Friday, November 30, 2018

Man loves beans!

Once upon a time, there lived a man who had a terrible passion for baked beans. He loved them, but they always had an embarrassing and somewhat lively effect on him. One day he met a girl and fell in love. When it became apparent that they would marry, he thought to himself, she’ll never go through with the marriage with me carrying on like this, so he made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans. 

Shortly after that they were married. A few months later, on the way home from work, his car broke down and since they lived in the country, he called his wife and told her that he would be late because he had to walk. On his way home, he passed a small café and the wonderful aroma of baked beans overwhelmed him. Since he still had several miles to walk he figured he could walk off any ill effects before he got home. So he went in and ordered, and before leaving had 3 extra large helpings of baked beans. 

All the way home he putt-putted. By the time he arrived home he felt reasonably safe. His wife met him at the door and seemed somewhat excited. She exclaimed, “Darling, I have the most wonderful surprise for you for dinner tonight!” She put a blindfold on him, and led him to his chair at the head of the table and made him promise not to peek. 

At this point he was beginning to feel another one coming on. Just as his wife was about to remove the blindfold, the telephone rang. She again made him promise not to peek until she returned, and away she went to answer the phone. While she was gone, he seized the opportunity. He shifted his weight to one leg and let go. It was not only loud, but also ripe as a rotten egg. He had a hard time breathing, so he felt for his napkin and fanned the air about him.

He had just started to feel better, when another urge came on. He raised his leg and RRIIIPPPP !!! It sounded like a diesel engine revving, and smelled worse. To keep from gagging, he tried fanning his arms a while, hoping the smell would dissipate. He got another urge. This was a real blue ribbon winner, the windows shook, the dishes on the table rattled and a minute later the flowers on the table were dead. 

While keeping an ear tuned in on the conversation in the hallway, and keeping his promise of staying blindfolded, he carried on like this for the next ten minutes, farting and fanning each time with his napkin. When he heard the phone farewells he neatly laid his napkin on his lap and folded his hands on top of it.Smiling contentedly, he was the picture of innocence when his wife walked in. Apologizing for taking so long, she asked if he had peeked at the dinner table. After assuring her he had not peeked, she removed the blindfold and yelled, “SURPRISE!!!” To his shock and horror, there were twelve dinner guests seated around the table for his surprise birthday party.

Don't Make These Bacon Mistakes


Bacon! It is delicious. We can't get enough of it. And yet you may be making some sub-par bacon at home. Why, you ask, is your bacon flabby rather than perfectly crisp? Why is it a little burned on the outside, but the fat hasn't really rendered? What is up? Does the universe just hate you and not wish your bacon to be cooked properly?

No, my friend, no. Odds are that you are making one of these oh-so-common mistakes that are ruining your bacon and ruining your life. But take heart, because change is close at hand. With a few simple tricks and best practices, you too will be snacking on crispy, incredible, perfect-in-everything bacon like some kind of bacon mastermind. Here are some mistakes to watch out for that you can easily rectify.

You're Starting Your Bacon In a Hot Pan

It seems intuitive to heat your pan before adding your bacon, but it actually does all the wrong things. Adding your bacon to an already hot pan means that the fat doesn't properly render, resulting in a strip of bacon that can be undercooked and overcooked at the same time, those tell-tale strips that have burned outsides but still have flabby pockets of fat on the inside. No good! Instead, put your bacon in a cold pan and warm the whole thing over medium heat, ensuring that the fat renders and the bacon gets to your preferred level of crispiness.

You're Overcrowding the Pan

I understand: Once you start thinking about bacon, you want as much bacon as possible as soon as possible. But! But. Adding too many strips to the pan means that none of them will cook properly. In fact, it means that your bacon will steam instead of fry. While steamed bacon is an interesting concept, it's probably not what you're going for on your average Saturday, so avoid the whole situation by cooking your bacon in batches. It's worth the wait, promise. 

You're Using a Pan In the First Place

OK, this one isn't a mistake as much as a suggestion. You know that you can cook bacon in the oven, right? It's true! It's much less messy and way easier to make sure every strip cooks evenly. You just put those strips spaced out onto a sheet pan, throw the sheet pan in the oven at about 400 degrees, and keep an eye on it for your desired doneness. Easier than trying to avoid grease spatters and juggling a bunch of pans on the stovetop, right?

You're Using Too Much Salt

Whether or not you should salt your bacon is a personal preference. But remember that bacon on its own is plenty salty, so if you want to add salt to your bacon, do it carefully, nothing is worse than a slice of bacon that's perfectly cooked but way, way, over-seasoned. It's a sad, sad day. 

You're Throwing Away Your Bacon Fat

You know not to throw bacon grease down the drain, right? Right. But you can also keep the bacon grease and cook all kinds of delicious things in it eggs, potatoes, vegetables, whatever you want. That stuff is liquid gold! Don't toss it. Recycle it. 

Thursday, November 29, 2018

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Burger King’s Whopper


It predates the Big Mac
By more than ten years, as a matter of fact! While McDonald's and Burger King have both been around since the 1950s, Mickey D's didn't introduce the Big Mac until 1968. The Whopper, meanwhile, debuted in 1957, when co-founder Jim McLamore noticed that a rival burger joint was having success with an extra-large burger. He chose the name 'Whopper' as one that would automatically conjure thoughts of something big.

Its original price was 37 cents
Ah, how times have changed. When the Whopper first debuted in the 1950s, it would only set you back 37 cents, Today, you'll get one for an average of $4.19. In 2012, though, the price did drop back down to 55 cents. Well, sort of, it was a buy-one-get-one deal, in celebration of the burger's 55th anniversary.

Whopper or Big Mac?
This seems to be the primary question that American burger aficionados are most inclined to argue about, simply because they're the most popular burgers at their respective franchises. But in actuality, it's really not comparing apples to apples. The Whopper, with its quarter-pound patty, is actually much more similar to a 1997 addition to the McDonald's menu, the Big N' Tasty. Meanwhile, Burger King introduced a burger with two patties called 'the Big King,' also in 1997. Despite those not-so-veiled attempts to recreate the competition's signature sandwich, the primary rivalry between the Whopper and the Mac remains. 

There was an 'Angry' version at one point
In 2009, Burger King released a limited-edition burger called the 'Angry Whopper.'In addition to all of the usual Whopper components, this burger also had spicy crispy onions, pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and a 'spicy angry sauce.' Some consumers, though, thought that it wasn't spicy enough to merit the 'angry' descriptor. But that didn't stop BK from releasing a follow-up in 2016, the 'Angriest Burger,' with a red-tinged, hot sauce-infused bun.

