My Italian Mother learned to make "mac & cheese" in home-eco. She liked it so much she decided to make it for her immigrant Mother. Turns out my Sainted Grandmother could barely conceal her horror, afterwards she redoubled her efforts to train her daughter on what constitutes proper food for a young woman from Liguria.
I make the weirdest mac and cheese; it’s some recipe from my Mom, I have no idea where she got it and it sounds a bit 70s jello mold but it’s quite tasty; it involves wine and onions and green olives and curry but it works, oddly enough.
So, there is a Peruvian potato and cheese dish--the cheese sauce has onions, garlic and aji peppers...delicious. Anyway, the relevant point here is that when they make their cheese sauce, they add the cheese to milk in a blender and then puree into a paste. Then you fold your cheese into your sautéed stuff or your béchamel or whatever and everything melts together. This also works for Mac & Cheese. I've tried it--both with and without the pepper.
Totally OT but just read a great substack and one response that sounds very interesting. Here is the post and the response.
Alicia Norman
1d
Alicia’s Substack
If you think there are only two sexes you are wrong.
Rebecca Helm, a biologist and an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville US writes:
“Friendly neighborhood biologist here. I see a lot of people are talking about biological sexes and gender right now. Lots of folks make biological sex sex seem really simple. Well, since it’s so simple, let’s find the biological roots, shall we? Let’s talk about sex...
If you know a bit about biology you will probably say that biological sex is caused by chromosomes, XX and you’re female, XY and you’re male. This is “chromosomal sex” but is it “biological sex”? Well...
Turns out there is only ONE GENE on the Y chromosome that really matters to sex. It’s called the SRY gene. During human embryonic development, the SRY protein turns on male-associated genes. Having an SRY gene makes you “genetically male”. But is this “biological sex”?
Sometimes that SRY gene pops off the Y chromosome and over to an X chromosome. Surprise! So now you’ve got an X with an SRY and a Y without an SRY. What does this mean?
A Y with no SRY means physically you’re female, chromosomally you’re male (XY) and genetically you’re female (no SRY). An X with an SRY means you’re physically male, chromosomally female (XX), and genetically male (SRY). But biological sex is simple! There must be another answer...
Sex-related genes ultimately turn on hormones in specific areas of the body, and the reception of those hormones by cells throughout the body. Is this the root of “biological sex”??
“Hormonal male” means you produce ‘normal’ levels of male-associated hormones. Except some percentage of females will have higher levels of ‘male’ hormones than some percentage of males. Ditto ditto ‘female’ hormones. And...
...if you’re developing, your body may not produce enough hormones for your genetic sex. Leading you to be genetically male or female, chromosomally male or female, hormonally non-binary, and physically non-binary. Well, except cells have something to say about this...
Maybe cells are the answer to “biological sex”?? Right?? Cells have receptors that “hear” the signal from sex hormones. But sometimes those receptors don’t work. Like a mobile phone that’s on “do not disturb’. Call and cell, they will not answer.
What does this all mean?
It means you may be genetically male or female, chromosomally male or female, hormonally male/female/non-binary, with cells that may or may not hear the male/female/non-binary call, and all this leading to a body that can be male/non-binary/female.
Try out some combinations for yourself. Notice how confusing it gets? Can you point to what the absolute cause of biological sex is? Is it fair to judge people by it?
Of course, you could try appealing to the numbers. “Most people are either male or female,” you say. Except that as a biologist professor, I will tell you...
The reason I don’t have my students look at their own chromosomes in class is that people could learn that their chromosomal sex doesn’t match their physical sex, and learning that in the middle of a 10-point assignment is JUST NOT THE TIME.
Biological sex is complicated. Before you discriminate against someone on the basis of “biological sex” & identity, ask yourself: have you seen YOUR chromosomes? Do you know the genes of the people you love? The hormones of the people you work with? The state of their cells?
Since the answer will obviously be no, please be kind, respect people’s right to tell you who they are, and remember that you don’t have all the answers. Again: biology is complicated. Kindness and respect don’t have to be.'
Note: Biological classifications exist. XX, XY, XXY XXYY, and all manner of variation which is why sex isn't classified as binary. You can't have a binary classification system with more than two configurations even if two of those configurations are more common than others.
