By: Toby Martin-Kohls

There are many globally recognized symbols, such as the peace sign or a heart. There are also many globally recognized brands such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Mcdonald’s.

The Golden Arches are a worldwide recognized symbol. In 2019, Mcdonald’s had 38,695 restaurants in 119+ countries.

They pride themselves on the consistency of their food. Fries at one location should, and will, taste exactly the same at a location 3000mi away.

However, one item stands out as an exception from this philosophy; there always seems to be a broken ice cream machine at Mcdonald’s. The issue has been so widespread it has become a joke and a meme of sorts.

Several mainstream fast food companies such as Wendy’s, Burger King, In-n-Out, and Chick-fil-a use ice cream machines from the same company McDonald’s uses, but only McDonald’s seems to be the ones that never work.

Mcdonald’s uses the model C602 machine made by a company named Taylor. McDonald’s and Taylor go way back and have been business partners since each was established. Even their headquarters are close to each other in the state of Illinois.

93% of McDonald’s restaurants are franchised. This means that they are owned and operated by independent local business owners. This means they are left to pay any repairs needed.

When you become a Mcdonald’s franchisee, you sign a contract with McDonald’s agreeing that you will abide by their rules and regulations and make sure the restaurant is standardized to the rest of the brand.

In 2003, McDonald’s put in their agreement that all franchisees would be required to use the C602 model from Taylor.

Ice cream is dairy, and it is needs to be stored correctly in order to be safe to consume. The machine has a bunch of pipes that run through it all day with ice cream. So once a day, a cleaning cycle must be completed.

The cleaning process takes about 4 hours and is usually the first reason you are given as to why the ice cream machines are not working. Because the process takes so long, it makes sense to run the cleaning cycle overnight.

The first employees coming in the next day would see one of two messages on the user interface. The heat cycle was complete and that the machine was ready to use or that the cycle failed. The machine does not tell you what the problem was, and only that it failed.

It is worth noting that the machine cannot be used until it runs a cleaning cycle. It is locked until it has been completed. So the employee tries to run the heat cycle again. This takes another four hours during operating hours of the store.

So, a franchisee must call a repair technician from Taylor if they want their machine fixed. Taylor is the only company authorized to repair or maintain these machines for Mcdonald’s. If they called anyone else to fix it, it would void their contract.

According to invoices from some Mcdonald’s franchisees, the repair technicians are quite expensive. One can expect to pay around $150 for the first half-hour of labor and travel and hundreds more dollars for each additional 15 minutes of extra labor.

This is the decision franchisees must make. They can deal with angry customers who want ice cream, or they can fork over tons of money to get their machine fixed that very well might break again soon.

According to an acquisition pitch from Taylor, they stated that 25% of their revenue comes from recurring parts and services business. Taylor can rely on machines breaking and having income from McDonald’s.

Taylor provides an instruction manual to the restaurants for the machine but provides a different use for exclusively Taylor technicians. The information needed to fix the machine effectively is only given to technicians.

Jeremy O’Sullivan and Melissa Nelson set out to create a product, the Kytch device, that would help restaurants diagnose problems easier from the intentionally tricky UI. They succeeded and was a hit, as many restaurants started using their product. McDonald’s then sent out a memo that “McDonald’s and Taylor have recently determined that the Kytch device creates a potential very serious safety risk for the crew or technician attempting to clean or repair the machine.” They strongly recommended that franchisees stop using the product and that they will void their warranty if they don’t.

McDonald’s is in contact with another approved company to solve the same issue Kytch solved. Their partner is Powerhouse Dynamics. Well, good thing it’s not Taylor. Well, just on the outside. Powerhouse Dynamics is owned by the same company that owns Taylor. Their device takes the place of Kytch and still gives the user frustrating interfaces so that they can make money off repair services.

Taylor has no incentive to improve their product because they hold a monopoly in the ice cream maker business and again, make 25% of their revenue of on repair services. McDonald’s is okay with this because the financial burden falls on the restaurant franchisees.

Kytch is currently suing McDonald’s for 900 million dollars. They are also suing for defamation.

If you want to see if the McDonald’s near you, or anywhere, has a broken ice cream machine, you can look at mcbroken.com.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrDEtSlqJC4

By: Yussuf Omar

What are they?

Seed oils (or vegetable oils) are highly processed oils derived from seeds. The most commonly used seed oils are: canola (rapeseed), soybean, and palm.

These oils are mainly extracted using hexane. This is due to the efficiency of this method since over 90% of the oil is retained and the substance’s solubilizing ability is kept intact.