The Whopper Jr. was a happy accident
In 1963, Luis Arenas-Pérez was opening up a Burger King restaurant in the Puerto Rico municipality of Carolina. Pérez discovered that the shipment of molds for the Whopper buns from the United States hadn't arrived in time for the grand opening. So he decided to improvise, using the regular-size buns and calling the creation the 'Whopper Jr.' The name and the product stuck, and Pérez's quick thinking and lasting impact on the company earned him a spot in the Burger King Hall of Fame.

It temporarily couldn't call itself a 'Whopper' in one U.S. city
The Burger King franchise ran into a little trouble when it first tried to expand into the San Antonio, Texas, area. A totally separate, unaffiliated chain called 'Whopper Burger' held all rights to the name 'Whopper' in that area. And this copyright snag actually successfully kept the King out of San Antonio for several years for the most part, temporarily, a BK open in San Antonio, but it couldn't drop the W-bomb in any of its advertising. It had to call its famous burger the 'Deluxe,' and it didn't last very long. The dispute was resolved in 1983, when the widow of Whopper Burger's owner sold the franchise to Pillsbury, who also owned Burger King at the time

There was once a Halloween version with a black bun
If you're saying, 'Wait, wasn't it green?' you're clearly still addled by Burger King's bizarre introduction of a green-tinted 'Nightmare King' burger for Halloween 2018. But that wasn't the chain's first strangely-colored Halloween special, nor was it actually a Whopper. The first oddly-colored burger that Burger King introduced, at least to its American customers, came in 2015 with its 'A1 Halloween Whopper,' a special edition that used A1 Steak Sauce to spook-ify the bun. 

It encouraged 'unfriending' sprees
In a marketing scheme rivaling the strangeness of multicolored burger buns, Burger King once promised Facebook users free burgers, at the cost of a few friends. This promotion advertised a new Facebook app with the eyebrow raising title, 'Whopper Sacrifice.' The app would provide you with a coupon for a free Whopper for every ten Facebook friends you deleted. However, Burger King pulled the program after Facebook demanded a tweak to the most controversial aspect, a notification sent to the unfriended users, telling them that their online friendship had been traded for a burger. (Or, more accurately, a tenth of a burger!) Before the end of the campaign, though, The New York Times estimates that nearly 234,000 people had been 'unfriended.

It helped Ellen DeGeneres break into comedy
Stars, they're just like us! But 20-something Ellen DeGeneres wasn't actually a star yet when she took the stage for her first-ever comedy performance at a fundraiser with friends. Her buddies had been urging her to try performing, and so she nervously obliged, taking the Whopper, shake, and fries she'd purchased onstage with her. She told 'Oprah's Master Class' that her first performance wasn't much of a routine 'People enjoyed me eating onstage and not talking,' but someone in that audience invited her to perform at a nearby university campus. After that, she continued to get bigger and bigger gigs, making a name for herself as a comedian. 

Say cheese!
If you're a Cheese head living near Green Bay, Wisconsin, you're one of the lucky few who will have the chance to try out the latest variation on the Whopper. Starting on November 25, 2018, six different Wisconsin locations will be selling a Green Bay Whopper that contains a *whopping* eight slices of American cheese. The Green Bay Whopper will be available until December 2. 

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

12 things you didn't know about Lay's potato chips


Lay's potato chips are incredibly popular and make up  over a fourth of the US's potato chip market.  
The  popular chip was first sold in 1932 and in 1965 the brand added their popular barbeque flavor.  
The company holds a contest allowing anyone to submit ideas for chip flavors - whoever submits the best flavor can win $1 million.  

Whether you call them  Walkers, Smith's, Chipsy, or  Sabritas, you've probably dug into a bag of what's called in the US, Lay's potato chips. Available in dozens of flavors, the chips have been satisfying salty snack cravings for over 75 years. 

Although you may be familiar with the taste of Lay's, you may not know much about its history. Snack lovers, behold: Here are 12 things you probably didn't know about the popular chips. 

Lay's chips were first sold from the back of a car.

2. After acquiring a potato chip company in 1932, founder Herman W. Lay first sold his chips in Nashville, Tennessee. Later, he would go on to drive across the Southern US, selling the snack out of the  back of his Model A. 

3. Lay's invented region-specific flavors for different parts of the US.

During a campaign called "Tastes of America," Lay's released eight flavors resembling popular region-specific foods like New England Lobster Roll in the Northeast and Cajun Spice near the Gulf. 

4. The flavors also vary from country to country.

Depending on where you are in the world, Lay's flavors will change to reflect  popular cultural foods and tastes in different countries. In Egypt, snackers can buy Chili and Lemon Lay's; in India, they sell flavors like Magic Masala. 

5. There are over 160 varieties of Lay's chips.

Lay's constantly mixes up their flavor lineup with about  164 varieties created to date. The chips range from common flavors like Salt and Vinegar and Barbecue to more unusual ones like Cappuccino, Vegetable Soup, and Beer N' Brats. 

6. The first flavored Lay's chips were Barbeque.

Lay's only sold classic salted chips until the  introduction of Barbeque flavored chips in 1965, followed by Sour Cream and Onion

7. Four to five potatoes go into each bag of Lay's chips.

Lay's buys their potatoes from farms across 25 different states. After being shipped to the manufacturing centers,  four to five medium potatoes get cut and fried to make each bag of chips, 

8. Lay's controls over a fourth of the potato chip market.

In 2017, Lay's  controlled 29.4% of the potato chip market in the United States, according to Statista. Their top products generated approximately $1.7 billion dollars ins sales that year. 

9. Lay's offers a million bucks for great new flavor ideas.

Every year, Lay's holds a  contest to find the next great chip flavor, offering a $1 million prize to whoever submits the best new recipe. In previous years, the contest brought the world flavors like Wasabi Ginger, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and Southern Biscuits and Gravy. 

10. Lay's head chef once owned a sushi bar.

Chef Jody Denton, head chef of the Frito-Lay Flavor Kitchen, once owned both a Mediterranean bistro and a Japanese izakaya and sushi bar before joining Lay's in 2007. 

11. Lay's chips were the first snack food with televised commercials.

In  1944, Lay's became one of the first ever snack food to advertise their products on television. 

