"NationalGeographic" news and stories

While many comparisons have been drawn between Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln, I am eager to offer up what I am convinced will be the absolute silliest. Like the venerable Mr. Lincoln, Obama has already become a lightning rod for the advice of young children. A recent New York Times article highlighted several letters, most of which focused on bold initiatives for the young President. One, however, offered dietary advice for Obama:

Dear Barack Obama,
You look too skinny.
You should eat more food.
This is what you should eat:

1. Pizza
2. Ice Cream
3. Butter Popcorn
4. Cupcakes
5. Hamburgers
6. French Fries
7. Hot Dogs
8. Hot Chocolate
9. Cookies
10. Cotton Candy

from,

Jayme

While not quite as eloquent as Grace Bedell's admonition that then-candidate Abraham Lincoln needed to "let your whiskers grow," Jayme's succinct, thoughtful suggestion was nonetheless clear and concrete. What's more, it seems to have caught Obama's attention: a recent National Geographic documentary captured him ordering a burger on Air Force One.

On the one hand, I have to admit that I am a little creeped out by the amount of coverage that the Obama family is getting. There is no reason that I need to know the menu options offered by Sidwell Friends School or the identity of Michelle Obama's favorite clothing designer. These things have no impact on the President's ability to govern or on my day-to-day life.

On the other hand, I, like so many of my fellow Americans, am fascinated by my new President, and the more I learn about the little details of his life, the more human and real he seems. While I admit to being a little disturbed by the nascent cult of personality that seems to be developing around President Obama, I feel like I can trust him to keep a clear head, no matter how hard the country seems to be working on giving him a messiah complex. In fact, the man who emerges from this National Geographic trailer seems as level-headed as they come.

When I went out for sushi tonight, a few insidiously persistent fruit flies were driving me nuts. I clapped the first one out of the air, but didn't dare try for the next over my delicious selection of dragon rolls, sashimi, spicy tuna, and the rest. Why, oh why, couldn't the visitors have been lizards like the one above? Then I would've shared.

The above image is one of the Top Shots over at National Geographic. It seems that Bonnie Marsh was in Hawaii for a vacation when this cutie ran down the wall of the restaurant, licked her plate, and scooted. Talk about capturing the perfect moment!

If this happened to me, I'd gladly let the little thing get some nibbles, but what about you? Are there any animals that you'd share your tasty treats with?

[via Serious Eats]

Between beef recalls and threats of mad cow disease, the simple action of eating is quickly becoming less of a pleasurable activity and more of a chore, or, in some cases, a big wager.

Think you know your salmonella from your E.Coli? Feeling bored? Test your smarts with National Geographic's food safety quiz. Yes, I know, online quizzes are pretty nerdy, but this one actually provides you with decent information. After you answer each question, the site gives you a brief synopsis of the topic, so you can bulk up on your food safety knowledge for your next dinner party.

Or, even better: when the weather gets warmer and you attend a picnic, turn to your friend as she takes her first bite of chicken salad and bust out with, "Did you know that food borne illnesses are more common in warmer weather?" and watch her spit out her food and glare at you. If nothing else, your new found knowledge will provide you with hours of entertainment.

And when you're finished with that quiz, you can get to know your inner organic foodie. Because, seriously, we know you have nothing better to do.

Source

You try to buy organic food because everything you read and hear on the news says it's better for you. But do you actually know much about what you are buying? What do the labels and messages mean? If have to chose between buying an organic peach or an organic banana, which is a better use of your food dollars? National Geographic has put together a fun quiz as part of their Green Guide that tests your organic food knowledge.