Biology is a shitshow. Be kind to people.”
EuphmanKB
21h
Alicia, your discussion about gender identity selection being driven by the randomness of genetic transcription is much appreciated.
Genetic driven gender identity selection leads to a similar hypothesis that MAGA self selection tendencies may also be genetically driven. This genetically driven MAGA self selection hypothesis comes from observing what appears to be a high frequency of generational and familial MAGA connections exhibiting a spectrum of MAGA belief intensities and suboptimal critical thinking skills that are concentrated in a narrow geographic band across the United States.
This geographical isolation is coupled to a biblically inspired population specific fecundity that may be sufficient to ensure its genetic survival for many successive generations.
Could such a genetically driven self selection process within a genetically, geographically and religiously constrained population set with limited critical thinking skills and smaller cranial volumes eventually result in an entirely new homo sapien subspecies?
This new subspecies, call them MAGAtainians or MAGAtites, would represent a form of retrograde evolution that will eventually join other dead end homo sapien subspecies like the Neanderthals and Denosovians.
The ramifications are mind boggling.
Cynthia Kirby
20h
Just too cool, another solid explanation that is most likely correct and will happen, or is happening!
Oh man, don't get me started on species, there are several ways to define a species, all definitions are mutually exclusive, and they're all wrong. Talk about biology being a shitshow!
Good thing there are no religious fucknuts among sturgeon: With eight copies of the genome (humans get by with two), the permutations are dizzying. Scientists have to check out 41 genetic markers just to tell the mostly males from the mostly females.
Then there are the fish that change gender depending on environmental conditions. (Noah really lucked out: he didn't have to worry about packing up fish species!)
If you’re feeling frisky and want that cheese stretch you can do what I do which is finely diced fresh mozzarella added to the cheese. Don’t take away any cheese to accommodate it. Add it. Because there is no such thing as too much cheese.
This sounds amazing and I'm going to make it. I know, I just sent my husband to the grocery store a couple hours ago for stuff but now he's just gonna have to make another trip for some brie and bleu cheese.
From Wikipedia: "'Bésame Mucho' (Spanish: [ˈbesame ˈmutʃo]; "Kiss Me A Lot") is a bolero song written in 1932 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez. It is one of the most popular songs of the 20th century and one of the most important songs in the history of Latin music. It was recognized in 1999 as the most recorded and covered song in Spanish of all time."
Sorry! Count That Day As Lost That You Do Not Learn Something New. It’s something my Da drummed into me… but I guess the acronym isn’t in the Urban Dictionary yet. 😊
"Bird flu has been detected in a batch of raw milk sold in California stores..."
"The virus was found during the testing of a batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC. The company has issued a voluntary recall of the batch, which has a "best by date" of Nov. 27, at the state’s request. "
First, by the time a raw milk product is tested to the point of a recall notice practically puts the recall at the expiration date.
Second, the virus was found by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory. Does you county or even state have the resources to do this level of testing?
Third, I encourage Mr. Kennedy to continue consuming raw milk products.
This is one of aspects of our current timeline that allows me to hold on to the hope that all the MAGAts succumb to a raw-milk induced infection overnight. Short of that, we have to re-introduce smallpox and really test the courage of their anti-vax convictions.
Totally making some of that shit. WTF does my heart or arteries care? Gotta live a little!
What size is the box of pasta?
Mac and cheese has no business on any Thanksgiving table!
The heck you say! M & C belongs everywhere and anywhere.
Personally, I am pro-choice. Usually I choose chocolate.
My Italian Mother learned to make "mac & cheese" in home-eco. She liked it so much she decided to make it for her immigrant Mother. Turns out my Sainted Grandmother could barely conceal her horror, afterwards she redoubled her efforts to train her daughter on what constitutes proper food for a young woman from Liguria.
I've made this, and it's really good. (Cabot cheddar ftw!)
I like it spiced up, with a tbsp or three of smoked paprika.
Oooo! I have some smoked pepper!
After reading the recipe we hugged too!
This sound wonderful, and can also add, if you like it, some feta cheese and a little bit, maybe just a quarter teaspoon, of dry mustard powder.
