Jim Paull

SINGAPORE: Oil prices traded below $43 in Asia Friday as US markets took a break for Thanksgiving and Russia ruled out a military strike against Turkey for shooting down one of its warplanes.

At around 0315 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January was 52 cents lower at $42.52 and Brent crude was up one cent to $45.47 in volatile trade that saw the contract swing between positive and negative territory for most of the morning.

Before US markets went on holiday, the US Department of Energy released data showing the country’s commercial crude supplies in the week to November 20 rose at a slower pace, giving a bit of relief from a supply glut.

Reports that Russia is not taking military action against Turkey for the shooting down of one of its fighter jets on the Syrian border also eased fears that the tense situation in the region could escalate and disrupt oil supplies.

Moscow on Thursday said retaliatory measures will focus on using its leverage to tighten the screws on Turkey’s economy, including the halting joint economic projects, restricting financial and trade transactions and changing customs duties.

With the global crude supplies still outpacing demand, traders are waiting for a meeting of the OPEC cartel of oil producing nations next month to see if it will slash high output levels.

Traders will also be monitoring a December meeting of US central bank, where policymakers are expected to lift interest rates for the first time in almost a decade. A hike would likely boost the dollar, making dollar-priced oil more expensive, denting demand.

“Prices are finding it hard to move higher or lower on the unchanging fundamentals (of supply and demand),” Phillip Futures said in a market commentary.

– AFP

Medical research has shown that coconut oil is a better choice than any other saturated fat. It may provide a wide range of health benefits, from improving blood sugar and insulin rates to helping with weight control.^{[1] [2]} It has also been found to strengthen mineral absorption which can promote healthy teeth and bones.^[3] Coconut oil has also been found to have antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties.^[4] You can use coconut oil in many ways, but eating it is a simple and direct way to take advantage of its beneficial qualities.

EditSteps

EditCooking and Baking with Coconut Oil

1. Sauté vegetables in coconut oil. Coconut oil has a high smoke point, so it is safe to cook with at high temperatures.^[5] This makes it a great choice for sautéing your favorite vegetables or making stir fry. Let a few tablespoons (whatever your recipe calls for) of coconut oil melt in a pan and coat it well, then add your ingredients and season as desired.
   
2. Use it to pan-fry meat, fish, or eggs. You can use coconut oil as you would any other to coat a pan and cook these foods.^{[6] [7]} Put a few tablespoons (or whatever your recipe calls for) of coconut oil in a pan. Once it melts and heats, you are ready to pan-fry.
   
3. Roast vegetables using coconut oil. You can coat vegetables in melted coconut oil and seasoning and roast as you normally would. A good start is to make coconut roasted broccoli.^[8]
   
   • Line a baking sheet with foil. Drizzle sheet with 1 tablespoon of coconut melted coconut oil.
   • Add one head of broccoli, but into florets, or 12-16 frozen broccoli florets.
   • Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over the broccoli. Pour the juice of one lime over the broccoli. Season to taste, for example with Cajun salt, salt, and pepper. Toss gently.
   • Roast at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.
4. Use coconut oil to pop popcorn. Coconut oil makes a great choice for making popcorn.^[9] Add coconut oil and popcorn together to a heavy-bottomed pan. Use enough coconut oil to coat the bottom of the pan, and use just enough kernels to make a single layer. Stir or shake to make sure the kernels are coated well with the coconut oil. Place the pan over medium heat and cover it. Listen for the kernels to start popping. As soon as the popping slows to intervals of a few seconds, remove from heat.
   

EditMaking Treats with Coconut Oil

1. Make chocolate coconut bark. This is a delicious treat that incorporates coconut oil. ^[10]
   
   • Break 2 ounces of dark chocolate into pieces, and melt it in the top of a double boiler.
   • Take the melted chocolate off of the heat and add 1 cup coconut oil, stirring until it melts. #*Add a handful each of coconut flakes and slivered almonds. Mix thoroughly.
   • Line an 8 x 8 Pan with parchment paper and pour the chocolate-coconut mixture into pan. Sprinkle top with sea salt.
   • Freeze for at least 15 minutes, then cut into 12 squares. Wrap and store in the freezer.
2. Make chocolate coconut energy bars.^[11]
   
