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Monday 22 May 2017

CNN Fudges The Numbers To Cast Fox News In A Poor Light [VIDEO]

John Berman strayed into questionable territory Sunday while discussing a recent Harvard study on the media’s coverage of President Trump’s first 100 days in office.

“Is the White House besieged by crisis, or is President Trump besieged by the media attempting a sort of coup?” Berman posed to his CNN audience. “It really all depends on where you turn your dial to get your news. This is according to a new study from the Harvard Shorenstein Center on Media Politics that analyzed news coverage of the President’s first 100 days and found that the coverage quote ‘set a new standard for unfavorable coverage of a President, with Fox News being the only outlet where the majority of the coverage was positive.”
CNN then displayed the following graphic, captioned, “FOX NEWS ONLY OUTLET WITH OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE COVERAGE.”
 There’s just one problem.

Those numbers only reflect a portion of the study’s findings, specifically the breakdown of news reports regarding the president’s fitness for office.
 While the study found that Fox News did provide the most favorable coverage of all television outlets, the split was much more fair and balanced, with 52 percent of the network’s reporting featuring a “negative” tone while only 48 percent was “positive.”
Conversely.
CNN’s coverage of the president betrays a much more biased slant, with a whopping 93 percent of the content featuring a “negative” spin.
So much for being “Reliable Sources.”
WATCH:

Emergency spacewalk: Here's why NASA astronauts will venture outside space station on Tuesday


Expedition 51 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Jack Fischer will will venture outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday to replace a failed data relay box, said NASA.
The multiplexer-demultiplexer (MDM) data relay box on the S0 truss failed on Saturday morning.
Tuesday's spacewalk, which expected to begin around 8 a.m. EDT, will last for about two hours in duration to replace the failed box.
NASA Television coverage for the spacecwalk will begin at 6:30 a.m.
The data relay box is one of two systems that control the functionality of radiators, solar arrays, cooling loops and other station hardware.
The space station crew has never been in any danger, and the failure of the data relay box, believed to be internal to the box itself, has had no impact on station activities, NASA said in a statement on Sunday.
"The cause of the MDM failure is not known. After a review of spacewalk preparations and crew readiness throughout the day Sunday, the decision was made to press ahead with the spacewalk on Tuesday," NASA scientists wrote in a blog post.
The other MDM in the truss is functioning perfectly, providing uninterrupted telemetry routing to the station's systems.
A similar MDM replacement spacewalk was conducted in April 2014 by Expedition 39 crew members Steve Swanson and Rick Mastracchio of NASA.
Tuesday's spacewalk will be the 10th spacewalk in Whitson's career and the second for Fischer.
Back on March 30, Whitson and Expedition 50 commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA conducted a spacewalk to install the same MDM with upgraded software that failed Saturday.

Health benefits of garlic: 10 proven benefits of eating garlic

Your grandmother must have given you hundreds of lectures on the benefits of garlic and how important it is to eat it every day. Guess what? She is right! Garlic not only makes your pizzas and pasta delicious but is also one of the miracle spices. Garlic contains allicin, which gives it the pungent smell and is a therapeutic agent. This pungent, flavorful spice is used as home remedies to fight many medical conditions. It has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties and is rich in manganese, potassium, iron, calcium and vitamin C. Here are some health benefits of garlic. 

1. Fights cold and flu


 
Garlic is one of the best home remedies to treat cold and flu. Just have garlic tea or have two to three raw garlic cloves to get relief from the cold. You can also add this flavorful spice in your soup to make it tastier and healthier.

2. Cures hypertension

Garlic contains allicin, a therapeutic compound, which relaxes your blood vessels, thus curing hypertension. It also helps treat thrombosis, which is a condition in which blood clots form in the blood vessel, by lowering the aggregation of platelets. 

3. Boosts immune system


Garlic and honey
Garlic not only clears your cold but also improves your immune system. All you need is a couple of garlic cloves. You can either swallow it or dip it in honey to improve the taste.

4. Lowers cholesterol levels

Garlic was found to decrease the level of LDL or the bad cholesterol by around 10 percent in people with high cholesterol level.  

5. Prevents heart diseases

 
By lowering the cholesterol levels in the blood, garlic also lowers the risk of heart diseases. The miracle spice regulates the sugar levels in the blood and the blood pressure. It is important to eat garlic semi cooked or raw as the medicinal properties of allicin present in the garlic is lost when it is cooked.

