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The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

Burgers that include insects blended with meat can be a tasty way to eat healthier, help the environment, and still get high levels of protein. (Photo by Charoen Krung Photography on Shutterstock) =============================================================== Two billion people regularly feast on bugs around the world. Is it time for the rest of us to adapt our diets? In A Nutshell * Researchers are testing burgers that blend insect protein with meat or plants. * Lab studies suggest up to 25% meat replacement is possible without losing taste. * Insects offer protein with lower land, water, and emissions than livestock. * Consumer acceptance,...

Recent research suggests fermented kimchi may improve key markers like blood sugar and blood pressure, hinting at unexpected health benefits hidden within this traditional Korean food. Credit: Stock Research shows that eating fermented kimchi can help improve fasting glucose, lower triglycerides, and reduce high blood pressure. Researchers at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) conducted a review examining the health effects of kimchi, a traditional Korean dish that has seen rising popularity worldwide. Kimchi is typically prepared from fermented cabbage and radish, seasoned with salt, chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Although it was once relatively uncommon in...

"President Trump's presence in the UK is a multi-layered operation with one ultimate goal: to demonstrate conclusively that the old Atlanticist order is dead, and a new, America-First-aligned structure has taken its place. This is theater, but it's theater with a decisive, real-world objective....." "So, in laymen's terms what you need to do is Forget the handshakes and the photo-ops. This is a victory lap and an occupation. Trump is in the UK to formally accept the surrender of the British political class and to plant the flag of his movement on the soil of America's oldest ally. He is...

NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY National Cheeseburger Day on September 18 honors America's favorite sandwich with a slice of cheese. Let's celebrate this delicious food holiday together! #NationalCheeseburgerDay A few days ago, we celebrated National Double Cheeseburger Day. This food holiday is the lighter version. While only a single stack, this tasty burger still earns a celebration! There are many theories to the beginning of the cheeseburger dating back to the 1920s. One story suggests that Lionel Sternberger invented the cheeseburger in 1926 while working at his father’s Pasadena, California sandwich shop, The Rite Spot. During an experiment, he dropped a slice...

Billions of people regularly eat insects. In the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, chapulines – toasted grasshoppers – stand out as a beloved seasonal treat that follows the start of the rainy season, a period that runs from late May through September. My new book, “Eating Grasshoppers: Chapulines and the Women who Sell Them,” dives into the history and cultural significance of entomophagy (eating insects) and this unique snack. Chapulineras – the women who sell chapulines – often learn their craft from their mothers and grandmothers. Most will use nets or mesh bags to capture grasshoppers in their “milpa” –...

Despite being a staple food for millions of people worldwide, the genetic secrets of the sweet potato have long remained a mystery to scientists. That is, until now. New research has revealed the complexities behind the genetic makeup of these tubers, widely considered to be a superfood for their health benefits. What science reveals about them is surprising, revealing a previously unknown evolutionary history involving a “hybrid ancestry” behind the beloved vegetables. The research, led by Professor Zhangjun Fei at the Boyce Thompson Institute, was recently published in Nature Plants. The Hybrid Ancestry of Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes carry six...

NATIONAL GUACAMOLE DAY National Guacamole Day on September 16th brings fresh flavors together for the perfect celebration. #NationalGuacamoleDay Avocados shine as the star of this dip! Lime juice, tomatoes, onion, and seasonings make guacamole a guilt-free addition to any snack or meal. Since avocados fall under the superfood category, feel free to indulge. Expect a flavorful dip packed full of good fats and nutrients, along with the fresh taste of lime and hint of spice. It is easy to make, too. Take it to work or use it for a party dish. Guacamole is versatile, too. For example, add it...

"If something online pisses you off, please recognize you are witnessing social engineering." They Are Sowing Chaos. "I will not let anything electronic decide who my neighbor is. I will not let political violence become normal. I will no longer let propaganda tell me who to hate. I will never cheer for blood. I will choose sanity. I will choose unity. I will choose to see the humanity in people before I see their politics.."

