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Q: Error Tracking in live/production web applications I currently work at a company that has a lot of custom applications that are made internally.  There are not currently standards for a lot of things.  I would like to implement a way to record/track errors that happen in this programs (most are asp.net).
I am currently thinking of handling this in the Global.asax in the Application Error method.  First trying to save the information to an Error Log/Tracking database, and if that fails, try sending an e-mail.
What type of information is the most useful to get from the error message and other application variables (page, username etc).
I am currently thinking of using two tables, one to get the general error and application information, and a second that holds the exception information.  This will be a one to many relationship to hand the inner Exceptions that can come from one Application level exception.
I am sure that I am missing a lot of details and would like to hear your strategy for handling this issue.

A: I think ELMAH may be what you're looking for.

A: If you use a logging library (like Log4Net) you can set up various logging appenders to log to email, DB, file, event log, etc while having a single log call in your code. This post covers everything you need to get started.
There's also ASP.NET health monitoring.
EDIT: another poster mentioned ELMAH, which is great for recording ASP.NET errors, and can be dynamically 'injected' into running apps.

A: Jeff Atwood wrote a great Exception Handler that you should look at on CodeProject
I would attempt to collect as much information as possible.
Stack Information
Session Information
Location of Error
I would also setup a webservice that the applications call to save off the exception information into your system.

A: This is what I do, and I still got a bug because of an email problem.
I never keep anything on the DB, cause if the DB has an error I will never have that error on the DB cause, logically, the insert will fail!
So I email to a special email address like bugs@mydomain.com
Subject: [Application name] [Time Stamp: ddmmyyyy hhmmss]
Message: Application, Error Message, Stack Trace Information plus session variables like username and server variables like Referrer.
the best friend of an ASP.NET developer is the stack trace information, it is here that you will know what went wrong, what was the call and where it was calling.
the only problem that you have in this system, is that you will not get anything if the email has a problem (some exception when sending the email), and for that I started add to a monthly XML file [errorLog_ mmm_yyyy.xml] as well and made a simple "drag-and-drop" page with a gridview that loaded the XML for the month and year that I wanted to check the errors.
try
{
   // production code
}
catch(Exception ex)
{
   Utilities.Mail.SendError(ex);
}

or the best way: Add it to the Application_Error in global.asax:
<%@ Application Language="C#" %>
<%@ Import Namespace="System.Diagnostics" %>
<script language="C#" runat="server">
void Application_Error(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
   //get reference to the source of the exception chain
   Exception ex = Server.GetLastError().GetBaseException();

   //log the details of the exception and page state to the
   //Windows Event Log
   EventLog.WriteEntry("myWebApplication name",
     "MESSAGE: " + ex.Message +
     "\nSOURCE: " + ex.Source +
     "\nFORM: " + Request.Form.ToString() +
     "\nQUERYSTRING: " + Request.QueryString.ToString() +
     "\nTARGETSITE: " + ex.TargetSite +
     "\nSTACKTRACE: " + ex.StackTrace,
     EventLogEntryType.Error);

   Utilities.Mail.SendError(ex);
}
</script>

with the code above you add the error to the event log, I append the error to the XML file in the SendError(Exception) function.

A: Be very careful when logging potentially confidential information which has arrived over https. The user will expect it to be encrypted end-to-end (which may be a legal requirement). Ensure you don't send it via plain email.
Normally I'd say log all of the request including get, post, cookies, form state (in ASPNET), user agent, other headers, date/time, server machine etc
BUT under some cases that would result in some information being logged which you're not supposed to permanently record (such as credit card numbers being passed through to a payment provider). Sending it by email is even worse.
It's worth doing a check if HTTPS is on, and if so, reduce the amount of information you log to avoid this problem. I just sent through a string to say whether the field was empty or non-empty.

A: It actually sounds like you've thought out the solution pretty well.
I work in web development shop, so in addition to logging errors, I also make sure that any system critical errors such as failing db query's and the like are also emailed so that we can jump on them and fix them right away.
An alternative to consider would be to email a report each day that provides information on each error thrown in each application and any relevant information that you would want in the email.
We log all of our errors into a single table for that application (of course that's easier to do when your working on applications where the databases are all contained in-house) including the timestamp of the error and the full text of the exception message that has also been emailed.
The exception message contains a function trace so you know what the original calling function was as well as file and line numbers for all functions in the stack. This makes back-tracking any given bug super simple.

A: When logging to the database fails, you could write to the server's Event Log, or to a Log.txt file. You choice here partly depends upon whether you have access to the web servers containing those.
Sending error notification emails is a good idea if you need a speedy response. But there's no list of the errors to scan through them.
I do this by creating a special custom exception class with properties including user information (ID, name if available), all of the session variables, all of the form variables (so you can see how the form was populated and what the user entered), and some indication beyond the stack trace of where the error occurred (which page, which class, which method). Also include the name of the stored procedure called and the parameters send, or the SQL itself. Also all of the Exception properties (stack trace, etc). And DisplayMessage and InternalMessage fields. The DisplayMessage is displayed to the user. The InternalMessage is recorded in the log, and displayed on the custom error page when in debug mode.
I do the logging in Page_Error on the base page, and as a fail-safe in Application_Error.
Sometimes I add a key-value pair in web.config to contain my email address (or a distribution list). If there is a vaue in that key, a notification email gets sent. If there's no value, no eomail is sent. Then, during testing or early production, I can get immediate personal notification of the problem. After the initial period passes, I remove the email address in web.config.

A: logging is good, but application monitoring is better.
caveat: i am the author of CALM

A: We were frustrated with the website error reporting applications that were out there so we wrote our own at Clearwind Consulting.  It's free and we use it internally for our projects.  It gives complete error information such as full error codes, browser type, traceback, a snippet of the code that caused the error, error frequency graphed over 30 days and more.  At Clearwind, we do web application development.  We needed a tool that would give us real data we could efficiently use about our websites.
You can choose how to get notification of when your website gives an error.  RSS, email, or whatever method works best for you can all be used to get error notifications.  And yes, you can send the errors to your iPhone while you're having a drink.  It is fully written in Django so you can use JSON, RoR, XML, CSV, etc. if you desire to tag or format your data.  Or just come to the website.
If you like, look at www.areciboapp.com.
It's free, easily added to (or removed from) any website and gives real information to enable you to fix the errors, rather than just a 404. No hard sell here.  Just an invite to come take a look and see if it might help you and your website.  We think it might.

A: It's a pretty good idea to log to a custom event log on the server as well as any other logging & notification.  If the error was caused by an infrastructure issue, the same problem might also keep the error handler from sending emails or saving to a database.

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Disney launches its Galactic Starcruiser Hotel next spring with stays starting at $4,809
A two-night Star Wars role-playing adventure 'cruise'
By Cal Jeffrey August 5, 2021, 11:42 26 comments
Highly anticipated: For those familiar with the Star Trek experience (now defunct) at the Las Vegas Hilton, Disney World has taken the idea and spun it up to the next level. Its newest hotel is a luxury starcruiser in space. A two-night stay will immerse you in the Star Wars universe and allow you LARP (live-action role play) out a Star Wars adventure.
Disney's long-awaited Star Wars hotel experience has a new name and grand opening window. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, as it is called, makes its debut next Spring, according to a teaser Disney Parks posted Wednesday (below).
The hotel is part of Walt Disney World's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge attraction, but it is more than just a resort hotel. As we reported way back in 2017 when it was announced, the resort is an immersive experience that places guests in the Star Wars universe, complete with themed clothing, aliens and droids wandering about, and exotic cuisine.
Let's set the theme. You arrive at the resort terminal, where you board a shuttle that takes you to a galactic starcruiser called the Halcyon. It's a luxury-class vessel for civilian entertainment. There is music and entertainment throughout the two-day cruise through space. Guests can learn to play Sabacc and compete in a Sabacc tournament. Or they might take some lightsaber training. However, there will be "unexpected" moments where guests can participate in an interactive adventure that proceeds through their entire stay. Disney provided a couple of examples.
On the first day, you may have the opportunity to join a smuggling ring or help hide a stowaway working with the Resistance. On the second day, you may participate in a heist or arrange to steal a ship from the first order. Of course, participation is voluntary, but trust me, you're going to want to participate if only to justify the price of admission.
For a two-night stay for two people, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser attraction will cost a minimum of $4,809. This price includes a standard cabin (suite available at a higher price), meals (excluding alcoholic and specialty beverages), the interactive story missions, regalia (image above) and various other forms of entertainment.
Fortunately, Disney does give breaks for multiple voyagers. The price for a family of three is only about $500 more ($5,299), and for a family of four, a two-night stay is $5,999. Disney World posted all the details on its website for those interested in leaving Earth for a couple of days.
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Posted by Hello Naternal on May 11, 2021
How CBG differs from CBD
THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana that produces a "high", is the most well known cannabinoid, but there are actually more than a hundred cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, and the more we study them the more we learn about the potential health benefits that each one has to offer. With some, there is a wealth of scientific knowledge and study, while with others the science is still in its infancy.
In this article we aim to uncover the secrets of what CBG oil is, and how CBG oil is different from CBD, the second most common cannabinoid after THC and the one which is most often used and sold. We're going to uncover the fact that CBG oil has proven benefits as well, and that CBG oil is available for sale just as readily as CBD is—if you know where to look.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. Although cannabis was isolated nearly eighty years ago, it was neglected by most scientists for forty years and not studied to reveal its potential and benefits.
What are the benefits of CBD? The most well-researched is that CBD acts to help patients with epilepsy. In fact, the FDA approved the CBD-based drug Epidiolex in 2018, and has seen great success in the battle with seizures, particularly in children with epilepsy.
But just because that's the only drug officially recognized by the FDA doesn't mean that that's where CBD's beneficial properties end. Many people take CBD for a wide range of problems such as inflammation, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia. CBD can be taken in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, edibles, and more. CBD oil can also be used topically to help sore muscles and joints as well as to help skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even razor burn and abrasions.
Physiologically, CBD acts through the endocannabinoid system of the brain, binding with the CB1 and CB2 receptors primarily, but also several others.
CBG, or cannabigerol, is one of the 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis. Unlike THC or CBD, CBG is found through a different process. It was first isolated in the 1960s, and has not been studied as extensively as CBD, but there are still promising results found from limited trials. For starters, CBG is a powerful analgesic. THC is also an analgesic, but has psychoactive properties that make many shy away from it, so the fact that CBG is also an analgesic is very promising for future use. Other possible benefits of CBG oil are that it may help with cancer symptoms, act as an antibiotic, and as an antidepressant.
CBG is actually derived from a substance called CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) which is the root from which the major cannabinoids spring. As cannabis ages, enzymes transform CBGA into THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. But, through a process called decarboxylation, CBGA is converted into CBG.
What Are the Differences Between CBG and CBD?
CBG and CBD have different molecular structures, meaning that they interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system in different ways. They activate those receptors, sometimes working together to produce great results, and sometimes working against one another to negate the others' effects. For example, CBD has been shown to act as an anti-nausea aid because of the way it interacts with the 5-HT1A receptor, but CBG can block those effects if it interacts with that receptor first.
In terms of health uses, CBG and CBD have opposite effects when it comes to appetite: studies with rats have shown that CBG doubles the rats intake of available food, whereas CBD reduces appetite.
What Are the Benefits of CBG Oil?
To date there have been no major studies in humans of the effects of CBG, only preliminary studies. But the preliminary studies do show promise for the cannabinoid.
Building on the study in rats mentioned above, a 2017 study in rats found that CBG combats loss of appetite and cachexia (a "wasting" disorder that causes massive debilitating weight loss). While THC may help improve appetite, CBG can do the same thing without the psychoactive effects.
CBG also shows promise as an antibiotic in combating one of the most aggressive bacterias around, MRSA. In a 2020 study in which scientists exposed MRSA to 18 different cannabinoids, CBG outshined them all for its antibiotic properties, even doing as well as the FDA-approved antibiotic Vancomycin.
Finally, CBG has the potential to be a major contender in the fight against cancer, because it has been shown in mice to reduce abnormal cell proliferation. In the study, it had anti-tumorigenic properties, preventing the growth of melanoma cells.
The Entourage Effect
The "entourage effect" is a hypothesis that when it comes to cannabinoids, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Essentially, the effect comes when full-spectrum CBD oil products are used, which contain all terpenes and cannabinoids of the cannabis plant (including CBG). While there is still scientific research that needs to be done, there is evidence to suggest that taking all the cannabinoids produces effects much more powerful—and beneficial—than taking any one cannabinoid alone.
This is also often the best way to get the benefits of CBG oil, as CBG is harder to find than full-spectrum CBD oil.
CBG and CBD oil both have attractive components that give them potential as health aids and give pharmaceuticals something worthy of research. While much research has been done into CBD (though certainly not enough) not nearly as much has gone into the study of CBG. But if CBG has the potential to help as a powerful antibiotic and anti-cancer aid (as the animal testing has suggested), surely we will hear more about CBG in the future.
Are you ready to try CBD oil, CBG oil, or full-spectrum CBD?


