Nutritional Yeast vs. Vitamin Supplements

Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast–often, Saccharomyces cerevisiae–that is yellow in color and has a nutty and cheesy flavor. It is a reliable food source for vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins such as folic acid. It is also an excellent source of protein (52%) and contains essential amino acids–making it a very popular choice for vegans. Some products are fortified with vitamin B12, which is produced separately from bacteria. Because of its rich nutrient content, nutritional yeast is a very good choice to include in a daily diet, instead of taking synthetically formulated vitamin supplements. Some of the benefits of nutritional yeast vs. vitamin supplements are discussed here.

1. Flavor

When it comes to the flavor of nutritional yeast vs. vitamin supplements, nutritional yeast is the winner. Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy, and creamy flavor that makes it an excellent cheese substitute–in fact, it is often used by vegans as a substitute to parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast comes in the form of flakes or powder, and can thus be sprinkled to almost anything–from popcorn, bread, and vegetables, to pizzas, pastas, and casseroles.

Meanwhile, how many vitamin supplements can be used to flavor or enhance food? This alone gives you enough reason to go for nutritional yeast (vs. vitamin supplements). Because of its unique flavor and the many versatile ways it can be added into food, nutritional yeast (vs. vitamin supplements) are easier to ingest and administer to kids and adults alike. Furthermore, nutritional yeast is low in fat and salt, making it perfect for those who are watching their weight.

2. Natural vs. synthetic

Nutritional yeast vs. vitamin supplements is different in how they store nutrients. Nutritional yeast is naturally grown–providing vitamins and nutrients at their natural state. It is not processed, and therefore, is a whole, organic, food vitamin. Inorganic vitamin supplements on the other hand–those that are not obtained or extracted from whole foods–are usually synthesized in high concentrates. Some say that vitamins and mineral elements are so complex and dependent upon each other, that when they are separated, they can no longer provide the same nutritional effect on the body.

Thus, high concentrations of synthetic vitamins may not be beneficial. On the other hand, nutritional yeast provides vitamins in their complete form–including all their parts and cofactors–because they are derived from whole foods.

3. When vitamin supplements are better

Of course, nutritional yeast is not always better. Some ingredients and contents of vitamin supplements are not found in nutritional yeast and may be needed to counter deficiencies of meet Recommended Daily Allowances. When weighing nutritional yeast vs. vitamin supplements, it is still advisable to consult a physician to find out what’s best for you.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the sale and distribution of nutritional yeast and vitamin supplements are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration Board. As much as you can, buy only products from a manufacturer that strictly follows and adheres to the GMP standards. This assures you that the product contains the right amount of ingredients and dosage indicated, and that it is free from known contaminants.

The Importance of Liberal Arts Education: In a Knowledge-Based Economy

Historically, in the United States, there has always exist a tension in higher education between the education of the person and the achievement of specific and pragmatic objectives. Liberal arts colleges in the United States have traditionally tilted the balance in favor of educating the whole person. Character building was viewed as equal in importance to intellectual development. The core of the liberal arts experience is a commitment to the excitement of learning.While affirming the enduring value of a liberal arts education, we must also be responsive to the technological and social changes taking place around us. We must be responsive to the social, political, and economic needs of our community, state, nation, and the evolving global society. However, our most effective response should be our passionate desire to learn more about these needs and how society can most effectively respond to them.We need to be mindful of the economic imperative that change requires investment. An enormous investment is currently being made in communication and information processing technology. Contemporary society urgently needs to adapt to the intended and unintended consequences of that technological investment.During the past three decades, the work place has changed more dramatically than any other time in the history of the United States. Today, the ability to create new knowledge is quickly over shadowing the importance of manufacturing goods and services.As the world continues to become more complex, more technological, and more competitive one issue that flows from the literature on higher education is the increasing need for an educated workforce that can meet the needs of a global economy.A recent Department of Labor report projected that eighty percent of the children beginning kindergarten will eventually enter jobs that doesn’t even exist today. If work continues to change as radically as it has in the recent past, than the question is: How do we prepare today’s students to enter the workforce and become productive citizens?It’s obvious to many of us that we are witnessing radical changes in the entry-level skills required for jobs as they evolve toward higher-level skills, especially the skills of analytical thinking, problem solving, communication, computation, and working in teams. To be successful in the workplace of the future, individuals will need more than technical training.A recent report, issued by the National Leadership Council for Liberal Education and America Promise (LEAP), indicated that two-thirds of employers say college graduates lack essential skills to succeed in today’s global economy.The report goes on to say that: College graduates will need more cross-disciplinary knowledge and an advanced set of communication and analytical skills to apply that knowledge to real-world problems. It also urges a more thorough application of liberal education in American colleges and universities.A liberal arts education will remain the most practical preparation for lifelong employment because it promotes intellectual and personal growth; and it equips the individual to cope with change by being able to adapt to the workplace as it continues to transform.”The quality of learning, not the possession of a diploma, will determine whether the next generation can keep our economy and democracy strong,” says Association of American Colleges and Universities President Carol G. Schneider. Ms. Schneider goes on to say “It’s time to stop channeling students into narrow tracks that prepare them for an initial job but not for tomorrow’s challenges.”We should agree, however, that the term “liberal arts education” has a fuzzy meaning for many people. For some, it means many required classes that get in the way of technical training, which some people feel is the only way to prepare for a job. Upon closer observation, however, liberal arts education can be understood as the key to survival in any field that subject to change over time.It’s true, technical training might give one the “foot in the door” as an entry into the workforce, but a liberal arts education will provide the staying power, serve as a foundation for continuous growth and development; and lead to professional success we all set our sight on.Today, more than ever, undergraduate students are trying to make a connection between subject and content in the educational marketplace. What students seem to value most is the ability to translate their undergraduate education into better employment opportunities.For most students, perceived or future success depends on professional preparation in areas such as law, medicine, or business. The fact that the liberal arts are at the root of such disciplines is often lost on today’s career minded students. As a result, students are less inclined to major in the liberal arts.ConclusionThe shift in the economy from a manufacturing base to one with a knowledge foundation is having an impact on higher education in significant ways. More importantly, the basic goals and purposes of higher education seem to be in flux. However, one constant remains true today colleges and universities can no longer afford to graduate students ill-prepared for a persistently changing workplace and a global economy.

