Meet the one-off McLaren X-1

I love this design, reminds of old Citroen. I wish they would create this not just catering to the super rich.

The dramatic one-off supercar has just been unveiled in Pebble Beach, California, at a very exclusive event dubbed ‘The Quail'. Scratching your head? Settle down at the back, it's a long story...
It's the latest offering from McLaren's Special Operations, a division of the Woking company unveiled this time last year at Pebble Beach, and responsible for building completely bespoke creations for very special customers.
It was one of those very special customers - someone who already owns a McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and 12C - who began discussions with McLaren chief Ron Dennis three years ago to build something completely unique. Apparently the brief was to create something with the capability of the 12C, but wrapped up in something that reflected his "needs and personality".
The three hour discussion covered such noted automotive inspirational touch points as the Guggenheim museums in New York and Bilbao, a Jaeger LeCoultre art deco clock, an Airstream trailer, a Montblanc pen, a piano, an eggplant, and of course, the delightful Ms Hepburn. Mood books happened.
Said client wanted to draw potential designers of his Hepburn-mobile from inside and outside McLaren, with Korean-born RCA grad Hong Yeo's design being the final one you see before you. McLaren's Yeo referenced a 1961 Facel Vega, a '53 Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, a 1959 Buick Electra, a 1939 Mercedes 540K and a 1971 Citroen SM.
As mentioned, underneath sits McLaren's Monocell - like in the 12C - surrounded by bespoke carbon panels and brightwork machined from solid aluminium, like the shoulder rails, the headlight ‘eyebrows' and even the McLaren Airbrake. Oh, and as you can see, those carbon panels cover the rear wheels too, accessed via - in McLaren's own words - "some of the most gorgeous hinges you've ever seen".
Despite being based on the 12C Monocell, the X-1 is wider and longer than the MP4 but weighs around the same (1,400kg), using the same interior architecture, albeit with some personalisation such as a titanium weave and tufted carpets.
Underneath, the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 remains, powering the rear wheels, replete with 621bhp and many torques. It's also been thoroughly homologated for road use (it was tested for 625 miles) and because it's been nailed together by McLaren, expect it to offer Space Station levels of build quality.
"To see the stars," notes Yeo, "sometimes you need the absence of that blinding light. Looking at a car from a different perspective is what X-1 stands for."

Manila - Philippines Motorist mauls MMDA Enforcer

Robert Blair Carabuena is the latest trending topic in social media for allegedly mauling MMDA traffic officer Saturnino Fabros. The show of arrogance as some of "his friends" claimed, happened only because the MMDA man slammed on his Volvo. Regardless if there is any truth to the cause of such volatile behavior, it is quite obvious who came out the better man in the end.

Zooming out, #Carabuena's attitude mirrored a society most have tolerated. For it is an epitome of a system where the reckless have's lord over the docile have-not's, worse it is also a reflection of how much respect our citizens have for our uniformed men whose names don't strike fear or awe.

In a system where the law tips in favor of those who can buy it, Carabuena is suddenly the name to vent the hate on, when in fact, incidents like this has happened many times over. Just check out any local queues, once a "V.I.P." comes in, they are led to a special lane or is exempted to fall in line regardless if they are not on official duty. Surely, the stinging slap that the MMDA officer got from Carabuena is as much painful as for all those who had been in any line patiently waiting for their turn only to be bullied by the arrogance of those who are privileged.

Again I say, Noblesse Oblige, PRIVILEGE ENTAILS RESPONSIBILITY.

Education should have instilled humility and the uniform should have commanded respect. Unfortunately, such is just not that easy in a society where education is merely a means to an end and a "uniform" is nothing but a reminder of corruption and abuse of power.

The cycle just goes on, no amount of hate pages can break the cycle until we all work on the cause and not at its symptoms.

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Things to Do This Summer

People take advantage of the warmer temperatures by spending more time outdoors during the summer. Activities such as traveling to the beach and picnics occur during summer months. Sports such as cricket, volleyball, skateboarding, baseball, softball, tennis and water polo are played. Water sports also occur. These include water skiing, wake boarding, and tubing. Water skiing is a uniquely summer sport, which is done when waters approach their warmest of the year.
If you’re wondering what to do this summer there are many activities planned across the district. The following list of activities will help your family take full advantage of summer and help spark your creativity to make the summer all that it should be.