   • Melt 1/2 cup cocoa butter in a pan over low heat.
   • Add 1/2 cup coconut oil and melt.
   • Add 1/2 cup honey and stir well.
   • Stir in 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup chia seeds, and 1 1/5 cups shredded coconut. Add vanilla and sweetener to taste, if desired.
   • Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate for at least one hour or until hard. Cut into squares and serve.
3. Make coconut oil cocoa.^[12] First, heat a mug so that it will melt the coconut oil. Pour boiling water into the mug and let sit for 20 seconds, then pour the water out. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to the mug and wait until it melts. Stir in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, a pinch of sea salt, and sugar to taste. Pour boiling water into the mixture and stir. Add cream or milk to taste.
   

EditAdding Coconut Oil to Food and Drink

1. Use coconut oil as an ingredient in smoothies. Add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil to a smoothie along with the other ingredients.^[13] For example, pour 1 cup of any kind of milk and 1 cup of ice into a blender. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 ripe banana. Blend and serve.
   
   • Coconut oil may be solid at room temperature, and blending it into a smoothie might leave small chunks of it. If you don't like this, you can melt the coconut oil at a low temperature first, then slowly add it to the rest of the smoothie ingredients as you blend them.^[14]
2. Use coconut oil as an addition in coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Simply add a small amount of coconut (a spoonful or so, according to your preference) to your drink and stir until it melts.
   
   • To get the best texture and taste, some prefer to also add a bit of high-quality unsalted butter and/or sweetener to their coffee or other drink.^[15]
3. Mix a spoonful of coconut oil into a variety of prepared foods. You can add a bit of coconut oil to many cooked or prepared foods as a way of getting more of it in your diet.^[16] You can try stirring a spoonful into soup, yogurt, oatmeal, or pasta. You can also mix it into peanut butter or another spread.
   
4. Use coconut oil in a marinade. Melt a few tablespoons of coconut oil and add it to any marinade.^[17] Use it as usual for meat, fish, etc.
   

EditSubstituting Coconut Oil for other Ingredients

1. Substitute coconut oil for other oils. Generally speaking, you can use coconut oil in place of other oils (vegetable, canola, etc.) for baking and cooking.
   
   • Use equivalent portions of melted coconut oil for most oils. For example, if a recipe calls for ½ cup of vegetable oil, use ½ cup of melted coconut oil.
   • To replace shortening with coconut oil, mix coconut oil and butter in equal proportions. Use ¾ the amount called for by a recipe.^[18] For example, if a recipe asks you to use 2 cups of shortening, use ¾ coconut oil and ¾ cup butter to make a mixture totaling 1 ½ cups.
2. Use coconut oil instead of butter on toast, muffins, etc. Allow the coconut oil to come to room temperature, or melt it, or blend it to a paste-like consistency, then use as you would butter.^[19] You can also substitute coconut oil for butter when making a butter-based frosting for baked goods.^[20]
   
3. Substitute coconut oil for eggs. Eggs are often used as a binding agent, but coconut oil can work just as well. This can help if you are trying to cook vegan, and is another way to incorporate coconut oil into your diet. Simply use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in place of one egg, adjusting as necessary if you are seeking a particular consistency.^[21]
   

EditTips

• Coconut oil can be solid at room temperature or below. To get it to a workable consistency, you can melt it, or stir and mash it until it is a smooth paste.^[22]
• Scrape solidified coconut oil from the jar in small chunks or flakes, then work them into a paste. This will help you measure the oil and work it into foods. ^[23]
• Use a high-quality, unrefined coconut oil for the greatest benefits. There are several grades of coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is obtained by natural means without the application of heat. Refined coconut oil is bleached and deodorized, and may contain unhealthful additives.
• Never melt coconut oil in a microwave oven. Heat on a stovetop or place coconut oil in cup or bowl, then place the container in warm water to melt.
• Don't eat more than a teaspoon at a time when starting out. Too much often causes moderate-severe diarrhea as part of the detoxing process. Slowly work up to more, and listen to your body.

EditRelated wikiHows

• How to Lose Weight with Coconut Oil
• How to Use Coconut Oil on Your Hair and Skin

EditSources and Citations

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Malaysia Airlines has launched a new Enrich up to 50% off award discount promotion for travel to Australia.

