Kids + Farmers Market = Fun, Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for a one-time, food-related, fun volunteer gig?   The Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter of the AIWF is looking for a few good persons who want to volunteer for the annual Days of Taste down at Dallas' Farmers Market.  I'm signing up, not because I have a 4th grader, but because it's one of my favorite bring-a-smile-to-your-face things to do in Dallas.   You don't have to be a foodie, you just have to want to see some smiling faces as kids (some of whom have not eaten many vegetables in their natural state, ever) make an awesome veggie and pasta salad, which they eat for lunch.

I did it for my kids way back when they were younger, in 2008 I helped with two schools and wrote about it on The Dallas Cookbook.  Read about my voluntary experiences with Hexter Elementary and Kramer Elementary (both DISD) and about how much more was received than given.

ODE TO DAYS OF TASTE

How do we teach kids today to eat healthy?
It's not a question of if you are wealthy.
High sugar, sat-fat, too much sodium too,
often the choice of kids through fifty-two.

Days of Taste is a program that helps youngsters see
fresh and healthy options. It certainly must be
considered as tasty and easy to fix
for kids to agree to a McDonald's nix.

Support this great program, help it grow through Big D
by sponsoring schools in this fun opportunity.
Contact your neighborhood school and request,
a Days of Taste sponsorship, bring them the best!

Contact Robin Plotkin to sign up for your date today.  Close your eyes, take a step, make the call, smile, it's that easy to do something new.

What's Going Up at the Dallas Zoo?

Glad you asked.  A mid-December ZooTube update from Sean Greene takes you through the new additions to the Giants of the Savannah exhibit.  From a cafe with a side of windows that have an up-close view of lions and cheetahs, to the observatory being built above the elephants' "Tembo Janga" home.  All due to be finished by Spring 2010.

Applause Elfs Needed

I can't write this any better, so I'm just cut/pasting the e-mail I received from Abacus yesterday:

On Saturday, December 12, Abacus will be hosting its 6th annual Seats for Soldiers event where we provide a three course meal to military personnel that have either been wounded in combat or have recently returned home from a year of active duty overseas. Over 150 soldiers will arrive at the Abacus parking lot at 5 p.m. and we would like to ask you to join us in giving them a standing ovation as they make their way into Abacus and to their seats. This is truly a great opportunity for us all to get into the holiday spirit and show our appreciation for all that they do. Happy Holidays and I hope to see you on Saturday!

No RSVP necessary for those wishing to participate, if you want to welcome the deserved troops you need to be at Abacus by 4:30 pm. And dress appropriately for the weather, you'll be outside - the restaurant is closed to all but the service personnel until 7:30 pm.  
 
(Note - Best wishes to my nephew Kenny who is leaving Dallas for basic training in San Antonio this weekend.)

A Thankful Week

I'm feeling Thankful today, the prospects of a home full of family, cooking  and talking, and maybe even some card games has me ready for the holidays to begin.  The Boy arrived home Friday night, in time to catch Sister's performance as a napkin, then off to visit friends at UT Austin for a few days.  We have more family coming down with three appetizer-sized dogs, we'll see how the dynamics of that work with our three 80 pounders.

So this is a long winded way of saying I'm taking the week off, but wanted to leave you with some things to read.  Here are links to some of my favorite Thankful posts I've written on this blog.

The Things We Gift Away - A garden, Alice Waters and a cook book.
How To Cook For Kids - A baseball recipe for East Dallas children.
Cooking In the Eruv - Orthodox Judaism is alive and well in North Dallas.
How To Cook An Eagle  and The Eagle Prepares to Fly -  Not the bird, but a boy named "Mijo".
Friday Night Tailgating - It's A Doozie - Because googling the Doozie Sandwich has sent almost as many people to this blog as Golumpki Soup.
Order In! 70 Smiles - To Go - You can't help but smile when kids eat their veggies.
Dallas ISD - You've Been Served - Kids in the court serve us some delicious results.

Have a happy, safe and Thankful holiday.

Have a Happy Labor Day

The first labor day was celebrated on September 5th 1882 in New York City, following a tradition started in Canada.

The March o' Man, by Edgar A. Guest
Down to work o' mornings, an' back to home at nights,
Down to hours o' labor, an' home to sweet delights;
Down to care an' trouble, an' home to love an' rest,
With every day a good one, an' every evening blest.

Down to dreary dollars, an' back to home to play,
From love to work an' back to love, so slips the day away.
From babies back to business an' back to babes again,
From parting kiss to welcome kiss, this marks the march o' men.

Some care between our laughter, a few hours filled with strife,
A time to stand on duty, then home to babes and wife;
The bugle sounds o' mornings to call us to the fray,
But sweet an' low 'tis love that calls us home at close o' day.