• Have a picnic
• Visit another country
• Make dinner for your family
• Write a poem
• Take a boat ride
• Take a walk and record the sounds
• Go backpacking
• Create a web site
• Go camping
• Visit the zoo
• Have a family game night
• Go to a museum
• Visit a tourist spot near your home
• Donate some of the toys and clothes you no longer use
• Fly a kite
• Make a bird feeder
• Organize a bike safety clinic
• Spend time with your grandparents
• Take a dog for a walk
• Learn some new outdoor games
• Go swimming
• Start a collection
• Watch the birds

Celebrate the summer with our following list of  activities!  Whether you want to get out into the garden and learn about mini beasts or growing things, or stay in.
‘’A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.’’

summer activities

Five foods to beat the blues

 Often times, even most optimistic person can blue and feel depressed in his or her life. For those times here are few help to lift up your moods and find cheerful attitude to keep you going. Enjoy the motivational and healthy foods mood lifting.

Marmite

If you’re feeling anxious, stressed or depressed, a dose of B vitamins could help to lift your mood. B vitamins are important for normal brain function and producing mood-boosting serotonin, with vitamins B12 and B6 being particularly beneficial for regulating your mood.

To up your intake of B vitamins, try snacking on Marmite on wholegrain toast. As Marmite is fortified with vitamin B12, this is a particularly good choice of food for vegans and vegetarians who may struggle to get their recommended intake.

Oily fish

Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish are well known for being good for the heart. However, they are equally beneficial for our brain health and mood. A study by researchers from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine found that participants who had lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were more likely to be moderately depressed and have a negative outlook.

Furthermore, a study has found surprisingly low rates of seasonal affective disorder in Icelanders, where the diet is high in omega-3 rich fish. To follow in their footsteps and help ward off the blues, try eating two portions of oily fish a week, or up to four for men.

Chocolate

Many people find themselves reaching for chocolate to ease a bad mood, and this could in fact be no bad thing. Research has shown that chocolate contains many chemicals which can help beat the blues, including relaxing magnesium, calming anandamide and pleasure-inducing phenyl ethylamine.

To up the mood-boosting benefits further, try snacking on chocolate-dipped strawberries for a healthy treat. Strawberries are not only a good source of vitamin C, which helps in the production of endorphins, but they are high in mood-enhancing flavonoids too.

Bananas

Bananas are high in natural sugars, making them a great remedy for low energy levels which can leave you feeling down. On top of this they are packed with mood-lifting nutrients to help put a smile on your face.

Bananas are a great source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid which boosts serotonin levels, helping to regulate your mood. Furthermore, they are rich in magnesium, which can help you to relax and vitamin B6, which can help to relieve depression.

Nuts

Walnuts are the perfect good-mood food, offering the combined mood-boosting properties of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6 and tryptophan. The nuts are also a good source of foliate (vitamin B9); the deficiency of which has been linked to depression.

As well as snacking on walnuts, another good nut to add into your diet is the Brazil. Brazil nuts are an extremely rich source of the mineral selenium, with research suggesting that just one Brazil nut a day can provide you with your recommended daily intake. As low levels of selenium can lead to depression, irritability and anxiety, snacking on Brazils could be the perfect healthy way to boost your mood.

Autumn Fashion Style

People often change how they dress during autumn and winter to adapt to the temperatures of the new seasons. While most people don't wear the fashions exhibited down the runway by models, being well dressed and trendy in the cooler months is still important.
It’s important to know how to stay warm and still look cute. One of the easiest ways to do that is by choosing the colours for your autumn and winter wardrobe from a more subtle colour palette. Shades of grey, cream, brown and black accented with deep shades of purples, greens, reds and blues are all popular for autumn and winter. Keep in mind that black makes you look slimmer, so it's often a good choice for a main colour. You want your top half and bottom half to complement one another. This means that when you're wearing skinny jeans, you can wear something baggier on top, like a sweater. But when you're wearing loose pants or flared jeans, wear something fitted on top, such as a short dresses. This keeps you from looking like a shapeless splotch.
Show your style sense with layers of sheer fabric tops, opaque shirts, scarves, jackets and ankle boots.
As it gets colder, you can wear a long-sleeved shirt with a short-sleeved shirt over it. Under the main shirt, deliberate adding a camisole with a different neckline, lace or ruffles for a different texture. You can also wear a camisole with a very long t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt under a sweater. Not only will it keep you warm when your outdoors, but if you go inside where it's warm, you can remove the sweater and still be wearing a few layers.
Colour is important with coats. Make sure to choose a variety of colours that match and different shapes for shirts and necklines. Highlight the parts of your body that you like the most. You may have to try a few times before you can consistently achieve the look you want. With training, you can look marvellous, feel warm and be comfortable.
Tips: Add flair to your autumn and winter closet with faux fur and velvet-trimmed collars, hems and sleeves, and don't forget big colourful handbags with matching hats and gloves.

