Just as your Mother told you : an apple a day keeps the doctor away

EAT WELL and stay healthy. An apple a day could inhibit the growth of human cancer cells by about 50%. The active ingredients are most likely the phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the apple.

So always remember to listen to your Mum xxxxx

String Theory, Parallel Universes and other things I don't understand

The idea of travelling forward into the future or back into the past has always fascinated science fiction writers. The 'grandfather paradox' is the argument many people use to suggest that time travel is impossible. What if you went back in time and prevented your grandfather from meeting your grandmother so that your mother was never born? Then you would never have been born... and so on.
Until very recently such arguments led most scientists to believe that time travel could never exist outside science fiction. But amazingly, some interpretations of the weirdness of the quantum world now suggest that time travel is possible - at least in theory.
Gravity and black holes : Einstein's theory of relativity brought space and time together in a single, four-dimensional arrangement that he called spacetime. We know that we can travel forwards, backwards and sideways in space, so why not forwards and backwards in time?
Four dimensions are difficult to imagine, so physicists usually suggest you think of spacetime as a rubber sheet stretched out flat. If there are no large masses around, the sheet stays flat, and so any object placed on it will move around in straight lines. But a large mass, such as the sun, makes a dip in the sheet because it actually warps spacetime. Now any other object with smaller mass, like our Earth, moving about in spacetime rolls into the dip as it comes past the Sun. It appears 'attracted' to the large mass. This effect of warping spacetime is what gives rise to gravity.
The Universe is full of heavy objects exerting gravitational effects and the net result is that spacetime is not flat at all but curved. Everything, including light, has to follow curved paths in spacetime. We know Einstein was right about this because astronomers can sometimes see distant stars that ought to be masked by nearer objects such as the sun. Instead of travelling in straight lines and hence being blocked, the light from the stars bends round the obstruction.
When a star reaches the end of its life, it may collapse inwards under the influence of its own gravity to such an extent that all its matter becomes concentrated into an extremely dense object a fraction of its original size. This is a black hole. Black holes have such a huge gravitational pull that nothing can escape from them, not even light. We cannot see them but we have good evidence that they exist. We can see stars behaving in ways which suggest that they are being pulled about by a nearby invisible object with enormous mass.
What does a black hole do to spacetime? Relativity predicts that at the centre of a black hole is an infinitely dense point, called a singularity, within which all the normal laws of physics no longer apply. Time, space, matter and energy no longer have any well-defined meaning. Einstein's equations show that such a singularity doesn't just make a dip in the imaginary rubber sheet of spacetime, it makes a tunnel that goes right through and momentarily opens out on the other side.
Einstein's theory of relativity only deals with the physics of what happens on big scales. It cannot deal with what happens at the centre of a black hole, or what happened during the moment of the Big Bang at the birth of the Universe when spacetime itself was infinitesimally small. That takes us back into the world of quantum physics.
If you could look at spacetime with a magnifying glass so powerful that it reached down to the quantum scale, you would not see the smooth, continuous sheet of Einstein's spacetime. Just as a foam rubber ball looks smooth from a distance but rough and ragged close up. In this picture of spacetime it is quite likely that tiny holes could open up, entrances to little tunnels between now and other times, or between here and other universes. Another option for future time travellers would be somehow to harness these tiny wormholes and expand them.
Many worlds, many futures?To return to the question that has puzzled thinkers since Newton's day, is the future preordained? Or are there an infinite number of futures? One way of looking at the quantum world suggests that not only are there an infinite number of futures, but they are realised in an infinite number of universes.
But the idea of parallel universes provides a possible resolution to the 'grandfather paradox' that might otherwise cause problems for time travellers. If we travel back in time and change history, we launch ourselves into a new future in a parallel universe - but we have no effect on the present one from which we started out.
Scientists of the future may well pursue a new form of futuristic technology based on quantum effects. Such applications could include quantum teleportation, by which a quantum particle can be teleported from one point in space to another; and quantum computation, where calculations can be carried out which would take many years on a conventional computer. (Copyright BBC science programs) Fascinating stuff, don't ya think? 11th dimension, time travel, parallel universes, not just science fiction but science theory (or are they one and the same?). In two weeks, look for great news on Mitochondrial DNA in time for Mother's Day!!

A Joyous Easter : a Christian Celebration and a Pagan Rite of Spring

It is believed that the name Easter is derived from the Scandinavian word "Ostra" and the Teutonic word "Ostern" or "Eastre." They are the goddesses who signify fertility and Spring.

