A Life, Lived

911 Calls

I feel the need for something light this evening. So without further blathering on my part . . .

Real 911 Calls or Proof that We're on the Downward Trek to a Bad Place!

Dispatcher :  9-1-1 What is your emergency? 
Caller: I heard what sounded like gunshots coming from the brown house on the corner. 
Dispatcher: Do you have an address? 
Caller:  No, I have on a blouse and slacks, why? 

Dispatcher: 9-1-1 What is your emergency? 
Caller :  Someone broke into my house and took a bite out of my ham and cheese sandwich. 
Dispatcher : Excuse me? 
Caller :   I made a ham and cheese sandwich and left it on the kitchen table and when I came back from the bathroom, someone had taken a bite out of it. 
Dispatcher : Was anything else taken? 
Caller :  No, but this has happened to me before and I'm sick and tired of it! 


Dispatcher: 9-1-1 What is the nature of your emergency? 
Caller:   I'm trying to reach nine eleven but my phone doesn't have an eleven on it. 
Dispatcher: This is nine eleven. 
Caller:    I thought you just said it was nine-one-one 
Dispatcher: Yes, ma'am nine-one-one and nine-eleven are the same thing. 
Caller:    Honey, I may be old, but I'm not stupid. 

Dispatcher:  9-1-1 What's the nature of your emergency? 
Caller:    My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart. 
Dispatcher: Is this her first child? 
Caller:    No, you idiot! This is her husband! 

And the winner is.......... 

Dispatcher: 9-1-1 
Caller:  Yeah, I'm having trouble breathing. I'm all out of breath.  Darn....I think I'm going to pass out. 
Dispatcher: Sir, where are you calling from? 
Caller:   I'm at a pay phone.. North and Foster. 
Dispatcher: ! Sir, an ambulance is on the way. Are you an asthmatic? 
Caller:   No 
Dispatcher: What were you doing before you started having trouble breathing?
Caller:   Running from the Police.

An Open Letter to Canadians

My friend Wendy posted this earlier today and I thought it was so good that I would do the same . . .

Teachers Are Heroes . . . Why Aren't They Treated That Way?

First, in the interest full disclosure, I am a teacher.

In fact, I am the third generation of teachers in my family.

Now to make me even more suspect in the minds of some - I work for a teachers' union. I know that we have been lead to believe that unions are evil - it is easy to forget that the middle class, the social strata from whence most of us have sprung, would never have existed without the activity of said unions. But I digress.

The other day I was out visiting blogs and I came across what I think is one of the saddest posts I have read in a long time on the blog Sidewalk Shoes:

You know, I get lots of comments from people saying, how do you do it all?  How do you work full-time, cook all these foods, take pictures, read a zillion books, post to two blogs every single day, have 2 grandchildren, 4 cats, husband, 3 daughters??? 

Well, you know what, sometimes I don’t do it all.  Like today.  See that pie?  I didn’t make it.  I bought it.  And then I took a picture of it, because I knew that I might need a gimme, an easy day.  A day when I didn’t feel like typing in a recipe.  Today is the day.

Because I am tired.  I don’t get political on this blog because I like it to be entertaining, and I find nothing at all entertaining about politics.  Politics gives me a headache.  You know what else gives me a headache, teacher bashing.  I’m tired of it.  I’m tired of being the root of all evil in the education system.  Walk a day in my shoes, people.  I spent one entire day last week, with one of my students.  A particularly needy and troubled student.  A student who has anger issues.  I spent the day trying to help him control his anger and to not get in trouble.  He needs to be in a special behavior class to help him control his behavior, but guess what, there is no funding for that.  So, instead I spent the day with him, instead of providing services to the other 19 students on my caseload.  As for academics, what does he care about algebra, when he is just trying to not get arrested again?  But yet, when his test scores come out,  I will be considered a bad teacher.  Because his home life, numerous arrests, behavior issues, none of that matters, I am the only thing causing him to have low test scores.  I am a bad teacher.

I remember when I used to be proud to say I was a teacher.  Now, I feel like I should say it in hushed tones, all apologetic like, because apparently everything wrong in the education system is my fault.

It used to be that teachers were the light in our society - recognized as the heroes they are for working hard to make the next generation better than the one before. Last month I was at a conference in the US and was shocked to hear the stories from my American colleagues. Teachers, as this blogger talks about, being blamed for all that is wrong with the education system.

