Author Archives: mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Evensong “If Ye Love Me”

“Evensong” is a traditional Anglican church service that includes hymns, prayers, and readings from the Bible. In the British university choral tradition, “Evensong” refers to a choral service that is performed by a university choir in a church or chapel setting.  The most widely performed “Evensongs” in the British university choral tradition are those performed by the choirs of Oxford and Cambridge universities.  

Other universities in the UK, such as Durham, St. Andrews, and Edinburgh, also have strong choral traditions and perform regular “Evensongs.” These services often include music by composers such as Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Henry Purcell, and other great composers of choral music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.


“If ye love me” is a motet composed by the English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis. It is a four-part choral work that is widely regarded as one of his most popular and enduring compositions.  It was first published in 1565 in Archbishop Parker’s Psalter, which was the first musical work to be printed in England with music notation. “If ye love me” has since become a staple of choral repertoire and is often performed at weddings, funerals, and other occasions.

Banana Pudding Overnight Oats

Banana Pudding Overnight Oats is a delicious and nutritious breakfast dish made by combining rolled oats, mashed bananas, milk, and other flavorings, and allowing them to sit and “soak” in the refrigerator overnight. This results in a creamy, flavorful, and satisfying bowl of oats that are ready to eat in the morning without any cooking required. It’s convenient make-ahead breakfast option that can be customized to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences.  Here’s a simple recipe for Banana Pudding Overnight Oats:

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk (any type of milk, such as dairy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk)
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice (such as honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar)
Additional banana slices, crushed cookies, or whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

In a medium-sized bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth.  Add the rolled oats, milk, chia seeds (if using), vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener to the bowl with the mashed banana. Stir well to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4-6 hours, to allow the oats to absorb the liquid and soften.

In the morning, give the oats a good stir and adjust the sweetness or consistency to taste by adding more sweetener or milk if desired.  Serve the Banana Pudding Overnight Oats in bowls or jars, and garnish with additional banana slices, crushed cookies, or whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and creamy Banana Pudding Overnight Oats for a nutritious and convenient breakfast!

More:

Spoon University 

Texas A&M University: Banana Nut Overnight Oats

Harvard University: Oats the Nutrition Source

Colorado University: Overnight Oats

US Food & Drug Administration: Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods

Nourriture été

2024 Student Paper Competition

“A Girl Writing; The Pet Goldfinch” 1870 Henriette Browne

For nearly twenty years now,  the American National Standards Institute Committee on Education administers a student paper competition intended to encourage understanding of the global standards system that also provides a solid prize — in the $1000 to $5000 range.  The topic of the 2024 Student Paper Competition will be What Role Do or Could Standards Play in Safe and Effective Implementation of Artificial Intelligence Applications/Systems?

Student Paper Competition Flyer 2024 – Entries due 7 June 2024

For the past six years Standards Michigan has hosted Saturday morning workshops to help students (and faculty) interested in entering the contest.   We will soon post those dates on our CALENDER.  We typically host them — three sessions ahead of the deadline — on Saturday mornings.

We provide links to previous paper winners and refer you to Lisa Rajchel: lrajchel@ansi.org for all other details.

Related:

“Normal” Things Americans Do That The Rest Of The World Will Never Understand

2023 Student Paper Competition

2022 Student Paper Competition

2020 Student Paper Winner / Remanufacturing

2020 Student Paper Winner / Road Traffic Safety

ANSI 2019 Student Paper Winner: Cybersecurity & Ukraine Power Grid Attack

2019 Student Paper Winner / Standards in Crisis Prevention & Response:

2018 ANSI Student Paper Winner / Internet of Things

2017 ANSI Student Paper Winner / Cyborg Gen 2330

2016 Student Paper Winner | Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness

2016 Student Paper Winner / World Without Standards

United States Standards Strategy

What is Happening to the Family, and Why?

“The family is nature’s masterpiece”
George Santayana


In popular culture:

The Struggle for Control of Mother’s Day

CLICK IMAGE

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different days in different countries and regions. However, here is a list of some countries and the dates:

United States: Second Sunday in May
United Kingdom: Fourth Sunday in Lent
Australia: Second Sunday in May
Canada: Second Sunday in May
New Zealand: Second Sunday in May
India: Second Sunday in May
Mexico: May 10th
Japan: Second Sunday in May
France: Last Sunday in May or First Sunday in June
Germany: Second Sunday in May
Italy: Second Sunday in May
Brazil: Second Sunday in May
Egypt, Mother’s Day is celebrated on March 21st.
Israel, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 30th day of the Jewish month of Shvat, which usually falls in February.
India, Mother’s Day is not an official holiday, but it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, the same as in the United States.
Japan, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, but it is not a public holiday.
South Africa, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, the same as in the United States.
Thailand, Mother’s Day is celebrated on August 12th, which is the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the current queen consort of Thailand.

