A reflection of the year past...and my passion.... Family and Consumer Sciences.

As I look back on the year it brings smiles filled with joy and change.  I love life and I am so lucky to have people around me that bring stability, laughter, and chaos on a daily basis.  I hope that each of you can look back at the many changes, in your

Did I mention chaos?  Christmas Eve with family that I am grateful for!

life, during the past year, and find something to reflect that brings you happiness.

I started this blog to focus on Family and Consumer Sciences and the many aspects of that field.  When I started it I was a teacher filled with hope to be a part time advocate for the profession because it is one of my passions.  I am dedicated to the good that it does for families, children and the future of both of those groups. 

During the 80's and 90's Home Economics was a reflection of being domestic.  During that time it seemed that being domestic was an insult to women and their freedom to stand strong in field of men at work.  I have never felt that Home Economics was purely domestic.  I think that I have always looked at it as a profession because my love for it started in textiles and design.  What I wanted, in the worst way, was to be "somebody" with my design and creations.  Being brave was not one of strong points, stepping into design required braveness.  So I decided to teach others.  I am very happy with this path.

Because of the strong push away from Home Economics during the 80's I lost my first job in one year and did not think that I would ever go back.  I did return, with a fluke.  I was subbing for someone that chose to stay home when she had children.  I have always appreciated that wonderful opportunity and chance to get back in the classroom.  The beginning was a struggle but after I found my footing and returned to my passion of textiles, creating new courses and implementing them I was happy.  There were some rocky roads but I had great co-workers that understood my craziness (most of the time) and passion.  Together we built a great department that highlighted each others talents and passions.  (Note:  Still have guilt for the mess that came with my creativeness that they cleaned up when I left.)

When I decided to retire from education I knew that I was losing something, but I can not explain what it was. I did not want to be the person standing in front of the room that students remembered as a crabby lady waiting for her pension to kick in.  I am lucky enough to have a support system that allowed me to do so.  I know that something new will come along to keep me happy but while doing so I will always keep working at my passion for Family and Consumer Sciences.

As you reflect on your year, I hope that you keep what makes you happy in your life, and change the things that sometimes take your smile away. 

Love your life and live in the moment because before your know it a lifetime will have passed you by.

Thank you to all of my friends, followers and family for a wonderful year!  (Still smile when I think of that great, unexpected, retirement party.  Such good people at North High School!)

Happy New Year.

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

P.S. If you are looking for a new course in your FACS department please check out the slide show for North High Schools Healthy living course.

A quick look at a Healthy Living Course in Minnesota: FACS and Phy Ed partnership

Over the years with the emphasis of obesity prevention I was encouraged to create a course that was in fact promoting healthy living.

In our school we created a course that alternates with FACS and physical education.  I have retired but the course is in it's third year and continues to evolve and develop.

There are some draw backs to the this course.  Having a class everyday makes it feel very slow and occasionally students are somewhat disconnected.  Cooking a two day lab with the every other day schedule does not enable us to make all foods as some tend to spoil more than others.

Over all the program has been successful and we are proud of the partnership and collaboration.

Please look at the video which is a quick over view of the course content from the FACS point of view.

With Love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Christmas cards, letters and pictures

Everyone has a favorite thing for their favorite holiday.  Although I find Christmas a bit stressful because of the location logistics, with 2 grown children, and two sides of the family quite a distance apart; I love the Christmas card sending portion of this season.

 

I was listening to a local radio station with 2 female hosts the other day.  One of them stated that she thought it was not good to send letters with your Christmas photos.  She did not like the bragging in them. She also said she sent pictures with just her children.  The other host did not seem to agree coming from a family whose father spent many hours on the "Christmas Letter and photo."  To avoid a great debate they asked for opinions from listeners.  To be honest I thought they were going to get a ton of people making fun of folks sending the "holiday newsletter."  I was wrong.  Every listener that called in said they looked forward to the letters and they loved the pictures.  They all thought family pictures should be included in the card and that if you were not in the picture you may be trying to hide something.  Yeah for them and yeah for me.

 

I think that letters and pictures at Christmas are fun.  I have been doing pictures and letters since my children where little tiny babes.  I even started doing a picture of pictures before you could do them on computers.  I would paste pictures on a piece of paper and my local photo studio would take pictures of the pictures and then I had them printed.  It was a great deal of work but it was fun.  I put so much work into my Christmas card because I love getting them.  I do not judge others and what they do.  I just smile when I get them.  I had a friend in Washington that let it slip once that they ranked the letters every year.  He said I was always in the top three.  I took it as a complement.  I do not just brag in my letters, sometimes I talk about things that are not happy because it is a part of life.

 

I know over the years I have been made fun of by many.  I also know that many think that with social media the Holiday Christmas card is unnecessary.  I don't know, maybe it is, but one thing that I know for sure:  I have saved each of our letters over the years for my boys and it is a wonderful quick history for my family.    It is a documentation of what we did and what was important to us.  I am so happy that I have this history for my boys and hopefully they will have fun with these letters looking back and someday talking about their past lives with their children. 

 

I know not everyone is Christian but I do hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season. I hope that you are able to do whatever it is that makes you and your family happy during this very special time of the year.

 

With love from your favorite FACS teacher.

 

Jane

 

 

This is not a simple task.  It is a couple of days worth of addressing and note writing.  This year I ordered cards with our picture on them.  Sometimes I purchase cards from a store and add a picture and a letter.

Thanksgiving recipe changes for our vegetables and Thanks for a good life.

My Husband and I returned from our vacation in Mexico.  We are so thankful being able to enjoy our life together celebrating our 27th anniversary.  Although the place we stayed was amazing it made me realize the world is full of those that have and those that have not.  We are blessed with family, love  and careers,  and I am ever grateful for these things.

Upon my return I was hired for two days to work with students from my former districts ALC (Alternative Learning Center) to prepare a reward meal for the students trimester end.  It was a lovely celebration and great to see the students enjoy and appreciate a meal together.  We made a traditional U.S. Thanksgiving meal.  Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Salad, Pumpkin and Apple Pie.  The meal was a great success and it was nice to see students in this positive setting. 



