Where to find the world's most expensive burgerSource: AFP Relax
A New York City tourist landmark has created the most expensive burger in the world, with a price tag of $295.
Serendipity 3, a Manhattan café that played a starring role in the 2001 blockbuster Hollywood rom-com Serendipity and is also home to the $1,000-dollar sundae, has created Le Burger Extravagant, a luxurious sandwich filled with a laundry list of premium ingredients that includes:
- Wagyu beef infused with 10-herb white truffle butter
- Salish Alderwood smoked Pacific sea salt
- hand-formed cheddar cheese that's been cave-aged for 18 months
- shaved black truffles
- fried quail egg
- white truffle-buttered Campagna roll
- blini, crème fraiche
- Kaluga caviar, farm-raised in Quzhou, China
- all speared with a solid gold ‘Fleur de Lis' toothpick encrusted with diamonds and designed by jeweler Euphoria New York
The burger is available for $295 with 48 hours' notice at the café. Serendipity 3 is no stranger to record-breaking dishes and most recently created the 69-dollar haute dog made with truffle oil, foie gras and heirloom ketchup.
If you've got money to burn, the $1,000-sundae made with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, edible gold leaf and exotic candied fruits from Paris all served in a baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet is also available with 48 hours' notice.
Meanwhile, it was a big week in the world of extreme sandwiches, as the Food Network UK also claimed to have created the meatiest sandwich in the world, creating a gargantuan submarine that stood a foot tall (over 30 cm), stuffed with 40 layers of cold cuts and weighing in at 13 kg.
Between layers of fried chorizo, salami, bacon, and other assorted cold cuts were a scant scattering of sliced beets, onions, lettuce and gherkins.
HAPPINESS FOOD
Did you know that the foods we eat can influence our mood? This is because certain foods stimulate production of mood elevating hormones like serotonin, endorphin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters. The next time you're down in the dumps, try these foods to lift you up!
Source: Yahoo.ph
Try some chocolate! The next time you’re feeling low, treat yourself to some chocolate. This sweet stuff boosts endorphin levels, the brain’s natural happy hormones. So eat ‘em and feel happy!
 You can count on proteins! Protein is made up of amino acids. One specific amino acid, called tyrosine is known to stimulate production of neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. These chemicals help boost alertness and energy levels. So choose from a host of protein rich foods such as fish, poultry and meat. Legumes, cheese, milk and curd too are super good if you want to feel better.
 Get some carbs! Carbohydrates stimulate the production of the feel-good hormone, serotonin. Research has shown that those on a diet tend to get depressed, a week or two down the line. About the time their serotonin levels dip, owing decreased carbohydrate intake. The next time you’re feeling low, turn to some healthy carbs: whole-wheat bread, rice, cereal, rotis, parathas and fruits like banana, pear, apple. You’ll feel an instant lift.
 Caffeine: Despite the bad reputation it has earned, a little caffeine can be an effective antidepressant to treat mild depression. Additionally, it remains effective without having to increase its dosage daily. There is evidence to support that a cup or two of coffee/tea a day is safe to drink. Remember, too much caffeine can make you nervous, irritable and oversensitive, bring on headaches, and also lead to an addiction.
Anything that tastes good! Eating anything that tastes good boosts endorphin production, the happiness chemical that triggers that same kind of reaction as opiate drugs. So eat what you like for a legal high!
 Add some eggs! One nutrient that many of us could be lacking is a B-complex vitamin called choline. Choline is concentrated in high cholesterol foods like egg yolk and liver. A lack of this nutrient can cause impairment of memory and concentration, leading to irritability. So eat that yellow in the egg (that you so like) without any guilt to reduce irritability and feel refreshed.
More folic acid: A deficiency in folic acid has been linked to depression. This deficiency leads to a decrease in serotonin levels. If you’re feeling low, squeeze out a glass of orange juice or indulge in some palak paneer, because spinach and oranges have folic acid in plenty.