 

Root Beer Olympics

University of North Dakota | Grand Forks County

North Dakota


“Standard Root Beer” is typically made using a combination of ingredients that include water, sugar, sassafras root or extract, and various other flavoring agents. Here’s a general overview of the process:

  • Sassafras Flavoring: In traditional root beer recipes, sassafras root or extract is a key ingredient. However, it’s important to note that sassafras contains safrole, a compound that has been deemed potentially carcinogenic. For this reason, commercial root beers often use a safrole-free sassafras flavoring.
  • Sweetener: Sugar is commonly used to sweeten root beer, although some recipes may use alternatives like corn syrup or honey. The amount of sweetener can vary based on personal preference.
  • Water: Root beer typically starts with plain water as its base. The water is heated to dissolve the sweetener and other ingredients.
  • Flavorings: Besides sassafras flavoring, root beer can include a range of other flavorings to create its distinct taste. These may include wintergreen, vanilla, anise, licorice, molasses, or other herbs and spices. The exact combination of flavors varies among different root beer recipes.
  • Carbonation: Carbonation gives root beer its characteristic fizz. This can be achieved by using carbonated water or by introducing carbon dioxide gas into the mixture. In commercial production, carbonation is typically added during the bottling process.
  • Yeast Fermentation (optional): Some traditional homemade root beer recipes involve a fermentation step. Yeast is added to the root beer mixture, which consumes the sugar and produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct. This creates a natural carbonation in the beverage. However, this step can also increase the alcohol content, so it’s important to be mindful of the fermentation duration.
  • Bottling and Aging: Once the root beer is prepared, it is typically poured into bottles or kegs and sealed. Some recipes may recommend allowing the root beer to age for a certain period to develop the desired flavors.

It’s worth noting that the commercial production of root beer may involve different processes, as well as the use of artificial flavors, stabilizers, and preservatives to ensure consistency and shelf life. The specific recipe and production methods may vary among manufacturers.

Standards North Dakota

 

Timon of Athens

The Oxford Union Debating Society, founded in 1823, is one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies, affiliated with the University of Oxford. It has hosted numerous influential speakers and debates, including historical figures like Winston Churchill and Malcolm X. Over the years, it has played a vital role in shaping public discourse and fostering critical thinking among students. The society’s iconic debating chamber and rich tradition of lively debates have made it an enduring institution in the world of debate and public speaking.

“In an era of cancellation and defenestration we sometimes forget that we both cannot go on like this and that we have been here before. We know this because our greatest writers and artists have addressed this question in their own times.

When Roger [Scrouton] was going through his own battle with the shallows I often thought of Shakespeare’s rarely performed but great play Timon of Athens. Timon has the whole world before him. He is surrounded by friends and admirers. He is generous to all. Yet he falls on hard times and when he does absolutely everybody deserts him. He is left with nothing and nobody, and risks being filled with despair and rage. It does not help that he is shadowed by the cynical philosopher Apemantus, who has warned him that just such a desertion might occur.”

— Douglas Murray

Ice Cream at the Rock

Michigan Central

The invention of ice cream, as we know it today, is a product of historical evolution, and there isn’t a single individual credited with its creation. Various cultures and civilizations throughout history have contributed to the development of frozen treats resembling ice cream.

One of the earliest records of frozen desserts can be traced back to ancient China, where people enjoyed a frozen mixture of milk and rice around 200 BC. Similarly, ancient Persians and Arabs had a tradition of mixing fruit juices with snow or ice to create refreshing treats.

In Europe, frozen desserts gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, and it was during this time that the more modern version of ice cream, made with sweetened milk or cream, began to take shape. During this period, ice cream became more widely accessible and enjoyed by the nobility and upper classes.



MSU Extension: Dairy Store

MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities

To produce ice cream on a commercial scale, several key pieces of infrastructure and equipment are necessary. The specific requirements may vary depending on the production capacity and the type of ice cream being produced, but the basic infrastructure typically includes:

  1. Manufacturing Facility: A dedicated space or building is needed to house all the production equipment and storage facilities. The facility should comply with local health and safety regulations and be designed to maintain the required temperature and hygiene standards.
  2. Mixing and Blending Equipment: Industrial-scale mixers and blending machines are used to mix ingredients like milk, cream, sugar, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and flavorings. These machines ensure that the mixture is homogenized and consistent.
  3. Pasteurization Equipment: To ensure product safety and extend shelf life, ice cream mix needs to be pasteurized. Pasteurization equipment heats the mixture to a specific temperature and then rapidly cools it to destroy harmful microorganisms.
  4. Homogenizers: Homogenizers help break down fat molecules in the ice cream mix to create a smoother and creamier texture.
  5. Aging Vats: The ice cream mix is aged at a controlled temperature for a specific period, which allows the ingredients to fully blend and improves the ice cream’s texture.
  6. Freezers: Continuous freezers or batch freezers are used to freeze the ice cream mix while incorporating air to create the desired overrun (the amount of air in the final product). Continuous freezers are more commonly used in large-scale production, while batch freezers are suitable for smaller batches.
  7. Hardening and Storage Room: Once the ice cream is frozen, it needs to be hardened at a lower temperature to achieve the desired texture. Storage rooms are used to store finished ice cream at the appropriate temperature until distribution.
  8. Packaging Equipment: Equipment for filling and packaging the ice cream into various containers, such as cartons, tubs, or cones.
  9. Quality Control and Laboratory Facilities: A dedicated area for quality control testing, where ice cream samples are analyzed for consistency, flavor, and other characteristics.
  10. Cleaning and Sanitation Systems: Proper cleaning and sanitation systems are essential to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination.
  11. Utilities: Adequate water supply, electrical power, and refrigeration capacity are critical for ice cream production.

Food Code 2017

Food 500

Fashion Museum

Ohio

Standards Ohio

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