One of the folks I follow on twitter is Diane Ravitch - never have I seen a more tireless advocate for teachers and public education. From 1991 to 1993, she was Assistant Secretary of Education and Counselor to Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. She was responsible for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education. As Assistant Secretary, she led the federal effort to promote the creation of voluntary state and national academic standards.

Now she is travelling the country rallying support against the so-called education reform movements that are being promoted by those with private school educations and strong corporate agendas.

She is a vocal opponent of Obama's flawed education policy 'Race for the Top' and suggested that what we really needed was:

a strong, highly respected education profession; a rich curriculum in the arts and sciences, available in every school for every child; assessments that gauge what students know and can do, instead of mindless test prepping for bubble tests. And a government that is prepared to change the economic and social conditions that interfere with children’s readiness to learn.

Well said, Diane, well said.

She is coming to Toronto in three weeks and I was lucky to be selected as one of the people who get to hear her.

I hope for the sake of the teacher I quoted above, all teachers actually . . .  heck - all of us! That more people listen to Diane, make some noise, and tell governments everywhere that the last thing they must to is to make cuts to public education - nothing holds more promise for the future than public education.

Teachers needed to be treated like the heroes they are because without a well-trained, well-respected teaching force, working in properly funded public schools, we don't have much of a future to look forward to.

The alternative is just too frightening to contemplate.

Asparagus and Poached Eggs on Toast

This was an impromptu breakfast that I pulled together today. When Paul decided to grace the world with his presence I asked him what he wanted for breakfast.

'Food,' was his helpful response.

When pushed a bit he decided that some poached eggs on sourdough toast might be a fine thing.

I remembered that I had some fresh asparagus in the refrigerator. . . and three slices of prosciutto that needed to be used up . . . and a hunk of gruyere cheese that had been in the cheese compartment since January (making it a bit aged).

I decided to make an open face sandwich that pulled it all together. Happily it worked.

(If you're wondering why the egg whites have a yellowish green tinge - I was too lazy to change my water after steaming the asparagus and poached them in the asparagus water.)

You want to soft poach the eggs so that when you cut into them the yolk flows over the melted gruyere and coats the asparagus, prosciutto, and toast with a wonderful impromptu 'sauce'. MMMM

Asparagus and Poached Eggs on Toast

(serves 1)

2 pieces of bread
2 slices prosciutto
4 steamed asparagus spears
1/4 cup shredded gruyere cheese
2 eggs
freshly cracked pepper

Toast the bread. Layer the prosciutto on top of the toasted bread.

Arrange the steamed asparagus on top of the prosciutto. Sprinkle with most of the cheese.

Poach the eggs. Place the poached eggs on top of the sandwich. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and a flurry of freshly crushed pepper.

Photo Hunt Road

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'road'. I took this picture a few weeks ago when I was in San Francisco for a conference. One afternoon I headed down to the Mission district to visit Mission Dolores. This bell was set up outside the mission.

The "El Camino Real Bells" have long been in place since the early part of the last century to mark the original route of "El Camino Real" from San Diego to Sonoma in California.  The El Camino Real,  (Royal Highway or King's Highway), closely follows Highway 101 in California.  The El Camino Real was the first roadway in the State, built by the Spanish during the early mission days. 

The 700-mile-long El Camino Real linked California's chain of 21 missions, which were founded by Father Junípero Serra and reputed to be spaced one day's journey apart by horseback.  Unfortunately over the years the Camino Real gave way to modern highways, primarily Routes 101 and 82.   Around the turn of the century several civic groups, concerned that this historic road was being lost to "progress", worked to try to preserve it by having the state declare it a historic road and marking the original route with this legendary bell. 

The bells were first erected and paid for by the Camino Real Association in the early 1900s.  The Association installed the guidepost bells to mark the road and many of these bells are still standing today. 

 

Women of Canada Break Up With Stephen Harper

The social media have turned this election campaign into an interesting thing - I've been following tweets, facebook sites, you tube videos - the feed is constant. What it has done is bring a level of energy to a campaign that generally lacks it.

Here is a fine example of what I am speaking of. This youtube clip is the first in a series of videos showing women 'breaking up' with Stephen Harper. Over the years women in Canada as a group have traditionally been fearful of Harper and his conservative agenda. They are wary of his regressive policies that seem to turn back the clock to a time when women didn't have the advantages and rights that they do now.

