TIDBITS® FEELS BOTH HOT AND COLD
by Kathy Wolfe
Tidbits is running hot and cold this week, as we examine the extremes of both temperatures.
• You’ve heard of the Super Bowl, but have you heard of the Ice Bowl? That’s the nickname given to the December 31, 1967 NFL Championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. Game time temperature in Green Bay was a chilly -13 F (-25 C) with a wind chill of48 F (-44 C). Football fans were undaunted by the frigid temps, however, as Lambeau Field hosted 50,861 people, a complete sell -out. As winners of the game, the Packers headed to Super Bowl II two weeks later in Miami, where the temperature was a much more pleasant 60 degrees F (15 C).
• Peru is home to the world’s hottest river in the world. The Shanay-timpishka, also known as La Bomba, is a tributary of the Amazon River, with temperatures over its 4 -mile (6.4-km) length ranging between 113 F and 212 F (45 C to 100 C), leading to its nickname of “the only boiling river in the world.” Although the local shamans believe that the source of the boiling water is a giant serpent spirit called Yacumama, or “Mother of the Waters,” it’s more likely that the heat is from the geothermal gradient of the Earth.
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FATHERLY FACTS
(continued):
• The world’s coldest river, the Neretva River runs through Bosnia and Herzegovina and empties into the Adriatic Sea. Its source is runoff from three large glaciers high in the Eastern Alps at an elevation of 4,026 feet (1,227 m) above sea level, which gives the river its summer temperature of 44 degrees F (7 C).
• Although Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, it is not the hottest planet. That honor belongs to Venus, the second planet away, with a surface hot enough to melt lead. Mercury has no significant atmosphere to distribute temperature around the planet. Mercury’s temps change drastically depending on the amount of sunlight, and can be as hot as 800 degrees F (430 C) or as cold as290 degrees F (-180 C). Venus has a thick, densely-clouded atmosphere of 96% carbon dioxide that traps heat to create a greenhouse effect. While its surface temperature is around 872 degrees F (467 C), it grows slightly cooler away from the surface to an average temp of 864 degrees F (462 C).
• Neptune is the farthest plant from the sun, but the next closest, Uranus, is the coldest planet. Its average surface temperature is374 degrees F (-224 C). Contrast these temperatures with the Earth, where the average temperature is 57 degrees F (14 C).
• In 1913, the highest temperature on Earth was recorded, that of 134.1 degrees F (56.7 C) in California’s Death Valley. The lowestever recorded cold temperature occurred at the then-Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica in July, 1983, a frigid -128.6 degrees F (-89.2C).
Tammy Tidbits is hiding In this issue of TidbitsMOV
When you find her, to enter the weekly contest, please send us a message including your name, POSTAL MAIL address, the issue number you are referring to and which AD is hosting Tammy for the week! Visit www.tidbitsmov.com or send the answer with the above information to alan@tidbitsmov.com OR you may send us a private message to our Facebook page - @TidbitsMOV. PLEASE do not post the answer directly to the page - that ruins the fun for everyone. All winners will be drawn randomly from correct responses and will be posted weekly. You are welcome to play every week, but you are only eligible for one winner per household per month.
HOT AND COLD (continued):
• Psychologists tell us that “hot and cold behavior” describes inconsistent patterns in relationships. Actions and attitudes bounce between warm and affectionate and the distant cold shoulder. The behavior might be in a romantic relationship, a friendship, a family, or a work dynamic. Experts say that these people crave intimacy but at the same time are afraid of it. Things are cordial and warm at first, but when the relationship gets deeper, they panic and do a quick retreat. A past trauma might cause a person who really does crave connection to push it away out of self-protection.
• Eating that delicious Rocky Road ice cream that you love might result in a brain freeze. That sudden intense pain occurs when the temperature of the roof of the mouth and the back of the throat drops drastically from the shot of cold. The blood vessels in the roof of the mouth swiftly narrow, causing the brain’s arteries to dilate. It usually disappears within 30 seconds. We call it brain freeze, but its official name is “cold stimulus headache.”
• A fever is part of the body’s defense against infection. The body heats up in an attempt to kill the invading germs, as a higher body temperature will help the immune system respond more forcefully to the virus or bacterial attack. With the average body temperature set at 98 6 degrees F (37 C), a fever is considered a temp of 100.4 degrees F (38 C) or higher. A doctor should be called if a fever goes over 104 degrees F (40 C).
• How should an injury be treated – with hot or cold? Ice is used to reduce inflammation and swelling. It does this by decreasing blood flow to a swollen or inflamed joint or muscle. Heat is used for chronic pain of joints or muscles to promote blood flow and help muscles relax by dilating the blood vessels. Sometimes heat and cold therapies are alternated, such as the case of exerciseinduced muscle pain.
