Why Flight Attendants Sit on Their Hands During Takeoff and Landing

Flight attendants have to sit in a very specific way for takeoff and landing. They take their seats, clasp their seat belts, and slip their hands under their thighs. Called the “brace position,” it protects them in a case of an emergency landing, such as a crash or skidding off the runway. All flight attendants are taught to assume this position during takeoff and landing, no matter what. That’s because takeoff and landing are known as the critical phases and are considered the riskiest parts of a flight. The brace position is designed to reduce flailing and minimize secondary impact. Sitting on their hands prevents them from holding onto the harness and minimizes the “startle reflex” — a natural, instinctive reaction to sudden stimuli that delays response time. By physically sitting on their hands, flight attendants ground themselves, maintaining composure and focus when it matters most.

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New Report Finds 1 in 5 Americans May Be Drinking Unsafe Tap Water

A new report finds that nearly 20% of Americans have elevated levels of nitrates in their drinking water. Nitrate occurs naturally in the air, soil and water, and humans and animals need it for survival. However, in excess, nitrate is a contaminant, and the EPA sets limits on the acceptable levels that can be found in drinking water. How does nitrate get into the water supply? Nitrates get into our drinking water from agricultural fertilizer runoff and animal manure, leaking septic systems, sewage, wastewater treatment plant discharge and urban storm-water runoff. The highest levels of nitrates are found in California, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Washington, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona and Wisconsin. According to the EPA, the acceptable level of nitrates is 10 mg/L (milligrams per liter). Currently, 18% of the U.S. population has nitrate levels of 3 mg/L, much lower than the 10 mg/L maximum. Some studies have found an association between exposure to nitrates in drinking water and certain cancers, while others have found little or no association. More recent research indicates that the current 10 mg/L limit is too high, and that more studies are necessary. Do any water filters get rid of nitrates? Some do and some don’t. Your basic pitcher filter won’t cut it, and some of the most common ways of ridding water of contaminants won’t help for nitrates. Activated charcoal doesn’t work, and boiling only makes it worse. The only way to tell if your water has elevated nitrate levels is to have it tested. If your water is found to be above 10 mg/L, stop using it and use the water for infant formula, drinking or cooking, and purchased bottled water. If you can afford it, use a filter system that can filter nitrates. They typically run $2,895 to $3,295 depending on household size.

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Empty Self-Driving Cars Invade Neighborhood, Circling For Hours With No Passengers

Waymo’s self-driving cars can be seen all over the streets of Atlanta, giving rideshare trips through Uber. So what happens when they’re empty? In one northwest Atlanta neighborhood, the residents say dozens of Waymo cars ended up circling their cul-de-sac. Waymo after Waymo, estimated to be around 50 cars, came through between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. disrupting the normal silence of the quiet area. When one resident put a sign up in the street, it blocked all of the Waymos from entering the cul-de-sac, which left the driverless cars trying to figure out how to turn around. The residents said they reached out to Waymo but got no response, so they contacted their city council members, representatives, and the Georgia Department of Transportation. Waymo didn’t clarify what specific routing behavior caused their vehicle fleet to target Battleview Drive or how many total vehicles were impacted by the routing error, but says its working with its rideshare partners to make sure this type of behavior doesn’t happen in the future.

 

 

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These Lemon Ricotta Cookies Taste Like Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

The two star flavors of these lemon ricotta cookies hail directly from southern Italy, where both are in abundance. Lemons and whole-milk ricotta will bring out the best texture in these cookies. While they’re the perfect dessert to end a meal, they also make themselves at home next to a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon, and even as a simple breakfast treat.

Servings: 28 cookies

Ingredients:

 

For the Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (from about 2 large lemons)

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Lemon Glaze

• 1½ cups powdered sugar

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 2-3 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients until the mixture appears smooth. Set bowl aside.

• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer until it becomes light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes on medium speed.

• Add egg, ricotta, lemon zest, lemon  juice and vanilla extrac and beat until smooth and well combined.

• Gradually incorporate dry ingredient mixture, being careful not to overwork the dough.

• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

• Preheat oven to 350º F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Roll the chilled dough into golf ball sized portions.

• Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until completely coated.

• Place the sugar-coated balls on the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

• Bake 12-15 minutes or until visible cracks appear on the surface of the cookies.

• In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar ahd lemon juice until the mixture is smooth. Start with less liquid and gradually add more as needed. The ideal consistency should coat the back of a spoon but still drizzle easily.

• Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, and then drizzle the lemon glaze over each coolied cooking using a spoon or small whisk.

• Let the glazed cookies sit for 10-15 minutes to set before serving.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

For gluten-free cookies, substitute almond flour or oat flour for all-purpose flour. For dairy-free versions, use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter, and try dairy-free ricotta alternatives. Adjust liquid ratios as needed.

ROOM TEMPERATURE STORAGE

Fresh cookies stay soft at room temperature for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container. We recommend this method only for cookies that will be consumed quickly since the ricotta content makes them more perishable than traditional cookies.

REFRIGERATED STORAGE

Our preferred storage method keeps cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. The cool temperature prevents the cookies from becoming wet while preserving their tender texture. This method works best for glazed cookies since refrigeration helps the glaze maintain its consistency.

 

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