The egg is a symbol of Easter because it is associated with fertility and new life. Eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries.
The world's largest Easter egg is located in Vegreville, Alberta. The Vegreville Pysanka ("Easter Egg" in Ukrainian) stands 31 feet high and weighs 5,000 pounds.
The Cadbury Creme Egg made its debut in 1971.
The most valuable Easter eggs are Fabergé eggs, created for the Russian royal family. They are enameled and jewelled.
The Easter Bunny tradition dates back to pre-Christian times when the hare and the rabbit were the most fertile animals known. They were chosen as a symbol of new life during spring.
The first edible bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s.
In Australia, the rabbit is a pest and does much damage to the environment. Instead, many Australian's have claimed the bilby, a native rodent, as their Easter symbol.
The Easter Lily is the symbol of resurrection and the purity of Christ. Why not decorate your home with flowers this Easter

May it not be that, just as we have to have faith in Him, God has to have faith in us and, considering the history of the human race so far, may it not be that "faith" is even more difficult for Him than it is for us?
(W.H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907-1973), Anglo-American poet. "God," A Certain World (1970).)

On Palm Sunday ... a Chocolate Cake to make for Easter!!

When friends care ...... they share .... so for Easter ....my very favourite chocolate cake recipe. Yes, it is from scratch but not any more difficult once you have all ingredients together .... and the taste is to die for!! Thought I would post now so that you can get all ingredients ready to make for next Sunday. Enjoy!! Happy Easter.



Fay's Chocolate Cake:

Ingredients: 1/2 cup unstalted butter at room temperature, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup water, 4 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped, 2 tsp espresso powder (or strong espresso made in 1/4 cup of the water above - this is what I do as I can't find espresso powder), 1 3/4 cups pastry flour, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup sour cream. Method: Preheat oven to 350 def. F. butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a small pan, stir water, chocolate and espresso powder over low heat until melted. Allow to cool slightly before beating into butter mixture. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt and stir into batter alternatively with sour cream. Divide evenly between the 2 pans and bake for 25-35 mins. or until a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool 15 mins and then turn cakes out onto a plate to cool completely. Frosting: 2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature, 12oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped, melted and cooled to room temperature,2 tsp vanila extract, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 1/2 cups icing sugar, sifted. Beat butter on high speed, scraping sides frequently, until light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate and mix. Add vanilla, salt and icing sugar and beat until smooth Assemble:Top one layer with icing and spread. Place second layer on top, ice sides and top. Chill cake to set .... but it is best stored and room temperature.

35M dollars US for a Turner actioned today at Christies.... this is my masterpiece

I think you will all agree that my study in light and colour provides all that Turner had to offer and more. My painting is called "Rouge on Red" : A RETROSPECTIVE OF CITY LIFE ENCOMPASSING THE DURABILITY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. I welcome any bidders .... $20 is the bid for the Weekend-to-end Breast Cancer. Please make your bid in the comments. Love and bizous .... Emma xxxx

Emma's Biscotti

This cranberry and pistachio biscotti recipe is easy ..... will keep ages and ages in an airtight tin and great dunked in a Starbucks espresso (sorry Tim H!!). Also packed with anti-oxidants (cranberries y'know!):
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup boiling water
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
3 large eggs, plus 1 large egg, lightly beaten, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped (2 1/2 ounces)
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Place cranberries in a small bowl; add boiling water. Let stand until plump, about 15 minutes. Drain, and set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture, and mix on low speed until combined. Mix in cranberries and pistachios.
3. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each piece into a 16-by-2-inch log, and transfer to prepared baking sheet, about 3 inches apart. With the palm of your hand, flatten logs slightly. Brush beaten egg over surface of the dough logs, and sprinkle generously with sugar.
4. Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until logs are slightly firm to touch, about 25 minutes. Transfer logs on parchment paper to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°.
5. Place logs on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut logs crosswise on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place a wire rack on a large rimmed baking sheet. Arrange slices, cut side down, on rack. Bake until firm to touch, about 30 minutes. Remove pan from oven; let biscotti cool completely on rack. Store in airtight container and enjoy with an espresso, latte or even a 3.25% bottle of milk, like I do!!

