Current influenza update - Washington State

The CDC announced 2 weeks ago the beginning of the flu season. It's a bit late this year but we're seeing typical case numbers in Washington State. The good news: it's not too late to get vaccinated! You can see in this chart that most of the flu so far has been an influenza A (H3).It's pretty much a mixed bag.

Flu types 2-27-12

More good news: We haven't seen much resistance to tamiflu. This is routine testing done at the CDC to keep track of what's going on, not for treatment. From the CDC:

All viruses tested for the 2011-2012 season since October 1, 2011 have been susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications oseltamivir and zanamivir as were the majority of viruses tested last season; however, rare sporadic cases of oseltamivir resistant 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) viruses have been detected worldwide. Antiviral treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir is recommended as early as possible for patients with confirmed or suspected influenza who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness; who require hospitalization; or who are at greater risk for influenza-related complications

 Here's a map of flu activity by state:

flu activity by state

The following influenza activity was reported:

• Widespread influenza activity was reported by 2 states (California and Colorado).
• Regional influenza activity was reported by 13 states (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Virginia).
• Local influenza activity was reported by 20 states (Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington, and Wyoming).
• Sporadic influenza activity was reported by the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 15 states (Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin).
• No influenza activity was reported by Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cheese, yogurt, cultured butter....oh MY!

I haven't posted in soooo long! Where has the time gone?
It's not that I haven't been doing anything!

Here's some pics and discussion about cheese, cheese caves, yogurt and something I've JUST discovered.....cultured butter!

Cheese cave

This, believe it or not....is my cheese cave! It's actually the small dorm refrigerator we bought for the boys about 10 years ago. It's been sitting in the studio, unused. Then I thought....as I try to move my cheeses around in the top shelf (=warmest area) of my kitchen refrigerator....WAIT>>>>> I have a little frig just sitting, doing nothing!
So, we brought it in, I cleaned it up. We set it on the table (to save my back) in the laundry room and I set it for a temp between 50F and 55F.
PERFECT!
It's running around 57-58 degrees. Juuuuuussst right!

Inside the cheese cave

Also, see the pic of the inside!

Camenbert wrapped

These are the two little Camembert cheeses from whole cow milk.

Roquefort

Camenbert unwrapped

They're JUST about ready!

Here's also a picture of my Roquefort....a very blue cheese. It IS ready!
Mmmmmmm, smells lovely too. These cheese have been described as smelling "like the feet of angels".
True.

Cultured butter

This is something I just discovered....it's cultured butter!
This is what floats to the top of whole, unpasteurized milk. Cream!
Then you culture it with regular yogurt culture or a teaspoon of yogurt. Leave it in a warm spot in your kitchen for about 24 hours.
Next, beat it into butter!
It has SUCH a wonderful flavor! Not the bland stuff you get at the store.
I used it on french toast this morning.

MMmmmmmmmm!

With that in mind.....I'll be posting more regularly..... Stay tuned.