#ShiftWork
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maximizenutrition · 1 year ago
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Nutrition while shiftworking
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When working in shift schedules, it's essential to pay attention to your nutrition to maintain energy levels and support your overall health. Shift work can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and disrupt your eating habits. In this blog post, you'll find valuable tips on how to adjust your diet effectively for shift work, promoting your well-being and enhancing your performance.
Regular Meal Times: Despite changing work hours, maintaining regular meal times is crucial. Our bodies thrive on routine, and having consistent meal times helps regulate hunger, digestion, and metabolism. Plan your meals around your shift schedule to ensure you have designated times for nourishment. If you're working night shifts, try to have your main meal before starting work and smaller meals or snacks throughout the shift to sustain energy levels.
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2. Balanced Diet: A balanced diet is key to providing your body with essential nutrients. Aim to include a variety of foods from different food groups to ensure you get a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and fiber, whole grains provide complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, lean protein sources (such as chicken, fish, beans) support muscle health, and healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, olive oil) provide satiety and essential fatty acids.
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3. Meal Planning: Planning your meals in advance can help you make healthier choices and ensure you have nutritious options readily available. Take some time each week to plan your meals and prepare them ahead of time. When preparing your meals, aim to include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will make it easier to stick to your nutrition goals during busy work shifts and reduce the temptation to rely on convenience foods or unhealthy snacks.
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4. Monitor Caffeine and Sugar Intake: Caffeinated beverages like coffee or energy drinks can provide a temporary energy boost, but they can also disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling restless. If you rely on caffeine to stay alert during your shift, try to consume it early in your shift and limit your intake closer to the end of your workday. Additionally, be mindful of your sugar intake. While sugary snacks or drinks might provide a quick energy spike, they can lead to energy crashes later on. Opt for natural sugars found in fruits instead.
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5. Stay Hydrated: Maintaining proper hydration is important for your overall well-being, especially during demanding shifts. Drink water regularly throughout your shift to prevent dehydration, which can cause fatigue and impair cognitive function. Keep a reusable water bottle with you and make it a habit to sip water consistently, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid relying on sugary drinks or excessive amounts of caffeine to quench your thirst.
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6. Nutrient-rich Snacks: Having healthy snacks readily available can help you avoid reaching for vending machine options or unhealthy fast food during your shift. Opt for nutrient-rich snacks that provide sustained energy and essential nutrients. Nuts and seeds, yogurt, fresh fruits, vegetable sticks with hummus, or homemade energy bars are excellent choices. These snacks provide a combination of healthy fats, fiber, and proteins, which can help keep you full and satisfied during your shift.
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Conclusion: Taking care of your nutrition is essential when working in shift schedules. By following these tips, you can optimize your diet for shift work, ensuring sustained energy levels and supporting your overall well-being. Remember, everyone is unique, and it may be beneficial to consult with a nutritionist or dietitian to tailor your dietary needs to your individual circumstances. Prioritizing a healthy diet will contribute to your success and productivity in your shift work journey.
BPA-free waterbottle
Healthy Nutmix
Quick Recipes
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eleganteventss · 7 months ago
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Consequences of Poor Employee Scheduling
Poor scheduling lead to less productivity. Poor Employee Sceduling Employee scheduling is a critical aspect of workforce management that directly impacts the efficiency and success of any organization. When done poorly, it can have a ripple effect that touches every facet of a business. Let’s delve into the significant consequences of poor employee scheduling and how it can negatively affect…
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myxmodalert · 9 months ago
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💊 Discovering Armodafinil Dosage 💤
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Armodafinil, a stimulant, treats Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, & Shift Work Disorder. Its dosage varies based on age & health conditions. 💡
🔍 What's Armodafinil? Armodafinil boosts wakefulness, FDA-approved in 2007. Brands: Waklert, Nuvigil. Used for Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, Shift Work Disorder.
🎯 Uses & More Clinical uses: Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, Shift Work Disorder. Off-label: ADHD, Chronic Fatigue, Bipolar Disorder, and more.