In fact, it has been this very refusal of women, brilliant women, across this country to vote for Harper candidates  that have saved us from experiencing the full wrath of his government with a majority.

Proof that women are smarter than men if I ever saw it.

Bon Appetit - Why We Love Italy

 
The May issue of Bon Appetit magazine will be a love note to Italy. To whet our appetites they recently posted 20 reasons why they love Italy. Since its Bon Appetit magazine it is heavy on food and drink but it sure causes one to year for bella italia!

1. Cardoons, puntarelle, Treviso radicchio, and all that other only-in-Italy produceyou'll never find at your local megamart.
2. Porcini season, artichoke season, fava bean season, truffle season...Makes planning when you go almost as important as where.
3. That's just how it is—not some highfalutin movement that your know-it-all food-obsessed friends like to pontificate about.
4. Regionalism is alive and well. Don't even think about asking for tortellini in brodo south of the Po valley or 'ndujaoutside of Calabria. You ain't gonna find 'em!
5. Going inside is not a prerequisite for seeing amazing works of art.
6. Pasta tastes better when you have a viewof ruins (or churches...or olive groves...or the Ligurian Sea).
7. You can get a rich, crema-topped espressojust about anywhere. And it doesn't come with a lecture from some tattooed, fedora-wearing barista.
8. The rush you get when standing in front of 50 flavors of gelato and having to pick just one (or two or three). And the thing is, you can't go wrong.
9. Trailing a grandmother at the local open-air market and buying whatever she buys, even if you don't know what it is.
10. Wherever you go, someone's uncle/father/brother/cousin makes the best wine/salumi/grappa. And you will taste it.
11. In Italy, anchovies are not the Rodney Dangerfield of fish.
12. Cinta Senese pork.The treasured Tuscan swine is tastier (juicier, fattier, more flavorful) than anything you'll find stateside—and even better than the overhyped Chianina cattle.
13. Then again, a bistecca alla Fiorentina is the ultimate steak.
14. Italians couldn't care less about Michelin stars (but they do like that Slow Food snail).
15. You're treated like an extended part of the family in almost any trattoria.
16. You can count the number of ingredients in a restaurant dish on one hand.
17. As soon as you hear the angry-bee sound of a Vespa, you know you could be only one place on earth.
18. Countryside restaurants where there's no menu; the courses keep coming until you say "basta."
19. The post-dinner stroll. Dashing Italian men with melon-colored cashmere V-necks wrapped around their shoulders, stunning women sporting stiletto heels on cobblestones...It's almost better than dinner itself.
20. House wine. It's the only white or red they serve (in a juice glass, no less), and it's perfect

Really, what's not to love about a country where gelato on a roll qualifies as breakfast, everyone's grandmother is the world's best cook, and you don't even have to leave the train station for a pitch-perfect espresso? Remind us why we don't live there...

Thai-Style Peanut and Panko Crusted Pork Chops

The other day I had this craving for peanut crusted pork chops. Yes. I did wonder why the heck it cropped into my mind the way it did. Nonetheless, once planted the craving required food.

I asked Paul to find a recipe and he decided this one sounded good.

This recipe is a slight variation on one created for a 2007 contest run by the Peanut Advisory Board. If the creator of this recipe didn't win the contest that I'd LOVE to try the other recipes because these were bloody amazing.

The recipe calls for jasmine rice to be served with these. Instead we served them with spicy peanut noodles (using whole wheat noodles). Once the chops were cooked I sliced them and arranged them over the noodles for presentation purposes.

I know that Paul was thrilled with the results because he has asked three times if there were any leftovers - either forgetting that we only thawed and cooked two chops or else he was operating under the misguided notion that chops reproduced at will in teh refrigerator.

You may want to do yourself a favour and cook up a double recipe because you'll be wanting leftovers as well!

Thai-Style Peanut and Panko Crusted Pork Chops

2 boneless butterfly pork loin chops (about 3/4 to 1 lb)
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, crushed
1 cup panko crumbs
3 medium cloves garlic
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 stalks lemongrass, lower portion, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, leaves and stems, chopped
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Lime wedges
Thai Sweet-Chili sauce
Cooked Jasmine rice

Pound the pork loin chops slightly to even thickness. Season lightly with salt and set aside.