Mac and cheese without some form of mustard, preferably dry, is just... not the same.
In Iowa today, I saw Melania buying beer at the grocery store.
She was wearing her "I don't care" coat.
I assumed it was her, or someone that *really* wants attention.
I make the weirdest mac and cheese; it’s some recipe from my Mom, I have no idea where she got it and it sounds a bit 70s jello mold but it’s quite tasty; it involves wine and onions and green olives and curry but it works, oddly enough.
So, there is a Peruvian potato and cheese dish--the cheese sauce has onions, garlic and aji peppers...delicious. Anyway, the relevant point here is that when they make their cheese sauce, they add the cheese to milk in a blender and then puree into a paste. Then you fold your cheese into your sautéed stuff or your béchamel or whatever and everything melts together. This also works for Mac & Cheese. I've tried it--both with and without the pepper.
The Incas invented the blender. Very few people know this.
True, but I believe they used it on people.
If your dad's a civil engineer:
https://www.threads.net/@seth_rybo_143/post/DC4Mfeov9Fs
Some kids have all the luck!
Totally OT but just read a great substack and one response that sounds very interesting. Here is the post and the response.
Alicia Norman
1d
Alicia’s Substack
If you think there are only two sexes you are wrong.
Rebecca Helm, a biologist and an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville US writes:
“Friendly neighborhood biologist here. I see a lot of people are talking about biological sexes and gender right now. Lots of folks make biological sex sex seem really simple. Well, since it’s so simple, let’s find the biological roots, shall we? Let’s talk about sex...
If you know a bit about biology you will probably say that biological sex is caused by chromosomes, XX and you’re female, XY and you’re male. This is “chromosomal sex” but is it “biological sex”? Well...
Turns out there is only ONE GENE on the Y chromosome that really matters to sex. It’s called the SRY gene. During human embryonic development, the SRY protein turns on male-associated genes. Having an SRY gene makes you “genetically male”. But is this “biological sex”?
Sometimes that SRY gene pops off the Y chromosome and over to an X chromosome. Surprise! So now you’ve got an X with an SRY and a Y without an SRY. What does this mean?
A Y with no SRY means physically you’re female, chromosomally you’re male (XY) and genetically you’re female (no SRY). An X with an SRY means you’re physically male, chromosomally female (XX), and genetically male (SRY). But biological sex is simple! There must be another answer...
Sex-related genes ultimately turn on hormones in specific areas of the body, and the reception of those hormones by cells throughout the body. Is this the root of “biological sex”??
“Hormonal male” means you produce ‘normal’ levels of male-associated hormones. Except some percentage of females will have higher levels of ‘male’ hormones than some percentage of males. Ditto ditto ‘female’ hormones. And...
...if you’re developing, your body may not produce enough hormones for your genetic sex. Leading you to be genetically male or female, chromosomally male or female, hormonally non-binary, and physically non-binary. Well, except cells have something to say about this...
Maybe cells are the answer to “biological sex”?? Right?? Cells have receptors that “hear” the signal from sex hormones. But sometimes those receptors don’t work. Like a mobile phone that’s on “do not disturb’. Call and cell, they will not answer.
What does this all mean?
It means you may be genetically male or female, chromosomally male or female, hormonally male/female/non-binary, with cells that may or may not hear the male/female/non-binary call, and all this leading to a body that can be male/non-binary/female.
Try out some combinations for yourself. Notice how confusing it gets? Can you point to what the absolute cause of biological sex is? Is it fair to judge people by it?
Of course, you could try appealing to the numbers. “Most people are either male or female,” you say. Except that as a biologist professor, I will tell you...
The reason I don’t have my students look at their own chromosomes in class is that people could learn that their chromosomal sex doesn’t match their physical sex, and learning that in the middle of a 10-point assignment is JUST NOT THE TIME.
Biological sex is complicated. Before you discriminate against someone on the basis of “biological sex” & identity, ask yourself: have you seen YOUR chromosomes? Do you know the genes of the people you love? The hormones of the people you work with? The state of their cells?
Since the answer will obviously be no, please be kind, respect people’s right to tell you who they are, and remember that you don’t have all the answers. Again: biology is complicated. Kindness and respect don’t have to be.'