📋 Dosage Guidance Starting: 150mg/day for adults. Adjustments based on age, liver/kidney health. Follow prescription strictly.
🕰️ When & How? Take Armodafinil daily, same time each day, with water. Avoid night intake to prevent insomnia, except for Shift Work Disorder.
🚨 Overdose & Precautions Be cautious: overlapping doses can lead to overdose. Watch out for symptoms like anxiety, dry mouth, blurred vision.
⚠️ Warnings & Side Effects Consider allergies, avoid alcohol, and activities requiring quick response. Monitor side effects; consult a doctor if needed.
🔚 Conclusion Understanding Armodafinil dosage is crucial. Explore our products for its benefits! 💪
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emilyburgerhn · 9 months ago
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💊 Adrafinil vs Modafinil: What's the Difference?
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Adrafinil and Modafinil are both known for their wakefulness-promoting effects and cognitive benefits. But which one is better? Let's dive in!
🔍 Similarities: Both enhance cognitive functions, promote wakefulness, and are non-habit forming. They're used for conditions like narcolepsy, shift work disorder, and ADHD.
📌 Differences: Modafinil is prescription-only, more effective, and has a shorter onset of action compared to Adrafinil. Plus, it lasts longer and has better liver safety.
⏳ Duration: Modafinil effects last 10-14 hours, while Adrafinil's effects last 8-10 hours.
💸 Affordability: Modafinil tends to be more affordable, especially with insurance coverage.
⚠️ Safety: Modafinil has a better safety profile and is FDA-approved.
💡 Conclusion: Modafinil emerges as the top choice for its effectiveness, safety, and affordability.
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healthxmatter · 9 months ago
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Unlock the Potential of Modafinil! 💊
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Discover the key precautions and warnings for safe and effective use:
🚨 Allergy Alert: Consult your doctor if prone to allergies.
💡 Medical History Matters: Discuss conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
🚫 Avoid Toxins: Steer clear of alcohol or marijuana while on Modafinil.
⚠️ Stay Alert: Refrain from activities requiring quick response times.
🤰 Pregnancy Caution: Avoid if pregnant due to potential risks.
🤱 Breastfeeding? Consult a doctor before use.
🧒 Keep Out of Reach: Prevent misuse by storing away from children.
Tailored Advice for Specific Groups:
🧓 Geriatric Use: Lower doses advised, with close monitoring.
🩺 Hepatic Impairment: Reduced dosage for severe liver conditions.
🌊 Renal Impairment: Caution urged for kidney ailments.
Watch Out for Common Side Effects:
🤕 Headaches
💨 Runny Nose
😰 Nervousness
😴 Trouble Sleeping
And more…
Serious but Rare Side Effects:
🚨 Dependence Risk
💔 Heart Issues
🤯 Mental Health Symptoms
Know Your Interactions:
💊 Over 400 drugs interact with Modafinil!
🍊 Avoid grapefruit or its juice.
Dosage Guidelines:
📏 Standard: 200mg/day
🚫 Max: 400mg/day
💊 Take as prescribed, avoiding overdose risks.
Proper Administration Tips:
🥤 Swallow whole with water.
🍽️ Take with or without food, as directed.
⏰ Consistency is key: Stick to the same time each day.
Final Thoughts: Modafinil offers relief for sleep disorders, but diligence is key. Follow medical advice closely for optimal results.
Unlock a world of wakefulness responsibly! 💪
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nursing-and-wellness23 · 1 year ago
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1. Discover the truth about sleep disorders among night shift workers with our comprehensive study findings.
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jelzorz · 6 months ago
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Me in the top floor lab with no bars and no access to Tumblr or discord:
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streetsweepershenanigans · 5 months ago
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I chose this shift. I chose this shift. I chose those shift, I whisper as I listen to everyone else in my unit get off at a reasonable hour, and I still have three more to go.
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mass-convergence · 1 year ago
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Forgot how absolutely shit I feel after a day shift. Even if I walk or go shopping or cook something - I always like get this post-shift crash. And forcing myself to stay up just doesn’t work because my brain stops functioning, so doing something like writing or drawing or reading a book just doesn’t work.
