SOLUTIONDOWN

CRUEL AND UNUSUAL LUNCH: outrageous loafs, constitutional standards, and a heck of a lot of intestinal trauma

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:16:50 -0400

CRUEL AND UNUSUAL LUNCH: outrageous loafs, constitutional standards, and a heck of a lot of intestinal trauma:

Does service of a meal that consists of a colorful brick-like lump of pureed vegetables, raisins, meats and various unknown ingredients constitute cruel and unusual punishment? The answer is now a definite “maybe.”

(follow the link for the rest of the article)

http://solutiondown.com/2012/04/03/avian-flu-i-voted-against-it-before-i-voted-for-it/

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 06:50:12 -0400

http://solutiondown.com/2012/04/03/avian-flu-i-voted-against-it-before-i-voted-for-it/:

Other governments may have reached a terrifying conclusion, but the United States has continued to place an emphasis on the protection of the public…. at least until several days ago. At that time, the U.S National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity reversed its position and declared that the studies should be fully and openly published in scientific journals. Dr. Paul Keim, the acting Chairman of the committee, explained that it changed its recommendation because it now believes that the experiments were not as dangerous as originally believed and that the benefits are greater than originally perceived. Not surprisingly, the editors of Science and Nature immediately declared that they would publish the research as soon as possible…

(follow the link for the remainder of the article)

PINK SLIME: state governors promote the nutritional value of ammonia-washed processed beef filling

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 07:42:00 -0400

PINK SLIME: state governors promote the nutritional value of ammonia-washed processed beef filling:

State budgetary crises seem to be a remnant of the past and local governments are apparently no longer associated with inefficiencies and waste. Obviously, our political heroes have already determined the best means of developing local communities, successfully created jobs and reduced unemployment, significantly improved local schools, addressed childhood obesity and crafted an intricate plan to pay for the rising costs of health care. They’ve served their constituents, overcome the challenges and are now bravely seeking a new campaign.

So, no longer content to merely revel in their success, local government leaders are now promoting the consumption of lean finely textured beef, thereby touting the benefits of “pink slime” and discouraging further public outcry against the widespread use of the filler….

(follow the link to read the entire article)

PINK SLIME: grassroots crusades, corporate campaigns and an insatiable appetite for knowledge

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:31:07 -0400

PINK SLIME: grassroots crusades, corporate campaigns and an insatiable appetite for knowledge:

Mr. Zirnstein is a microbiologist who previously worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, and he is largely credited with coining the term “pink slime.” The phrase refers to a beef filler known as boneless lean beef trimmings or lean finely textured beef, which consists of fatty beef scraps and connective tissue that are removed from parts of cows that are exposed to significant amounts of feces and are highly susceptible to contamination. The scraps need to be treated with ammonia hydroxide to remove pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli before being heated and spun in a centrifuge to isolate protein and remove fat. The concoction is thereby transformed into a gelatinous mass that almost radiates a shiny hue of pepto-bismol pink, which is used as a filler in commercial and retail meat products….

… For what’s it’s worth, I’m pretty sure that the campaign fails to address the heart of the issue by blaming the outrage exclusively on public disgust about the health risks associated with eating a visually unattractive beef filler. I don’t really think that this is the case, because many Americans already choose to consume highly processed food made from the most disgusting scraps of animals – even though they realize that eating the highly processed food may well adversely affect their health. As a culture, society has already accepted the risks associated the consumption of these products, and campaigning against this issue is almost akin to rallying against a straw man argument.

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Human ingenuity combines with corporate marketing to create a better breadstick

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:59:14 -0400

Human ingenuity combines with corporate marketing to create a better breadstick:

Domino’s Pizza has launched a national marketing campaign that has absolutely nothing to do with pizza. Enter the wonderful world of Domino’s Parmesan Bread Bites, the latest offering that is the subject of a brand spankin’ new commercial that’s part of the latest corporate advertising campaign.

The commercials feature Brian Edler, a franchise owner in Findlay, Ohio. He’s been a rising star in the industry for some time, first receiving national attention when he set a world record by baking 206 medium cheese pizzas in one hour. His pizza-powers are the stuff of legends, as he served as Captain of the U.S. Pizza Team, competed at the World Pizza Championship in Italy and won the Fastest Dough title at the annual World Pizza Games.