12. The Cowardly Lion was the first Lay's spokesperson.

Bert Lahr, best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, was Lay's first celebrity spokesperson. He appeared in a number of Lay's advertisements and commercials during the 1960s in the popular "Betcha can't eat just one" campaign. 

You've Achieved True Happiness When You Can Say This 1 Thing


The most powerful measure of happiness is linked closely to both integrity and emotional intelligence.

Emotions are fickle things. And sometimes, even when we feel an emotion strongly, we wonder to ourselves what the limits are, if it's possible to feel it even stronger. So even as you sit in enormous joy, there can be a nagging question burning in the back of your brain: Am I really happy, or am I fooling myself? Is there even more I could get out of this life?

We know that, despite the idea that things would be amazing if you just had millions of bucks, material wealth is a horrible indicator of happiness levels. So looking at your stuff or the number for your bank account isn't going to tell you if you've reached your best.

The single best indicator that your life is on track and that you've reached real happiness is that you're doing what you would do even if nobody were looking.

We care a ridiculous amount about what others think of us, because we crave connection and inclusion. That's natural. It's just part of being human, of being a social creature. But happiness can be defined as the feeling you get when your desires match your actions. And day after day, most of us allow others to mess that up. We behave based on social norms and expectations more than we do based on our genuine wants, needs and opinions. We pretend, pretend, pretend, sending out the image we believe others want to see. And at the end of the day, we're tired.

It's pretty exhausting to hide who you are.

When you do what you would do even if no one were looking, though, you bring your desires and behaviors into agreement again. The internal conflict is gone. You don't have deep regrets or a paralyzing fear of trying or learning something new, because you're no longer listening to the judgmental, critical voices that tell you that you should have taken another path or that you can't. You know that you are accountable to yourself and that the consequences of your decisions are yours. 

But let's take this even a little deeper. Look one more time at the measure of happiness above. Now consider the definition of integrity, which is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. So in a sense, integrity is simply happiness with a moral compass. The more integrity you have in your life and business, the closer happiness is. That's incredibly important to remember, because people still try to promote the idea that, to be successful, you have to sacrifice some ethics. To be successful and joyful, you have to keep them.

But if the measure of happiness is doing what we'd do even if nobody were looking, what do we need to take that action? What's required for us to be that authentic with our behavior?

The most critical thing you need is emotional intelligence. This doesn't mean you have to be practically an empath or get every cue from others right. It just means that you try to pay attention to what you feel and why, and that you can express and control those feelings. It's basic self-awareness. Without that basic understanding of yourself, it's much easier to let others direct you and tell you what to do.

Part of emotional intelligence is awareness of others, too, though. You need that to do what you want with support instead of conflict, and to truly understand the influence your behaviors are going to have in the world. So don't make the mistake of thinking that happiness means you steamroll or don't consider others anymore. It simply means that your behaviors are internally motivated rather than totally externally directed.

Now, life isn't perfect. It's messy, and you'll have rough days. But just because you feel sad or frustrated for a while doesn't mean disaster has hit or that overall you don't have a happy life. See the big picture and know that every emotion serves a purpose for you. If you can do that and choose to spend your mental energy on the most positive things around you, you've nailed it. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Undergoing surgery with COPD is risky

Kidney stones

Is Anesthesia Safe When You Have COPD?

The combination of COPD and anesthesia may carry a significant risk. Long-term survival rates for people with severe COPD who have surgery is often poor. There is also a significant risk of postoperative complications, especially within the lungs. But does this mean that COPD patients should never have surgery?

Possible Complications

Undergoing surgery with COPD is risky, but what exactly could happen? What, specifically, are those risks?
  • Lung infections such as pneumonia
  • Sepsis (a "whole body" infection that is very serious)
  • Pneumothorax (a collapsed lung)
  • Respiratory failure
  • Poor wound healing
  • Inability to wean off of mechanical ventilation - For general surgery, a tube is placed into your airway to provide ventilation. A significant concern with lung disease is that the additional stress of surgery on the lungs will make you "ventilator-dependent" even if you were previously breathing OK without assistance.
  • Hypoxia - Tissue damage and cell death due to inadequate oxygenation to the body, including the brain.
  • Blood clots and pulmonary emboli are very common in people with COPD, especially if surgery requires that you be inactive for some time.
  • Cardiac arrest
All COPD patients are at greater risk for developing complications after surgery that involves anesthesia. Active management during each phase of surgical intervention is essential for ensuring an uncomplicated recovery.

If your about to have Lithotripsy procedure for kidney stones

What is Lithotripsy?: Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the kidney, bladder, or ureter (tube that carries urine from your kidneys to your bladder). After the procedure, the tiny pieces of stones pass out of your body in your urine.

For a normal person who has no COPD

Is a lithotripsy painful?
Lithotripsy takes about 45 minutes to an hour to perform. You'll likely be given some form of anesthesia (local, regional, or general) so you don't experience any pain. After the procedure, stone debris is removed from your kidneys or ureter, the tube leading from your kidney to your bladder, through urination.

How is a lithotripsy performed?
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) is the most common treatment for kidney stones in the U.S. Shock waves from outside the body are targeted at a kidney stone causing the stone to fragment. The stones are broken into tiny pieces. lt is sometimes called ESWL: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

What are the side effects of a lithotripsy?
Risks and side effects. People often experience bruising and soreness after lithotripsy. A fever or chill may indicate an infection, so a person should speak to a doctor. If stone fragments get stuck, there may be a blockage in the ureter.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Korean Fish Egg Stew


This fish egg soup is not spicy, like traditional fish egg soup in Korea, so it is perfect for children, or those who have a fear of the spice factor, but love Korean food.  It's simple make, with the most difficult thing going to be finding the seasoned pollack roe.  A good Korean supermarket will definitely have it as well as some Japanese and Korean markets as well.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil (Kadoya is a reputable brand)
4 green onions, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoons of Korean red chili powder.   This is optional if you like kick - 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder is mildly spicy.
4 cups of water, or plain unseasoned beef stock (Korean style - if you make your own beef broth)
6 oz seasoned pollack roe (available at your local Korean market)
14 oz pack of medium firm tofu, cut into cubes
Crushed toasted sesame seeds

Direction
In a saucepan, over medium heat, add sesame oil, green onion, garlic, and Korean red chili powder.  Cook until garlic is fragrant, but not brown.  Add water or broth.  Bring to a boil.  Add pollack roe.  Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then add tofu.  Continue cooking until tofu is warmed through, about 3 minutes.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Serving Suggests
Serve with steamed rice.

