The Amazing Health Benefits Of Eating a Pickle a Day According To a New Study
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Pickle lovers everywhere can rejoice and dive deep into a jar of the yummy, salty, sour tasting cucumbers because it turns out that they’re better for us than previously thought! It’s not only pickles that do a body good, but all fermented foods and drinks can boost our health. So the next time you get a craving for something crisp and salty, snack on a few pickles and improve your social life in the process.
You’re probably wondering exactly how can a pickle make my life better and the explanation to that end can be found in a number of relatively new studies that have come out in recent years. In one study, completed by researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, hard evidence was found that the bacteria living in our digestive systems is directly linked to our brain chemistry and behavior. That means the trillions of bacteria in our guts can have a noticeable effect on our mental health and wellness.
Furthermore, researchers at the College of William and Mary found that young adults who ate a diet rich in fermented foods, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, other pickled veggies, kefir, kombucha and more, experienced lower levels of social anxiety than those who did not eat fermented foods. According to Matthew Hilimire, an assistant professor in the department of psychology who co-authored the William and Mary study, the fermented foods had an “anxiolytic effect” on subjects, which in layman’s terms means that they reduced anxiety.
The findings of these two studies can be linked because fermented foods are a major source of probiotics, which help stimulate the growth of healthy, beneficial bacteria in our intestines. That means pickles and other types of fermented foods can work wonders at balancing the bacteria found in our digestive systems. In turn, this can have a profound impact on our overall mood and state of mind because we now know that our gut health is essential to our overall mental health and wellness.
The brain-gut link boils down to this basic premise; a healthy stomach and brain leads to mood stability and therefore less anxiety, depression, and irritability. By simply eating more fermented foods you can positively boost your mental health and improve your social life. You’re less likely to feel so shy, self-conscious, embarrassed, or anxious around others, and that can only be a good thing.
The research into fermented foods is ongoing and scientists are looking at alternative ways to help treat anxiety disorders by ways other than medication. Perhaps in the future we will pop a pickle instead of a pill and that’s awesome!
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Apparently I’ve Been Peeling Oranges Wrong My Entire Life. This Is So Good To Know.
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Peeling an orange should be an easy task to do, at least that’s what we all have assumed at some point in our citrus eating lives! However, the sad truth is that most of us have no clue what we’re doing and end up making a big, sticky mess in the process. It turns out that there is a much better way to peel an orange than going in blind. So if you have ever struggled through attempts at peeling one open, you need to see this video.
The accompanying clip shows you exactly how to properly go about peeling a ripe, juicy, delicious orange without making a mess. The method is everything you’d want it to be; quick, easy, efficient, simple. All that you really need is a sharp knife and in less than sixty seconds you’ll be done. This technique will also reduce the chances of getting orange juice sprayed in your eyes, which is always a painful experience that no one ever enjoys.
Here is the best way to peel an orange without making a sticky mess. First, place the orange securely on a flat surface so it sits length-wise. Take a sharp knife and carefully cut off both ends of the orange. Next, make a slit down through the middle, but only cut to the center and then stop. This is key to this trick and you want to still have one piece that’s all in-tact, so don’t cut all the way through the orange!
Now grasp the orange at each side of the slit you just made and pull down sideways to split it neatly open. It should unfold to reveal the delicious inner fruit pieces and now you can remove any seeds or the white part, which is called the pith of the orange, if you don’t like how that tastes. What you’re left with are chunks of orange that you can easily peel off the rind and eat, so chow down and enjoy the fruits of your labor without making a mess!
The next time you reach for an orange be sure to try this technique and definitely check out the video to see how it’s properly done because once you see it, it’ll stick with you forever.
Watch the video below to see how it’s done:
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No One Believed Him When He Described His Morning Ritual With His Strange Friend So They Caught This
Out of the millions of different animal species in this world, the young boy in this video ended up befriending a gentle creature whose identity you’d probably never guess! The amazing footage shows the moment that he went to visit with his buddy and as you can see, it turns out that his special friend is none other than a giant manta ray!