The offer is valid from select cities in Malaysia to destinations in Australia for travel between March 1 – July 5, 2016, and must be booked by November 29.

You can access this offer on Malaysia Airlines website here.

Note that Malaysia Airlines charges very high fuel surcharges on its own award tickets making redeeming for economy awards mostly very bad value proposition.

Here are the eligible routes:

Conclusion

Could be worthwhile for those that have Enrich miles and are based either in Malaysia or Australia. I just wish that the fuel surcharges would be more reasonable on Malaysia Airlines awards.

Here are the terms and conditions of this offer:

Download (PDF, 567KB)

‘Hoomans’ who were given purr-mission by their feline masters to explain to researchers why they kept their cats indoors gave reasons such as the constraints of apartment living, various outdoor hazards (such as territorial rival cats, aggressive dogs and traffic), and health conditions that needed constant, close monitoring. Whatever the reason, slaves of indoor kitties have to make extra efforts to ensure their fur-ever friend’s life is rich, fulfilling and stimulating (if they don’t want to be meow-dered in their sleep). Below are some suggestions for hooman kitty coolies who want to live to see another day:

Food
Hide kitty’s food in a different place every day, or, better yet, break it up into three portions and hide them in different locations. Alternatively, feed your cat from a Kitty Kong, which requires batting and pouncing for automatic release of food.

Water
Don’t stop kitty from drinking from a fish bowl or tank. Or consider getting a cat fountain so kitty can have running water, which is always cooler than still water.

Amusements
Hang a bird feeder near a window and install a perch so kitty can watch birds go by. A planter box with flowering plants will attract butterflies and ladybugs: all great to watch.
A nice tank of fresh water fish or a couple of rodents (gerbils or hamsters in SECURE cages) can also make for fascinating viewing.

Exercise
Excellent-quality cat trees are a must. Shelves placed high on the walls and suspended planks can also add interest, and provide exercise opportunities for kitty. Getting kitty to chase and hunt feather toys should also be part of a daily routine. Ensure the toys are cat-safe; look for vegetable dyes and dispose of damaged toys immediately. Cats can choke on broken bits, just like children.

And for a treat…
Toss cat treats around the room and make kitty run to them. Kitties also like laser pointers (but everybody knows that, of course) and bubble guns. If you have green fingers, cultivate a few pots of cat mint and bring in a pot for kitty to chew on every now and then.

*Based on an article published by a presumed ‘crazy cat lady’ in Malaysia’s first and largest interactive pet and animal welfare portal, PetFinder.my.

Make a difference and adopt a rescue pet today. To view adorable animals seeking fur-ever homes, visit: www.petfinder.my

AFTER a long day, nothing soothes a tired back more than a relaxing massage.

Ever since Seinfeld tackled the topic in 1993, we’ve known that double-dipping is socially unsavory. But is it really a viable way for disease-carrying germs to spread? Well, of course it is.

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Sharing Thanksgiving leftovers with your guests keeps the spirit of the holiday going, but can leave you without a lot of dishes. When you stock up on last minute groceries, grab a set of cheap containers to hand out leftovers in.

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One of our favorite Black Friday trends that’s been spreading across the country is the animal shelter doorbuster: that is, busting adoptable animals out from behind animal shelter doors and into new and loving homes. The promos use the idea of “Black Friday” to push pets with black and white fur to create super-cuddly sale events where adoption fees are waived.

This year, the event even has a corporate sponsor: accessories and apparel seller Zappos is sponsoring adoption fees at Best Friends Animal Society shelters and other affiliated shelters and rescues across the country.

Here’s a selection of promos you’ll find across the country:

Bonnie Hays Small Animal Shelter, Hillsboro, OR: $10 adoption fees on all cats that are black or black and white.
BrightSide Animal Center, Redmond, OR: They’re calling it a “cuddlebuster” special, with 50% off all cats and dogs with black or mostly-black fur.
Clark County Humane Society, Neillsville, WI: No adoption fees on any cats or dogs through Monday, November 30. Sponsored by Zappos.
HumaneCNY, Liverpool, NY: Adoption fees waived Friday and Saturday for cats and dogs over 1 year old.
Idaho Humane Society, Boise, ID: 50% off adoption fees until noon, and 25% off from noon to 6 PM.

