Things My Mother Taught Me

Sun, 9 May 2010 11:13:25 -0400

My mother taught me more than she will ever realize.

She taught me that chocolate is vital to existence. She taught me that when it comes to gingerbread houses and birthday cakes constructed to look like behemoth structures like miniature golf courses and high school lockers, patience and stale candy are the key. She taught me that “weird” food from far off lands is a delicious adventure that makes you cool just by eating it. She taught me when eating Chinese food, no matter how Americanized it may be, you must always use chopsticks.

My mother is the kind of mother who still sends my sister and I care packages for every imaginable holiday, brimming with candy and the ubiquitous holiday themed socks (no matter that we are both in our 30s). She is also the kind of mother that no matter how big and seemingly unattainable our dreams have been, knew that we could reach them. She also knew, and reminded us often, that dreams don’t come easy. Dreams are things you work your fingers to the bone to achieve, so you better get cracking.

My mother taught me what it means to love. Love is not passive; it takes hard work, sacrifice, and determination. But whether that love is for what you do, where you are, or for another person, love is always worth it.

Thank you for the lessons, Mommie. Happy Mother’s Day.

Resolutions, Or Real Change

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:19:56 -0500

Three weeks into the new year we are all a little sick of hearing about it. We’ve either made some serious headway on those resolutions (been to the gym religiously 4 days a week, said goodbye to that last pack of cigarettes, made and stuck to our strict budget) or things have gone astray (Week 1: Gym 4 days, Week 2 Gym: 2 days, Week 3: Gym. . .what’s a gym?).

Personally, I’ve never been one for resolutions for the very reason that they set themselves up to be grand proclamations that inevitably peter off as we lose steam and willpower. What I have been a fan of is knowledge that leads to better life choices and in turn a better life.

Two things that seem to be on everyone’s minds, topics that so many of us want to learn more about in order to improve our lives, are health and the preservation of our planet through better eating and, of course, money - how to keep what we have and maybe save a little for a future that we now realize may not be as secure as we once thought. One way I can contribute, albeit a small contribution, to helping individuals and families with these two topics is by revving up my Cooking Class schedule. I have opened up more time slots each and every week in the new year.

Perhaps you love food, but making it yourself is a bit of a mystery, however those dollar signs on your takeout menus and who-knows-what in the ingredient lists are making you a little antsy. Maybe you have skills, but want to really up your game and collect some advanced “restaurant style” techniques. Why go out when you can save money and bowl your friends over with your skills at home? So, check out my Cooking Classes page for suggestions, but remember these are classes crafted towards what you want to learn. . .so just imagine the possibilities.