Embattled New York Attorney General Letitia James better mend fences — or pay up. James is set to appear before an administrative law judge Oct. 8, where she faces up to $500 in fines for having a 5-foot, 6-inch high fence in front of her multi-family home in the Clinton Hill Historic District. The brownstone is the focus of a federal mortgage fraud investigation. The city Buildings Department slapped the far-left pol with the summons July 23 after fielding at least three anonymous complaints since April which claimed the black iron fence exceeded the 4-foot height limit, records show. New...

A Life of Faith, A Legacy That Endures: Remembering Charlie Kirk

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is sending shock waves through Capitol Hill, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing fears for their own safety and taking greater security precautions following a summer of political violence. Members are beefing up their security, moving public events indoors or canceling them altogether. One is even vowing to carry firearms. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the progressive star who has faced numerous death threats over the years, said Thursday she had postponed two public events planned for this weekend in North Carolina, including a rally in Raleigh set for Sunday.

The belief in talking to plants has existed for centuries. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and indigenous cultures, believed that plants responded to energy, emotion, and sound. In the 1840s, German professor Gustav Fechner suggested that plants might have feelings, laying the foundation for a more spiritual relationship between humans and nature. By the 1970s, the book The Secret Life of Plants popularized the idea that plants could react to music, emotions, and verbal communication. Although some claims were controversial, they triggered scientific curiosity that continues today.

'I think it's becoming very, very common,' Amy Bach, Executive Director at consumer advocacy group United Policyholders, told the outlet. 'People are getting dropped on basis of, "We see mold on your roof," or "We see damaged roof tiles," or "There's trees touching your house," risk factors that insurance companies are increasingly on the lookout for.' Schueler found company to remove the branches in time, and so was able to keep her coverage. 'It ended up costing $1,200. I had no choice,' she told CBS. Her policy was renewed for another year, but having her home monitored without her being...

LONDON—For the first time, populist or far-right parties are leading the polls in Europe’s three biggest countries of the U.K., France, and Germany, the latest sign of growing voter discontent in much of the continent following years of high immigration and inflation. Far-right and anti-immigration parties have already entered government in countries such as Italy, Finland and the Netherlands. But this year marks the first time that they have been ahead in Europe’s biggest economies at the same time. That could provoke a period of political turbulence in all three countries, even if national elections are likely still a few...

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

NATIONAL CHOP SUEY DAY Get your chopsticks ready! August 29 is National Chop Suey Day ane we are recognizing an American Chinese culinary cuisine each year on August 29. #NationalChopSueyDay Chop suey, which means assorted pieces, is a dish in American Chinese cuisine. The main ingredients include meat (chicken, fish, beef, prawns or pork) and eggs. As the meat cooks over high heat, add vegetables (usually bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery). The dish is bound in a starch-thickened sauce. Typically, rice accompanies the flavorful dish, too. According to food historian Alan Davidson, chop suey is "A prime example of culinary...

A large package set for delivery has caused quite a stink for one courier company, causing it to dial in the help of the police. After the box was dropped off at New Zealand Couriers in New Plymouth, an employee noticed it was emitting the “distinctive odour” of cannabis. But the police didn’t have to look far to figure out who was behind the package, with the source having provided his name and contact details on the package receipt. Today, Anthony Ellison, 40, appeared in the New Plymouth District Court charged with possession of cannabis and cultivation of cannabis, to...

WASHINGTON – Louisiana is now urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule a key section of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, which would throw out the state's congressional map that has two minority-majority districts. “The Constitution forbids sorting voters by race. And telling legislators drawing maps to think about race, but not think too much about race, is an untenable standard,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said after releasing Wednesday afternoon a 58-page brief filed with the Supreme Court. Louisiana had previously defended the maps, saying they had created them under protest when a federal judge ruled a previous map...

In A Nutshell * Cloves contain eugenol, a plant compound with anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effects similar to ibuprofen, making them a promising natural pain reliever. * Strongest evidence comes from dentistry: clove oil and gels ease toothache, reduce pain from injections, and even outperform some conventional anesthetics in children. * Beyond dental use, studies suggest clove oil may boost the effectiveness of lidocaine during childbirth, fight bacteria, support liver function, and aid blood sugar control. * Safety matters: culinary use is safe, but concentrated clove oil or extracts can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or serious side effects at high doses—especially...