#soybean benefits

[suchananewsblog]

Vegetarian Foods That Can Give You More Protein Than An Egg

Protein is an essential component of a balanced diet. It is required for the proper functioning of the human body. This nutrient helps to strengthen our muscles and bones. Protein-rich foods are ideal for a weight-loss diet since they keep you fuller for longer and give you energy as well. While many individuals rely on eggs as their primary source of protein, there are a variety of vegetarian…

[harmeet-saggi]

Health Benefits Of Soyabean : Its Use And Side Effects

Are you looking for a versatile and protein-rich food to add to your balanced diet? Have you ever wondered about the health benefits of soybean and its potential side effects? In this comprehensive blog, we'll explore the world of soybean, from its numerous uses and benefits to its potential drawbacks. So, let's dive right in and discover why soybean deserves a special place in your healthy diet!

[nicearchive]

Source : Google

[reasonsforhope]

The World's Forests Are Doing Much Better Than We Think

You might be surprised to discover... that many of the world’s woodlands are in a surprisingly good condition. The destruction of tropical forests gets so much (justified) attention that we’re at risk of missing how much progress we’re making in cooler climates.

That’s a mistake. The slow recovery of temperate and polar forests won’t be enough to offset global warming, without radical reductions in carbon emissions. Even so, it’s evidence that we’re capable of reversing the damage from the oldest form of human-induced climate change — and can do the same again.

Take England. Forest coverage now is greater than at any time since the Black Death nearly 700 years ago, with some 1.33 million hectares of the country covered in woodlands. The UK as a whole has nearly three times as much forest as it did at the start of the 20th century.

That’s not by a long way the most impressive performance. China’s forests have increased by about 607,000 square kilometers since 1992, a region the size of Ukraine. The European Union has added an area equivalent to Cambodia to its woodlands, while the US and India have together planted forests that would cover Bangladesh in an unbroken canopy of leaves.

Logging in the tropics means that the world as a whole is still losing trees. Brazil alone removed enough woodland since 1992 to counteract all the growth in China, the EU and US put together. Even so, the planet’s forests as a whole may no longer be contributing to the warming of the planet. On net, they probably sucked about 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year between 2011 and 2020, according to a 2021 study. The CO2 taken up by trees narrowly exceeded the amount released by deforestation. That’s a drop in the ocean next to the 53.8 billion tons of greenhouse gases emitted in 2022 — but it’s a sign that not every climate indicator is pointing toward doom...

More than a quarter of Japan is covered with planted forests that in many cases are so old they’re barely recognized as such. Forest cover reached its lowest extent during World War II, when trees were felled by the million to provide fuel for a resource-poor nation’s war machine. Akita prefecture in the north of Honshu island was so denuded in the early 19th century that it needed to import firewood. These days, its lush woodlands are a major draw for tourists.

It’s a similar picture in Scandinavia and Central Europe, where the spread of forests onto unproductive agricultural land, combined with the decline of wood-based industries and better management of remaining stands, has resulted in extensive regrowth since the mid-20th century. Forests cover about 15% of Denmark, compared to 2% to 3% at the start of the 19th century.

Even tropical deforestation has slowed drastically since the 1990s, possibly because the rise of plantation timber is cutting the need to clear primary forests. Still, political incentives to turn a blind eye to logging, combined with historically high prices for products grown and mined on cleared tropical woodlands such as soybeans, palm oil and nickel, mean that recent gains are fragile.

There’s no cause for complacency in any of this. The carbon benefits from forests aren’t sufficient to offset more than a sliver of our greenhouse pollution. The idea that they’ll be sufficient to cancel out gross emissions and get the world to net zero by the middle of this century depends on extraordinarily optimistic assumptions on both sides of the equation.

Still, we should celebrate our success in slowing a pattern of human deforestation that’s been going on for nearly 100,000 years. Nothing about the damage we do to our planet is inevitable. With effort, it may even be reversible.

-via Bloomburg, January 28, 2024

[kayawellhealth]

13 Amazing Health Benefits of Soybeans

What are Soybeans?

Soybeans are legumes (a type of bean) and are among the oldest cultivated crops in the world. They are commonly eaten either as whole beans or ground into flour. 

Types of Soybeans

There are two types of soybeans: dry beans and green soybeans. Dry beans are harvested at full maturity, while green soybeans are still tender and immature.

●       Dry Soybeans

The most common soybean variety is the dry bean, harvested at full maturity. Other varieties of dry beans include black soybeans, brown soybeans, lima beans, moong beans, navy beans, pinto beans, red kidney beans, and yellow soybeans.

●       Green Soybeans

Green soybeans are harvested before they turn mature. They are sometimes called edamame or Japanese soybeans.

Nutritional Value of Soybeans

Soybeans are high in protein. They are super rich in fiber but low in fat. One cup of cooked soybeans provides about 8 grams of dietary fiber and 2 grams of fat. They also contain a good amount of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and Vitamins B1, B2, & E. 

Here are some soybean nutrition facts:

• One cup of cooked soybeans contains about 25 grams of protein.

• One cup of raw soybeans contains approximately 6 grams of fiber.

• One cup contains 20 milligrams of iron, 90% of the recommended intake of zinc, copper, and manganese, and 40% of the recommended amount of iodine.

