Corvette C5 vs C6

Dude could not handle the wet road of course and gets out of control completely.

8 of the World’s Healthiest Spices & Herbs You Should Be Eating

By Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., Associate Nutrition Editor at EatingWell Magazine

As a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor at EatingWell Magazine, I know that herbs and spices do more than simply add flavor to food. They let you cut down on some less-healthy ingredients, such as salt, added sugars and saturated fat, and some have inherent health benefits, many of which Joyce Hendley reported on for EatingWell Magazine.

Modern science is beginning to uncover the ultimate power of spices and herbs, as weapons against illnesses from cancer to Alzheimer's disease. "We're now starting to see a scientific basis for why people have been using spices medicinally for thousands of years," says Bharat Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and author of Healing Spices (Sterling, 2011).

Aggarwal notes that in his native India, where spices tend to be used by the handful, incidence of diet-related diseases like heart disease and cancer have long been low. But when Indians move away and adopt more Westernized eating patterns, their rates of those diseases rise. While researchers usually blame the meatier, fattier nature of Western diets, Aggarwal and other experts believe that herbs and spices-or more precisely, the lack of them-are also an important piece of the dietary puzzle. "When Indians eat more Westernized foods, they're getting much fewer spices than their traditional diet contains," he explains.
"They lose the protection those spices are conveying."

While science has yet to show that any spice cures disease, there's compelling evidence that several may help manage some chronic conditions (though it's always smart to talk with your doctor). What's not to love? Here we've gathered eight of the healthiest spices and herbs enjoyed around the world.

Chile Peppers

May help: Boost metabolism.

Chile peppers add a much-appreciated heat to chilly-weather dishes, and they can also give a boost to your metabolism. Thank capsaicin, the compound that gives fresh chiles, and spices including cayenne and chipotle, their kick. Studies show that capsaicin can increase the body's metabolic rate (causing one to burn more calories) and may stimulate brain chemicals that help us feel less hungry. In fact, one study found that people ate 16 percent fewer calories at a meal if they'd sipped a hot-pepper-spiked tomato juice (vs. plain tomato juice) half an hour earlier. Recent research found that capsinoids, similar but gentler chemicals found in milder chile hybrids, have the same effects-so even tamer sweet paprika packs a healthy punch. Capsaicin may also lower risk of ulcers by boosting the ability of stomach cells to resist infection by ulcer-causing bacteria and help the heart by keeping "bad" LDL cholesterol from turning into a more lethal, artery-clogging form.
Don't Miss: Foods That Blast Belly Fat

Ginger

May help: Soothe an upset stomach, fight arthritis pain.

Ginger has a well-deserved reputation for relieving an unsettled stomach. Studies show ginger extracts can help reduce nausea caused by morning sickness or following surgery or chemotherapy, though it's less effective for motion sickness. But ginger is also packed with inflammation-fighting compounds, such as gingerols, which some experts believe may hold promise in fighting some cancers and may reduce the aches of osteoarthritis and soothe sore muscles. In a recent study, people who took ginger capsules daily for 11 days reported 25 percent less muscle pain when they performed exercises designed to strain their muscles (compared with a similar group taking placebo capsules). Another study found that ginger-extract injections helped relieve osteoarthritis pain of the knee.
Must-Read: 5 Foods That Fight Pain Naturally

Cinnamon

May help: Stabilize blood sugar.

A few studies suggest that adding cinnamon to food-up to a teaspoon a day, usually given in capsule form-might help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar, by lowering post-meal blood-sugar spikes. Other studies suggest the effects are limited at best.

Turmeric

May help: Quell inflammation, inhibit tumors.

Turmeric, the goldenrod-colored spice, is used in India to help wounds heal (it's applied as a paste); it's also made into a tea to relieve colds and respiratory problems. Modern medicine confirms some solid-gold health benefits as well; most are associated with curcumin, a compound in turmeric that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to help relieve pain of arthritis, injuries and dental procedures; it's also being studied for its potential in managing heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Researcher Bharat Aggarwal is bullish on curcumin's potential as a cancer treatment, particularly in colon, prostate and breast cancers; preliminary studies have found that curcumin can inhibit tumor cell growth and suppress enzymes that activate carcinogens.