Well, Franchisee Brian is back in the news. He apparently designed the Parmesean Bread Bites by deciding to cut a breadstick into four separate and distinct bite-sized pieces and sell the product to consumers…

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http://solutiondown.com/2012/03/24/peanuts-and-cracker-jacks-baseball-weighs-in-with-an-eight-pound-burger-a-two-foot-hotdog-and-a-three-pound-pretzel/

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:26:00 -0400

http://solutiondown.com/2012/03/24/peanuts-and-cracker-jacks-baseball-weighs-in-with-an-eight-pound-burger-a-two-foot-hotdog-and-a-three-pound-pretzel/:

Nolan Ryan, the competitive owner of the Texas Rangers, is obviously not impressed with the StrausBurger. Earlier this week, his team introduced the Champion Dog, a 2 foot hotdog served on a virtual loaf of bread that weighs in at around a pound. The monstrosity is complimented by sauteed onions, shredded cheese, chili, jalapenos, and, of course, a side order of french fries. As you can tell from this picture, it’s about as big as a baseball bat.

Steve Peterson, President of Classic Foods, the producer of the meat used in the Champion Dog, was obviously excited. When referring to the surreal combination of meat trimmings, fat, flavorings and preservatives, he claimed that it was “the next ka-pow.” I’m still not sure if he was referring to the hot dog, the 2,000 to 3,000 calories contained in the meal, or its $26 price tag….

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: a conspiracy of researchers, stationary bikes and little white lies

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 07:50:59 -0400

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: a conspiracy of researchers, stationary bikes and little white lies:

Walt Disney once said, “I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.”

Well, weekend warriors and gym rats may be able to learn a thing or two from the creator of the goofy little mouse with red shorts. Scientific research is now exploring the relationship between competition and athletic performance, and recent studies support the conclusion that people perform at greater levels when competing against an opponent.

For example, Professor Kevin Thompson, the Head of Sports and Exercise Science for Northumbria University, recently examined the effects of competition by….

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LINKS, WORLD WATER DAY EDITION

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:11:27 -0400

LINKS, WORLD WATER DAY EDITION:

Today is World Water Day, and today’s event explores the relationship between the availability of water and world hunger. Earlier, we discussed it in an article, WORLD WATER DAY: A far more meaningful cause than National Oatmeal Cookie Day.

If you’re interested in World Water Day and recent discussions of world hunger, you may want to check out a few other articles…

(follow the link to read the remainder of the article)

WORLD WATER DAY: A far more meaningful cause than National Oatmeal Cookie Day

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:40:26 -0400

WORLD WATER DAY: A far more meaningful cause than National Oatmeal Cookie Day

The National Pastime: Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and… an EIGHT POUND hamburger?

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:17:11 -0400

The National Pastime: Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and… an EIGHT POUND hamburger?:

(excerpt) The lanky phenom has a new claim to fame: the organization is now cleverly marketing a hamburger dubbed ” the StrasBurger” as a homage to the pitcher. The burger is sold at the Red Porch Restaurant, located in the Center Field Plaza of Nationals Park. It almost makes too much sense: hungry fans can eat a Strasburger while watching Strasburg.

So far so good… except… the StrasBurger weighs in at EIGHT POUNDS…

(follow the link for the remainder of the article)

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council responds to claims that “Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer.”

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:31:42 -0400

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council responds to claims that “Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer.”:

…

Well, the council is steamin’ mad at a group of physicians and medical professionals. The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group of more than 125,000 health care professionals and others, has launched a campaign to warn consumers about the risks associated with the consumption of processed meats, which have been associated with colon and other cancers.

The group placed roadside billboards that poignantly describe the dangers associated with the consumption of hot dogs and processed meats. The most recognized billboard is located along the Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago, Illinois, and it claims that “Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer.” Similar billboards have also been placed in Miami, Florida and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Yep. The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council is miffed. Queen Riley described the sign as “misleading,” “outrageous” and “alarmist.” J. Patrick Boyle, the President of the American Meat Institute, argued that…

(follow the link for the full article)

Feed a cold, starve a fever and use heroin to treat drug addicts

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:49:34 -0400

Feed a cold, starve a fever and use heroin to treat drug addicts:

Question: What is the most efficient means of treating a patient suffering from an addiction to heroin?

Answer: Medical professionals should administer regular doses of heroin to the patient.

Wait. What?

(follow the link to read the remainder of the article)

solutiondown.com

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:48:41 -0400

solutiondown.com

A Chicken McNugget Worth Its Weight In Gold: The $8100 Happy Meal

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:12:17 -0400

A Chicken McNugget Worth Its Weight In Gold: The $8100 Happy Meal:

… [a]pparently, there’s a way to profit from the meal. Rebekah Speight recently taught the world that a three year old Chicken McNugget resembling George Washington can fetch over $8000 on E*bay.