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Thank you all for coming out to the First Look Fair! I think we had an amazing turn out on both days. We had over 200 people sign up! As a reminder our first meeting would be next Wednesday (9/19) at 7:30 pm in 3207 Art & Sociology. See you then!
Also below is our First Look Fair set up with our President Peter Garafalo, if you haven't seen it yet.
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I am a business executive at Fine Accessories Inc., Where We have trendy accessories and very similar handbags and jewelry loved by celebrities and created by the most loved designers and brands.


text:
Tag: poems
Happy Birthday to the fantastic Salena Godden!! Springfield Road is a journey into childhood in the late 1970s, a time of halfpenny sweets, fish n chips in newspaper, scrumping apples and foraging for conkers. Set in the dawn of Thatcher's Britain, it's a salute to every curly-top, scabby knee'd, mixed-up, half-crazy kid with NHS glasses, free school dinners & hand-me- downs, as told by the daughter of an Irish jazz musician and a Jamaican go-go dancer. It's about discovering that life is unfair, that there are bullies out there, and that parents die; yet it is the very antithesis of a misery memoir.
It's a vivid, uplifting tale that seeks out the humour, colour and tenderness in the world, and when you read … More
Hastings, memoir, on this day, poems, poet, poetry, Salena Godden
Working-class stories are not always tales of the underprivileged & dispossessed. Common People is a collection of essays, poems & memoir written in celebration, not apology: these are narratives rich in barbed humour, reflecting the depth & texture of working-class life, the joy & sorrow, the solidarity & the differences, the everyday wisdom & poetry of the woman at the bus stop, the waiter, the hairdresser. Here, Kit de Waal brings together 33 established & emerging writers who invite you to experience the world through their eyes, their voices loud & clear as they reclaim & redefine what it means to be working class.
Features original pieces from Damian Barr, Malorie Blackman, Lisa Blower, Jill Dawson, Louise Doughty, Stuart Maconie, Chris McCrudden, Lisa McInerney, … More
essays, Kit de Waal, Literature, new release, poems, working class, writers
Available now in paperback, The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah. Benjamin Zephaniah, who has travelled the world for his art & his humanitarianism, now tells the one story that encompasses it all: the story of his life. In the early 80s when punks & Rastas were on the streets protesting about unemployment, homelessness & the National Front, Benjamin's poetry could be heard at demonstrations, outside police stations & on the dance floor. His mission was to take poetry everywhere, & to popularise it by reaching people who didn't read books.
His poetry was political, musical, radical and relevant. By the early 1990s, Benjamin had performed on every continent in the … More
Autobiography, Benjamin Zephaniah, humanitarianism, poems, poet, poetry, politics, rasta
If you missed last night's electric performance of Salena Godden in action at Crowleys, fear not, you can pick up copies of 'Pessimism is for Lightweights' here at PM Bookshop, as well as live recordings on CD and vinyl.
A collection of 13 pieces of courage and resistance, these are poems written for, during and after attending protests and … More
current affairs, Hastings, poems, poetry, protest, Salena Godden
Born OTD in 1939, Irish poet, playwright and translator, Seamus Heaney. The poems in Seamus Heaney's collection The Spirit Level keep discovering the possibilities of 'a new beginning' in all kinds of subjects and circumstances. What is at stake, in poem after poem, is the chance of buoyancy and balance, physical, spiritual and political. Private memories, classical scenes, humble domestic objects – a whitewash brush, a sofa, a swing – are endowed with talismanic significance, while friends and relatives are invoked for their promise and steadfastness.
Throughout the collection, Heaney addresses his concerns, which inevitably include the political situation in his native Northern Ireland, in a … More
Ireland, on this day, poems, poetry, Seamus Heaney
Curated by poet Helen Calcutt, the anthology features a host of male and female voices sharing their experiences of suicide, mental health, or grief – from those who have been on the brink of suicide, to those who have lost a loved one, or been moved more generally by the campaign. It is both an uncensored exposure of truths, as well as a celebration of the strength and courage of those willing to write and talk about their experiences, using the power of language to openly address and tackle an issue that directly affects a million people every year.
Eighty Four is a new anthology of poetry on the subject of male suicide in aid of CALM. Poems have … More
CALM, Grief, Helen calcutt, mental health, poems, poetry, Salena Godden, suicide
The title Dangerous Dog raises expectations of a certain aggressive, punky aesthetic, which is certainly present, but the collection is richer and broader than that, even surprisingly traditional in places. The poems explore a truly impressive range of themes and moods, from the small-scale and domestic in poems such as 'Asleep: Breathing Observed' and 'Burberry Tie', to meditations on humankind's place in the universe and the nature of freedom.
The 'title track' 'Dangerous Dog' is like a key to the whole book. Images of confinement (there's a recurring motif … More
David Francis, epic poetry, Hastings, new release, poems, poetry
Born OTD in 1955, the Scottish poet and playwright, Carol Ann Duffy. Carol was appointed Britain's Poet Laureate in May 2009 and she is the first woman, the first Scot, and the first openly gay or bisexual poet to hold the position.
As Duffy dramatizes scenes from childhood, adolescence and adulthood, she finds moments of grace or consolation in memory, love and … More
Carol Ann Duffy, new release, on this day, poems, Poet Laureate, poetry
Sincerity is Duffy's final collection of poems as Poet Laureate. Time and its passage are at the heart of this reflective work, which gazes out from the autumn of life. There are moving elegies here for what has departed; whether that be children who have flown the nest, a way of life, literary luminaries, past loves, lost parents or our own youth.
Carol Ann Duffy, new release, poems, Poet Laureate, poetry
Think of those that marched this road before, And those that will march here in years to come, The road in shadow and the road in the sun, The road before us and the road all done, History is watching us and what will we become. Salena Godden – soon come to Hastings.
Black History Month, National Poetry Day, poems, poetry, Rough Trade, Salena Godden


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For my 50th blog I'd like to pay homage to a Dales institution, the Dalesman. It's the UK's biggest selling regional consumer magazine and was started by Harry Scott 80 years ago in 1939. Originally known by the rather more longwinded title of 'The Yorkshire Dalesman: A Monthly Magazine of Dales' Life and Industry', it's changed over the years but not substantially. I've got some 1940s copies and can't say the overall feel has changed much - a real love of Yorkshire still shines through. The wonderful Yorkshire Playwright Alan Bennett said, "The Dalesman has proved to be something of a river; it just goes flowing on - and like a river it is, I hope, unstoppable."
I was going to wax lyrical about the Dalesman magazine and why I love it but then I came across a brilliant interview broadcast by Yorkshire Television. It features wonderful playwright Alan Bennett and the Dalesman's legendary editor Bill Mitchell who was about to retire after 24 years as its editor. It also features famous contributors Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby. This programme was first broadcast in 1988 so it's dated, in the best way possible.
I love the description of a 'dales man': "he's unhappy in a crowd, happy with his own thoughts, living his own quiet thoughts, tremendously independent, truly a character. He has his own original way of looking at the world, doesn't allow anyone to influence it too greatly. He's realistic, a little taciturn (described as the art of saying nowt for a long time). He's thrifty, but hospitable." I think all that applies equally to many dales women too.
You can watch the programme here thanks to the BFI archive.


