Seen the recent corn syrup commercials?

In the last few weeks I have seen several high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) commercials plaguing cable, boasting that "corn syrup is the same as cane sugar, your body can't tell the difference."

A study from Princeton in February of 2010 revealed that "Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar (sucrose), even when their overall caloric intake was the same."  Specifically, animals with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained 48% more weight than those eating a normal diet.  This means that the rats aren't fat, they are obese.  For humans, this means our body's could experience high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cancer, and diabetes.

[Enter science lesson here]  HFCS and sucrose have two clear differences:

1. Sucrose is 50% fructose and 50% glucose.  However, HFCS is imbalanced containing 55% fructose, 42% glucose, 3% saccharides (larger sugar molecules).
2. Because HFCS is manufactured, the fructose molecules are free and unbound.  Fructose and sucrose, that come in cane or beet sugar, are bound to a corresponding glucose molecule and go through an EXTRA metabolic step before it's utilized.  AKA your body burns more calories digesting this. 

In both the commercials an on their websites, they state that corn syrup is handled by the body the same as sugar.  What they fail to mention is that in a study published in Environmental Health, almost half of tested samples of commerical high fructose corn syrup contained mercury.  Mercury is toxic.

I'm wondering how much the corn syrup lobbyists need to pad the USDA's pockets to continue to show these commercials with false information.  I'm also wondering why the USDA isn't doing anything about revelation of mercury in our foods.

Restaurants can tip YOU (the customer) using Groupon

I just watched a 1 minute Groupon video the blew my mind because it explains how merchants can rate and reward their customers via Groupon.  I don't know of any other site that allows this .... Please comment if you know of one.

There are so many good things I can say about this company and it's business model that I don't know where to start.  Here goes ......

1. Awesome deals.  Groupon has built it's business on collective buying power.  A steeply discounted deal (always greater than 40% off) will be offered within a geographic area every day.  If a minimum number of people agree to purchase it, the deal will be released.  Sign up to get an email every day for the deal of the day in your area.  Here is a that explains how they work.
2. Awesome businesses.  Groupon has some of the most exclusive businesses participating.  Some of the restaurants I have purchased, I have never seen a coupon for ... ever.  If you know me, you understand that I take coupons and deals very seriously.  Some of my favorite exclusive Groupons include Sushi Groove and Supperclub in SOMA (although supperclub participates in restaurant week, it's usually too hard to get a reservation).
3. Seamless referral bonuses.  Apparently someone joined Groupon because of me- I didn't even know!  The next time I purchased a Groupon they automatically called out that I was saving $10 on this purchase because of my referral.  I didn't have to dig up a coupon code, hidden 3 pages deep within my account activity.  Nor did I have to mail a receipt with 3 forms, wait 6 weeks, get a check in the mail, and have to make a special trip to the bank.  They just gave it to me.  I love when a business make my reward seamless and automatic. 
4. Merchants can rate customers.  Not only do they give users the opportunity to rate a business, but merchants can rate customers!  If you are good tipper, become a regular, or compliment the chef, they may rate you positively so that other business can see you are "good people".    It will be very interesting to see what happens now that merchants can rate, reward, and respond to the clientele that they serve.  As a former server for 6 years, there are several occasions where I would have loved an opportunity to provide feedback on my customers :)
   
   To make this deal even sweeter, when a merchant gives you an "award", you get Groupon bucks to use toward your next purchase!  Here is a page with tips on how to be the type of person an establishment would award.  Groupon Etiquette

"Big" failed at finding Tom Hanks' Doppleganger

In 1988, the movie Big debuted with Tom Hanks playing an older David Moscow.  At the time of filming David was 14 years old and Tom was 32.  After seeing this movie this past weekend on cable television, enough time had passed that I was curious to see if David Moscow turned out to look anything like Tom Hanks.  Here are the results:

David Moscow at 14 and Tom Hanks at 32

At first glance I would say that the casting director made a decent attempt at finding a younger version of Tom Hanks.  Both have dark, wavy hair and they have similar eyes and ears.  The key difference seems to be that they have very different facial bone structures.  You can already start to see David's chiseled jaw bone which is not even close to Tom's softer lines.

David Moscow at 32

Take a look at David in September of 2006, just a couple months before his 32nd birthday.  If these two entered a doppleganger contest - they shouldn't even get the obligatory participation ribbon.

Update - I added another image of David at age 33 as the first image was not showing up in all browsers.

FIRST!

Allow me to introduce myself.....

This blog is meant to be entertaining, somewhat educational, and funny on days when I try really hard.  The main purpose of this endeavor is take advantage of a platform to publish thoughts, learnings, ideas, and - hopefully - promote some discussion.