Have you Tried to Drink Chai Tea? - Food Variety 11

 

Fig 01- Chai tea also for lip balm, just for illustration

Sure, there are plenty of tea’s brand, but Lipton is a tea brand which always in my mind.

I drink tea every day, hot tea in the colder seasons (fall, winter and spring), and iced tea during hot summer.

Depend on the sources of readings, it is said that there are at least 6 types of teas (Science Learning Hub, 2013). They are:

- black

- green

- white

- yellow

- oolong

- post-fermented

As far as I remember, I mainly drink black and green tea of Lipton. In addition to colors, the processing steps could produce tea variations in terms of form and taste.

Fig 02- Chai tea ingredients for lip balm, illustration

In respect to countries, there are four well known countries of tea productions and traditions:

- Japan (Macha tea)

- China

- India (Darjeeling tea)

- UK (English breakfast tea)

Fig 03- Icy leaves, just for illustration.

In addition, China has many different types of teas:

- black tea

- green tea

- Oolong

- White tea

- Pu Erh

- Biluochun

- Longjing tea.

Chai tea is a beverage tea comes from India. A kind of milk tea, black tea boiled in the milk with spices flavor. The spices and sweetened may include:

- star anise

- cardamom

- cinnamon

- sugar

- honey

The tea is believed has many health benefits such as:

- reduce stress

- regulate cholesterol

- improve digestion

- and even to prevent cancer.

Do you have specific favorite of tea? What kind of tea?

# You may read:

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- What is the Relationship between Eggs and Diabetes? - Diabetes 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What is Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Can We Find Flesh Eating Bacteria in Swimming Pool? - Microorganisms 2

 

Pond and fountain, just for illustration

Flesh eating bacteria caused infection called as Necrotizing fasciitis, infection on tissues under our skin.

Infections of bacteria may lead to:

- partly tissues are died

- amputations

- death in very rare cases

The bacteria are included in group of Streptococcus, and they are found in a quite wide range environment of:

- freshwater

- brackish water

- marine water

The Streptococcus bacteria are well known to cause diseases relate to:

- soft tissue infections

- skin diseases

- strep throat

A backyard, illustration only

The question, then: Can We Find Flesh Eating Bacteria in Swimming Pool?

The answer is YES.

It is because swimming pool generally use freshwater. One of common places for flesh eating bacteria.

Thus, bacteria can live in many freshwater environments such as:

- a lake

- a river

- water parks

- might be in the hot tubs

How to avoid flesh eating bacteria?

Simple answer is that just avoid to swim if we have scrapes or open cut on our skin. Using waterproof bandages might be helpful.

Take care! 

Icy in my Neighborhood during Recently Snow Storm

Fig 01- Snow in the jogging track area

Hundred millions people across America have experienced “deadly” snow storm. Temperature below zero Celsius degree during second week of February 2021.

Almost all southern states to brace more icy and frigid temperature than normal February each year, the states include:

- Texas

- Louisiana

- Mississippi

- Alabama.

Our city, Baton Rouge, temperature reached -8 C (18 F) degree. This is our first time experienced to face lower temperature in the Southern state.

The storm caused several problems in our neighborhood and city:

- power outage

- no water supply

- roads block

- grocery stores are closed

Fig 02- Ice on all branches of tree

Many our neighbors have no electricity more than 50 hours since Monday, 15 February 2021.

Fig 03- Branches fall down on the street.

No signs of light until Wednesday afternoon, 17 February 2021. We don’t know until when.

Few neighbors had to leave because it was too cold inside and they don’t have a fire place inside their houses.

Since our neighborhoods have different grids, we and several neighbors are lucky to have light and water supply during snow storms and until today.

How about with your cities? Have your cities snow storm?

Can Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine Contain New Covid 19 Virus Variants? - Virus 37

Kit Kat Chocolates for Valentine’s day, just illustration

We have at least 3 new dangerous variants of Sars Cov 2 viruses (Covid 19) so far:

- UK variant, identified as B.1.1.7

- South Africa variant, called as 20H/501Y.V2 or B.1.351

- Brazil variant, known as P.2

As reported by BBC News (February 9, 2021), the scary facts that South Africa halted the employing of UK’s AstraZeneca – Oxford vaccine, because the vaccine didn’t effective against new virus variant (20H/501Y.V2 or B.1.351).