 You may need selenium: Research attributes bad moods to a lack of selenium, a trace mineral. People suffering from a lack of selenium have been shown to be more anxious, irritable, hostile and depressed in comparison to those who have healthy selenium levels. Taking in adequate amounts of this mineral can correct the deficiency, stabilize your mood and even better it further. You can get your dose of selenium every day from tuna, whole-grain cereals, swordfish and sunflower seeds.
Top 7 myths about drinking water - busted!
Source: Yahoo.ph
In almost every culture in the world, water has been elevated to the status of miracle drug that can cure everything from dull skin to diabetes. This might, however, be pushing the truth. While water is absolutely essential for the body, its celebrated magic qualities need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Here’s a reality check on the most popular water myths  Myth 1: Drinking water between meals is bad for digestion – This is one line that has been passed down from generation to generation. However, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that it will affect the digestive process. At the most, it will probably fill you up and reduce your appetite for dinner. But besides that, go ahead and enjoy a glass of water with every meal.
 Myth 2: Drink 8 glasses a day for good health – Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is one of the most popular myths in circulation today, despite scientists saying that there is no clear correlation between good health and sipping on water all day. Doctors recommend drinking water only when you are thirsty!
 Myth 3: Drink water, you can never have too much of a good thing! – Recent studies reveal that drinking too much water can in fact, be potentially harmful. Excessive water consumption is dangerous in that it can lower salt concentration in the body. Water intoxication, a life-threatening condition, occurs when there is dilution of blood sodium because the kidneys are over-worked, and unable to excrete the excess water as urine.
 Myth 4: Water cleans out the body’s toxins – The toxins in our body are filtered out by the kidneys. And common myth says that drinking more water means clearing out the toxins. Wrong! In truth, drinking large amounts of water will actually reduce the kidneys’ ability to function as a filter
 Myth 5: Drink water for healthy skin – It is widely believed that since our body’s composition is 60% water, drinking a lot of water will give you glowing skin. However, there is little evidence to support this idea. Healthy skin is a result of many things, including diet, weather, pollution and genetics.
 Myth 6: Drinking water can aid weight loss – Water has been touted as the secret drug for all dieters. “Drink water and you’ll shed those pounds like magic.” This is hardly true; as we discussed, water will, at the most, fill up your stomach and reduce your food intake at mealtimes. But water is far from a miracle drug to lose weight.
 Myth 7: Drink as much water as you can during a workout – It is widely believed that a workout increases chances of dehydration, so common myth says you need to increase water intake during exercise. But dehydration sets in only when you lose 2 percent of body weight. Do the math, and it is unlikely a normal workout requires increased water intake. Instead, ensure you are well-hydrated throughout the day, without over-doing it.
Top foods to keep you young
Source: yahoo.ph
Most of us are keen to stay looking as fresh and young as possible, and although there's no way to pause or turn back the clock, there are few age-proof strategies we can employ to make sure we stay looking good. Maintaining a healthy and well-balanced diet is one approach, and the good news is that there are some foods that are thought to give you extra ammunition when it comes to combating the signs of aging.  Green tea: There is no end to the benefits of this super drink; green tea boasts a wealth of benefits that earns it the top spot in our anti-aging food list. Green tea is believed to help regulate blood pressure, lower blood sugar, boost the immune system, lower cholesterol and studies have even shown that green tea can be effective at preventing cancer. That's as close to the elixir of life as you can get.
 Leafy greens: Whilst eating spinach won't be enough to turn you into Popeye, it's certainly excellent for boosting the body's immunity from illness. Spinach and other leafy foods like kale and collard are high in folate which is vital in preventing DNA and blood vessel damage. If you can maintain a healthy circulatory system you are reducing your risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.
 Dark chocolate: Who would have thought this sweet treat would feature in an anti-aging list, but the good news is chocolate can help fight against some signs of aging due to its cocoa content. Cocoa is rich in a group of antioxidants called Flavinoids which help preserve healthy function of the blood vessels. And healthy youthful circulatory system lowers risk of high blood pressure, type II diabetes, kidney disease and dementia. Don't go overboard though, a square a day is a good guide and make sure you go for the over 70 per cent cocoa bars.