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Köniz é uma comuna da Suíça, no Cantão Berna, com cerca de 37.955 habitantes. Estende-se por uma área de 51,10 km², de densidade populacional de 743 hab/km². Confina com as seguintes comunas: Berna (Bern), Kehrsatz, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Oberbalm, Ueberstorf (FR), Wahlern, Wald.

A língua oficial nesta comuna é o alemão.

Comunas de Berna (cantão)

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Ned Benson, who scripted the ambitious three-picture package 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby', has been tapped by Marvel Studios to tackle the script for the 'Black Widow' solo film. The previous draft was penned by Jac Schaeffer ('The Hustle'). Clearly, Schaeffer's draft was just fine and only needs another polish, as Marvel was impressed enough to move her over to their upcoming 'The Vision and Scarlet Witch' TV series for Disney+. Schaeffer will not only write the pilot episode but will serve as executive producer and showrunner.
Benson wrote and directed 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby', his first feature film work. The three movies starred James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain as a couple whose marriage dissolves after a series of misfortunes including the death of their son. This project was originally released as two films in 2013, subtitled 'Him' and 'Her', with each following the story from their individual perspectives. In 2014, the two movies were edited together into 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them'.
Reportedly, it was particularly the 'Her' segment, on which Benson collaborated with Chastain, that drew Marvel to Benson, although there might be another. As Collider reports, it is rumored that Benson was hired to work on a film called 'My Aryan Princess' for Amy Pascal's Pascal Pictures, based on a Dallas Daily News report of a woman who worked to take down the Aryan Brotherhood in Texas. Scarlett Johansson was reportedly attached to star.
While 'My Aryan Princess' isn't 100% confirmed to be happening, it would make sense that Johansson, who will also executive produce 'Black Widow' on top of starring, could have suggested Benson tweak Schaeffer's script, after having worked with him on that picture.
The 'Black Widow' movie is reportedly a prequel and will delve into the character's origin, growing up in Russia's Red Room to become a master spy. Elements of this plot were hinted at in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'.
Cate Shortland is attached to direct. Her most recent film was the indie thriller 'Berlin Syndrome', although she has since directed an episode for the new season of Showtime's 'SMILF'.
'Black Widow' is reportedly set for release on May 1, 2020, but that is not carved in stone. If production doesn't begin soon, it may be pushed back, but check back for updates!


Offering sun terrace, Atlas Hotel is set in Cesme. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.
All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with a bath and shower, with a hair dryer provided and big screen LED Tv. Atlas Hotel features free WiFi for all Rooms.
Cesme Castle is 900 metres from Atlas Hotel, while Cesme Marina is 1.2 km away. The nearest airport is Adnan Menderes Airport, 74 km from Atlas Hotel.


