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Half-eaten cookie found inside 1529 manuscript

When it comes to marking a book page, we all have our habits. Some fold the page corner back lightly, others use fancy bookmarks or ribbon to save their spot. All reasonable methods to choose from, but someone had other ideas—food. Recently, a librarian found a 1529 manuscript with a half-eaten cookie stuffed between two pages. The strange situation went viral when Cambridge University Library Special Collections tweeted a photo of the cookie stuffed inside the book, a copy of St. Augustine dating back to 1592. The library tweeted a photo of the scene with this gentle reminder for guests: Today’s unexpected discovery in a 1529 volume of Augustine. For future reference, we have acid free paper to mark your place. Please don’t use baked goods.” The cookie appears to be chocolate chip, but it’s believed to have happened about 50 years ago, according to The Vintage News, and before…

Hard boiled eggs in an Instant Pot

If you’ve struggled making hard boiled eggs before, you’re not alone. The runny whites, the greenish yolk rings, the cracked shells—we’ve all been there. But stress no more! Instant pot hard boiled eggs are quick, simple, flawless, and fool-proof! Seriously. They will cook perfectly every single time. Take this recipe and turn them into devilishly delicious deviled eggs or creamy Healthy Avocado Egg salad. Or if it’s spring, dye them with this super cool speckled rice effect, tie-dye, or galaxy swirl effects. A few tips first: Directions are for a 6 quart Instant Pot. If you’re using one smaller or larger, your times may need adjusted. Also, times listed are for large eggs. Medium eggs should reduce times by 1 minute. Start with refrigerated eggs for best results. How to Hard Boil Eggs in an Instant Pot Step 1: Prepare an ice bath and set aside. This will stop eggs…

The difference between baking soda and baking powder

They’re both powdery. They’re both white. They’re both used in baking. So what’s the difference between baking soda and baking powder? And how do you remember which is which? Both baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents, which are used to make tasty baked goods to rise. They bring the carbon dioxide air bubbles to your bread and the height to your stack of Saturday pancakes. While the two substances look similar in color and texture, their chemical compositions and how they interact with other ingredients differ. Let’s dig in. What is Baking soda? Baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate) is a base that reacts whenever it is combined with liquid and an acid. Baking soda itself is not acidic, but when combined with an an acid, like buttermilk, lemon juice, or yogurt, it releases carbon dioxide air bubbles. Without baking soda, cookies and cakes would be…

Every bit of exercise counts toward a longer life, even taking the stairs

Good news for busy people everywhere. A new study reported that every little bit of activity you get in can add up to a longer, healthier life — not just when you do it in half hour or more increments. While advice for the past 30 years as has usually told us to get at least 10 minutes at a time, the latest research from Duke University School of Medicine shows that it doesn’t really matter how you get it, as long as you do. No matter the length of segments people got their exercise, those who moved more were less likely to die over the next six to seven years that those who were less active. Guidelines typically recommend that people get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise every week, or about 30 minutes, five times a week. But while, the 10-minute-at-a-time bench mark was widely accepted, it…

Tropi-kale pineapple kale smoothie

Start your morning with a healthy dose of dark, leafy greens masked behind a delicious smoothie that tastes like the tropics. The secret to hiding kale is pineapple. Ripe, juicy pineapple perfectly balances out any bitter kale taste. Even if you’re unsure about your tolerance for liquified kale, or swear off all things green before 11 a.m., you should still try this recipe because it doesn’t even taste like kale. That’s right. Get a crazy dose of fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K and C, protein, and more, all before you head out the door. Try this Mango Green Smoothie, too! Tropi-kale smoothie Makes 1-2 servings Ingredients 1/4 of a fresh pineapple, skinned and core removed (or 1/2 cup frozen pineapple) 4 kale leaves, stem removed 1 ripe banana, peeled 1/4 cup water (optional) 1 tbsp chia seeds Directions Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and puree on high for…

Whiskey vs. Whisky: What’s the difference?