13 Health Benefits of Soybeans

1. Soybeans Are Packed with Healthy Protein

2. Soybeans Are Great For Your Heart

3. Soybeans Can Help You Lose Weight

4. Soybeans Can Improve Your Bone Health

5. Soybeans May Reduce the Risk of Cancer

6. Soybeans Can Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

7. Soybeans Can Boost Brain Function

8. Soybeans Can Improve Skin Health

9. Soybeans Improve Your Mood

10. Reduce Menopause Symptoms

11. Soybeans are Gluten-free

12. Soybeans are Hypoallergenic

13. Soybeans Can Improve Gut Health

Source blog:  https://www.kayawell.com/Food/13-Amazing-Benefits-Of-Soybeans-diabetes-type-ii-heart-disease

[fuzzballsheltiepants]

People always want to say that we shouldn't let politics divide us. That used to be true. The thing is, voting for Trump in this election tells me a lot about who you are as a person. So does abstaining, or voting third party.

If you support Trump, you are telling the world that you don't care about disadvantaged people, you don't care about the LGBTQ+ community, you don't care about the Black community, the Indigenous community, the Latino community. You don't care about pregnant people having complications, or those who don't wish to be pregnant. You don't care about seniors, who are looking at loss of Social Security and Medicare prescription benefits, and the retirement age being raised. You don't care about your own right to vote in the future. If you support Trump, you don't care about honesty, or decency, or fidelity. You don't care about competence. You can deny this, but if at the same time you're filling out your ballot for this man, your denials will ring hollow.

In the past 2 weeks, we've seen Trump's campaign have a horrifically racist rally in MSG. We've seen him threaten political enemies with facing a firing squad. We've seen him pretend to fellate a microphone. We've seen him lie about knowing Epstein, and we've gotten access to tapes of Epstein talking about the real Donald Trump, the one who he was friends with for decades. And we've seen him once again dog-whistling the Proud Boys.

You were paying less for groceries in 2019? Yeah, blame the corporations who took advantage of supply chain shortages to jack up prices and then decided those higher prices were what the market would bear. The government doesn't set grocery prices, and Harris actually has a plan to try to stop price gouging and collusion. Trump has a plan to once again add tariffs to China, something he did in his first term that had absolutely catastrophic effects on US farmers when China did the same to us and started getting their soybeans from Brazil instead. You may not remember the 28 billion dollar bailout that was given - ineffectually - to Iowa farmers, but you better believe the farmers do.

You don't agree with the US continuing to fund Israel's actions? Harris has challenged Netanyahu, called the situation a humanitarian crisis, and has, with the rest of the Biden administration, been trying to negotiate a ceasefire, only to be constantly stymied by Trump. Trump brags about being besties with Netanyahu, who he talks to regularly (despite that being, you know, illegal).

You're concerned about the border? Crossings are way down this year, to 2019 levels, and that's DESPITE the bipartisan border bill being crushed in Congress due to - you guessed it - Trump pressuring the GOP not to vote for it because he thought it would help him politically.

Your rent is out of control and you want to buy a house? Harris has a plan to build hundreds of thousands of new affordable homes AND help first-time homebuyers with down payments.

Your health care costs too much? How about the Harris prescription plan, which will cap ALL prescription costs, not just for seniors, and will cap ALL insulin at $35 regardless of age or healthcare plan?

You don't want to vote, or you insist on voting for Stein despite the fact that she has no plans, doesn't know how the government works, and has done zero for this country ever? You're telling us that it's more important to keep your own hands clean instead of helping take one tiny step in the direction of freedom, the direction of equality.

Your vote is your voice. And we can hear it.

[angelacademy]

Clear skin is more than just skincare: Gut Health

(A science based read)

What you eat is shown through your skin and on body. If your constantly shoving junk down your throat, junk is what will be shown on you. Essentially what you eat is what you are.

Eat bad -> bad skin

Eat good -> good skin

If your constantly breaking out and you feel icky. You need to figure out what is up with your gut health.

Research suggests many skin disorders are linked to an altered or unbalanced gut microbiome.

“When the relationship between gut microbiome and the immune system is impaired, subsequent effects can be triggered on the skin, potentially promoting the development of skin diseases.”

“13 Several dermatologic conditions, such as acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea are linked with intestinal dysbiosis. 223 Many studies have associated gastrointestinal health with skin homeostasis and allostasis, and there is evidence of a bidirectional interaction between the gut and the skin.”

Diet, drugs and other consumed substances affect skin through gut microbiome:

“Several studies have related the diversity and pathogenicity of the gut microbiome to skin disorders, which can be significantly altered by long-term dietary patterns. 43,105–107 Diet can affect the skin condition both positively and negatively through alteration of the gut microbiome, indicating that there is a relationship between the skin and the gut. 16 Not only diet, but also many synthetic and natural products consumed by humans as drugs can provide direct and indirect evidence on the connection between gut microbiome and skin.”

High and low fat diet:

“In the gut, a diet high in industrial trans-fatty acids increases the number of harmful microbes (such as Desulfovibrionaceae and Proteobacteria) while suppressing populations of advantageous microorganisms (e.g. members of Bacteroidetes, Lachnospiraceae, and Bacteroidales). 121 Refined and hydrogenated oils (e.g., soybean, sunflower, safflower, canola, corn, and vegetable oils) can cause inflammation in the gut, which then manifests on the skin.”

Industrially produced trans fat can be found in margarine, vegetable shortening, Vanaspati ghee, fried foods, and baked goods such as crackers, biscuits and pies. Baked and fried street and restaurant foods often contain industrially produced trans fat.

