About Feray Yuksekbas Kavas

Many Americans depend on their coffee in the mornings more than their alarm clock to wake them up and get them running. Coffee has been like fuel that people have to have, or they will not function properly. Coming from a culture where tea is more common I was really surprised to see how almost everyone is running to coffee shops, coffee carts or deli’s in the morning to have a cup of their morning booster while running around in the New York streets. I also started to believe that this is a contagious thing and now coffee has become my favorite drink too. Coffee signifies something different for each person: gathering, joy, rest, delicious, taste, morning, energy, booster and the list could go on. However there is one description that will perhaps fit everyone: caffeine!

Coffee can be consumed in many different formats – now thanks to Starbucks with their many different kinds and flavored delicious choices, but there could be health drawbacks, depending on what type of coffee you prefer to drink. and what is becoming increasingly clear is that coffee brewed in different ways could have varying health effects. Now it is thought that the most risky type is unfiltered ground coffee. In a recent study, scientists found that unfiltered ground coffee contains fatty chemicals also known to raise levels of dangerous fats in the blood. Other types of coffee may be lower in cardiovascular risk factors but higher in caffeine, which, taken in excess, has its own problems. So which method makes the healthiest coffee brew?

Here are the healthiest options for your to choose from, and possibly rename your new favorite:

FILTER COFFEE
Caffeine per cup: 100-150mg
A fine paper filter will highly absorb the fatty components. Also studies show that consuming high amount of filter coffee does not have any negative effects such as blood cholesterol, however this coffee contains the highest caffeine levels. If you are sensitive to caffeine perhaps this is not your cup of coffee, but don’t worry, the list is long and there many to choose from. [Read more...]

A television program that I was watching the other day made me think of how how colors are effecting our choices in life, what they really say about our personality, and the overall effects colors have on our personality. In the show they were conducting an experiment where a woman on the street was stopping people and asking them if they could give her money, while she was in a white dress and then she changed into a red dress and did the same.

The result was very interesting. The number of people who gave her money while she was in the red dress was far higher than while she was wearing the white dress. Even though it was the same woman, on the same day, in the same street – the color of the dress affected people’s decision. This clearly shows us the power of the color red over white. I do not mean that one is more beautiful than the other, but for some reason red had a sanction power on people compared to white.

Even though there may be a variety of interpretations and meanings of colors in different cultures, I believe colors speak to us in a universal language and bring out similar emotions across the globe. Let me explain why our surroundings influence our emotions. Have you ever experienced some places that irritate you, or make you nervous, while other places give you peace and serenity? There may be other factors,but the colors of your surroundings play a bigger role to how you feel than you would expect. [Read more...]

We waited four long years for just 16 days of the amazing London Summer Olympic games that were held between July 27 and August 16th this year. As with most good things, they had to come to an end. The Olympics have been spectacular and well worth the wait, with dazzling opening and closing ceremonies, and we witnessed world records being broken and watched the best athletes of the world compete against each other.

Why do all great things have to be over that fast though? I still watch TV but I’m just not enjoying it as much now that the Olympics are over. Everyday as soon as I got home from work all I wanted to do was watch the best of the best compete against each other. Every time I felt amazed by how  inspiring, hard working and dedicated the Olympic athletes were. I was cheering with the winner and felt incredibly sad with those who did not get a medal, knowing how great their disappointment must have been. No movies could bring out these strong emotions  in me. Each athlete is there not only for themselves, but for their country and their people. If they gain a medal it is not simply a personal accomplishment and gain, it is a national victory. These athletes carry the burden of their nation’s expectations on their shoulders, and of course get incredible support and encouragement from their people.

I am sure you have some images and stories in your mind that will stay with you from this years Olympic games. I want to share with you what is, in my humble opinion, a few of the most memorable images and photographed moments from London 2012 that will forever remain in my mind:

The Olympic rings positioned on Tower Bridge for the 2012 London

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