A Path to Home, 1919

Memorial Day

The finest tribute we can pay
Unto our hero dead to-day,
Is not a rose wreath, white and red,
In memory of the blood they shed;
It is to stand beside each mound,
Each couch of consecrated ground,
And pledge ourselves as warriors true
Unto the work they died to do.

Into God's valleys where they lie
At rest, beneath the open sky,
Triumphant now o'er every foe,
As living tributes let us go.
No wreath of rose or immortelles
Or spoken word or tolling bells
Will do to-day, unless we give
Our plege that liberty shall live.

Our hearts must be the roses red
We place above our hero dead;
To-day beside their graves we must
Renew allegiance to their trust;
Must bare our heads and humbly say
We hold the Flag as dear as they,
And stand, as once they stood to die
To keep the Stars and Stripes on high.

The finest tribute we can pay
Unto our hero dead to-day
Is not of speech or roses red,
But living, throbbing hearts instead,
That shall renew the pledge they sealed
With death upon the battlefield:
That freedom's flag shall bear no stain
And free men wear no tyrant's chain.

Edgar A. Guest, Just Folks, 1917

Beers To You

From bro-in-law Mark, one of those passed-along-make-you-smile messages. Today is a day to smile.

The Mayonnaise Jar & 2 Beers

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.'

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with a friend.'

Happy Valentine's Day

Let the Good Times Roll.

NOTE: Flowers on Valentine's Day! Well they were my Christmas present from Sevy - fresh flowers delivered every month for a year.

We're celebrating Valentine's sometime next week, here.

St. Valentine's Day

Let loose the sails of love and let them fill
With breezes sweet with tenderness to-day;
Scorn not the praises youthful lovers say;
Romance is old, but it is lovely still.
Not he who shows his love deserves the jeer,
But he who speaks not what she longs to hear.

There is no shame in love's devoted speech;
Man need not blush his tenderness to show;
'Tis shame to love and never let her know,
To keep his heart forever out of reach.
Not he the fool who lets his love go on,
But he who spurns it when his love is won.

Men proudly vaunt their love of gold and fame,
High station and accomplishments of skill,
Yet of life's greatest conquest they are still,
And deem it weakness, or an act of shame,
To seem to place high value on the love
Which first of all they should be proudest of.

Let loose the sails of love and let them take
The tender breezes till the day be spent;
Only the fool chokes out life's sentiment.
She is a prize too lovely to foresake.
Be not ashamed to send your valentine;
She has your love, but needs its outward sign.

Edgar A. Guest, A Path To Home, 1919

How To Cook A Senior Year

Can't. Get. The. Smile. Off. after last nights Mr. HHS contest up at Hillcrest. An annual talent (beauty?) contest for senior guys, the performances were some of the funniest in years. A skit from Abbott & Costello, a drum solo, Sinatra's "My Way", were some of the entrees on the menu. One young man wrote a song, which he accompanied on the piano; another danced - and his partner was his mom - and both were very good.

The Boy (while not saying he was talentless) opted to be the Master of Ceremonies, wearing a tux and at ease in front of the crowd, he had memorized the lines in only 2 days. Everyone wanted to know why he hasn't been in theater - I wanted to know why he hasn't been working the front door at the restaurant. My baby boy all of a sudden looked very manly.

Runner ups? Jake Sherrington, who was asked which was worse passing a kidney stone or having a teacher step on his new shoes (inside joke), and Josh Fein who painted a relief picture of the Statue of Liberty in under 3 minutes. And the winner of Mr. HHS and the People's Choice award? Jeff Wilke, who not only performed "Miss Jackson" with an electric ukelele, he kept his academic profile high by giving a thorough answer to the question about "What should we do about terrorism today." Jeff's heading off to Tufts, or Emory, or some other brainiac school that wants a National-Merit-Finalist-with-his-own-band . Subterranean Aviators, check it out.

I think it will be many years before this young man retires to be a bum.

Days of Taste - The Unsung Heroes

Many in Dallas are familiar with the "big names" in our little food world, several participate in the Days of Taste program or other AIWF events that help increase food awareness in our community. However the majority who toil at these important culinary programs operate behind the scenes, with no glory for their hard work. Until now - because I spent the day working with many, who for various reasons gave up 5+ hours of their day at the Dallas Farmers' Market (and most like me had volunteered for more than one day of service), so this post is dedicated to them.