At Home

While preparing for our small Thanksgiving day meal at home.  (Only 9 this year, missing my son and his girl, my dad and sister and my brother...) I decided that we should keep some family favorites but other things need to change.   We do not need EVERYTHING filled with fat and grease so I am using new recipes for my vegetables.

Sorry to the soup and fried onion companies there will be NO green bean casserole in our house. The sweet potatoes will not include sugar!

Green Beans

Instead I sautéed onions in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Then added a 1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar and 2 Tablespoons of Agave` in the sauce pan reduced the sauce and poured it over my beans.  I will bake it at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes with no lid on Thursday.

 

Broccoli

I also made broccoli with a light cheese sauce using a rue.  I used 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and 2 Tablespoons of flour.  I then added 1/2 cup of milk, 1 cup of water and salt and pepper to taste.  (Seriously, I used water because I ran out of milk, but you can use more milk for a richer sauce.) I then whisked in 1/3 cup of sharp cheddar cheese and poured it over my broccoli again I will bake it at 350 degrees on Thursday for 8-10 minutes.  (If you want a cheesier sauce add more shredded cheese.)

Although this is a cheese sauce it is lightly salted and not processed by a factory. 



Sweet Potatoes

Just going to slice them, coat them with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic and roast them on a pan.  Mmmmmm, just like summer on the grill. 


I hope that those of you in the U.S. have a great Thanksgiving, and my friends from around the world I am grateful for your friendships. 

With love from your retired FACS teacher!
Jane

Morbid thoughts, but important for those left behind.

Recently a local news station did a story on several people who had a family member die at a rather young age. Those left behind did not have information about their loved ones wishes or their finances.  These are important things to consider and talk about with your spouse, friends, children or those that will take care of your "stuff". 

No one ever wants to talk about death and the devastation that it brings to a family and friends, especially when the person is fairly young.

As I have mentioned, my husband and I travel annually on our motorcycle together on long vacations.  When we leave I always email our adult children with information about "what to do if something happens."  I am a realist, I always have been.  Let us face it, traveling is always dangerous but is more so on a bike.

Things that you should tell your loved ones:

• What law firm has your will on file.  (If you do not have one, get one.  There are on line programs to do this if you can not afford to do so.)   
• Make sure your will is updated periodically
• The name of your bank
• A list with your banking passwords
• A list with other important passwords
• Your financial planner information
• Your life insurance information
• All other insurance information
• Your credit card information
• Your accountant, if you have one
• The names of your executor
• Your safe code, if you have one
• Your social security information
• A list of other things that those left behind may need. Everyone is different.

It is also wise to tell your loved ones where they may find all of the above information in your home in case they lose their list.

Death and dying is an unpleasant situation but it happens to each of us.  Being prepared for the worst and hoping for the best is always the best solution.  Having that, "I will do it soon" attitude can also get you into trouble. Do it now, it can only help.

With love from your former/retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Football scandle in the news. Are these things a reflection of societal short comings?

I have a great deal of interests.  Some of them are not typical for a person that has been in the FACS profession.  I like to be a girlie, girl, but I also like to ride motorcycle all over the countryside.  Another thing I do is follow professional sports pretty closely.  I love baseball and football. 

My mother listened to baseball on the radio very avidly.  She got to the point at the end of her life where she would talk about a person from the Minnesota Twins by his first name (like they were a close friend) and we would say, "Who are you talking about?"  I watch more sports than my husband.  Not because he doesn't like sports but because he says he has better things to do with his time.  (Point taken.)

This past week while I followed the news coverage about the Miami Dolphins football team my heart sank.  As I read the stories and watch the interviews I feel as though some of the locker room antics resemble school or should I say, school gone out of control.  We have a large group of men, playing a game, making a great deal of money in a short period of time.  Often they have not experienced this type of financial gain and don't know how to handle it or the notoriety that goes with it.  (They need a FACS professional!)  Like a group of teens, going through school in four years, meeting a bunch of people, studying many subjects in a short period of time. 

But more disturbing than anything is the locker room shenanigans that for some seems the norm and others, a not so pleasant situation that is coped with to move forward.  I have heard many players say the Martin should have just asked these men to stop with the behavior that bothered him.  I say, although none of us really knows what happened with that team; if it was so bad he had to leave, it was not as simple as requesting people to stop with the comments.  It wasn't as simple as a punch in the face or a message on the phone either.

Many have said that this is the way it is, no one else will understand.  I don't really think that is true.  Every industry has a group of people working together and there are teams are formed in their work environments.  They are not as extreme as a football field but there are teams.  And...having a husband and friends working in the manufacturing industry it is pretty darn cut throat. 

Some football locker rooms have not moved forward with time.  I remember in the 70's hearing stories about my winning hometown high school coach and being shocked at what happened in the locker room and thinking, "That is awful!"  I know you can't just pat a man on the back and say do better next time, but there have to be better ways than using racial comments and slurs. 

Sometimes when I look at my former place of employment I feel like we have taken steps back in time with racial equality and it bothers me a great deal.  We can not judge people by their ethnic background and their race.  It is a very unfair practice to hold a couple of peoples bad behavior to a single population, and classify all that fit into that category on the same level.  At the same time, when I see the most popular sport in the United States model this very poor behavior it does not speak well for the future of our children.

I suggest professionals working with young children use this football scandal as a teachable moment.  You may be very surprised about the discussion and the conversation.  It seems there are times as educators that we do not discuss certain subject areas because it is uncomfortable.  I feel as though this is wrong.  Kind of the, if we don't talk about race in my classroom it does not exist, mentality.  Personally the less we talk about it the more uncomfortable it gets.  And, just maybe, this not talking about it behavior might very well be where the friction begins. 

I will be very interested in the outcome of this latest football issue and I hope that the industry chooses wisely in its investigation.  A whole nation of young people are watching along with the rest of us.

With love from your former FACS teacher, Jane.

Another story from my former classroom that I CAN NOT resist. Proof: We need FACS!