The problem with this method is that hexane is poisonous to humans, but the horrors of what’s done to these oils doesn’t stop there. After the hexane extraction, most of the oil becomes rancid and stinks, so manufacturers then bleach and deodorize these oils so consumers don’t have to deal with the smell. Instead, you’re left to deal with the harms these rancid oils do to your body.

Oxidized and Rancid

Seeds oils are full of poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and due to their double bond, these fats are very unstable. The improper storage of these oils, by exposing them to heat and light early on, only makes things worse, consequently accelerating the oxidation process. Once these toxic oxidized oils are consumed, they lead to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Oxidative stress and inflammation then leads to an array of diseases.

Another consequence of the overheating of seed oils is the creation of trans fats, the accumulation of this fat is known to lead to heart disease and other illnesses. These oils also tend to accrue in cells in the form of linoleic acid. The storage of these oxidized lipids lead to cells being prone to oxidation and skin cancer.

Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio

Fatty acids are essential to the human body, and since we don’t naturally create them we’re required to get them from our food instead. The ratio between these two fats is ideally supposed to be 1:1, but due to overconsumption recently the ratio is on average 20:1 now.

Seed oils are high in Omega 6, which tends to usually cause a little inflammation, but since Omega 3’s are naturally anti-inflammatory the two are supposed to balance out. Because of the sheer abundance of Omega 6’s in seed oils, the inflammation easily wins out.

Healthy alternatives

After being bombarded with all the negatives regarding seed oils, you’re probably in search of a healthy alternative. The good news is that you don’t have to look far; the ideal alternatives are likely in your kitchen already.

Saturated fats and monounsaturated fats are your friend when it comes to cooking oils, these fats are much more stable and can withstand high temperatures without oxidation. Grass-fed butter, ghee, and tallow are all great animal based sources of these fats, while avocado, coconut, and olive oil are great plant based sources. You can find all of these oils with minimal processing, and each one will be exponentially better for your health.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179509/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6196963/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26148920/

By: Jessica Garcia Saligan

These are some of my favorite food places here in Minnesota. I will be sharing my favorite restaurants to go out to eat for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

1st The Pancakes house (BREAKFAST)

My favorite place to eat breakfast is The Original Pancake House. They don’t just sell pancakes, they have a lot of good breakfast options like: souffle omelets, crepes, French toast, and Belgian waffles. Everything on their menu is so good and The Original Pancake House is mostly known for their hot chocolate.

They are located right in front of Rosedale mall. It is a good place to go out and eat with your friends and family and have a good time.

2nd Burger Moe’s (Lunch)

One of my favorite places to go eat for lunch is Burger Moe’s. Burger Moe’s is a burger place. They don’t just sell burgers, they also sell some other food such as: coconut shrimp, buffalo ranch chicken sandwich, wings, and soups & salads.

Burger Moe’s is a good place to go eat lunch because you can just get your food and it’s ready to go. It’s also a good place to go grab lunch with your friends.

3rd Buffalo Wild Wing (DINNER)

My favorite place to go out to get dinner is at Buffalo Wild Wings aka Bdubs. Buffalo Wild Wings is a good place for people that like watching games on a big screen. They sell wing bundles, burgers, sandwiches, and also some wraps.

It’s a good place to go out with your friends, and watch the games together. Also, at some Buffalo Wild Wings you can request a song and then play it.

By: Ashley Harris

Carbonation is found in around 15% of drinks in the United States alone. A typical carbonated drink contains around 99.5% liquid and 0.5% CO2. When CO2 is consumed in high amounts it can cause a number of short term health effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and more. These may not seem like vast problems to the average person, but unlike the short term effects, the long term effects can be tremendously painful and even life threatening. Some of these long term effects involve difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, convulsions, and even coma.

According to Wikipedia, “CO2 is an acidic colorless gas with a density about 53% higher than that of dry air. Carbon dioxide molecules consist of a carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere as a trace gas.”

In an article titled “Is Carbon Dioxide Harmful to People?” it’s stated that “At moderate CO2 levels, around 1000 ppm, there are minor effects on the way your brain thinks. These same levels also reduce concentration and focus, as well as create discomfort from breathing stuffy air. However at higher levels, around 2500 ppm, there are significant reductions in cognitive functioning, especially for tasks that require higher-level thinking. People feel fatigued and report having more headaches”.