Is the Paleo Diet Nonsense?
According to most of the media, the Paleo diet is nonsense.
See the latest example by clicking right here.
My Mom sent me that above article and wanted to know what I think….
I agree with most of the points they are making, and so will most Paleo dieters. If you google "Paleo Diet" you'll see long lists of foods you CAN'T eat, and all these strict guidelines. You'll also see plates full of t-bones and bacon. Then, when you dig a little deeper, you'll find that the most notable leaders in this ancestral health movement (such as Chris Kresser, Mark Sisson, and Robb Wolf) will say there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to the Paleo diet, and white potatoes, for instance, are more than okay for anyone with healthy blood sugar regulation. Most Paleo advocates focus on eating as many vegetables as we can; veggies first, meat second. Oh, and note to all: veggies are carbs.
I follow the Perfect Health Diet which is a variation of the Paleo Diet, also based on history and science. This diet focuses on maximizing nutrients, and minimizing toxins; preventing disease. Most of our ancestors thrived on a paleolithic diet which included tubers and white rice.
So, I am not "low-carb", and I think many Paleo dieters are the same way. Depending what your goals are – weight loss, fighting disease, healing from autoimmunity, or overall good health – you will not eat the same Paleo diet as another. In fact, one's version of the Paleo diet may change several times in their own life, in order to suit their current needs (like when I HAVE switched to low carb, for a brief period, to stimulate weight loss).
The Media should look through a wider lense, and they will see there is so much more to Paleo than at first glance. The diet they are referring to is NOT the Paleo Diet that most of us believe in, and practice. Besides, Paleo is much more than a diet.
BUILD YOUR OWN TUNA SALAD!
Most people think of tuna salad like potato salad and cole slaw…it's always creamy. That is not true! Many ethnicities use these foods to make bright and refreshing salads just like the tuna salad I am introducing here. I decided to make this recipe "build-your-own" because there are so many different ways you can go! It's such an awesome recipe to make when you are out of ingredients, and even out of time! I bring this over to friend's houses for a quick party appetizer, and people always love it. Grab whatever you've got, and use my recipe template to build your own delicious salad. ………………………………….
We should really take a minute and talk about how many different canned tunas there are.
Too many! Well most of them are pretty crappy. They are overcooked, packaged with extra liquid, and even artificial flavors. Some tuna fish are much larger than other tuna and will have a higher mercury content. For many of these reasons above, I have switched over to Wild Planet Tuna. It's cooked once, packed in it's own juices (no water or oil), and they fish for smaller fish! Their white anchovies and sardines are the best I have ever had too. My pantry is always stocked with those.
There's a brand new tuna in town! And it sounds like it is far superior than anything available to consumers before. It is by a brand called SAFE CATCH. 100% of the Safe Catch tuna is tested for mercury levels (with their finest tuna being 10 times less mercury than the FDA limit). The fish is packed raw, and they have tested 70 cooking methods to find the perfect result for the final product. WOW! Safe Catch found me on Instagram and is sending me some free sample. I am pumped! I will probably order right now anyways…sales just started online. So go ahead and get the safest tuna around! It's between $3.50 and $4.50 a can.
I think it's time to build your own tuna salad!
Using bright herbs, briney goodies, and crunchy veggies, we are really setting a higher standard for canned tuna salads here. This easy tuna salad template will have you rockin' out a refreshing tuna salad with whatever you have in your fridge and pantry! Perfect for lunch or appetizers. See recipe notes for tons of ideas!
CHOOSE YOUR PICKLED BRINY GOODIES. 1-2 Tbsp Capers, or chop any of the following and use up to a 1/4 cup: Olives, Pickles, Pickled Peppers, Caper Berries.
In a mixing bowl, mix together the Olive Oil, Garlic, Onions, and 1 Tbsp of your chosen acid, with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Now, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
Taste for extra acid, if you prefer.
Eat right away, or refrigerate and enjoy in the next 3 days.
See Notes for many different serving ideas.
Serves 2 for lunch, 6 for an appetizer.
Put a heaping scoop on top of mixed greens, and you instantly have an entrée salad.
Wrap it in romaine lettuce leaves and eat it like a taco.
This tuna salad is fantastic alongside a scoop of cottage cheese or an avocado.
Serve small scoops inside raddichio or "cabbage bowls" with extra lemon wedges on the side.
A good bowl of chili is like a warm hug in front of the fireplace…and a GREAT bowl of chili is homemade and packed with veggies!!!
Chili can be so flexible. So forgiving. It can be fast or slow, meaty or vegan. It can be thick or stewy, spicy or mild. It can be a one pot meal, a crock pot meal, and it freezes perfectly for your convenience. I just HAD to make this recipe "Build-Your-Own".
I have made this chili several times this winter, and it's perfect every time.
What kind of meat will you use? Chili enthusiasts will argue which cuts of meat are appropriate for chili.
This is a great opportunity for you to cook with grass-fed beef or bison if you don't already. The grass-fed ground beef can be found for as low as $3/lb, and the bison may be expensive, but in this veggified chili dish you will be stretching that $8/lb ground bison into 4-6 meals! Bison is more wild, and has even more longevity benefits than grass-fed beef. You may also use grass-fed beef stew meat diced small, chuck roast/pot roast diced small in 1/2 inch pieces. You can change it up entirely and go with some organic ground turkey or chicken…although I always suggest ruminant meats (grass grazing mammals: cows, lambs, bison, and goats) over poultry because they are more nutritious.
"If we were to rank popular meats by their healthfulness, the order would be (1) fish and shellfish, (2) ruminants (beef, lamb, goat), and (3) birds (duck, chicken, turkey). In last place would be pork," says Paul Jaminet from Perfect Health Diet.
Now…WHY NO BEANS?? You might be thinking beans will add bulk for less buck; but that's not the way I look at beans or legumes.
I look at beans or legumes as a specialty item you should be cooking with only if you take the time to prepare them the old-fashioned way.
Lastly, lets take a minute to recognize the star of this dish. The cooked tomatoes.
Tomatoes, like other fruit, multiply in nutrients when you cook them. And the longer you cook them, the more nutrtients they will provide you! "Just 30 minutes of cooking can more than double their lycopene content," and lycopene is the cancer-fighting, skin-enhancing compound that makes tomatoes red! Start cooking with organic tomato paste for the big win. This concentrated form of tomatoes has up to 10 times the lycopene of raw tomatoes!
Thanks to Jo Robinson's book "Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimal Health", I am able to provide you with this important information.
And skip the traditional cans because they are lined with all sorts of chemicals that tomatoes leach from (even if they are BPA free). Go for glass jars or cartons of organic tomato products.
Everything healthy is expensive if you buy it at regular price. I stock up on organic tomato products when they are on sale. You can often get glass jars around $3 a piece or less! Keep your eyes peeled and start stocking up (hello Costco). It is worth it people. Why use a cancer-fighting food if you are going to burden your body with loads of chemicals at the same time? I heart organic tomatoes.
This is the type of dish you make on a Sunday when you might be interrupted a million times while cooking, you are feeling kinda lazy, and you want to make a dish worthy of family praise. Although very simple, this is the type of dish you have to prep the ingredients first! You cannot chop-as-you-go! This might sound a little troublesome, but it's actually to your advantage in many ways. You can chop all the veggies up to a day in advance. Consider making a triple batch of chili seasoning in the recipe below, and use it later to give anything a spicy, smokey, warming flavor.
Because this recipe is so chillaxed, you will need to get your salt and pepper arsenal ready and spice this chili with some intention! We will likely use different broths, different meats, or different tomatoes, different veggies; our salt is probably different types or grain sizes, and we may even be using different spices! For that reason, I cannot tell you how much salt you need; I can only guide you.
OH! AND BUY YOURSELF A SALT CROCK ALREADY!
Stop using the salt shaker from the table, and get real chef! You need to be picking up the salt with three fingers, and sprinkling it over your food like they do on TV. That's how you get your food to taste good! Buy a salt crock, buy a bag of fine sea salt, and start practicing your salt showers today! P.S. It is almost impossible to get too much sodium in your diet when the food is homemade and you use sea salt.
You'll find it hard to believe that 8 cups of veggies are jam packed into this no-bean chili. With the combination of grass-fed meats, slow cooked tomatoes, all those veggies, and homemade spice blends, you can really deliver the nutrition in this old-time family favorite. AND with this flexible recipe, you can customize it to your liking! Try it with different veggies, different meats, the slow-cooker method, and build-your-own spice blend. I've laid it all out for you in this DIY chili template.
Prepare your chili seasoning blend, and prep all of your vegetables.
If cooking with the old-fashioned stove-top method, continue to step 4.
If using the crockpot/slow-cooker, throw all of the ingredients in and set timer for Low (8 hrs) or High, (5 hrs) depending on your schedule. Use the browning method if your cooker has one, and brown the meat first for more flavor. If you like a thicker chili, transfer to the stove top for 10 minutes at a light simmer, uncovered and most of the liquid will reduce. See notes for toppings!
Heat a stock pot with 2 Tbsp of cooking fat.
When it's hot, add your meat, and season with salt and pepper. You should hear the meat sizzle.
When the meat is browned on all sides, remove it with a slotted spoon, and set aside.
SEASON with salt and pepper and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
ADD GARLIC and LEAFY GREENS. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
Add your MEAT and your longevity CHILI SEASONING, and stir. Can you smell the lovely spices?
When the spice mixture aroma fills the air, about 1 or 2 minutes, you will add the TOMATOES and the bone BROTH/stock.
Stir and bring everything to a simmer. Stir again and REDUCE HEAT to low, COVER PARTIALLY and set a timer for 30 minutes (partially covering it allows liquid to evaporate, and your chili to thicken).
ADD your diced PEPPERS and 1 TBSP SALT, partially cover, and set timer for 15 more minutes.
Uncover and STIR. If your chili is soupy, simmer for 10 more minutes uncovered. Taste for salt, and serve. See notes below for yummy toppings!
Suggested Chili Toppings include scallions, fresh jalapenos, cilantro, pickled peppers, organic sour cream or yogurt, diced avocado, and guacamole.
Stretch this dinner by serving over spaghetti squash or rice that is seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Braising is cooking something in liquid, at a low temp, usually after searing it first.
Why do I love braising?
It is easy; almost foolproof (unless you have too little liquid and burn your food), it always yields a flavorful, professional quality dish; and it is one of the greatest cooking methods for longevity.
What makes it healthier than other cooking methods?
Take a look at the warnings on www.cancer.gov, and see for yourself.
Is this definitive? Can we be positively sure? No. It's nearly impossible to test such a thing in controlled studies, especially on humans.
But, gathering the information we have so far, HCAs and PAHs are dangerous to our DNA and might be making us especially vulnerable to cancers.
What are HCAs and PAHs? They are chemicals created during the process of cooking meats at high temperatures, or over an open flame.
I love the smells and flavors from grilling and roasting meats just like everyone else, but I am content now knowing that those cooking methods should be saved for specific occasions.
Braising is a great technique to learn. You will find this cooking method works well on many of your favorite foods! This works especially well with inexpensive cuts of meat, meat on the bone, and hearty vegetables.
Speaking of inexpensive cuts of meat, the chuck roast, or pot roast, is an economical cut of beef. It comes from the shoulder of the cow, and has lots of connective tissue which makes it perfect for slow cooking.
This is a great cut of meat to buy when switching over to grass-fed meats, trying to feed a family on high quality meats, and if you love tender, slow-cooked beef. If you find one with bone in, then go for it! Bones equal more flavor, and you can even reuse them to make stock after you scarf down this lovely meal.
See the recipe notes for ideas how to stretch this meal, or even save hands-on cooking time using the slow cooker. This traditional braising method will give you the meatiest result though, so go for the big win!
A traditional dish with tried and true cooking methods that delivers tender and flavorful results every time. This flour-less pot roast recipe is made with grass-fed chuck roast, bone broth, and assorted winter vegetables. This warming, soulful dish will be a repeat in any house. This amount can serve 2 adults and 2 children, or 2-3 hungry adults. This makes great leftovers, so when it doubt, make more!
Heat 1 Tablespoon ghee on high heat, and season the roast with plenty of salt and pepper on all sides.
Once the pan is surely hot, place the roast in the pan using tongs. You should hear a loud sizzle. Time approximately 3-4 minutes on the first side to get a good sear.
Sear both sides of the roast. You want dark brown color which takes about 3 minutes per side.
Remove the roast from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
Add 1 Tablespoon of fat, then the onion halves, flat-side-down, and the carrots. Brown the onions and the carrots.
Now add the ½ cup of red wine, and using tongs, scrape the bottom of the pan with the onions...you want all the beefy goodness that is stuck on the bottom of the pan.
Cook the wine for 2-3 minutes on a good simmer, so you reduce the amount of wine by half.
Add the celery, turnips/potatoes, the rosemary, thyme, and some more sea salt and pepper. Give everything a good mix.
Add 1.5 Cups of broth. Use more broth if needed to cover at least half of the steak.
Cover the pot, and transfer to the oven for 2 hours.
Your roast is ready when it is fork tender, and flaking nicely. You may serve it sliced or shredded, on top of the braised vegetables. I usually finish with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
For a quick gluten-free gravy, while the roast is cooking, heat 2 Tbsp of butter/fat in a sauce pan. Then add 2 Tbsp of rice flour stirring for 2 minutes, careful not to burn. Now add 1 Cup of warm or room temperature broth, and whisk to incorporate. Bring to a simmer and continue stirring occasionally. The gravy will thicken as the heat rises. Season with salt, and herbs.
If you are making the roast ahead of time, it is a great idea to use the broth left in the roasting pan to make this gravy as directed above.
Stretch this meal by braising extra root veggies on the side. Peel and cube the veggies, rub with fat, season with salt pepper and dashes of rosemary and thyme, and place them in a pot/pan with enough broth to cover half of the veggies. Cover and cook in the oven while making your pot roast, but check your veggies after 1 hour.
Slow Cooker Method: This method can be great if you don't have time to do the full recipe. Season your meat with plenty of salt and pepper, place in the slow cooker, top with the veggies and spices, and pour 1/4 Cup Wine and 1.5 Cups Broth over the top of everything. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Italians love their salads. There is always a salad at the family meal.
A salad isn't just a lettuce salad though. Tomato salads, broccoli salad, potato salad (no mayo over here), zucchini salad, yada yada, baccala salad. We often consider marinated and pickled veggies a salad when we're in a pinch.
Here I have recreated a popular salad from my childhood. Broccoli salad was one of my Mom's greatest hits if you ask me! I added cauliflower this time, along with the greens that surround the head. I also use scallions instead of red onions because that's one of the only ways I can get onions past Eric. Feel free to add more or change up the onions if you'd like!
This salad is sooooo easy, but a little laborious if you make a lot at once. I say that because you can only fit so much into the steamer basket and have to steam the veggies in batches. Other than that, it's the easiest thing, and tastes so delicious! To save time, try this recipe with one head of broccoli or cauliflower. Just divide the dressing recipe, or make the whole batch of dressing and save some in a jar for salads during the week.
The steaming and chilling process of the broccoli and cauliflower is great for meal prep. You can use this steamed broccoli and cauliflower in any dish to help save time during the week.
You should always blanch or steam cauliflower for dip platters and party trays…no one likes a dry crumbly cauliflower; that's why there's always cauliflower on the tray! Steam it lightly and you'll see them start flying off the tray. One trick for steaming cauliflower, and retaining its bright white color, is to add lemon juice or vinegar to the water instead of salt. The salt can make it slightly yellow. It is one of the only veggies that benefits from an acid in the water.
Broccoli is one rapidly-aging beauty. What I mean by this is broccoli's nutrients vanish into thin air every day that passes after harvest. It's a darn shame I tell you! I wish everyone could grow broccoli in their yards year round, or have a farmer on speed dial. BUT, that's not gonna happen.
I'll keep it simple. NEVER buy broccoli that is pre-cut, or unwrapped. It's basically just fiber you'll get with the pre-cut stuff. So if you love broccoli that much, you are in a massive hurry, and aren't going for nutrients, then fine. Buy the bagged pre-cut stuff. But other than that, it literally retains almost zero nutrients. Just days after harvest the broccoli can lose 50-75% of it's nutrients. Sad, I know.
Look for broccoli that is dark green on top with tight florets. It should be wrapped in plastic, and have no yellow or pale florets. The stem should be bright green, and the bottom of the stem should be moist and flat, with no pocked holes.
Call your grocery store and ask when the broccoli comes in. Buy it that day, and steam it right when you get home. This will preserve the nutrients. If you have a farm or farmers market you visit, call in advance if possible and ask about the day they harvest the broccoli. Also ask if they chill it immediately after harvest. This is key to obtaining the most nutritious broccoli with all the anti-cancer properties we love.
Don't worry as much about cauliflower. It doesn't have as rapid of a respiration rate, and we can relax a little with that one.
So call that grocer, buy that broccoli, and let's get steamin'!
This recipe works great with asparagus, potatoes, and green beans. In the summer you will love to try this with tomatoes, potatoes, and green beans all together. That will be great with some red onion. Tell me about your favorite combinations!
This simple salad of steamed broccoli and cauliflower is a classic flavor and side dish you will surely fall in love with. The dressing is made of lemon, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic and herbs, and the best extra virgin olive oil you can find. Serve this salad at room temperature throughout the week along side many of your favorite dishes.
Prepare a steamer basket and pot of salted water for steaming. Get a large bowl filled with ice water to chill the veggies after steaming, and gather other tools such as a timer, a large slotted spoon, and a strainer.
Clean and chop cauliflower into large florets, the size of about 2 bites.
If the cauliflower greens are in good shape, cut the green stems/leaves into 2 inch long pieces, no wider than ½ inch. You may have to cut the stems lengthwise to make thinner pieces.
Prepare the broccoli florets as well. Keeping them the same size if possible.
Steam the Cauliflower florets for 3 minutes, in a single layer and in batches, using a timer. It helps to steam only pieces of the same size.
Immediately remove the steamed cauliflower and transfer to the ice bath (do not steam more than 4 minutes or most nutrients will be lost). When the next batch is steaming, move the chilled cauliflower to the strainer you've set aside to use.
Once all the cauliflower is steamed, you may start the cauli stems and greens. The stems might only take 2 minutes to steam, 3 minutes max.
Repeat the steaming and chilling process with the broccoli.
Now you will assemble the dressing. Start with a large bowl, big enough for all the veggies, and room to mix. Add the garlic, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar, scallions, herbs, and spices. Everything but the oil. If you would like the onion and garlic flavor then you may move on to the next step immediately. If you would like to calm the pungent flavors of the onion and garlic, let this mixture sit for 5 minutes or more.
To finish the dressing, slowly stream in the oil while whisking constantly. This will create a nice thick dressing and make each bite of the salad more consistent in flavor. Your dressing will taste salty, but that is what we want! Once you add the veggies, that will no longer be the case.
Mix in your veggies now, tossing numerous times to mix well.
This salad keeps in the fridge for a week.
If you don't have a steamer basket you may blanch in salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes, but the result will be much less nutritious.
If you are eating the salad right away, this should be the proper seasoning. You may need more olive oil, lemon or salt if you had larger heads of broccoli or cauliflower.
If you are eating this salad later, refrigerate, and remove 10 minutes prior to eating for the best flavor, and also to let the olive oil come to the right consistency.
The veggies absorb the dressing the longer they sit, so you may feel the need to add more salt, oil, or lemon/vinegar, along the way.
This salad is great to eat by itself, or you may add it to any salad greens with just a little extra oil and vinegar for a quick side salad!
That name is a mouthful…a mouthful of meaty greatness!
Skirt Steak is a great way to introduce grass-fed steaks into your budget. It's much more economical and has a ton of beefy flavor.
This cut can be tough or chewy if it is cut the wrong way, or even prepared the wrong way. And the beef from grass-fed animals, or animals raised on pasture, is much more lean (and full of meaty flavor), which can result in a tougher bite. That's why I chose an acidic marinade here. The lime juice in the marinade ensures a tender chew, and desirable flavor.
"Arghhh, No Marisa! I don't have time to marinate! I have a 9-5 and barely make it home in time to make dinner as it is!" I hear you friends. Now, hear me out.
When you include acids in your marinades you are speeding up the process like crazy! You can set this aside while you prepare a salad and heat the grill, and it's already going to be amazing. I've also prepared this marinade recipe with a dual function in mind. You will be using 1/3 of the marinade for exactly that, and the other 2/3 to make a delicious sauce and dressing.
When I made this dish I made the marinade before bed. Then about 2 hours before dinner I put the steak in the marinade (that time worked for me, but you can marinade 30 minutes before dinner too). See the recipe below for more pointers and variations!
About this steak. I am lucky enough to have purchased this grass-fed skirt steak from a local rancher. Lucky for many reasons, but mainly because I know where my food comes from, I am supporting hard-working, honest farmers in my community, I know this animal lived a healthy life eating the food it was meant to be eating (the latter is not as much about my compassion for animals as it is about the fact that a healthy animal yields healthy meat).
That being said, I did not have the opportunity to choose my steak out of a lineup at the butcher counter, and inspect it for its size and accurate trimming. My steak was a little small, and thin on one end. I also had to do a little trimming myself just to remove the thick layer of excess fat. This article on Serious Eats shows you how and tells you why.
A quick marinade of lime and fish sauce tenderizes your grass-fed steak, and gets an impressive dinner on the table with ease. This dual-purpose marinade serves as a delicious plating sauce and salad dressing.
In a small glass jar with a lid, mix together the water and coconut sugar, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed pepper. Shake it all up and set aside.
Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and place them in a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
Marinate your steak at room temperature 30 minutes before dinner by adding 3 Tablespoons of the marinade to the Ziploc bag with steak. Swish it all around to coat the steak.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Max marinade time for this recipe is 2 hours refrigerated. You MUST refrigerate the steak while marinating if you go longer than 30 minutes because this is a salty/acidic marinade. Marinating any longer will ruin the taste and texture completely. Remove the steak from the fridge 15-30 minutes before cooking so it can come to room temperature.
Once ready to cook, heat a grill pan, cast iron pan, or heavy bottomed pan; and coat the grill with a high-heat fat like ghee, avocado oil, palm oil, or palm shortening. You want the grill pan nice and hot before cooking.
Remove the steak from the bag and shake off the excess marinade.
Grill the steak 3 minutes on the first side and sprinkle with sea salt while grilling.
Flip the steak and cook 2 more minutes on the other side, sprinkle with sea salt.
Place the steak on a plate to rest for 3 minutes before plating.
Meanwhile, add the herbs, olive oil, and diced chili to the jar with the leftover dressing. Shake it up.
Spoon the dressing over each steak as you serve. You can use the lettuce to make a wrap or you may toss the greens with the leftover dressing.
Make the marinade the night before, and add to the steak when you get home from work. Then by the time you're ready to grill it will be ready to go!
I suggest serving this for dinner with basmati rice, and my six-spice butternut squash. Makes a great lunch all by itself with the salad or lettuce wraps.
This recipe works with flank steak too. Flank needs longer cooking time by 2-4 minutes extra per side.
I think hot sauces, and salsas are my favorite foods ever. And doesn't just the word "Pesto" make your mouth water?
Don't you even think for a minute that this pesto has to be paired with something bland because of its mighty super-tasty powers! This pesto is to Italian food like sriracha is to Thai food. Don't believe me? Make it yourself and slap it on everything you eat. Ahh-mazing.
Before you dive in and start this recipe, I must introduce you to my favorite sun-dried tomatoes. These bagged tomatoes are much different than the oil-packed style you're used to seeing (and eating). Try these, and you'll be amazed how delicate the flavors are while still bringing you what you would expect of a delicious sun-dried tomato.
Have fun with the recipe and try using all sorts of peppers! Especially if you can get your hands on organic fresh peppers. Add some olives, nuts, and even Parmesan! Invite me over for dinner would you?
A mouth-watering combination of fiery fresh jalapeno peppers, Italian basil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, Aleppo pepper, and of course Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This 5 minute pesto will add heat and dimension to your favorite foods like you could never imagine.
Add the tomatoes, fresh hot peppers, and garlic to the food processor and pulse several times to finely chop and incorporate each ingredient.
Now add the Basil, Aleppo Pepper, and Capers, along with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Pulse several times to crush all the ingredients together. Add a splash of oil if the mixture is too thick to process.
Taste the pesto for salt.
Scoop the pesto into glass jars, and cover the pesto with oil.
Stir the jars carefully to saturate the pesto with oil, and refrigerate.
Variations: Try olives instead of the tomatoes or capers. Try any type of fresh peppers. Try Adding Parmesan and pine nuts.
If you haven't heard of this popular cooking fat that is making a comeback right now, I would be very surprised! GHEE is everywhere! But WHY?
This ancient form of clarified butter has been used as a healthy cooking fat for longer than documentation can confirm. Ghee is essentially strained brown butter, resulting in "butter oil". When the butter is slowly warmed on the stove, the water evaporates, milk solids and proteins begin to separate from the fats, and you can easily separate these fats to retrieve the clarified butter (clarified butter is the star ingredient in the mother sauce, known as Hollandaise). Now, cook that butter a little longer, and browning begins to occur. Soon, you develop a nutty depth and complexity that can only be found in Ghee. Both Ghee and Clarified Butter have incredible health benefits. As long as the butter is from a healthy source (such as cows raised on pastures, fed grass, free of growth hormones and antibiotics, fed non-gmo supplemental feed), the resulting "butter oil" is high in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA combats cancer and cardiovascular disease, and inflammation), Vitamin A, Vitamin K2, beta carotene (you can tell this by comparing the golden color of grass-fed butter next to the pale white color of conventional butter), and has a far better Omega-3 fatty acid ratio than conventional butter. You should also note that most of the milk solids and proteins (lactose and casein) are removed during the process of making ghee and clarified butter. This means nearly everyone but the most sensitive individuals can enjoy the benefits of ghee in their diet. Did I mention that ghee and clarified butter have a much higher smoke point than regular butter? You can pan fry and roast foods in ghee without causing damaging free radicals!
Sure you can buy grass-fed organic ghee at the supermarkets now, but they are more than $1.00 per ounce! You can make your own ghee for less than half that price. Try out this step by step tutorial, and let me know how it goes!
About a minute after the butter is all melted, the top layer will become fluffy foam. To encourage the water to evaporate, and allow air to escape, you can rest a slotted wooden spoon upside-down like the second photo below. Or gently move the foam around, by skimming the top, to let air escape.
About 2 minutes later, you will notice the foam is no longer fluffy, and starts to bubble more and separate.
Continue cooking, and if you tilt the pan, you'll notice almost all of the white milky solids will have fallen to the bottom of the pan, while the top is still bubbling and foaming again.
In these next few minutes (around 9-12 minutes into the process) the milk solids will be browning at the bottom of the pan.
Tilt the pan to check on the browning. Keep cooking until it is dark brown, and remove the pan from the heat when it looks like it might begin to burn.
Pour the ghee through cheesecloth or a coffee filter resting on a funnel.
Congratulations! You made your own GHEE!
Ghee is safe kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month, or you may refrigerate it to prevent any possibility of spoiling. Make a bunch so you can stock up! You can freeze ghee too.
*To make Clarified Butter (which has a cleaner, more neutral taste, and shorter processing time), carefully skim all of the foam off the top in Step 2. Once you have cleared off as much foam as possible, without disturbing any milk solids that settled to the bottom, you may ladle or pour out the remaining fat (carefully avoiding the milk solids on the bottom). Clarified Butter may not last at room temperature for more than a couple of weeks since it is not strained like ghee is.
This paleo cookie dough is a major hit! I made it at least 3 times in two months. Maybe more.
I rolled it into balls and dipped them in dark chocolate for Thanksgiving too! It's super slammin' just out of the jar (with a spoon in da mouth), but the chocolate covered balls bring it to a whole 'nother level. Dare to walk passed your fridge without grabbing a nugget every time. The best part is, they are even more delicious when they're cold!
Before I tell you what's in this creamy nutty magical mixture, I must tell you about a fairly recent addition to my longevity pantry.
Since the Summer of 2014, I have been hooked on figuring out ways to get more Maca into my cooking. THIS cookie dough was the perfect vessel I tell you! Let's give Maca the moment it deserves and discuss what it is and why I want it in my food.
I found the original recipe by "Girl Gone Country" on Pinterest, and I was inspired to come up with my own variation including maca. I also altered the original recipe by adding some alternative sweeteners. Why? First, to lower the glycemic index with some stevia, and then using the coconut sugar to bring out the cookie-like flavor I was seeking. Lastly, the combination of them all was sure to satisfy a certain husband's sweet tooth. Check out Girl Gone Country's original recipe here and play around with ingredients in your own way! Tag me @mylongevitykitchen on social media and share your ideas in the comments below.
Grab a spoon and dig into a jar full of nutty, gooey, chocolatey, goodness! You can rest assured you're eating wholesome paleo superfood ingredients with this recipe.
In a quart-size sauce pan, brown the butter on medium heat. To brown the butter, you want to continue cooking the melted butter until it starts smelling "nutty" and sticking slightly to the bottom when you try to stir with a spatula. If you start to see black bits, don't panic. You can strain these out, and the browned butter is still delicious!
Once the butter is slightly browned and smelling nutty, remove the pan from the heat, and add in the almond butter. Whisk or stir with spatula to create a smooth mixture.
In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including maca, coconut flour, cinnamon, and salt.
Sift the dry ingredients into the almond butter mixture, and mix until smooth.
Transfer your warm cookie dough to a bowl, cover loosely, and refrigerate for 45 minutes. Set a timer so you don't forget. If the mixture gets too hard, you'll find it difficult to incorporate the chocolate chips.
Stir in your chocolate chips and refrigerate for 30 more minutes and you're done! Enjoy by the spoonful.
This cookie dough is best eaten cold out of the fridge. It does not retain it's flavor if kept in the freezer for more than a few days.
Variation: For a party-ready application, you may freeze the mixture for 20 minutes, shape into balls, re-freeze, and then dip into melted chocolate! Refrigerate until you're ready to eat them.


