Refried beans are only fried once. The reason for the misconception around the name is a translation error. The originals are frijoles refritos which actually means “well fried beans” – not re-fried. Worcestershire sauce, the popular English sauce, is made from dissolved anchovies. The anchovies are soaked in vinegar until they have completely melted. The sauce contains the bones and all. Coconut water can be used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma. The... [read more]

Scientists are thinking that the world’s oldest bird may not really be a bird after all. Paleontologists have long considered the archaeopteryx the world’s oldest bird. Fossilized remains were discovered in 1861, revealing an ancient animal with the feathers and wings of a bird, but the tail and teeth of a dinosaur. Classified as an avian, their status is now in doubt thanks to new research conducted by scientists at China’s Linyi University. As reported by the Guardian,... [read more]

An elderly husband and wife noticed that they were beginning to forget many little things around the house. So, they decided to go see their physician to get some help. Their physician told them that many people their age find it useful to write themselves little notes as reminders. The elderly couple thought this sounded wonderful, and left the doctor's office very pleased with the advice. When they got home, the wife said, "Dear, will you please go to the kitchen and get me a dish... [read more]

When people share their goals with you, do you help them launch their dreams—or try to bring them back to Earth? In his book The Man Who Listens to Horses (Ballantine), famed horse trainer Monty Roberts tells about the time one of his teachers in high school assigned a paper called “My Goals in Life.” The teacher, Mr. Fowler, was interested only in practical goals—not fantasies about going to Hollywood to become a movie star, and the like. But young Monty had a... [read more]

A spoonful of sugar may, as Mary Poppins sang, help the medicine go down. But too many spoonfuls will probably increase your need to take medicine in the first place. Too much sugar—or rather, the unproductive calories it delivers to the body—can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease, among other health problems. How much is too much? An American Heart Association study found that Americans consume an average of 22 teaspoons a day (during 2001-2004). AHA guidelines... [read more]