I talk to the person that has taken my place on a regular basis because she has my former schedule.  For me it was old hat but, it is four different preps in classes that were pretty much created by me, and do not always have a standard.  I often did not write things down and well, my random work is sometimes hard to follow, for anyone else but me.

I had strange things happen in my classroom but I rarely had time to share them.  Now I have time.  This one is going to make you cry with either sadness or laughter.  Take your pick.

Here goes my replacements story:

She was walking around checking on student clean up after a lab.  A student was washing dishes.  My former classroom is very small and you do have to look over peoples shoulders to see what they are doing.  When she looked over the shoulder of the dishwasher she gasped, held her breath and calmed herself.  The student did not have a dish clothe to clean his dishes.  He had his sweatshirt sleeves pulled over his hands, in the dishwater, and was using his sleeves as the dish cloth. 

Frankly I don't think I can top this story.  Ever! 

There is nothing else to say but children need time in the kitchen!  Proof positive.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

Random rambling, about food, from a former FACS teacher, now a sub with out a job, today!

This past week end the number one son and his girl visited our home.  I always love their visits. 

There are many reasons but several of them are:

1.  Grown up children are pretty darn enjoyable.
2.  He comes with a girl.  (I have been in the land of testosterone for a long time.)
3.  The girl and I have common interests.
4.  We all just enjoy our time with each other.

Number one's girl seems to have been raised in a family vary similar to ours.  She loves to bake, cook, sew, knit and do crafty kinds of things.  For this I am very grateful to her Mom for exposing her to these things and I "hope" she becomes a family member someday.  (Not a hint but a declaration.)

She was looking at my cookbooks during a lull on Saturday.  I showed her a cookbook I had from my Dad's mom and the pages were never turned.  Then I showed her my Mom's, Mom's cookbook and my Mom's cookbook and you could not read the tabs on them.  She laughed.  Then she took the unused cookbook and paged through the recipes. 

She found a couple of recipes and said, with a question in her voice, "What is tomato aspic?"  She proceeded to read a couple of other recipes that included gelatin and said, "Shrimp and shredded carrots in gelatin?" 

I started laughing, explained these foods to her and together we decided that the world is fine with out these foods any more. 

I have made "Tomato Aspic" once.  It was a college lab.  Personally I thought it was ridiculous and knew that I would never make it again and would choose to never teach that lesson in a high schools. 

There have been occasions when I have done some fine dining and found some sort of aspic on the menu but I have never ordered it. 

Thinking about these foods I realize that after the war, the 50's and 60's really brought on the beginning of technology and food.  We started looking at food and how we could make it easier to prepare.  This processing, in my opinion, is what has gotten us into some trouble with obesity. 

I am not declaring that every food coming from a large company is bad, but there are a great deal of them that are not good for us. 

All this recipe discussion led me to thinking about foods that you might be familiar with, that you think we no longer need around, and would never miss.  What are some of those foods for you?  And just maybe, you have a story about that food to share.


With love from your former FACS teacher.  Jane

Family and Consumer Sciences is still around, but it needs support, and people to believe in its roll in communities

Recently when Rocco Dispirito made a statement on national television about his work in communities showing children how to make foods I may have gone a little crazy.  But, in my own defense, I think that it was rightly so.  People stating bring back Home Economics, stating that they have "new" programs teaching children how to cook; these are the kind of statements that make me wonder what people think happened to Home Economics/Family and Consumer Sciences.

Chef Art Smith, made famous through Oprah, stated on the same Katie show as Rocco that he has a program in place after school teaching children how to prepare nutritional food.  I find that wonderful, but I also ask myself why we aren't pooling together and joining forces with chefs? Why are FACS professionals going unnoticed?  Chefs should be lobbying with us and for us.  What happened to us as FACS professionals that the image that is conjured up when people say Home Ec seems to be negative?   What can FACS professionals do to change that image?

Recently when I posted a letter on Rocco's Facebook site; a woman I do not know posted this comment:

 "Jane.... are you aware that most states are discontinuing Consumer and Family Studies from the curriculum? I think it is totally a disservice to the youth of today, but it is falling by the wayside just like Physical Education, Industrial Arts and Art."

I know that there are many programs being cut, but there are still many programs in place.  As an organization we need to continue to place the work that we do in the public eye.  This has been a great year "getting FACS in the public eye" but our presence needs to continue for our profession to continue.  

To keep us out there we as an organization, we need to campaign for funding from business and government.  We need to cut out some of the red tape that our organization sometimes creates.  We need to reach out to FACS educators that may not be involved in the national organization and see the good that they do on a daily basis.  If we do not we will diminish and I don't think that any of us wants that to happen. 

If you are a person not involved in the FACS profession reading this blog, please support your local Family and Consumer Sciences educator and help them keep their programs ALIVE.

Family and Consumer Sciences is a very general field that dips into the pot of many areas.  This is the reason that every child should be a part of what we do.  We are teaching about careers, parenting, families, economics, nutrition and we are part of everyday life in general.  Let us not be ashamed of that concept but proud that what we do is essential.  We are a group of bright talented people that really just do not know how to market what we do.  Let's get marketing!

With love from your retired FACS teacher.

Jane

AAFCS Teacher of the Year 40th Anniversary: Sign up a teacher from your state for FCS teacher of the year!

As a member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences I know that we honor outstanding teachers every year for their work in the classroom.

This year is the 40th anniversary of that award.  I encourage those of you are active members in the association to nominate a member from your state affiliate for Teacher of the Year.

It is a wonderful celebration and an honor to be proud of for everyone.  The nominees must be members of the association for three years, and the program you are sharing should be in place for three years.  The due date for submission is December 16, 2013. 

If you attend the conference and show your work at the curriculum showcase you will receive a $100 stipend from the ESAE community.  Honorable mention teachers will receive $200.  The national teacher of the year will receive a large cash prize and will be treated like a king or queen!

Below there is a link to the information about FCS teacher of the year.


http://www.aafcs.org/Awards/teacheroftheyearguide.asp

This link is a brochure about the teacher of the year program in AAFCS.

http://www.aafcs.org/res/teachers/2013_TOY_Brochure.pdf

Please consider sharing your program at our national conference.

