In fact children’s products are often targeted for testing and regulation where the potential for toxic exposure is even greater than for adults. The US has started to limit levels of some phthalates, including DEP, DEHP, DBP, BBP, for use in children’s’ products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published testing methods for these regulated phthalates while the regulation of BPA remains under debate. A study was undertaken here to examine the levels of phthalates and BPA in small, inexpensive, imported children’s toys. New cryogenic grinding methods developed to process the different types of plastic toys examined and new quantitative analytical methods developed specifically for these analyses are described and the results discussed.

“The Preparation, Extraction, and Analysis of Imported Children’s Toys for Phthalates and BPA.”

Presented by Patricia Atkins at Pittcon 2012

Download the slides (.pdf) from this very informative presentation.

Want to learn more?  Join SPEX CertiPrep for a FREE webinar!

Join SPEX CertiPrep on May 3rd, 2012 at 10AM or 2PM for an informative webinar on the sample preparation of imported plastic toys for the analysis of BPA and phthalates.

Register now!

Ingredients:

• Fresh basil leaves
• Onion and garlic
• 4 pie crusts
• 32oz Hellman’s Mayo
• 10 Medium sized Tomatoes or 7 Large Tomatoes
• 48 oz Mozzarella cheese
• 16 oz Cheddar cheese
• 16 oz Fresh Parmesan Cheese

1. Unroll pie crust and press into pie pan, or use frozen prepared crusts
2. Using a fork, poke holes in bottom of the crust
3. Bake crust at 375 degrees, 10-15 minutes, until golden brown
4. Before crust cools spread thinly sliced onions or chopped garlic on bottom
5. Spread half cup of shredded mozzarella cheese across the crust bottom
6. Layer thick slices of tomatoes with salt, pepper and basil leaves
7. Repeat with layers of mozzarella and tomatoes to fill the pie crust
8. End with a layer of mozzarella cheese over the top layer of tomatoes
9. Beat together 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup parmesan cheese and garlic powder until smooth
10. Smooth paste over  the top of the pie
11. Sprinkle more mozzarella and parmesan over top of paste if desired
12. Decorate top with sliced cherry tomatoes if desired
13. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbly

ENJOY!

RO

Paraprosdokian was a legendary Greek hero. A handsome warrior, his exploits, feats and conquests surpass one’s imagination.

• Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
• To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
• I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
• Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
• The problem with being better than everyone is that people think you’re arrogant.
• Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
• A fine is a tax for doing wrong…..A tax is a fine for doing well.
• If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea… does that mean that
 one enjoys it?
• Two guys walked into a bar. The third one ducked.
• Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.
• To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
• Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be and it never was.
• I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.
• Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
• If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
• We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
• You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
• Evening news is where they begin with ‘Good Evening,’ and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.
• A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.
• I thought I wanted a career, it turns out I just wanted paychecks.
• Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, ‘In case of emergency, notify:’ I put ‘A DOCTOR.’
• Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
• A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.
• I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn’t work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
• Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
• War does not determine who is right – only who is left.
• The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list.
• You’re never too old to learn something stupid.
• Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
• Going to church doesn’t make you religious any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
• A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.
• I always take life with a grain of salt. Adding a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila helps too.
• When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
• Sometimes people ask me, “ What would you do if you had a million dollars?” My answer is always the same three words: All-Pistachio Diet.
• Pain is fear leaving the body
• Blowing out another’s candle will not make yours shine brighter.
• I refuse to engage in an intellectual battle with an unarmed man.
• Some days you’re the dog, and some days you’re the hydrant.
• Eat shit! 1,000,000,000,000 flies can’t be wrong.
• The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.
• The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
• If you step in a puddle, don’t blame the puddle.
• How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
• Some people are like Slinkys … not really good for anything, but you can’t help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
• Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
• Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars but check when you say the paint is wet?
• Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America ?
• Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.
• A bus is a vehicle that goes twice as fast when you’re after it as when you’re in it.
• If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple
of payments.
• A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that
you don’t need it.
• The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas.
• I didn’t fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a
vegetarian.
• Hospitality: making your guests feel like they’re at home, even if
you wish they were.
• Knowledge is power, and power corrupts. So study hard and be evil.
• You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship together
and there was only one life jacket… I’d miss you heaps and think
of you often.
• I’m so miserable without you, it’s almost like
you’re still here.
• If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people
have more than one child.
• The car stopped on a dime, which unfortunately was in a pedestrian’s pocket.
• Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.
• Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, you will be a mile away and he won’t have any shoes.