HOT AND COLD (continued):
• In 1912, Wilbur Scoville developed a system that measures the intensity of chili peppers based on their capsaicin content, the chemical in peppers that gives them their heat. The scale ranges from 0 (no heat, such as a bell pepper) to 16 million (pure capsaicin). High-performance Liquid Chromatography measures the heat by drying and grinding the fruit, then extracting the chemicals. The title of “world’s hottest pepper belongs to Pepper X, a chili cultivated by the PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina. The founder spent more than 10 years hybridizing and selectively breeding Pepper X to create a pepper with a beyond compare heat that can’t be beat. Pepper X was officially measured at 2.693 million Scoville Heat Units. From 2013 until 2021, the Carolina Reaper, developed by the same South Carolina company, reigned as champion, with some peppers recorded at 2.2 million SHU. Contrast these smokin’ hot peppers with the average jalapeno, which measures around 8,500 SHU, and the banana pepper, which is a mild 500 SHU.
• Speaking of heat, from 2016 to 2023, Paqui, the manufacturer of tremendously spicy tortilla chips, created the “One Chip Challenge,” which dared participants to eat one extremely spicy Carolina Reaper chip, and avoid eating or drinking anything afterwards. As the years went by, the challenge became more controversial, with some people requiring medical attention after ingesting the chip. Although the company warned that only adults should take part, in 2023, after a 14year-old Massachusetts teen died a few hours after he took the challenge, the chips were pulled from the shelves.
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Master Meal Prep: The Perfect Poached Chicken
That Saves Time, Money and Dinner!
Here's what I know for sure, meal planning is the key to saving time, money and stress in the kitchen while ensuring your meals are nutritious and delicious. This poached chicken technique is the ultimate meal-prep secret weapon it's cost-effective, versatile and guarantees tender, juicy chicken every time. Whether you need shredded chicken for tacos, sliced chicken for salads or a flavorful broth for soups, this method gives you endless options for effortless, wholesome meals all week long. How to Poach Chicken Perfectly Every Time
Here's the secret: The key is gentle, even cooking. Here's how to master poaching chicken: Take the chicken or chicken breasts out of the fridge to warm to room temperature before placing it in room temperature water. And then slowly bring the water just to a simmer, never to a full boil. Use a thermometer to track the temperature of the water, and keep it around 180 F to 190 F. It shouldn't boil! You must use a thermometer and set a timer. This is how you get the chicken to cook evenly and remain tender and juicy.
Diva Tip - This same technique works on whole chickens, and chicken breast with bone in and skin on.
POACHED CHICKEN BREASTS FOR MEAL PREP
Yield: 5 pounds chicken
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 pounds of chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
Water, enough to cover by 2 inches
1 tablespoon kosher salt, adjust as desired
Optional: aromatics like garlic, onion, bay leaves, herbs or lemon
Place chicken in a large saucepan and cover with room temperature water, ensuring the meat is submerged by at least 2 inches. Add salt and aromatics for flavor.
Heat over medium until the water reaches180 F, a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and remove the pan from heat. Let it sit for 15 minutes, until the thickest part of the chicken breast reaches 150 F with a meat thermometer. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing, shredding or cubing.
Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or freeze for three months.
Why Poach a Whole Chicken?
It's economical and versatile. You'll get tender meat for salads, sandwiches and casseroles, plus a rich broth for soup or to elevate other dishes. Freeze any extra meat or broth for future meals.
POACHED WHOLE CHICKEN
Yield: 4 to 5 pounds
Total Time: 60 minutes
1 whole chicken, about 4-5 pounds
Water, enough to fully submerge the chicken
1-2 tablespoon kosher salt, adjust as desired
Aromatics: 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 3 garlic cloves, fresh herbs and spices
Place the chicken in a large pot with water or broth, ensuring it's fully submerged. Add aromatics for a flavorful broth. Bring to a simmer over medium
heat, 180 F to 190 F, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 60 minutes, skimming off foam and excess fat as needed. The chicken is done when the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 F. Cool the chicken in the liquid for 30 minutes to retain moisture. Meal planning doesn't have to be complicated! To make it even easier, grab my free Meal Planning Tool Kit, available for a limited time on my website (divasonadime.com). It's packed with tools and tips to help you save time, money and stress in the kitchen. Poached chicken is the ultimate multitasker in your kitchen juicy, versatile and practically effortless. Happy cooking!
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, partyplanning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Perfectly poached chicken juicy, versatile and ready to star in your favorite dishes.
PHOTO CREDIT: www.JasonCoblentz.com
POPEYE
(continued):
• In 1937, the community of Crystal City, Texas, declared itself “World Spinach Capital, and erected a statue of Popeye as a tribute to the dramatic increase in their spinach sales. The statue can still be seen today at their City Hall.