6. Good for your eyes

Rich in vitamin C, quercetin, manganese and selenium, garlic is beneficial for your eyes. It helps treat eye swelling and infections.

7. Rich in antioxidants


 
Antioxidants present in garlic fights the free radicals and protect the body from the oxidative damage. It may also lower the risk of age-related disease like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

8. Helps prevent cancer

According to several studies, consumption of garlic can prevent colorectal and stomach cancer. It also boosts the immune system of the body to fight cancer .

9. Clears intestinal problems


 
Garlic is an excellent home remedy for many intestinal problems like diarrhea, dysentery and colitis. It is also an effective treatment for worms. It will dispel the harmful bacteria in your gut without affecting the beneficial bacteria.

10. Cures asthma

You can actually bring asthma attacks under control with garlic. All you have to do is consume three cloves of garlic with a glass of milk every night before going to bed to keep asthma at bay.

7 Surprising Foods You Should Always Refrigerate

To refrigerate or not to refrigerate? That is the question for so many foods, like onions, soy sauce, eggs, tomatoes, butter, coffee and more. While onions, potatoes, vinegary condiments and coffee don’t need to be refrigerated (don’t refrigerate your coffee unless you want to deplete it of all its glory), there are a few foods you should always consider refrigerating. Here are 7 that might surprise you:

NATURAL NUT BUTTERS

I know, it is so much harder to stir nut butters when they’ve been in the fridge. But, wouldn’t you rather put in a little elbow grease than eat nut butter that has oxidized and gone rancid? Most of us (my own lack of self-discipline excluded) take weeks to make our way through a delicious jar of nut butter. So, keep it fresh and tasty by keeping it cool. Whether it is peanuts, almonds, cashews or something a little more exotic, it is a good idea to store your natural nut butters in the fridge once you make them or bring them home.

PASTEURIZED EGGS

If you buy eggs at the grocery store in the US, you should always, always, always refrigerate your eggs. However, if you go outside the US, you may notice that eggs are often sold at room temperature. Why is this? Well, in the US, eggs undergo a washing process to remove potential salmonella contamination. Unfortunately, this also washes off the cuticle, which protects any bacteria on the outside of the egg from getting inside. This is why overseas eggs and eggs fresh from your local farm actually don’t have to be refrigerated. But, any pasteurized eggs from a store absolutely should be refrigerated. If you aren’t collecting the eggs from the hens yourself, it is always better to ere on the safe side and pop your local dozen in the fridge, just to be sure. 

BUTTER

For the majority of us, butter needs to be refrigerated. It is a dairy product. End of story. Yet, for those diehards who prefer their butter to be spreadable, butter crocks are a viable option. If you store your butter in a crock, it can only stay good for a couple of weeks.

NUTS AND SEEDS

I know that the vast majority of food markets in the US sell nuts and seeds out of unrefrigerated bulk bins, but you really should consider refrigerating them. Due to their high fat content, nuts and seeds can go rancid fairly quickly at room temperature. If you aren’t eating them within the week, it is a smart choice to refrigerate or freeze all cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and walnuts. And if you can, try to purchase nuts that are stored in refrigeration as well.

CERTAIN OILS

While olive oil, coconut oil and ghee do not require refrigeration (especially if you use them in a timely manner), other, more delicate oils do. Flax, walnut, almond and sesame oils (essentially all nut and seed oils) go rancid at room temperature within a few months. Refrigerated, they can keep for up to a few years.  

AVOCADOS

Oh, avocado, the most fickle of fruit. One moment, they are as hard as rocks. The next, they have become super mushy and rotten on the inside. Ever wonder how to choose the perfect avocado? Start by looking for avocados with smooth skin and an intact stem. Then, they should be slightly soft, but not squishy. I always opt on the firmer side of soft. Finally, if you pull up the stem, the flesh should look green without any brown streaks. If you use these guidelines, your avocados should be just about ready to eat, if not a mere day away from ripeness. Store these bad boys in the fridge immediately so as to retard the ripening process. No one likes throwing away a rotten $3 avocado.