You can view other webinars from SPEX CertiPrep on their YouTube Channel

Download the slides from the SPEX CertiPrep website

For more information on SPEX CertiPrep’s Wine and Pesticide Certified Reference Materials, visit www.spexcertiprep.com.  To learn about the Geno/Grinder, visit www.spexsampleprep.com

Favorite Quotes

“…a chimney where all winter long, the logs give back the wild bird’s song.” A Hoe-Man’s Thanksgiving, Edwin Markham

“Whatever Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.” Friedrich Neitzche

“To whom much is given, much is required.” John F. Kennedy

“God comes to the hungry in the form of food.” Mahatma Gandhi

“They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them. “ Mahatma Gandhi

“The journey is the reward.” Tao Saying

“If you don’t fail now and again, it’s a sign you’re playing it safe. If you don’t fail now and again, it’s a sign you aren’t aiming high enough.” Woody Allen

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of living.” – Alexandre Dumas – “The Count of Monte Cristo”

“We boil at different degrees.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“Love is the delusion that one woman differs from another” H. L.Mencken.

“Guests and fish start to stink after two days.” Spanish Proverb.

“Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it is cowardice.” George Jackson.

“A government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this Earth” Ronald Regan “A time for choosing”

“He was at his best when the going was good.” Alistair Cooke on the Duke of Windsor

“There but for the grace of God — goes God.” Winston Churchill

“You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing—after they have tried everything else.” —Winston Churchill

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it.” —Groucho Marx

“If I could say a few words, I’d be a better public speaker.” —Homer Simpson

“I haven’t slept for ten days, because that would be too long.” —Mitch Hedberg

“The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” —-Jon Hammond

“I sleep eight hours a day and at least ten at night.” —Bill Hicks

“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the precipitate.” — Henry J. Tillman

“A fool and his money are soon elected.” — Will Rogers

“Ohio claims they are due a president as they haven’t had one since Taft. Look at the United States, they have not had one since Lincoln.” — Will Rogers???

Favorite Lyrics

“Bury the hatchet, but leave the handle stickin’ out.” Garth Brooks, “We Bury The Hatchet”

“Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.”  Dire Straits, “The Bug”

“Savor the throne, but don’t mind the stool.” Steve Winwood, “Take It As It Comes”

“Every pleasure’s got an edge of pain, pay for your ticket and don’t complain.” Bob Dylan, “Silvio”

“The ones that you’re calling wild are going to be the leaders in a little while.” Johnny Cash, “What Is Truth”

“When the grass is cut, the snakes will show.” Jay-Z, “Blueprint 2″

“The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath.” Led Zeppelin, “The Battle Of Evermore”

“Free your mind and your ass will follow.” Funkadelic, “Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts”

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” John Lennon, “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)”

“Grace makes beauty out of ugly things.” U2, “GRACE”

“It’s hard to remember we’re alive for the last time.”  Modest Mouse, “Lives”

“An honest man’s pillow is his peace of mind.” John Mellencamp, “Minutes To Memories”

“If you follow every dream, you might get lost.” Neil Young, “The Painter”

“The best you can is good enough.” Radiohead, “Optimistic”

“No, it’s not love, but it’s not bad.” Merle Haggard, “It’s Not Love”

“If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plan.”  Help somebody if you can

“I make money but I still feel broke.”  The Clarks – Fast moving Cars.

“What kinda gone?”  Chris Cragle

Are you interested in wine, wine making, or the chemistry of wine?  If so, check out the recording of a webinar I presented.  www.spexcertiprep.com

However, it is better known for its popularity in late 19th and early 20th century France, particularly among Parisian artists and writers such as Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Picasso and van Gogh. Part of its fascination is its ritual preparation: a shot of absinthe is added to a glass then a sugar cube is placed in a special spoon laid on the rim of the glass. As cold water is poured over the sugar it dissolves into the Absinthe resulting in an opalescent milky-green emulsion.

Absinthe was portrayed as a dangerously addictive, psychoactive drug that could cause hallucinations, epileptic-like attacks and madness. By 1915, it was prohibited in a number of European countries and the United States. The culprit in the drink was believed to be thujone, found in wormwood – a ketone and a monoterpene that exists in two stereoisomeric forms: (+)-3-thujone or α-thujone and (-)-3-thujone or ß-thujone. It has a menthol odor.

Scientific analysis in recent years by an international team led by Dirk W. Lachenmeier and including David Nathan-Maister and Theodore A. Breaux has shown that absinthe contains only small quantities of thujone, and cannot be responsible for absinthe’s reported hallucinogenic effects. They analyzed recent productions as well as authentic absinthe produced before 1910.

Pre-ban samples averaged 25.4mg/L while modern samples ranged between 7.6mg/L and 26mg/L. At these concentrations it is impossible to ingest enough thujone to affect the central nervous system, long before that would happen the person would be very intoxicated. It should also be pointed out that thujone is also found at low concentrations in some other herbs such as sage.