The accompanying clip was captured off the coast of northwestern Africa on Spain’s Canary Islands. The beautiful subtropical archipelago happens to be a gathering place for marine life and it’s where many different types of stingray species can often be found. Groups of rays and schools of fish are a very common sight in the surrounding waters, which makes them very popular for diving, snorkeling, and sightseeing activities.
However, you don’t have to even enter the water to catch an up close and personal glimpse of the ocean life because one of the main spots that the large rays tend to frequent is near a set of stone steps that descend right into the ocean! The stairs happen to be the place where local fishermen toss back any unwanted fish and so the area has become known as a harbor hot spot. Many different types of sea creatures looking for an easy bite to eat stop by the place in hopes of finding a tasty treat to snack on. That makes it, in a sense, kind of like a fast food drive-through for fish, or a swim-through.
On this particular day the young boy in a white top and red shorts had gone to the steps to feed and play with his lovable manta ray friend. The huge fish swam right up to where the kid was standing and greeted him as affectionately as a giant manta ray possibly could! It hovered near the surface, very close to the boy, while he gently pet the top of its head and not once did it make any move that could be perceived as threatening or questionable.
In fact, the creature was very calm and looked to be accustomed to the boy, so much so that it even ate the food he generously offered right out of his hands. That’s quite impressive and shows a certain level of trust and familiarity that can only develop with time. At one moment in the clip the boy splashed the surface of the water and seconds later the ray came in super close. The big fish ended up resting part of its cartilaginous body on the bottom step and flapped about, as if it was trying to move in even closer to the young boy. The whole scene looked just like how someone would call their dog over and who knows, perhaps this boy has taught his giant ray friend some cool pet tricks!
As unbelievable and odd as this pairing may initially seem to be, stingrays are actually quite friendly and curious creatures. They are intelligent and will only attack or sting when they are either defending themselves or something suddenly scares them, both of which are totally normal reactions by our human standards. And while stingrays come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, the largest species of them all are called manta rays. They can grow to be over 20 feet wide and weigh close to three-thousand pounds!
Generally speaking, stingrays are rarely aggressive. Many species of them do have a poisonous stinger filled with venom that, as mentioned above, is only used in self-defense when the ray feels threatened. In terms of stingray attacks on humans, they most often occur when people inadvertently step on one in shallow water. A helpful tip to avoid this ever happening to you is to walk with a shuffling step by sliding your feet through the sand whenever you’re wading in shallow ocean water where stingrays are known to live. This gives them a heads up to your presence and will likely scatter them away so that you don’t end up stepping on one.
Overall, fatal stingray attacks on humans are exceedingly rare. Typically a person will accidentally step on one, get a painful sting on their foot or lower leg, and make a full recover shortly thereafter. However, after the tragic death of wildlife expert Steve Irwin in 2006 the marine creatures were rocketed to the forefront of public discussion. Many people were shocked and saddened by his untimely passing and completely unaware of the risks that the seemingly gentle, harmless looking rays posed. However, any reputation of them being perceived as especially dangerous after this incident is wholly undeserved and records back this up. In Australian waters stingrays have only been attributed to three known deaths since 1938, including Steve Irwin, and all 3 victims were stabbed either directly in the heart or very close to it. To put it in perspective, it’s much more dangerous to encounter jellyfish, sharks, saltwater crocodiles, sea snakes, and other different types of poisonous fish in the ocean than a stingray.
When you watch the interaction in the video just think how cool and neat this would be if it happened to you. While most people would probably be, at the very least, slightly freaked out by such a giant fish swimming right up to them, this kid loves it and knows he is safe. In the end, nature always finds a way to surprise us and make us smile, and this young boy and his stingray friend will do just that!
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The Simplest Way To Never Get Poison Ivy Again. This Is Such an Awesome Life Hack.
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From an early age we are taught that certain things need to be avoided in life, and poison ivy should always be at the top of the list of plants to stay far away from. Anyone who spends a lot of time enjoying the great outdoors, whether they’re hiking, working, playing, gardening, or the like, needs to be aware of what poison ivy plants look like. That way when they spot it they can give it a wide berth and avoid the painful, itchy rashes that it can cause.
