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How well do cats understand human language?

How well do cats understand human language? Can they recognize when they’re being called by name? Can they detect angry or loving tones? Are there certain sounds they recognize better than words?   Just think about what this means for cat owners everywhere… Have you ever sat on the sofa with your cat on your lap, just wishing you could actually tell her the level of affection you felt at that moment… using your own words? Have you ever wished to have true, detailed conversations like a parent would have with his or her own child? Have you ever desired to instruct or even discipline your cat without using a harsh voice , so that you could change behaviors without projecting negative emotions?   Not only can cats reportedly understand 25 to 35 human words , but they can also perceive and respond to human emotions . For example: Recent research into cat communication has shown that: Cats (79% of them in one study) do “social referencin
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OMG, We’ve Been Slicing Bread Wrong This Whole Time

Vladeep/shutterstock If you’ve been placing the flat underside of your loaf on the cutting board and the curved top facing the ceiling, bad news—you’re among the masses of improper bread slicers. Somehow knowing that we’ve been slicing bread wrong for generations means using the phrase “the best thing since sliced bread” seems kind of wrong now too. If you’re wondering how bread can even be improperly sliced, it comes down to what makes slicing easiest and least likely to damage the loaf—and your hands. “It’s easier to slice bread on its side because the crust tends to be harder on the bottom,” shares Kevin Chun, executive chef at The Williamsburg Hotel and Brooklyn Bread Lab. “You want to keep the slice intact, so by carving from the crispier end, it allows for a cleaner cut.” Gasp! Does that mean the heart-shaped ridges at the top aren’t a guiding point for our knives? You bet. If you think Kevin’s advice is unusual, you should know that top chefs across the globe share the side

Honey Will Stay Fresh Forever If You Do This One Easy Thing

Julia Sudnitskaya/shutterstock Honey isn’t just for tea. Although, it could last for an eterni-tea if you play your cards right. Horrible puns aside, the gooey stuff seems to have more and more health benefits by the day, but its state can get sketchy over time. If stored improperly, it can be overrun by ants, fictional red-shirted bears , or the process of crystallization (although this doesn’t mean that it’s spoiled. ) But there is a simple solution to these issues and if executed properly, the preservation technique could keep your honey fresh for centuries ( no, we’re not kidding, ask the pharaohs.) Three things need to be kept in mind while storing honey; the temperature, the humidity, and the seal. Make sure that your honey is tightly sealed, with as few air pockets as possible. Once all the air is out, take your honey and store it in a cool, dry place. If the seal is not tampered with and the environment remains stable, your honey will stay fresh thousands of years after

Eat This at Night, and You’ll Practically Burn Fat in Your Sleep

BLACKDAY/Shutterstock Full disclaimer: We all know that regularly eating at night could lead to weight gain . That’s especially true when it comes to snacks that contain refined carbs and starches—like bread, rice, potato chips, and pretzels—which are low in fiber and high in sugar. Sure, they may be a quick fix; but if you don’t use the converted energy, those calories will be stored as fat, instead. Talk about bad news for your waistline. Still, experts say it’s best not to go to bed hungry, either (and  here’s why !) So when your tummy starts rumbling after you turn out the lights, you’re probably better off reaching for a low-carb, high-protein snack. If you’re ravenous, here’s a good choice: mozzarella string cheese sticks. At fewer than 100 calories per pop, these tiny-but-mighty snacks provide a whopping six grams of protein with just one gram of carbs, as well as extra nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Plus, you won’t have to worry about overeating, thanks to their prepa

Scientists Just Created a New Type of Chocolate—and It’s PINK

via barrycallebaut.com There’s white chocolate, dark chocolate, and just plain milk chocolate… and then there’s ruby chocolate, the stuff of Instagram dreams. Yes, you read that right—pink chocolate does exist, and it could hit the market soon. Swiss manufacturer Barry Callebaut just announced that it has invented the very first pink-hued cocoa, called ruby chocolate. Each bite has a fruity, berry-like flavor, thanks to the Ruby cocoa beans the chocolate is made from. The Ruby bean grows in countries like Ecuador, Brazil, and the Ivory Coast; those specific beans, along with a unique manufacturing process, create this one-of-a-kind chocolate. ( These chocolates, on the other hand, have unbelievable health benefits. ) “The fourth type [of] chocolate offers a totally new taste experience, which is not bitter, milky or sweet, but a tension between berry fruitiness and luscious smoothness,” Barry Callebaut said in a press release . “To create Ruby chocolate, no berries or berry flavor,

11 Healthy Makeovers of Your Favorite Family Recipes

No-bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies Courtesy Kelli Shallal You know that oatmeal is just plain good for your heart . If you love the delectable combo of peanut butter and chocolate, you're in for a treat with these lightened up no-bake cookies from Kelli Shallal, Phoenix dietitian nutritionist behind Hungry Hobby . Shallal cut the original Southern recipe's sugar in half, added natural peanut butter and almond milk, and ended up with a winner! Sweet potato casserole Courtesy Liz Weiss You know the difference between sweet potatoes and yams , right? Dietitian Liz Weiss, of LizsHealthyTable.com shares this tip for making this popular side dish a healthier option: "Who needs mini marshmallows when you can add crunchy, nutrient-rich pecans to the top of this lightened-up Turkey Day casserole? At Thanksgiving, I like to fill my plate with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. So even though I say this casserole serves eight, at the holidays, it will likely yiel

9 Food Parts You Should Never Throw in the Garbage

Citrus peel PosiNote/Shutterstock Don't just squeeze lemon over fish and toss out the rind. According to Lauren Popeck RD, LD/N of Orlando Health Physician Group, there's some great use for lemon rind when it comes to garnishing dishes and kicking up the flavor. What's more, there are some great nutritional benefits hiding in the zest, as well. "You can expect three grams of fiber in two tablespoons of zest, five times more vitamin C in the peel than flesh, and other essential vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B5, vitamin A, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, and magnesium," says Popeck. Her favorite uses for zest: blend into vinaigrette or marinade, toss a piece of peel into smoothies, grate and sprinkle on green beans, blend into yogurt or cottage cheese, stir into oatmeal, cereal, or muffin batter, or add to coffee or tea. Don't stop with lemons: Use oranges, limes, and even grapefruit for some acidity