Something Scientific

Ever wonder how something works, biologically or chemically? Leave a comment with your question about biology, chemistry.

For now, enjoy a quick lesson on hormones: the fundamentals.

1) Your hormones are part of the Endocrine System.
2) Hormomes come from glands, which are part of the Endocrine System.
3) Hormones are tiny molecules, sort of like aspirin or vitamins, that travel through your body to interact with other glands or organs.
4) Each gland has a specific purpose, they produce a few hormones that control parts of the body.
     NOTE: follow this link, Endocrine System, for a great,
     brief description of each gland, organ and hormone, with
     pictures. 
5) Hormones control  or participate in almost every aspect of life.  They make us feel hungry, sad, euphoric, dehydrated, everything.  (They don't make us feel pain, that is controlled by the Nervous System, a system that parallels the Endocrine System in function by providing the electricity to stimulate the production, release and use of the molecules in the body.) 

Some details-
Endocrinologists learn about Endocrinology from diagrams like that to the left.  There are infinitely many more details about the Endocrine System than those represented in this diagram.  This is a simplified look at a woman's monthly reproductive cycle, all of which is controlled by hormones.

Problems with your hormones can lead to many diseases, from diabetes to reproductive problems, as described here, here and here.

Key:
-LH=Leutenizing Hormone
-FHS=Folicle Stimulating Hormone
-GnRH=Gonatropin Releasing Hormone  

Remarkable Read

I am reading John Irving's The World According to Garp.  It is a 20th anniversary edition, and yet it is old, yellowed and has that bubble writing popular in the 70's.  There are pages of rapturous praise, all lauding John Irving and the brilliance of Garp.  I have made it to page 272, a little less than half way through and I'm not sure this is a book I want to finish.  What am I missing?  I have a lot of time to read lately and will probably find out how this thing ends.  But, I hope something good happens.  And by good, I mean sorrowful or soaring, let it be insightful.  This is the kind of book that will soon be made into an Oscar nominated drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio.  No wait, he's too old...Shia Labeouf  It is mellowdramatic yet somehow dull.  It is slightly tragic, and perhaps liberating, but in a way that makes you feel oily.  Why are so many books about louts who only think about sex?  I'm not all that interested in what T.S. Garp has to say, but I suppose I will stick around to find out. 

While perusing Wikipedia, I find that Robin Williams starred in a film adaptation in the 80's, which means it is definetely due for a remake.  But then I find, that the reason I am not loving the book is exactly why people like it.  "The story is decidedly rich with (in the words of the fictional Garp's teacher) "lunacy and sorrow", and the sometimes ridiculous chains of events the characters experience still resonate with painful truth."  I couldn't have said it better, and in fact I didn't say it better.  It's the "ridiculous chains of events" that I am not buying.  If it is supposed to be ridiculous, then it isn't quite ridiculous enough.  "Lunacy and sorrow".  The reviews might be better than the book.

Lab Time

I've mentioned I am a scientist.  As such, I work in a lab, I wear a lab coat and gloves all day, everyday.  Therefore, I don't have much use for fashion.  But, I love fashion...so I look at it, and admire it, but I rarely buy fashion.  At work, I must wear closed-toe shoes.  Pants and ponytails, or other up-do, are preferred.  One must don safety glasses and respirators from time to time, and you are almost certain to get some sort of corrosive on your shirt or shoes, eventually.  So, what's a girl to wear?  Geek Chic 2.0.  Computer Geeks and Gamers have defined Geek Chic for years.  But, I am noticing a subtle shift from Computers and Gamers, to biologists and chemists.  (Follow the link to see some great pieces found on Etsy).  Perhaps the life sciences aren't replacing the Silicon sciences as a definition of Geek Chic, but rather there is room in the ethos for both types; niches within a niche industry.

Fun Stuff

One of my favorite sites is Etsy.  It features mostly home-made things that people can sell directly, so the prices are great.  I have never posted on Etsy, but I assume they manage the types of photos that people post, because they are all staged beautifully.  I don't know how they keep the site so nice, but it still a pure experience (unlike Ebay).  Today, they have an idea for a do-it-yourself Halloween project; shadow puppets.  You could use them to put on a puppet show.  But, wouldn't it be fun to make them big and then put them in your window behind the blinds and backlight them on Halloween.  I think it would make a great effect, and all you need is black construction paper, or wrapping paper. 

Project Runway

This season of Project Runway has been full of great challenges: the red carpet look, pregnancy chic, eye catching look for an industry party, and on and on.  Nothing like the Saturn car parts challenge of last season.  So, why are the designers playing it so safe.  Every other season, the designers have been champing at the bit for a chance to express themselves in a full-on gown.  Now, they have been given the opportunity several times, and I haven't seen anything too exciting.

On Thrusday, the contestants were honored to design for Christina Aguilera in the tradition of Bob Mackie. 

First, lets look at Bob Mackie's style.

pic from http://tinyzippers.com/mackiebarbies.html

Next, lets look at Ms. Aguilera's style.

Pic from http://connect.in.com/christina-aguilera/photos-56119-6991165.html

I cut off her head, because I wanted to show those great shoes.  After a quick Google image search for Ms. Aguilera, I conclude that she has rather simple tastes.  Most photos show her in very revealing outfits, but they are largely solid colors, neutrals, small patterns, and a lot of skin.  Skin seems to be her signature.  So, given this challenge of marrying the King of Sequins, with the fleshy simple style of the star, what did the Project Runway designers come up with?

