The Burryman — The 800-Year-Old Tradition Celebrated in Scotland

For one day in August, the residents and visitors of South Queensferry near Edinburgh, Scotland, are treated to a rather unusual display. A man is dressed from head to toe in burrs — a prickly part of a plant that's similar to thistles — and paraded around town by two attendants in normal dress. This procession will go on for several hours while the elaborate trio stops at all the pubs to collect donations. The Burryman's appearance happens in conjunction with the town's Ferry Fair Festival, a week-long celebration that involves a variety of activities and fundraising events. The entire town participates, with storefronts decorated and businesses providing floats and motorcades. It usually takes place over the second week of August, culminating in the crowning of the fair Queen and her court, comprised of local children.

 

 

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Take the Stairs, But Only If You’re Going Down

One of the best ways to get the most out of any workout is to make it unique. You might think that climbing a flight of stairs is going to challenge your muscles more than walking down, but in fact, the opposite is true. It seems crazy, but any work that goes into those muscles while they’re stretched and elongated — like when you go down stairs — stimulates the release of hormones that trigger your cells to rebuild that muscle stronger than before. Although stepping down uses fewer fibers, it does so with a load that’s up to four times higher. The greater the load, the more calories the body burns. This raises the metabolic rate and increases strength in a far more effective way than many conventional forms of exercise. In addition, walking down stairs shows greater improvements in balance, which could lead to a reduced risk of falls and injury. A recent study of a group of people over 65 showed a 30% to 50% increase in strength and a 10% increase in muscle mass in just six weeks. It turns out that any exercise that requires you to lengthen your muscles under resistance will have the same beneficial effects as a squat or a press-up. So, the next time you’re faced with stairs, take the elevator up and make sure to walk down.

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Honking Hero: Texas Family's Pet Goose Alerts Them to Fire

A Texas family’s goose may be that honking hero we all need. The 4-month-old goose named Goosey alerted the family to a fire that had started in their barn after sensing something was wrong. Bert Gerber said he had fallen asleep on the couch watching TV, when all of a sudden he heard Goosey let out several honks. Since the goose normally keeps to himself, Bert knew something was off. He went outside, and that’s when he saw fire billowing out of the barn. He grabbed a water hose, ran over to the barn, and quickly put out the flames. The animals inside turned out to be fine. A few more minutes, said Bert, and all that could have changed. The entire event was captured on the family’s surveillance camera. Four months ago, Bert and his wife Chelsea didn’t even want a goose. They went to a “hug a goose” event, and that’s where their daughter Elaine fell in love. “When I got to pet his head, he would just rest his head on my arm and it just made me tear up,” said Elaine. Now the goose the family didn’t even want is their unlikely hero. They’re even thinking about letting Elaine get Goosey a friend……….a Lucy for Goosey.

 

 

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Vegetable Frittata

If you’re all about maximizing the flavor of minimal ingredients and reducing waste in the kitchen, this recipe is for you. One of the best ways to use up leftover veggies, cheese and herbs is by making a vegetable frittata. It’s like a baked omelet or a crustless quiche — great for breakfast, but can double as brunch, lunch, or even dinner. This veggie frittata can feed a crowd with minimal effort on your part.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ cup red onions, chopped

• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped

• 8-10 stalks asparagus ends, trimmed and chopped

• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 425° F.

• Whisk eggs, half the cheese, salt, and pepper and set aside.

• Heat olive oil in an oven-safe pan or cast-iron skillet. 

• Add onions, mushrooms, and asparagus and cook 3–5 minutes.

• Pour the egg mixture on top of the cooked vegetables. 

• Place the cilantro and cherry tomatoes on top. 

• Add the remaining cheese.

• Bake, uncovered 10-15 minutes, until set.

Storage:

• • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350º F until warmed through. It is not recommended to reheat the frittata in the microwave because it's likely to become rubbery from losing too much moisture.
• • Store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.

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