I literally cannot stay awake.
Which is annoying because then I fuck up my sleep. Though honestly at this point I may just like … literally go to sleep for a full 8 hours right after shift and wake up absurdly early because obviously what ever I’m doing currently is not fucking working. This was happening before I started adderall so it’s not the post-morning dose crash. Though I may need to start taking my afternoon dose again.
I would kill God to actually get a body where caffeine actually does what it’s advertised to do.
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keriweird · 5 months ago
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Worked two night shifts with 4hrs sleep after both, then was up until 0130h with a 2yr old that just *couldn't* sleep. Up at 0530h with said toddler who has been relentlessly awake. Gonna be a big caffeine day, since she ain't napping.
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buckevantommy · 2 months ago
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picture this: it's early morning, bucktommy tangled together in bed but awake and chatting softly. buck shifts and accidentally gets tommy in a spot he didn't know was ticklish; tommy can't help a little giggle, but tries to regain composure, and then catches buck's devilish grin and the glint in his eye; tommy warns him: evan, don't you dare— but it's no use and he is suddenly accosted with tickles and a wrestling match of giggles ensues! and they actually both love this - being able to mess around like this without worrying about hurting their partner, and they have matching levels of humour with this sort of thing.
anyway: tommy manages to get the upperhand and rolls evan onto his back, pinning his wrists above him. buck pretends to struggle but ultimately settles, opening his hips to let tommy better settle between his thighs. tommy knows what he's doing - he's trying to distract him. but tommy won't be distracted bc he knows as soon as he is that evan will seize the opportunity to gain the upperhand - unless of course: tommy so thoroughly distracts evan that he can't process any such thought.
tommy drops his voice to that low register he knows drives evan crazy and nudges in for a slow teasing kiss— then his phone starts ringing on the nightstand. buck throws his head back against the pillow with an aggrieved sigh bc how dare the world interrupt them right now when they're having all kinds of fun. tommy releases one of buck's wrists to reach for his phone and buck's free hand moves to grip tommy's shirt at his torso trying to keep him in place, this deliciously solid, heavy warm weight pressing him into the mattress.
it's a work thing, someone asking tommy if he can cover their shift or do them a favor today or tomorrow. and.. here's the thing: before he met evan he would've agreed no question. but now he has evan, and two shiftworkers trying to match their schedules to get time off together is tough, and this is their first few days off together in weeks. so he tells his friend to ask suchnsuch if they can cover, and if not then tommy will do it but they'll owe him - bc giving up his evan time at least deserves a favor he can call in for more evan time, or something equally as important.
tommy tells buck this, more or less, and buck is kind of.. speechless. tommy is choosing to put him first - not bc of any dire cicumstances but bc he just wants to spend time together. not for anything remarkable, not bc they have plans they can't change, but bc when it's a choice between work and buck he chooses buck. he knows they'd both choose work if it was really important, but this wasn't that. this is tommy proving ohsocasually that he values his everyday time with buck. and that's.. buck has never had that in a relationship before.
buck regains the upperhand and flips them over and tommy braces for the tickle onslaught, fighting a smile, but what he gets instead is evan looking at him with wonder and adoration and love. tommy loves him too, and says it, palming his cheek. buck pushes into his touch, presses a kiss there, and says he loves tommy too. what started out as a fun tussle is now something softer, tender, and they spend the rest of their morning showing how well they know each other and the love they share.
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shares-a-vest · 1 year ago
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'i have writer's block', i say as i go back to a little ficlet i've had sitting in my drafts for months and immediately turn into 1.4k...
Summer, 1995
Wayne Munson's hearing isn't what it used to be, but he is almost certain he can hear a steady stream of cooing sounds coming from Eddie's bedroom.
He frowns and looks at his watch.
It's only 6:30am.
He yawns at the early hour as he shuffles to the kitchen for his prized coffee pot. And gosh darn it, he thinks. He really didn't want to be on a shiftwork sleep schedule while the boys are visiting with his granddaughter.
"Joanie-Bear..."
"Joanie-Bolonge..."
