In this episode of the Jason and Mindy podcast, the hosts discuss various topics including the need for lazy days, the benefits of carrots for the skin, and unusual foods from around the world. They also play a water cooler quiz and share their favorite weekend time wasters. The episode ends with an inspirational quote about being your better self.

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Jason’s Segment - LAZY DAYS:

According to a survey, the average person feels they need 60 “lazy days” per year in order to feel properly rested. The poll of 2,000 Americans found that adults seem to take their “do nothing” days very seriously, with about one in 5 planning these days in advance, and 11% even marking them on the calendar a few weeks ahead of time. On a typical lazy day, the average person spends 2 hours lying in bed, an hour eating, 3 hours binge-watching movies and TV, an hour reading, and 2 hours scrolling. Three hours are spent doing literally absolutely nothing, 2 hours are spent napping, and a full hour is generally devoted to “dreading the next day”.

FRUITS AND VEGGIE TALES:

⇒ New research says that carrots aren’t just good for your eyes, they also do wonders for the skin. A new study found that snacking on baby carrots 3 times a week increased the levels of skin carotenoids in young adults. High skin carotenoid levels have a link to increased antioxidant protection and a lower risk for chronic diseases — including cancer and heart disease — and also gives the immune system a boost.

INEDIBLES:

Some “local delicacies” to sample next time you’re in these countries…

⇒ Jellied eels: A fav street food in London. Eel is boiled, then gelatin is added to the water, and after hardening, it is served with meat pies, potatoes and beer. (LOTS of beer…)

⇒ Duck feet: In China, the webbed duck feet are braised, and eaten as a snack with soy sauce. (LOTS of soy sauce…)

⇒ Helmet: You can get this from street vendors in the Philippines. What is it? Barbecued chicken heads. (Beaks removed, if that makes it any better…)

⇒ Fried pig blood: Common in rural Hungary, it is made by collecting slaughtered pig’s blood, and frying it with scrambled eggs. 

⇒ Surströmming: In Sweden, this dish is made by soaking Baltic herring in a brine solution, then packing it in a wooden barrel and leaving it in the sun for 24 hours to induce fermentation. Next, it is placed in a cool room for several months. Then it is canned, where it continues to ferment. The smell is compared to extremely rotten fish, or horribly rotten eggs…or to garbage that’s been left out in the sun. And just imagine how it tastes! (And imagine what kind of a mind came up with this idea!)