We have to begin with Robin Plotkin, RD, LD, she has been "running the show" for Days of Taste for the last five of it's ten years here in Dallas; getting it staffed, coordinating the schools, improving the program to perfection. And she's beautiful outside as well as inside (and a newlywed to boot). Then there's Melissa Keen (Lake Highlands, '83), co-owner with her chef husband of 3 Doors Down Catering in Richardson. Her crew included son Taylor Robertson (Sachse '08), and her staff of highly trained professionals, their smiles told everyone they were having as much fun as the kids. If they can do such a great job with 50+ fourth graders, imagine what they could do for your party!

Each class features a person who is connected to the production of food, last week it was Meaders of Empire Baking on one day and Paula of the Mozzarella Company on another. Yesterday it was Sandy Breuss of Sysco with her friend "Stubby". As Premier Protein Brand Manager her job is to educate restaurants and their staff about beef, now these kids know something about it too. Each class also features a local chef to teach about the "senses of flavor" and how the taste components (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, pungent, aromatics) influence our foods. Yesterdays chef was Brad Trudeau of DISD who handles the district's in-house Silver Star Catering in their food operations department. His talents kept the kids quiet, and he interacted by asking them questions as well as answering theirs.

It takes approximately 10 more volunteers to have the correct student-adult ratio, or rather it would have if the amazing Kramer parents hadn't shown up in force. They had 1 parent volunteer for every 5 kids, like dad Brandon Fox (Hillcrest '99) who seemed to enjoy every minute of his day with his daughter. Other volunteers included a spry group of ladies who said "Harriet got us into this a few years ago" (thank you Harriet) they were busily planning a girls'-afternoon-out after the Days of Taste work - I went home and collapsed; and some students from Tarrant County Community College Dietetic Technician program who were getting service hours towards their degree.

Just remember, this could be you. Keep your ears open for the next Days of Taste program, you won't want to miss the fun.

Pictures, from top: Staff of 3 Doors Down Catering were responsible for setting up over 20 tables each day; Melissa Keen, owner of 3 Doors Down gave the pre-show pep talk to the volunteers; "Stubby", Sysco's smaller model of beef parts (the larger version, "Studly" is life sized); Brad Trudeau chef of DISD's catering department.

4th Grade Food

Yesterday was shift #2 at Days of Taste with students from Kramer Elementary. I have just enough time (while the L'Oreal Excellence soaks into my roots) to post some great food pictures - I think the argument could be made that we have some future food artists in the group. Back with more about the day after I rinse this stuff out.

The FUN of FUNdraising

We have a special culinary community here in Dallas, in addition to what patrons read in the newspapers many of the chefs and owners of restaurants happen to also be great friends on the side. We prepare and serve food at annual fundraisers to help raise money for some great causes. Not all of us do the same events, but we all (I'm certain) feel a satisfaction in helping our city be a better place through our efforts.

Saturday's Zoo To Do is a prime example of the fun these chefs have together, and it was true to its label, a Hullabaloo. Hurricane Ike actually proved to be a blessing in disguise, forcing a re-scheduling from late September to November 1, which turned out to be a lovely evening for an outside fundraiser. And while the date changed, our original dish stayed the same, a 5 Spice Duck Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette and Crispy Wontons - which is also a new menu item at the restaurant.

We were between Nick & Sam's and Chamberlain's, with Del Frisco's and Eatzi's down the way and Suze across our little cul-de-sac of booths. Several of the chefs brought their school-aged helpers, and we couldn't have done it without their help. Sister brought her friend Pamela and she enjoyed very much the evening (even though it meant four hours on her feet), she shortly became a pro at reciting the food we were serving. And it wasn't all work, work, work, they got to pet the stingrays in the stingray pool, visit the gorillas and taste some of the wonderful food that the 22 business provided for the evening.

Such is the recipe for preparing future volunteers.

The chefs' dine-around package sold for $16,000 in the live auction to a neighbor of ours, I'm trying to get the girls to throw in a little free babysitting to go with it.

Groovadelic Sevy with pal Richard Chamberlain, top left. Lisa Chamberlain called in to help for the evening, center. The staff of 3 booths, bottom.

Food for Inspiration

Growing up there was a framed poem on the wall outside of my bedroom, and my sisters and I memorized it after 18 years of walking past. What I didn't realize was that it was only the first verse, and two others followed. If this can't bring a smile to your face, well, good thing it's the weekend.

IT COULDN'T BE DONE, By Edgar A. Guest
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn't be done", and you'll do it.

Have a great Halloween and weekend. Amy S.

Order In! 70 Smiles - To Go!

The Days of Taste/Hexter Elementary day down at the Farmer's Market Resource Center was a huge success. Volunteer forces from the Baylor Hospital nutritional team showed up in force, some had done this gig before - others were new. But every one of us left with smiles, mine lasted even after I got home and saw what the dogs had eaten in my absence.

