Grab Bag Yesterday → Today Trivia:

Computer Chips to Chickens

Yesterday: Prior to 1957, everything electronic used to be programmed using 0’s and 1’s. Enter Fortran, a programming language that allowed programmers to use English and Algebra in programming language.

Today: Fortran is used by scientists to selectively breed chickens.

Grab Bag Fight the Fight:

Cancer seems so ubiquitous and indiscriminatory in today’s world that it often feels like we may just be playing a big game of Roulette with the The Big C…. chances are we won’t get it, but maybe it will hit when we least expect it?

I always like to improve the odds, especially when those improvements come with little or no risk themselves.

After all, we likely fight and win against cancer more often than we know. It would be smart to give our awesome immune systems some quality ammo.

A proactive approach against cancer requires a healthy body weight, plenty of physical activity, and great food choices. So I especially liked Dr. Andrew Weil’s dietary suggestions of ways to fight the “attempting embeds” that lie at the genesis of cancer:

Avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils and all foods that might contain trans-fatty acids (such as deep-fried foods).

Minimize or eliminate consumption of foods with added sugars

(Read all labels if you are unsure…. some of the foods below appear “healthy”, but all of these have added sugars. Note: The Silk Pure Almond Milk is a good choice, IF you buy the UNSWEETENED version, not the Vanilla one pictured here.)

Increase omega-3 fatty acid intake by eating more cold-water oily fish, freshly ground flaxseed and walnuts.

Reduce consumption of animal foods and try replacing them with plant-based proteins such as whole soy products.

Use hormone-free, organically produced products whenever possible.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eat shiitake, enokitake, maitake and oyster mushrooms frequently.

Drink green tea daily.

Grab Bag Inspiration:

So what problems did the rest of us overcome recently?

Grab Bag Grid Art:

ixxi.nu

Simple steps to a spectacular, unique art piece, installed in your home:

1. Go to ixxi.nu

2. Select your favorite high-resolution image; a personal photo, a stock image you admire, a piece of art you create and scan or capture digitally, or a group of images you want as a collage.

3. Select the size that best fits the space you want to fill … (these wall art pieces can get enormous if you want them to)

4. Upload the image right from your computer. Order and pay.

5. Receive your image in the mail, printed on cards.

6. Using the special connectors, assemble the art piece and attach to your wall with the strips or hang as a room divider.

7. Enjoy your creation… a real show stopper, to be sure.

Grab Bag NO-GMO:

Did the FDA ever ask you if you were happy consuming genetically modified (cloned or GMO) beef or milk?

I didn’t think so. They didn’t ask me either.

And you know what?  They aren’t feeling it is necessary for us to know. The FDA has no requirement for GMO products to be labeled as such.

The USA is currently the Lone Ranger in not requiring such labeling. 

The topic of potential health effects from GMO foods is controversial, and you will find impassioned advocates in both camps. 

If we don’t feel comfortable eating GMO foods, without labels, how can we tell? Forget “GMO-free” or similar language, as they are not independently verified. 

For now, the only way to tell if something ISN’T GMO is to look for this:

“Non-GMO Project Verified”

and check your favorite products to see if they make the list at

nongmoproject.org

I will tell you that corn and soybeans are dominated by GMO varieties now, and numerous other foods are following suit. Just so ya know….

Grab Bag Brain Game:

Goal: Form lines of connected balls in the same color of 5 or more and make them disappear.

Lines

Simple instructions: Click on a ball, it bounces. Click where you want to move it to, it moves (if there is a clear path for it to move on).

Grab Bag Blooper Funny Stuff:

Apparently anchorman Ernie Anastos slips up with some regularity on air. This first one made him famous… listen carefully as, off camera, he tells the weatherman, “keep f***ing that chicken”, at :07 seconds in:

Here, this kid’s mom must be so proud:

Technically not a blooper, but worthy of inclusion nonetheless, just to see how fast Jeopardy’s champ Ken Jennings comes up with his answer:

Finally, a compilation of some fun ones: