Protein powders over-valued

Having interest in natural bodybuilding, I visited a local supermarket today and checked out some protein source prices, with unexpected results. Typically “top of mind” protein supplement powders actually presented highest costs per gram of protein, and many came with undesirably high sugar content. What the heck right?

Prices broken down

OK, these are the rough unit prices available at the local supermarket (all generic brands).

Blanched Peanuts: $0.02/gram

Canned Mackerel: $0.03/gram

Eggs: $0.04/gram

Ground/Minced Lamb: $0.05/gram

Protein Powder: $0.10/gram

So what gives? Some may suggest that the protein supplement adds value with convenience. Does it really take that much work to open a can of fish or bag of nuts? They don’t even require a blender.

The high sugar content seen in the supplement product does not help either. Keeping simply sugar intake minimized remains one of few critical means to keep the body relatively lean while putting on muscle.

Therefore, while some folks may find protein powders helpful, I’d say not.

The economy is so bad...

• I got a pre-declined credit card offer in the mail.

• Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

• Parents in Bevery Hills are considering raising their own children.

• I saw the CEO of Wal-Mart shopping at Wal-Mart.

• Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

• A prostitute asked me if she could borrow $20 until she can get back on her back.

• I saw a van full of legal immigrants illegally crossing the border into Mexico.

• I saw four CEOs playing miniature golf.

• Even people who aren’t in Barack Obama’s cabinet aren’t paying taxes.

Source: funnyandjokes.com

banks put 63 percent of their new cash into euros and yen

Noticed this at the NY Post,

"

Over the last three months, banks put 63 percent of their new cash into euros and yen -- not the greenbacks -- a nearly complete reversal of the dollar's onetime dominance for reserves, according to Barclays Capital. The dollar's share of new cash in the central banks was down to 37 percent -- compared with two-thirds a decade ago. 'Bernanke's other choice is to keep rates at zero, print even more money and sell more debt, but we'll see triple-digit inflation that could collapse the economy as we know it.'

"

The above article generalizes the immediate past, with no empirical evidence of likelihood for continued actions for the immediate future. And, the coming destruction of USD backed credit instruments still makes inflation/deflation immediate future uncertain.

America on sale

This is In-Your-Face deflation that has not eased for a while now.
AP News, by Rachel Beck

" Prices on everything from clothes to coffee to cat food are dropping, some faster than they have in half a century. Items rarely discounted - like Tiffany engagements rings - are now. The two biggest purchases most people make - homes and new cars - are selling at steep price reductions.

Traditionally, manufacturers and retailers lowered prices to clear inventory. Today, they're cutting prices because consumers are demanding it. If it lasts, the ramifications will be wide-ranging.

Retail sales remain sluggish, and more than half of the people surveyed recently by America's Research Group and UBS said they are shopping less.

Homes in parts of Detroit are cheaper than a new car.

Overall, prices are tumbling at the fastest rate in decades. The government's Consumer Price Index, which measures the average price of goods and services purchased by households, has fallen 1.5 percent over the last 12 months. The reading for July showed a 2.1 percent annual decline, the biggest since 1950 "

The world, lead by US, remains in a credit/monetary contraction phase, while inflation has remained positive in New Zealand. This really hurts over here. People are losing jobs left and right, and everything just keeps getting more expensive (as inflation kicks in).

Philosophers Stone: The True Story

No, this isn't about Harry Potter. Alchemy played a big role in the lives of many European researchers, including Sir Isaac Newton (founder of calculus and mechanical physics).

"
...in the Middle Ages, the very real search for the Philosophers Stone was second only to that of the Holy Grail. It was believed that this mysterious stone which one had to concoct from secret ingredients could turn base metals into gold, and reveal the secrets of immortality.
"

Some have claimed to have succeeded in creating this substance, supported by European nobles, while heavily veiled in secrecy. The truth remains to be seen (or hidden). Enjoy the documentary,




Part 1/5



Part 2/5



Part 3/5



Part 4/5



Part 5/5