Saffron

May help: Lift your mood.

Saffron has long been used in traditional Persian medicine as a mood lifter, usually steeped into a medicinal tea or used to prepare rice. Research from Iran's Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences has found that saffron may help to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression. In one study, 75% of women with PMS who were given saffron capsules daily reported that their PMS symptoms (such as mood swings and depression) declined by at least half, compared with only 8 percent of women who didn't take saffron.
Must-Read: 4 Foods to Boost Your Mood

Parsley

May help: Inhibit breast cancer-cell growth.

University of Missouri scientists found that this herb can actually inhibit breast cancer-cell growth, reported Holly Pevzner in the September/October 2011 issue of EatingWell Magazine. In the study, animals that were given apigenin, a compound abundant in parsley (and in celery), boosted their resistance to developing cancerous tumors. Experts recommend adding a couple pinches of minced fresh parsley to your dishes daily.

Sage

May help: Preserve memory, soothe sore throats.

Herbalists recommend sipping sage tea for upset stomachs and sore throats, a remedy supported by one study that found spraying sore throats with a sage solution gave effective pain relief. And preliminary research suggests the herb may improve some symptoms of early Alzheimer's disease by preventing a key enzyme from destroying acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. In another study, college students who took sage extracts in capsule form performed significantly better on memory tests, and their moods improved.
Related: 5 Foods to Help Ward Off Colds

Rosemary

May help: Enhance mental focus, fight foodborne bacteria.

One recent study found that people performed better on memory and alertness tests when mists of aromatic rosemary oil were piped into their study cubicles. Rosemary is often used in marinades for meats and poultry, and there's scientific wisdom behind that tradition: rosmarinic acid and other antioxidant compounds in the herb fight bacteria and prevent meat from spoiling, and may even make cooked meats healthier. In March 2010, Kansas State University researchers reported that adding rosemary extracts to ground beef helped prevent the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs)-cancer-causing compounds produced when meats are grilled, broiled or fried.

Don't Miss: Drink This to Cure a Headache & 4 More Home Remedies From Your Kitchen
What are your favorite herbs and spices?

Author: Kerri-Ann Jennings

T.I.P. Covers Vibe Magazine

Here’s a look at the other half of VIBE’s Year-End Issue featuring T.I. Inside T.I. shuts down talk about people criticizing his wife Tiny for not taking the drug charge that T.I. has recently been released from prison on, he also discusses equal rights and more. Check out some excerpts below:

T.I. on people criticizing Tiny for not taking the drug charge.
“I’ma tell you, 50 Cent and anybody else, we not gonn’a have no discussion about what my ole lady should’a, would’a, couda done for anything as it pertains to me,” begins his rant. “We ain’t gonn’a do that. I’m the only one in my family that’s gonna take a lick when it pertains to the legal system. Since me, none of my other family members have seen a jail cell. Nobody. I’m the last one. The buck stops here. I feel that a person that stands behind [his woman for a criminal charge] is a coward anyway.”

VIBE: I doubt she would have gotten any time.
T.I.: She wasn’t gonna catch it period, ’cause I’m there. That wasn’t even a consideration. Even if she asked me to I would’ve been like, “Nah, you trippin’.”

So you didn’t feel you were more valuable to your family, employees and business partners on the street?
That’s a discussion between me and another man. Not with the mother of my children. Not with the nurturer of my household.

(via) Defglam, http://defglam.com/?p=54060

This Dude Blacks Out On The Ride And Wakes Up In Stupid Shock

I don't know how late we are with this video but this is the funniest thing i seen in a while! This guy definitely was lost after he woke up to find himself suspended in the air on a amusement park ride.

Black Friday To Go Spots

As Thanksgiving approaches, many consumers aren't talking turkey. They're talking deals, and already have visions of doorbusters dancing in their heads.

Despite the weak economy, this year's Black Friday is expected to be bigger than ever, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The NRF reports that 33% of Americans say they're "definitely" braving the crowded retailers after Thanksgiving this year, up from 27% in 2010. Last year's Black Friday raked in $45 million for retailers nationwide with more than 212 million shoppers hitting stores.

