Good Food Gone Bad

Honey was discovered in ancient Egypt way before religions were created.

Honey is a natural food that never goes bad. Archaeologists found 2000 year old jars of honey in Egyptian tombs and they are still edible.

The chemical composition of low water content and high acidic level in honey creates a low pH environment that makes it unfavourable for bacteria to grow.

Modern day honey production could be contaminated from different pesticides used for crop protection.

In India, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reported antibiotic residues above the regulatory standards in honey samples.

Antibiotics are found in honey because they are used in apiculture treatment of bacterial diseases. Antibiotic residues originate mostly from the environment and improper beekeeping practices.

The majority of honey samples analyzed from major honey producers around the world contained residues of pesticides and antibiotics.

Long-term effects on humans by antibiotic residues in honey is a concern.

Stop The Sin

China banned shark fins from all official banquets in 2013.

The ban comes after the chinese new found wealth allow them unimpeded access to the luxury soup earning China the largest consumer of shark fin soup in the world title.

Short of an outright ban, will the consumption stop ?

It must be remembered that there is a hugh market for shark fin in China.

When price for the delicacy drop, the soup becomes affordable for ordinary chinese.

And there is uncountable ordinary chinese in the world.

CNY Goodies

 What is chinese new year without the sin food.

 

The Bak Kwa, sliced BBQ pork. Queing for 3 hours for the artery clogging meat a week or so before the new year is the norm.

Note the price, one month before the new year...

And 2 weeks before the new year...

And the other "delights" is also a must have for the family.

The Smell of Winter

January. The time of the year when an intoxicating mesmerising sweet smell waft into the house.

Alstonia scholaris. Locally called the Pulai tree, it makes the air becomes thick with the flowers’ pungent odour.

Some residents may feel nauseous. The odour can trigger headaches.

Pingtung City, Taiwan, the Works Dept said they receive a large number of complaints during the tree’s flowering. They say that if the city government cannot find a solution, they will demand compensation from the central government.

Some of the trees are close to classrooms. The odor can severely affect students in class. The Pingtung county government have to cut down the trees and replant with other less offending species.

This tiny petal does pack a punch.

The Horse Horoscope

What is chinese new year without the horoscope.


This is a fairly tough year for people born in the year of the Rat. It’s advisable that you ride with the year’s energies rather than trying hard to fight it as this will only disappoint you. Your success luck was very strong last year but in 2014, it’s pretty poor. So it’s not a good year to be overly ambitious in your career or business. It’s advisable to lie low.

This is a good year for the Ox. You exude an aura of strong self-confidence and people will be drawn to you naturally. Because of these positive elements, the year of the Horse is like a wish-granting year for you. Be bold to take career or business risks and try new things. Businessmen and entrepreneurs especially should take advantage of this good luck.

There are more negative than positive elements for the Tiger. You must keep an eye on people around you who have ill intentions. While there is money to be made, there is also money to be lost. Beware of betrayal or scams. Conserve your energy and do not be too aggressive in chasing your goals as you may not be able to cope with the challenges.

The Rabbit will not be feeling especially gung ho in the year 2014. If you have been meaning to take a vacation, this is the good year to do so. This year, you will face some issues with your health. For your love life, be prepared for a choppy ride.

The Dragon will have another wonderful year. You are brimming with new ideas. Your wealth luck will flourish. Control your temper, and be tolerant so as not to affect your work life, family members, partner, and your children. The mantra for you in 2014 is “stay calm".

The year of the horse is fairly good for the Snake. Take advantage of your success luck in bringing positive growth to your career or business. There are many things occupying your attention that love and romance could take a back seat.

It is a mix year for the Horse. Wealth luck is good. For those who are in relationship, this year can bring you the luck of commitment and marriage. So take it easy and deal with things as they come. This year will become more extraordinary for you in a good way as it progresses.

The Sheep will enjoy a wonderful year filled with opportunities. You get help and support when needed. Enjoy the good fortune luck Your determination, drive and self-confidence are high. You will experience happiness and security in your love life.

The Monkey will be plagued by an exhausting and challenging year. People in business will be hitting some rough patches. Monkey people need to be surrounded with positive people. Refrain from getting too carried away in new relationships.

2014 is a fabulous year of success for the Rooster. There is hidden support from unexpected forces that will help you achieve exciting accomplishments. Whether you are still seeking or in the dating game, this a good year for you.

The Dog has mixed luck this year. Unfortunately success luck is low. However you will enjoy good health luck. It’s a year you should not take new relationship too seriously and to simply let things flow naturally. Your career luck is strong though.

The Pig will enjoy success, and can expect a breakthrough in your career. Wealth and health luck is also good. Read contracts thoroughly before you pen your signature. Love life is disappointing for the year. The romantic chemistry is simply not there.

The Leaning Pine

The leaning pines are probably planted too close to the apartment block.

Trees naturally grow well with a uniform roots around the tree.

The slope aggravated the problem which caused the root system to become one-sided and unbalanced.

And the pines, scientific name - Araucaria columnaris need sunlight to grow well, so they began to lean outward for sunshine.

The common name is New Caledonia Pine, or Cook pine.

Many human beings are becoming crooked.

Like the pines they leaned away from morality, from growing straight.

The pines need sunlight. The crooked humans need money.

Christmas

What is Christmas without the carols.


Adolphe Adam, born 24 July 1803 and died in Paris on 3 May 1856.
Adam wrote "O Holy Night" in 1847.

Katherine Davis, born 25 June 1892 and died in Massachusetts on 20 April 1980. Davis wrote the song "Little Drummer Boy" in 1941.

Franz Gruber, born 25 November 1787 in Austria and died on 7 June 1863. Gruber wrote the most sung Christmas carol "Silent Night" in 1818.

Jester Hairston, born 9 July 1901 and died in Los Angeles of natural causes on 18 January 2000. Hairston wrote the song "Mary's Boy Child" in 1956.

James Pierpont, born 25 April 1822 and died in Florida on August 5 1893. Pierpont wrote "Jingle Bells" in 1857.

Irving Berlin, born 11 May 1888 in Russia and died in New York 22 September 1989. Berlin wrote "White Christmas" in 1940.

Fred Jay, born 27 July 1914 in Austria and died 27 March 1988 in Connecticut.

Friedrich Jacobson, his birth name wrote the lyrics "When A Child Is Born" in 1974 to the original melody, "Soleado" composed by Italian Ciro Dammicco in 1972.