Sincerely,

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

I know it shouldn't be, but my blood started boiling while watching the Katie Show today

Being involved in food education for many years I read and hear about chefs quite often.  I am often amused by their celebrity and watch what they do on T.V. because in fact; they have created a positive interest in food preparation and careers related to food.

Today on the Katie show when Rocco DiSpirito stated that he goes around to high school to teach them how to make food, and talks about healthy food because there are no food courses in place in high school, I almost jumped through the T.V. 

As FACS educators we often hear statement about subjects that we already have place such as, "someone should teach that....".  But blatantly saying he is the only person in the United States that speaks in high schools and talks about Healthy Food preparation is a bit off of the charts. 

I am trying to be rational and calm but I am having a hard time with this specific situation. 

Why can't we as a field/profession break the mold that has been put forth about Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics?  Why is it so impossible to get famous people or industry to support the work that FACS educators do? If we could all work together it would be so ideal. 

Ponder these things as a FACS educator and continue to, or start to share the work that you do with the public because as a FACS professional you are important!

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

A Story From My Former Classroom

Some of my readers know that I retired early from my position as a FACS educator in Minnesota.

I decided to continue my connection to education as a substitute teacher.  I am subbing mostly in the school that I was employed by, for 14 years. 

I enjoyed my co-workers and when they need a sub I try to make myself available to sub in their classrooms.  The school is over crowded so when the teachers I sub for have prep their room is most often being used by what we call a "traveling teacher."  So....I sit in the FACS office and read or talk to my former co-workers.

Today I got a belly laugh that made me literally cry!

I pretty much hand picked my replacement.  Sara was a teacher at our school and was moved out of her position with seniority but she was and is great.  She has been having an interesting year battling to keep one of the programs that is near and dear to my heart.  We have had many text and phone conversations. 

Today she says, "Have I told you about the potholder situation in clothing and fashion?"  I said, "No."  She said I would not believe it and she really wants to start a photo book for me titled, You are not going to believe this.

We have an activity for student to get to know their sewing machine.  They make a pot holder.  She told them to make a 9 x 9 pattern out of paper to keep their cutting straight.  She saw a line of kids waiting at the paper cutter and asked what they were doing.  A girl said she could get a straighter cut with the paper cutter.  Thinking they were cutting their paper pattern she went over to check on them thinking someone would chop their fingers off.

She got there and said, "WAIT, what are you doing?"  They were lined up ready to cut their fabric with the paper cutter.  Sara said her first thought was, "Jane is not going to believe this."  Unfortunately, I do believe it.

It is so funny. In reality, we have gotten so far away from such basic tasks. Simple things, like cutting fabric, are so far removed from every day activities that students don't even get they are a million miles away from how to use a basic tool. 

I realized this several years ago when students didn't know the difference between a pin, needle or safety pin.  I never thought that I would ever have to demonstrate how to use a stick pin until I saw girls pinning their patterns by poking the pin in the fabric standing up.  (Another chuckle) 

Today I showed a video about memory in a Psychology class.  One thing that I know for sure is that if someone took a FACS/Home Ec course in high school they have a memory of that course.  It might not be a good memory but they have one.  You rarely hear these kinds of stories about Algebra II.

This in fact is more evidence that learning by doing and application will stay with us for a much longer period of time.  Tech Educators got this concept a long time ago! 

Please share some of your FACS/Home Ec stories because, I know, they are most often fun and really create a good laugh!

With Love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Family time is important but sometimes mom's and dad's need to get away

Family time is important but sometimes mom’s  and dad's need to get away.

 As a strong advocate for family time and togetherness I also believe in friendships and bonding for the parents.  I have been friends with my college roommates for so long that I do not want to give you a number. 

Each of us was married and had children at a relatively similar time.  During that time as friends we organized gatherings at least one time a year.  Some of these gathering have been elaborate and some very simple and casual.  It is not always easy as we all live in the Midwest but this space involves 3 different states.

When we started our gatherings it was time to get a break from our kids and the trials and tribulations of everyday life.  As we have grown older, and most of us have approached the empty nest stage, it has been a time to talk about life’s challenges and rewards. 

I feel as though these gatherings are so healthy.  They are filled with laughter, reminiscing, encouragement and sometimes tears.   The connections are deep and fond.  As we grow older we see changes in each other.  Sometimes those changes make us feel that we are so lucky in the path we have chosen and other times we might look at a friend and aspire to make a personal change.

No matter what I am thankful for these annual gatherings and hope that as a parent, single person or someone in-between you have relationships in your life that can bring you joy and happiness too. 

 

 This photo is from 2005 so if you see me wearing that garment I will be caught with outdated clothing. (Ha, Ha)  Most of us have aged gracefully, I think.

 

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

Let Us See if His mind has been changed.

This notification is being sent our by AAFCS organization.

There is to be a segment about FACS on "Good Morning America"  Friday, Oct 11, 2013, it reads as follows.  Looking forward to seeing it!



"Due to the huge response from supporters of family and consumer sciences and AAFCS to the “Jury’s Out” segment last week on Good Morning America, their producer asked AAFCS to arrange for anchor Dan Abrams to visit a family and consumer sciences classroom yesterday.  In case you didn’t see it, Dan’s opinion on “Jury’s Out” was that it’s the responsibility of parents to teach their kids the essential skills taught in family and consumer sciences.

Jay (Judith) Worster, family and consumer sciences teacher at Belleville High School, Belleville, New Jersey, took up the challenge of demonstrating the importance of teaching family and consumer sciences in schools.  Dan Abrams was a “student” in Jay’s “Intro to Culinary Arts” class, along with 15 high school students. Jay taught them knife skills, but also incorporated safety, sanitation, nutrition, and personal finance information. Dan interviewed Jay, two of her students, and AAFCS Executive Director Carolyn Jackson, CFCS.

AAFCS has been told by the producer (but there is no guarantee in the media world) that the piece will air on Good Morning America tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 11th). Please be sure to tune in and see if we have influenced Dan Abrams’ opinion!"

