Category: WTF

Fee Writes

Broken Glass – A WTF Moment

Heard a snippet on the news the other day that there’s a bit of a problem with shoddy glass coming into this country.

Like this is major glass we’re talking about used for double glazing, around pools and balustrades on decks etc.

It appears that the processed and toughened glass coming in from overseas doesn’t come up to our safety standards. Some of the safety stickers are bogus and it’s not until the glass breaks that you get to know that it’s one of the imported shoddy ones.

Well, I sure wouldn’t want to be leaning on the balcony balustrade on the 9th floor hotel suite in downtown Wellington, (note I wrote Wellington not Auckland), when it broke, thank you very much.

We’ve got glass companies here – we have rigorous testing of our toughened glass and all have to meet our safety standards. These companies are suffering because of the imports. So why do we have to import? Hang on … wait a mo … here it comes … my catch phrase –
it’s all about the money.

Oh – and I’ve since discovered this, I’ve found out it is not a new problem!

On a brighter note – the day is treating me well.

Source: Radio NZ

Images source: Viridian Glass NZ Quality & Safe

Fee Writes

Environment | Rants | WTF

Really?

Came across this yesterday “Report Warns More Needs To Be Done To Address Climate Change“ so here’s my take on it.

N.Z. will never step up and face the fact that we have a major problem with our emissions. Not only into the air but into the ground as well – a stunning example is a toxic lake in Canterbury that has already killed about 30 sheep and now it has been declared as unsafe for humans – “dangerous” was the word used. A couple of teaspoons could easily kill a small child.

Now, smack me around the head with a rotten leek if I’m wrong in saying that the cause of this algae bloom (which is not a new thing) is too much nitrogen and phosphorus – and where does that originate from? My thinking is – agriculture – and, because our agriculture has intensified over the past few years, so has the algae bloom (in more areas than just Canterbury).

Unfortunately, Canterbury is in a state of drought which has exacerbated the problem. And, blow me down, they are getting rid of water via Big Business who bottle it up and ship it off overseas.

But, getting back to climate change and this government’s approach. (you’ll get used to the fact that I digress a lot – but, hey, I always get back onto topic). And that approach is, that we don’t really have to actually DO anything, just buy carbon credits …. and dodgy ones at that! Wow, we really do have a “she’ll be right” attitude.

When Paula Bennet (our Climate Change Minister) was asked whether the government would cancel any of the 122.2 million tonnes of these dodgy credits, she said “not ruling it out, but it’s not my focus right now” – translation: “Nope not going to do a thing, and we’ll find something else to get you excited about – like the Olympics – and then it will be forgotten”

And just to finish off … Our government, who prattles on about our sustainable energy, has allowed Genesis Energy to extend the date of the closure of the two fossil fuel plants at Huntly, which were supposed to have been shut down in 2018 – guess what? they are now going to be staying open until 2022 – so much for making New Zealand electricity greener!

government shit — Note the clean shovel – no-one wants to start shovelling.

Oh, well, in the quagmire of politics one has to wade through the shit to find the gems…

Unfortunately for N.Z., there are no gems with this Government – only shit and we really are bogged down. Mind you, I seriously question the alternative parties and their abilities with shovels.

Fee Writes

Animals | Food | WTF

Milk Companies Are Just Getting Desperate

In the last post Messing with DNA, I talked about cows being messed about with in order to drop their temperature. Well, it appears that the poor cow is going to be subjected to more tampering.

This time it’s about the milk and I really don’t know quite where to start. There are so many dairy products out there, that I’m just glad I don’t have it because I wouldn’t know where to begin choosing which milk would be right for me.

However, I recently learned about a new product that’s been launched that has me shaking my head with scepticism…. which meant, I felt the need to blog.

Currently, there has been quite a dramatic drop in the consumer purchase of dairy which is effectively creating a downturn in the dairy industry. This appears to be happening worldwide.

So dairy companies are trying to come up with ways to increase market share and this latest thing just cracked me up!
“Sleep-boosting dark milk” coming from a New Zealand company. Something that’s not too new as scientists in Finland have been working on this and it’s also now available in Britain.

It appears that if you milk the cows after sunset and before sunrise, the milk produces a higher level of the hormone melatonin which is known to help regulate sleep.
Oh, the shed has to be dark as well.

This melatonin found in the milk after dark can be upwards of 10 times higher than that found in day time milk.

So let’s see. Our choice of different kinds of milk here in New Zealand are:

Fat-free
Added calcium
Added protein
Lactose-free
Help you to sleep
Organic
Full cream

That covers a vast array of consumers, doesn’t it?

