That’s one tough pup
Friday, February 13, 2026
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Have you heard of the controversial “edible coating” Apeel?
It’s a film that goes on produce to make it last longer, and it’s been approved by the USDA Organics program.
It’s invisible, odorless, and you can’t wash it off.
Many people doubt Apeel is really safe to consume, even though the Bill & Melinda Gates partnered company, Apeel Sciences, claims it is.
What You Need to Know:
Apeel is a tasteless, odorless, invisible food coating that dramatically slows down food spoilage.
It’s purpose is to extend shelf life of produce, to make the produce look fresh even if it’s been in a warehouse for weeks. There are versions of Apeel that can be applied before or after harvest. It’s on foods in over 65 countries, including organics in the U.S.
“Apeel already has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). The two products will be marketed as preserving agents (keeping the outward appearance of freshness of the fruit or vegetable), as pesticides (creating a physical barrier for pests) or even as fungicides (such as preventing the anthracnose fungus from shriveling up avocados).
2. Apeel claims to be environmentally friendly and plant-based.
Apeel is extracted from food waste, like seeds, peels, pulps, and stems from plants. Apeel claims to source a lot of its ingredients from grape skins and seeds leftover from wine processing.
Though it may come from natural sources, the end result is a far cry from leftover orange peels because the raw ingredients undergo a transformation using industrial petrochemical extraction.
However, how “green” is it to use petrochemical solvents in the extraction process?
3. Apeel contains heavy metals and petrochemical solvents, and it may contain trans fats.
Apeel is made of purified monoglycerides and diglycerides, which are edible fatty acids commonly found in the often discarded parts of fruits and vegetables. These types of fatty acids may contain trans fats, which are known to cause obesity and metabolic syndrome.
The problem is the extraction process contains exposure to industrial petrochemical solvents and heavy metals. Apeel tested the amounts of these solvents and heavy metals in their submission statement to the FDA (page 14).
Apeel contains lead, cadmium, arsenic, palladium, and mercury. It claims to be in small enough amounts to not negatively impact the consumer, thus the USDA’s “Generally Recognized as Safe” classification.
Apeel says a consumer would need to ingest 30,000 apples to ingest 1 kg of Apeel. However, I don’t think you’d need to eat 1 kg of Apeel to get a substantial amount of heavy metals. We know heavy metals build up in the body over a lifetime. It’s not a fair comparison to say there are trace amounts of heavy metals in one piece of produce sprayed with Apeel. That may be true, but that person very well may eat thousands of apples in their lifetime, thus exposing them to heavy metals daily.
What Can You Do About It?
One of the best things you can do is to support local farmers and ask them questions about their growing process. There’s no need to use Apeel if you’re going straight to the source.
Another action step is to submit feedback online to your local grocer, especially if it’s a big chain. Tell them you don’t want produce coated with Apeel and won’t be purchasing any produce with an Apeel coating.
Are You Superstitious?
The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Derived from Greek, it combines Paraskevà (Friday), dekatreÃs (thirteen), and phobia (fear). It is also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia, a term that references Frigg, the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Details:
- Definition: The term was coined in 1911 and gained mainstream attention around 1953.
- Prevalence: It is considered a specific form of triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).
- Impact: Some estimates suggest millions of Americans may experience anxiety on this day, with some altering their daily routines to avoid potential mishaps.
- Alternative Term: Friggatriskaidekaphobia. [2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
People fear Friday the 13th due to a blend of Christian, Norse, and historical lore, linking the unlucky number 13 (Judas as the 13th guest at the Last Supper) with Friday (the day of Jesus' crucifixion), creating a "double whammy" of misfortune, further amplified by events like the Knights Templar arrests and modern horror films featuring Jason Voorhees. The fear, known as triskaidekaphobia, stems from these combined negative associations with the date.
Religious & Historical Roots
- The Last Supper: Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, is often cited as the 13th person at the table, making 13 an unlucky number.
- Crucifixion: Jesus was crucified on a Friday, a day already associated with bad omens, sometimes called "hangman's day".
- Norse Mythology: In some tales, the trickster god Loki was the 13th guest at a banquet, bringing chaos and death.