Prebiotics:

“133,134 Prebiotics, such as fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, inulin, polydextrose, lactulose, sorbitol, and xylitol are a promising group of compounds that modulate the gut microbiome and can also provide skin benefits.”

“The effect of prebiotics on the skin condition is also obvious. For example, a Lactobacillus extract helps to reduce the size of acne lesions as well as inflammation by reducing skin erythema, improving skin barrier function and lowering the microbial counts on skin.”

types of prebiotics include:

Chicory root

Garlic

Onion

Dandelion greens

Apples

Bananas

Jerusalem artichoke

Asparagus

Probiotics:

“Probiotics can prevent gut colonization by pathogens and support anti-inflammatory responses by producing metabolites with anti-inflammatory properties. The most common probiotic microbes currently in use belong to the genera Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces, and Streptococcus. 143,144 Several beneficial effects of probiotic consumption have been demonstrated on many dermatological conditions, thus proving the existence of the gut-skin axis.”

Common types of probiotics include:

Lactobacillus: This is a common probiotic found in fermented foods, such as yogurt.

Bifidobacterium: This probiotic is found in some dairy products and helps with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Saccharomyces boulardii: This is a type of yeast found in many probiotics. You can find these probiotics and more in supplements and select foods.

Yogurt

Buttermilk

Cottage cheese

Miso soup

Sauerkraut

Kefir

Kimchi

Tempeh

Protein:

“The proteins from animal-based food sources may have better effects on gut microbiota compared to plant-based food sources due to the higher protein digestibility of animal proteins and the fact that the digestion of plant proteins may be limited by the presence of antinutritional factors found in plants [67]. Animal proteins have more balanced essential amino acids than plant proteins [68,69] and are thus considered higher quality protein.”

“Dairy and meat protein intake at a recommended level increased the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus and maintained a more balanced composition of gut microbiota compared to soy protein, which is beneficial to the host [25,26,28].”

“Your body makes lots of different peptides, each of which has a different role. Scientists can also make synthetic peptides in the lab. Companies have been adding peptides to skin care products for decades.”

High protein foods:

Salmon

Chicken breast

Tuna

Red split lentils

Tofu

Greek yogurt

Fibre:

“Dietary fibre is comprised of plant-based carbohydrates that cannot be metabolised by digestive enzymes encoded in the human genome, such as amylase. Instead, fibre can only be metabolized by certain species of gut microbiota through anaerobic fermentation, with the main product of this reaction being SCFAs.”

“Dietary fibre is a carbohydrate in plant foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and legumes, which have been dominant in human diets for millions of years. From the Paleolithic era, when the hunter-gatherers mainly ate fruit and wild grains, to the agricultural era, when crops began to be cultivated, the ancients consumed more than 100 g of various digestible and indigestible dietary fibre from plants per day [1,2].”

Fibre rich foods:

Chia seeds

Lentils

Broccoli

Avacado

Carrots

Red kidney beans

Raspberries

XOXO

[rjzimmerman]

E.P.A. Again Seeks Limits on a Harmful Pesticide. (New York Times)

Excerpt from this story from the New York Times:

Almost 25 years after federal regulators curbed household use of a pesticide linked to learning disorders in children, and three years after a total ban on its use on food crops, the chemical is again being applied to everything from bananas to turnips in most states.

The saga of this pesticide, which has the unwieldy name chlorpyrifos, is a stark reminder of why so many Americans are alarmed about industrial farming and the food supply. The concern helped propel Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential candidacy and subsequent selection to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

The issue is also a vivid illustration of the obstacles that regulators will face if they try to make good on campaign promises to remove harmful chemicals from the food supply, as Mr. Kennedy often has.

The latest twist arrived on Monday, when the Environmental Protection Agency proposed outlawing the use of chlorpyrifos on farmed foods — except on 11 crops, including fruits children tend to eat in large quantities, such as apples, oranges, peaches and cherries.

In an interview, Dr. Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator of the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention at the E.P.A., said the proposed rule would provide the greatest benefit to children’s health while still abiding by a federal-court decision last year that overturned the agency’s original ban.

The proposal will lower the amount of the pesticide applied to fields and orchards annually by 3.9 million pounds, from the 5.3 million pounds used each year from 2014 to 2018, according to a preliminary E.P.A. analysis.

“This will result in a 70 percent reduction from the historic total amounts of chlorpyrifos used on food before this all started,” Dr. Freedhoff said.

The new permitted crops will include alfalfa, asparagus, soybeans, strawberries, wheat, sugar beets and cotton. The pesticide would also be allowed on Christmas tree farms and golf courses, and on tobacco and crops grown for seed, as well as for public mosquito control and in enclosed ant and roach bait.

The public has 60 days to comment on the rule.

Chlorpyrifos manufacturers have indicated they will not challenge the proposed limits and will not pursue broader food crop use, Dr. Freedhoff said. Gharda Chemicals, the manufacturer based in Mumbai, India, that sued over the original ban, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Mr. Kennedy also did not respond to requests for comment.

[beardedmrbean]

CHANCAY, Peru (AP) — On the edge of Peru’s coastal desert, a remote fishing town where a third of all residents have no running water is being transformed into a huge deep-water port to cash in on the inexorable rise of Chinese interest in resource-rich South America.

The megaport of Chancay, a $1.3 billion project majority-owned by the Chinese shipping giant Cosco, is turning this outpost of bobbing fishing boats into an important node of the global economy.

