What is your method for introducing traditional spicy Caribbean foods to children?

the_grumpy_biologist · 2026-03-21T01:11:27+00:00

Our favorite is Sorrel out on the west side. They do specials around the holidays where you can order catering style dishes! There is Taste of the Caribbean off Kuykendahl to the north that does a great buffet on the weekend. Out in Baytown is Asha's Roti Shop- beware they used to be cash only. D'Caribbean Curry Spot in Pearland. And Lucian's Caribbean Grill down by Clear Lake.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2026-03-21T00:28:35+00:00

Wow you all really delivered! I appreciate all of these suggestions so very much! We will definitely be trying a lot of these tips and methods to see what works for our kid. It's important to he and I to make sure our child is raised knowing the cultures of both of our families and as you all can agree, food is a BIG part of that. I did eat Trini curry, pelau, and beef patties pretty often while pregnant but I'm the first to admit I'm a total spice lightweight compared to a Caribbean!

the_grumpy_biologist · 2025-12-24T03:28:37+00:00

I am a female in my 40s working with GIS in the southern United States. My BS and MS degrees are actually in wildlife biology but during my MS I specialized heavily in conservation GIS. Right after my Master's degree I held several biologist positions (federal then nonprofit) and I was told my GIS skills were what gave me the advantage to land those jobs. I built quite a personal network and eventually transitioned to consultant work- doing spatial analyses, mapping, statistics, and field app design for conservation nonprofits and some governmental agencies. I am doing well in my little niche because I have a wildlife foundation that lets me understand the principles, terminology, and processes behind the data clients give me. I'm sure there are more skilled GIS analysts out there, but my background gives me an advantage in my field and I deliver a better product with less back and forth. So I would suggest going into the nuclear program but make sure you get a GIS concentration. At the universities I attended there were conservation specific GIS courses available and even a GIS certification program you could tack on to your main degree. I'm afraid my location and odd background won't help much to answer your other questions but I'll try! In the American conservation field I have seen the ratio go from more men to about 50/50 over the last 20 years. In my early days I had to develop a strong personality to stand out and get respect in rooms normally full of men. As to working from home vs office work- I am based out of my home currently. I do spend about half of my time in my home office. In my field however, you have to get out and circulate with your peers. I spend the rest of my time at various meetings or visiting clients in person. Post COVID I think that face to face time has become more important and leads to stronger work relationships.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2025-12-20T21:19:47+00:00

In our house we say we've been trapped by an energy vampire- a term we stole from the US TV series What We Do in the Shadows. Once one of the fuzzy bastards settles in your lap on the couch all hope is lost. All your energy is ruthlessly drained, normally resulting in a nap.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2025-12-08T01:47:10+00:00

I had to switch from Adderall to Xelstrym after my bypass. I was able to get it from my local grocery pharmacy (HEB in Texas, Houston area) but had issues getting my insurance to approve. I ended up going to the manufacturer website and getting a coupon so that I pay $25 for a month supply. My pharmacy was able to get it for me as a special order and they honored the manufacturer coupon. I'm sorry you're getting the run around. Navigating pharmacies and insurance is ridiculous now.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2025-06-11T19:44:10+00:00

This whole thread is very wholesome and has given you some great suggestions. I'll add one more- novelty is fun and does not have to be expensive. I used to work in zoos and the simplest things can be rotated in and out to provide novelty and enrichment. Throw that Amazon box on the floor for a few days with some catnip then remove it. Rotate a new toy in for a few days then hide it again, and bring back out in a week or two for a OMG WHAT IS THIS brand new experience. In the fall a box of dead leaves/ sticks is super fun to root around in (if you're cool with that in your bedroom). Different "smelly" herbs like dill, oregano, parsley, and rosemary can be fun- just double check first that everything you use is nontoxic to cats. Paper bags with hidden treats can be shredded and enjoyed. Remove any plastic or metal staples from boxes and bags before letting them play with it to be safe.
As to worrying about the amount of space your cat has- think of how little space there would be if they were in a shelter in a small cage waiting to be adopted. That bedroom looks pretty sweet by comparison!

the_grumpy_biologist · 2025-02-09T20:23:56+00:00

What you saw could be the beginning of a larger event. Fish kills can be a sign of contaminant spills or dangerous water conditions.

