What did we do before the internet?

The internet is a wondrous thing. Sure, there is a LOT of bad along with the good - but I think that all depends on the user. Not only do I use the internet for email and a whole lot of blogging, but I also can easily learn about little things that I normally would be too lazy to research. No, I am not talking about politics or the latest world news (although I would probably be a better person if I kept up on current affairs other than The Superficial). I am talking about those random questions that you find yourself faced with that you just aren't sure of the answer. Let me give you some recent examples.

While in Utah I was staying with my sister and we were baking (an all time favorite past time for both of us). She pulls out her baking powder which is a huge food storage size. I am amazed at how much she has and ask her if she actually uses baking powder enough to use it before it goes bad. She looks at me like I am crazy and says baking powder doesn't go bad. I had heard otherwise. Just then another sister came over and so we ask her. She says, "I don't know but I am pretty sure the baking powder I have has been in my cupboard for 10 years." So we google it. In case you were wondering, the shelf life of baking powder is 3-6 months (maybe a little longer in very dry climates). Oh, and do you know how to tell if your baking soda is still good? Just mix a tsp. with some warm water - if it foams you are good to go. Amazing, eh?

Next I was in AZ with my brother and his family and we were talking about butter (do you see a trend, if I am not talking about my kid or TV, I am talking about food). We come from a family where real butter is the only way to go. My sister-in-law's was a margarine family. Real butter is preferred but they don't like how it is hard to spread since it is so cold. I told them that we leave it on the counter so it is easier to spread. You can do that? Sure, I haven't died yet. So I googled it to see if I am going to die from eating rancid butter (and here is your answer Chante). Nope...butter can be left at room temperature because the fat preserves it. It can go bad due to oxygen so it should be covered. Very interesting, don't you think?

My friend who is suffering from a bad cold wanted to know if her germs would last the freezer as she prepared baby food that she was going to freeze. Hmm...I don't know. But google did and I found out that "some germs may die when frozen. Sharp ice crystals poke holes in cell walls, destroying them. Other germs are just slowed down when put in the freezer and may come back to life when thawed. "

I can't watch a movie now without coming across an actor or song and wonder what was he on or who sings that. Fortunately, my husband always has his laptop at the ready and we just IMDB it and find the answer instantly.

Or maybe you need directions to your friends new house. Or you want to find the nearest Jamba Juice (btw, why is there not one in St. George? I was very disappointed) Mapquest or google maps got your back. Or maybe you are reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" and can't quite remember your history lessons about Henry VIII. Wikipedia can tell you all about it.

I am just amazed at all the info (sure most of it may not be entirely accurate) that is so readily available. Too bad with such easy access I am not really getting any smarter but I sure know the shelf life of baking powder.