 Soy products: Like fish, soy products such as tofu are also a great alternative source of protein than red meat or even dairy, since they have little or no saturated fat. A diet that's low in saturated fat will reduce your risk of developing heart disease and lower blood pressure. As a staple part of the Japanese diet, soy products are great at helping keep down cholesterol and are a useful addition to a healthy diet.
 Yogurt: Judging from their frequently bad press, you might assume that all forms of bacteria are out to get you. Thankfully, this couldn't be further from the truth. 'Good' bacteria is great for regulating the immune system, by increasing its antibodies and preventing the rise of pathogenic organisms like salmonella and E.coli. Many yoghurts include a high volume of 'good' bacteria that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness. Yogurt is also rich in calcium, which can help stave off osteoporosis.
 Red wine: A glass of red wine adds up a good dose of anti-aging elements including polyphenol antioxidants, minerals, and resveratrol. Resveratrol which helps to increase 'good cholesterol' levels in the body and prevents blood clotting and a healthy circulatory system. Resveratrol found in red wine may also be beneficial for women during the menopause by reducing the risk for conditions for example breast cancer and osteoporosis that result from reduced oestrogen levels. Like the chocolate, it's not carte blanche to guzzle as much as you want; we suggest a standard glass every other day is a good approach.
 Water: Few people — whether active or not — drink sufficient water, and side effects of even slight dehydration include headaches, fatigue and low concentration levels. Yet increasing fluid intake can increase energy levels, aid digestion, give skin a boost and help boost your anti-aging armoury. Concentrate on drinking little and often throughout the day, being extra vigilant after exercise or when you've been confined in a dry, overheated or air-conditioned environment.
Spicy Korean Food Trip  To celebrate Easter, my Filipino Dominican Brothers and I ate at Gainn Korean Restaurant in Rome last 8 April 2010 (Easter Thursday). Without thinking about it, it seems that we craved for spicy food. The food tastes great especially because it has been some time since we ate here.
 Korean food is, in my opinion, healthier than Chinese food. It's more expensive but it's worth the try. The numerous side dishes really spiced it up. We ordered rice and I was the only one who ate two orders of rice! I must be really hungry.
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AN IVATAN FEAST Any great fiesta in Batanes will not happen without the entire settlement participating. I’ve seen it in Mahatao during the blessing of the newly-renovated Church and in Ivana during the feastday of St. Joseph the Worker. As early as 2:00 am, men slaughtered cows and pigs and the women cooked their traditional food and rice afterwards. The children also have a contribution in helping their mothers prepare for the feast. A typical feast contains upland rice, meat and rootcrops.
Not everything that we can find ordinarily in other places can be seen in Batanes. There are no funeral parlors, no movie houses, no malls. Root crops, upland rice, some fruits abound but other foods are imported from the mainland. It was only in 2007 that the Bishop blessed a small market in Basco because the people are self-sufficient. They use the abaya[1] leaves as plates; upo as drinking vessel; cogon grass as roof; and another kind of grass as basket to mention few. Their resourcefulness is amazing. In stormy season when the rice supply is depleted and there’s no means of transportation, they can survive eating wakay (camote) and ube (whitish in color) and luñes[2]. If potable water is not available for a long period of time, the sea water can be cooked with garlic and onion for them to drink. They recycle their left-over food and call it balance for the following day. They adapt to their condition. They taught me how to be resourceful, innovative and flexible.
[1]Kamansi in Luzon.
[2] Pieces of fried overcooked pork in lard which can be stored for a long period of time even without refrigeration.
 Fr. Zenki Manabat of the Prelature of Batanes indulged in another Ivatan feast when he went back to the Beautiful Province of Batanes in the summer of 2010. Whew! I miss Batanes. Here, the scenery is for free. Not mentioning, the peace of mind brought about by the serenity of the place.
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