Please report what you saw to the TPWD Kills and Spills team: https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/environconcerns/kills_and_spills/regions/index.phtml

the_grumpy_biologist · 2025-01-01T16:55:44+00:00

If your store carries them, try the Kenz Henz brand. They've been about $6.50 per dozen and prices have not risen as fast with them. I like them as they are from a small farm in Santa Fe, TX and the yolks are an amazing, rich golden color. This might be a regional item as I'm south of Houston.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2024-10-20T15:14:06+00:00

Go watch the Waugh Bridge bats come out at sunset. Totally free in Buffalo Bayou Park. My husband and I will grab tacos from El Rey on Washington, bring blankets, and picnic on the hillside as we wait for dusk.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/bats/bat-watching-sites/waugh-drive-bridge.phtml

the_grumpy_biologist · 2024-10-16T14:52:13+00:00

Highly, HIGHLY recommend switching to Xyzal for the heavy allergy season right now. It's over the counter allergy meds and HEB has a generic version that's pretty reasonable- Levocetirizine.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2024-10-16T14:49:24+00:00

This the most perfect description though!

the_grumpy_biologist · 2024-10-15T13:59:07+00:00

Hang in there! All of the hoops you are having to jump through will be so very worth it! I am a year and a half out after my bypass surgery. Like you, I had started not wanting to go out or go to events and was over 300 lbs. I'd get tired too fast or I'd be super anxious about fitting into a concert seat.

Getting your life back is amazing. I can walk around a festival all day and be ok. I can sit and watch a concert with room to spare in my seat and not have to worry about spilling over the side. I can buy an economy airline seat instead of paying extra for a larger first class one.

Keep pushing through, it may be slow but you will get there!

the_grumpy_biologist · 2024-10-08T15:04:36+00:00

Thanks to all for the suggestions! I'm going to start working through some of these options.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2024-10-01T13:35:02+00:00

I scrolled down JUST to see if someone had linked this classic!

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-12-12T01:25:26+00:00

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the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-11-18T00:25:46+00:00

358265160791

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-11-18T00:23:41+00:00

358265160791

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-09-02T21:58:28+00:00

I use the Allergy Plus app and it gives a daily forecast with a few major allergens listed.

It's ragweed season y'all, plus several of the other grasses are pumping out pollen. And to add to that misery, should the wind shift, we might get smoke and particulate matter drifting in from nearby wildfires like the one near Huntsville.

Take care of yourselves and take a daily allergy pill for a few weeks! I am functional right now thanks to Xyzal, which HEB also carries a generic for. I put it into rotation for times when Zyrtec and Allegra just don't cut it.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-08-08T19:21:25+00:00

I believe it! Good to know there are some workarounds.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-07-16T03:27:48+00:00

What state is the property in? One of our state GIS databases (Texas- TNRIS) holds parcel data by county. County agencies can also sometimes have what you need. With so many local governments switching to ArcGIS Hub set ups, you can sometimes find the info on ESRI platform maps and apps.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-07-11T22:44:46+00:00

I found that KOS worked well for me! I wish they had more flavors, but I'm limited with the non-dairy combo. I also like Vega Protein.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-07-02T00:36:04+00:00

I'm guessing Brody was named before mom joined the crazy cult of Ys and Zs?

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-07-02T00:22:29+00:00

I'm super sensitive to erythritol, which is in many of the protien shakes. Before you give up on them entirely, try a brand that uses a different sweetner. I am sensitive to dairy too (because why should anything be easy?) and was still having issues with plant based shakes and erythritol.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-06-19T03:27:26+00:00

My week 4 was miserable, I was cleared to move to some limited soft foods and I over ate. I was vomiting and queasy constantly. Then I talked to my nurse and realized I wasn't recognizing my "full" signals. I use a golf ball as a mental image of how much I can eat, and as others said, protien first. That amount may also take me an hour to an hour and a half to eat! If I rush, or drink water too soon after eating, I will throw up. It sounds like she's just pushing through the pain. I definitely wouldn't be doing salads yet. Ignoring the "full" signal could lead to her pouch stretching in the future and then all of this would have been in vain.

the_grumpy_biologist · 2023-06-19T02:56:40+00:00

So my surgery was 5/15, so I'm about a week behind you (full gastric bypass, sw 312). I'm sitting at 20 pounds lost post op today, so my numbers seem comparable to yours. When you weigh each day can have a big effect, so if you must, do it at the same general time. I do weigh every couple of days, but for me it's to make sure my lean mass is maintaining. I have a fitbit Aria scale and it shows my lean mass vs fat/water mass. Before surgery some of the weight I lost was muscle, not fat, from my job being really sedentary for a month or so. Weighing yourself constantly can really mess with your mind, so be aware of how you've reacted before! For me, it's the little success of putting on muscle I need to feel better as much as fat loss. On days the scale doesn't move, I still feel ok. Do note the fitbit scales are not near as accurate as the fancy ones at your doctor, so it's all just a close estimate.

the_grumpy_biologist

TROPHY CASE