Combine the peanuts and panko crumbs and set aside.

In the food processor or chopper, pulse the garlic, ginger and lemongrass until finely minced. Add the cilantro, fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of oil and pulse until the mixture forms a paste.

Spread one side of each butterflied pork chop with half of the lemongrass-cilantro paste.

Fold the butterfly chops together (secure with toothpick if necessary), dip each in the beaten egg, then dredge in the peanut-panko mixture.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the pork chops, turning frequently to prevent coating from over-browning, until the pork is cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Transfer chops to plates and serve with lime wedges, chili sauce and jasmine rice.

April 13, Day of Pink

Tomorrow groups across the world will be recognizing the 'Day of Pink'.  This is the International Day against bullying, discrimination, and homophobia in schools and communities. People are invited to celebrate diversity by wearing a pink shirt and by organizing activities in their workplaces, organizations, communities and schools.

Have you ever seen a friend hurt because of discrimination? Have you been hurt yourself? Discrimination comes in many forms including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, agism and anti-semitism just to name a few. These forms of discrimination create barriers, bullying, harassment, hate and violence.

No one should have to experience the negativity created by discrimination. Day of Pink is more than just a symbol of a shared belief in celebrating diversity - it's also a commitment to being open minded, accepting differences and learning to respect each other.

Pink Shirt Day was started in Nova Scotia because a boy was bullied on the first day of school for wearing a pink shirt. To take a stand against bullying David Shepherd and Travis Price decided they would use a pink shirt to represent their campaign. After only a few years this symbol has become a national day of awareness. The reason for Pink Shirt Days success is first the low cost factor, as well as using students as volunteers.

I have my pink shirt I bought in Bologna last year and the pink tie I bought in Venice (thank goodness European males are NOT afraid of a 'splash' of colour!) What will you be wearing?

Cooking Light 12 Healthy Habits - April - Whole Grains

A bit late, I know, but there has been a ton going on. When the calendar page turned to April I eagerly checked to see what my new challenge would be from the fine folks at Cooking Light.

Eat three more servings of whole grains a day.

This caused me considerable pondering . . . I've never really understand what was meant by whole grains - is rice a whole grain? Is whole wheat bread made with whole grains? Are Wheaties a whole grain cereal?

My questions could fill this entire post.

I know that they're good for me. I just don't always know what they are.

It turns out that I am not alone in this.

Here is what CL had to say:

A whole grain is a simple food, the soul of the health food ideal. There’s good reason to eat whole grains: The fiber and nutrients are associated with reduced risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, and offer the added perk of better weight maintenance. Problem is, getting whole grains into a modern diet isn’t simple at all. The whole-grain landscape is confusing. There is no ­simple standard for a serving. Food ­labels are unreliable. Definitions are tricky. The goal this month is to take a simple approach to servings, decode the labels, and then get three more servings of whole grains into your diet each day, without a lot of fuss: It can be as simple as having a serving at breakfast, lunch, and snack time or dinner.

Here’s what you need to know. A grain is a seed, having three parts: a vitamin- and oil-rich germ (the part that sprouts); a starchy coating that feeds the germ; and a layer of ­antioxidant-rich, high-fiber bran that protects this nutritious package. ­Refined grains usually consist of only one part of the seed: When wheat, for example, is refined, the bran is ­removed, as is the perishable germ, leaving a shelf-stable, nutrient-stripped starchy powder known as white flour. Lots of carbs in that, and beautiful for baking, but much goodness is missing. Whole grains, by contrast, have all three parts.

A bowl of cooked brown rice or oatmeal is perhaps the simplest ­example of a whole-grain food—half a cup of either is the government’s definition of a serving, as is a half-cup of whole-grain pasta. Things get trickier with whole-grain products, though, because you have to ask how much whole grain is in the food.

So here's what I have done: all of our bread is whole wheat. Our breakfast cereal has been replaced with a whole grain variety (and I HATE it but I eat it because it is good for me). We've been eating brown rice. I have been eating whole grain salads. Last night, instead of risotto made with processed rice, I made a barley 'risotto' which was amazing. I've been adding my homemade granola (FULL of whole grains) to yoghurt and other dishes. Our pasta has all been whole wheat pasta.

This month is hard!