CITRUS FRUITS

Oranges, lemons and limes keep fresh up to 4 times longer if you refrigerate them. While it is not essential that you refrigerate these fruits, extending their life can help significantly in reducing waste. Generally, most fruits benefit from refrigeration to slow the ripening process. Also refrigerate fresh herbs and vegetables like corn on the cob and greens, with the exception of garlic, onions, potatoes and tomatoes.
Knowing how to properly store your foods can greatly reduce your food waste and save you money. Respect your food, and you will be rewarded with delicious nutrition and happiness.

6 Mood-Boosting Foods

Can you eat your way to a better mood? More and more scientific research is saying so. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is important for your general health, so why should it be any different for your mental health? From depression-fighting seeds to anxiety-zapping greens, read about the best nutrients for your mood. 

1. SESAME SEEDS

Good things come in small packages. The unassuming sesame seed is loaded with mood-boosting nutrients. Sesame seeds are on of the best vegetarian sources of zinc, a mineral that has been linked to depression and anxiety. One study found that zinc treatment lowered the depression and anger levels of young women. Other studies have suggested using the mineral as a treatment for depression. 

 2. DARK CHOCOLATE

A few bites of real, dark chocolate each day will help your mood and your tastebuds! Studies have suggested that dark chocolate reduces the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body; it may also relieve anxiety. 

3. SPINACH

As if you needed another reason to love spinach! This leafy green is loaded with all sorts of mood-boosting nutrients, from depression-fighting folates (more on that later) to anxiety-easing magnesium. Spinach also contains plenty of zinc—studies have shown that, the less zinc you have in your body, the more likely you are to be depressed. 

4. YOGURT

Yogurt is an excellent vegetarian source of vitamin B12, a vital nutrient for the formation of red blood cells. For reasons scientists aren’t exactly clear on yet, B vitamins seem to play a vital role in our mental health. Vitamin B12 deficiencies in particular have been linked to high rates of depression, and studies have suggested that strong intake of the vitamin may improve depression treatment outcomes. If your body doesn’t get enough of the stuff, it can actually lead to serious mental health issues.
Because plants cannot make Vitamin B12, your best sources for the stuff are dairy products, eggs, seafood and meat. Vegans and older adults are especially at risk of a Vitamin B12 deficiency, and may want to talk with their doctors about supplements or fortified foods. 

5. LENTILS

Lentils, along with other foods rich in folic acid, are a key nutrient for treating depression. Like it’s B vitamin cousin, vitamin B12, plenty of research has linked low levels of folic acid to depression. It’s also thought that high levels of the vitamin will actually help anti-depressants work more effectively.
Other Foods Rich in Folates: Pinto, black, navy, kidney & garbanzo beans; spinach, asparagus, turnip greens and broccoli.

6. FLAXSEEDS

The countries with the lowest rates of depression tend to have one thing in common: they also eat the most fish. Scientists think this is because fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that these polysaturated fats can improve your mood, and help treat depression and postpartum depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Though fish is probably your best source of omega-3 fatty acids, most healthy people can get all of it they need from flaxseeds and flaxseed oil. You can also check out supplements or sea vegetables if you are a vegan or a vegetarian. 

5 Foods That Actually Offer Skin Protection

Summer is almost here, which means sunny days are ahead! Unfortunately, it also means a higher potential for sun burns and skin damage. Since deadly skin cancers have nearly doubled in the last few decades, taking precautions to protect your skin is essential. If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors this summer, be sure to use some form of sunscreen to protect your skin from overexposure, damage and premature aging.
Did you realize that some foods can affect how resilient your skin is to the harsh UV rays of the sun? Here are 5 food groups that have been shown to help improve skin health (keep in mind these aren’t a substitute for safe sunscreen and proper skin protection!).

SALMON & CHIA

Or any omega-3-rich food for that matter. Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely anti-inflammatory in the body and can protect cells from sun-induced free radical damage by acting as an oxidation buffer. Omega-3s have also been shown to have the potential to prevent non-melanoma skin cancer. Other great sources include fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseeds. 

TOMATOES & CARROTS

Beta-carotene and lycopene have been shown to improve the skin’s ability to protect itself from UV rays. Along with other antioxidants, beta-carotene can reduce reaction to sunburns and lycopene can protect against UV-induced erythema. Beta-carotene-rich foods include sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and butternut squash. Other lycopene-rich foods include red and orange peppers, pink grapefruit, watermelon and guava. 