- Knights Templar: A major historical event fueling the superstition was the mass arrest of Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, by King Philip IV of France.
Cultural Reinforcement
- The Number 12: Twelve is seen as a complete number (12 months, 12 zodiac signs), making 13 an unsettling, irregular number that disrupts order.
- The Da Vinci Code: Dan Brown's novel linked the superstition to the Templar arrests, popularizing the date's dark history.
- Friday the 13th Films: The popular horror franchise featuring Jason Voorhees cemented the date's terrifying reputation in pop culture.
The Fear
This combination of ancient myth, religious narratives, and cultural events has woven Friday the 13th into Western folklore as a day to expect bad luck, even though there's no proof that more misfortune actually occurs on this day.
Meet Tina, and Milo- The Olympic Mascots
https://www.paralympic.org/feature/milano-cortina-2026-winter-games-mascots
A stoat (*Mustela erminea), also known as a Eurasian ermine, is a small, carnivorous mammal in the weasel family (Mustelidae), characterized by its long, slender body, short legs, and a distinctive black tip on its tail, known for its agility, speed, and tendency to change to a white coat in winter, called ermine. These resourceful hunters are found across Eurasia and North America, preying on small animals like rodents, and are recognized for their ability to hunt in burrows and their territorial nature. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Key Characteristics:
- Appearance: Brown/ginger fur on top, white underneath in summer, with a black tail tip; turns pure white (ermine) in winter in colder climates. [2, 3]
- Size: Small, with a body length of 24-32 cm and a tail of 9-14 cm, weighing 140-450g. [7]
- Habitat: Prefers areas with cover like grasslands, farmland, and woodlands, but avoids being in the open. [3, 7]
- Diet: Carnivores, hunting rodents, reptiles, and birds, often taking prey larger than themselves. [4, 8]
- Behavior: Active day and night, fast, agile, and solitary, living alone and being territorial. [5, 7, 9]
Interesting Facts:
- Ermine: The name "ermine" specifically refers to the stoat in its white winter fur, historically used for ceremonial robes. [2]
- Winter Olympic Mascot: Two stoats, Milo and Tina, are the mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. [10, 11]
- Adaptable Hunters: Their lean bodies allow them to pursue prey into burrows, a key hunting strategy. [4, 6]
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Monday, February 9, 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Friday, February 6, 2026
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Year of the Fire Horse
[1-3]In Chinese astrology, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, starting on February 17, 2026. This powerful combination signifies a period of immense energy, transformation, and bold, rapid progress, characterized by the Horse's inherent vitality amplified by the transformative element of Fire. It is seen as an auspicious but challenging time, where breaking old patterns, chasing ambitions, and expressing independence and innovation are encouraged, but risks of impulsiveness and burnout also increase. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Characteristics of the Year of the Fire Horse
- Rapid Motion and Transformation: The Fire Horse is believed to bring dynamic change, encouraging people to abandon old patterns and take bold steps toward new goals.
- Heightened Passion and Ambition: The Fire element amplifies the Horse's natural drive, leading to a surge in enthusiasm and a strong desire to pursue ambitious achievements.
- Independence and Self-Expression: The combination fosters a powerful drive for freedom, self-expression, and breaking away from limitations.
- Cultural Significance: Historically, Fire Horse years are associated with significant cultural shifts, collective movements, and potentially challenging times due to intense energy and rebellious fervor. [1, 3, 5, 6, 7]
Navigating the Year
- Embrace Boldness: The year encourages taking on new challenges and pursuing ambitions that previously seemed out of reach.
- Strategic Planning: The intense energy requires careful planning and deliberate patience to avoid burnout and navigate unpredictable situations.
- Manage Emotions: While the Fire element can intensify emotions, practicing calm and caring in relationships is advised to maintain balance, notes Moe from The Japan Times.
- Self-Care: Balancing self-care and steady finances is essential for long-term success during this action-oriented period. [1, 3, 7, 8]
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach, NC
Let's go to the aquarium and watch the otters... Next year.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
ORD
If you've ever been through Chicago O'Hare International you know it's huge. Ever wonder where it got its name? This guy. Meet Lt. Commander Butch O'Hare. America's 1st flying ace in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a Purple Heart. Now you know.
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