McDonald’s no longer using ‘pink slime’ chemical in hamburgers

McDonald's announced last week that, as of last August, is has stopped using ammonium hydroxide in the production of its hamburgers. MSNBC reports that the chemical, used in fertilizers, household cleaners and even homemade explosives, was also used to prepare McDonalds' hamburger meat. And while the announcement is making headlines, you may (or may not) want to know about some other unusual chemicals being used in the production of some of our most-popular foods: The International Business Times lists some other questionable chemicals showing up in our foods:

Propylene glycol: This chemical is very similar to ethylene glycol, a dangerous anti-freeze. This less-toxic cousin  prevents products from becoming too solid. Some ice creams have this  ingredient; otherwise you'd be eating ice.

Carmine: Commonly found in red food coloring, this chemical comes from crushed cochineal, small red beetles that burrow into cacti. Husks of the beetle are ground up and forms the basis for red coloring found in foods ranging from cranberry juice to M&Ms.

Shellac: Yes, this chemical used to finish wood products also gives some candies their sheen. It comes from the female Lac beetle.

L-cycsteine: This common dough enhancer comes from hair, feathers, hooves and bristles.

Lanolin (gum base): Next time you chew on gum, remember this. The goopiness of gum comes from lanolin, oils from sheep's wool that is also used  for vitamin D3 supplements.

Silicon dioxide: Nothing weird about eating sand, right? This anti-caking agent is found in many foods including shredded cheese and fast food chili.

The food industry uses ammonium hydroxide as an anti-microbial agent in meats, which allows McDonald's to use otherwise "inedible meat."

On his show, Jamie Oliver said of the meat treatment: "Basically we're taking a product that would be sold in the cheapest form for dogs and making it 'fit' for humans." Even more disturbing, St. Louis-based dietician Sarah Prochaska told NBC affiliate KSDK that because ammonium hydroxide is considered part of the "component in a production procedure" by the USDA, consumers may not know when the chemical is in their food. MadOne

Maps of the Ancient World

In 1929, at the Old Imperial Palace, now known as Topkapi Palace, in Constantinople, Turkey, the Piri Reis map was found. This map which dates 1513 A.D., was unique in that it was compiled from many other ancient maps dating back to the days of Alexander the Great (4th century B.C.). Some of its amazing features are:

�        It appears to be one of the earliest maps of America and even included Antarctica which was not discovered until 1818.

�        The map shows mountain ranges on Antarctica free of ice that were later re-discovered in 1954. Some of the portions of the ice cap of Antarctica are one mile thick. 

Though some scholars have rejected the conclusions of the Piri Reis map concerning Antarctica, further evidence in support of this map is found on the Oroteus Finaeus World Map of 1532.  This map shows rivers, inlets and mountain ranges free of ice as well.  In regard to the closeness of Antarctica to South America, like the Piri Reis, this map was obviously not the original source map.  The original map was probably constructed somewhere between 2,100‑1,500 B.C.  Further research reveals that another map, Mercator's World Map of 1538, also shows Antarctica in the same position as the other two maps.  

The Piri Reis Map of 1513

 

Obama: Education key to economic success

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Determined to energize dispirited Democrats, President Barack Obama told New Mexico voters on Tuesday that Republicans would reverse the progress he's made on education reform and student aid.
Addressing a small group in an Albuquerque family's front yard, Obama shifted from his recent focus on the economy, which has run headlong into the grim reality of continued high unemployment. Instead, five weeks ahead of midterm elections that could turn into a Democratic bloodletting, the president told voters to think about education when they head to the polls.

President Barack Obama meets with Andy and Etta Cavalier at their home in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday.

"Nothing's going to be more important in terms of our long-term success." Obama argued that Republicans would cut education spending to pay for tax cuts for the rich. What do you think bout our current situation with the economy, education, and the job Obama is doing up to this point. Please share your thought. MadOne.