Yeah "GMA" for bringing FACS/Home Economics up but why is it that so many don't really know what it is?

Family and Consumer Sciences was on the "Jury's Out" discussion on the Good Morning America Show, October 2, 2013.  It made me happy to see the topic but also sad that the conversation focused on the subject being too simple and easy to be educational coursework.

The fact that our society is filled with children that are overweight, children that love junk food, children that have only known processed food is a real testament to the need of FACS.  The subject needs to be continually addressed in our schools.  The food issue that we face is just one example of the importance of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The list of helpful course work is long but here are just a couple of topics.

Parenting and Child Development
Personal Finance and Consumerism
Housing and Fashion Design (Which are skills for industry)
Culinary and Food Preparation

and we could go on......

Thanks GMA for putting the topic in the public eye, please keep the important discussion going.  I fear that although you had some great points looking through the eyes of an educated panel, of privileged folks, might not be a realistic perspective.  As FACS professionals, in public schools, we see many children that do not get information on topics that some may deem common sense that one can learn at home.  Until you step into an educational setting with "real" students from all walks of life it is very difficult for the GMA panel to make an adequate judgment. 

I do appreciate that most of the panel said "yes" to FACS I sure hope that we can get it "out there" that FACS is more than etiquette.  Keep the discussion rolling. 

Below is the link to the clip from the show.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/jurys-dutch-engagement-rings-20442472

With Love from Your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Amazing Person Connected to my Family Roots and His Work for the March on Washington: Mathew Ahmann.

When I was a very young kid during the 60's I remember some things that were not normal for a girl growing up in a very small, all white community, in the Midwest.

There are several very vivid memories that I have in regard to race that never made a great deal of sense to me, BUT I am pleased to remember them and talk about them.

1.  In a Catholic community with a few Lutheran's many Catholic children were literally not allowed to play with Lutheran children.  I remember playing with Lutheran kids and asking my parents why so and so said they were not allowed to play with us when we were with those kids.  Yep it is true.  Crazy but true. 

My parents said to ignore those comments and it was o.k., we are all the same.

2.  I remember my Dad sitting me down and talking to me about race.  He talked to us about skin color and how others would say people are not equal if they were a different color.  He made a point of discussing negative terms and that we should not use them and correct others when they used them.

I did hear others use the "N" word and I did correct them although it was not all easy.

3.  I remember my Grandparents giving us a "Julia" Barbie like doll for Christmas.  This was a likeness to Diane Carroll who played Julia on T.V.  She was a single black mother that was a nurse.  My sister and I loved those dolls.  I wish I still had mine.

4.  I remember my dad insisting we do cultural things like visit reservations to see and be a part of pow wows in Minnesota long before others did so. 

I believe that my parents were rather forward in their thinking because of the work of my Dad's cousin.  I never really put things all together until recently.

My Dad's father is from a very large family that was pretty close (10 siblings).  As adults all of the siblings would gather on Sundays at their parents home which included their children.  The cousins became fairly close.  As most of the cousins went to college, some stayed in the area and others moved away to do great things.

On October 14th my Dad's cousin Mathew Ahmann will be receiving a posthumous award, from St. John's University, in Collegeville, MN,  for his work in civil rights and the organizing of the "March on Washington".  At first I was reluctant to speak of him.  Even though his work was great, he was very humble, and did not try to draw attention to himself but the cause.  Who am I to claim a person that I only met as a child.  I know I could never live up to such greatness.  But as I have mentioned him to others; I am reminded that is also important to show that it is good to share about those that helped a cause that is progressing but still not fully complete.   A cause that has been going on for over 50 years. 

We often hear about the "Big 6", which were the original black organizers of the Freedom to work March.  Later 4 members were added representing faiths around the United States.  Matt Ahmann was one of those 4 men, representing the Catholic Church.  Here is a link to a recent story in the New York Times about the white involvement of the March. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-march-on-washington-white-activists-were-largely-overlooked-but-strategically-essential/2013/08/25/f2738c2a-eb27-11e2-8023-b7f07811d98e_story.html

Below is a picture of the organizers for the March.  Matt is the skinny one in the back left with the bow tie.

The following is a link to 11 of the main organizers for the march.  If you click on their picture it describes their involvement.


http://billmoyers.com/content/meet-the-march-organizers/

There are some great museums around the United State depicting the Civil Rights movement.  If you have never been able to visit them, do make a point of doing so.  I was lucky enough to chaperone a group of black students on a "Black College Tour"  several years ago.  During that time we took the students to see several museums.  Not only was it wonderful to visit these colleges but also see the students awakening while they absorbed the history and struggle of the civil rights movement. 

It is always important to move forward in a positive direction but sometimes we have to look back to remember how we got to the present day.  We need to look back to create a better future and example for those that follow us.  It is so nice to find a positive piece of history in a fairly remote family connection.  But really I can only smile and say, "HOW COOL IS THAT!"

With Love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

Why don't I feel bad about my choice? Could it just be the right one?

The school year is in full swing.  Homecoming, at my former school of employment is over.  I have subbed as a teacher about 2 days a week.  Just enough to throw me off and not get much of anything done around the house.

Most everyone asks me how I am doing.  Do I feel bad?  Do I miss it?  Do I regret it?  On and on the questions go.  I pause because I do not fell bad, I do not miss it and I do not regret it?  Then I begin to wonder, if I don't feel bad, I don't miss it and I don't have regret was a bad teacher for wanting to leave early?

I hope not.  Because while I was in education I did care about the children that I worked with and I made friendships that I will always remember and embrace.  I had often said, "I just want to teach. I do not want the politics of education."  Those feelings of never getting caught up, from former paper work, turned into computer work that was suppose to make a life easier started giving me anxiety.  I am a girl that used a telex for communication during high school.  We had to go to the library to type our papers with erasers and white out during college.  Everything I learned on the computer was pretty much self taught and I really do love technology but not all of the programs made sense or my life easier.  I had 5 different programs that "made everything easier".  An example of a waste of time would be my collaboration group. We spent so much time figuring out how to record what we did last year that we only got things recorded.  (We were not the only ones.)