Humane Society of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, FL: Opening an hour early; adoptions will be free for some pets during that “doorbuster” hour. Half off regular price for the rest of the day.
Jacksonville Humane Society, Beach Boulevard, FL: No adoption fees Friday through Saturday; other fees like dog licenses may apply.
SBK Animal Shelter, Blountville and Kingsport, TN: $20 off adoption fees on black cats and dogs.
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Georgetown, TX: No adoption fees on any cats or dogs through Monday, November 30. Sponsored by Zappos.

Washing your pillows in the washing machine can make them look like new again and not yellow . While we’ve advocated properly laundering your pillows before, this does not apply to foam pillows.

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SINGAPORE: Strait-laced Singapore has slashed the number of publications it bans to 17 from a previous 257, allowing some communist and adult topics, but kept a prohibition on Jehovah’s Witnesses publications.

Newly permitted books include “Fanny Hill”, a British novel published in 1748 said to be the first erotic novel in English, and “The Long March”, a Chinese communist history.

A number of the de-gazetted publications were out of print or were permissible under today’s content standards, the Media Development Authority said in an emailed statement explaining the changes.

Adult magazines such as Playboy, Penthouse and Hustler remain banned, as are publications by the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church produced by its Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association.

The church’s publications sit in the banned list alongside “hardcore pornographic publications” that “depict female models in sexually suggestive poses and their genitals”, the government agency said.

Singapore deregistered the Jehovah’s Witnesses and banned its publications in 1972 because the church objects to serving National Service in the military or singing national anthems.

– Reuters

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians should avoid eating meat for the benefit of their health and the environment.

Whenever my spoiled-rotten palate throws a tantrum and demands Punjabi cuisine – chapati dishes in particular – I make a beeline for Sentral Chapati House at the eminent Jalan Thambypillai in Brickfields. Recently, though, I decided to break my gastronomic habit and expand my Punjabi cuisine horizons in the direction of Singh Chapati House, located just a chapati-toss away, along the same road.

A family-run business featuring a comfortable and clean interior, Singh Chapati House serves a wealth of Punjabi meat and vegetarian dishes – with Briyani being a marquee item, of course – but it’s the eatery’s chapati that is the headlining attraction, and most in-demand offering. With a layout typical of Punjabi restaurants, Singh Chapati House features an outer section where fresh chapatis are prepared, with a row of chafing dishes brimming with a variety of special curries arranged against a nearby wall.

While I waited for my fresh batch of chapati, I indulged in a glass of hot Fresh Milk Masala Tea, priced at RM3.20. And though it was supposed to be a side refreshment to warm me up for the main offering, the Tea was a revelation! Strong, tasty, rich and superior to its counterpart at Sentral, I was highly impressed. The spotlight immediately shifted to this beverage, which I unhesitatingly decided set a new standard for Punjabi-style Masala Tea. It was the best I had ever had, and I rated it an enthusiastic 9.8/10. Bravo!

After my delightful drink, my 5 chapatis arrived with a flourish. Priced at RM1.50 each, the chapatis were surprisingly tastier than the ones served at Sentral (which I did not think possible). And although they were much thicker than most chapatis, they were somehow equally soft. I found them to be excellent and wholeheartedly rated them 9.7/10. Again, Singh Chapati House had served a standard-bearer that would be difficult to beat.

As accompaniment to the chapatis, I had decided to forego the curries in favour of the Mutton Keema – but when I discovered that the a la carte offering was RM8 for a small portioned-dish, I decided against it. Instead, I ordered several vegetarian dishes that caught my eye. First up was the Mashed Spinach with Curd, priced at RM3 for the smallest portion. After the first two highs at Singh Chapati House, this came as a crushing disappointment. The dish was bland to the point of tastelessness, and the texture too mushy. The dish earned a low rating of 4/10.

Next was the Sour Curry, also priced at RM3 per small portion. Though much better than the Spinach, this fell far short of the version available at Sentral. Good, but not great, I rated this dish 7/10.

Finally, I dove into the Spicy Brinjals with Potato, which cost RM2 per minimum order. Prepared Masala-style, this dish was also tasty, but in no way a standout. Satisfying nevertheless, I rated it 8/10.

Singh Chapati House has great promise – but until it fulfils them, I’ll stick to Sentral Chapati House.