My feeling is that milk is no longer “straight from the cow”. It is bastardised until it’s pretty much unrecognisable, all for the health of the consumers … well, that’s what they want you to think. What I think is that it’s all for the profit.

And, one last thing ….. what about the poor cows having to be milked in the dark? Spare a thought for them!

Fee Writes

Animals | WTF

Now This Is Just Being Silly!

Today I read the most disturbing thing.

The Smithsonian Magazine reported that scientists are now messing about with the DNA of cows. Reason?

To combat climate change and the rise in global temperatures.

So, let’s step back a minute. The first thing is that these particular scientists have declared their belief in global warming … which is a good thing.

Now that they’ve done that – they have realized that, in order for the meat and dairy industries to continue, the cows are going to have to change. (We’re talking for both meat and dairy). So, they’re busy at trying to change the DNA so that the cows can “beat the heat”.

“…Scientists and ranchers have an idea of traits that can contribute to heat tolerance – metabolic rates, ability to shed their coats, hair color – but there is no silver bullet. ….Several independent studies, however, have managed to link heat tolerance – at least in part – to the color of a cow’s hair.…”

What does that mean? A bit of GM will be going on.

The stupid part is … Livestock (and the majority are cattle), is the largest source of methane gas emissions worldwide, contributing over 28% of total emissions. So let’s think about reducing the intake of meat and dairy ???? Right! As if that’s going to happen while it’s such a big industry.

And, talking about genetically changing animals – In Australia, pigs are being bred to have more ribs than normal!

At the moment, it’s so they can have more piglets. You see, the more ribs, the longer the pig, the more nipples, the more piglets. But it does make you wonder if they will bring this idea into the pork eating side of things.

Fee Writes

Food | Laugh! | Random | WTF

New Label for Foodies – Pegan

Funniest thing I’ve heard in awhile.

So any ideas what a Pegan might be? To give you a clue, other labels can include Pescetarian – those who only eat fish and no other animal – or Fruitarians who eat only raw fruit and seeds.

So a new label has come into being originating from Dr. Mark Hyman and it’s the joining of Paleo and Vegan diets.

Whoa! Didn’t think you’d be able to join those two together as I thought that Paleo needed meat, but apparently not. Go figure!

Vegan and Paleo are very similar as both focus on real, whole, fresh food that is sustainably raised.

Both shun dairy.
Paleos do not eat legumes or grains – Vegans do.
Paleos do eat meat – Vegans don’t.

However, Dr Hyman suggests that for the grains, stick to small portions of low glycemic grains like black rice or quinoa.
Beans are great, but again, stick to small amounts – about 1 cup a day is ample – (more than I’d eat.)

Although he’s not against eating sustainably raised, clean meat, whereas vegans won’t touch it, he does concede that meat does put pressure on the planet, which it does.

He goes on to to say eggs no longer have the impact on cholesterol as once thought, so they’re fine. Again a no no for the Vegans and I will debate that about the cholesterol!!!

Then he adds that fish, even though you should worry about the mercury that is now abounding through all fish, eat fat rich fish such as sardines or wild salmon to get omega 3. He fails to tell you that for omega 3 you can get eat flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seed, mustard oil, seaweed, beans (mungo beans the best) and the list goes on.

Just as an aside: Wild rice should be a staple for all vegetarians and vegans. One cup cooked delivers lots of iron, protein, fiber, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. You’ll also get 156mg Omega 3 while only taking in 195mg of Omega 6.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest. Back to Dr Hyman.

He says

“…Looking at the research it is easy to get confused. Vegan diet studies show they help with weight loss, reverse diabetes and lower cholesterol. Paleo diets seem to do the same thing….”

From what I can glean from his ideas, he’s saying that a vegan diet is fabulous, but if you don’t want to go vegan then a little bit of Paleo added to it works too = Pegan.

All the above has been written from a dietary point of view only …. being vegan encompasses more than just diet and, even if you go vegan for health reasons, you’ll soon discover just how much the animals and planet are benefiting from your choice.

Personally I will stick with being vegan.

Category: WTF

Broken Glass – A WTF Moment

Heard a snippet on the news the other day that there’s a bit of a problem with shoddy glass coming into this country.

Really?

Came across this yesterday “Report Warns More Needs To Be Done To Address Climate Change“ so here’s my take on it.

Milk Companies Are Just Getting Desperate

Now This Is Just Being Silly!

Today I read the most disturbing thing.

New Label for Foodies – Pegan

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