The City Council of New York is considering banning plastic bottle sales on all beaches, parks and golf courses. New York will be the third municipality following San Francisco and
Concord, Maine to do so. This would also include soda and juices sold in plastic. The ban will not prohibit people from bringing in plastic bottles but the goal is to make it inconvenient. It is an attempt to make consumers aware of the damage plastic is doing to our environment and to relieve some of the strain it is putting on our landfills. Hope is that people will start using refillable bottles. Many colleges, government agencies and businesses have already adopted this policy. This is also an attempt to ensure that tap water is fit for drinking and at the same time send a message to manufacturers that these bottles are unnecessary. San Francisco has even set up refillable water stations at all concert and sports venues. Hope is that this proposal will be more successful then the previous attempt to put a surcharge on plastic bags.
Bulgur Wheat Salad With Tomato and Eggplant
Ingredients
– 1 cup bulgur wheat
– 1 eggplant, thinly sliced
– 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
– 1 pound cherry tomatoes, cut in half
– 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
– kosher salt and pepper
– 1 cup basil leaves, torn
Directions
Step 1—Heat broiler
Step 2—Cook the bulgur according to the package directions
Step 3—Arrange the eggplant slices on 2 baking sheets. Brush both sides with a total of 3 tablespoons of the oil. Broil the eggplant,1 sheet pan at a time, until brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side
Step 4—Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the basil.
Step 5—Transfer the bulgur to a large bowl and top with the eggplant and tomato mixture before serving.
Building a Healthy Heart…
Scientists have always believed that the human heart stops producing new cells after birth and that these cells do not multiply but only grow in size as we age. However, according to
a new study published in the “Journal of Physiology” exercise at an early age can increase the number of these cells and that these cells will remain with us for life. Scientists divided rodents into three groups. They started them on an exercise routine at ages that were equivalent to what humans would classify as childhood, adolescence and adulthood. All the groups had bigger cardiac-muscle cells but the childhood group had as many as 20 million additional cardiomyocytes (the type of cells that contract). The group that began as adolescents had some but fewer. Although exercise will benefit a heart at any age, these extra cells make it more likely to survive a heart attack in later years. Time to get the kids out there away from the TV, computer and video games and have them start adding those extra heart cells.
Scientists find a New Organ…
Researchers at the “New York University School of Medicine” have discovered what they 
believe to be a new organ in the body. Not only was it overlooked but it is said to be the largest organ in the body. It is a network of fluid filled latticework tissue that is said to surround every organ in the body. Through electron microscopy it was determined that this network composed of collagen and elastin connective tissue, contained a fluid that was in constant motion throughout the body. Scientists believe that it may be the key to how disease is spread, especially cancer, throughout the body and is allowed to enter the lymphatic system. New in-vitro technology has enabled it to be studied inside the body because previously it collapsed when it was cut and removed from within which is why it remained undiscovered. The ”interstitium” as it is called may be what is responsible for keeping our organs in place as well as acting as a massive shock absorber as we move.
Busy Brain/ Hungry Body…
Extreme mental focus such as preparing for an exam or just solving problems that require intense concentration can actually drain the brain. Since the brain has a limited capacity to
store fuel, the results can be similar to using stored energy from caloric expenditure through physical movement. This is the reason why college students not only eat poorly but also overeat. Scientists experimented with thirty eight college students. After 35 minutes of sitting quietly in a peaceful setting to establish a baseline for what they would normally consume, all were given as much pizza as they wished. After a few weeks they were called back and were all given intense college exams that required extreme mental focus. Afterwards, half were given pizza to consume and half were put on a treadmill. The group on the treadmill consumed less than they would normally consume while the other group consumed much more. The increased flow of fuel-rich blood to the brain brought on by intense exercise increased both the amount of blood sugar and lactate circulating in the blood. This in turn reduced the desire to overeat by feeding an exhausted brain.
Beets, Bosc pears and Cannellini Beans
Ingredients
– 1 Package of ready made Beets (Beetology Brand)
– 1 can of Cannellini Beans (Brad’s Organic)
– 2 medium Bosc pears
– 2 tablespoons of Avocado oil ( olive oil works)
– White Balsamic Vinegar to taste
– Oregano
– Parsley
Directions:
Simply cut the beets in quarters and slice, cut the pears into 8 pieces and slice and place in a bowl. Next add the can of beans after rinsing and all the other ingredients.
A great lunch with a slice of whole grain bread…
Fine tuning the Immune System…
There are many benefits to a fiber rich diet. Reduced risk of diabetes, hypertension etc. But why? Instead of feeding us directly what fiber does is feed our intestinal bacteria. For proper digestion, we need to call on enzymes for assistance to break down a nutrient into its smaller components. What we classify as the indigestible part of a plant called fiber is actually digested and used as nourishment for the microbiome (healthy gut bacteria) that line our intestinal track. To test this theory scientists at Georgia State University separated mice into two groups. One group was placed on a high fiber diet and the other on a low fiber, high fat diet. After examining the feces from the two groups they discovered that the low fiber, high fat group had a collapse in their microbiome population, their intestines started to narrow and their inflammation level increased. It seems that each plant and fruit provides a different fiber which in turn feeds a different population of bacteria in our gut. I guess there is truth to the saying “an apple a day……”
Feedback…
One of the most powerful tools we have for both learning and achieving is 
feedback. Yes there is both positive and negative feedback, it depends on how it is given. When it is negative it is often looked upon as criticism and is often hard to accept. It may be the way it is sometimes delivered. Even negative feedback can help a person grow. Why do people fear a negative review at work and why do leaders make it such a dreadful experience? It could be the word negative itself. It can take skill, respect and patience to deliver
feedback. Delivering it in a manner that it is geared toward effective and constructive growth for the recipient is important. Feedback has to be timed. It is so much more effective if it is not delivered in the heat of the moment. I personally have a rule. It’s called “the 24 hour rule”. Give yourself that amount of time to digest, to calm down and react in a more positive way that in the long run can help both sides arrive at a fruitful position, without any defensive, and regretful comments. 
Relating it to yourself “I always find that when I do this a certain way” for example can make it easier for a person to digest while making the person giving the feedback more relatable. It is also important to go slow. In other words if there is more than one situation you wish to comment on maybe it is better to stick to one in particular. A good rule of thumb is to give a slightly constructive criticism and then follow it with a highly positive one. What usually happens if feedback is grounded in negativity, a sense of failure will follow. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and see if you would be comfortable in the way you are delivering feedback.
Hot, Spicy, Health Booster…
Hot chili peppers can be extremely beneficial for keeping blood pressure in 
check. People who crave very spicy food usually do not have a desire for salty food. A large study done in China reported that capsaicin, the spicy component of chili peppers, stimulated the same area of the brain as did salt. In so doing, it made the brain more sensitive to salt which potentially made a person consume less salty foods. Results of the study were published in “Hypertension”. The test had 606 participants. All were given water with different amounts of capsacin. The more of the hot spice that was present the less of a desire for salt was recorded. Another benefit of red and green peppers is that they are the highest source of Vitamin C.
Making Honey in the City…
In 2010 New York city made it legal to keep beehives within city limits. There are now some 500 beekeepers in the five boroughs. Bees can work for up to a three mile radius
from their hives doing the job of pollinating all the local neighborhood gardens. Two hives can produce as much as 30 pounds of honey during the season. In fact, the Church of the Holy Apostle in Chelsea has hives on its roof and sells its honey after Sunday service. Eating local honey may also be helpful for someone who suffers from allergies within the city limits by strengthening their immune response to what triggers their sensitivity.