The ban on Absinthe was lifted in Europe in 1988 with a limit of 10mg/L and in the US in 2007 where the limit on thujone is set at less than 10mg/L as well. Today over 100 different brands are produced in more than a dozen countries.

SPEX CertiPrep manufactures a full like of organic Certified Reference Materials http://www.spexcertiprep.com

Gordon’s wine bar… A MUST, basement down Villiers St. next to Charring Cross Station. Very old, buy a bottle and drink it in the arched candle lit rooms or outside in the courtyard.

Cork and Bottle Wine Bar… almost as neat as Gordon’s, wider wine and food selections. In the basement with interesting little carved-out rooms. 44-46 Cranbourn St. just off Leicester’s Square near the tube stop.

Fortnum & Mason (downstairs) wine bar; red and white flights, live music.

Bedford & Strand Wine Bar… 1A Bedford Street just off the Strand near Charing Cross, nice selections and atmosphere. Not as crowded.

Café Des Amis…upscale wine bar near royal Opera House and Covent Garden, Bow St to Horal to 11 Hanover Place (alley) 020 7379 3444

The Savoy Hotel on The Strand is a famous old hotel and really neat to just go, have a glass of wine and take in the atmosphere.  Be sure to check out the “historical display” on the way to the bar with artifacts from all the stars of yesteryear that stayed there, Monroe, Astaire, Gable to name a few.

Bierschenke, German Bier Kellar at the corner of The Strand and Essex Street across from the Royal Courts of Justice, www.bierschenke.co.uk 020 7936 2536

Daly’s Wine Bar, at the corner of The Strand and Essex Street across from the Royal Courts of Justice, better wines. Owner Gerry Hanratty, www.dalyswinebar.co.uk 020 7583 4476 Lots of lawyers.

Covent Garden…good shops, stalls, good street performers, nice wine bar/restaurant in bottom of stall area, great restaurants and pubs.

Mexican

La Perla Mexican Bar… 28 Maiden Lane, WC2 near Covent Garden. Mexican food and drinks.

Also Café Pacifico… 5 Langley Street, W2 Locations in Paris also.

Wahaca Mexican Market Eating… Neuvo Mexican, Maiden Lane Covent Garden

Jazz & Blues clubs

Ronnie Scotts…premier jazz club of London. Frith street in SOHO, go to listen not great food, some great acts some mediocre

“Ain’t ‘nuthin But” blues club on Kingly St., near Oxford Circus and Carnaby Street, young crowd, somewhat seedy, may not like it, local blues bands, open mike Sunday starts 4pm.

“Spice of life” blues, Cambridge Circus, Tuesdays

“Adelaide Road Pub”, blues, Clark Farm tube station, Tuesdays

“Heathcote Public House” blues jam Leytonestone tube station, E11 bus, Wednesday

“Globe Public House”, blues, Morning Lane E8, Monday

“Town Hall”, blues, Mare St., Bethnal Green tube station, Bu 254

Near Spitalfields Market is the “Market Coffee House” with jazz every Monday starting at 7:30, 50 Brushfield St. www.marketcoffeehouse.com 020 7247 4110

Around London

Dirty Dick’s Pub, near the Liverpool Street Station, financial district (One of???) The oldest Pubs in London, est 1745.

Great Queen Street, Queen Street, Traditional English food

Carnaby Street, Oxford Circus, good shopping, trendy shops, Liberty dept store, great Soccer/Rugby store, interesting pubs

Camden Town, lots of “crazy” young people; too much “flea market” to imagine, ethnic food, old London Locks/Boats, very crowded on weekends

There is a series of markets near Liverpool tube stop that are similar to Camden Town: Old Spitalfields Market, the Brickline Market, Petticoat Lane Market, and the High Sunday Market. New and old things and lots of ethnic food from everywhere in a very crowded and diverse neighborhood. Mostly only open on Sunday.

SOHO, “Bohemian” area, very, very interesting people watching, china town….be careful

Great Queen Street, Queen Street……Traditional English food

Great Indian restaurant district near the Sunday markets on Brick Street. Go to the Aldgate East tube stop, down Whitechaple to Osborn which becomes Brick Street. Try Aladin among all the other eateries that try to talk you in as you walk down the street.

Tourist musts

Greenwich observatory museum, take the Thames river boat shuttle, great views, stand on the prime meridian, read about the longitudinal clocks before you go, I love mechanical antiques.

Tower military museum, really great dark ages armament neat tour by the beefeaters, royal jewels.

Westminster Chapel, very historic. War rooms.

