Throwback Thursday: First Hike
October 17, 2013
Ok, jumping on the bandwagon ...
I can't believe it's been 5 years since I first took my daughter hiking. No wonder she's always nagging me to take her back out.
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I can't believe it's been 5 years since I first took my daughter hiking. No wonder she's always nagging me to take her back out.
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Wordless Wednesday: Fall Colors
October 16, 2013
Standing with DNLee
October 13, 2013
I originally saw this on BuzzFeed and followed the link to Isis the Scientist and am adding my amplification. DNLee is amazingly articulate and SciAm should have backed her up or let her post stand rather than pull it.
Here’s DNLee’s voice…
———————————————————————————–wachemshe hao hao kwangu mtapoa
I got this wrap cloth from Tanzania. It’s a khanga. It was the first khanga I purchased while I was in Africa for my nearly 3 month stay for field research last year. Everyone giggled when they saw me wear it and then gave a nod to suggest, “Well, okay”. I later learned that it translates to “Give trouble to others, but not me”. I laughed, thinking how appropriate it was. I was never a trouble-starter as a kid and I’m no fan of drama, but I always took this 21st century ghetto proverb most seriously:
Don’t start none. Won’t be none.For those not familiar with inner city anthropology – it is simply a variation of the Golden Rule. Be nice and respectful to me and I will do the same. Everyone doesn’t live by the Golden Rule it seems. (Click to embiggen.)The Blog editor of Biology-Online dot org asked me if I would like to blog for them. I asked the conditions. He explained. I said no. He then called me out of my name.
My initial reaction was not civil, I can assure you. I’m far from rah-rah, but the inner South Memphis in me was spoiling for a fight after this unprovoked insult. I felt like Hollywood Cole, pulling my A-line T-shirt off over my head, walking wide leg from corner to corner yelling, “Aww hell nawl!” In my gut I felt so passionately:”Ofek, don’t let me catch you on these streets, homie!”This is my official response:It wasn’t just that he called me a whore – he juxtaposed it against myprofessional being: Are you urban scientist or an urban whore?Completely dismissing me as a scientist, a science communicator (whom he sought for my particular expertise), and someone who could offer something meaningful to his brand.What? Now, I’m so immoral and wrong to inquire about compensation? Plus, it was obvious me that I was supposed to be honored by the request..After all, Dr. Important Person does it for free so what’s my problem? Listen, I ain’t him and he ain’t me. Folks have reasons – finances, time, energy, aligned missions, whatever – for doing or not doing things. Seriously, all anger aside…this rationalization of working for free and you’ll get exposure is wrong-headed.This is work. I am a professional. Professionals get paid. End of story. Even if I decide to do it pro bono (because I support your mission or I know you, whatevs) – it is still worth something. I’m simply choosing to waive that fee. But the fact is I told ol’ boy No; and he got all up in his feelings. So, go sit on a soft internet cushion, Ofek, ’cause you are obviously all butt-hurt over my rejection. And take heed of the advice on my khanga.
You don’t want none of this
Thanks to everyone who helped me focus my righteous anger on these less-celebrated equines. I appreciate your support, words of encouragement, and offers to ride down on his *$$.
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30 Minute Banana Bread Muffins
No really. It truly only takes about 30 minutes to throw these together with a potato masher and hand-mixing. That might be why I used to make them every Sunday when my son was much younger. I would make a double batch and we would have breakfast and snack for the week. Very handy for an overworked student/single-mom. Some things never change.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 16 muffins or 1 loaf
Ingredients
Yes, the bananas are frozen, but they come to room temp and mash up very quickly.
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Banana Bread Muffins
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 16 muffins or 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 4-6 medium-large overripe bananas
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 cups unbleached wheat flour
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Heat oven to 350F.
- Grease muffin pan with olive oil or butter.
- Mix the bananas and the liquid ingredients together until the consistency of batter.
- Add honey and mix well.
- Sift together dry ingredients and add to banana mixture.
- Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
- Bake for 25 minutes, let cool for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy!
For a dessert/snack variation you can add chocolate chips
Diabetic Variation: replace honey with 1 cup Splenda
Comfort food version: replace the 1 cup oil (olive or coconut) with butter.
Low-fat version: Replace the oil with applesauce. That version comes out super moist.
Tip: The riper the bananas the less sugar you need to use. i've gotten away with using as little as 1/4-1/2 cup.
One of the best versions for my family was combining a few variations. I used Splenda and applesauce for my brother who was living with me at the time, I didn't have chocolate chips so I marbled it with dutch chocolate. That one as a loaf was simply beautiful and was devoured the same day.
Yes, the bananas are frozen, but they come to room temp and mash up very quickly.
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