Korean Hot Spicy Fish Roe Soup


Ingredients:

2 Garlic, chopped

3-4 Fish roe

70g Daikon

50g Tofu, cut into small cubes

1 Spring Onion, cut into diagonal

Mungbeans

1/2 Dashi

1 Tbsp Red Pepper Powder

1 1/2 Tbsp Sunchang Gochujang (Hot Pepper Paste)

1/2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

Method: 

Put garlic and 1 Tablespoon of oil in a clay pot and cook until fragrant
Add 2 cups of water and bring to boil

Add tofu, Daikon, Dashi and cook for couple of minutes

Add Red pepper powder, Hot pepper paste and soy sauce to taste and cook for 10 minutes

Once the daikon is cooked, add fish roe and cook for another couple of minutes

Add mung beans and spring onion and serve with steamed rice

Note: you can add couple drops of sesame seed oil for flavour

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Pork Belly Cracklings


For those times when you are in the mood to gorge but don’t have the time to cook a feast, I’ve got the snack for you. I used to only have crackling at Christmas, once the ham had finished cooking but it wasn’t yet time to have the family dinner, we would cut off some of the skin off the ham sprinkle it with salt and blast it in the oven. I remember the first time I ever had it, on one hand it felt like I was going to break my teeth and they’d fall out of my head because it was SO crunchy, but then the salty sweetness was addictive that I kept going for more.

If you’ve ever had the tasteless bags of pork skin from your local convenience store please do not use them as a reference for this recipe. I don’t recommend that this recipe become one of your regulars but I do think you should pull it out once in a while for a different kind of treat.

YIELD 6 to 8 snack servings
TIME 1 hour

INGREDIENTS
FOR THE PORK
2  pounds fatty, boneless pork belly with skin
3  quarts peanut oil
1 ½  teaspoons kosher salt

FOR THE SPICE MIX
¼  teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼  teaspoon paprika
⅛  teaspoon white pepper
⅛  teaspoon black pepper
¾  teaspoon chili powder
⅛  teaspoon garlic powder

PREPARATION
FOR THE PORK
  1. Using a utility knife, razor blade or sharp knife, score skin into 1 1/2-inch squares, then use score marks as guides to cut through meat and fat underneath, resulting in 1 1/2-inch cubes.
  2. Pour oil into a pot deep enough that top of oil is at least 6 inches from rim; place over medium-high heat. When oil reaches 225 degrees on a deep-fat frying thermometer, add pork cubes and immediately stir gently to prevent clumping. Cook pork until it is lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, combine spices in a small bowl.
  3. Reheat oil to 400 or 425 degrees and add pork again. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or until skin “cracks” or bubbles up. Remove cubes to a plate lined with fresh paper towels. After a minute put cracklings in a bowl, toss with spice mix and kosher salt, and serve.

Roast pork with crackling

Preparation time
less than 30 mins
Cooking time
over 2 hour
Serves 8

Ingredients
  1. 2.25kg/5lb loin of pork, bottom bone removed, top bone left in
  2. 1 small onion, peeled
  3. 1 tbsp plain flour
  4. 275ml/10fl oz dry cider
  5. 275ml/10fl oz vegetable stock (or potato water)
  6. sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 240C/Fan 220C/Gas 9.

  1. While the oven is preheating, score the skin of the pork. It will be scored already, but it's always best to add a few more lines. To do this you can use the point of a very sharp paring knife, or Stanley knife, or you can now even buy a special scalpel from a good quality kitchen shop! What you need to do is score the skin all over into thin strips, bringing the blade of the knife about halfway through the fat beneath the skin.
  2. Now place the pork in a tin, skin-side up, halve the onion and wedge the two pieces in slightly underneath the meat. Now take about 1 tablespoon of crushed salt crystals and sprinkle it evenly over the skin, pressing it in as much as you can.
  3. Place the pork on a high shelf in the oven and roast it for 25 minutes. Turn the heat down to 190C/Fan 170C/Gas 5, and calculate the total cooking time, allowing 35 minutes to the pound, then deduct the initial 25 minutes cooking time. In this case it would be a further 2½ hours.
  4. There's no need to baste pork as there is enough fat to keep the meat moist. The way to tell if the meat is cooked is to insert a skewer in the thickest part and the juices that run out should be absolutely clear without any trace of pinkness.
  5. When the pork is cooked remove it from the oven and give it at least 30 minutes resting time before carving. While that is happening, tilt the tin and spoon all the fat off, leaving only the juces. The onion will probably be black and charred, which gives the gravy a lovely rich colour. Leave the onion in, then place the roasting tin over direct heat, turned to low, sprinkle in the flour and quickly work it into the juices with a wooden spoon.
  6. Now turn the heat up to medium and gradually add the cider and the stock, this time using a balloon whisk until it comes up to simmering point and you have a smooth rich gravy. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then discard the onion and pour the gravy into a warmed serving jug. Serve the pork carved in slices, giving everyone some crackling.

Friday, November 16, 2018

The Superpower You Would Have, Based On Your Zodiac

Aries
Aries - Super Strength
People born under Aries are bundles of energy and enthusiasm. They are people that want to leave a mark on this world with their feats, doing things that no one dared to imagine. An Aries wants to do it all themselves through brute determination and Super Strength is the power for this.

Taurus
Taurus – Object Creation
Object creation isn’t necessarily the first power think of but it really kills two birds with one stone for this superficial zodiac. Taurus is a sign that values stability and convenience, so the ability to spawn whatever they desire in the comfort of their home is ideal. You could have all the diamonds you could ever dream of, quite literally!

Gemini
Gemini – Telepathy
Gemini’s thing is getting to know people and sharing ideas with them. Already masters of communication, this extroverted zodiac is adept at making people open up. With telepathy, however, a Gemini would be able to learn about the parts of people that they struggle to talk about. It's a power which would certainly help them on an emotional level.

Cancer
Cancer – Invisibility
Cancer is one of the most caring signs but this is a power that will only serve them. While their emotional sensitivity is one of their traits which makes them such compassionate people, it also a large factor in why they’re one of the most insecure signs. Invisibility gives them the ability to hide when they feel low, but it equally gives them a way of spying  during their moods and bouts of envy.

Leo
Leo – Cloning
Another unorthodox superpower perhaps, but this an ability that works well with the Leo personality. This highly loyal zodiac often has a small close-knit circle but Leos often struggle to know who to trust. As natural born leaders, what seems more appealing than creating your own empire of trusted followers … Probably cloning yourself, right?