Singh Chapati House
No. 55, Jalan Thambypillai,
Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 8am to 12 midnight daily
Tel: +603 2272 1215

*Based on an article published by militant foodie, omnipresent shutter bug, indefatigable traveler and bionic blogger, Venoth Nathan, in Venoth’s Culinary Adventure.

For more rousing reviews of exceptional eateries in nooks and crannies across this food-flooded country, visit http://venoth.blogspot.my

What do you do when you are left with half a chip in your hand after dipping? Admit it, you’ve wondered whether it’s OK to double dip the chip. Maybe you’re the sort who dips their chip only once. Maybe you look around the room before loading your half-eaten chip with a bit more dip, hoping that no...

Every year on the first day of April, everyone puts on their thinking cap and knowingly views much of what they hear or see with a healthy dose of skepticism. Instead of doing this only on 4/1, treat every new piece of information as if it’s April 1st to think more critically every day.

Read more...

In our opinion, a holiday table isn't complete without a big basket of fluffy dinner rolls. How else are you going to sop up the last bits of gravy? These soft and airy sweet potato rolls are perfect for the job. They're also very nearly foolproof, making them one less thing to worry about when planning the meal.

READ MORE »

SYDNEY: Australian man Phuc Dat Bich, who became an Internet sensation after complaining his Facebook page kept being shut down, says he is honoured his name has made people laugh.

The 23-year-old, who is of Vietnamese origin, originally posted a complaint on Facebook in January that it was “highly irritating that nobody seems to believe me when I say that my full legal name is how you see it”.

“I’ve been accused of using a false and misleading name… which I find very offensive. Is it because I’m Asian? Is it? Having my fb shut down multiple times,” he said.

His case recently attracted media attention and he posted a picture of his passport to prove he was not lying, with hundreds of people leaving supportive comments and more than 40,000 now following his public posts.

He thanked them on Monday, saying in a post that he was glad people were able to laugh “given the tragic events that have happened all over the world”.

“I’d like to mention that I am very grateful to those who have been supportive of certain names that populate in different cultures,” said the Australian, whose name is pronounced Phoo Da Bi.

“We live in a diverse and multicultural society and the fact that there are people out there who are supportive and encouraging really makes me happy.

“I am glad and honoured to be able to make people happy by simply making them laugh at something that appears outrageous and ridiculous. As an individual I hope I have played a part in brightening your days!”

– AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of infamous sex bloggers Alvin Tan Jye Yee and Vivian Lee May Ling has begun with a lecturer testifying that he was upset with their bak kut teh posting and buka puasa greetings on Facebook.

Sometimes, you need just a couple of essentials, then a good selection of your favorite pens. Everyday Carry reader Brook shares his bag that’s packed with a small selection of his favorite pens.

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A couple of months ago a few students from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) requested an interview with me about my theatre production company for their business class assignment.

The interview went pretty well until they asked me their final question: Is your company shariah compliant?

I went blur for a while. “What do you mean by Shariah compliant?” I asked.

“Is your company managed according to Islamic requirements?” a young girl inquired. “Do you stage your theatre productions as specified in Islam?”

I smiled and sarcastically said, “Well, we do not serve liquor during our theatre performances nor do we require our patrons to dress in hijabs.”

The girls dutifully wrote down my response.

“How about the management and administration aspects of the company?” she asked.

“What about them?”

“Are they Shariah compliant?” she continued.

Feeling a bit annoyed, I replied with a short “Yes.”

“How so?”

Soon, more questions on Shariah compliance were asked which I dutifully answered to the best of my ability.

Anyway, a few days ago I decided to give the students a call to ask about their assignments. I was told that they received almost full marks for all the questions except for the questions regarding Shariah compliance.

“Our lecturer said we should have chosen a company which was Shariah compliant,” one of the students said. “Apparently, a theatre production house is not.”

This took me by surprise. I wondered what I could or should do to make my production house Shariah compliant?

Should I greet the audience with “Assalamualaikum” as they enter the hall? Should I begin the show by reciting a doa? Should I ensure non-married Muslim couples don’t get to sit next to each other? Should I get the audience checked for proper Muslim attire? Do I get the actors to cover up completely and forbid them from touching each other? Do I get the scripts endorsed by a religious authority?