Note: Biological classifications exist. XX, XY, XXY XXYY, and all manner of variation which is why sex isn't classified as binary. You can't have a binary classification system with more than two configurations even if two of those configurations are more common than others.
Biology is a shitshow. Be kind to people.”
EuphmanKB
21h
Alicia, your discussion about gender identity selection being driven by the randomness of genetic transcription is much appreciated.
Genetic driven gender identity selection leads to a similar hypothesis that MAGA self selection tendencies may also be genetically driven. This genetically driven MAGA self selection hypothesis comes from observing what appears to be a high frequency of generational and familial MAGA connections exhibiting a spectrum of MAGA belief intensities and suboptimal critical thinking skills that are concentrated in a narrow geographic band across the United States.
This geographical isolation is coupled to a biblically inspired population specific fecundity that may be sufficient to ensure its genetic survival for many successive generations.
Could such a genetically driven self selection process within a genetically, geographically and religiously constrained population set with limited critical thinking skills and smaller cranial volumes eventually result in an entirely new homo sapien subspecies?
This new subspecies, call them MAGAtainians or MAGAtites, would represent a form of retrograde evolution that will eventually join other dead end homo sapien subspecies like the Neanderthals and Denosovians.
The ramifications are mind boggling.
Cynthia Kirby
20h
Just too cool, another solid explanation that is most likely correct and will happen, or is happening!
Oh man, don't get me started on species, there are several ways to define a species, all definitions are mutually exclusive, and they're all wrong. Talk about biology being a shitshow!
You see.... Hang on, someone did this talk better, let me find the link. https://youtu.be/XFvUlxj1axU?si=SgMswAkM-Ky6RMMF
Good thing there are no religious fucknuts among sturgeon: With eight copies of the genome (humans get by with two), the permutations are dizzying. Scientists have to check out 41 genetic markers just to tell the mostly males from the mostly females.
Then there are the fish that change gender depending on environmental conditions. (Noah really lucked out: he didn't have to worry about packing up fish species!)
and none of this is taught in schools.
If you’re feeling frisky and want that cheese stretch you can do what I do which is finely diced fresh mozzarella added to the cheese. Don’t take away any cheese to accommodate it. Add it. Because there is no such thing as too much cheese.
Absolutely!
This sounds amazing and I'm going to make it. I know, I just sent my husband to the grocery store a couple hours ago for stuff but now he's just gonna have to make another trip for some brie and bleu cheese.
Béchamel, béchamel mucho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNCxzbW9mtY
From Wikipedia: "'Bésame Mucho' (Spanish: [ˈbesame ˈmutʃo]; "Kiss Me A Lot") is a bolero song written in 1932 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez. It is one of the most popular songs of the 20th century and one of the most important songs in the history of Latin music. It was recognized in 1999 as the most recorded and covered song in Spanish of all time."
CTDALTYDNLSN! 🙏
Huh?
Sorry! Count That Day As Lost That You Do Not Learn Something New. It’s something my Da drummed into me… but I guess the acronym isn’t in the Urban Dictionary yet. 😊
"Bird flu has been detected in a batch of raw milk sold in California stores..."
"The virus was found during the testing of a batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC. The company has issued a voluntary recall of the batch, which has a "best by date" of Nov. 27, at the state’s request. "
First, by the time a raw milk product is tested to the point of a recall notice practically puts the recall at the expiration date.
Second, the virus was found by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory. Does you county or even state have the resources to do this level of testing?
Third, I encourage Mr. Kennedy to continue consuming raw milk products.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bird-flu-detected-raw-milk-sold-california-health-officials-say-rcna181598
I second!
This is one of aspects of our current timeline that allows me to hold on to the hope that all the MAGAts succumb to a raw-milk induced infection overnight. Short of that, we have to re-introduce smallpox and really test the courage of their anti-vax convictions.
The Japanese eat raw fish almost daily; why can't Americans drink raw milk?
--RFKjr
I hear raw meat products are also healthier than that flavorless cooked stuff. He should enjoy a nice raw pork chop or six with his raw milk.
Or try chicken sushi!
Raw dog?
DO NOT Google that at work.