According to an American Express Holiday survey of more than 2,000 Americans, shoppers plan to spend an average of $121 more this Black Friday than last; 34% of shoppers plan to have all their holiday gift buying done by the end of the day.

The expected record-breaking crowds means shoppers will need to be more savvy to snag bargains before they're gone. We checked in with experts to locate the best deals, what stores to spend the most time in, and just how early you'll have to rise if you want your stockings filled before December.

Best Bargains and Earliest Sales

"Make Macy's (M - News), Target (TGT - News) and Toys "R" Us your go-to stores for most of your holiday shopping," says Gifts.com's Editor in Chief, Dana Holmes.

According to Mike Griffith of CheapSally.com, a bargain-hunting site, national retailers including The Limited, Ann Taylor, The Body Shop and Tommy Hilfiger have all offered Black Friday sales in the past that vary between 30-50% off any purchase, and he expects the same discounts this year.

"Macy's and JCPenney consistently have some of the biggest apparel sales on Black Friday," says Griffith. "Make sure that they have several items on sale though since the long wait most likely won't be worth it for just a sweater."

You can also anticipate department and outlet stores to offer deep markdowns on clothing. Outlets can really save a budget because they're offering discounts on all-ready discounted items.

When it comes to electronics, consumers have even more options to save, says Griffith, with Walmart (WMT - News) and Best Buy in the lead for the best deals on HDTVs. Best Buy (BBY - News) and Wirefly.com will be the best places to purchase cellular phones at a discount.

"Best Buy will be offering the HTC Thunderbolt for free with a new two-year contract with Verizon. You save $99. Just a few months ago this phone was $200 even with the new contract," he says.

For toys, Griffith says Walmart is a shopper's best option for in-store purchases. If you prefer shopping online, he suggests shopping on Mattel.com and Amazon.com.

"Toys are tricky because certain retailers have unique relations with different toy manufacturers. Unlike an HDTV where most brands are relatively equal, toys are completely different. Barbies are not the same as a BMX bike or a video game. Try buying directly from the manufacturer's website or using Amazon.com."

If you're a die-hard bargain hunter who plans to hit the stores before sleeping off the tryptophan, you're in luck. Although stores including Macy's, Target and Kohl's will be having midnight door-buster sales, Walmart stores nationwide open at 10 PM on Thanksgiving Day for special deals.

What's Going to be on Sale

When it comes to gift lists, most consumers will be shopping mostly for electronics, gadgets and clothing, according to a study conducted by management consulting firm Accenture (ACN - News). The survey showed that 54% of holiday shoppers will be looking to purchase clothing, 36% will be after toys, and another 36% will be looking for electronics like smartphones, tablet computers or MP3 players.

And retailers are responding accordingly with their deal offerings.

Christine Frietchen, editor-in-chief of ConsumerSearch.com, a product review site, says that deep discounts on electronics will be available at multiple retailers. Individuals looking for small TVs should check at Best Buy, where 24-inch Dynex LCD TVs will run $80 on Black Friday. For large, 3D TVs, shoppers may want to check out Walmart's deals, she adds.

"Part of the problem with 3D televisions is that they don't usually include the necessary 3D glasses. The 42-inch Vizio M3D420SR at Walmart, which goes on sale at 8:00am on Black Friday, is a really good deal," says Frietchen. "Its $598 sale price is a good $300 lower than we've seen anywhere else. This 3D TV has a good-looking, thin design and it includes four pairs of 4D glasses, so this is a gift you can start using right out of the box."

Customers looking for something more practical like a vacuum, would be wise to check out Best Buy, where the Dyson DC25 Animal will be on sale for $380, $100 off of its usual price tag.

If you're in the market to add to your home entertainment suite, Best Buy will have its Toshiba Blu-Ray players marked down from $75 to $40. Customers can also save money on presents for the shutter bug in their life, says Frietchen.

"Circulars are full of $60 and $70 cheap point-and-shoot cameras, but so many people these days just use the camera in their phone that it might make sense to spend more on a more special camera. At Staples, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has a huge 14X zoom—great for long distance shots. It also shoots HD video and image quality is good in low light, unusual for any camera. It's advertised at $250, or about $50 off. A less expensive 16X option is the Panasonic ZS8 on sale for $180, about $70 off. It's not as sturdily built as the Canon camera though," says Frietchen.