Virgo
Virgo – Force Fields
The idea that all Virgos are very critical is one of those exaggerated zodiac stereotypes, but there is certainly some truth to the idea that they prefer working alone and uninterrupted. A force field blocking sound and touch is ideal for their issue of having to reluctantly entertain people and ideas that they don’t really care about.

Libra
Libra – Time Travel
A fan favorite choice, Libra’s most apt superpower would have to be time travel. People born under this constellation are typically concerned with justice and equality, so the ability to move through time would give them the chance to try and right some wrongs in history. Take care though, we don’t know what the butterfly effect will be.

Scorpio
Scorpio – Mind Control
This one shouldn’t come as too much of a shock for anyone, especially if you’re a Scorpio yourself. While it’s a symptom of their passionate natures, Scorpios are one of the most possessive zodiacs there are. Mind control not only gives them the information they want, but also ensure their love is requited. The most manipulative zodiac controlling minds is a scary thought, though!

Sagittarius
Sagittarius – Teleportation
As such an independent sign that continually seeks freedom, it’s only right that their power allows them move freely through space. Logistics, responsibilities and money typically limits their ability to travel and enjoy what this earth has to offer. Teleportation sorts out all these issues … in an instant.

Capricorn
Capricorn – Stopping Time
The Capricorn personality is renowned for their self-discipline and dedication, making them typically a successful zodiac. However, a common criticism is that this sign is all work and no play, often leading to neglecting other areas of life. Stopping time would give them the time to work to their heart’s content without missing out on any other areas of life.

Aquarius
Aquarius – Clairvoyance
Known as the progressives of the horoscope, Aquarius are the people that are looking to revolutionize society. Already possessing great intuition about future events, Aquarius is one of the few courageous zodiacs brave enough to see the future and shape it accordingly. With this power, this could be how your zodiac changes the world.

Pisces
Pisces – Healing Powers
Always thinking about the condition of others, even when they are suffering themselves, healing powers make the most sense for Pisces. This isn’t exactly the proudest zodiac, so many Pisces would be more than happy to take a power which benefits the world rather than just themselves.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Spotted dick and custard recipe

Preparation time
less than 30 mins
Cooking time
1 to 2 hours
Serves 6

Ingredients

For the spotted dick
  1. 300g/10oz plain flour
  2. 10g/2 tsp baking powder
  3. 150g/5oz shredded suet
  4. 75g/3oz caster sugar
  5. 110g/4oz currants
  6. 1 lemon, zest only
  7. 200ml/7fl oz milk
  8. butter, for greasing
For the custard
  1. 200ml/7fl oz milk
  2. 200ml/7fl oz double cream
  3. 6 free-range egg yolks
  4. 75g/3oz caster sugar
Directions:
  1. For the spotted dick, place the flour, baking powder, shredded suet, caster sugar, currants and lemon zest into a bowl and mix to combine.
  2. Add the milk and stir to make a soft dough.
  3. Grease a pudding basin with butter and spoon the mixture into the basin. Cover with a piece of folded grease proof paper.
  4. Tie around the edge with string to secure the paper and place a damp tea towel over the top. Tie once more with string to secure the tea towel.
  5. Place the basin into a large lidded saucepan and fill the pan two-thirds of the way up with water.
  6. Cover with the lid, bring to a boil and simmer for one hour.
  7. For the custard, place the milk and cream into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
  8. Place the egg yolks and sugar into a bowl and whisk together until light and frothy.
  9. Pour the hot milk onto the eggs, a little at a time, and stir well. Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over a low heat, stirring with a wooden spatula, until just thickened.
  10. To serve, slice a wedge of spotted dick for each person and place onto each of six plates. Pour over the custard and serve at once.

The Real Difference Between Aspirin and Ibuprofen and When to Take Them


With all the drugstore options for pain relief, you might be puzzled by which one to take and when. The two over-the-counter medications that seem the most interchangeable are aspirin and ibuprofen: They’re both non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) pain relievers that have been on the market for years. But hang on, The two are similar but not interchangeable.

“Only aspirin, not ibuprofen, belongs to a group of chemically related compounds called salicylates,” Scaffidi says. “Salicylates are a group of chemicals found in nature that have been used to treat health conditions for thousands of years.” They are naturally found in foods like raisins and apricots, and are sometimes used in toothpaste.

Both aspirin and ibuprofen relieve pain by blocking prostaglandins natural hormone-like substances in the body and this minimizes pain and swelling, Scaffidi says. But that’s where the comparisons end. Here’s when it makes sense to take one over the other or when to look for a third option.


When to use aspirin

High-risk of heart attack: A daily, low-dose of aspirin could help prevent a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. That’s because aspirin reduces blood clumping and keeps blood flowing to your heart. Of course, consult with your doctor before starting daily or regular aspirin therapy. Note, anyone with an aspirin allergy or history of bleeding (more on that later) should avoid this therapy


When to use ibuprofen

Children under 12: Young people under 12 years old should use ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if they are recovering from the flu or chickenpox. Although aspirin is OK for children over 3 years old, it’s not the safest option for these symptoms and could be deadly for children under 12, That’s because aspirin increases the risk of developing a serious, often fatal condition, known as Reye’s syndrome.

If those categories don’t apply, ibuprofen over aspirin for pain relief and headaches, regardless of location, in most patients.


When to use neither

Pregnancy: pregnant women should avoid both aspirin and ibuprofen due to potential complications. So it’s best to speak with a physician before using any painkillers during pregnancy. That said, acetaminophen is the safest over the counter pain medication women can use during pregnancy. Triple check to ensure you are not taking more than the daily recommended dosage.

Bleeding disorders or hemophiliacs: Patients with any type of bleeding disorder should especially avoid low-dose aspirin since it can decrease blood clotting. While both aspirin and ibuprofen, however, can interfere with how well blood cells work to stop bleeding in the body, aspirin has a more significant impact. Anyone with a bleeding disorder taking ibuprofen should carefully monitor it, or, considering acetaminophen (Tylenol) as an alternative option.

Other cautions when taking NSAIDs

Although they aren’t the same, both aspirin and ibuprofen are in the same class and therefore shouldn’t be taken together. Doing so could increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Some doctors may prescribe alternating the drugs for additional pain relief. Others, however, might recommend pairing either aspirin or ibuprofen with acetaminophen, which can safely be taken together.