Whiskey or whisky? You may have found yourself, at one time, doing a double take at a liquor store. Yes, if you’re a whisk(e)y fan, you may have noticed some brands are spelled with an “e” while others skip the extra vowel. But why? In short, it has to do with a particular brand’s country of origin. Generally speaking, Irish whiskeys add the extra “e.” Likewise, the United States, with its heavy Irish heritage, typically spells whiskey with the extra letter, as well. Scottish distillers prefer “whisky”—without the “e”—as do other major distillers in Canada and Japan. A few notable exceptions to this rule include American brands Maker’s Mark and George Dickel, which refrain from using the “e.” In the case of Maker’s, this omission was a nod to the brand’s founding Samuels family’s Scottish ancestry, according to Scotchwhiskey.com. Another notable exception to this rule: legal usage. The Bureau of…

What people are stockpiling during the coronavirus panic

There’s no denying that fears of a widerspread coronavirus outbreak are sweeping the nation. Despite what health experts are recommending at this time, U.S. citizens are stockpiling extra dry goods in the event they find themselves stuck at home for some amount of time. Face mask, hand sanitizer, and cases of bottled water have been flying off grocery store shelves for weeks, but what are the other most sought after items? According to Nielsen data, shelf-stable and longer-lasting foods have seen a spike in sales since late February, while fresh produce sales are noticeably lower. CNBC compared how this years product sales are comparing to last year’s sales of the sale time period. At U.S. stores, fruit snacks sales were up by nearly 13%. Dried beans were up 10%, and pretzels were up 9%. Other items like energy drinks, pet medicine, vitamin supplements, and first-aid kits also so an sales spike. Here’s…

Why you should never store canned goods in the garage

Stockpiling food and water is like a little insurance policy: Hopefully you never have to rely on it, but if you do, if could prove to be priceless. Whether it’s the threat of natural disaster or the fear of a pandemic, having a safety stash of food and water can give you a little piece of mind. However, if you’re planning to store your stockpile in the garage, you may want to reconsider. While it may be a neatly out-of-the-way option, the garage isn’t necessarily the best place to store your excess canned goods. The USDA recommends storing canned goods in a cool, dry location—and most garages fail on both accounts. Also see, Moldy Foods that are Still Safe to Eat. Damp garages can cause cans to rust rather quickly. Rusted cans can have tiny holes that will allow bacteria to enter. (If the rust is light enough that you can…

How to freeze cauliflower

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that’s great to have on-hand for soups, stir-fries, and more. It’s a low carb/keto lovers dream since it can be substituted for for pizza crust, rice, and even mashed potatoes. Cauliflower can stay fresh in the fridge for two or three weeks, but it comes in such large-sized heads, if you don’t have a large family, you might need to save some for later. Also see: How to freeze broccoli. Even if your family snacks on cauliflower all the time, the shape and size of a whole head can take up some serious space inside a smaller fridge. Putting in a bit of prep work to freeze it might help you save money, make less food waste, and have portions of cauliflower florets ready to go anytime you need them. Thawed cauliflower works best in cooked or sautéed. Since it loses a bit of firmness,…

What time does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?

Taco Bell might be a relative new-comer to the breakfast scene, but its innovative menu made it an instant hit with fast food fans. Most chains offer an all-too-similar selection of breakfast sandwiches, but Taco Bell’s 15-item breakfast menu introduced us to items like the grilled breakfast burritos, AM Crunchwraps, and a breakfast quesadilla. So what time does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast? Taco Bell starts serving items from the breakfast menu at 6 a.m. Breakfast is then served until 11 a.m.—a full half hour later than other fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King, which need that time to clear their griddle space for the lunchtime burger menu. Breakfast is available for dine-in, carry-out, or drive-thru. In addition to its original breakfast items, Taco Bell also offers staples like hash browns, coffee, iced coffee, and a variety of sauces and add-ons to customize you meal. To find a…