Don't Waste Time on These 'Deals'

Although there are thousands of bargains offered on Black Friday, Griffith says it's entirely possible to get caught up in not-so-great deals. Some items he recommends postponing for purchase or purchasing in advance of the shopping frenzy include seasonal or holiday decor, winter apparel and perishable items.

"If you absolutely need some wrapping paper, lights or other holiday-related items then go ahead and get them. But only get the necessities. Wait until Dec. 26 when holiday decor and supplies will be 50-90% off to really stock up for next year. For winter apparel, although you may be able to get up to 40% off a new winter coat, apparel is almost always cheaper at the end of the season."

As for perishables, Griffith says things like chocolates or gourmet foods really lose freshness if they sit around waiting to be opened. If a box of chocolates is already discounted, there's a chance it's been on the shelves since early fall.

Above all else:

No matter where you're going or what items you're seeking, the most important thing is that you plan ahead, says Griffith.

"Don't head out into the storm without doing a little planning first. Otherwise you'll be stuck in long lines and will likely end up purchasing things that you don't really need or that aren't on sale. While there are some great deals to be found, many stores will discount a few highly desired items and leave the rest of the merchandise at full price expecting shoppers to make some sort of purchase to make their wait worth their while."

For the shopper who plans to start at Midnight or who may be stuck in long lines and bumper-to-bumper traffic, Griffin says it's also important to bring a few "necessities."

"This may sound silly, but if you are going to go on the all-day shopping adventure then its best to pack some food and beverages to keep you full. More people out at the malls means more people out at the food court," he says.

Author: Kathryn Tuggle, This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

The Crack Down On Marijuana By The FEDS Is Heating Up

An intensifying federal crackdown on growers and sellers of state-authorized medical marijuana has badly shaken the billion-dollar industry, which has sprung up in California since voters approved medical use of the drug in 1996, and has highlighted the stark contradiction between federal and state policies.

Federal law classifies the possession and sale of marijuana as a serious crime and does not grant exceptions for medical use, so the programs adopted here, in 15 other states and in the District of Columbia exist in an odd legal limbo. While federal agencies have long targeted Californians who blatantly reap illegal profits in the name of medicine, or who smuggle marijuana across state lines, the Justice Department said in 2009 that it would not normally pursue groups providing marijuana to sick patients, in accordance with state laws.

But in the last several weeks, federal prosecutors have raided or threatened to seize the property of scores of growers and dispensaries in California that, in some cases, are regarded by local officials as law-abiding models. At the same time, the Internal Revenue Service has levied large, disputed tax charges against the state’s largest dispensary, threatening its ability to continue.

In a hint of the simmering federal-state tensions, Kamala D. Harris, the attorney general of California, described in pointed terms the Oct. 7 announcement by four United States attorneys of their tough new campaign against many dispensaries, which they called commercial operations that violate the intent of California law as well as federal statutes.

“It was a unilateral federal action, and it has only increased uncertainty about how Californians can legitimately comply with state law,” Ms. Harris said in an interview. Since federal authorities do not recognize that marijuana can serve medical ends, she said, “they are ill equipped to be the decision makers as to which providers are violating the law.”

But Ms. Harris also described the state’s regulations governing medical marijuana as “vague and chaotic,” and she is working with legislators for more consistency and stronger controls.

The growing federal pressure, industry leaders say, could force the dismantling of some of the cooperatives that provide marijuana to more than 750,000 Californians who have obtained doctor “recommendations” to treat everything from cancer-related nausea to pain and anxiety. Within a few years, hundreds of collectives, large and small, have deeply embedded themselves in the state, paying more than $100 million in sales taxes, joining local chambers of commerce and better business bureaus, even appearing on “adopt-a-highway” signs.

Here in Mendocino County, which gladly cooperates with federal agents against the rampant criminal cultivation of marijuana, officials devised a permit and monthly monitoring system for small-scale growers supplying patient groups. The sheriff said this had eased his burdens and prevented diversion to the black market, and he praised the Northstone Organics Collective, run by Matthew Cohen, for scrupulous adherence to the rules.