(click on the link to read the rest of the post)

PINK SLIME, THE SEQUEL: beef scraps and connective tissue, ammonia hydroxide and the national school lunch program

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:32:39 -0400

PINK SLIME, THE SEQUEL: beef scraps and connective tissue, ammonia hydroxide and the national school lunch program:

The media provided fairly extensive coverage of the fast food industry’s use of “pink slime.” The obnoxious substance consists of fatty beef scraps and connective tissue that are treated with ammonia hydroxide to remove pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. The concoction is put in a centrifuge to isolate those parts that contain protein, which transforms the scraps into a gelatinous substance that bears a striking resemblance to a certain anti-diarrhea medication.

Once the process is complete, it is used as a filler for commercial ground beef used by fast food restaurants and sold by grocery stores. Gerald Zirnstein, formerly employed as a scientist with the United States Department of Agriculture, claims that around 70 percent of the ground beef sold at supermarkets contains the pink slime…

(follow the link to read the rest of the article)

BREATHABLE CAFFEINE: stimulating products, an ivy league professor and a federal investigation

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:08:03 -0500

BREATHABLE CAFFEINE: stimulating products, an ivy league professor and a federal investigation:

(click on the link for the full article)

… [t]he market is continuing to expand beyond specialty coffee, energy shots and energy drinks, and I quickly learned to never underestimate the creativity of a dedicated entrepreneur armed with a unique idea. I therefore won’t be underestimating David Edwards, a professor at Harvard University in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He’s the proverbial new kid on the block, and he wants to revolutionize the industry.

Mr. Edwards contributed to the formation of Breathable Foods, Inc. The company is now selling AeroShot Energy, which is often described as breathable caffeine. The product is sold as a small gray cylindrical device that contains a fine powder. Users Consumers simply need to remove its yellow cap and inhale the powder to receive a mix of caffeine, vitamins and other ingredients. Each AeroShot Energy supposedly contains the same amount of caffeine as a large cup of coffee.

That’s right: according to Mr. Edwards, percolation is passe….

Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and… the Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bar?

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:04:45 -0500

Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and… the Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bar?:

Later this year, the troops will be promoting the Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bar, which appears to be the offspring of a chance encounter between a Nestle Crunch candy bar and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. These creations are now being described as “dark chocolate cookie wafers and mint chocolate creme, topped with airy crispies.” Josh Ackley, a media relations contact and spokesperson for the organization, could barely contain his excitement:

(click on the link to read the rest)

LOST IN THE SHUFFLE: deadly birds, succulent swine and a heaping helping of high fructose corn syrup

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:19:27 -0500

LOST IN THE SHUFFLE: deadly birds, succulent swine and a heaping helping of high fructose corn syrup:

Barack Obama, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and the election of a president. John Bryson, Tim Geithner and the state of the national economy. John Roberts, Ruth Ginsburg and civil rights and liberties. Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin and the continued fascination with athletic drama.

Yeah… I’m starting to realize that the issues described in this blog will always take a backseat to the mainstream media’s coverage of more important and pressing subjects. It happens. I get it. But what the heck – consider this posting an update on a few newsy issues may somehow become lost in the shuffle of the daily cycle.

Earlier this month, we posted an article that described a few strange facts about the surprisingly relationship between candy and a handful of professional athletes. The article also discussed a new nutritional initiative by Mars, Inc., to reduce the caloric value of its candy to less than 250 calories per serving.

That’s a good thing, right? Not so fast…

(click on the link to read more)

EXTREME SPORTS: have unusual diets, candy bars and sugary nuggets of bliss resulted in record-breaking success?

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:20:43 -0500

EXTREME SPORTS: have unusual diets, candy bars and sugary nuggets of bliss resulted in record-breaking success?:

You’d think that Herschel would have adhered to a restrictive diet complimented by enough supplements to make the average person radiate a glowing hue of chartreuse. Not so. In fact, at one point while he was steamrolling through the collegiate ranks, he ate nothing but candy bars. Herschel recently described how Snickers, being packed with peanuts and other junk, really satisfies…

(…)

Still, there’s more to the story. When he was a teenager, Herschel adopted a mostly vegetarian diet and began eating only one meal a day. The diet has remained consistent, and his single daily meal now mainly consists of bread and soup or a salad. That’s it…

(click on the link to read the remainder of the post)

DOOMSDAY DECISION: could the end of a moratorium lead to the beginning of a pandemic?

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:13:33 -0500

DOOMSDAY DECISION: could the end of a moratorium lead to the beginning of a pandemic?:

Earlier this year, researchers from Erasmus Medical College in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and the University of Wisconsin – Madison created a new highly contagious and fatal strain of the H5N1 bird flu…

Keiji Fukuda, the Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment for the World Health Organization, has scheduled a meeting to proactively address the upcoming issues. The meeting is set to commence today…