The most common misuse of aspirin is taking too high a dose, especially without food, resulting in stomach cramping and discomfort. Another common aspirin misuse is for treating frequent migraine pain. “Exceeding the recommended daily amounts, or using aspirin more than twice per week, can result in rebound headaches,”  This can also occur when using over the counter combination drugs that include caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen.

Ibuprofen, on the other hand, can be habit-forming if used too often, Another concern with ibuprofen is the increased risk of a heart attack, which one study published in the European Heart Journal found increased by 31 percent. The over-consumption of either NSAID carries the risk for digestive issues, heart attack, and bleeding issues, Be sure to consult your doctor if you need over the counter pain relievers for more than a few days.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Lifestyle Choices You Will Definitely Feel in Your Bones


You don't move enough
Our bones are alive, and the more you use them, the stronger they will be; if they don’t get used, they can become wasted. Weight-bearing exercise, even just walking, and strength training, are all important to bone health.

You love your steak
Eating too much protein can cause the kidneys to excrete more calcium which can contribute to a decrease in bone density, leading to osteoporosis. However, some studies have shown protein causes the body to absorb more calcium, which is why there is extra to get rid of. As with most everything when it comes to your health, it’s best to eat meat in moderation. 

You eat salty snacks
A study from Japan showed that postmenopausal women who had high sodium intakes were more than four times as likely to have a fracture as those with low sodium intakes. That’s because as the kidneys excrete the sodium, calcium is drained from the bloodstream. 

You shun sunlight
According to the American National Osteoporosis Foundation, adults under 50 need 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D daily and adults 50 and older need 800 to 1,000 IU. If you’re not getting enough vitamin D naturally, from the sun, supplementation can be essential. Talk to your doctor about your specific needs based on where you live, what time of year it is, and which vitamin D–rich foods you eat. 

Weight loss
Reaching a healthy weight is good, but surprisingly, losing too much weight can harm your bones. A body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 is considered a risk factor for osteoporosis. According to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, just a one unit increase in BMI (approximately five to eight pounds) decreased the risk of bone loss by 12 percent. 

You unwind with wine
Low levels of alcohol consumption may be good for your bones, according to a study from Oregon State University, but more than a couple of drinks a day has the opposite effect. Too much alcohol can also increase cortisol levels, which can lead to lower bone mineral density. Women, particularly, are at risk as alcohol can cause a decrease in estrogen levels that can lead to osteoporosis. As well, alcohol is toxic to the cells that become bone cells. 

Living with dirty air
In a study recently published in The Lancet Planetary Health, researchers crunched hospital admission data for 9.2 million Medicare participants in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic United States between 2003 and 2010. They found that even a small increase in levels of ambient particulate matter itty-bitty specks of pollutants in the air may lead to an increase in bone fractures and osteoporosis in older adults. If you live in a smoggy area, use an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter at home, avoid exercising outdoors when the air quality is bad, and get screened for osteoporosis. 

Monday, November 12, 2018

Here’s How Long It Takes Your Body to Reverse the Damage of Smoking


In case you haven’t heard, smoking is really, really bad for you. According to the Surgeon General’s Report, smoking causes one out of every four deaths from cardiovascular disease in the United States, making it the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. One recent study even found that having just one cigarette a day can significantly shorten your lifespan. In spite of that fact, the most recent statistics on smoking state that more than 15 of every 100 Americans aged 18 years or older currently smoke cigarettes, which adds up to about 37.8 million adults in the United States.

Luckily, you can reverse the effects of smoking by quitting. But, according to new research soon to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, it might take longer for your heart to bounce back than you’d think.

Researchers analyzed the lifetime smoking history of 8,700 participants of the Framingham Heart Study, and found that 70 percent of cardiovascular disease events such as stroke, heart attack, and and heart failure in current or former smokers occurred among those who had smoked a pack a day for 20 years. The results also showed that, contrary to popular belief, their risk of cardiovascular disease only decreased by 38 percent in the first five years after they quit. But how long did it take to for smokers’ heart health to return to those of non-smokers?

Sixteen years.

“These findings underscore the benefits of quitting smoking within five years, which is 38 percent lower risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other forms of cardiovascular disease risk compared to people who continue to smoke. We also found that cardiovascular disease risk remains elevated for up to 16 years for former smokers compared to people who have never smoked.” The bottom line is if you smoke, now is a very good time to quit.

Sixteen years may seem like a long time, but think of it this way. While heart attacks can happen at any age, the risk increases significantly as you get older, and the average age for a first-time heart attack is 66 for men and 70 for women. A lot of smokers who are middle-aged like to say that it’s “too late to quit,” but it’s not. Even if you’re in your 50s, you can still largely reverse the effects of smoking by the time you become most vulnerable to heart disease.

There are other, more immediate benefits to quitting as well. Within two weeks of quitting, the blood circulation in your teeth and gums are similar to that of a non-smoker, your lung function has improved, and your heart attack risk has already started to drop. Best of all, while your cravings may be intense for the first few days,  they get down to just two episodes lasting no longer than three minutes per day by the time you’re only ten days in.

So go ahead and bite the bullet!

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Sticky Rice with Mango


YIELD: Serves 6

INGREDIENTS


  • 1 1/2 cups glutinous (sweet) rice
  • 1 1/3 cups well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted lightly
  • 1 large mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into thin slices (at least 24)

PREPARATION

In a bowl wash rice well in several changes of cold water until water is clear. Soak rice in cold water to cover overnight.

Drain rice well in a sieve. Set sieve over a large deep saucepan of simmering water (sieve should not touch water) and steam rice, covered with a kitchen towel and a lid, 30 to 40 minutes, or until tender (check water level in pan occasionally, adding more water if necessary).

While rice is cooking, in a small saucepan bring 1 cup coconut milk to a boil with 1/3 cup sugar and salt, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and remove from heat. Keep mixture warm.

Transfer cooked rice to a bowl and stir in coconut-milk mixture. Let rice stand, covered, 30 minutes, or until coconut-milk mixture is absorbed. Rice may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and kept covered at room temperature.

While rice is standing, in cleaned small pan slowly boil remaining 1/3 cup coconut milk with remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Transfer sauce to a small bowl and chill until cool and thickened slightly.

To serve, mold 1/4 cup servings of sticky rice on dessert plates. Drizzle desserts with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Divide mango slices among plates.

