Don't get nuts about it...!



Can you say “Hello” in Chinese? Yes, you can - just say “ni hao (你好)”. Can you say “How are you?” in Chinese? Yes, you can - just say “ni hao ma? (你好吗)”. Many people believe Mandarin Chinese is a difficult language. Guess what...they are right!

I'll share with you an interesting quotation:“Chinese Mandarin is Easy — Comparing Its Difficulty with Japanese, German, and Spanish“, by Mike Wright. :P

Most Chinese people will cheerfully acknowledge that their language is hard, maybe the hardest on earth (many are even proud of this, in the same way some New Yorkers are actually proud of living in the most expensive city in America). According to a survey conducted by the Chinese Ministry of Education and Language Commission you need to know about 1,000 Chinese characters to be able to read 90% of current Chinese publications. This fact is really getting me nuts! Can I do it...? In a near future...?

(At least I already know how to write Nut...坚果)

Well actually, spoken Chinese is easier to learn than you might think. Chinese grammar is simple in comparison with European languages. There are no inflections, cases, genders, or declensions. Chinese has little or no bound morphology and there are no grammatical rules to memorize. Each word has a fixed and single form: verbs do not take prefixes or suffixes showing the tense or the person, number, or gender of the subject. Nouns do not take prefixes or suffixes showing their number or their case.

Now, you can see that is a big decision whether or not to start your Chinese study. I've decided to go for it. Good luck Nutela with your Chinese challenge! Hope you don't find this nut too hard to crack...

Sad Kermit

Kermit plays Nine Inch Nails 's song Hurt.
No matter how depressed you may  feel  Nut, Sad Kermit is always more depressed then you are...

An ode to all the nut crackers in the world.

Here is a tribute to our collaborator Nutcracker. Enjoy!

Break.com

That Jamaica reggae sounds nuts

I’ve always found Toots and the Maytals as one of the most groovy ska/reggae/soul/gospel/rock bands of ever, not to say that, they were an influence to others (of my favourite) bands such as Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Specials or even Sublime.

What can you say about classics such as “Funky Kingston”, “Pressure drop” or “54-46 was my number”?

Still sounds so good after these years…

Cats are going nuts for this game

Yesterday i saw this new Ipad game for cats…I thought it would be just another absurd idea, but after watching some videos on Youtube, I realized then, that this would be an interesting and useful domestic tool.

It makes perfect sense, for those who have cats, whether they are too energetic or too obese (like the one my girlfriend has – Blitz is his name). 

 Just imagine, cats that are full of beans to sit still will get tired in no time (well it will take a while, or until, the Ipad battery ran out), and the obese ones, will eventually ( yes a very remotely “Eventually”) lose weight... It's like having an imaginary friend wih a laser pointer always available to diddle with your pet.

And don’t think this is just an ordinary standard iPad game with mices running around the screen, no! This game was created "based on research of cats' senses and how they react to different stimuli... Hmm, really??

But does this game have any use for the Human Being itself? Nope… This game is exclusively for cats. They developed a game to cats, so mind your own business you Human. You are only allowed to watch whilst  your cat is doing dumb things in your Ipad.

I am not a particularly cat fan, but I must admit that this crazy fast action packed game, will keep your cat (and your guests) entertained for hours. As you will see the video below, this game is having  a lot of success among geeky felines (of various sizes).

You must be nuts! El Guincho? Really?

Ok, some months back I was listening to my favorite radio, Radar 97.8, and they started playing this weird sound, which to me sounded like mix between a Enrique Iglesias voice with the flu and some Jamaican steel drums, with some (well they’re not really that bad) weird rhythms.

My first thought was that Dr. Pedro Ramos had lost it, once and for all...

arggghhh!!!

Many months later, they’re still playing that nasal sound from hell and people enjoy it...Anyways here’s a song from El Guincho that I leave to your consideration.

PS. El Guincho means squeal, shriek…

Nut on Fireeeee..it burns..(inhale slowly)...(pray to God)...hmm delicious!!!

 Have you ever tasted wasabi?

Wasabi is commonly mixed with soy sauce to make a dipping sauce for sushi and sashimi. The best way to enjoy wasabi is to apply wasabi after dipping into soy sauce or apply wasabi to the top of the fish and then dip the bottom into soy sauce.

Sushi chefs usually put the wasabi between the fish and the rice. As far as I am concerned, i can eat it with a spoon, almost like a fat kid eats candy…

(the root itself)

Tasting wasabi (in the sushi restaurants) it’s like stabbing two flaming sticks through the nostrils until reaches the brain. It’s so addictive… although is very strong, the hot flavour dissipates within a few seconds and leaves no burning aftertaste in one's mouth.

I didn’t know that wasabi was used in so many products...There even exists a wasabi cheese and wasabi cup cakes... who knew that was even possible?

Wasabi Ice Cream

Wasabi Cupcake

Wasabi Cheese

Wasabi Peanuts

Wasabi Peas

Wasabi KitKat

Wasabi Pringles

Wasabi "The" Cat

Pretzels!!!

Today’s recipe is about one of the most famous type of baked food – Pretzels. This knot-like shaped food is unique and widely known around the World. Pretzels come in different sizes, but only in one shape. I guess the best thing about it is that for seasoning and decoration you can use various seeds or NUTS!!