My point from all of this whining is that teachers need a break.  I know it is important to measure kids progress but if teachers have to spend so much time to figuring out how to measure they will not have time to do what they do well and that is relate with kids and teach.  I am not against change and progress.  In fact I think that I am rather forward thinking with some things.  The cycle of education is always spinning but never really changing, and it really is scary sometimes.

Those reasons stated above and others made me take a step back and take a look at the full picture.  I will always have a passion for the Family and Consumer Sciences content that I taught during my teaching career.  I will always remember the relationships that I built with my students and co-workers fondly.  But in my heart, knowing it was time for me to take a step back was the best thing that I could do for my personal well being.  And I think, it doesn't make me a bad teacher, it just makes me smart and lucky.

I have been subbing and it has been pretty relaxing.  I just can't let myself get caught up in past and new politics.  I have to let it go and enjoy that I only have the here and now to worry about. 

Man that feels Good!

With love your former FACS teacher.

Jane

Using a pastry blender for a crust and apple pie

I love making pie.  I am pretty good at it.  I don't often talk about things I make because baking and cooking is an ever basic thing that a great deal of people do well.  But, everyone has a specialty.   This happens to be my specialty.

I use shortening in my recipe because it has the least amount of moisture.  You can use butter if you do not like those solid hydrogenated fats. 

I believe in making things from scratch because the processed pre-made foods are so full of chemicals that we do not need in our bodies.

I did 3 different clips related to making (Hear the Northern accent?...pretty darn close to Fargo in some spots....embarrassing!)

a.  The pastry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqgjR-tWsLk

b. Rolling the crust and the filling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4WFkcZB7M

c. Rolling the top and fluting the a pie crust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiPuz25T2EQ




The finished product

 Double pie crust recipe

2/3 cup shortening or butter
2 cups flour
1 t salt
use pastry blender to blend into pea size chunks

6-8 Tablespoons water (add using pastry blender until moist enough to hold dough together)

Apple pie filling (Mix all together but butter.  After pouring in the crust dab with the butter and cover with your top crust.)

6-8 peeled and sliced tart apples
 (lemon to prevent brown)

1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/4 to 1/2 nutmeg
2 T Flour to thicken filling
1 T and 1 t butter to dab on top of filling


With love from your
retired FACS teacher, Jane

A Family Wedding Kept Me Busy....Seasonal Tomato Salad.

I hear I was suppose to emotionally miss the opening of the school year.  I retired early in June and many questioned what I was doing.  Financially it may not have been my wisest move but emotionally I know it was right.

My husband's niece chose to marry August 31.  Her parents are from out of town so I offered to host a family gathering and some of the over night guests at our home.  This seems easy until you realize there are seven children in my husbands family along with their children it tends to add up.

And you ask, what do the two have to do with each other? This lovely celebration helped me focus on family, cleaning, entertaining and moving on with my own life.  I spent days baking for the dessert bar and the breakfast foods for each morning.  I made a special blanket for the new couple and planned a menu that I hoped would be memorable. 

In fact I was so focused on the family gathering that I did not even think about the beginning of the year workshops until a couple of friends emailed me about the start up of the school year. 

So thank you to the new couple for picking this time of year to start their life together.  I know that I am in the right place and I will find a new direction for the next journey in my life.  Spending time with family is always a reminder of how lucky I am and to cherish the time that I have with each of them. 


This is the tomato salad I made for the gathering.  This is so tasty and so easy.  Use as many different tomato types you can find.  (Easy at the farmers market this time of year).  Chop fresh basil and sprinkle over the tomatoes and sprinkle with aged balsamic vinegar.  Looks lovely and is oh so quick.  (P.S.  many questions about the purple tomatoes.  They had great flavor and added so much color.)

 My family:  Husband, our sons and number 1 son's girl.

 My husband, his siblings and his mother.

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Farmers market products plentiful this time of year.....Lime Coleslaw......

I love this time of the year.  We so much fresh produce available at the farmers markets it would be a shame not to use these beautiful products.  This is a great end of the year salad that I put together.  It does not have that creamy high calorie dressing.  I love the tart dressing that brings out the rich flavors of the fresh vegetables.  I made this for a family gathering. 

Jane's Lime coleslaw:  can be assembled a couple of hours ahead of time.  Add blueberries right before serving.

• 1 head of cabbage (I would use a medium size head you get a great deal of cabbage in one head)
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 red pepper chopped
• 1/2 yellow pepper chopped
• 1/2 green or purple pepper chopped
• 1 medium size red onion chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 3 cobs of corn grilled, (remove corn from cob for salad by cutting between the cob and the corn) (Note:  You can use a drained 15 ounce can of corn too.  I just love the flavor from the grilled product and always make extra when we grill.)
• 1 pint blueberries (Can use 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries when blueberries are out of season.)

Combine all of the above items except the blueberries.  Mix.  Add dressing and mix again.  Gently add the blueberries before serving.

Dressing:  Combine and shake in a separate container

• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 t honey
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t chili powder
• 1/4 t pepper
• 1/4 t cumin

Taste:  I like this tart flavor.  If you would like it sweeter add a bit more honey.

The beautiful ingredients before they are put together!  Don't you love the wonderful colors we get from nature?

With Love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

I was not going to get sentimental yesterday, but I did today!

Yesterday our oldest son turned 26.  I decided to stop looking back down memory lane because it always makes me weepy and really the future is so bright for our kids!

Well, then my sister in law posted videos from the past....bam, back to the weepy puddle of motherhood.  Which, I guess, is not so bad.

My brother's children are born one year and a day apart from my oldest so we often celebrated the birthdays together when they were young.  There are only 5 boy cousins on my side and they are all very close.  Sometimes more like brothers than cousins.  They keep in touch, they make a point to see each other and they argue too. 

We established many traditions even though my brother and his family have moved all over the country through out the years.  It has been fun.

Family has always been an important connection for everyone in our family.  But we have not been perfect!  There has been dysfunction, pain and hurt along the way more than a few times.  You never know what goes on behind closed doors.  But, when something gets messy you have to move forward, make a change and carry on.  Developing strong, healthy children are what matters.  Sometimes we forget that when we get caught up in our personal adult messes.  Children see and know so much just from being there. 

My point being, one does not have to have perfection to create family and love.  You just need each other, good communication, hope and love to keep your children strong, loving people. 

Happy birthday to three of the "The Boys".  (That's what they were to my mother.)

The 5 of them together....2004

4 of them before #5 was born.  1990

Using White Whole Wheat (a couple of scone recipes)

This past June when I visited Manhattan, Kansas for the "Festival of Breads"  we took a tour of a flour processing plant.  They made white whole wheat and gave each of us a bag. 

I had not used this flour before and I asked them about it.  The manager of the co-op said that white whole wheat has not caught on with the consumer. 

Since we were given the bag of white whole wheat, and being the frugal person that I am, I hauled it home to Minnesota to use. 

I have been using it in baking because I think that whole wheat is always better and this white wheat is great because it does not change the texture of the product.

Below is a picture of Mocha scones and Maple pecan scones.  They are darker because of the flavoring. 

I recommend using part white whole wheat in your baking recipes for better nutritional value.  The product looks and tastes great.

Note when I mix my scones I always use a pastry blender.  Recipes often tell you to use a fork when mixing the liquids with the dry.  I continue to use my pastry blender as this keeps the pastry flaky and does toughen as easily with gluten over development.

left maple pecan, right mocha

 

Maple Pecan Scones /  preheat oven to 375 degrees
3/4 c pecans
3/4 c butter
3/4 c milk with 1/2 t vinegar
2 c flour
1 c white whole wheat flour
1/2 c oatmeal
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 T starch
1/2  salt
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 t maple extract

Mix pecans, flours, salt, baking powder, oatmeal, brown sugar and cut in butter with a pastry blender until you have pea size chunks of dough.

In a separate container mix all liquids and egg together (beat to mix egg with other ingredients).  Make a well in the center and cut the liquid into the dry ingredient with the pastry blender.  Until blended well.  Dough should be somewhat sticky.  (I do not like overly dry scones)

Drop on baking sheet in 1-1/2 to 2 inch size scones.  Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.  They should spring back to touch.  They will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.


Mocha Scones / preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1/2 c brewed coffee
1/2 c milk
1/4 c sour cream
1/2 c butter
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1 c white whole wheat flour
1/2 c sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 c semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 c white chips

In a bowl combine the flours, sugar, salt, baking powder, chips and cut in the butter with a pastry blender until you have pea size chunks of dough.

In a separate container mix all liquids, sour cream and egg together (beat with fork to mix) make a well with the dry ingredients, pour in the liquids and continue to cut with pastry blender until all is well blended.  Dough will be sticky.

Drop on baking sheet in 1-1/2 to 2 inch size scones.  Flatten slightly with the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.  They should spring back to the touch.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

Remember to remind your children to practice kindness

As we get ready for school to start remember that no matter what age your children's might be, remind them to practice kindness to everyone. 

I know as a parent I wanted my children to be successful and good at the things that they do but being kind is also very important.

Sometimes children do horrible things to others to make themselves feel important and special.  Sometimes that behavior is the result of having too much, not having enough or even personality disorders that go undetected. 

Never the less avoiding the topic of kindness with your children is more harmful to them than approaching it while they are in school.

I think that everyone has a memory of someone in their school that was an outcast.  If you approached that person, ignored that person, or teased that person you remember.  You remember because you did not want to be that person and don't want that for your child either. 

One of my greatest memories as a teacher is about a child with special needs accidentally dropping a plate in the foods room.  It shattered everywhere.  She felt so bad that she cried because she didn't want people to think of her as special.  One of the boys in her group, who happened to be on the soccer team, took a plate in his hand, smiled and said, "Will you feel better if I drop one too?"  She smiled laughed and told him he was silly.  He made her feel so much better and he knew what to do in that instance. 

Some students are so uncomfortable with difference that they stay away or make fun.  Try to encourage your children to be accepting of all people no matter their race, how they speak, how they dress or appear.  Everyone deserves a chance.  If your children do not hear about being positive from home they will not know the difference between right and wrong.  If you talk to them about the treatment of others, and they make a mistake, and trust me they will;  they will hear you in the back of their mind reminding them to practice kindness.

I did not do everything perfect with my children.  They are sometimes sarcastic and sometimes appear to be harsh with others.  But I do know that deep in their souls they are kind, caring gentlemen that understand not everyone is the same.   And, I know that I haunt them on occasion.  Yep, that makes me smile because I know I did my job and helped them develop their moral compass. 

I don't remember many quotes from T.V. shows but one stands out from the show Roseanne.  I remember thinking, good writing.  One of the kids yelled at Roseanne and said, "I hate you!"  Roseanne yelled back, "Good, that means I am doing my job!" 

Don't be afraid to do your job, parent your children and teach them to be kind and accepting.

With Love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Welcome To August

Random writing for me today.  I usually go through August in a panic.  I think about all of the things that I thought I would get done during the summer and have not achieved them, then try to do them in 20 short days.

As I have retired, and I do not have to go back to school I should not be in this panic mode.  My mind knows it but I still feel that way.  MMMM why is that?  I have personally set a goal that I would find a part time job early in the fall so I guess I put restrictions on myself to project that familiar anxiety. 

But I am not doing a very good job of "job hunting".  I have sent out 2 resumes all summer and I pretty much set myself up for no response from these people with the cover letters that I wrote.  Deep in my heart I really want to relax for a while unfortunately the bills will not get paid with me sitting here blogging for free.  (Smiling)

And ....I am a spender, much to my spouses disappointment. 

I have set myself up to substitute teach.  Hopefully that will help pay the health insurance bills.  I need career motivation.  I have big ideas, but that is just it, they are big and will take major work to accomplish.  Can't wait to see where I land.