This Is Why Dogs Wag Their Tails


There are certain behaviors every dog owner knows all too well: the way your pet splays out for belly rubs, the way they bark at the mail carrier like he or she’s your pup’s mortal enemy, and the way they bounce with excitement the second you suggest that the two of you go for a walk. But there’s one question even the biggest dog lovers still have about their canine companions: Why do dogs wag their tails? Sure, most people already know that their dog’s tail tends to wag in the presence of people both foreign and familiar, but that still begs the question why and, more importantly, what does it all mean?

Think of a dog’s tail as their communication epicenter. Just as humans frown when they’re sad and smile when they’re happy, canines employ a wide variety of different wags that they use in order to convey certain emotions.

“The primary purpose of a dog’s tail is to keep them balanced, but over time, the tail has adapted itself to be a way for dogs to communicate their emotions,” says Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. “It’s important to look at the dog’s body language as a whole, and, if you observe closely, there is actually much more you can learn by paying attention to your pup’s tail.”

Though most pet owners operate under the impression that a wagging tail is always a happy one, Bernal notes that this isn’t always the case. So, why do dogs wag their tails to one side or another? “When a dog wags their tail to the right, it is generally a sign of excitement,” the veterinarian explains. “But when they wag it to the left, it may indicate a feeling of fear.”

The phenomenon that Bernal is referring to was actually observed by researchers back in 2013 and documented in a study published in the journal Current Biology. When researchers analyzed how 43 different good boys responded to other dogs wagging their tails, they found that left-side tail wagging was associated with anxious behaviors and an increased heart rate, whereas right-side tail wagging elicited a calm and cool response.

And though wagging is a frequent form of communication for dogs, it isn’t the only thing they can do with their tails. As you might have already witnessed from your own canine, other common tail positions include horizontal and parallel to the ground an indication of curiosity and tucked in between their legs, which indicates that they’re feeling threatened and attempting to hide.

Even more so than that goofy smile that spreads across your pupper’s face when you display their favorite tennis ball or hand over a treat, if you’re ever unsure about how your dog is feeling about a certain situation, you can count on your dog’s tail to give their innermost emotions away. 

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Psychic Vampirism


A psychic vampire is a mythological creature said to feed off the "life force" of other living creatures. Psychic vampires are represented in the occult beliefs of various cultures and in fiction.

Let's face it we've probably all fallen prey to a psychic vampire, possibly without even knowing it. It may have been a chance encounter with an energy predator that left us temporarily exhausted, or possibly along-term vampire interaction with serious wear-and-tear effects on the mind and body.

Psychic vampirism is alive and flourishing in the world today. As consumers of energy rather than blood, vampires of the psychic kind exist in many guises but with one common trait, their own inadequate energy system compels them to tap into and feed upon the energies of unsuspecting host victims. The immediate results of such a one-on-one vampire encounter are anew but temporary surge of energy for the psychic vampire and a serious loss of mental and physical energy for the unsuspecting prey. If you suddenly feel emotionally or mentally depleted, you may be under attack by a psychic vampire. The unfortunate effects of prolonged energy loss are damage to the energy system itself and in some instances, serious illness.

As consumers of energy rather than blood, psychic vampires, like their folklore counterparts, can be men or women, young or old. They can be tween, teens, or adults. They can be professionals in business suits, wealthy dot. comers, dapper CEOs, ultra-groovy rock stars, or construction workers in hard hats. They can be a business associate, next door neighbor, or even family member.

Long before the popularization of folklore vampires as blood-thirsty villains who sucked life-sustaining blood from their prey, psychic vampires as energy-sucking predators were common. There's strong evidence, in fact, that vampires as consumers of energy were the trailblazers that actually inspired the legendary version of vampires as consumers of blood. An early example with clear fingerprints of psychic vampirism is the Biblical account of Delilah's cunning seduction of Samson in which she vampirized him by cutting his hair, the source of his strength. Even the Biblical version of creation in which God breathed into man the "breath (energy) of life" and then took from him a rib (of energy) to create woman illustrates the transferable nature of life-force energy. That give-and-take make-up of energy is even more dramatically illustrated in the Biblical account of the woman who, upon touching the hem of Christ's garment, was infused with energy while Christ simultaneously felt the energy leaving his body. On a very broad scale, psychic vampire themes were common in many primitive cultures that routinely used rituals to embolden and energize their warriors while simultaneously demoralizing and enfeebling (vampirizing) their enemies. Even today, military strategies often include an excessive show of force—such as shock and awe—to demoralize and dispirit (vampirize) the enemy.

Early Encounters

I first became aware of psychic vampirism through a distant relative who claimed to have discovered the secret of living forever. A world traveler, she had studied under several far eastern scholars who, she claimed, taught her how to communicate mentally, travel out-of-body, and extract life-force energy from nature, including trees, streams, and even rocks. But among her most remarkable claims was the ability to mentally extinguish fire by drawing rejuvenating energy from it.

Intrigued by her extraordinary claims of power and having seen many of them demonstrated, I began to suspect that she extracted energy not only from nature but from people as well. I finally collected the courage to ask her privately whether she drew energy from people. Placing a hand on my shoulder, she answered, "Well, of course. How else could I live forever?" Although I admit I was left wondering whether to believe her, I suspected that among her preferred energy sources were the well-developed young males who made up her household staff. She remained in excellent health and incredibly youthful in appearance until she finally crossed over during sleep at the age of 101.

Psychic Vampirism in the Laboratory

Professor of Psychology at Athens State College (now University) to lead a study investigating the human energy system. The year-long study, which was funded by the US Army Missile Research and Development Command, identified several important characteristics of that system. Of particular interest was the finding that the physical body's central energizing core and its surrounding energy field, commonly called the aura, are each influenced by the presence of others. Using aura photography along with visual observations of the aura, the study found that the auras of couples whose interactions were positive tended to complement and energize each other, with each aura becoming brighter and more expansive. Conversely, negative interactions tended to constrict the aura and actually induce a state of mental and physical fatigue. When constrictions occurred in the aura, intellectual functions became slower, short-term memory declined, and physical strength decreased by as much as 50 percent.

A later study funded by the Parapsychology Foundation of New York not only confirmed the findings of our earlier research, it showed that certain persons were highly skilled at deliberately tapping into and directly feeding upon the aura of others. By draining energy from another person's aura, these so-called psychic vampires not only deplete the aura's energy resources, they interrupt the capacity of the aura's central core to generate new energy, particularly when the interaction is prolonged. Consistent with our earlier findings, direct observations of the aura as well as aura photographs taken before and after a psychic vampire interaction showed the victim's aura becoming severely de-energized and constricted following an attack while the vampire's aura became energized and expansive. I was reminded of my aunt's claim of deliberately drawing energy from others, a claim that now seemed considerably more plausible.