But at 6 a.m. on Oct. 13, federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents with assault rifles and chainsaws raided Mr. Cohen’s property in the oak-covered hills north of Ukiah, cutting down the 99 hefty plants, 6 to 12 feet tall, that were meant to provide marijuana for 1,700 members.

“The federal and state laws exist in parallel universes,” said Thomas D. Allman, the Mendocino County sheriff, in his office in Ukiah. He is as tough as anyone on the illegal marijuana trade, he said, but “growing and using medical marijuana is a right of a California citizen.”

Now, he said, the 94 collectives that receive permits and plant tags from his office are frightened.

In Oakland, the state’s largest dispensary, Harborside Health Center, sells marijuana and derived products to more than 600 people a day, charging from $25 to $60 per one-eighth of an ounce, with a limit of two ounces per patient per week.

Steve DeAngelo, the executive director, described that as “the maximum amount that a medical patient could legitimately consume in a week.”

Registered with the state as a not-for-profit cooperative, Harborside has 95,000 patient-members and 120 employees, takes in $22 million a year and is one of Oakland’s top 10 taxpayers, Mr. DeAngelo said.

In October, the Internal Revenue Service notified the center that it considered it a criminal drug trafficking organization and said it could not deduct its rent, salaries, counseling and other operations as business expenses. It billed the center for $2.5 million in back taxes, which would destroy the company, said Mr. DeAngelo, who plans to fight the decision in court.

“We’re clearly breaking federal law every day, but we are faithfully following the laws of California and Oakland,” Mr. DeAngelo said. The Supreme Court has ruled that federal criminal law can prevail, but Mr. DeAngelo and others question the Justice Department’s priorities.

“Why is the federal government targeting legitimate, regulated enterprises?” he asked. “Is it better for patients to buy from a clean, safe store or from street dealers?”

Medical marijuana advocates accuse the Obama administration of going back on earlier promises not to go after groups abiding by local laws.

But federal justice officials say the real change is the proliferation of large, commercial enterprises, not their guidelines.
“A lot of the medical marijuana stores that claim to be nonprofit are making lots of money,” Benjamin B. Wagner, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of California, in Sacramento, said in an interview.

He added that prosecutors were skeptical about the medical needs of many buyers. “We’ve found in California that anybody can get a medical recommendation,” he said.

Since late September, in their broadest crackdown yet, federal prosecutors have sent letters to more than 100 registered dispensaries or their landlords throughout the state, warning that their property may be confiscated and that they could face prison if they do not shut down.

At the Oct. 7 news conference, André Birotte Jr., the chief federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, said that one strip mall in Orange County had eight stores selling marijuana. “This is not what the California voters intended or authorized,” he said.

Some of the dispensaries threatened by the federal government have shut down or are being evicted by fearful landlords.

Even many marijuana advocates agree that state laws governing medical marijuana are inadequate, largely leaving it to local officials to set rules for growing and selling that vary wildly by county. It is also an open secret that a share of doctor-approved buyers do not have plausible medical needs.

On Ocean Front Walk at Venice Beach, for example, touts compete to lure people into shabby clinics with names like “Medical Kush Doctor,” promising medical recommendations for $45.

“Why don’t they go after the bad actors?” asked Mr. Cohen, the Mendocino County grower. “I’m a strong advocate of tighter regulations.”

State Senator Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco, is now working with Attorney General Harris to devise a state law that would establish more uniform and stringent rules for medical marijuana. But he condemned what he called the federal authorities’ “heavy-handed interventions.”

Even if the state tightens controls and pares back the industry, the central clash, between the federal war on drugs and California’s desire to offer medical marijuana, will remain.

Ms. Harris said she hoped that if the state improved oversight, federal officials would find other priorities. “I’m a career prosecutor,” she said, “and I know that everyone has a lot of obligations and limited resources.”

Source: New York Times (NY)
Author: Erik Eckholm
Published: November 23, 2011
Copyright: 2011 The New York Times Company
Contact: letters@nytimes.com
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/

(via) Cannabis News

(Artist) Liu Bolin - This Is Art At It's Finest

This is china's invisible man who specializes in camouflage paintings. Liu says he puts in hours of painstaking work to get what you see here.













































































































Pretty cool huh?