Happy All Fools' Day/Poisson d'avril

Origins: In 1564 the French king of the time, Charles IX, decided they were going to adopt the Gregorian calendar and that, in future, New Year's Day would be celebrated on 1st January - no longer would it be held at the start of spring. Now, like in any other society, there's always going to be a few who think "Oh, really?" and carry on in the old tradition - like the campaigners for the retention of imperial measurement who are still challenging the authorities' right to impose it - and France had more than a few. There were also others who never got to hear of the change officially and just carried on with the old tradition oblivious of what the king had said. It was these characters who resisted (or never knew about) the change and who carried on celebrating New Year's Day on 1st April who were laughed at and regarded as fools and to mark the occasion people started to send them foolish gifts and invitations to parties that were never going to happen. These victims, at the time, were called "poisson d'avril" or April fish and the reason for this is disputed. One suggestion is because at this time the sun is leaving the zodiacal sign of Pisces (the fish) the other is because in April the newly hatched fish are easy to catch.So the French started it and by the 18th century it was widespread in Britain and the various emigrants to the Americas introduced it over there. One of the more favourite pranks at the time was to send someone on a "fool's errand" by sending the unwary to fetch or collect something ridiculous - a joke that was frequently played on young apprentices on their first days at work, probably right up until the 1970s. Unwary engineering apprentices were often send to the stores to fetch "a hat full of nail holes" or to go for "a long weight [wait].

Mmmmm ..... Banoffee Pie!!

A decadently sinful pie. Perfect for a "girls" night or entertaining! Takes some time (but not attention) to prepare. You can follow the three steps below, watch your favourite ball game, read a book, luxuriate in a bath on a rainy day and still have this pie at the end of the day. It is very easy peasy with no culinary knowledge required ... just don't let the can of condensed milk boil dry you guys.!! Anyone can make this ..... and if you make it for someone you love ..... it is guaranteed to be very, very lucky!!
Ingredients: Can (400g) of condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk!) - Three large bananas - One packet of Choc Chip and Halzenut cookies (or any other cookies will do). Half-pint of double cream, or whipping cream - 2 tablespoons butter Method: 1: Toffee: Put the can of condensed milk in a pan of boiling water (NB- don't open the tin first!) and allow to boil for 2 hours. You should put a lid on the pan to prevent all the water boiling off. But keep checking periodically that pan has not boiled dry. After 2 hours, remove the can and leave to cool a little (you could pour cold water on it to cool the outside). When cool enough to handle, open the can carefully - the condensed milk will have caramelised and may well shoot out the opening. 2. Cookie Base: Crush the cookies in a freezer bag with a rolling pin until they are reduced to crumbs. Gently heat butter in a saucepan until liquid (or just leave at room temperature to soften). Pour crumbs and softened butter and mix until they start to bind together. Transfer to a pie dish and pat with a spoon so that they cover the base. Place in the fridge to set. 3. To Finish: Pour/spoon the toffee from the tin onto the cookie base in pie dish. Place back in the fridge to cool. Slice the bananas and arrange them on top of the toffee. Whip the cream until peaking, then fold on top and smooth out. Dust with chocolate powder for effect. Keep in the fridge until needed, covered with cling-film. You can also make this pie with two cans of condensed milk, more cookie crumbs, etc., and press into 9" spring-form pan as in picture!

So Google thinks I am a NUT!!

Just 'cos my Nana called me Peanut but I guess if you act like one ..... doesn't Google know I am a human being with very human tendancies ... no macademia nuts for me .... just lots of nutrition from mummy and if I could just get this umbilical cord out of the way, my thumb would taste so GREAT!!!! Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes and knobbly knees to boot, I think I will be a great mogul skier ..... just like dad xxxxx

So this is PEANUT!!

Hi, I am 3 months gestation .... and 3 1/2 inches tall. I am very happy here in mummy's tummy. Leave me a little while longer .... I like it xxxx

On the First Day of Spring

Because today in Montreal is very sunny ..... but very cold -15C with the wind chill factor; I wanted you all to know that very soon the days will be just as in the photograph. Today won't let you forget to take advantage of the halcyon days to come. Some Spring thoughts:

March roars in like a lion so fierce, the wind so cold, it seems to pierce. The month rolls on and Spring draws near, and March goes out like a lamb so dear.

There is no foliage to compare with youngsters' sun-kissed, tousled hair: Spring's greatest joy beyond a doubt is when it brings the children out.

FOOD PORN!!! Chocolate-covered Strawberries - serve with the heart-shaped shortbread (below)

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons heavy cream, 12 long-stemmed strawberries:
Melt the chocolate and cream together in a bowl set over simmering water until just melted. Stir and remove from the heat. Dip each strawberry in the chocolate and set aside on waxed or parchment paper to dry.

For the One you Love: Shortbread Hearts

3/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature, 1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt; then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and roll shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a 3-inch heart-shaped cutter. Place the hearts on an ungreased sheet pan and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Note: The edges of the shortbread are ever so slightly sharper if you chill the cookies before baking them. You can cut out the cookies days ahead and bake them the day you serve them.