From the presidential palace in Lima, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the port inauguration ceremony, China’s President Xi Jinping watched a livestream of the ribbon-cutting alongside his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, late Thursday.

The leaders' faces appeared on a giant screen in Chancay, where engineers in bright orange safety vests declared the port operational to the swell of string instruments. Chinese dancers with red dragon-costume heads seemingly burst out of nowhere to prance around the docking station as a crane lowered the first aluminum containers onto a berthed cargo ship.

“Considerable income and enormous job opportunities will be generated for Peru,” Xi said from Lima, where world leaders were preparing to gather for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. “This will generate tangible results for the people of the region.”

But the development — expected to encompass 15 quays and a large industrial park drawing more than $3.5 billion in investment over a decade — has met a skeptical response from impoverished villagers, who say it is depriving them of fishing waters and bringing no economic benefit to locals.

“Our fishing spots no longer exist here. They destroyed them,” said 78-year-old fisherman Julius Caesar — “like the emperor of Rome” — gesturing toward the dockside cranes. “I don't blame the Chinese for trying to mine this place for all it's worth. I blame our government for not protecting us.”

The Peruvian government hopes the port will become a strategic transshipment hub for the region, opening a new line connecting South America to Asia and speeding trade across the Pacific for Peru's blueberries, Brazil's soybeans and Chile's copper, among other exports.

Officials cite the port's potential to generate millions of dollars in revenues and turn coastal cities into so-called special economic zones with tax breaks to lure investment.

“We Peruvians are focused primarily on the well-being of Peruvians,” Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer told The Associated Press.

But many of Chancay's 60,000 residents are unconvinced. Fishermen returning to port with smaller catches complain that they have already lost out.

The dredging of the port — which sucked sediment from the seabed to create a shipping channel 17 meters (56 feet) deep — has ruined fish breeding grounds, locals said.

“I’ve been out in the water all day and I’m always needing to venture farther,” said Rafael Ávila, a 28-year-old fisherman with sand in his hair, returning to shore empty-handed and exhausted.

“This used to be enough,” he said, pointing at his painted dinghy. “Now I need a larger, more expensive boat to reach the fish."

To make extra cash, Ávila started offering occasional joyrides to selfie-taking visitors wanting to get a glimpse at the hulking Chinese ships.

With some of the world's largest container ships to berth at Chancay Port in January 2025, residents also fear the arrival of pollution and oil spills. In 2022, a botched tanker delivery at La Pampilla refinery nearby sent thousands of barrels of crude oil spilling into Peru's famously biodiverse waters, killing countless fish and putting legions of fishermen out of work.

Today a glance at the moribund town center, featuring mostly empty seafood restaurants, tells the story of diminished fishing stocks and decimated tourism even without the port being operational.

The port's breakwater changed the currents and destroyed good surfing conditions, locals said, affecting everyone from ice vendors to truckers to restaurant owners. “No to the megaport” is spray-painted on a wall overlooking the waterfront.

“This port is a monster that's come here to screw us,” said 40-year-old Rosa Collantes, cleaning and gutting slimy drum fish on the shore. “People come to the port and they say ‘Wow, tremendous!' but they don't see the reality.”

Port authorities say they're aware of the stark contrast between the sleek modern port and the surrounding village of Chancay, where many live on unpaved roads lined with ragged shacks and littered with trash.

“You cannot build a state-of-the-art port and have a city next to it that has no drinking water, no sewage, a collapsing hospital and no educational centers,” said Mario de las Casas, a manager for Cosco in Chancay, adding that the company had already launched studies to determine how the port could help reduce inequality and spur local growth.

“The port should not be a blemish,” De las Casas said.

[beautyandlifestyleblog86]

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans, rice, or barley. This fermented food offers a variety of health benefits due to the presence of beneficial probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that are produced during the fermentation process. Some of the potential benefits of miso include:

1. Probiotic support: Miso is a natural source of probiotics, such as beneficial bacteria and yeast strains, that can help promote a healthy balance of gut microbiota. Consuming miso regularly may support digestion, improve gut health, and boost the immune system.

2. Digestive health: The probiotics and enzymes found in miso can aid in digestion, promote nutrient absorption, and support overall digestive health. Miso can help maintain a healthy gut environment, reduce inflammation, and alleviate digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and indigestion.

3. Immune system support: A healthy gut microbiome is essential for a strong immune system. The probiotics in miso can help strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and support overall immune function.

4. Nutrient-rich: Miso is a good source of vitamins (such as B vitamins), minerals (such as manganese, zinc, and copper), and protein. These nutrients are important for overall health, immune function, energy metabolism, and cell function.

5. Antioxidant properties: The fermentation process used to make miso can increase the availability of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and promote overall well-being.

6. Heart health: The probiotics, antioxidants, and minerals in miso may help support heart health by reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels, and promoting overall cardiovascular health.

7. Bone health: Miso is a good source of nutrients like calcium and vitamin K, which are important for bone health and may help support bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Incorporating miso into your diet as a seasoning for soups, marinades, dressings, and other dishes can provide a range of health benefits. It's important to choose traditionally fermented miso to ensure the presence of live probiotic cultures. As with any food, moderation is key, and individual responses to miso may vary. If you have specific health concerns or medical conditions, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet.