How To Take Care Of Swimming Pools

There are a lot of people fascinated in going for swimming with the way of time wherein inflatable swimming pools are becoming very common now a day. This is obviously giving them some kind of refreshment wherein they will be able to carry on with the exercise on regular basis wherein the health conditions will naturally remain maintained with the flow of life. It is true that people of all most all the age groups are actually interested in going for the swimming without any issues and considering these factors you should try your level best in getting hold of the best pool to carry on with the activity with the passage of time.

It is also right that you might be bit anxious about the cleanliness of the pool as there are many people getting into the same pool around the clock. Also there are many people moving on with the undertaking of getting hold of the private swimming pool within the court yard rendering to the available space as it will certainly help you in moving on with the right task without facing any kinds of issues by receiving hold of the professional who could carry on with the structure of the pool. There are many cleaning activities carried on by the people with the help of the equipment’s that are available for cleaning the water in the pool during regular intervals of time in the best possible manner. This will naturally protect the people from getting infected with some kind of allergies with the passage of time.

There are many kinds of equipment available in the market for cleaning the inflatable swimming pools or a in ground swimming pools, each equipment’s is used to serve different purposes that are really involved along with the cleaning task in the right manner. There are many equipment’s including the pool and spa filters, pool cleaners and chemicals in order to check out the chlorine level in the water and so on wherein flow clear filter cartridge are very important to get rid of the dust and dirt elements from the water in the correct way. You should try getting at least some of the equipment’s if you are having a swimming pool within your home and garden.

Filtration is one of the most important factors to keep your swimming pools clean. Both Bestway and Intex filters helps you to keep your pools clean and safe.

Brain Foods For Increased Intelligence

Although it accounts for only 2% of your total body weight, the fact remains that the brain is a food-hungry organ with ten times the appetite of other organs. In order to function, it uses up a minimum of 20% of your daily calorie in-take.
In addition to calories, you should also make sure you get good nutrients for your neurons through a balanced and varied diet. To ensure your brain gets what it needs there are certain foods you should add to your diet.

1. Oily fish (mackerel, sardines salmon) for brain maintenance

More than 50% of brain mass is made up of lipids, and over 70% of these are fatty acids that belong to the well-known Omega 3 group. These fats are crucial to the production and maintenance of brain cells, preserving the fluidity of cell membrane.
They also play a part in neuron activity. Weakening brain function and memory trouble can often be traced back to a deficiency in Omega 3¹. Oily fish are one of the best sources of Omega 3, but if fish isn't to your taste, consider nut oils and rapeseed oil as equally rich alternatives.

2. Pulses (lentils, chick-peas) for brain energy

The brain is said to be glucose-dependent, which means it uses only glucose to function. It consumes more than 5g an hour, but doesn’t know how to store it. It therefore has to be regularly supplied your diet via the circulatory system. It has long been proven that the most difficult task within intellectual performance, the capacity to memorise, depends on the level of glucose in the blood².
But beware of indulging in sugary foods and confectionery; though easy to snack on, they can lead to such strong fluctuations that your system can react violently and reduce blood sugar to below its normal level. The brain cannot tolerate this and the drop in blood sugar leads to fatigue and a shorter attention span.
The sugars that are said to be ‘complex’ and which have a low Glycaemic Index (GI) are therefore crucial. Pulses are rich in these ‘complex’ sugars, and their GI is one of the lowest. This really works to allow the regulation of glucose in the blood and its supply to the brain without creating a reaction of hyperglycaemia. If pulses aren’t to your taste either, consider wholegrain foods, especially cooked ‘al dente’.

3. Bananas for a calm brain

Rich in magnesium, which is essential in the transmission of nervous impulses, bananas are equally a source of Vitamin B6 (just one banana holds practically a quarter of the recommended daily amount). This vitamin is not only involved in the assimilation and use of magnesium in cells, but also in the metabolism of amino acids and the functioning of the nervous system through enabling the production of certain neurotransmitters, notably Serotonin and GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid).
These two molecules seem to create the right state of mind for prudent, calm and measured behaviour. If you don’t like bananas, consider prunes or dried fruit instead.

4. Liver (veal, beef, chicken) for intelligence

The brain accounts for around 20% of the body’s oxygen needs, and iron is needed to get oxygen to the brain by means of the blood’s haemoglobin. Liver is one of your diet’s assets guaranteed to contain this valuable metal. Equally, liver is one of the most important sources of Vitamin B. Since the mid 1980s, it has been shown that these vitamins, mainly B9, B12, B1 and B6, improve cognitive function and the results of intelligence tests. If you don’t like liver, consider ham, beef or nutritional yeast as a food supplement.

5. Red berries for happy brain cells

All edible berries (blackcurrants, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries etc.) are veritable mines of Vitamin C (blackcurrants have twice as much concentration in Vitamin C as kiwi fruit, and three times as much as oranges). They have antioxidant micronutrients that make up their colour (anthocyanes, polyphenols, flavonoids…)
Together, they not only fight against free radicals which can affect nerve cells, notably brain cells, but also improve circulation and strengthen blood capillaries, which enable the best oxygenation of the brain. If you don’t like red berries, then go for kiwi fruit or garlic.

6. Shellfish for brain function

Though rich in Vitamin B12 and in protein (notably lysine, a precursor to dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter), it is mostly the oligo-elements in seafood and crustaceans (oysters, clams, shrimp etc.) that are good for brain function. Oligo-elements are crucial in order to fight and prevent stress and its inconveniences. Some of these can be described as ‘therapeutic weapons’ as they have a hand in fighting anxiety, mental fatigue and nervous disposition.
Manganese, copper, lithium, zinc and iodine have this effect too and can also be found in seafood. If you don’t like shellfish, consider eating wholemeal bread, algae (which has iodised salt as in table salt) or wheat germ.

7. Eggs for brain connectivity

Eggs contain lecithin and phospholipids, integral to the construction of brain cell membrane. In terms of feeding intellect, their value lies mainly in the quality of their proteins. Long used as points of reference when analysing the quality of other dietary proteins by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), eggs are actually rich in amino acids, essential in the production of the principal neurotransmitters.
This is also the case with acetylcholine, a synthesis made from methionine and serine used in the process of memorisation, where noradrenalin (which stimulates learning) and its production rely on the presence of tyrosine and phenylaline, which are again found in the proteins in eggs. If you don’t like eggs, consider white fish as an alternative.

8. Spinach for good memory

All leafy vegetables share a richness in Vitamin B9 (or folates), which is known to play an active role in the development of a foetus’ nervous tissue and also in the renewal of blood cells. One of the signs of Vitamin B9 deficiency is reduced awareness and memory deterioration³. This phenomenon, observed in people of advanced age with folate deficiency, can probably be explained by the fact that Vitamin B9 is needed for the maintenance of dendrites (arborisation of neurons, where B9 levels are high).
If you don’t like spinach, go for watercress, lamb’s lettuce, iceberg lettuce, broccoli or different types of herbs. Of these, rosemary is worth noting as it has certain flavonoids (notably apigenin) in its aroma, which possess stimulating properties affecting concentration and memory through encouraging cerebral blood flow.

9. Cocoa for brain stimulation

In Aztec times, cocoa was already considered a medicine. Later, Casanova, the legendary seducer of women, used chocolate as an aphrodisiac with the kind of effects we know well! Since then, the chemical analysis of cocoa paste has revealed many surprises; besides the important calorific benefits, the presence of molecules similar to caffeine (theobromine, theophylline) and amphetamines (phenylethylamine, tyramine) give chocolate its true power as a tonic and psycho-stimulant. At the same time, chocolate’s high magnesium content (330mg per 100g), and the molecules it contains which are similar to serotonin (the ‘relaxation’ hormone), account for its ‘anti-stress’ and anti-depressant effects.
But that’s not all! Scientists have demonstrated the positive role flavonoids present in cocoa play in encouraging better dilation of blood vessels⁴. These antioxidant compounds help fight free radicals and guard the brain’s activity. Beware of over-indulging, however. If you don’t like chocolate, drink tea (which also contains antioxidants) and weak coffee (for its caffeine and its psycho-stimulating effect⁵), but being mindful of excess and without indulging too much at the risk of cancelling out or even reversing the effects.

10. Avocado to keep the brain young

The avocado is exceptionally rich in Vitamin E. This vitamin constitutes one of the most powerful antioxidants and protects the fatty tissues of the brain from ageing. If you don’t like avocado, consider oleaginous fruit instead (nuts, particularly hazelnuts etc.).
And don’t forget that, in order to become a real intellectual athlete, you must equally train your brain with special exercises (cerebral games, memory puzzles…). And you mustn’t neglect rest either (sleep is crucial for the brain’s regeneration…). In following this advice, you may not pick up that Nobel Prize, but you will have a brain that’s at the top of its game nonetheless!
1. Neurology. 2004, 62(2): 275-280
2. Psychopharmacol, 1993, 113: 83-8
3. JAMA, 1983, 249: 2917-21
4. J Hypertens. 2003 Dec; 21(12): 2281-6
5. J Psychopharmacol, 1991, 5: 120-8

Benefits of a Healthy Diet

It may sound trite but it's true: If your diet lacks essential nutrients, it can decrease your ability to concentrate. Eating too much or too little can also interfere with your ability to focus. A heavy meal may make you feel lethargic, while too few calories can result in distracting hunger pangs.
Benefit your brain: Strive for a well-balanced diet full of a wide variety of healthy, wholesome foods.

Electric cars

Electric car challenge - Arrival in Edinburgh
An electric car is a plug-in battery powered automobile which is propelled by electric motor.
Electric cars have the potential of significantly reducing city pollution by having zero tail pipe emissions.
Vehicle greenhouse gas savings depend on how the electricity is generated.
With the current U.S. energy mix, using an electric car would result in a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Given the current energy mixes in other countries, it has been predicted that such emissions would decrease by 40% in the UK,19% in China,and as little as 1% in Germany.
Running costs and Maintenance
Most of the running cost of an electric vehicle can be attributed to the maintenance and replacement of the battery pack because an electric vehicle has only around 5 moving parts in its engine, compared to a gasoline car that has hundreds of parts in its internal combustion engine.
Electric cars have expensive batteries that must be replaced but otherwise incur very low maintenance costs, particularly in the case of current Lithium based designs.

There are hopes that the electric car will capture the imagination of British cyclist this year.
The BBC's Brian Milligan took up a challenge to drive from London to Edinburgh in an electronics car.
It might sound easy but under the rules, he was only allowed to charge the car's battery at public points.
Brian takes a look back over the four days it took to complete the journey.

Athletic shoe - Use of athletic shoes

Athletic shoe is a generic name for a shoe designed for sporting activities. They were originally sporting apparel, but are today worn much more widely as casual footwear. It can also go by the name sport shoe, running shoe, gym shoe, tennis shoes, sneakers (American English) or trainers (British English).

The term athletic shoe is used for running, basketball and tennis (amongst others) but tends to exclude shoes for sports such as football (soccer) and rugby, which are generally called "shoe boots".

The shoes themselves are made of flexible material, typically featuring a sole made of rubber. While the original design was basic, manufacturers have since tailored athletic shoes for the different purposes that they can be used for. An example is the spike developed for the shoe soles for running.

Athletic shoes have also been tailored for the casual market, and are popular especially with young people. The terms sneakers and trainers tend to be associated more with the casual use of athletic shoes. The term sneaker was first used in 1916 by the United States Rubber Company for the Kids footwear, and ladies cow boy boots because rubber soles made the shoes quiet. And Trainers is a shortening of the phrase training shoe.

These flat shoes are derivatives of shoes worn, and endorsed, by athletes as well as other celebrities. The market for casual athletic shoes is quite large leading to a lot of competition between companies, and their eagerness to sign up celebrities to endorse their products.

Popular trainers’ brands for men and women include Animal, DC, Emerica, Etnies, Globe Shoes, Zoo York, Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Reebok, Cheap Converse Shoes and Fila.

Stay In the house! Police Advice as Snow Falls

Police have urged people in some parts of freezing Britain to stay indoors amid cautions of heavy snow and plunging temperatures.
The Met Office has delivered severe weather warnings for Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, the East Midlands and the South West, with London and the South East also under threat. And professionals say the worst-hit area is Northumberland where blizzards have dumped up to 35cm of snow. It has led Northumbria Police to urge cyclist to stay off the roads and only venture out if absolutely necessary.

"Anyone going outside should consider whether their journey is dangerous and if they must venture out should dress properly," a spokesman said.

Across the UK there have been general reports of cars sliding off roads because of treacherous, icy conditions. Two people were injured in a multiple cars pile-up on the M1 near Sheffield shortly before 8am.

All three lanes of the southbound carriageway amongst junctions 34 and 33 were closed while emergency services rescued the injured. The East of England Ambulance Service has recorded a spate of traffic accidents, with cars skidding into ditches, lampposts, fences and fields.

Spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "We are all very aware that the freezing conditions have caused problems for motorists.

"Remember your safety is paramount, drive carefully and please take care over the weekend."

True Blood Season 3 Episodes 10

Television programme or television show is a segment of content broadcast on television. It may be a one-off broadcast or part of a periodically recurring television series.

Television series that is intended to be broadcast as a finite number of episodes is usually called a miniseries or serial (although the latter term also has other meanings). A short run lasting less than a year is known in the United States and Canada as a season and in the United Kingdom and (not necessarily) the rest of the PAL countries as a series. This season or series usually consists of 13–26 installments in the United States, but in the United Kingdom there is no defined length. United States industry practice tends to favor longer seasons than those of some other countries.

A single instance of a program is called an episode, although particularly in the USA this is sometimes also called a "show" or "program", and in Great Britain and Ireland a "programme". A one-off broadcast may, again particularly in the USA and USA-influenced countries, be called a "special", or particularly in the UK a "special episode". A television movie or in the UK a television film ("made-for-TV" movie) is a film that is initially broadcast on television rather than released in cinemas or direct-to-video, although many successful television movies are later released on DVD.

The terminology used to define a set of episodes produced by a television series varies from country to country.

In North America the term used to describe a regular run of episodes is a television season or simply, season. For example, it is typical for a show's season to comprise 13 or 20–26 consecutive episodes between August and September or December and January. This is done to take advantage of the Nielsen Ratings system which calculates viewer numbers during these times. Often this type of release is referred to as a "non-stop season," which are usually used for serial television series, example 24, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and True Blood.

This is the ultimate moment and let the cask roll begin because True Blood Season 3 Episode 10 is stirring on its way.

Possessions just go wild and men or women just go intense in the Internet every time a new episode of True Blood grabs the point. There are lots of TV shows all around the world and in the United States alone, but True Blood is just merely the greatest.

True Blood is just a very only one of its kind TV program. And, with its corporeal and affectionate themes, people can't help but watch the show again and again. They can't even wait for the upcoming episodes.

So, as for you who stumbled in my blog here at shantykid.blogspot.com
Watch True Blood Season 3 Episode 10 and make the correct option!

The oldest house in UK

It is not exactly a superior house but the remains of what archaeologists believe is UK's oldest house has nevertheless been described as a sensational discovery that could fundamentally alter perceptions from our ancestors.

Evidence of the round residential property, which is thought to date back to 8,500 BC when Britain was still attached to the continent, has been unearthed at the Star Carr site near Scarborough in North Yorkshire, the BBC reports.

Archaeologists also discovered a platform made from timber slats, thought to be one of the earliest examples of a carpenter's handiwork in Europe.

Teams from Manchester and York universities believe the house was built from a circle of wooden stakes set around a sunken floor. The roof and walls could have been thatched or covered with animal hide.

Dr Nicky Milner from the University of York, who co-directs the Star Carr dig, said the find could change the perception of hunter-gatherers.

"There was a view of them as being very nomadic, highly-mobile people - but now we're seeing them as much more settled and sophisticated," she quoted.

Other items recovered from the Star Carr site since its discovery in the 40s include arrow tips, masks crafted from red deer skulls and antler head dresses.

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Great summer deals

Here are some sweet products I discovered. Check them out!

Pair of sexy high heel shoes and cool sunglasses from bolle!

Natural - Raw Foods

Raw food by contrast is replete with everything that enabled it to sprout and grow in the first place - life force, enzymes, water, oxygen, hormones, vitamins and minerals and so much more besides. Untouched, untainted, raw food is quite literally honest food - what you see is what you get. No hidden ingredients, nothing messed around with, just pure delicious fresh live food that we are designed to eat - living food for living bodies. And the good news for you is this: when you start dabbling with more raw food, you don't just understand this conceptually, you actually start to "get it" and also helps for your skin care, experientially as your whole body cheers, shifts up a gear and the concept of what real food, health and nutrition is really all about starts to take on a whole new meaning.

What foods are raw?


Apricot kernels and Cacao Liquor these are some types of raw and organic certified food.

Ionic Angstrom Molybdenum and Iron WaterOz Mineral Water.
WaterOz Mineral Waters are made by a highly technical process that turns pure minerals into a Ionic/Water Soluble solution. The water used for the suspension is drawn from a subterranean spring for purification and processed by reverse osmosis then treated with ozone gas before the mineral solution is added to produce the finished product.

To give you a brief overview of what raw food means in real terms, here's a list of the 20 different raw food groups:

1. Fresh fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Salad vegetables
4. Leafy green vegetables
5. Herbs and wild greens
6. Nuts
7. Dried fruits
8. Beans - pulses and legumes (sprouted)
9. Grains (sprouted)
10. Seeds - Sprouting seeds
11. Indoor greens
12. Vegetable seeds (sprouted)
13. Edible flowers
14. Mushrooms
15. Sea vegetables
16. Algaes
17. Oils
18. Stimulants (e.g. chilli, ginger, onion)
19. Spices
20. Superfoods -Flavourings and natural sweeteners (e.g. agave nectar, stevia).

How to keep it interesting?
When you're new to raw food it's easy to assume that salads, soups and smoothies is as good as it gets when you're watching the clock. While it's true that the more elaborate recipes often do take more time and energy, there are always short cuts and whipping up a delicious dressing, dip or even a nut "cheese" or veggie pate takes literally seconds and can totally transform a meal!
As mentioned before, the raw food journey never ends, but it does get increasingly rewarding and exciting! Not only is there a whole new world of food and drink waiting for you (which is growing fast), but raw food tends to attract some pretty amazing people and takes you on an exciting adventure in terms of getting more in touch with your body and your whole self generally.

Identifying organic food

Processed organic food usually contains only organic ingredients. If non-organic ingredients are present, at least a certain percentage of the food's total plant and animal ingredients must be organic (95% in the United States, Canada, and Australia) and any non-organically produced ingredients are subject to various agricultural requirements. Foods claiming to be organic must be free of artificial food additives, and are often processed with fewer artificial methods, materials and conditions, such as chemical ripening, food irradiation, and genetically modified ingredients. Pesticides are allowed so long as they are not synthetic.

Early consumers interested in organic food would look for non-chemically treated,non-use of unapproved pesticides, fresh or minimally processed food. They mostly had to buy directly from growers: "Know your farmer, know your food" was the motto. Personal definitions of what constituted "organic" were developed through firsthand experience: by talking to farmers, seeing farm conditions, and farming activities. Small farms grew vegetables (and raised livestock) using organic farming practices, with or without certification, and the individual consumer monitored. As demand for organic foods continued to increase, high volume sales through mass outlets such as supermarkets rapidly replaced the direct farmer connection. Today there is no limit to organic farm sizes and many large corporate farms currently have an organic division. However, for supermarket consumers, food production is not easily observable, and product labeling, like "certified organic", is relied on. Government regulations and third-party inspectors are looked to for assurance.

Nutritional value and taste of Raw and Organic Foods
In April 2009, results from Quality Low Input Food (QLIF), a 5-year integrated study funded by the European Commission, confirmed that "the quality of crops and livestock products from organic and conventional farming systems differs considerably."

Specifically, results from a QLIF project studying the effects of organic and low-input farming on crop and livestock nutritional quality "showed that organic food production methods resulted in some case:

• Higher levels of nutritionally desirable compounds (e.g., vitamins/antioxidants and poly-unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and CLA)
• Lower levels of nutritionally undesirable compounds such as heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticide residues and glyco-alkaloids in a range of crops and/or milk.
• A lower risk of faecal Salmonella shedding in pigs." but also showed no significant difference between traditionally grown foods on other studies.

The QLIF study also concludes that "further and more detailed studies are required to provide proof for positive health impacts of organic diets on human and animal health."Alternatively, according to the UK's Food Standards Agency, "Consumers may choose to buy organic fruit, vegetables and meat because they believe them to be more nutritious than other food. However, the balance of current scientific evidence does not support this view." A 12-month systematic review commissioned by the FSA in 2009 and conducted at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine based on 50 years' worth of collected evidence concluded that "there is no good evidence that consumption of organic food is beneficial to health in relation to nutrient content."Other studies have found no proof that organic food offers greater nutritional values, more consumer safety or any distinguishable difference in taste.

Regarding taste, a 2001 study concluded that organic apples were sweeter by blind taste test. Firmness of the apples was also rated higher than those grown conventionally. Limited use of food preservatives may cause faster spoilage of organic foods. Such foods in the stores, on the other hand, are guaranteed of not having been stored for extended amounts of time, still being high in decaying nutrients that food preservatives fail to preserve. Organic food may also potentially have higher amounts of natural biotoxins, like solanine in potatoes, as to compensate for the lack of externally applied fungicides and herbicides etc. However, in current studies, there have been no indications of difference in amounts of natural biotoxins between organic and conventional foods.

Police fear as many as 10 protected birds of prey might have been poisoned

Police who swooped on an Invernesshire sporting estate yesterday fear that up to 10birds of prey may have been poisoned there.

The raid on the 25,000-acre Moy Estate 10 miles south of Inverness by 25 officers was triggered when the signal from a satellite-tagged red kite, which was adopted by a local primary school, indicated it had stopped moving.

Houses, outbuildings and vehicles were searched throughout yesterday and estate staff were interviewed.

At one point, police officers removed several large plastic evidence bags from a house next to the old A9 road at Moy village.

It is understood that items removed included bird carcasses and weapons.

Officers also searched a gamekeeper’s house and kennels on the estate, the seat of the chief of the Clan Mackintosh, which hosts the Highland Sports and Leisure Fair every August.

No one from the estate could be contacted for comment yesterday.

Police said they acted after receiving intelligence about the area, and red kites and other birds of prey had been found dead at Moy in recent weeks.

A dead grouse found there some days ago tested positive for poison. Poisoned bait was also found two to three weeks ago at Moy, it emerged.

Officers would not confirm which other species were discovered, describing them only as “protected birds of prey”.

It is believed they included merlins and sparrowhawks.

The dead birds will be sent for analysis at specialist laboratories.

Northern Constabulary’s Inverness area commander, Chief Inspector Andy MacLean, said he could not say how many birds were involved as investigations were ongoing.

He said: “Red kites and other birds of prey have been found on this estate during the past month and are known to have been poisoned.

“The birds will be sent for analysis and the results will form part of the investigation.”

He added that the raid, and the large number of officers involved, was a sign that the force took wildlife crime very seriously.

He described it as a “blight” on the environment.

He added: “As far as we are concerned, if there is evidence of a crime on this estate, we will make inquiries as to who is responsible for that.

“If there is evidence to charge somebody, we will do so.”

The police went to Moy in a fleet of vehicles supported by 20 representatives from the RSPB, Scottish SPCA, Scottish Natural Heritage, the National Wildlife Crime Unit, and the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspectorate.

RSPB Scotland director Stuart Housden said: “Serious crimes against our most spectacular birds and wildlife are utterly deplorable, and do major harm to our reputation as a country that values and cares for its wildlife and natural environment.

“There is a growing body of compelling evidence which abundantly demonstrates the scale and impact that illegal poisoning is having on the populations of iconic birds of prey such as the red kite and golden eagle.

“The perpetrators of these crimes must be pursued with the full vigour of the law.

Estate owner Celia Mackintosh, the widow of Lieutenant Commander Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, was one of 200 Scottish estate owners who signed a letter last month publicly condemning those who illegally poison birds.

The letter was sent to Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham after the remains of three golden eagles, a buzzard and a sparrowhawk were found on or near the grounds of Skibo Castle, near Dornoch in Sutherland.

Police are trying to establish if they were poisoned.

Lt Cdr Mackintosh, the former clan chief, died on Christmas Day 1995 and his widow continues to run the estate. The couple’s son, John Lachlan, is the current clan chief and is understood to live in Singapore.