Come on, isn’t being Shariah compliant all about good practices anyway? After all, being Islamic is more connected to values than to rigid systems, is it not?

Honestly, I don’t see much difference between Shariah-compliant and non-compliant establishments. I see both Islamic and conventional banks as generally the same. Just slightly altering the methods of doing things doesn’t make one bank more Islamic than the other.

Today, the aspect of Shariah compliance has become cosmetic and superficial. The recent calls to introduce Shariah compliant attire for our sportswomen is no different. Will our sportswomen fulfil the religious requirements only by covering themselves? What about their non-muhrim coaches? What about the nature of the sports itself as an entertainment presented to a subset of an audience?

Why do we keep on dangling everything under the banner of religion?

You may build syariah compliant malls, but if the Muslims spending their money at the mall do so wastefully, then what is Islamic about them?

Take the ultimate religious experience for Muslims as an example – the Hajj. I hear stories of unreliable Hajj travel agencies who have cheated the pilgrims. I hear pilgrims fighting for prayer spots among themselves. I hear of wealthy pilgrims enjoying a five star experience while at the holy land while the not-so-privileged rough it out in less than ideal places. Is all this syariah compliant?

Perhaps we should also start asking if our government is syariah compliant? Is our parliament syariah compliant? Is the KLSE syariah compliant? Is Bank Negara syariah compliant? Is Jakim syariah compliant? Are the zakat collection centres syariah compliant? Are our state religious departments syariah compliant?

Being Shariah compliant is about being in accord with the Quran. It is not only about refraining from matters forbidden by the Quran. It is about building a morally-conscious community with responsible practices that benefit society as a whole.

Maybe instead of getting all worked up over being syariah compliant, we should begin by learning to use our common sense. After all, aren’t fairness and justice at the core of Islamic teachings?

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Oil & Gas Corp Bhd’s (UMW-OG) unit UMW Malaysian Ventures Sdn Bhd has clinched a contract to provide a jack-up drilling rig and associated services for the SapuraKencana Energy group.

A breakfast with biscuits and hot-gravy (without flour) can be easily created with low carbohydrate ingredients, "gluten free", and method 2 uses "no" milk. The concept of your low-carb biscuit is to replace the flour and sugar with other (healthy) ingredients. Naturally you will want it to taste and look like a biscuit, with a sensible cost, and a reasonable addition to your low-carb diet. Consult your medical adviser or physician about any concerns and see the article about low carb dieting. Obviously: Children should be closely supervised in any cooking efforts. If you like this article, try low carb pancakes.

Ingredients

Protein Powder Biscuit

(The other method after this one, called "Method 2 - ...", uses no milk or water.)

• 1 egg whites or ½ whole eggs (or egg substitute),
• 2/3 cup (88g) of protein powder rather than of flour,
• About 1/4 cup (33g) of water ... or low-carb milk substitute,
  • Use only enough liquid to make a semi-moist dough,
• 1/8 cup (17g) of cooking oil, or butter,
• ¼ to ½ tsp of baking soda, or baking powder,
• Sweeten, if desired with a sugar substitute (if so, use one that is for cooking),
• ¼ tsp salt, if desired or salt substitute.
• 1 TBS butter or cooking oil to add to the cookie sheet, skillet or griddle.

The recipe makes about 6 of small biscuits.

Almond Flour Biscuit - Milk Free

This low carb method uses almond flour -- but no milk, the only liquid is from the egg whites and butter; it makes a somewhat crispy edged "biscuit" as made in the video.^[1]

• 1 Cup plus 2 tablespoons of almond flour
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) "Aluminum Free" baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 2 Tablespoons (TBS) cold "Grass Fed" butter (unsalted)
• ¾ Cup egg whites (from 3 large eggs)

Steps

Steps for Method 1

1. Choose a protein powder that your like. You can find a number of kinds at a good grocery store or drugstore.
   
2. Measure the ingredients that you need. Place the ingredients into a bowl. Stir the dry ingredients together first. Add the liquid ingredients. Mix well.
   
3. Spread the 1 TBS butter or cooking oil on the ‘’’barely warm’’’ cookie sheet or skillet.
   
4. Spoon up and drop the biscuits onto the oiled or buttered (barely warm) surface and:
   
   • Mash them slightly with a buttered or oiled spoon or with fingers, if you like.
   • You do not have to roll them out or “cut” them;
   • You might use a small empty can with one end removed to cut biscuits perfectly round, etc.
5. If you will be cooking on a skillet, rather than in an oven -- heat the surface until a drop of water will skip, dance and jump about, or to 350°F (180°C) about medium-high heat.
   