text:
Britney Spears' songs used to fight Somali pirates
By News.com.au
October 29, 2013 | 9:25am
EPA/Getty Images
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Britney Spears is being used as a secret weapon to fight Somali pirates.
The singer's hits are being blasted out by tanker crews to deter kidnap attacks, merchant navy officer Rachel Owens has told Metro UK.
Spears's chart-toppers "Oops! I Did It Again and Baby One More Time" have proved to be the most effective at keeping the bandits at bay.
Second Officer Owens, who works on supertankers off the east coast of Africa, said: "Her songs were chosen by the security team because they thought the pirates would hate them most.
"These guys can't stand Western culture or music, making Britney's hits perfect."
Ships in the region are in constant danger from gun-toting pirates boarding and kidnapping crews for million-dollar ransoms.
Ms. Owens, who regularly guides huge tankers through the waters, said the ship's speakers can be aimed solely at the pirates so as not to disturb the crew.
"It's so effective the ship's security rarely needs to resort to firing guns," she said.
Britney may be one reason pirate attacks in the region have fallen this year.
In the first half of 2013, there have been just eight pirate attacks off Somalian, according to figured from the International Maritime Bureau.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has experienced a more than 50 per cent surge in pirate attacks in the same period.
Of the 48 attacks reported, 43 involved pirates boarding vessels and assaulting the crew, the IMB said.
There also has been a surge in piracy off west Africa, with a series of violent attacks this year.
In the latest incident, pirates attacked a commercial ship near the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped two US mariners last week.
The captain and an engineer were taken away from the offshore supply vessel C-Retriever during an attack in international waters off the Gulf of Guinea.
This article originally appeared on News.com.au.
Filed under britney spears , pirates , somalia , 10/29/13
'Mary Poppins' author destroyed adopted son's life