[suchananewsblog]

5 Vegetarian Foods That Can Give You More Protein Than An Egg.

Protein is an essential component of a balanced diet. It is required for the proper functioning of the human body. This nutrient helps to strengthen our muscles and bones. Protein-rich foods are ideal for a weight-loss diet since they keep you fuller for longer and give you energy as well. While many individuals rely on eggs as their primary source of protein, there are a variety of vegetarian…

[ivory-lamps]

B03: Putting It Into Practice - A Happy Lifestyle

Characters: Nagi, Netaro, Raito, Ryui, Toi & Yodaka Location: HAMA Summary: Nagi begins the first day of his “happiness activities”, but misfortune befalls him every step of the way. Proofreader: Shay

ㅤ

Translator’s Notes ☽.‎˖

Natto: These are fermented soybeans, often eaten with a bit of mustard and a sauce made from Japanese soup stock. While it’s known for its slimy texture and strong smell/flavour, it also has great benefits that support gastrointestinal health.

Get on your knees and bow: This is traditional Japanese etiquette and is generally used as a deep apology or to ask for a favour. 

*An alarm clock rings*

Nagi: 6 A.M. Today is the first day of happiness activities… aka a “Happy Lifestyle”.

Nagi: Happy Lifestyle #1: Bathe in sunlight and walk for 20 minutes within half an hour of waking up.

Sonia: Apparently, it’s best to go on a walk with an empty mind~ You’ve got this, Nagi-san!

Nagi: Thanks. Let’s go, then.

Nagi: I can feel my self-esteem strangely improving just by doing morning activities. I guess that also makes me part of the self-aware gang–

*Car screeches to a halt*

Reckless truck driver: Hey, that was dangerous! Are you tryin’ to kill yourself!?

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: Morning – 9 A.M.

Sonia: It’s another lovely day today. The flowers have started their lovely photosynthesis~

Nagi: Yeah. I think both the leaves and I are starting to get a nice sheen.

Happy Lifestyle #2: Come into contact with nature for more than 5 hours every month.

Sonia: Apparently, that can really lower your stress levels.

Nagi: I come into contact with nature every day, so maybe I’m the type of person who handles stress well…

*SLAM*

Woman stuck to the shop window before opening hours: ……

*Sonia and Nagi flinch*

Nagi: Woah, that gave me a fright.

Woman: Hey! The bouquet I bought from the department store yesterday has completely withered!

Nagi: My apologies. If I can see your receipt… Wait, department store?

Woman: Yeah! I bought a bouquet from the department store!

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: 11 A.M.

I do the weeding.

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: 1 P.M.

Happy Lifestyle #3: Eat something fermented that’s good for the intestines.

I’ve heard that the intestines and brain are connected. It’s also said that if your intestines are in good condition, your mood will also improve.

Miso soup that’s made with miso and hot water. Pickled vegetables I splurged on. 3 packs of [1]natto I got for 90 yen and frozen rice… Bon appetit.

Yodaka: Oh, Nagi. Having lunch?

Nagi: Yeah, I’m trying to improve my gut health and my happiness at the same time…

Yodaka: Improving gut health? I’ve heard it’s good to add grated onions and apple vinegar to miso soup.

Nagi: I’ll note that down. Did your grandmother or mother tell you that?

Yodaka: Hm? Oh… uh… yeah. …I think… it was my father.

*A beep can be heard*

……

Nagi: ? Does your head hurt?

Yodaka: No, I’m fine.

Ryui: Hey, Hachinoya. It’s almost time, but you’re ready to leave, right?

*The car starts up and an alarm beeps*

Nagi: 2 P.M.

Do you need me to help you with anything apart from sending you off and picking you up while you’re house-hunting?

(Happy Lifestyle #4: Contribute to my community.)

Ryui: It’s fine. Driving me is enough. All the owners of the nice places in Ward 15 have connections to my stupid gramps.

Nagi: Stupid gramps…? The grandfather of the Shiramitsu Family, right?

Ryui: He won’t give the place to you even if you [2]get on your knees and bow.

Nagi: I’m good at doing that.

Ryui: I just told you there’s no point doing that, right?

Nagi: They say two heads are better than one right sure we haven’t known each other that long but I’m sure there’s something else I can help with other than driving you around I mean I run a store and for example I could help randomly find a property…

Ryui: You don’t give up, do ya!? It’s dangerous so focus on driving!!

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: 3 P.M.

I do the weeding.

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: 4 P.M.

Sonia (in the background): Alright, Raito-san. Let’s start the Raito Class.

Nagi: (Happy Lifestyle #5: Work hard towards your own personal growth.)

Raito: Have you heard of assertiveness, Nagi? It’s an important communication skill that helps you tell others your own ideas and principles without offending the other party.

Nagi: Nope. I’ve never heard of it but is that possible…?

Raito: Don’t worry, it’s really simple. You should be able to get the hang of it after trying it once. The key is to make yourself the topic, but… let’s start with an example first.

A customer complains and says, “I bought flowers from this store, but they withered right away.” But keep in mind that you had issues handling this customer. Give it a go.

Nagi: I’ll sincerely apologise, give them back their money, change their flowers and wrap it up with a free voucher. I’ll report them to the consumer centre and ask for further guidance depending on their behaviour.

Raito: Haha… You’re the type of person to take in the situation first before asserting yourself, huh, Nagi.

Woman who stopped by in the morning: Hey! The florist at the department store declined the free voucher you gave me earlier! They won’t even change my withered flowers! What’s going on!?

Sonia: Oh, she’s the lady that stopped by earlier today…!