6. Bake the biscuits for about 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the thickness and the amount of liquid) or cook the biscuits on each side in a skillet: on the 1st side wait about 30 seconds (you might double check to see that they are not burning by turning them repeatedly).
   
   • Experiment with the time in the oven and on each side in the skillet depending on the heat of the oven or surface.
7. Finished.
   

Steps for Method 2

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: almond flour, aluminum baking powder and salt together.
3. Add butter and mix using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture is crumbly.
4. Whisk the eggs until they are frothy, then mix them with the almond flour mixture until combined.
5. Place batter in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes, because the batter will be thin.
6. Divide the batter into 4 or 6 portions (depending on how big you want your biscuits) and place them in a well-greased muffin top pan.
7. Bake right away for 10-12 minutes. Remove when golden brown.
   • Makes 4-6 biscuits.

Video

Tips, for Method 2

• If you wish the baking items, they were (may be still?) obtained at Amazon.com: "Muffin Top Pan", "Almond Flour", "Pastry Cutter" also called "Dough Blender", "Aluminum Free Baking Powder", "Sea Salt", "Grass Fed Butter".
  • The links to those items, used with the recipe, are in the video description, by clicking "Read More".

Tips

These tips were in original method 1.

• You may wish to try an unsweetened, plain protein powder, or a protein drink powder (as if it is flour).
• Vary the ingredients like adding cinnamon, fruit, nuts, or crumbles of pre-cooked meat.
• You might use sour cream (with some water), or butter-milk, instead of other milk type products.
• You may wish to top the cooked biscuit with a sugar-free syrup or sugar-free preserves.
• Cook it with less egg and thicker, then it can be split open and toasted, etc...
• For thinner biscuits add a little more milk or water. For thicker biscuits add less liquid ingredients.
• Try delicious low carb pancakes and you might pray about dieting.

Warnings

• Protein powders come from several sources like soy protein, milk whey protein, egg protein (read the labels).
• If you may have any illness for example heart-trouble or diabetes, you should consult your physician about the use of eggs, protein powders or sugar and sugar substitutes or any other ingredients in question.
• Avoid foods to which you may be allergic (egg, soy, milk, etc.)
• Soy milk and soy flour are not low-carb.
• Baking soda is a high sodium product, 1/4 tsp contains 300mg of sodium (sodium bicarbonate).
• Table salt is a sodium product (sodium chloride).
• You may like a recipe for regular sugared pancakes and to use lots of sugar or honey, sounds dangerous!?
• The recipe and its ingredients are only a suggestion and should NOT be used as a substitute for your common sense, religious practices or competent medical advice.
• Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot surface or by splashing oil.

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Low Carb Pancakes
• How to Make Low Carb Dieting Simple and Easy
• How to Tell if You Have Diabetes
• How to Make Pancakes
• How to Make Low Cost Gluten Free Pizza

Sources and Citations

• Various recipes of ordinary biscuits in which substitutions may be made. But the method two is quite different; it is from youtube.com:

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IPOH: The body of an actor from India was found yesterday morning at the Lubuk Degong Waterfalls in Bidor, about 300 metres from where he had slipped and fallen yesterday.

L Keshava Rajan’s body was found stuck in between rocks about 9.30am.

The 25-year-old victim was reported missing after he had slipped and was swept away by strong currents while picnicking with his family at 5.45pm yesterday.

Taiping police chief Supt Som Sak Din Keliaw said a search and rescue team found the body stuck between rocks.

It is understood Rajan was scheduled to leave for Chennai today, to make final preparations for the premiere of his debut film, ‘Ka Ka Ka Po’.

– BERNAMA

It might seem finicky, but in recipes calling for specific internal cooking temperatures — a roast, for example, or egg-based desserts like cheesecake — a thermometer can make all the difference between a perfectly done dish and one that's overcooked. You may even find once you get in the hang of using a cooking thermometer, you'll come to rely on it in recipes that don't specifically call for it.