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All Gold Everything by Trinidad James
from Don't Be S.A.F.E.
[songwriter #2 hit]
[Thinkitsagame/Def Jam Digital]
written by Trinidad James (as Nicholas Williams)
Work by A$AP Ferg
from Trap Lord
[A$AP Worldwide LP Cut]
written by A$AP Ferg (as Darold Brown), Steven Pugh, A$AP Rocky (as Rakim Mayers), Trinidad James (as Nicholas Williams) , French Montana (as Karim Kharbouch) & Matthew Hanley
August Alsina
I Luv This Sh*t by August Alsina
from Downtown: Life Under the Gun
featuring Trinidad James
[Def Jam LP Cut]
written by August Alsina, Sean McMillion, Ralph Jeanty, Samuel Irving III, Christine Massa & Trinidad James (as Nicholaus "Trinidad James" Williams)
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from Uptown Special
✫1
featuring Bruno Mars
[Grammy Award for Record of the Year 2016]
[RCA LP Cut]
written by Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Devon Gallaspy, Trinidad James (as Nicholaus Williams) , Ronnie Wilson, Rudy Taylor, Robert Wilson, Lonnie Simmons & Charlie Wilson
Hi Bich by Bhad Bhabie
from 15
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written by Bhad Bhabie (as Danielle Bregoli), Ronny J (as Ronald Spence Jr.), Trinidad James (as Nicholaus Williams) & Jim Lavigne (as James Lavigne)
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Joshua Mitnick
Why some Israeli settlers are willing to live in a Palestinian state
By Joshua Mitnick
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed the idea, which could make implementation of a two-state solution more feasible. But some say it's a recipe for friction.
Israel, no longer a haven, sends African migrants to prison
The opening of an Israeli detention facility for African migrants has sparked alarm and led to a rare show of strength in Tel Aviv protests.
Why Israel wants more Arab women earning a paycheck
Less than 25 percent of Israeli Arab women are formally employed. Economists are warning they could become a major economic burden if they aren't integrated into the workforce.
Assad harvests support from Druze in Israel — with apples
The Syrian Druze living under Israeli control in the Golan Heights are loyal to President Assad because they consider him an economic lifeline and a protector of minority rights.
New Israeli settlement announcement overshadows peace talks
Days before Israeli and Palestinian officials are expected to return to peace talks, Israel has announced settlement expansion plans in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Abbas accepts new Palestinian prime minister's resignation
President Mahmoud Abbas accepted on Sunday the resignation of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. His quick exit highlights internal divisions in the Palestinian Authority that could upset foreign donors.
Israel debates branding settler price tag attacks 'terrorism'
So-called price tag attacks on Palestinian property by West Bank settlers and their supporters have surged this year. Israel wonders if it should call the attacks 'terrorism.'
Defying naysayers on all sides, Kerry keeps pushing Israelis, Palestinians to table
Conventional wisdom is that the Israelis and Palestinians are too far apart to even begin talks, but Secretary of State John Kerry appeared undaunted on his fourth visit in as many months.
In Israel, a modern wall is halted by ancient terraces
Israel's high court has issued an injunction against extending the separation barrier through the Palestinian village of Batir, famed for its 2,500-year-old terraces and aqueducts.
First West Bank marathon highlights barriers to Palestinian movement
Marathoners observed a moment of silence for the victims in the Boston attacks before running a landscape scarred by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Business before politics: Merchants set up court to handle Israeli-Palestinian trade disputes
Tired of waiting for a political solution, Israeli and Palestinian businessmen are taking matters into their own hands, launching a court to handle business disputes properly.
Israel takes heat for de facto segregation on new West Bank buses
Israel's government inaugurated two new buses in the West Bank that are effectively Palestinian-only. Critics say it's an attempt to separate Israeli settlers from Palestinian neighbors who commute side-by-side.
Big losers in Israeli election: American political strategists
The largest parties on both the left and right in Israel relied on US consultants to shape their campaigns, but analysts say foreign advising may no longer be a reliable strategy.
Interest in Jordan's parliamentary elections goes up in smoke
In an attempt to placate voters angry about fuel price hikes, Jordan has lowered cigarette prices. But the two moves have overshadowed the key thing: voting in upcoming elections.
Israel moves quickly to congratulate Obama
Netanyahu paid tribute to 'rock solid' ties between the US and Israel. Many Israelis are worried about how the frosty first-term relationship will affect Obama's actions during his second term.
Why the Palestinian president shocked his people over 'right of return'
President Mahmoud Abbas appeared to give up on a longtime Palestinian demand that refugees be allowed back into homes from before the 1948 founding of the Jewish state.
GOP backer Adelson accused of commandeering Israel's media market
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who has poured millions into GOP coffers, also bankrolls a pro-Netanyahu Israeli newspaper that could transform the media market.
Israel faces off with African migrants on Egyptian border
A weeklong standoff between a group of Eritreans seeking entry to Israel and a get-tough Israeli government policy on African migrants ended today with the deportation of most of the Eritreans.
Romney's Israel speech: Iran will be 'highest national security priority'
The presumptive Republican candidate for president offered few hints of what he would do differently from Obama aside from avoiding public disputes with Israel.
With military draft reform, Netanyahu learns he can't please everyone
Prime Minister Netanyahu is accused of catering to ultra-Orthodox with his stance on draft exemptions, but the religious group isn't happy with him, either.