*Nagi panics*

Nagi: U–Uhh, that’s the voucher for this store…

Raito: …Florist at the department store? So you didn’t buy the flowers here, did you?

Woman: That’s right!

Raito: …Flowers are supposed to be symbols of happiness, so I understand how sad you must be feeling after seeing the flowers wilt. You must be kind at heart deep down.

As the flowers were purchased elsewhere, I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do and for that, we’re deeply sorry. But…

We wouldn’t want to make you so sad, so how about letting us handle your bouquet requests in the future…?

After all, a lovely lady who suits flowers, such as yourself, would make the perfect customer for our flowers.

Woman: My…! What a wonderful store! I’d love to purchase flowers from this store in the future!

Sonia: W–Wow… His resourcefulness is on a different level.

Nagi: Raito-san gained that skill by trying it once…? I’d expect no less from him. He’s completely different from me… And we’re both leaders…

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: 8 P.M.

Toi: Thank you for delivering all these flowers again today! See you later. Bye bye!

*Nagi speeds off*

Nagi: I should hand out flowers for all the happiness I’ve accumulated today on my way back.

(Happy Lifestyle #6: Balance out the Weal and Woe Scale.)

I suppose I should hand out 500 roses before nightfall approaches…

(As for the rest… I’ll give them to the Manager. I’m grateful that I don’t have to worry about having leftover flowers in the worst-case scenario.)

Nagi: Excuse me. I’m handing out flowers for free, but would you like to tak–

Thug A: Huuh~? Flowers? Nah, don’t need ‘em.

Thug B: Hey, aren’tcha that guy who tried to pick a fight with us the other day?

Thug A: Ah, owwwwwww… Hey, I just pricked myself on the rose you just shoved into my hands! I gotta go to the hospital so pay up.

*Nagi pales*

Thug B: If ya wanna live, ya better give us the money and get goin’!

*An alarm beeps*

Nagi: It’s… 10 P.M, huh.

Sigh… I’ve done a lot of weeding, but… it’s going to take a while before this place gets nicely cleaned up.

(I’m thirsty but… I forgot to bring my water bottle. I think there was a vending machine nearby…)

Found it.

(A drink in a plastic bottle would be good. I guess I’ll go with the green tea.)

…Oh, I’ve got no money. I’m completely out.

??: You want a bottle of green tea, right? I’ll buy it for you.

Nagi: Wha…?

Netaro: Someone’s been working hard.

Nagi: …Thanks. But how’d you know I was here?

Netaro: I’ve set things up so that I’m notified when you’re weakened, Gii. I can also tell where you are at all times.

For you, it’s the same as that drink. You’re my important donor, after all, Gii.

Nagi: …It’s my first time having someone watch over me.

Anyway, you really saved me. I think I can keep going thanks to you.

Netaro: What~? You’re not gonna come home?

Nagi: Yeah. I think I can make good progress if I keep going… There we go.

Netaro: …Good progress for what?

Nagi: With the weeding.

I found this empty plot when I was walking around my ward. I asked the landowner for permission to do the weeding beforehand.

Netaro: You did all this yourself? With your bare hands?

Ahaha! How horribly ineffective! You’ve been rather active recently, Gii!

Nagi: Yeah. I wanted to start something, but I didn’t know what to do… I’m trying out all sorts of things right now.

Happy Lifestyle #7: Do volunteer work.

I heard people talking about the psychology of happiness. They said volunteering can increase your happiness levels.

Netaro: Hmm. If you’re doing volunteer work to be happy, does that still make it volunteer work?

Nagi: …Oh. Is that not right?

Netaro: Aha. You’re funny, Gii~ So when you saved me, it was actually for yourself, huh.

Nagi: I’m not sure. I don’t really understand it myself, but…

You didn’t have anyone to share your secret with, and I guess I want you to be happy, Netaro.

Netaro: Heheh! Hey, you’re making my chest feel all ticklish!

I’ll teach you about Happy Lifestyle #8, then. Write down 3 things that made you happy before you go to bed every day.

The last sensation you feel leaves a strong impression on the human brain, so you can make use of that method.

Nagi: Oh…

I… was this close to being run over by a truck, but that’s a good thing, right?

Netaro: Good thing #1~!

Nagi: …I’ve gained another regular customer.

Netaro: #2~!

Nagi: Ryui… moved me emotionally…?

Netaro: #3~!

Nagi: Raito-san… pointed me in the direction of my personal growth…!

Netaro: You have more!?

Nagi: I was extorted for my money, but Netaro bought me a drink.

Netaro: Mhm!

Nagi: I have someone who worries about me.

Netaro: He’s not human, though.

Nagi: (A lot of stuff happened, but if I think about it…)

Today was a great day.

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[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Cows remain the untraceable victims of Amazon deforestation

The Legal Amazon’s six meatpacking plants authorized to export beef to the European Union have done little or nothing to adapt to the requirements in the EU Deforestation Regulation, issued by the economic bloc, which will take effect this year on December 30. A new Radar Verde study, shared with SUMAÚMA, shows that none of the exporters – Agra Agroindustrial de Alimentos, JBS, Marfrig Global Foods, Minerva, Naturafrig Alimentos, and Vale Grande Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos (Frialto) – implemented systems capable of controlling 100% of indirect suppliers, that is, the farms selling or transferring cattle from the Amazon region to other properties or intermediaries. Only Marfrig had already begun mapping its indirect chain, with 63% of the meatpacking plants at all of the companies included in the study controlling direct suppliers.