Yep – that is definitely Eddie with one of his silly pet names and a high-pitched sing-song voice.
Wayne can't help but stifle a chuckle as he fetches a clean mug from the drying rack on the sink. He's never known Eddie to wake up this early. Not even back when Steve moved in with his militant morning routine of jogging-showering-breakfast, all before Eddie's third alarm finally rustled him semi-conscious.
He sets his mug down with a clang on the bench as the incessant beeping of Eddie's blasted wristwatch sounds through his waning eardrums. He wishes he'd never bought the thing (in his futile efforts to make his nephew punctual) in the first place.
But the distant memory of Eddie's useless watch is quickly replaced with the disgruntled wailing of Joanie – a living, breathing tiny-human alarm that will surely be more than effective in getting his nephew up at a decent hour. For the next few years, at least.
He foregoes a courteous knock and opens the bedroom door to find Eddie sitting at the end of the bed with Steve in his lap as they both look into the crib that contains the source of the ruckus.
"What are you boys doing?" Wayne asks with fond amusement.
"Saying good morning to the light of our lives," Steve says, all syrupy-sweet as he reaches down and makes a shushing noise.
Wayne steps closer, smiling as he catches sight of his granddaughter.
"Hey, darling."
Joanie smiles so wide her eyes crinkle up, cheeks growing rosier as she kicks her feet with such vigour she could tear straight through her yellow onesie.
"We were basking in the peace and quiet," Eddie explains with an adoring sigh, "Gotta relish it before this little bean starts going about her busy day of toddling, talking and getting stinky."
"Talking?" Wayne is very much aware he sounds disappointed.
"Bee-shabba-fur," Eddie turns to Steve with complete seriousness, punctuating his babble-talk with a hand flourish.
"Eepa-nann-ca," Steve agrees, nodding up at Wayne like he is supposed to chime in.
He smiles, "I don't think you should be accusing anyone of being stinky, Eddie. I remember you at her age all too clearly."
His nephew frowns and hides behind Steve's shoulder to shield himself from any more barbs, even though his boy claps a hand over his own mouth to contain his laughter.
"A... app-ess," Joanie babbles and excitedly kicks her feet again.
"That means applesauce," Steve nods as Joanie starts grumbling again and makes grabby hands in the air.
"Looks like she's expecting that applesauce right now," he warns the pair as he scoops her up.
"But – " Steve protests.
"Shh," Eddie cuts him off as his eyes get all droopy, "Let him take her."
Wayne rolls his eyes.
Alright, so maybe Eddie still isn't a morning person. Parenthood has just forced it on him.
"Come on, kid," he says as his granddaughter cranes her neck to look out expectantly at the kitchen.
Although he is thrilled to have a whole two weeks with the boys and Joanie, the trio being back in Hawkins means that Wayne has to share them with others, including the Hendersons. Call him selfish, but he'd much prefer to just stay at home all day than pack half the house into the car for the short trip across town for lunch.
As Steve opens the car door to sit with Joanie, she grumbles and squirms, whipping her head about. Wayne dips his head to get a look at the fuss she beams, making an eh noise at the sight of him. He barks a laugh as she swivels to look at her father, her hair fashioned into two not-so-small buns giving her a disproportionate bobblehead.
"You want Pa to sit with you?" Steve asks the kid.
She shoots Steve a look like she is desperate for him to vacate the seat.
"You drive," Wayne nods, ensuring they arrange something before Eddie insists on driving.
He really doesn't feel like getting car sick before a Claudia Henderson-catered lunch.
With Steve safely driving, and Eddie being distracted by some local council drama playing out over the talk-back hour on the radio, Wayne can relax.
That is until he feels a little paw clawing at his hand.
"You wanna hold my hand," he asks Joanie as he offers his palm.
"Eh-ep...ish," she stutters out all spittle-filled.
"That means 'yes please'," Eddie chimes, leaning into the crackling radio as he scoffs at the disc jockey's quip.
Wayne chuckles, "Figured that."
He looks down to find Joanie now tracing the many lines on his palm. She's in a state of deep concentration, leaning as far forward as her car seat straps will allow as she goes.