Why some Israeli settlers are willing to live in a Palestinian state

By Joshua Mitnick

March 25, 2014

SDE BOAZ, West Bank – Nachum Pachenik's newly built home in this unauthorized Israeli outpost is steps away from a Palestinian vineyard and an Israeli military watchtower – signs of the decades-old feud over land ownership in the West Bank.

But unlike most settlers on such outposts, who insist on Israeli sovereignty and Israeli security, Mr. Pachenik hopes that one day his home will be protected by Palestinian police as a Jewish citizen of a state of Palestine. He says he's ready to live alongside Palestinian neighbors, obey Palestinian speed limits, and pay Palestinian taxes.

He's part of a small minority of Israeli settlers whose ties to the biblical land of Israel trump their need to live inside modern Israel's borders. They say that even if Israel agrees to disband West Bank settlements under a future peace agreement, they would prefer to remain on land handed over to the Palestinians.

"We don't need evacuation. What happened in Gush Katif won't lead to peace," he says, referring to Israel's forced evacuation of some 9,000 settlers from Gaza in 2005. "If out of 600,000 settlers, there will be 60,000 who will want to stay – you should accept them happily.''

Such preferences used to held by only a snippet of Israel's settler community. But in late January the idea was endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he doesn't plan to uproot Jewish settlements in the West Bank like his predecessor Ariel Sharon did in Gaza.

An anonymous official in the prime minister's office later told reporters that settlers living in areas slated for a Palestinian state should be given the option to stay.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat quickly shot down Mr. Netanyahu's suggestion, arguing that settlements are illegal and can't remain. Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett also rejected the idea, saying that those who stayed behind would put their lives in danger.

The idea of allowing settlers to remain might make it easier for Netanyahu to strike a deal, since it means fewer forced evacuations of settlers. A recent poll by the dovish Blue and White Future group suggested that 40 percent of the 100,000 settlers living east of Israel's separation wall would not leave voluntarily.

Symmetrical peace

Some Israeli experts on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks dismiss the idea as unrealistic.

"Theoretically the position of Netanyahu is just, and even essential in creating a symmetrical peace," says Yossi Klein Halevi, who profiled several founders of the settlement movement in the book "Like Dreamers." "The problem is the practical dimensions: settlers will have to surrender their weapons to a Palestinian government, and will find themselves, in effect, defenseless against people who despise them."

But Pachenik, who leads a movement of Israeli settlers and Palestinians who promote coexistence, takes a more optimistic view. He says that a Jewish minority in the Palestinian state could be a bridge between the two countries, and sees himself as an "ambassador."

He admits that many of his neighbors at Sde Boaz, located near Bethlehem, don't share his view: they wish that the Palestinians would simply disappear or move to Jordan.

His movement is called "Eretz Shalom," Hebrew for "land of peace." It was inspired by deceased settler Rabbi Menachem Froman, who advocated finding common ground with Palestinian Muslims. "Eretz Shalom is a transition from ownership to belonging," Pachenik says. "It means that I belong to the land, but it is not mine."

Jewish citizens, not settlements

Pachenik says he has no plan for how this would work. However, other like-minded settlers have drawn up a document calling for the creation of two states with open borders, in which some Israeli and Palestinian citizens would be permitted to be residents of the neighboring state.

Ashraf el-Ajrami, a former cabinet minister close to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, says the PA isn't opposed in principle to Jewish citizens in their future state, but won't accept Jewish settlements in their current form.

According to Mr. Ajrami, Israel has suggested via US mediators that some of the settlements be allowed to remain in a Palestinian state as all-Jewish enclaves leased by the Israeli government. Mr. Abbas rejected that proposal.

"That's something that can't be accepted," Ajrami says. "If a couple of families want to remain in the settlements and stay as citizens, that's possible. But that won't be an Israeli settlement, it's going to be a Palestinian city."

Living on biblical land

The desire to remain at all costs on land known in biblical times as Judea and Samaria is not limited to the minority of dovish settlers.

David Haivri, a resident of the Kfar Tapuach settlement and an adviser to the Shomron Regional Council, a settler umbrella group, says that Israel should extend its sovereignty throughout the West Bank. But he has also mulled over Netanyahu's proposal of living in a Palestinian state; he says he might run for political office in a future state so as to "call the Palestinians' bluff" on their promises of equality for Jews.

"I think there are quite a few people who take seriously," he says. "It's a difficult issue to get a direct statement from anyone in our community. People are not in the habit of making statements that would give the impression in any way that they acknowledge the or the PA" as legitimate authorities.

Pachenik and other settlers who say they would live in a Palestinian state diverge from mainstream religious Zionist ideology, which teaches there's spiritual value in living within and contributing to the State of Israel.

But many Israelis worry that allowing those settlers who advocate maximalizing Israel's territorial claims to stay behind is a sure-fire recipe for friction.

"Those that would prefer to stay under any circumstances are the radicals," says Akiva Eldar, a columnist for the news outlet Al-Monitor. "The Palestinians would not like them to stay because they are the troublemakers."

Pachenik says he expects that peace would lead to a Palestinian democracy in which the Palestinian police protects the safety of all citizens, including Jews. He suggests a parallel status to Israel's Arab minority, despite the fact that Israeli Arabs have suffered social discrimination for decades.

As for paying taxes to a Palestinian government, he's happy to do so. However, he expects to keep his kids in a Jewish school – like many American Jews do, he says.

"We don't need to be a mix to be together," he says. "A fence with your neighbor is a good thing."

This article first appeared on MinnPost and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.


A flower of the month club membership will send members a different bunch of the seasons best flowers every month for 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on the membership period. Get beautiful flowers delivered to your home or office when you give someone a membership to Australia's best flower club. It's the flower club that keeps on giving when other flower gifts are gone and forgotten.
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Posts Tagged 'In the Loop'
Review: In The Loop (2009)
June 29th, 2010 Comments off
I kind of wish there had been a bigger media push for this film. It really could have taken off in theaters.
Quite simply, there are a handful of movies that manage to just make one laugh out loud uncontrollably. It's more common that you run across those comedies in a theater when mob mentality has you rolling in the rows. I last experienced this with The Hangover and, before that, My Big Fat Greek Wedding . It is that more rare comedy that can have you rolling with laughter when watching at home. I present to you one extraordinary example of that in In the Loop .
Based on the British TV show "The Thick Of It," the political drama is one-third The Office (UK version), one-third Curb Your Enthusiasm and one-third The West Wing . In other words, it's freaking brilliant, even though its not for the faint of heart when it comes to language.
The BBC program it was based on focused solely on the antics of Downing Street enforcer Malcolm Turner (Peter Capaldi, a veteran of Brit TV shows such as Torchwood: Children of the Earth , which I reviewed yesterday). Turner is the Machiavellian, potty mouthed king of communications and the show follows his interactions with the team at the Ministry of Social Affairs. There he deals with MP Hugh Abbot and his right hands Glenn Cullen, Terri Coverley (Joanna Scanlan) and Oliver Reeder (Chris Addison).
In the film, director and producer Armando Iannucci keeps Capaldi's Malcom Turner in place and reshuffles a few actors like Addison into new characters who retain some of the characteristics, despite different roles. As impish aide Oliver Reeder, Addison plays Mr. Fix-It as a transfer into a dysfunctional foreign development ministry and its incompetent MP Simon Foster (Tom Hollander). The story follows Foster's role in the run-up to a UN resolution to declare war in a situation that is a thinly veiled stand-in for Iraq. No Qumar here, either. They just don't overtly reference the country.
Click through to keep on keeping on. Read more…
Categories: Entertainment, Film / TV, Review / Recap, Reviews	Tags: BBC, In the Loop, Movies, Review / Recap, The Thick of It


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Fashion Designer Gloria Vanderbilt, Anderson Cooper's Mother, Dies At 95
posted by Bill Galluccio - Jun 17, 2019
Famed fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt is dead at the age of 95 following a battle with stomach cancer. She died with her family and friends at her side. She was best known for bringing blue jeans into the mainstream with her iconic fashion line "Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans."
Her son, CNN's Anderson Cooper, confirmed Vanderbilt's death in a statement.
"Gloria Vanderbilt was an extraordinary woman, who loved life, and lived it on her own terms. She was a painter, a writer, and designer but also a remarkable mother, wife, and friend," he said.
"She was 95 years old, but ask anyone close to her, and they'd tell you, she was the youngest person they knew, the coolest, and most modern. She died this morning, the way she wanted to - at home, surrounded by family and friends."