These companies, located in the state of Mato Grosso, have eight meatpacking plants and a total daily slaughter capacity of 5,870 animals. They have just been given extra time to, in practice, keep buying meat from deforested areas. That is because a group of 17 countries, including Brazil, have taken up exporter lobbying and asked to delay regulations that would stop the destruction of forests from being approved by European consumers.

By extending the timeline to implement the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, each exporter will be able to continue operating in a region where at least 100,000 hectares are exposed to the risk of deforestation. For an idea of what this number represents, imagine tens times the entire area of the city of Paris. Now multiply this area by each of the six meatpacking plants. This is the potential devastation to the forest that could still be jointly caused by these companies in their meat production chains if strict control measures are not taken. Radar Verde’s estimate is conservative and considers meatpacking plants’ area of operation.

On October 2, the European Commission introduced a proposal agreeing to hold off the Deforestation Regulation until 2026, bringing benefits to cocoa, coffee, palm oil, natural rubber, timber, and soybean exporters as well. Large producers, like the meatpacking plants, were given 12 additional months to adapt to the new standards, while small producers have at least 18 more months. Just one symbolic European Parliament vote is needed to approve this decision, which had already cleared the Council of the European Union on October 16. The European Parliament’s vote is set for November 14.

Radar Verde‘s unprecedented study on European Union exports looked at data collected in 2023. The project, which was supported by O Mundo que Queremos and the Amazon Institute of People and the Environment, gives consumers and financial sources insight into which meatpacking plants are in control of and transparent about their production chains, that is, whether or not they contribute to deforestation in the forest region.

“What we’re seeing is an ecosystem of leniency to guarantee that meat contaminated by deforestation continues to be exported,” says Paulo Barreto, an associate researcher at the Amazon Institute of People and the Environment. He says that this system involves everyone from the people deforesting to farms operating in illegal areas and, obviously, up through the meatpacking plants buying their products, financial backers who claim to be committed to solutions, and the government itself, which doesn’t always act with due transparency.

Continue reading.

[twomiddlefingersforthehaters]

Yatai Stalls:Japanese Street Food :- Street food vendors are known as Yatai in Japan and while they can be seen in abundance at festivals.

The text written in those colorful nobari :

串だんご (Kushi-dango)

Dango is a Japanese sweet that has been loved by Japanese people for a long time. Dango is a dough made by adding water to powdered grains such as rice, rolling it up and steaming it. Currently, skewered dumplings are often recognized as so-called dumplings, but there are also dumplings that are not skewered. Dumplings flavored with soy sauce, miso, and soybean flour have long been popular among Japanese people. There are also dango called hanami dango and tsukimi dango, which are often seen at events and are said to bring good luck.

たこ焼 (Takoyaki)

Diced octopus encased in a light batter and rolled into a ball with spring onion and ginger and topped with green seaweed, sauce, sliced and dried bonito, and sometimes drizzled with mayonnaise. The exterior of a takoyaki ball is a nice golden brown while the interior can be a touch molten. A single order of takoyaki typically contains about eight balls that are topped with shaved bonito flakes (katsuobushi), aonori seaweed flakes and drizzled with mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce.

おでん (Oden)

"Oden" is very popular winter dish all over Japan, and each region has original taste, as Ozouni new year soup. Various kind of ingredients slowly simmered in flavorful dashi broth.

• Masks

Traditional Japanese masks (お面) are mostly decorative and can easily be found at festivals and shrine events. Masks have long played an important role in Japanese culture. Most of these masks are archetypes borrowed from mythology, ancient dances, or noh theater and military costume. Traditional masks are still used by theater actors or Shinto dancers. The most popular Japanese masks are often inspired by yokai; Supernatural Japanese creatures that appear in popular legends and beliefs. In Kabuki theater, they used makeup to embody characters such as demons or to translate expressions such as anger, feelings of sadness or rage on the faces. The Kabuki actors, as opposed to the Noh Theater, do not wear masks. The mask has also the function of hiding any individual traces of the actor. The fox mask is worn on the faces of many festival goers during Shinto ceremonies. Kitsune mask always using White colour based with red patterns. Inari Shrine had red colors everywhere included on the fox statues of the shrine. Most of the foxes serve Inari has white fur. In most of Japanese festival, Kitsune mask always using White colour based with red patterns. The mask of the fox used in Noh play or Kagura play is white. Kitsunes are believed to have from one to nine tails. The number of tails a kitsune has indicates its age and strength. Kitsunes can come in different colors but turn white or gold upon gaining their 9th tail. The Nine Tailed Fox, or Kyuubi no Kitsune, can hear and see everything that goes on around the world. They wear these (kitsune) masks, in order to attract good benefits and thus ensure a good harvest.

Here are the masks I identified from the panel above.

1. Ramenman in Kinnikuman series

The Japanese manga series Kinnikuman was written and illustrated by Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada, known as Yudetamago. The series follow Kinnikuman, a superhero who must win a wrestling tournament to retain the title of prince of Planet Kinniku. The manga was first published in Shueisha's magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump as a two one-shots in December 1978 and March 1979. The regular serialization started with the publication of the first chapter in the May 28, 1979 issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump, where it was serialized weekly until its conclusion in March 1987. Tatakae!! Ramenman is an alternate-universe and spin-off series to Yudetamago's previous work: Kinnikuman. It is focused around the character of Ramenman, who travels the land to fight various enemies. It was serialized in Shueisha's Fresh Jump magazine from 1982 until 1988.