She soon takes his thumb in her hand, clenching her fist around it as she grows tired, most likely due to the bumps in the road interrupting her tracing game rather than any actual sleepiness. Wayne can feel her soft fingertips press against the callous on his knuckle. She freezes and unfurls her hand to examine it.
She looks up with the same confused frown Eddie always had as a kid, her big brown eyes clearly expressing thoughts that she can't yet put into words. But she is most definitely thinking away in that little noggin.
She presses her forefinger to the callous to poke at it.
"Got a lot of those, I'm afraid," he explains, "Too tough for your hands."
She looks him over, eyes darting about as she opens her mouth like she is readying herself to respond.
For a moment, he thinks she might not have a damn clue, but then she takes his thumb again and pulls it close. He has to shift a little so his hand isn't twisting on the edge of the baby seat but sure enough, Joanie holds his hand for the remainder of the ride.
When they reach the Hendersons, Claudia announces she already has lunch well underway. She and Wayne think alike when Joanie is around. Rush through all that boring grown-up stuff to get straight to playtime with the kid.
Steve is going about his usual routine, carrying his daughter around the house to give her a tour while the others make the finishing touches on lunch.
Though Wayne is sure Eddie and Dustin are each sneaking samples and more getting in the way than actually helping. He smirks at the sound of something clanging in the kitchen and Claudia giving a scolding, "Dusty!" as he rounds the corner to the dining room.
Steve is walking around the table with Joanie in his arms, counting the chairs aloud. But Joanie isn't listening. She spots Wayne and beams.
"Pa!"
His heart stops – or maybe it swells.
Joanie outstretches her hands as she tries to wiggle out of her father's grip. And Steve, the poor boy, looks shell-shocked. He blinks, eyes as wide as Claudia's special-occasion dinner plates.
"Eh-Eddie!" Steve half stutters, half shrieks as tears begin to well up.
"What, what, what?" his nephew panics, walking in from the kitchen cradling a gravy boat like his hands are too full for anything else.
He walks right up to Steve and practically hooks his chin on his shoulder. Eddie frowns at his partner. And Joanie just keeps squirming, now turning her attention to her father.
"Pa!" she whines through a frustrated little hiccup as she points across the room.
Eddie yelps and cups a hand over his mouth.
Thankfully, Wayne doesn't hear the sound of the gravy boat dropping onto the freshly-vacuumed carpet. He doesn't even look to make sure. He's far too focused on his granddaughter.
"She said her first word," Steve whispers like he has a frog in his throat.
Joanie did say her first word.
Wayne's granddaughter said her first word.
And her first word referred to him.
Her Pa.
His bottom lip wobbles as they lock eyes once more.
But the moment is short-lived as the kid resumes wriggling about, pushing against Steve's possessive hold with some real force this time as she balls up a fistful of her father's pale blue polo shirt.
"Pa!" she dry-sobs.
Wayne shakes his head and steps forward. He'll have to save the serious emotions and a doting session with the boys for later if they want to avoid a catastrophic meltdown right now. He beams as he rushes the couple of strides it takes to reach his cranky granddaughter, who remains completely unaware of the marvel that has everyone at a useless standstill.
"Better do as she says," he laughs, taking her from Steve.
The boy has no choice but to give her up.
Joanie almost jumps into his embrace as she hooks her arms in a vice-like grip around his neck. Wayne looks at the boys, apologetic as he bounces his granddaughter.
Not that she needs settling now, anyway.
More of this au HERE
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frownyalfred · 9 months ago
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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Batman - All Media Types Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Bruce Wayne, Lucius Fox (Mentioned), random gothamite OCs for flavor Additional Tags: POV Outsider, Wayne Enterprises, Inspired by Reddit, CEO Bruce Wayne, Protective Bruce Wayne, he loves his employees ok, no beta we die like jason todd Series: Part 9 of DC outsider POV Summary:
“Please,” Wayne said, waving a hand, “call me Bruce. Everyone does.”
Andre got the impression he actually meant that.
