Insane in the Membrain-Blog featuring entertainment, politics, fashion, technology and the latest trends in society

HAHA! Will you know when to stop drinking?

Haha, what will they think of next?  I just read an article about a talking vodka bottle in Russia.  Read this article Preposterous Products: the talking vodka bottle on WalletPop.com

Clear Ice Cubes..

Looking for a way to make your ice cubes crystal clear instead of cloudy?

You ever notice that when you make ice cubes in your freezer they usually come out all cloudy? The reason? You're using cold water.

That's right, according to James Peterson's excellent book What's A Cook To Do?, if you want your ice cubes to come out more clear, use hot water from the tap. Most of the cloudiness comes from air that's in the water. If you use hot water, there's less air in there. Not sure why this is, it has to do with "science."

Now, about the way those ice cubes sometimes smell...well, that has to do with what you store in the freezer.

Image and Information Courtesy of Slashfood.com

Go Bananas! Part 2

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In

Thailand

, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural moodenhancertryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use:Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates yourbody'swater balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can bere-balancedwith the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Go Bananas!

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts intoserotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitaminB6it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the

US

Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at aTwickenham(Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in

Austria

found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snackin gon high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Mangi

My friends and I have recently dined at Villagio Restaurant in Whitestone, NY and were pleasantly surprised with the cuisine.  Although some would argue, Italian cooking is Italian cooking, Villagio is different.  I personally recommend the Linguine Pesto and the Chicken Franchise and the Sangria. 

Although the homestyle Italian cuisine is the main attraction, there are other factors that make this restaurant worthwhile.  For instance, the portions are large while the prices are low.  Also, the restaurant's ambiance is homely and inviting, similar to "everybody knows your name" on Cheers, which meshes perfectly with its quaint size. 

The service is impeccable, though on busy nights there is usually a wait.  However, most would agree this restaurant is worth the wait.