Before admission to Hogganfield Loch an assessment would be undertaken by our care staff (your local Social Work Department may also perform an assessment). This would ensure the suitability of the placement.
Especially when you first arrive in the Home, there may be issues you are unsure about. It is very important that you and your family keep an open dialogue with staff to ensure minor issues do not become major ones.
The first 4/6 weeks is a trial period. If you decide that you are not happy with the Home, and we are unable to resolve your difficulties, you have the right to move on to another Home.
Fees vary depending on the size of room, your care requirements and wither or not your receive funding from your local council. The table below should only be used a guide.


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http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/PlayingWith/FiveManBand
Playing With / Five-Man Band
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Basic Trope: A group of five heroes consists of its leader, the leader's counterpart, the muscle, the intellect and the peacekeeper. Their archetypes complement one another, and their skills contribute to the group in a unique way.
Straight: Frank is the idealistic leader of The Guardians of Gameland, who also consist of the cold and brooding Jason, the nerdy Peter, the muscular Charlie, the peaceful Tabi and the newest member Dennis.
Exaggerated:
Each one is so capable on their own that it's a question why they're still together.
Their roles on the band are their only defining traits, and are extremely obvious: Frank is a Hot-Blooded Master Swordsman who never gives up, Jason is a cool as ice but pessimistic archer, Peter has a huge head and Psychic Powers, Charlie is a Gentle Giant and Made of Iron and Tabi is an Action Girl with Healing Hands.
There are multiple Five-Man Bands, some of which may share common members.
Each member of the Five-Man Band is The Leader of another group, with Bob acting as the leader to all of them.
There's enough heroes that they really don't need an army of Red Shirts.
Downplayed:
The team has five members, each with a defining trait and a clear role as part of The Team. Despite this, every member has decisive moments, submissive moments, smart moments, and strong moments, caring moments, and maybe even useless moments.
Justified:
There's safety in numbers, and they only have five Macguffins that will let people fight.
In the RPG Tales of Troperia, Frank wants a well-balanced team, so he recruits Peter, Tabi, Charlie, and Jason.
Inverted:
There are five teams of five, each one specializing in one thing.
Psycho Rangers
Frank is a pushover and no one lets him have a say in anything, making him the opposite of a leader. Jason is Frank's friend, but goes out of his way to copy Frank's personality. This makes him the opposite of The Lancer, as The Lancer is a foil to The Leader. Peter is The Ditz. Charlie is a complete and utter weakling. Tabi is a Token Evil Teammate who actively causes conflict within the group for no reason other than her own amusement.
The villains form their own equivalent of this trope (yes, believe it or not, Five-Man Band is NOT a hero-exclusive trope).
Gender Inverted: The group consists of one man (The Heart) and four women.
Subverted:
One of them eventually dies or quits.
Their positions on the team don't match their appearances/skill.
Four of them have turned to the Dark Side, transforming them into a Big-Bad Ensemble that the hero must defeat.
Double Subverted:
One team member quits, but rejoins.
The Team finds a replacement.
They were lying about their positions on the time, to confuse the audience and Emperor Evulz.
Bob recruits a new team similar to the old one.
Parodied: Heroes from all over Gameland enter a "heroism contest" to see which team can defeat the most mooks. Only Five-Man Bands are eligible to compete. Bob's team wins the contest, and everyone forgets about all the other Five-Man Bands who entered.
Zig Zagged:
The team goes through a succession of Optional Party Members. Also, at some point, Tabi drops out of the group and is replaced by Jane.
There are Five-Man Bands good and bad. Dennis is a Sixth Ranger Traitor and leaves the heroes to join the villains (or vice versa).
Averted:
The Team doesn't correspond to a standard Five-Man Band.
The Team consists of four or fewer members.
There is only one hero.
Enforced: "The ideal number of heroes is five." "How do you figure?" "It's enough to be interesting, but not enough to be confusing."
Lampshaded:
"Only a five-man team can look this good while beating evil!"
Emperor Evulz: "Why do my troubles always come in fives?"
Invoked: Frank gets the Call To Adeventure and assembles a balanced team. He starts with his best friend, Jason, and then purposefully seeks out other group members that fit certain roles.
Exploited:
Tabi is really a spy sent by Emperor Evulz knowing the team needed The Chick.
Charlie's sister Melanie wants to join the group, so Frank invites her when Tabi quits.
Defied
Frank insists on forming a nonstandard team.
Frank has a Five-Man Band at first, but invites more members to form a larger team.
Frank kicks out one or more members.
Frank insists on working alone.
Discussed: "We need one more hero. They say five is the perfect number."
Conversed: "Hey, that's The Chick. And that's The Lancer!"
Deconstructed:
The members of the Five-Man Band, when alone, are helpless. Without Alice, the rest of the members fight among each other. Without Peter, they don't have a plan. Emperor Evulz uses this to his advantage. He also forces Dennis into sacrificing himself at their darkest hour with a game of Xanatos Speed Chess.
They each become so tired of being constrained to their roles and having to deal with each other, so they all leave on their own adventures, but they all become injured without support. Jason gets sick of playing second fiddle, Peter gets annoyed of being relatively weak, Charlie gets tired of not being as smart as the others, Tabi gets bored with being The Medic, and Frank grows weary of being a vessel for Character Development.
Reconstructed:
The members of the Five-Man Band learn from each other as the story goes on. Frank becomes a Guile Action Hero who never gives up, Jason becomes a Friendly Sniper with Improbable Aiming Skills, Peter becomes a Weak, but Skilled Kung-Fu Wizard, Charlie becomes a Badass Normal Genius Bruiser, and Tabi becomes a Warrior Therapist Combat Medic.
Each member of the original Five-Man Band forms their own team, which is similar to but non-standard to the Five Man Band. For instance, Frank makes a team where everyone is The Leader depending on the situation; he leads in straight-forward combat, another one makes the plans but defers in the field, a third takes the lead in diplomacy etc. Then the teams cooperate to defeat Emperor Evulz, and everyone becomes friends during the Dance Party Ending.
Played For Laughs:
The team members have other traits, but their positions on the team are too obvious: Frank is an Idiot Hero dressed like a knight and fights with a giant spoon, Jason is a Psycho for Hire dressed like a pirate, Peter is a Brain in a Jar in a robot body, Charlie is a Boisterous Bruiser dressed like a Viking, Tabi is a Love Freak decked out in peace signs and hearts.
They always wear superhero uniforms and act like Big Damn Heroes, even when doing everyday tasks like laundry, because they know that Emperor Evulz is spying on them and will attack if they let their guard down.
Played For Drama:
Each episode focuses on how difficult it is to be a certain role. Peter's nail-biting Xanatos Speed Chess with an evil master, Tabi's desperate attempts to prevent We ARE Struggling Together, the tough decisions Bob has to make as leader and how they haunt him etc.
Go back to Five-Man Band and remind them that they all have their roles to play.
« Playing With »
Five-Token Band


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NJ middle schools will have to teach civics classes starting in 2022
The SCDC is pleased to see Governor Phil Murphy sign "Laura Wooton's Law" legislation, which mandates all New Jersey middle schools teach civics classes. It is never too early to introduce children to the importance of being an engaged citizen!
"Starting September 2022, New Jersey's middle schoolers will be required to take civics courses for two quarters of the academic year, and, taking a page from the life of Laura Wooton, will learn their roles as citizens of the United States. They will also learn of the values and principles that guide the American system of constitutional democracy and the role and limitations of a democratic government."
Gov. Phil Murphy signed the "Laura Wooton's Law" legislation Friday, which mandates all New Jersey middle schools teach civics classes starting September 2022.
"As a very young child, I used to see my mother leave the house in the middle of the night. When she came back, it was night again," said Yvonne Hill about her late mother, Laura Wooton, the state's and nation's longest-serving poll worker. Murphy named the law after Hill's mother.
"Now of course, I know she was going to the polls," Hill said of Wooton, a volunteer poll worker in Mercer County for 79 consecutive years. She began to volunteer a few years after she finished high school during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency and did so until her death in 2019 at age 98.
Democrat state Sen. Shirley Turner was a primary sponsor and drove the bill, which passed both houses with bipartisan support in May.
"So many of our students that are graduating from high school today do not realize the impact of government in their lives and how it operates. This is a way for them to learn about civic engagement, how to listen to other people and see their perspective," Turner said.
She said the Legislature's unanimous support for the bill was a result of a 'wake-up call' – the insurrection on Jan. 6 when rioters broke into the US Capitol to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The bill failed to win support during Chris Christie's tenure, Turner said.
It was a passion project for Arlene Gardner, who drafted an early version of it and has been working with legislators through the Christie and Murphy administrations. Gardner is a long-time advocate of the importance of civics in educational curricula and president of the board of directors at the New Jersey Center for Civic Education at Rutgers University.
The law requires the sNew Jersey Center for Civic Education to provide professional development and other resources for high school social studies teachers as they begin to integrate civics into the existing United States history course. It also requires the Center to provide a framework based on existing standards that middle school teachers can use to develop civics courses.
"We concluded that it would be better to introduce civics education in middle school," said Gardner, "because by then children have developed enough critical thinking facilities. Plus, high schoolers sometimes drop out of school," she added. Providing civics education in middle school addresses that risk.
New Jersey is one of 10 states in the nation that did not require civics to be taught in school. Not any more, Turner said.
"This is a game-changer for future generations of New Jerseyians," she said. "Studies show that only about a quarter of our population can even identify the three branches of government. And so many of our young people today cannot tell you who their senators are, but you can bet your bottom dollar they know the names of the Kardashians. The very young have the lowest voter turnout, and that is because they have not been taught," she said.
According to the bill, the state will direct a minimum of $300,000 annually to the Center for Civic Study to build a clearinghouse of materials, professional development and technical assistance for the purposes of developing civics education in middle and high schools in the state.
Mary Ann Koruth covers education for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news about New Jersey's schools and how it affects your children, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: k[email protected]
Source: Governor Phil Murphy signs NJ middle school civics instruction bill (njherald.com)
Phil Murphy civics education