Again, Roberto was able to see some video clips and was impressed with both teams but was angered at the arbitrariness of the Phil Dowd. While Phil Dowd has the difficult job of maintaining order within the game, he has gone too far and was unfair in his decision to Carvalho, Cole, and Chelsea. Phil Dowd was also unfair with Aston Vila and Knight.

While Carvalho deserves praise for apologizing to Agbonlahor and is not appealing, Dowd owes Chelsea and Cox an apology. Dowd also owes Aston Vila and Knight an apology.

Dowd owes an apology for his poor rulings. Cole did not intentionally head the ball off the line, he was playing the field. There is no evidence of Cole having used his hands on the goal line. There have been games in which the players received a yellow card for the same “offence” committed by Cole. It occurred in the Sept 2007 game between Miami FC and Charleston [which I saw personally].

Knight receiving a red card for his “offence” against Ballack did not deserve it. The least he could have received was a yellow card. The so called fouling of Ballack by Knight earned a yellow card in the same game seen by Roberto on Sept 2007.

The problem is that referees have too much power and the majority have yet to read some of the cardinal rules of football. What Dowd has done is proof that that there is a need for a training course with a licencing examination for referees. If Coaches have to take a UEFA Pro Licence, why cannot there be a UEFA Licence for Referees?

Botanical: Vanilla planifolia

Habitat:

Vanilla is a flavoring substance originally extracted from genus Vanilla orchids in Mexico.

Description:

Vanilla is a vine which can reach up to 25 meters or more in height.

Each Vanilla flower produces one fruit which contains flavoring compounds.

Part Used Medicinally:

Fruit

Constituents:

Ferulic acid is another phenolic aromatic chemical found in vanilla. Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), vanillic and protocatechuic acids are catabolic products of ferulic acid degradation.

Vanillin is the compound primarily responsible for the flavor and smell of vanilla.

Vanillin is commonly used to flavor sweet foods like ice cream and chocolate.

Medicinal Uses:

In traditional medical literature, vanilla is described as an excitant, aphrodisiac and a remedy for fever.

Vanilla is used to treat hysteria and tooth decay.

The essential oils of vanilla and vanillin are sometimes used in aromatherapy.

Vanillin has antioxidant and anti-tumor effects.

Vanillin reportedly suppresses in vitro invasion and in vivo metastasis of mouse breast cancer cells.

It also blocks the bacterial virulence factor, responsible for infection.

Its antioxidant content can help fight several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as well as septic shock and inflammation.

Caution:

Vanilla increases catecholamines (including epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline) levels, and is therefore mildly addictive.

Vanillin is metabolized in the liver's phase II detoxification system and as a result individuals with Gilbert's Syndrome may experience severe reactions when ingesting vanillin.

Vanilla is an allergen for many people thus it is usually used as an extract.

Due to its high calcium oxalate content, working in close contact with Vanilla trees can cause vanilism which is characterized by allergy, dermatologic disorders, headaches and vomiting.