I was assigned to a group of five 4th graders and teamed with a great Hexter mom, it turned out we had some things in common. Her daughter was on Math team with the same coach my kids had at Kramer, she helped with book fair like I did back in the day - making new friends was like a whipped cream topping to the day.

But the kids, boy, they were sharp and well behaved. And curious. They listened patiently to Meaders Orazow talk about making bread. How the yeast works, different flavors of bread, and of course they loved it when they got to sample the sourdough, wheat and rye breads she brought to share. Then chef Tina Wasserman took them on an exploration of flavors; salt, sugar, citric acid and cocoa (salty, sweet, sour and bitter) and they had "tasters" of cheese, chocolate, pickles, rosemary on a plate for them to try individually and in combinations.

We were the Green Pepper team, and headed out to the market - each child received $1 to purchase their vegetable(s) of choice. Many of the vendors were kind enough to split baskets, or let kids buy only one of something. By the end, we had: corn, cucumber, banana pepper, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries, apple, watermelon slices (a very nice man let us have some "samples" which we threw in a bag), banana.

Returning to the resource center, the staff washed the veggies while the kids washed their hands, then the chopping and trading began. One group wanted some of our corn, which we traded for half a red pepper, another group traded a few strawberries for an orange, and I don't remember what we traded for some brussels sprouts and carrots. IJS, one of the boys, "Mr. J" showed amazing trading skills, we would send him off with half of something and he'd come back with something else.

While I chopped, "Miss A." helped her mom with the dressing. Buttermilk mixed with mayonnaise (which all the kids thought looked gross), and each one got to add an element - garlic, pepper, cayenne, until we had......Buttermilk Ranch dressing, which they thought was very cool. Everyone had a part in making a pasta and veggie salad which was devoured, the fruit salad was for dessert and we had enough to share with others.

"Big D" said it was the best he ever had as he gave me a gigantic hug on his way out. My smile's still there, I hope his is too.

Don't Let This Happen To You

'Nuff said. (Thanks Lisa)

How To Cook For Inspiration

I don't plan these posts, they just happen. But I was reading posts on a site today that made me wonder what has happened to humanity in our society. It's more than the recent economy, it's more than what is going on with the city (and it's schools). Lately I've heard many call out for "anonymous others" to volunteer their time and step in and save things, like it would be the easiest thing in the world to do, but these same "callers" are unwilling to see themselves in any role to help make a better world.

Do your worst, call me an optimist, but I believe that things can be different. Every day I read my favorite calendar quotes that I've torn off and stuck to my bulletin board next to my computer. I really think I need to share them.

* "One person can make a difference, and every man should try." John F. Kennedy
* "Some people look at the way it is and say why, others look at the way it could be and say why not." George Bernard Shaw
* "Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it". Dwight D. Eisenhower
* "Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway." John Wayne
* "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." Anthony J. D'Angelo
* "A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn." Unattributed
* "Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi
* "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
* "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." Dolly Parton

IJS, Amy S.

Update: Many of the comments on the linked web log above were removed by the publisher. Good.

Warning: Cancer May Cause Blogging

If you had asked me, just over a year ago, what a blogger was I would have responded that it sounded like something that requires a decongestant. Then my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and for a period of time each test came back with very bad news. The internet became more than an email and shopping venue, we relied on it to locate the latest research about Jim's illness. The outpouring from our community was enormous, mainly because of a friend-who-happens-to-be-a-food-editor, Nancy Nichols, who shared our information on the SideDish weblog. I actually started to read the articles on SideDish, and it's sister blog, FrontBurner, and the internet became yet another source - my sense of humor.

So, a year later I'm posting on my own site and SideDish (once a week), and oh yeah sometimes I post comments on the DMN Education blog, but that's like swimming upstream - our kids go to DISD. What got into me? My only previous experience with this was starting a company newsletter - in 1984 - it lasted for 2 editions! I read Elizabeth Edward's autobiography, Saving Graces, and she relied on the internet for information and solace when her oldest son died, and later when she was diagnosed with breast cancer (these days she probably posting about some other unhappy events). While most people choose to post anonymously, there is an element of familiarity amongst people who regularly comment.

Not sure what I want back from this, maybe to be asked to judge the fried food entries for the state fair? Going for a DBest? Not likely. It's not about making money, but if it did, I'd spend it to hire Bethany to edit me. It's a fun, creative, stimulating outlet, and the ideas just keep coming. I know I'm not a "real" writer, but at least I produce. Comments can be tough, but shoot I'm the oldest of three girls, my nose has been bloodied before (thanks Missy). So I think I'll continue to find the time for it, right between taking care of accounts payable and payroll.

And the cancer? Well we take it each test at a time, as do thousands of others around us. Right now, it's really not worth blogging about.