2. Kamen Rider (1971 TV series)

Kamen Rider is a tokusatsu franchise created by manga creator Shotaro Ishinomori.

3. Chiaotzu in Dragon Ball

4. Sun Wukong

(The picture I'm using from Toriyama's bonus illustration featured in Dragon Ball's 6th volume)

In the novel, this headgear is something that binds sun wukong. Originally, he didn't wear it, but after following Tang Sanzang, that is, his master. At the beginning, he liked to kill some ordinary people without any spells. Tang Sanzang felt that his character was very bad, so there was a god, she called Guanshiyin Bodhisattva.This Bodhisattva also taught Tang Sanzang a formula. She used the temptation to make Monkey King wear a hat, and then the hat became this headgear, if Monkey King wanted to kill ordinary people.Tang Sanzang can recite formulas, and this headdress will shrink, giving Monkey King a headache and unable to use any spells. @dob-siki thank you for the information!!!

5. Hyottoko mask

Hyottoko means this facial expression or a mask with this funny face. It's a man. The pouting bent expression of his mouth is very significant. The size of the left and right eyes can be different too. In the mask or the person, who wears the mask often puts Japanese cotton towel (Tenugui) around the head. This character originally came from ancient traditional Japanese dance called Bugaku. The face of this character is an old man playing a funny and ridiculous role. He saw a beautiful couple dancing beautifully and admired and appreciated their dancing while drinking a lot of sake. He was very impressed and tried to dance like that with his wife. But they were too drunk and too old to dance gracefully, so their "dance" turned out to be very funny and awkward. There are many different stories about Hyotoko in Japan. The name Hyottoko came from Hi-Otoko (fire man). He is blowing air through a hollow bamboo stick to make fire. And his expression is showing how hard he is trying. His mouth is also known to resemble sake bottle. Hyottoko masks are commonly used during traditional Japanese dances in order to bring good luck.

I don't know whether the following findings are correct or wrong.

6. Lokai in Star Trek : Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (1969)

This is what came to my mind when I saw white on the right side and black on the left side.

[fortheloveofnutrition]

Harnessing the Power of Calcium: Exploring Its Benefits and Plant-Based Sources

Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. While many associate calcium with dairy products, there are numerous plant-based sources that provide this crucial nutrient. In this blog post, we will delve into the benefits of calcium for the human body and explore some of the best plant-based sources to incorporate into your diet.

The Importance of Calcium:

Calcium is widely recognized for its role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. However, its benefits extend far beyond skeletal health. Calcium is also involved in muscle contractions, nerve function, blood clotting, and the regulation of enzyme activity. It is particularly crucial during childhood and adolescence when bones are growing, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Additionally, adequate calcium intake throughout life may reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. Furthermore, research suggests that calcium may play a role in managing blood pressure and reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.

Plant-Based Sources of Calcium:

For individuals who follow a plant-based or dairy-free diet, it's important to be aware of alternative sources of calcium. Here are some of the best plant-based sources to consider:

1. Leafy Greens:

Dark, leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, turnip greens, and spinach are excellent sources of calcium. These nutrient-packed vegetables not only offer calcium but also provide other essential vitamins and minerals.

2. Almonds:

Almonds are a versatile and nutritious snack that contains a considerable amount of calcium. Additionally, they offer healthy fats, protein, and fiber, making them a valuable addition to your diet.

3. Sesame Seeds:

Sesame seeds, commonly used in various cuisines, are a rich source of calcium. They can be sprinkled on salads, added to baked goods, or used in homemade granola for an extra calcium boost.

4. Tofu and Tempeh:

Tofu and tempeh, both derived from soybeans, are excellent plant-based sources of calcium. These versatile protein sources are widely used in vegetarian and vegan cooking and can be incorporated into a variety of dishes.

5. Fortified Plant-Based Milk Alternatives:

Many plant-based milk alternatives, such as almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk, are fortified with calcium to provide a comparable amount to dairy milk. Be sure to check the labels to ensure adequate calcium content.

6. Chia Seeds:

Chia seeds not only provide calcium but are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. They can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, or used as a topping for yogurt or salads.

7. Beans and Lentils:

Beans and lentils, including chickpeas, black beans, and lentils, are not only excellent sources of protein and fiber but also contain notable amounts of calcium. They can be incorporated into soups, stews, salads, or even used as a base for veggie burgers.

Calcium is an essential mineral that contributes to numerous functions within the human body. While dairy products are often associated with calcium, there are plenty of plant-based sources that can provide this vital nutrient. By incorporating leafy greens, almonds, sesame seeds, tofu, fortified plant-based milk alternatives, chia seeds, beans, and lentils into your diet, you can ensure an adequate calcium intake while enjoying a diverse and nutritious plant-based lifestyle. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized guidance on meeting your calcium needs and maintaining optimal health.

For more detailed and comprehensive information, I recommend referring to reputable sources such as:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Office of Dietary Supplements:

Website: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/

Mayo Clinic:

Website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-calcium/art-20363792

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health:

Nutrition Source - Calcium: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/calcium/

Vegetarian Resource Group:

Calcium in the Vegan Diet: https://www.vrg.org/nutrition/calcium.php

These sources provide evidence-based information on calcium, its importance in the human body, and plant-based sources of calcium.

Remember, it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized advice regarding your specific dietary needs and health concerns.