The terrible rashes caused by poison ivy are never a laughing matter. At a minimum they are itchy and uncomfortable but some people suffer severe reactions and develop blisters that can leave scars or even worse. Tolerance for poison ivy varies from one person to the next, some of us may never experience a reaction to it while others break out without even coming into direct contact with the plant.
The nasty rashes are specifically caused by urushiol, an oily chemical resin that is found in the plant’s stems and leaves. Anything that comes into contact with urushiol picks it up and this is why the rash has the potential to spread so easily. Many times people don’t need to actually touch the plant because other items do, and so when you touch them the oil gets transferred to your skin. For example, if you drive over poison ivy the oil gets on your car tires, then if you touch the tires it gets on your hands and skin, and from there whatever else you touch may end up with urushiol oil on it. Other than tires, the most common items that get contaminated are things like rakes, gardening tools, chainsaws, shoes, and clothing.
While the best way to prevent a poison ivy rash is to avoid the plant in the first place, that’s obviously not always possible! If and when you ever come into contact with it down the line, you need to know this simple trick that can save you a lot of pain and suffering. The information that scientist and wildlife enthusiast Jim Brauker covers will help to minimize the risks and cut down on the odds of you developing the dreaded rash. As you can see in the video, he is actually holding the plant with his bare hands which means there is definitely urushiol all over them. However, he won’t get a rash because he knows the secret to stopping the toxic oil in its tracks!
According to Mr. Brauker, as soon as you know or even suspect that you have come into contact with poison ivy you need to wash the area thoroughly within 2-8 hours of exposure. The sooner you get the oil off, the better, and only use cold water, soap, and a clean washcloth when scrubbing it from your skin.
Using a washcloth is what’s most important here because it gives you the friction that is needed to really scrub, lift, and pick up all the oil off your skin. Without a washcloth or something similar to it, such as a loofah or towel, you can’t effectively remove all the urushiol. Using just your hands and soap only serves to spread the oil around and traces of it will still be left no matter how thoroughly you think you’ve cleaned the area. It doesn’t matter what type of soap you use, anything on hand will work fine. However, only use cold water and never wash with hot water because it opens pores up, which helps allow urushiol into your skin. After thoroughly scrubbing and rinsing the contaminated area, pat it dry with a fresh clean towel and continue to monitor it for any changes, just in case.
Here are some helpful sayings that provide more details on how to identify poison ivy plants. You’ve likely heard of these before, but one may be new and it’s always good to refresh your memory:
“Leaves of three, let them be. Leaves of five, let them thrive.” The first part of this old rhyme helps you to remember how to identify a poison ivy plant. The second half helps to prevent other vine-type plants that look similar to poison ivy from being wrongly associated or confused with it.
“Longer middle stem, don’t touch them.” Out of the three total leaves on a poison ivy plant, the middle one will have the longest stem.
“Hairy vine, no friend of mine.” The vines will have lots of tiny little ‘hairs’ that help it stick to things as it climbs. This is good to know since the leaves die and fall off in the fall/winter, but the stems, roots, and vines can still all give you a rash because they too contain urushiol oil.
Finally, there are other things to look for which include; glossy leaves with either smooth or toothed edges, and in late summer the plants (sometimes, not always) grow white berry clusters.
Please pass these tips on to all of the hikers, gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and other people you know who are likely to run into poison ivy and help them stay safe this summer!
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This Man Drops a Bunch Of Tomatoes In a Pot of Soil. A Week and Half Later Awesome.
People have a renewed interest in gardening and many are opting to grow their own fresh food at home. The reason is simple for many, instead of buying the markedly expensive organic products that are pesticide-free from the store, they’re choosing to shop locally and plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs right in their own back yard.
Between the ever increasing cost of food, consumer awareness, and health and safety concerns, it makes sense to plant your own garden. It’s the only way you can be sure and know exactly how the food you’re feeding your family was grown. Equally as important is the fact that the best way to enjoy any fruit or veggie is freshly picked right off the vine!
