today's learning

well, i've been studying some more - and so i have a few fun facts for you all (ahah, say that 10 times fast!)

1. if you hear: "nitrile levels increased following glucosinolate consumption" that means: "we gave them a toxic dinner, and then measured the amount of poison in their bodies
2. ok, so i'm taking a food additives and toxicants class. at one point we were learning about isothiocyanates, a compound which can become the poison cyanide in the body. the prof gave us a list of reasons why it is bad for us, and then has at the bottom of that list, a bullet stating that the effects of this compound on humans is not known, as no one's really looked into studying it. so now, here's my question for you - if we're talking about food toxicants, wouldn't it be normal to expect that we'd want to know what the compound does to a human? just a thought. maybe we don't... i dunno..
3. oh, and for all you lab rats out there - remember, do not, i repeat DO NOT autoclave your food. i realize that you want to get rid of tannins just as much as i do - but autoclaves are not the right means to that end.
4. oh, and if you want to peel a potato, it's never been easier - a simple alkali steamer will go pop, and there goes the peel claen and easy. no more hand cramps from peeling during those wonderful family-dinner holidays all women hate...

and now, a piece of advice for those of you who like to text. most cell phones (or mobiles for those of us not in north america) are now equipped with a silent function, in which you can push buttons all you want without making touch-tone phone sounds.

and that's all for now...