Although a typical carbonated beverage only contains about 5 ppm per 8 oz bottle, when CO2 is consumed It is absorbed into the small intestines by the fluids in the gut. This process takes about 24 hours (or a day). So, that means, if you do the math, that if someone drank around 200, 8 oz sodas, or 1,600 oz’s of soda, they could be at risk for minor health effects such as fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Whereas if they were to drink 2,000, 8 oz sodas they would be at risk for tremendous health problems such as seizures, immediate coma, and even death. So, unless you are soda crazy, CO2 can not do any serious harm to your body when consumed.

By: Ella Sutherland and Lauren Kottke

Spring break is coming up fast and it’s hard to choose where to go. There are many great options with great adventures. Here are some of the most popular places people go!

Maui

Maui is the big island of Hawaii and where most tourists go. Although it’s a long flight there, it’s worth it. There is beautiful sight seeing, warm weather, culture, and great food.

The Road to Hana is a popular activity for tourists to do. It takes about 8 hours to complete the road trip through the jungle and desert. It’s great bonding time for the family. There are also many waterfalls you can stop and swim in on the Road to Hana.

Another activity that many tourists do are luau’s. They teach the tourists about Hawaiian culture while also entertaining the guests. The dress code for these events is normally a Hawaiian dress or shirt and sandals. First, when you arrive they give you leis. Traditionally they serve a Hawaiian dinner and talk about the history of Hawaii. And after dinner, they do a show with dancers and fire.

The last activity is snorkeling. Hawaii has some of the best snorkeling in the world. You can see whales, turtles, and all kinds of fish!

Florida

Another very popular place to travel for spring break is Florida. There are so many options that offer different activities.

Fort Myers offers wonderful golf courses at the fort Myers’s country club and at the Eastwood golf course.

Another great activity in Fort Myers is a western Everglades tour. On the boat tour you see alligators and turtles. It’s a great way to see and learn about Florida’s ecosystem!

Another popular activity in Fort Myers is a copacetic day sail. They take you on a sail ride through the crystal blue water where you can see dolphins, turtles and varieties of fish.

Colorado

Colorado is a popular vacation spot during the winter, but also can be in the spring. A fun activity is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The zoo is around a mountain so there are great views and animals. Their most popular attraction is their giraffe feeding.

To see some cool historical artifacts, visit the National Museum of World War II. They keep World War II planes intact and preserve them. Along with the awesome planes, there are guided tours. The tour guides know so many interesting facts to keep you interested throughout the tour.

If you want to get outside in nature, visit the Red Rock Canyon. They have beautiful hiking trails that never disappoint!

Costa Rica

A great attraction in Costa Rica is the waterfalls. La Fortuna waterfall is a hike that meets a waterfall. The hike is a bit long, but the views are worth it. You can also jump in the water for a swim!

Another beautiful place in Costa Rica is Playa Manuel Antonio beach. It’s part of a national park and they offer guided tours. Once you get to the beach there is crystal clear water with great swimming. By the town there are also restaurants to stop in and grab a bite.

The last activity for Costa Rica is Neo Fauna CR. It’s led by a group of passionate workers who help endangered species. They offer tours where you can learn all about the animals and scenery. The most popular animal people see there are the monkeys.

All of these vacation spots offer so many great views, attractions, and culture. No matter where you end up going, we hope this article offers some new information.

By: Yussuf Omar

Saturated fats are often portrayed as this evil we must all avoid, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The main thought is that saturated fats are bad for heart health, clogging arteries, and causing heart disease. This misconception stems from a study released in the 1970s called “The Seven Countries Study.” Unfortunately, this study is viewed like a gospel on fat and that’s where the issue stems from.

Important factors like sugar consumption, exercise levels, drug rates, stress, and diet weren’t taken into account at all; nations with data that contradicted the conclusion were also conveniently left out. The study had access to the data of 22 countries but didn’t include any of the populations that consumed loads of saturated fats with minimal cases of heart disease.

Governments decided to run with this study and shortly afterwards the hate campaign towards saturated fat started. Saturated fats were replaced with added sugar and salt, which when over consumed are much worse than anything saturated fats could do to you.

But lately studies showing the positive effects of saturated fats have come to light, highlighting how the brain is composed of 60% fat and how cells need lipids (fats) to build their cell walls. However, these crucial functions in our body can only continue to work with saturated fat, therefore the avoidance of it will only negatively affect your health.

But, like all things in life, it’s only good in moderation. Of course the overconsumption of it won’t be good for your health, but any food item over consumed isn’t good for your health.

The bad rap that saturated fats get is rooted in ignorance, and the only way we move forward from these archaic beliefs is to seek out knowledge and critically think for ourselves. You aren’t required to go out of your way to seek saturated fats, but the best thing to do is to quit demonizing the few you see around and work on moderation.