• Popeye’s first appearance on film was a 1933 Betty Boop Paramount cartoon called “Popeye the Sailor.” Popeye’s brawny rival and fellow sailor Bluto appeared as the challenger for Olive Oyl’s affections. (Bluto’s name was later changed to Brutus).
• Popeye’s closest friend was J. Wellington Wimpy, a character with a ravenous appetite for hamburgers, who frequently said, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” In 1936, Popeye acquired a pinkish, dog-like animal with magical powers, including evaporating through walls. Popeye dubbed him Eugene the Jeep.
• Popeye’s signature catchphrase is, “I yam what I yam, and that’s all that I yam.”
• During the 1930s, Popeye’s creator E.C. Segar was making $400,000 a year, an amazing sum for the time. In 1938, Segar died of leukemia at the age of 43. The comic strip carried on after his death, drawn by a series of artists. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the comic strip was retitled “Popeye” following decades of “Thimble Theatre.”
• Popeye received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978. In 1980, a live-action film was released, with Robin Williams starring as the spinach-loving character and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. The movie was Williams’ first leading film role. (Continued page #7)
New Year, New Cat
DEAR PAW'S COR-
NER: My parents at Christmas said I'm finally old enough to have a kitten! We are going to the local Humane Society this weekend to adopt one. What suggestions do you have so that I train the kitten right? William in Manassas, Virginia
DEAR WILLIAM: Grab a book on cat care at the local bookstore or library and read it cover to cover. While cats are considered to be easier to care for than dogs, they still need to be properly house-trained and given a routine (which helps immensely with reducing anxiety-related behaviors, too).
I'm sure you've already stocked up on kitten food, though it's a good idea not to buy too much to begin with. You'll want to try a few different brands and types of food dry, wet or fresh to see what the kitten likes and how well he responds to each.
When you pick up your new kitten, talk to the shelter staff to learn about any particular behaviors the kitten has, any health issues that need monitoring, and any advice they have for getting him or her settled in. Cats being prepared for adoption are sometimes fostered out to make sure they can live easily with humans and to observe them for any health or behavioral issues that need to be ironed out before they're ready to go to a forever family. The shelter will have that information for you so that there are no surprises (like territorial peeing).
Congratulations, and best of luck! Sounds like you will soon have a new friend in the household.
Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
POPEYE (continued):
• In 1937, the community of Crystal City, Texas, declared itself “World Spinach Capital, and erected a statue of Popeye as a tribute to the dramatic increase in their spinach sales. The statue can still be seen today at their City Hall.
• Popeye’s first appearance on film was a 1933 Betty Boop Paramount cartoon called “Popeye the Sailor.” Popeye’s brawny rival and fellow sailor Bluto appeared as the challenger for Olive Oyl’s affections. (Bluto’s name was later changed to Brutus).
• Popeye’s closest friend was J. Wellington Wimpy, a character with a ravenous appetite for hamburgers, who frequently said, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” In 1936, Popeye acquired a pinkish, dog-like animal with magical powers, including evaporating through walls. Popeye dubbed him Eugene the Jeep.
• Popeye’s signature catchphrase is, “I yam what I yam, and that’s all that I yam.”
• During the 1930s, Popeye’s creator E.C. Segar was making $400,000 a year, an amazing sum for the time. In 1938, Segar died of leukemia at the age of 43. The comic strip carried on after his death, drawn by a series of artists. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the comic strip was retitled “Popeye” following decades of “Thimble Theatre.”
• Popeye received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978. In 1980, a live-action film was released, with Robin Williams starring as the spinach-loving character and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. The movie was Williams’ first leading film role.
Do you have a will?
Who will pay for a nursing home?
Does your family know who is in charge?
Do you have a medical power of attorney? How long to sustain life support?
* If you're expecting your first child, heed this bit of advice: Assemble and otherwise try out complicated items right away, while you have the time to learn how to work them. New dad Dan had a heck of a time trying to load bags into his brand-new Diaper Genie in the middle of the night.
* Bloodstains on clothing can be really tough to treat. The best way to get a bloodstain out of clothing is by dousing the stain with hydrogen peroxide and washing immediately as usual.
* "I love to refinish and paint furniture pieces and woodcrafts. I always check my local recycling center for small amounts of "recycled" paint. Usually, someone has gotten rid of good paint, and the people at the recycling center are happy to have it used." B.B. in Virginia
* Toothpaste works well as a silver polish. Wet your silver, plop a little non-gel tooth-
paste on it and rub gently with a damp, clean rag. Rinse well with a separate rag, and buff dry. Then just step back and let it shine.
* If you've ever oversalted soup, don't worry; here's a great tip to recover your meal. Just cut a single potato into several large slices. Add them to the soup, and they will soak up the extra salt. Remove before serving.
* S.W. of South Carolina has this tip to share: "If you can't seem to keep track of your keys, make an extra set for those mornings when you are running late and can't spare the time to look for them. It has saved me a lot of stress, for sure."
Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.