A Butterfly Birthday

A dear friend amongst the orchids!! Happy pre-Birthday Donna!

Butterflies at the Montreal Botanical Gardens

Stimulating, exciting and privileged exhibit at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. Do go if you are in Montreal (until end April). More than worth the visit as it makes everyone happy to be part of the beauty of nature.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Six retired Irishmen were playing poker in O'Leary's apartment when Paddy Murphy loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest and drops dead at the table.

Showing respect for their fallen brother, the other five continue playing standing up. Michael O'Conner looks around and asks, "Oh, me boys, someone got's to tell Paddy's wife. Who will it be?" They draw straws. Paul Gallagher picks the short one. They tell him to be discreet, be gentle and don't make a bad situation any worse. "Discreet??? I'm the most discreet Irishman you'll ever meet. Discretion is me middle name. Leave it to me." says Gallagher.

He goes over to Murphy's house and knocks on the door. Mrs. Murphy answers and asks what he wants. Gallagher declares: "Your husband just lost $500 and is afraid to come home." "Tell him to drop dead!", says Murphy's wife. "I'll go tell him." says Gallagher.

THE SUNDAY READ .... OR THE WALK-TO-WIN WRITING WORKSHOP CHALLENGE cont/d from 3 March

To recap: This party for more than a thousand guests was totally business. Why else would you be in their company. A total disaster by his usual standards of working the room. His traditional schmoozing had been non-existent and subsequently showed no signs of baiting the next client. He could handle that. After all, everyone has off-days. And now for the next episode:

Through the haze of too many sub-standard glasses of Merlot, he wondered if he was developing a conscience. This terrified him. He tried to focus on finding her; she just may have the answer. God knows he didn’t. Off days. It seemed that just lately most of his days were off. He realized that his colleagues were staring at him. Had he spoken out loud?

The next morning as he lay recounting the events of the night before, her image took on the only meaning to the whole evening and yet he had not even spoken to her. Did he only imagine that she recognized him? Surely not. That small glimpse of recognition from her was what he clung to. He knew she certainly didn’t altogether look the same. Time can change so much but not the understanding of what they had had together.

By the time the hot water had rolled over his body, steamed up the bathroom mirror and was followed by the ritual of shaving at his hazy reflection, he knew he wasn’t going mad. In fact, it was altogether a dream. It was better she stayed in his mind. Something he could control. This new Susan was someone he did not know. And, more importantly he preferred that he didn’t know.

The close proximity of fellow passengers on a rush-hour bus into the city mingled with the bright, low-lying sun of what promised to be a warm and welcome Spring day eradicated all uneasiness of the previous evening. Similarly, the familiar tensions and jockeying-for-position humour of the work day cozied him into a recognizable pattern.

He arrived home later than usual that evening but his equilibrium had been reinstated. Comfortable he felt, back home. He cracked open a beer and turned on the CD he'd been playing that morning. It was then he noticed the flashing red button on the answering machine. On recollection, it was strange that he immediately sensed apprehension .... it could have been anyone ..... but it was her. ....... to be continued .....

A Real Fishy Story

I know I said the second episode of the "Sunday Read" would be posted yesterday ........ but the "muse" did not make an appearance. Likely, fishy story you say ..... but it's mine and I'm sticking to it!! Only one addition to the story .... so I will respect that the muse is not showing herself to any of us!!

In the interim, I will leave you with a "thought for today"

Moral Excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temporate by doing temporate acts, brave by doing brave acts. Artistotle

In Vino Veritas

Moderate drinkers have consistently been shown to have lower death rates than non-drinkers
It appears that moderate drinking protects against heart disease.
How it works is still in dispute. The chemicals in wine have antioxidant properties, and alcohol dilates small blood vessels and inhibits clotting.
A 2003 study suggested that wine also decreased the risk of peptic ulcers.
A study of nurses at Harvard School of Public Health concluded that moderate drinking by women cut the risk of diabetes by 58 per cent.
So here is to that "cozy-up-to" bottle of Merlot .... do everything you can my friends to stay healthy: exercise, travel, read and broaden your mind .... but in case, some of those days you don't feel like "putting out"; always remember the Merlot!!

YES, it's official and published!!!

Two friends dedicated to finding the cure for breast cancer. Training every day so that in August they will be able to walk 60K in the second annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Montreal planned for August 25th-27th, 2006.

Kudos to you TWO: Terri and Donna:

Visit their HOPE CHEST:
http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR?team_id=6093&pg=team&fr_id=1101
And, please help in whatever way you can, no matter how large or small. Each contribution is for all our friends, colleagues, sisters, daughters and granddaughters. We will find a way!