Winter Project: Go Kart In The Basement – A Fantastic Wood Project for the Whole Family

You may be lamenting the advent of Winter as it lessens the daylight, and correspondingly lessens the temperature, but piles up the snow in some states. Winter can be a less productive time of year, especially those that don’t have a heated shop.Well, that is not quite true, the shop can be the basement. The basement is a great place to start projects and then either finish them in the basement, or take them to the garage when they get too big.I remember hearing stories of people making cars in their basement, or making airplanes in the basement too. They had to cut out the basement wall to get their project outdoors; but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about a fun project, but small enough to get up the stairs. That project is called the “basement gokart.”Basement Go Kart?Yes the basement go kart. There are several varieties of go karts you can develop in the basement. A simple bolt together framed go kart made out of Angle Iron, a pre-welded frame (just bring it in the basement and them work put the final touches on it), a PVC go kart, and my personal favorite: the wood gokart.The wood go kart seems to be the top on the list for doable-ness because of its low cost and the fact that everyone has access to simple wood working tools. A sheet of plywood, a couple of two-by-fours, a couple of bolts and nuts, some rope, PVC pipe, rims/tires, (motor – either gas or electric) and some ingenuity and you have a wood go kart that rips around like nobodies business.You may thinking:”A wood go kart is just not up my ally. If I were to make a go kart it would have to be made out of steel, and steel tubing. Nothing made out of wood can be very safe or even like a metal frame go kart. If anything it is going to fall apart a lot.”Go Karts do not have to be made out of metal. If anything the transition of high performance sports cars like Ferrari, Porsche and even Corvettes from steel to composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber should tell us that the steel myth is just that…a myth.Wood, like fiberglass is light weight and strong, depending on the types of wood chosen. Additionally wood can be more than adequate for a durable resilient go kart.There are some things to look for in a wood go kart design so that you do not end up having performance and durability issues, they are:-Reliable Breaking System-Supported Steering System-Well Positioned Center of GravityThese are the main design considerations that will make the go kart a performer and able to handle like a metal frame counterpart.A reliable braking system is critical to a go kart design. Once you get going, stopping is vital for safety. The last thing you want is a run away go kart. That is all well and good but actually getting a go kart stop more than just putting your foot down, or jamming a stick into the ground. A brake system needs to be engineered, because the forces to stop a go kart can be upwards to 3 times the weight of the go kart. For example a go kart weighing in at 300 pounds may have a stopping force of close to 1000+ pounds. The trick is getting a foot to press on a pedal and then exert 1000 pounds to the braking surface without having a leg as big as an elephant! A good go kart design will account for the needed engineering design and have it all laid out for you.The biggest challenge for a wood go kart is developing a steering system that actually works. Feeding ropes is the easy part. Don’t think that a wood go kart need to have feet steering it: I would agree that a foot steering system is just confusing and down right dangerous. The steering system I am talking about is intuitive and using steering wheel to operate it. But there is more to it than that.Bogie style steering systems are inherently unstable unless supported. A good wood go kart design will account for the instability and provide stiffeners in the frame work.Most go kart designs have not even heard of Center of Gravity of CG. CG what? Center of gravity is where the line of action for the main mass of the go kart (and rider included) is situated so that there is a 50/50 weight distribution between the front and the rear tires.The 50/50 weight distribution makes the go kart much more responsive in cornering, and less likely to just keep going straight (understeer). An understeer situation is un-nerving especially when you want to turn, and the go kart just keeps going straight. A 50-50 weight distribution keeps the weight on the tires where it is needed so that the turning wheels actually grip and turn the cart.A great winter project is a wood go kart in the basement. Being less than 100 dollars in cost, consider the wood go kart as you fun family project in the basement this coming winter.