I have posted about AstraZeneca – Oxford vaccine compared to other two American vaccines, Pfizer – Biontech and Moderna vaccines. Please find at:

- Is AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine Suitable for Poor Countries? - Virus 31

The good news that another American vaccine, Johnson & Johnson has “good” efficacy to contain South Africa variant with one shot only, after proved by clinical trials.

Effective rate of Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccine in 3 important places (regions):

- 72% in the USA.

- 66% in Latin America, include Brazil

- 57% in South Africa

Hence, a Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccine is “estimated” able to give protection against Covid 19 virus and its new variants.

Do you Consume Raw Radish? - Food Variety 10

Beautiful red Radish

I just noticed this “pretty” vegetable in the grocery recently. I though the Radishes were fruit, but they are “root” vegetable.

Look like tomatoes in terms of color (red), shape (round or irregular) and size from far distance.

The Radish is one of members from Brassicaceae family, among other vegetables include in this family are:

- kale

- cabbage

- kohlrabi

- Brussels sprout

- mustard

- collard green

- horseradish

- turnip

- rutabaga

Radishes with their leaves

Based on information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) link (dpi.wi.gov..) that radish was native to China.

In the ancient times, this root plants then distributed to the regions or countries such as:

- Egypt

- Greece

- Rome

Radishes is low calories food, about 19 calories pe cup (128 gram). They are believed rich in:

- vitamin (C and B2)

- minerals (calcium, potassium and manganese)

Many people consume raw radishes by slicing them, and then mix with others vegetable for salad.

Some people cook radishes to lower their hot spicy flavor, so people can eat a lot of this vegetable.

Do you eat radish? Raw or cooked?

May Covid 19 Reduce Men’s Fertility? - Virus 36

Plants in front a house, just for illustration

Men’s fertility mainly relates to sperm accounts, sperm movement and semen quality (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

It is believed the male fertility is decreasing globally due to many causes, include:

- exposure to pesticides

- obesity

- smoking

- stress

- exposure to chemical substances

- certain infections and illness

- lifestyle factors

Then, the question: May Covid 19 Reduce Men’s Fertility?

Yes

Based on study published in the Journal Reproduction, then reported by CNN on January 29, 2021

One of corner in the city garden

People who infected by Sars Cov 2 virus (corona virus) may affect on their fertility.

Based on primary observation to groups of fertile men with and without corona virus infections, then, the result shows that virus lead to impair of:

- sperm quality

- semen quality

The more serious infections, the lower sperm quality, thus higher possibility to reduce men fertility.

Even this is early observations, the findings make researchers to concern.

Take care!!  

Chocolate Covered Strawberry from Neighborhood – Food Variety 9

Fig 01- Strawberries covered by chocolate decorations

From internet searches, the prices of Chocolate Covered Strawberries are very varies. No price below US$ 1 each.

The most common prices range from US$ 15 to US$ 25 per a half dozen (6 pieces). Quite expensive for me.

Our neighborhood sells Chocolate Covered Strawberries with little bit lower than market prices, but still expensive for me:

- a half dozen (6 pieces) for $12; and a dozen (12 pieces) for $24

- a half dozen (6 pieces) for $15 infused with alcohol; a dozen (12 pieces) for $30 infused with alcohol.

I wonder, why are Chocolate Covered Strawberries so expensive?

The reasons might relate to:

- public perception as a “luxury” goods.

- highly demand

- chocolate is shorten life, thus, must be removed from store shelves quicker.

Fig 02- Chocolate covered three strawberries

Chocolates are good to keep them in the refrigerator, but it is no problem for 10 hours at room temperature.

Fig 03- several designs of chocolate covered strawberries.

In addition to strawberries, other fruits are suitable as well to be covered by chocolates.

Slices of some fruits which could be covered by chocolates:

- figs

- pears

- banana

- mango

- any other sweet fruits.

Have you tasted chocolate covered strawberry or any other fruit? What do you think?