, I first read Ember & Ember to get an overview of the subject. Afterward, when I referred to BrainTree coaching material, I could clearly see how a particular topic such as Primate Adaptation fit into the larger concept of Human Evolution. This is why standard books are indispensable.

While reading coaching notes, remember these:

Coaching notes are helpful and easy to revise before the exam. But they can only supplement but never substitute standard books.

Always map your notes onto the chapters and topics in syllabus. Most coaching institutes do not cover the syllabus entirely. Even if they do, they usually rush through some chapters. So when you see a topic not covered well in your notes, read on your own from other sources and make notes.

Coaching notes and material come in handy to cover a specific topic. For example for a topic like Govt schemes, instead of you labouring to compile them from ministries’ websites, it’s better that you buy a compilation booklet of any institute. Smart work saves you a lot of time.

You have to remember that UPSC is not at all like a graduation exam. In college, it’s fairly easy to read just the notes and score really well. But in UPSC, the questions are of higher standard and of deeper analytical depth. None of the questions usually come directly from your coaching notes. It’s your clarity of concepts— especially in optional— that will help you write good answers.

Q. How to choose which coaching institute to join?

When you are thinking of joining a coaching institute, do not go by their advertisements. Many institutes simply put names of toppers even if they might have just paid a visit to their institute for an open mock interview because it was free. There are gradations of the level of association of a topper with an institute, and you need to recognise it before deciding to join them.

It’s always advisable to take the opinion of people who had already taken coaching in that institute to make an informed decision. Their feedback should be given more weight, not pamphlets or advertisements.

Q. What about the competence of teachers at coaching institutes?

Many a time, aspirants (especially beginners) place too much trust and credibility in coaching teachers. Some teachers are indeed good but some are plain terrible. Especially in specialised subjects such as optional, reading standard books and referring to internet will tell you whether what you are being taught in coaching institutes is accurate or just rubbish.

You can also search for topper’s blogs on that particular subject who would have put an accurate account of his/her opinion about the institute.

Q. Should I take coaching for GS?

General Studies is not quantum physics. UPSC only expects candidates to have a generalist understanding of a wide range of topics. So if you have the material with you and can study on your own, you will be able to understand the subject and hence GS coaching isn’t really necessary. You only need to go the market, buy the relevant GS material or coaching notes and study on your own.

Q. Should I take coaching for optional subject?

Optional requires in-depth specific knowledge and coaching definitely helps you in covering the syllabus systematically. Also, many engineering graduates find themselves clueless about arts subjects like philosophy, sociology etc.. Coaching will definitely be beneficial to those people.

But as always, the caveat is that just like GS, you can prepare for optional yourself. I didn’t take any coaching for Anthropology and I scored 318.

Q. How helpful are Test Series at coaching institutes?

Many aspirants commit one fundamental mistake: they read and revise, over and over, but never practise. Remember that the examiner checking your copy will have no idea about the number of books you’ve read or the number of hours you’ve slogged. Your answers are all that he has to judge you. So it makes sense to learn it, practise it and perfect it.

Test series definitely helps in that sense because it trains your brain to get the hang of how the actual exam feels like. You write tests so that in the final exam you are not taken in by surprise.

So even if you practice daily answer writing, you should write full length tests within dedicated time limits. Writing such tests with all the seriousness of an actual exam will teach you to manage time and give an incredible insight into where you are going wrong. The feedback on your answers will also help you get an independent, critical perspective.

Moreover, you need to remember that Mains exam demands not only our memory and intelligence, but also endurance. If you lack prior practice, writing relentlessly for 6 hours a day and do this for 5 days will cause both mental and physical fatigue. The only way to overcome it is to practice enough before the final exam.

If you want to run a marathon, you cannot simply show up on the race day and expect to run 42 km— it needs prior training. Same goes with Mains. By joining a good test series, you will get such practice and it prepares you both mentally and physically for the final battle.

My association with coaching institutes

What follows is a chronological account of where all I have taken coaching from and for what subjects. I’ve also written my assessment of these institutes. Hope this helps you in making an informed decision. 2012

General Studies (Old pattern and syllabus) at Vajiram Institute, New Delhi

Comment: While the quality of teachers were good, they drain an inordinate amount of your time in note dictation. You’ll understand how redundant this exercise is when you realise that the handwritten notes from the same institute are readily available in the market.

Public Administration Optional at Vajiram Institute, New Delhi

Comment: The quality of teaching and notes were good. But I’ve always scored poorly in Pub Ad. I secured All India Rank 1 in this attempt only when I dropped Public Administration and took up Anthropology.

Let’s just say that if you are starting just now, I will suggest that you don’t pick this optional in the first place.

Geography Optional at Direction IAS, New Delhi

Comment: Not useful. Not recommended.

2013 (New Pattern and Syllabus)

General Studies – Prepared on my own.

Comment: In 2013, the syllabus of GS got completely revamped. One of the major reasons I had failed in Mains 2012 was that I relied excessively on coaching material and neglected standard books. The questions asked in Mains were clearly different from what I’d read or been taught in the classroom. In Mains 2012, my lack of knowledge was clearly exposed.

So when UPSC brought in the new pattern of four GS papers, I saw it as an opportunity to start everything from scratch (Having a huge time gap between Prelims and Mains that year also helped).

I disbanded all my half baked coaching notes and went back to standard books to gain a comprehensive understanding of all subjects. Made notes wherever I felt necessary. Also, this self learning experience in 2013 was what gave me confidence last year (2017) to take up Anthropology and prepare on my own.

Mock interview at Sri Chaitanya, Hyderabad Mock interview at Chanakya, New Delhi

2016 (Skipped the attempt)

GS and Essay Mains Test Series (MGP+ Programme) at ForumIAS academy (Online mode)

Comment: By this time last year, I realised that lack of answer writing practice was dragging me back. So I had decided to join an institute for test series. But I was based in Hyderabad and no way I could go to Delhi for my test series, so I had to opt for online mode. Initially, I was skeptical whether this whole thing of sending them my scanned written papers would really work.

But my apprehensions were unfounded. The ForumIAS team was very professional. Papers were checked meticulously and emailed to me on time. The feedback on my test papers and the post-test discussion videos were immensely helpful in improving my answer content and presentation.

Anthropology Optional – Prepared completely on my own

Mock interview at Hyderabad Study Circle (Very professional and they had an excellent panel of members. Some of the questions posed in the mock were asked in the final interview)

Mock interview at Lakshmaiah Institute, Hyderabad

Mock interview – Feynman IAS academy, Hyderabad

Mock Interview – RC Reddy Institute, Hyderabad

Interview Guidance Programme (online) by ForumIAS academy

DAF analysis session (via Skype) by Officers IAS academy, Chennai

Any of these aforementioned institutes might have claimed me to be their student, but you should see how exactly I was associated with them, and what role they might have played in my success. Some other institutes not mentioned here might have also falsely claimed my rank. Ignore those adverts.

So please don’t join an institute just because you happen to see my picture or any other topper’s picture on their pamphlet. It always helps to take feedback from a few people who had done coaching there. Also verify through a handful of topper blogs to confirm the competence of teachers and their institutes.

Hope this post helped in clearing some of the dilemmas you may have had. More blog posts to follow.

Source: http://www.xaam.in/2019/05/coaching-for-civil-services-exam-is-it.html

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