Did you know: Bananas

Since I’ve been watching what I eat lately, I’m kind of fascinated about food facts. Today let’s talk about Bananas.

Because bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber – a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

Bananas can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions:

DEPRESSION:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

HANGOVERS:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

ULCERS:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!’

Cabaret Jazz hosts packed house with CAST PARTY

This past Wednesday saw the Smith Center debut of the uber-popular CAST PARTY.

Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch brought their NYC-based “open mic” house party to Cabaret Jazz and a packed house.

With a concept that encourages locals and Strip headliners to get up and sing (or anything really), the talent and fun included such Vegas names as Clint Holmes, Frankie Moreno, Tina Walsh, Mark Shunock, Maren Wade, Erich Bergen and more.

Las Vegas Sun has a gallery of pics from the night:

Billy Stritch and Jim Caruso open the show

The one and only Clint Holmes gets the party started

Erich Bergen, of JERSEY BOYS, laughs with Jim Caruso

The fabulous Frankie Moreno

Maren Wade, currently with FANTASY, laughs with Jim Caruso

Mark Shunock, of ROCK OF AGES,  sings at Cast Party

Billy Stritch and Jim Caruso banter during Cast Party at Cabaret Jazz

All pics by Sam Morris/Las Vegas Sun.  See more here.

Instagram now has video capability

Facebook added video for Instagram to compete with the fast-growing Twitter app, Vine.

Instagram’s Kevin Systrom says video clips on Instagram can be 3 to 15 seconds long and include “shaky hand” video stabilization technology called Cinema.

Facebook acquired the photo-sharing app Instagram in April 2012 for $715 million, just before Facebook went public. Instagram now has more than 100 million users.

Adding video to Instagram is a move to compete with rival Twitter. Twitter acquired Vine last October and it launched in January. Vine has grown to 13 million users.

I’ve downloaded the app and it seems very easy to use. AND you can apply filters to the short video clips the same way you do photos on Instagram. Plus multiple frame and uploading options.

I’ll play with it and see what I think. How about you readers? Would you use the app for a quick 15 second video upload?

(via Forbes)

Anti-gay Christian groups plan to ignore SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality if they don’t like it

A coalition of Christianist and anti-gay groups has come together to create and sign The Marriage Solidarity Statement, which basically says whatever the US Supreme Court decides regarding marriage equality they plan to ignore it.

Kind of like ostriches with their heads in the sand. “This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening, this isn’t happening.”

Here’s just a bit of what these anti-gay folks have to say:

“If the Supreme Court were to issue a decision that redefined marriage or provided a precedent on which to build an argument to redefine marriage, the Supreme Court will thereby undermine its legitimacy. The Court will significantly decrease its credibility and impair the role it has assumed for itself as a moral authority. It will be acting beyond its proper constitutional role and contrary to the Natural Moral Law which transcends religions, culture, and time.”

The Marriage Solidarity Statement ends with these words: “As Christians united together in defense of marriage, we pray that this will not happen. But, make no mistake about our resolve. While there are many things we can endure, redefining marriage is so fundamental to the natural order and the true common good that this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross.”

It should be noted, that the provisions of the U.S. Constitution grant the high court judicial power in “all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution,” and the 14th Amendment guarantees “equal protection of the laws” for all persons.

The list of signees includes the usual suspects, like designated hate group leaders Family Research Council president Tony Perkins and Traditional Values Coalition chairman Rev. Louis Sheldon, Tea Party activist Ben Carson, Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R), former Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer, Focus on the Family founder Rev. James Dobson, birther Joseph Farah, and disgraced Abramoff scandal figure Ralph Reed.

The irony of the coalition’s name is that what THEY call “Freedom” would restrict the liberty of gay and lesbian Americans.

Of course, it goes without saying you need a civil marriage license to basically have a marriage recognized. If DOMA and Prop 8 fall in the next week, marriage will be expanded to include gay and lesbian couples on more than one level.

So there.

Westboro Baptist Church calls 5 year old selling lemonade a “fag enabler”

I recently posted about the fabulous Jaden Sink who sold lemonade across the street from the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church, raising money for Planting Peace.

Well, the Westboro Baptist Church has officially responded to the threat of a five-year-old girl’s lemonade stand. Their message?

“Fags and enablers all burn in hell. Lemonade won’t cool any tongues.”

Isn’t that sweet?

#SinkingToNewLows

(source)

Australian campaign to fight bullying and homophobia – “Year 7 Self”

Minus18 is Australia’s largest support network for gay, bisexual, lesbian and trans teenagers from all over Australia.

Minus18 has begun a new campaign called “Year 7 Self” that features heterosexual Aussies talking to their 7 year old selves regarding regret over not being more supportive of their LGBT friends who came out, and the value of those friendships as they grew older.

As the  Year 7 Self website states, “Just because we’re straight, doesn’t mean we have to be narrow. You might not know it now, but you’re going to have people in your life who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans… And that’s a pretty awesome thing.”

Check out the video above then head over to the website here.

(h/t Advocate)

Delaware governor signs transgender rights bill into law

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday signed a bill that will add gender identity and expression to his state’s anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws.

The state Senate by an 11-9 vote margin earlier in the day approved an amended version of Senate Bill 97 that passed in the Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Sixteen states and D.C. currently have trans-inclusive anti-discrimination laws.  Thirteen of those states and the nation’s capital have also added gender identity and expression to their hate crimes statutes.

Read more at Washington Blade