Ingredients

- 1 1/2 cups tepid water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour,

- 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil, for pan
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Pretzel salt

Method

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Nuts in Lisbon (my hometown)

I am what in Portugal  we call, an “Alfacinha” Aka little lettuce for you nuts. This means I was born and raised in Lisbon. Never really understood this nickname though…

In my opinion Lisbon, is probably the most fascinating, exciting and satisfying of all the cities of Europe! With blue skies all year and a mild winter, this destination offers fabulous shopping opportunities, an amazing nightlife, breathtaking panoramas of the city and the river and a picturesque environment where old tram will carry you through the narrow alleys taking you up to the excellent new hotels in the broad avenues, the ancient practice merges with the sophistication of the XXI century…

A must list for you Nuts while visiting Lisbon:

1. Snap a picture by Belém Tower
2. Take a daytrip to Sintra
3. Enjoy the night in Bairro Alto
4. Scale the walls of S.Jorge’s Castle
5. Find your favorite Site Seeing (Miradouro)
6. Have a custard tart at Antiga Confeitaria at Belém
7. Ride a tram through the old quarters.
8. Take a break with a bica (strong black coffee) at a coffeshop in Chiado
9. Spend an evening at a Fado House
10. Walk along the Parque das Nações waterfront.
     

What is the best season to visit Lisbon?

Spring is the ideal season to visit the monuments and gardens in bloom, since the temperatures are always nice for a stroll. Summer is the season of beach par excellence and the best time of year to experience the wonderful beaches of Lisbon's coast.

What about the food?

Well, grilled sardine is the queen during the summer and the Popular Saints celebrations ... It is impossible not to smell the neighborhoods of Alfama, Bairro Alto and many other locations in June, when the Popular Saints invade the city streets with their flags and colorful balloons.

The restaurants and taverns offer quite a variety of snacks and appetizers such as Rissóis de Camarão (patties with shrimps), croquettes with meat or caracois (snails).
Also famous for its wines, the Portuguese tend to choose this drink to accompany meals.

(Please make sure you taste Portuguese seafood along with a fresh glass of green wine).

The Lisboetas are also big consumers of coffee served in small cups - commonly called the “Bica” - which is available all day on all types of coffees.

Make sure you do not miss the chance to sample the world-famous crayons in Belém, whose factory is located in the beautiful area of Belém. Grab a box of half a dozen pies, garnished with cinnamon and powdered sugar, and give yourself a moment candy while strolling among the breathtaking monuments that this area focuses.

Tip: Taste this delicacy with a pint of beer… (Believe me is worth to try)

The abnormal case of constant PMS (No nuts required)

Much has been said about the PMS, it’s a widely studied syndrome, which has a whole lot of unpleasant effects both on the women who have it and the people with whom they share the same room.

But enough said about that, what brings us here today is the PMS continuous state of mind, a great illness of our days that is showing an accentuated growth.

People suffering from prolonged PMS tend to speak in strange tones of voice and to babble incomprehensible things to most mortals.

As other great illnesses this one also does not have a cure. The only thing that is known to mankind that will stop this disease, and stop the people who have it of infecting others (just like zombies), is a big bash in their heads with some blunt object.

According to the prolonged PMS lore, there is one known way of eradicating this evil from the world, which is killing subject zero. No one knows who this person is, but it is rumoured to be someone who has seen little to no sex in its life time, who lurks near the Amoreiras Shopping Center in Portugal.

In case you know more useful information about patient zero please let us know.

Nuts for Tame Impala

Have you guys ever heard of an Australian Band called Tame Impala?

Their sounds draw from a wide range of influences and they like to see themselves as "a steady flowing psychedelic groove rock band that emphasizes dream-like melody".

It was like, if you take Led Zeppelin, Cream and Beatles and throw them in a Time Blender you would pour out Tame Impala!

By the way, Is John Lennon Ghost the Lead Singer?

Definitely is a revolutionary band with some mind blowing songs..

Check it out:

From Tame Impala's debut album, Innerspeaker

Nuts dig Game of Thrones

Hi Guys!

I have finally found the right TV show for me. It’s called Game of thrones (is currently being broadcasted in HBO) and is without any doubt, a mind blowing story and so far my favorite tv show since Family Guy.

The series is based on the book series “A Song of Ice and Fire”, written by George R. R. Martin, with its title being derived from the first book

The television series follows the stories of many books of “A Song of Ice and Fire”. It runs in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, where "decades last summers and winters a lifetime,” Game of Thrones shows violent dynastic struggles between noble families to take control of the Iron Throne of Westeros

“Martin weaves an incredibly complex story that encompasses thousands of miles, dozens of characters and a history that spans thousands of years. Yet, it’s easy to follow and just as compelling to read” (in Wired.com)

Damn sure!!

And why are you so nutty by this show, you ask?

Well, everything is perfect, from the plot to story itself, it’s absolutely fantastic, and I must confess that I’m hooked up since the very first peek I took from the first scene.

The story takes place in the medieval Era (I guess), and like in The Lord of Rings, is full of bloody and muddy battles, but in this case, has so much more explicit material!!

It´s very interesting watching realistic stuff (a lot nudity and sex scenes, yeah!) blended with fancy characters and fantastic monsters, foul language and a soundtrack dominated by cello and kettledrums, just sounds very entertaining to me.

If you like geeky stuff such as kings and knights, crowns and swords, dragons and ghosts, I’m telling you, it’s worth watching.

Curious? Check the video below: