Morena Duwe

In the instagrammable culinary world, there is a constant race to find the newest, healthiest or most stunning ingredient. This gorgeous purple yam with a nutty vanilla taste lends itself to scroll-stopping desserts. But while it’s new to many people, Filipinos have been eating this tuber since childhood. We’re going to cover everything you need to know about this interesting root, and share some traditional Filipino recipes along the way.

The axolotl's permanent smiles and feathery, external gills have made them popular among exotic pet enthusiasts. But despite their abundance in captivity, they're facing extinction in the wild. So where can you find these creatures? What's driving them toward extinction? And what's being done to save them?

At its heart, adobo is a process of cooking, not a recipe. The tang of the vinegar is softened over low heat, intensifying the flavor of the meat, and creating a silky, mouthwatering sauce that is always, always served with fragrant white rice. Adobo’s long journey, its melding of cultures and ardent defenders all come together to tell a diverse and delicious story.

With cryptocurrency values shattering records and upcoming changes to the bitcoin platform, artist Andy Bauch, is providing commentary on the freedom and volatility of developing digital currencies. He’s creating tangible pieces of art from the abstract, ethereal virtual cash.

Would you spend hours searching for pieces of found wood and building a giant sculpture only to disassemble it after a few days? For this artist, the sustainable sculpture is his craft. Ernest “Hoodie” Salinas is a San Francisco based artist and sculptor who specializes in environmentally conscious stage design and construction. Traveling the globe, Hoodie creates outstanding installations at festivals and events that are enchanting to the eye.

Drinking chocolate has become popular in holistic health circles, new age spiritualism and music festivals. And I'm not talking about some average hot cocoa. We're talking about cacao. While they might seem like the same thing, they are very different. Chocolate might make you feel happy, cacao can make you feel euphoric. Is it just hype, or is there real science behind the effect of cacao? Why do people drink it? And how did it go from an indigenous practice to a chic new age ritual?

It's a fluffy mayonnaise with double the egg that regular mayo has and uses yolk only for its golden yellow color. Japanese Kewpie mayo was the star of a salmon rice recipe that went viral on TikTok. Find out what makes this Japanese Kewpie mayo so special and why it could usurp American mayo for the "best mayo ever" title.

It can be grilled, deep-fried, steamed, fermented, or eaten fresh. I'm served with vegetables, soup, rice, or sweet syrups. What is it? If you guessed tofu, you're correct. Now tofu is a popular culinary ingredient, but that wasn't always the case. So what's the story behind this unique, soy-based food? Stay tuned to find the answers and the origins of this versatile food.

L.A. Kitchen believes that neither food nor people should ever go to waste. By reclaiming healthy, local food that would otherwise be discarded, training men and women who are unemployed for jobs, and providing healthy meals to fellow citizens, L.A. Kitchen empowers, nourishes, and engages the community.

Is it a hog? Is it a beaver? Or is it a rodent of unusual size? Nope, nope and yes. Well, sort of. It's a capybara, the biggest rodent on Earth. Closely related to guinea pigs, these semi-aquatic creatures can weigh as much as a human at up to 90 kg (200 lbs). That's a big guinea pig. And though they're large and in charge, they're harmless. They've even been dubbed "nature's chairs," as they are so mellow, they let other animals sit on them. So why are these lovable giants so relaxed? Do they have any natural predators? And would they make good pets?

Americans love nachos. From baseball games to convenience stores, it's an iconic food that is cheap and easy to come by. Sometimes it's liquid and orange, and sometimes it's melty and stringy. They can have toppings like meat, guacamole, and sour cream. Who was the genius behind this delicious culinary pastime?

This cheese is an ooey gooey sensation. Clips of it have the internet in a tizzy because it is nothing short of mouth-watering. So let's learn a bit about this cheese, where it comes from and how it's served, as we feast our eyes on delicious visuals.

Can you name this alien-looking fruit? It's called an ackee, and it happens to be one of the deadliest fruits in the world. It's the national fruit of Jamaica, and it is enjoyed on other Caribbean islands like Haiti, Trinidad and Barbados, although it's not indigenous to the Caribbean. Where does this strange fruit come from? What does it taste like? What makes it so deadly? Keep watching to find out the answers because if you're ever picking fruit in Jamaica, our tips might save your life.

These tasty log-shaped chocolate sponge cakes look just like tree branches. How did these logs turn into a cake-eating celebration? How did this tradition spread through Europe with the rise of Christianity? Which French pastry chef came up with the original Yule log cake recipe?

In the UK, nearly 400 million plates of fish and chips are eaten every year. This crispy, salty, flakey dish has become beloved comfort food. And while the more affordable versions of fish and chips are typically made with pollock or haddock, the premium stuff is made with Atlantic cod.

That's definitely not cheese. So what gives head cheese its interesting name? Hint: it has more to do with the "head" part. How does aspic gelatin factor into this savory food? Is head cheese related to meatloaf? And does head cheese even taste good?

Creamy, oozing and delicious, this Japanese omelet will make you seriously hungry! Called omurice, the omelet is served over fried rice, commonly with gravy. It's different from a traditional American omelet, but this omurice egg dish is no less egg-citing!

These otherwise common foods are so exorbitantly priced because they contain gold. This sundae, dubbed the world's most expensive dessert, is garnished with 5 g (0.17 oz) of edible 23-karat gold and is served at Serendipity 3 in New York City. So what makes edible gold different from regular gold? Is it truly safe to eat? And can you guess where this gold-eating trend originated?

You’ll not likely find it at a bar or on the dancefloor. You probably won’t find it at the gym or on Tinder either. Some would call it a myth, that Unconditional Love.

But actor Ross Butler thinks Unconditional Love is easily attainable, available to anyone willing to visit their local animal shelter. For Butler, he looks to Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles. His animal of choice? Dogs. For others? A cat, bird, snake, fish or hamster may suit your fancy—you do you!

“Being an actor I go to dark places sometimes,” Ross reveals, as he discusses the psychological challenges he sometimes faces. But thanks to this Unconditional Love he receives from his four dogs and tortoise—which he calls “emotional sponges”—Ross finds solace within his hectic lifestyle.

According to Best Friends, about 1.5 million homeless dogs and cats are killed annually in America’s shelters. That means more than 4,100 animals are killed daily, simply because they don’t have safe homes.

“Best Friends is a great organization because they believe in no-kill,” Ross shares as he describes his visit to their West LA location. “They just wanna change the status quo of shetlers,” he adds.

Inside Best Friends? Complex, vulnerable creatures, as imperfect as every human on the planet. Dogs that could help us to live our lives, as much as we can help them.

Unconditional love is defined as true or complete love free of judgement; affection sans limitations; love without conditions, boundaries or expectations. Every person and animal deserves that kind of love.

Hippos are pretty cute with their rotund bodies, short stubby legs and sly smirks. But if you happen upon one, beware. They're one of the most fearsome animals in the world. Hippos may seem harmless, but they're far from it. In Africa, hippos kill around 500 people a year, making them twice as deadly as lions. They have a bite force of up to 12,600 kPa (1,827 psi). A hippo could sever a person in two as easily as we can snap a chocolate bar.

At first glance, this bobbing, bubble-like creature looks like a jellyfish. But don't be fooled by its spindly tentacles and translucent body because it's definitely not a jellyfish. This is a Portuguese man o' war. And it's extremely dangerous. While it may seem like a harmless plastic bag floating in the ocean, it's not. If you come across one while swimming in the ocean or find one washed up on the beach, whatever you do, don't touch it. A Portuguese man o' war can potentially kill a human. And you don't want to be its next victim. So if it's not a jellyfish, what is a Portuguese man o' war? Do they only live in Portugal? And why are they so dangerous?

You're probably familiar with the fictional Japanese reptilian monster, Godzilla. He's famous for wreaking havoc on cities and their fleeing civilians. But do you know about the real-life Godzilla? Well, if you don't, you're about to. This is the marine iguana. It's the only marine lizard species. It's easy to see the physical likeness between this reptile and its gargantuan counterpart, Godzilla. But that's where the similarities end. Though the marine iguana can't topple skyscrapers or breathe atomic heat rays, it does have some very, dare I say, crazy abilities. So what makes them marine iguanas? Why do they shrink their bodies? And why do they sneeze salt?

This prehistoric bird looks like it wants to murder you in your sleep. That's probably why its gaze is affectionately nicknamed the "death stare. Known as a shoebill, this bizarre bird found meme fame because of its bone-chilling stare. Even Joe Rogan gave the shoebill a social media shoutout. But this bird has other captivating attributes. How big do they get? Why do they make such jarring machine-gun sounds? And if a shoebill gives you the death stare, should you be scared?