So I was wondering why there can be such a disparity of opinions. A number of references attribute this to genetic differences between people and that the people who really hate the taste are “Super Tasters”.   These super tasters seem to have a higher number of taste receptors on their tongues. I think my taste has been ruined by too many days spent around smelly chemicals since I feel cilantro has very little flavor.

In the ripe coriander fruits, or seeds, the content of essential oil is low (typically, less than 1%). The oil consists of about 55% linalool (50 to 60%) and about 20% terpenes (pinenes, γ-terpinene, myrcene, camphene, phellandrenes, α-terpinene, limonene, cymene).

It is believed that the cilantro aroma (from the leaves) is created by about a half-dozen aldehydes which are fragments of fat molecules. Similar aldehydes are also found in soaps and lotions and, interestingly, bugs. The taste of the fresh herb leaves and unripe seeds is due to an essential oil (0.1%) that is almost entirely made up of aliphatic aldehydes of 10 to 16 carbon atoms. There are both saturated (decanal) and α,β unsaturated (trans-2-tridecenal) aldehydes.

So there you have it. Aliphatic aldehydes are what makes cilantro taste like soap, mold or stink bugs. Me, I’m fat, dumb and happy being a not-so-super taster.

SPEX CertiPrep offers a full range of organic Certified Reference Materials.

RO

Pellican Pier – Informal bar/grill, my favorite place for a grouper sandwich at lunch time, 5 times a week. Fantastic view and I love the atmosphere. At the Holiday Inn out into the water.

Marandi – Large tiki covered “hut on the water”.  Try the capriccio appetizer and Grouper.  Hard to find, on the water near the airport, 297-582-0157

Chef’s Tables – Top notch food, ask for the capriccio appetizer. Turn at Adventure Golf, Bubali Street.  297-587-8140

Madame Janette’s – Top notch food, again try the the capriccio appetizer.  Turn at Adventure Golf.

Simply Fish – Watch the sunset.  On beach at the Marriott Hotel.   297-586-9000

Papiamento, 297-586-4544

Flying Fishbone – East of Airport about 5 miles toward St Nicholas on the water, Savaneta 344.  297-584-2506.

Screaming Eagle – Sister to Flying Fishbone.  On Eagle Beach,   297-587-8021

Cuba’s Cooking – Downtown, Cuban food is fair but live music most nights. info@cubascookin.com Wilhelminastraat #27, Ornjestad. 297-588-0627

Le Petite Café – Cook/serve on hot stones. Several locations.

Charlie’s – Seedy, lots of atmosphere, great BBQ shrimp.  In St. Nicholas, 297-584-5086

Pincho’s – 297-583-2666

Que Pasa – 297-583-4888

Activities / Clubs

Sunset Sail and Snorkling: The Mi Dushi, 100 year old wooden sailing ship. Also the Jolly Pirates has two sailing ships.

Snorkeling trips: Many variations, one to three stops plus lunch, dinner

Mi Dushi (my favorite), De Palm, Pelican, etc.

ATV excursions: My favorite is Rancho Desperado, fewer rules.  Swim in the natural pool, also Watanabe tours

Horseback riding: Again Rancho Desperado

Mambo Jambo – Late, Salsa club, live bands weekends. 297-583-3632

Garufa Lounge – Live Salsa, downtown.  297-582-3677

Xsizzle – Supper club with live music. Hot weekends near Marriott @ Paseo Herencia. 297-586-3800

Take a ride into the desert side for a picnic; need four wheel drive

RHO

Heat a large pot about half filled with water over an outdoor cooker (turkey deep fryer), or the largest pot you can find that fits on your kitchen stove. Add Old Bay Seasoning to taste and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, lemons, and sausages, and cook for about 15-20 minutes. Add the corn and onions and cook for another 5-10 minutes.  Add the shrimp and crab when everything else is almost done, then cook for another 3 or 4 minutes until the shrimp are pink.

Everything is done: Open the beer and wine. Drain off the water, spread out some newspaper and dump everything in a big pile (get ready to catch rolling stuff when you dump it). Grab a plate and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Old Bay Seasoning (Add some “Crab Boil” liquid for extra spice)
• 1 Bottle of cocktail sauce, if you like
• 12 (5 lbs) Red potatoes (Chopped into “chunks”)
• 3 Lemons (quartered)
• 2 Packages of Sausages of your choice (andouille, hot or smoked Italian or other spicy sausage), cut into about ¼ inch thick slices
• 4-6 Ears of corn (cut into 3 inch length pieces)
• 2 Onions (chopped)
• 3-4 lbs Large shrimp
• 3-4 lbs Whole crab, broken into pieces
• Mushrooms (if you like)

Gimme a YEEHAW!