Benefits of Starving a Man

I heard on NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me" yesterday that hungry men tend to be attracted to more voluptuous women. Researchers think that it has to do with primitive instincts; in places where food is scarce, a man would want to find a woman with the best chance of survival.

This may explain why American men often prefer super skinny women - we're in the Land of Plenty. There are not too many truly starving men around.

But it's not too hard to distract an American guy away from food for a while... just to see what happens... ;)

(an analysis of the study from the BBC is here)

Benefits of Coffee!

As I have gotten older, I have developed a little bit of a coffee addiction. :) I just can't stay awake like I used to! Plus, since I got used to the taste, all it takes is one whiff of a brewing pot and I am a goner...

I know that there can be a lot of issues with drinking coffee - caffeine addiction, teeth stains, etc - but today, since I had to wake up at 7am, I want to focus on the health benefits of a good old cup of joe.

Coffee can...

1. reduce your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, gallstones, cirrhosis, and colon, breast, skin, and liver cancers!

2. relieve headaches!

3. lower your risk of cavities!

4. contribute to your sense of well-being and happiness!

5. relieve muscle soreness!

6. clean out your liver!

7. decrease your chance of dying from heart disease!

8. help prevent memory loss!

(I added the exclamation points because that's how I say my sentences after drinking coffee!)

Many of these benefits come from coffee's high level of caffeine (which is about twice that of cola). But coffee also contains antioxidants (six times more than bananas), which we all know are vital to good health!

Of course, coffee is best consumed in moderation (probably less than 4 cups a day), and without a lot of cream and sugar. But I'll happily take what I can get!

Drink on, coffee lovers!

(from WebMD, Reader's Digest, and EcoSalon)

Buffalo Wings

No teasing me for the first factoid, I really did just learn it. :)

I have always wondered how "buffalo wings" got their name. Don't worry, I didn't have any Jessica-Simpson-esque reasoning for it ("I don't want buffalo wings because I don't eat buffalo"), but I figured that the sauces and spices may have originally been used on buffalo meat or something.

Nope, buffalo wings got their name because they were first prepared like that in Buffalo, NY. Sometimes questions have the simplest answers!

Understandably, residents of Buffalo typically just call them "wings" or "chicken wings". Most food phenomena that is created in a particular place is referred by that place afterwards. For example, someone from Detroit invented what Michiganders now call a "coney island style hot dog" (it's a hot dog on a bun, topped with chili, onions, and mustard). The East Coast calls them "Michigans" instead. :)

While we're on the topic of chicken dishes, ever wonder how "chicken a la king" got its name? I can't find a definitive answer, actually, but what I can tell you is that it likely originated in some restaurant on the East Coast around the turn of the 20th century. It's rumored to be named after someone with the last name King or Keene, who possibly was the inventor, a harsh food critic, or a beloved family member of the chef.

So I suppose we'll all still have to wonder about that one for how!

Autumny Allergy

The other day, I felt like I was experiencing seasonal allergies for the first time. I mentioned it to a friend who chuckled, thinking I was joking. She asked, "Allergies in the fall? Are there things even growing now?"

Oh yes. Yes there are.

Since then I have experienced my fair of sneezing and swollen passages, and what feels like an insatiable itch in my runny nose. In case you're like me and suspect that you've just developed fall allergies, here's what they could be caused by:

1. Ragweed (which can travel hundreds of miles by wind)

2. Mold Spores (which thrive in cold damp environments)

3. Dust Mites (which can get stirred up when you turn on your furnace)

4. Pollen (which plants can release from March until October)

Also, maybe you think you're getting something like the swine flu because you are feeling a bit stuffy these days. It may actually be allergies. The symptoms typically include:

1. Runny nose (check!)

2. Watery eyes

3. Sneezing (check!)

4. Coughing

5. Itchy eyes and nose (check check!)

6. Dark circles under the eyes (always check!)

If you're feeling bogged down by allergies this season, try these tips:

1. Take an OTC antihistamine or a decongestant.

2. Stay indoors during peak allergy hours (morning for pollen, afternoon for mold).

3. Use a humidifier in your home.

4. Get your ducts cleaned.

5. Use a HEPA filter in your furnace to trap airborne allergens.

6. Wear a dust mask when raking leaves or mowing the lawn.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

(thanks WebMD)

A Little Toilet History

Believe it or not, the basic mechanisms of the modern "flushing toilet" were invented in 1596 by Sir John Harington, and was called the Ajax. Sir John installed one in the palace of Elizabeth I of England, but it's rumored that she did not like using it because it was too loud.

A variety of designers and inventors tweaked the design for the next 300ish years before plumbing companies like Thomas Crapper's really popularized the technology and flushing toilets started appearing more in private homes.

It makes one wonder why took so long for flushing toilets to become a household staple. I mean, I know it was probably due to some cost or mass production issue, but I feel like I would have made it a priority! :)

Onto the obvious questions:

1. Did the nickname "john" for a toilet come from Sir John Harington?

Not that I can see. Toilets (flushing or non) began being called "johns" in the mid-1800s, probably because, at that time, some people referred to outhouses as "johnny houses". I don't imagine these people had access to the full history of the toilet to know who Sir John even was!

2. Well, did the nickname "crapper" for a toilet come from Thomas Crapper?

No, says snopes.com. The word "crap" actually originated around 1845, which was about 35 years before TC went into the toilet industry. Maybe his name inspired his profession?