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happybiteysnake · 9 months ago
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Just got my transfer out of my insanely stressful toxic job that was actively damaging my health, so I'll treat myself to a little redraw of my old Metalhead Mic art <3
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Mic is definately a muso, you can’t change my mind….
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butcherlarry · 9 months ago
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Weekly Fic (and Meat) Recs 60
I'M BACK! I had a lovely time on PTO! I went home, visited with family, visited with the cattle, celebrated my birthday, attended a banquet, got a wicked sharp meat cleaver (very excited about this), visited a new arboretum, saw birds, took pictures of birds, and survived the solar eclipse! All and all, a good time all around :) Got some reading done too, so there are fic recs from what I read last week and this week on this list. Also, a meat 101 lesson at the end, USDA beef quality grades edition!
The Brothers Wayne by HaleHathNoFury (My_Trex_has_fleas) - Superbat, wip. An update to the Bruce and Wade Wilson are brothers fic. Some family bonding between the brothers, the only way siblings know how. Beating the shit out of each other :)
Fresh Wounds (Still Cut Deep) by Inkwell1013 - Batfam, complete. A fic inspired by this art from sully-s. Alfred taking care of a newly orphaned Bruce and having no clue what he's doing (except his best).
dead man's party by TheResurrectionist - Batfam, wip. An update to Jason sees ghosts fic (while being haunted by Martha Wayne)
Patroclus by widow_account - Superbat, complete. I shrieked when I saw this fic was completed! I need to go back and reread it again in it's completed glory. Clark is kidnapped and sent to War World to fight. Bruce saves him. Much feels are involved too.
They Also Serve by Ginevra_Benci - Batfam, complete. Alfred wakes up to a surprise, Bruce kidnapping adopting a small angry child (Dick).
Precedent by Cdephiki - Batfam, complete. Damian joins the family early AU! The second fic in the series. This story is about Jason joining the family.
Padam by HaleHathNoFury (My_Trex_has_fleas) - Superbat, wip. More of college Clark at a gay club. Bruce Wayne has entered the chat :)
Just A Little Bit... by HaleHathNoFury (My_Trex_has_fleas) - Superbat, wip. More of eldritch Bruce and alien Clark! A plan is in the making to infiltrate Cadmus. Jason and Dick visit Ivy to ask for help
Unreasonable Love by elizabethgee - Superbat, wip. Bruce and Clark start dating and it is found out by the media. This wouldn't be too much of a problem except the fact that this awakens something in Clark's Kryptonian brain and he gets a little possessive protective of his mate boyfriend :)
shiftwork by TheResurrectionist - Bruce Wayne, complete. A neat fic from an outsider's point of view! Bruce visits one of Wanye Enterprise's worksites.
Oh Can't You See What Love Has Done (What it's Doing to Me?) by dio_icaurtica - Superbat, complete. A fic inspired by this post from frownyalfred!
Patchwork Pod by Ktkat9 - Superbat, Batfam, Superfam, wip. More of the mer Bruce fic! Tim and Bruce are recovering from their injuries.
Azure Catching the Moonlight by RenaiRin - Superbat, wip. Superman gets hit with some pink kryptonite. Be sure to read the tags! :D
Show Me How to Lie (You're Getting Better All The Time) by BookwormByNight - Superbat, wip. A Superman from an other universe shows up in the watchtower. He doesn't want to leave and takes a special interest in Bruce for some reason :)
Bruce Doing Mundane Things by aesthetic_pleasure - Superbat, wip. Exactly what it says in the title. Bruce does mundane things and Clark enjoys watching him do them.
Happy reading!
And now, as promised above:
BEEF QUALITY GRADING 101!
Since I live in the USA, my experience with beef quality grading is with the USDA standards. But, most of these rules (kinda) apply to other countries, they might just have different standards of what carcasses make it into what quality grades (for fun, look up USDA beef marbling cards and then Japanese beef quality grading cards. Marbling that would be acceptable for high quality beef in the US would be considered lower quality in Japan!)