My more recent studies uncovered even more vivid evidence of psychic vampirism and its effects. Both visual observations and aura photographs revealed ominous tentacle-like structures extending outward from the vampire's aura during an attack to puncture and draw energy from the victim's aura. As expected, such onslaughts dramatically expanded the invading vampire's aura but seriously dulled and constricted the host victim's aura, a condition that often lasted for days. Even more seriously, vampire puncture wounds to the aura often required weeks to heal. (As an important footnote, all observations and photographs obtained throughout our studies were with consent of informed volunteer subjects, most of whom were college students. Both observational and photographic assessments obtained during an actual psychic vampire interaction were obtained from couples who were in an on-going relationship. All participants in our vampire studies were offered counseling and provided instruction concerning the use of appropriate intervention and protection techniques.)

Although the human energy system is indestructible, it is literally the soul of our being its capacity to generate the energy required for daily living can become severely impaired. Long-term, continuous psychic vampire attacks can have devastating consequences that reach far beyond damage to the energy system. Like the host victims of their blood-sucking counterparts, victims of recurring psychic vampire assaults can become dare I say psychic vampires themselves in a desperate effort to replenish their lost supply of energy.

Protection Techniques

Fortunately, highly effective strategies are now available to prevent a psychic vampire attack, or once it's underway, to promptly end it. These laboratory tested strategies can also promote healing and repair damage to the energy system resulting from long-term vampire assaults. They can even be used effectively by psychic vampires provided they are motivated to overcome their energy addiction.

One of the most effective protection procedures known is the Finger Interlock Technique. Developed in our labs, this technique is easy to implement, and its effects are instant. To begin this technique, simply bring together the tips of your thumb and middle finger of each hand to form two circles. Then, bring your hands together to form interlocking circles while envisioning your body enveloped in a bright sphere of impenetrable energy. Finally, relax your hands and simply affirm, "I am now energized and fully protected." This simple, inconspicuous technique requires only seconds and can be used almost any time or place. With practice, you can use the finger interlock gesture alone as a cue to instantly activate the effects of the full procedure.

A former student who found herself under a psychic vampire attack during a job interview used the Finger Interlock Technique to instantly end the attack and gain control of the interview process. She was offered the position at a salary that far exceeded her expectations. She attributes her successful interview to the simple Finger Interlock Technique.

Aside from its effectiveness as a psychic vampire protection procedure, the Finger Interlock Technique has many other useful applications. Overcoming stage fight, improving memory, and promoting positive social interactions are all within its scope. You can use the technique to induce instant relaxation during important examinations, public presentations, and conferences, to list but a few of its many applications. A former student, now a practicing attorney, attributes his admission to law school largely to his use of the technique during the entrance exam. The technique, here ported, effectively reduced his stress level and stimulated his recall of important information. Because the technique is so inconspicuous and easily executed, it has become popular among public figures including actors, politicians, performing artists, and TV personalities. If you observe their hands, you will notice many of them using the simple finger interlock gesture.

At a personal level, I've found the quartz crystal to be unsurpassed in its capacity to protect against psychic vampirism. For that purpose, I recommend the Crystal Protection Procedure because of its capacity to erect an outer protective shield around oneself that renders any vampire attack harmless.Once the crystal is appropriately programmed and then kept in close proximity to the physical body, the protective shield remains in place to provide constant protection. The procedure is particularly effective in protecting against prolonged exposure, such as when a psychic vampire may be living or working right alongside you.

For this procedure, you can use a crystal already in your possession, or you can select a fresh one from an assortment. When selecting a crystal from an assortment, first state your goal of complete protection from psychic vampirism, and then slowly pass your hand, palm side down, across the assortment. Select the crystal that seems to stand out from the others, and while holding it, note your interaction with it. If the crystal does not seem appropriate for your stated goal, repeat the process until you find a receptive crystal. Not infrequently, the crystal in an assortment that first commanded your attention is ideal for your present use.

Once you've selected a crystal, deprogram it by briefly holding it under cool running water and then letting it air dry on a towel. To install the new program, simply hold the crystal in your hand, and while gently stroking it, invite it in your own words to be your empowerment partner by working with you to neutralize and defeat psychic vampirism in whatever its form. To save the program, simply say, "Please stay."

The Finger Interlock Technique and the Crystal Protection Procedure can be used separately or together to provide constant protection from psychic vampirism. Everyone can benefit from the use of these procedures. I use them regularly and make it a practice to teach them to my students and patients because of their effectiveness in promoting a sense of security and well-being by erecting an impenetrable sphere that envelops the full aura. You can view this interesting phenomenon called the halo effect around your own aura by first holding your hand, palm side outward, at arm's length, and then while viewing your hand against a neutral background, slowly expanding your peripheral vision. Finally, let your eyes fall slightly out of focus, and you will see the aura around your hand as a colorful glow surrounded by an outer halo of bright energy. (As a footnote, this technique can be easily adapted to view the aura of another person.

Many Faces and Unsuspecting Guises

As already noted, psychic vampirism comes in a variety of unsuspecting guises. We see it all to commonly between individuals as one-on-one vampirism, but feeding on the energies of another person is only one of its many forms. For instance, anyone who exploits a lover, spreads malicious rumors, ruins a reputation, or betrays a trusted friend is a psychic vampire.

On a much broader scale, psychic vampirism can occur in a vicious, collective form as sometimes seen among organizations that feed on prejudice and hate, or corporations that blatantly vampirize their employees through deception and greed. Narcotics trafficking, organized crime, and so-called "ethnic cleansing" along with discrimination based on age, race, gender, or sexual orientation are examples of collective psychic vampirism on an alarming scale. In its most widespread collective form, psychic vampirism can exist at a global level. Reckless pollution of the environment, irresponsible disregard for endangered species, and exploitation of the globe's natural resources are examples of global vampirism that affects everyone and literally puts the future of the planet at risk.

Finally, it may seem hand to fathom, but psychic vampirism can occur in a self-contained, parasitic form that turns inward to feed upon oneself. In that internal form, the person ironically becomes both vampire and victim. Examples are such flagrant consumers of our energies as phobias, obsessions, and compulsions that can hover over us like monsters waiting to devour us.