Bio Blog #10

Blog #10 Post a recipe for something made with fermentation.
Explain how fermentation helps make the food.


Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe:
Time Frame: 1 to 4 weeks
Necessary Equipment: Ceramic crock that holds one gallon or more, plate able to fit inside it,one gallon jug of water, cloth cover.
ingredients: 5 pounds of cabbage, 3 tablespoons of sea salt.


Process:
1) Chop or grate cabbage and place pieces in large bowl.
2) Sprinkle salt on the cabbage as you go, to pull the water out of the cabbage.
3) (optional) Add other vegetables, fruit, herbs or spices.
4) Mix the ingredients together and pack it into the crock bit by bit. Tamp it down to pack the kraut tight in the crock and helps force the water out of the cabbage.
5) Cover the kraut with a plate or lid and place a clean weight over it (the jug of water) and cover the entire thing with a cloth.
6) Press down on the weight periodically (every few hours) until the brine rises above the cover.
7) Leave the crock to ferment in a cool place.
8) Check it every day or two, test it when you think its ready to eat!


How does fermentation help the food?
Fermentation breaks down the foods to make it easier to digest and the nutrients easier to assimilate. Fermentation also retains the nutrients that are usually destroyed through food processing and heat. After fermentation, the nutritional value of the food goes up. The fermentation process also helps preserve the food, and is generally an important part of the process.


Info from: http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/Fermentation.html
and http://www.wildfermentation.com/resources.php?page=sauerkraut

Bio Blog #9

How far should the government go in isolating people with an infectious diseases? Should the army be involved?

I believe that the government should isolate people with highly infectious diseases, but not go as far as killing them all like in the movie "Outbreak" based on the book "The Hot Zone." The government should be prepared and careful in making sure that no other citizens catch the disease, especially f it is a dangerous one. They should take steps and do everything neatly and specifically to avoid danger. I think the army should only be involved if it is a case of extreme lethality to provide their service and more help to the government. They should work hard to find a cure and not be lazy and careless in helping to cure the disease and prevent it from spreading.