Tablets for kids

Tablets for kids

Only a short time ago, I mentioned that the government had imposed an additional tax on the internet and cell phone providers.

Well, just last week it came to my attention that provisions have been made in the 2015 budget to spend that windfall in two ways.

 First, there is a start up company in the Quito area that is producing tablets for the android market. As yet I have not seen one, nor have I seen any advertising for the product.

You can see where I am going; by the new year they should be in a position to ship.

In the new year, the government has made a commitment to provide 1 million tablets to the schools in Ecuador.

Not only is this a bold move, but is it also a gamble?

Will the company be able to provide the number of tablets required within that year?

How will the tablets be distributed, and will the tablets slot into the current teaching methods?

As this is a start up company, will they be able to provide the support for the tablets with firmware and software?

Now you know where that extra 3% tax is going next year.

Fall Seven Times, Get up Eight: The Japanese War Brides

Three daughters tell the story of Japanese women who landed in 1950s America -- the brides of young GIs brought home from an enemy nation.

This is a peek into the modern history of America. In trying to make this film, these 3 women have released some of the lesser known outcomes of the second world war.

The three ladies have put tremendous effort into painstakingly sifting through material that is slowly being eroded by time, and a generation that is fading.

These ladies need a little help to finish this project. Please go to the link and find out more. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/528473920/fall-seven-times-get-up-eight-the-japanese-war-bri

Brunch

Thank you to our clients concerned about our cancellation of last brunch.

Specially in the low season we highly recommend booking 24 hours ahead, so we are able to accommodate your needs.

We have worked this way since we started, although not all of you have booked before, we always have required a minimum of 10 reservations for be able to open.

Thanks for your understanding.

Place  :  Big Ralph´s Restaurant

Time   :  9.30 - 12.00

Date   :  Sunday 14th / Sep

BRUNCH MENU

CLASSIC EGGS BENEDICT WITH HOLLANDAISE SAUCE  

$ 6.25

SMOKED SALMON & SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOASTED WHEAT B. BREAD

$ 7.00

ENGLISH MUFFIN TOPPED WITH TOMATO,

LETTUCE & FILLET STEAK AND ONION RINGS

$ 13.50

BACON, CHEESE & MUSHROOMS QUICHE WITH GREEN BEAN DRESSING

$ 7.00

GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

$ 7.70

EGG OMELETTE WITH MUSHROOMS, CHEESE & HAM

$ 5.75

DESSERT OF THE DAY

$ 5.95

Best regards

Ing. Andrea Torres

BIG RALPH'S HOSTAL & RESTAURANTAv. San Lorenzo y Av. Carlos Espinoza Larrea,
(Diagonal a Pizza Express)  Salinas - Santa Elena, Ecuador
(00593) 42930910 / 0996188111
Horario de atención: Mie - Sab 18H00 - 21H30
http://www.bigralphhostal.com/

Rampant

Rampant

Rampant. This is the word used to describe the increase in Ecuador of this modern world disease.

Obesity  

Over the last ten years, the exposure of Ecuador and other advancing countries has brought with it some of the pitfalls:the proliferation of the fast food or the takeaway.

As these countries move away from the traditional industries and take up more of the ways of the modern world, such as that of the USA, there has been an increase in the incidence of obesity.

The increased intake of sugar, fats, carbonated drinks, and sodium, have with the change in lifestyle produced a cocktail of the modern life drawbacks that have outpaced the country's ability to address.

Hence, the speech last week by the President of Ecuador to  implement a tax on the fast food industry.

Obesity and diabetes are crippling enough, but when a recorded increase in both over the last ten years of 75% has been seen, the time is right to take action.

Changes in lifestyle and work habits have contributed to this dilemma.

But so has the fast food industry, with smart advertising and supersizing of meals, their contribution is measurable.

They are not the only culprit. Here (Ecuador), it is hard to find drinks in the stores that have sugar contents below 25 mg., and foods that have alarmingly high levels of sodium.

Some may say that this is a choice, but you just have to look at the US to see what has been going on there. Processed foods, fast food chains, and big conglomerates target the low income with poor life quality food and drinks.

The same thing has been going on here; but the difference here is the ability to deal with it. Over the last six years, money has been diverted to the health care system, infrastructure, and education.

The food revolution that has taken place was not a consequence foreseen. In the last year, we have seen that labeling of food products has been improved and brought into line with the EU.

Warning labels are now seen on carbonated drinks, public information ads are shown on the TV and heard on radio.

This last week with the speech made by the President, indicating that he will introduce a fat tax on the fast food industry may help, but the damage has been done for this generation.

The pains of a country wanting to move up and improve the social, educational and health of its people are demonstrated by problems such as this, but they can be overcome.