What are USDA beef quality grades? Have you ever been in the grocery store, looked at a package of beef steaks (ribeye, sirloin, strip loin, filets, etc.) and saw a sticker on the package that said "USDA PRIME" or "USDA CHOICE"? That's the beef's quality grade! It determines the worth of the carcass. That, in combination with the Yield Grade (how much sellable meat can a processor/retailer/etc. can get off the carcass) gives you the overall price of the carcass.
There are two major factors that go into determining the quality grade of a carcass, the marbling and the maturity. Marbling is the intramuscular fat (fat inside of the muscle). Since marbling contributes to flavor and tenderness, more marbling is better! Below are the USDA marbling standards for beef carcasses:
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The other factor is the maturity of the carcass. This is determined by looking at the ossification (cartilage turning into bone) of the dorsal processes (the long spiny fingers along the back bone) along the spine of the carcass. Look at the cartilage caps in the green boxes in the picture below:
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The one on the far left is very white. If you were to scratch it with your fingernail, it would feel smooth. This would be considered an young carcass, or "A" maturity. The more those caps fill with bone, the older the carcass. The one on the far right has those caps completely filled with bone, so that would be considered and older carcasses, or "D" maturity. When a carcass passes into "C" maturity (like the one in the middle), that carcass can no longer be graded in to the higher priced quality grades (USDA Standard to Prime).
The maturity matters because as the animal gets older, they develop more connective tissue in the muscles. This decreases the tenderness of the meat, and consumers don't want to pay more money for tough meat. This is also why meat coming out of the middle of the carcass (along the back, so ribeye and loin) are more expensive. Those muscles have less connective tissue, so they are more tender. The tenderloin (Impress your friends by calling it by it's scientific name, psoas major!) is the most tender muscle on the carcass, so that's why it tends to be the most expensive.
Below is a chart showing what maturities and marbling scores are needed to reach what quality grade. For example, a carcass with "B" maturity and "Modest" marbling would be graded as USDA Choice.
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USDA Prime is the highest quality grade a carcass can receive (well, actually USDA High Prime, but I can go more into how that's determined if someone asks about it). The lowest qualty grade you see in a retail store would be USDA Standard. The USDA Commercal, Utility, Cutter, and in the verrrrryyyy tiny corner in the bottom right is Canner. These grades are given to older animals, like old cows and bulls. USDA Commercial might be sold whole muscle (boneless) in restaurants after it has been enhanced (pumped with water, salt, sugar brine to make the meat more flavorful and tender). Otherwise, these carcasses that are lower quality grades are ground up for ground beef! Nothing more tender than ground beef! They can also get canned for canned beef. I have had many delicious meals of beef and noodles from canned beef from my family's herd 😋
As I mentioned before, this quality grade, along with the yield grade, determines the price of the carcass. If you want to check those out, click the link below:
USDA AMS daily beef reports
The report for beef carcass price per hundred weight is the second link down, called "Beef Carcass Price Equivalent Index Value". The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service always has these reports and they are always updating them each day. You will see price fluctuations throughout the year. I looks like for April 12th, the most valuable carcass for that day is a carcass that grades USDA Prime, with a Yield Grade of 1-3, and a hcw (hot carcass weight) of 600-900 lbs. A carcass that hit those standards will get you $297.92 per hundred weight (every 100 lbs, you get that much amount of money). So, a 800 lb carcass that is USDA Prime, Yield Grade 3 is worth $2383.36. This would be considered very rare though. Most carcasses in the US are grading USDA Choice, Yield Grades 1-3.
Anyway! I hope you enjoyed that Beef Grading 101! If you have any questions, feel free to send me an ask! I love discussing this!
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AITA for not telling my workplace I'm not working for them for a few months?
I work as a casual, shiftwork, and I'm planning on shifting to a different part of the country for a few months, in a couple of weeks. I've known about this for a few weeks, however, I haven't told my workplace yet. They don't give me very many shifts usually and they've always been very understanding. I could have told them earlier, however every time I've tried to go and do it I become too stressed. Technically as a casual I could quit or be unavailable at any time, but I feel really bad about this, so I'm wondering if I'm at all justified or not due to the anxiety I feel around all this.
What are these acronyms?
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