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In the wake of attacks by the outlaw death cult Da’esh against a Russian airplane, in Beirut, and in Paris in recent days, a firestorm of debate has erupted over how to handle Syrian refugees as well as other Muslims. Suggestions run the gamut from multiple claims that only Christian Syrians should be allowed into the U.S., to arguments that mosques should be closed. Others have said Muslims should be marked and registered and that Islam is a philosophy of violence and murder.

The base argument has been that Da’esh and other terrorist death cults have all been Islamic and that this kind of barbarism is a unique and inherent portion of Islam, as one recent comment noted to me here:

Violent jihad was baked right into Islam by Muhammad himself, who used militancy to spread Islam.

Some argue this same militant streak is a base feature of Islam because of passages such as this:

Quran, 048:29: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves;

Yet the truth—which is often forgotten—is that the origins of Islam stem directly from both Christianity and Judaism, and that you can find similar passages in both the Old Testament and Talmud. You can also find more than a few Christian death cults not only in history, but in the present.

Buckle in, because listing just the highlights of radical extremist Christianity is gonna take some time.

iOS/Android: Makeup can be a tricky thing. Your shade of foundation, lipstick or eyeshadow can make a big difference in your look, and you may have no idea what colors suit you. ShadeScout lets you play around with different shades and try them on.

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Unlike any other aspect of life, there are no grey areas when it picking the color of a new car; it really is a black or white decision.

The annual Axalta Global Automotive Color Popularity Report — the most comprehensive of its kind in the industry — finds that for the fifth year running, white is the most popular car color across Asia, Europe and America, accounting for over one third (35%) of all vehicles sold. Black is a distant second — 18% — followed by silver (13%) and grey (10%).

In fact, of all the individual countries studied for this year’s report only drivers in India prefer silver (30%) over white (29%). Meanwhile the Chinese are completely in awe of white, which accounting for 50% of all new cars in that market, as is Africa (46%) and South America (37%).

However, there are some regional tonal quirks. North America is where red is most popular, globally, specified on 11% of new cars compared with just 6% of Asian cars. And it’s Europeans that love both blue (9%) and black (21%) the most.

“For the fifth consecutive year, white is the world’s most popular color. However, we did see some pockets of color when we looked across regions,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Color Marketing Manager. “For instance, red jumped eight percentage points over 2014 in South America, mid-shade blues are significant in Europe, and bright blues gained popularity in North America.”

To see how popular these color choices are, one need look no further than the LA Auto Show, which opens its doors to the public this weekend. With the exception of the new Lamborghini Huracan, which went with a radiant racing red, every new car on show is finished in white, blue, or a silver grey tone.

But while blue might be staging a comeback helped in part, according to Axalta by the growing popularity of compact and intermediate SUVs and crossovers, which seem to best suit the shade, green and yellow could be set to disappear from options lists altogether. Green accounts for just 1% of cars sold this year and yellow with 2% isn’t faring much better. At 6%, even brown and beige are much more popular choices.

And while it might seem that white’s popularity has exploded out of nowhere over recent years, Axalta’s data, which stretches back 63 years, shows that the tone has been one of the five most popular paint finishes in all but three years since 1953.

– AFP Relaxnews

When Google Fit first came out, it was little more than a step counter , but now it’s stepping up its game. You can now track your runs, and plug into third-party apps that track things like sleep and nutrition.

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Here are eight of the best photos that readers added to the Consumerist Flickr Pool in the last week, picked for usability in a Consumerist post or for just plain neatness.

Want to see your pictures on our site? Our Flickr pool is the place where Consumerist readers upload photos for possible use in future Consumerist posts. Just be a registered Flickr user, go here, and click “Join Group?” up on the top right. Choose your best photos, then click “send to group” on the individual images you want to add to the pool.

You may be used to cooking stuffing in the oven, but did you know it can be made on the stovetop too? Who am I kidding, of course you knew that — those iconic red boxes have been on grocery store shelves since 1972. Don't bother with the prepackaged stuff if you can help it, though. Stuffing made with crusty, artisan bread and fresh herbs and vegetables is so, so good.

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North Korea has executed three women for circulating a South Korean television drama, UPI reported Wednesday, citing a source. The three women were pronounced guilty for making copies of the show. The women resided near Hyesan University of the Arts in the northern Ryanggang Province and were...