Sharks are known for having an entourage. But this fish is more of a hitchhiker than a follower. Meet the remora. Nicknamed the "ocean's hitchhiker", these freeloaders get rides from sharks, boats and even divers. Their shoe-like suction plates help them attach to various surfaces. So why are these fish hitching rides? How does their suction plate work? And does it hurt the hosts they attach to?

They've got razor-sharp teeth, armor-like scales and can grow over 3 m (10 ft) long. This monstrous fish looks like it could star in a creature feature. Honestly, it's hard to believe it hasn't. Meet the monstrous alligator gar. This torpedo-shaped leviathan is one of North America's largest freshwater fish. Just take one look at its long, snapping mouth filled with jagged teeth. It's easy to see why this fish has alligator in its name, although it's not a reptile. But regardless of their fearsome appearance, these ancient fish may be one of the most interesting and craziest creatures out there. So how far do they date back? Do they threaten humans? And why should you not eat their eggs?

Not all animals breathe through their noses and mouths, like us. Some creatures breathe through their skin while others can breathe through their butts. While you may think this is gross and unnecessary, others may see it as a superpower. Turtles can survive below freezing temperatures during hibernation because of their ability to breathe through their butts. New findings show that pigs can breathe this way too. And butt-breathing animals could save people from COVID-19. So how does butt-breathing work? Can humans do it too? And what does butt-breathing have to do with COVID-19?

Though this creepy doll head looks like it's possessed by a poltergeist, it's not. The reality is much more sad. Because this discarded doll head is inhabited by a hermit crab. Why do hermit crabs need to change their shells? How does plastic waste affect hermit crabs? And can these trashy homes kill them?

Scorpions. You either love them or hate them. But regardless of how you feel about them, they're not going anywhere. Except for these ones. They look like they might be going to a rave. So why do some scorpions glow in the dark? How do they get their glow on? And are they deadly to humans?

It's got massive fangs and eight glossy, black eyes. It's creepy, it's crawly and it can launch its barbed hairs at you. Meet the Goliath bird-eating spider. Geez, this thing looks like it came straight out of Shelob's lair. So how big does this spider grow? Does it really eat birds? And most importantly, can it kill a human?

This little guy may look like your standard gecko with his big, ruby-like eyes and spotted scales. However, this particular gecko, known as the golden-tailed gecko, is anything but standard. What makes this reptile unique is its ability to shoot a sticky, foul-smelling fluid from its tail. So what's the purpose of this ability? Why are its spines important? And is the liquid toxic to humans and animals?

They're colorful, they're cute, they're quick. What's not to love? But some people are taking their love for hummingbirds to the next level. One particular “hummingbird challenge” has content creators all over the internet going to great lengths to feed these flitting flyers. Whether they're donning full-blown ghillie suits or building crazy contraptions, these hummingbird devotees will stop at nothing to be close to them. This person even made a pair of hummingbird-feeder earrings. Why are people so obsessed with hummingbirds? What do hummingbirds eat? And how can hummingbirds beat their wings at such incredible speeds?

Their hypnotic thrumming, which is the male's mating call, is heard all over the world. It can get as loud as 100 decibels. That's like standing 1 m (3 ft) from a chainsaw. But the cicada soundtrack of the eastern United States is about to go from a thrum to a roar. That's because Brood X is coming, the greatest number of cicadas to emerge in the U.S. Should we be worried? Are they dangerous? Keep watching and find out.

Geese are known for their long, slender necks, humped bills and their noisy way of communicating. They're also known for their territorial and aggressive behavior, especially when protecting their young. But they're less known for their serrated tongues and beaks. So why do geese have these barbs? Are they teeth? And how dangerous is it if you get bitten?

There's no way a Venus flytrap can catch this quick little wasp. Or is there? The Venus flytrap has long been the stuff of sci-fi lore. It's green, it's toothy and it's carnivorous. It looks like an anglerfish in plant form. And luckily for you, it doesn't eat humans. The Venus flytrap has a refined palate. Well, it's refined for a carnivorous plant. So what kind of creatures does it eat? How does it eat them? And why is this plant carnivorous?

Though it looks like the worm from the movie "Tremors," it's a fish called a lamprey. People fear this creature's slimy texture, its suction mouth, and most of all, its concentric circles of teeth. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to swim anywhere near that thing. But are these creepy creatures dangerous? What do they eat? And are they capable of killing you?

Star of Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger Jace Norman talks about growing up with dyslexia.

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The California fires are no longer dominating headlines, but the challenges faced by those affected have just begun. In this period of extraordinary loss, though, a communal strength has risen, and it’s evidenced in the innumerable stories.

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