DARK CHOCOLATE

The flavonoids in this superfood have actually been shown to improve the skin’s ability to protect itself against sun damage. A study showed that long-term consumption of high flavanol cocoa improved photoprotection, increased blood flow to the skin, increased skin density, and increased skin hydration in women. As if you needed another reason to eat chocolate…

LEAFY GREENS

Yes, yes, we all know that broccoli, cauliflower and that ubiquitous superfood kale are full of antioxidants. And antioxidants prevent free radical damage, like the damage caused by UV rays. But cruciferous veggies also possibly play a role in preventing not only skin cancer, but many forms of cancer, although the research is far from conclusive. Additionally, consumption of leafy greens has been shown to reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma in those with previous skin cancer (interestingly, unmodified dairy products were shown to increase the risk). Either way, getting more cruciferous veggies and greens in your diet never hurt anyone.  

GREEN TEA

Those polyphenols have done it again. Studies have shown that daily tea drinking, in association with the Mediterranean diet, can offer protection against melanoma. Regular consumption of green tea has also been shown to reduce mild sun damage. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant in green tea, has been shown to fight inflammation in the skin by neutralizing free radicals and preventing the development of wrinkles. Black tea is also effective, with the skin-protecting antioxidant quercetin.
Keep in mind eating a bar of dark chocolate and sprinkling some chia seeds on your oatmeal isn’t enough of an excuse to ditch the sunscreen. Again, be sure to stay in shady areas, avoid tanning beds and use safe sunscreen.
Above all, keep safe this summer. And enjoy boosting the anti-inflammatory content of your diet with the aforementioned superfoods. You and your family will feel and look great for a healthy summer of fun in the sun!

How To Treat Your Vegetables Like Meat

Use these techniques to make veggies so good, even the meat-lovers will be salivating.
It’s the season of backyard barbecues and the aroma of grilled meat wafting through the neighborhood… but wait! What if you don’t eat meat? Does that mean you’ll miss out on the traditional gastronomic pleasures of the first long weekend of summer?
Not at all! There are many ways in which to elevate vegetables to a position of glory, one so delicious and decadent that the meat-eaters may even look your way and wonder why they didn’t choose the same. 
The secret to cooking fabulous vegetables, as we’ve mentioned before, is to treat them like meat (though committed herbivores will likely argue this is the way veggies are meant to be treated). For centuries, meat has been the primary focus on the table, with vegetables playing second fiddle, but now it’s time to reverse that pattern.

No. 1: Dry-rub with spices.

Vegetables can handle strong, assertive spices. Forget the notion that all you need is a touch of salt and pepper (but it can be lovely, too). Mix up a harissa spice mix, use some za’atar, grab a barbecue powder, and rub it into whole heirloom carrots, cauliflower chunks, slabs of zucchini, and mushrooms.

No. 2: Marinate.

Vegetables absorb flavors beautifully. If marinated ahead of time, you’ll have no work to prepare them for the table post-cooking. I learned about the power of vegetable marinades from Madhur Jaffrey, whose newest cookbook, Vegetarian India, features a spectacular recipe for Punjabi-spiced cauliflower. It undergoes a two-hour marinade in spices, lemon, and coriander, followed by a hot sear in the oven and is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing things I’ve ever eaten.

No. 3: Brine.

Not a technique that one usually associates with vegetables, brining can soften the tough center of vegetables that may ordinarily take too long to cook on the grill, such as radishes, beets, cabbage, and carrots. Bon Appétit recommends “a brine of rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and aromatics infuses veg with character while jump-starting the cooking process. The result? They come off the grill just al dente.”

No. 3: Grill or smoke.

Grill your vegetables indirectly at low heat over charcoal and woodchips for a glorious smoky flavor. Potatoes, celery root, broccoli, fennel, and carrots are especially good for this, although I don’t think you can go wrong with smoke flavor, ever. A halved head of Romaine is particularly delectable on the grill, served as a Caesar salad afterward. If pressed for time, forego the woodchips and grill as usual with plenty of olive oil and salt.
Eat plain, sandwiched between soft bread, or turn into a salad by chopping and drizzling with balsamic and more olive oil. A handful of feta and nuts takes it to the next level.