June 18, 2010

Containerization

Before working in Health Care Technology I worked in Transportation Technology. Yup. Women's Studies major; LGBT concentration to....Transportation.  Yeah, that is EXACTLY what I thought I'd be doing with my degree. :) 

(See Jess, you can pretty much do whatever you want with your future PhD.)


Soooo, in my tenure in transportation-tech, I learned way more than you could ever imagine about dirty containers.  Like this interesting little tidbit...


Taking the wheels off containers back in the 60s revolutionized shipping and transportation, making it more fuel efficient, cost effective and more environmentally friendly to ship goods. Because railroads run many of their train routes along major highways, they effectively remove trucks from the roads and the containers on to the tracks.


Interestingly, west and south of New England, railroads are able to double stack containers making trains even more efficient. But the bridges in New England and other parts of the east coast are about 6 inches too low for double-stacked trains to pass under.  East coast RRs stack/unstack out in Worcester, so they can ship into Boston and up and down the east coast.


If you are still reading... *smile* ....Here is the wiki definition:  

Containerization: a system of intermodal freight transport using standard intermodal containers...that can be loaded and sealed intact onto container shipsrailroad carsplanes, and trucks.


But...

Now have my own version of containerization.


Cheapassmama's containerization: the act of putting individual serving sizes of delectable treats, meals and what-not in containers in order to avoid a wide-load.


 

The easiest way to stick to a planned serving size is to container it up right away. 


Few things I try to keep in mind.  
  1. I try to use glass first, especially if I plan on eating before freezing. But glass can be expensive and heavy to cart back and forth to work. 
  2. If I use plastic, I go with BPA-free (of course!) Glad and Ziploc are my favorites.
  3. I try (not always) to microwave on a plate even if I store it in plastic. 
  4. Finally, smaller is better.  I was shocked, SHOCKED at how little a true serving size is. I think my 1 1/4 cup containers get the most action.  
Heh.  Screw double-stack. I can triple-stack these bad boys! 

2 comments:

Delane said...

1/2 c, cup and 2 cup containers rock!

FYI, I work in HIT too. I work in the EHR space.

Christy Z. said...

I love that you could tell right away that the pic is of 1/2 cup and 2 cup containers! A true container connoisseur. :)

Nice, D! I didn't know that. HL7 and LIMS are my world right now.