Even if you don’t have a green thumb or the know-how, there’s still hope! The simple method covered in this video from The Wannabe Homesteader channel on YouTube goes over a novel way to start tomato seedlings. It will cost you nothing and requires zero plant or gardening experience whatsoever.
The two minute clip titled “The Easiest Way To Grow Tomato Seedlings” is not misleading in any way, shape, or form. All you need is a pot full of dirt and a few tomato slices. That’s it! You can simply take old pieces of tomato that you bought at the store, plant them, and re-grow a bunch of tomato plants all over again. The types of tomatoes that work best for this trick are heirloom tomatoes that have been grown organically or ones that you know come from a garden. Here’s what to do:
1) Cut a ripe or over-ripe tomato into ¼ inch thick slices.
2) Place them in the dirt evenly spaced apart.
3) Cover the slices with a thin layer of potting soil.
4) Water regularly as needed.
About a week or so after you plant the slices there will be a bunch of tiny little seedlings that have sprouted up. Take the larger ones and re-plant them in a new pot, you only want a couple in each container. After they’ve grown a bit more take the bigger ones out again and plant them in their own pot. Now you have the sturdiest, strongest tomato plants that will yield the plumpest, juiciest, and most delicious tomatoes you’ve ever tasted!
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Rare Super Moon In Virgo: Prepare For a Huge Energy Shift On February 19 2019
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This month a rare Super Full Snow Moon in Virgo will rise in the sky on the evening of Tuesday February 19th, ushering in a cosmic shift in energy which will end up affecting everyone on the planet. This super moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year! It will be the largest because the moon’s orbit will bring it closest to the earth. As the full moon makes it approach to earth you can use this change in vibration to your advantage and bring about some positive change to your life. But first, here’s what a super moon means in terms of science.
A super moon is when the moon’s orbit brings it to the one point that is closest to Earth and this also coincides with either a new or full moon. Because this February super moon happens to be a full one that is occurring when it reaches its closest approach to Earth all month and year, it will appear super-sized and much larger than its usual size. According to NASA, when the moon is so close to us “Its looming proximity makes the moon appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter in the sky than an apogee full moon.” (the term apogee is when the moon is furthest from Earth in its orbit)
Astrologically speaking, the February Super Moon will occur when the moon is in the first degree of Virgo. This brings about a very active, free, enthusiastic, and selfless type of energy. As such, all of the selfless and adventurous vibrations associated with Virgo will be brought to the forefront and this creates a lively burst of energy. If you harness the super moon shift and embrace it in a positive light, then good changes will come your way!
Virgo is known for a number of strong qualities and characteristics, by tapping into them and harnessing their power, you can get the most of out of the super moon shift! Below is an overview of all the basic and best things this full moon in Virgo has to offer:
It’s a time to heal – Whether your wounds are physical, mental, conscious, or unconscious, now is the time to focus on healing them. When you concentrate and do everything in your power to get better and stronger, you can free yourself from all the pain and suffering that’s draining you.
It’s an opportunity to move onward and up in our lives. Many of us will come across exciting new opportunities which weren’t even possible, let alone available to us, before the shift. If there’s anything that’s still out of whack, fix it asap so you can continue moving forward with nothing holding you back.
It’s the perfect time to act. With the moon being in Virgo, the sign’s physical and nurturing traits will be highly valuable for getting things done. Need to get moving on a project or finish something that you’ve been putting off or procrastinated over for seemingly ever? Get moving and get it done, you’ll have the energy and drive to do it all now!
Break free of toxic people in your life. The relationships that are hurting you or holding you back need to be re-assessed. If you find that someone is not worth the time, effort, and stress, cut the cord and distance yourself from them. Stop letting people walk all over you and instead of following bad examples, be a leader and set good ones!
Be conscious and aware of your ego. Don’t let your own sense of self-importance or entitlement get the best of you. With the moon being in Virgo it is crucial that you don’t get caught up in your ego. Instead, stay grounded and everything will go smoothly.