 4 of the 8 remaining designers gave us floor sweeping yardage.  And I mean yardage...

This pic is of model Ebony in Shirin's losing design.  All in all, the designs were disappointing.  Not one designer gave us headwear...which is a big part of Bob Mackie's aesthetic. Nicolas, Irina and Logan at least gave us some leg, of which we know Ms. Aguilera is a big fan.  I think Nicolas should have won.  He isn't my favorite designer, but I think he most closely met the challenge.  His dress was appropriate, well made and stylish.  It embodied three important qualities: it harkened to Bob Mackie's aesthetic, while still representing Nicolas's style, and it would flatter the wearer: one petite mega voice with a shimmy that should be seen for miles. 

So, designers, listen up.  Be brave.

Weekly Menu

On the weekends, I try to put together a menu for the week.  It doesn't always work out, but it helps to have an idea of what I am making.  Here is what I made last week:

Monday: Chicken breast tenders baked like so...spray a casserole with olive oil, douse chicken in Italian Salad Dressing and lay it out on the bottom of the casserole, top with rinsed garbanzo beans, artichoke hearts, and diced tomatoes.  Top with dabs of Feta cheese all over.  Pour more Italian Salad Dressing over.  Bake about 20 minutes at 350, until chicken is cooked through.--I didn't serve this with any sides, because it was one of those days, but I could have served it with Orzo and wilted spinach.

Tuesday: Chicken Kiev with Bacon and Asparagus!!!  Follow the link to the recipe courtesy of Food Network.  Dear Husband prepared this dish.  I made mashed potatoes, to which I added Kraft Spinach and Artichoke Cream Cheese and 1/2 & 1/2 (YUM).  Nutritionally, this is not how we normally cook...But, there is a vegetable present.  DH prepared this meal exactly according to the recipe using our cast iron skillet, and it could not have been better.  Perfection!

Wednesday: Cajun Stroganoff...an on the fly creation.  I marinaded about 2 pounds of London Broil using Emeril's marinade, then braised it until tender in the marinade plus 1 can of diced tomatoes.  Cook penne pasta, or any shape, according to package directions and transfer to a large bowl.  Whisk about 1 cup of plain fat-free yogurt with about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.  Add to the pasta.  Add steamed green beans, and diced pot roast and toss to combine completely.  This dish comes out spicy, creamy and delightful.

Thrusday: Version of Shepard's Pie.  Chop 3 stalks celery, 2 carrots, and 1 potato into large chunks.  Boil the vegetables for about 5 minutes to soften.  Drain veggies.  Meanwhile, saute about 1/2 of a large onion in a dutch oven.  Add 2 T flour and cook for approximately 2 minutes, add 1 1/4 cup water and 1 packet of Au Jus Gravy Mix, add veggies, 1 can of peas that you rinsed, and the diced pot roast.  Stir thoroughly.  Crack open a tube of biscuits and place each biscuit on top of the meat and vegetable mix to form a top crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until biscuits are done.

Friday: Skillet Casserole with Rice, Sausage and Mushrooms.  Saute about 3oz of Turkey Italian Sausage until browned.  Add diced onions and saute until the onions are translucent.  Add about 4 cups of chopped mushrooms, stir and saute until mushrooms are tender.  Add 1 cup of short grain brown rice, stir and saute for 2 more minutes to toast rice.  Add 2 cups of liquid (I used 1/2 cup white wine + 1 1/2 cup water), broth, worchestershire, etc.  Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer until rice is tender, about 30 minutes.  Add 1/2 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and stir to combine.  Optional additions can include fresh sage, parsley, parmesian, pepper to taste, bell peppers, or spinach. 

Enjoy!

Remarkable Read

100 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU ARE UPSET, by Galadarling.com.  I googled "stuff to read if you're sad" and it was my first result.  Yea Google, just what I was looking for.  Just like it sounds, it is a list of 100 small things that will make you feel better.  Out of the 100, probably 50 include buying something...which I try not to do when blue.  The one purchase that I say is OK, especially if you coincide it with an interview, or a date, or something where you should look fab.  wander around the drug store and buy a small beauty enhancer; a $1 facial mask, or a happy color of Wet 'n' Wild nail polish.

Coincidentally, Gala picks some of my most favorite activities, such as:
"Find a secret place with a great view. Like a tree, or a rooftop, or a hill."

"Indulge in your “guilty pleasures”, whatever they are. (Old episodes of America’s Next Top Model, ginger ale, chocolate cake, romantic comedies, etc.)"--for me, it's Real Housewives of OC and Millionaire Matchmaker.
She makes me think of some things I haven't done, but will try:

"Write the birthdays of your personal heroes in your planner & work out a way to honour them on that day."
"Look through old photos. With a friend if possible. If it’s an old friend, you can reminisce (“Oh my god, do you remember when we did that?!”), & if it’s a new friend, you can tell grand stories (“Well, let me tell you about this guy…”)."

Some of my favorites that didn't make the list: sitting on the coast scanning the horizon for dolphin.  Although, I haven't seen a dolphin all year.  Wonder why?  I often walk my dog along the coast.  That would be another one of my favorite sadness busters.  Others?  Playing fetch with my dog, reading a magazine, reading anything really, picking a bouquet while walking through my neighborhood, hiking to the top of a mountain, wearing my favorite crazy heels), or cooking a whole meal.
(The awesome photo it courtesy of Harper's Bazaar, featuring Tim Burton, via CocoPerez.com)