Overall, the shift in energy accompanying the February Super Moon will be Overwhelmingly Positive. If you relax and go with the flow you can better connect with this energy and it will lead to great things happening in your life, so get ready to welcome it!
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Mama Confronts Her Guilty Dog About The Missing Tater Tots. Now Watch How He Reveals The Evidence.
A good tasty snack, or really any type of food in general, seems to always be on a dogs mind! Our loyal companions can’t seem to get enough when it comes to eating and they’re always looking for their next treat. Anyone who shares their home with a dog knows to keep food secured and away from their pets because once they get a delicious smelling whiff of something they’ll go to great lengths to get at it! The pup featured in the video below takes this to a whole new level.
Out of all the yummy snacks in the world, it’s tater tots that this dog finds to be absolutely irresistible! The crispy toasted potato rounds proved too much for him to ignore and his overwhelming desire to snag a few of them is what led to him getting busted by his owner. The adorable dog is named Chase and as soon as his owner let her guard down and her tater tots unattended, he made his move. While he meant to take just a couple, like one or two, the deliciousness simply overwhelmed him and he ended up stuffing as many as he could into his mouth! However, before he could chew them all up and swallow it down, his mom came into the room.
He couldn’t really do much at this point with the tater tots crammed in his mouth, so Chase simply turned away from her to avoid any uncomfortable eye contact. Avoiding her gaze proved to be his downfall because she could see a very suspicious looking lump in his mouth and noticed the bulge right away. He looked more like a big goofy chipmunk than an innocent dog!
Naturally she asked him what he had in his mouth and after getting no response she tried a different approach, kindness, and told him how much of a good boy he was. That was enough to make Chase feel guilty about what he’d done and so he decided to fess up and return the tater tots to their rightful owner. Plus, he realized he’d been caught red handed and really had no choice at this point other than to spit out the food.
Much to the surprise of his mother, when he opened his mouth a whole bunch of the yummy potato bites spilled out onto the floor in front of him! She counted a total of nine tater tots and all of them were still in tact, they had not even been chewed. Poor Chase, he took way too many and all those potatoes must have been drying out his mouth, making it nearly impossible for him to eat and swallow them down in time!
Thankfully for Chase, his mom found it amusing and had a great sense of humor towards the whole situation. In the end, this is definitely a case of biting off more than one can chew! If you are having a bad day this video is sure to brighten it up!
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Daddy Finally Captures His Baby and Cat’s Funny Morning Ritual
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Babies love to babble. The random streams of adorable noises that they make are them practicing how to make different sounds. To adults, it all sounds like unintelligible gibberish and whatever a child may be trying to say is anyone’s guess. The same goes for our pets, especially cats and all the meows, purrs, growls, and other cute noises they make!
Even though grown ups are all but in the dark when it comes to understanding what their infant kids and pets are trying to say, perhaps fur babies and human babies can communicate on some other level. The idea may be a little strange, but when you see this video it will make a lot more sense.
In the clip a baby girl and the family cat are having a little chit chat. According to the girl’s father, a YouTube user named Lenny, the pair are always holding their own weird little types of full length conversations. Every morning the two babble happily back and forth with one another, just like how you can see and hear in the video!
Lenny’s daughter and the tabby cat are so into their adorable conversation as they go back and forth that it’s like they’re in their own world. The most surprising thing about it all is that the kitty appears to truly understand what the little girl is saying and vice versa. It’s as if the cat is talking back to her and responding in kind with meow meows.
Maybe they really are engaged in an intelligent conversation. Plus, the cat doesn’t try to stop or put an end to the chat after a couple of seconds. Rather than walk off, the tabby sticks around and stays close by the little girls side. It even follows her around and continues talking with her.
Check out the happy pair to see just how well they communicate with each other. Their adorable conversation is the cutest thing that any parent could hope to see in the morning. If you love cats, babies, and all the joyful chirps and noisy gibberish that comes out of their mouths, then this clip is for you!
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