On another note:

I wanted to share the link to the America's Breadbasket.  They have posted the finalist recipes for the Festival of Breads contest that I participated in, in June.  They made our products look so lovely.  Please check out the website and look and the grand recipes that were created for the contest.

http://www.americasbreadbasket.com/recipes/View/275

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

Family and Consumer Sciences formerly known as Home Economics

Last year it was announced that the school district that I live in will not be offering Family and Consumer Sciences to junior high students any longer.

I did not pay attention to what will be replacing these important classes but I would guess it might be world language or something "academic".

I would like to know why it is more important to focus on academics when we live in a society that is filled with children that need to learn how to take care of themselves financially and nutritionally?  These two components of FACS (There are many others, family, children, homes, fashion, clothing, etc.) are enough reason alone to sustain programs. 

We live in a society where we can get anything that we want on the Internet. Unfortunately, the mere fact that you can find a recipe does not mean that you understand the vocabulary of the recipe or how to make that recipe.

We have a society that does not know how to balance their financial accounts and therefor do not track their spending.  They do not make a financial plan, they do not know how to make a file with records, and they do not know how to write a formal letter to obtain a job....and I go on and on.

We have families that are so busy they don't know they importance of family time at the table and making meals in their home.

If you are in a area where Family and Consumer Sciences might be on the chopping block please support your local program and tell people why you think it is important.  When you hear someone say "it is just cooking and sewing" please correct them because the things that are taught in FACS are life long and will stay with people their entire lives.

If you have kids that are focused on an academic education versus a comprehensive education please consider a FACS course for your child.  The learning they do will make a lifelong impression.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Just another photo from our lovely vacation.  :-)

Healthy Snacks from my past

I was thinking about being a kid and summer.  I remember so many days spent outside, playing kickball, riding bikes, playing hide and seek, hop scotch, building carts, playing marbles and so much more.  I hope I created memories such as these for my kids. 

We had snacks too.  Snacks that were rarely preprocessed and most often right from the garden.  Yes they involved sugar but the sugar was light and they were loaded with nutrients. 

One of my favorites was sliced tomatoes with sugar lightly sprinkled on them.  They were always fresh from my Mom's garden and rich with flavor.  I don't know why we put sugar on them but it sure was a tasty snack.  We also had rhubarb in our garden and were allowed to take a stalk with a little cup of sugar and dip the tip in the sugar before each tart bite.  We have a picture of my sister at a young age making a face while eating rhubarb that reflects the true story of rhubarb's flavor.  I guess I would say it was the same as a sour patch but with nutrients.

Mom also always purchased a couple of crates of peaches when they were in season and froze them.  She pretended not to know that we took them from the freezer and ate them like freezies .  Yum!

I am not saying my mother never baked cookies, cake or other sweet treats but we didn't have those things all of the time.  She was over weight and did not want that for us.  She was very cautious of making sure that we ate healthy all of the time.

I know time is always an issue when preparing food but these three items are great snacks and can be purchased as easily as we pulled them out of the garden. 

Try something fresh for your family.

With love from your retired FACS teacher.

Jane 

Family and vacation thoughts

I stopped posting while on my trip across the Midwest and West.  I had two issues.  One, technology connections were not great, and two, I saw something at Yellowstone that hit home for me.  It made me think about why Family and Consumer Sciences is so important to me and what family is all about.

While on our way to visit the wonderful "Old Faithful"  we stopped at a waterfall.  A mom was directing her, about 10 year old twin boys, to their car after viewing the fall.  I heard her say, "No, you can't play your games, we are not doing technology on this vacation."  I smiled and poked my husband.  Told him I liked that comment and was proud of the mom for taking a stand and sticking to it.  I know as a mom children are professionals at trying to get what they want.  But, she was good too.

Teddy Roosevelt national park in North Dakota.  Our first stop!

We also were lucky enough to stay in the wonderful Lake Hotel at Yellowstone.  We did not have wi-fi, a phone, air conditioning or a television set.  It was the most expensive hotel that we stayed at but had the least amount amenities available.  I loved the hotel because it is rather old and is kept to most of its original glory. (Teaching housing and interior design has given me a great appreciation for architecture.)  I squawked when I was not able to post my daily Facebook picture but I survived and so did my husband.  Once we settled we were able to enjoy the view and the beautiful hotel.  We also realized how expensive it must be for our park service to maintain the grand old place.

My point is, don't be afraid to take technology away from your children this summer.  Toddlers, youth and teens.  It is often easy to pretend they are fine but you really know they have been playing games a bit too long, you just want a few more minutes.  I have been there, I remember.

Hopefully we can remember that technology is a tool not a constant way of communication.  (Pet peeve, two young people out to eat looking at their phone instead of talking to each other.)  Remember some of the things that you did when you were a child that kept you busy.  Introduce those things to your family and make traditions for your people just like you may have had as a child.  If you didn't have that family time in your past, make the memories now for your family.  You will see that those simple memories, that you create, will be lasting for everyone.

While we were on vacation it was my aunt's birthday.  She left us in 2008 but us cousins remember her with such fondness.  She was single and never had her own children but my cousins (15 of us) and my cousins children (32) all remember her for her kindness, love and strength.  One of my cousins suggested that we post memories of her on her birthday.  It was so special to see those memories but the thing that stood out was that every memory was steeped in SIMPLE tradition.  Hikes in her town, playing the game button-button, (for many generations), picnics in her back yard for any occasion, learning the different plants in her yard, always told to come again when we left, talks at her kitchen table, making stone soup and so much more. 

Keep your family strong and keep it together, in whatever form your family may be.  Family and tradition will keep those deep roots around you when things get difficult and you feel you might topple over.  Those roots will help you pull up your strength when you need it in the future. 

 

A stop along the way of bear tooth pass.  One of my favorite parts of our trip.



With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

 

 

The adventure continues

We have had such good luck with weather.  We landed in Medora, ND and checked into the room and the sky poured.  Other than that rain has not been an issue.   After a tour of the Teddy Roosevelt park on day three we traveled across much of Montana and stopped in Billings for the night. 

We stopped at Pompy's Pillar and saw William Clarks signature in the large rock.  Cool!

Jane

Yellowstone vacation begins

My husband and I take a motorcycle trip annually.   I will be posting from my phone along the way.  Editing will be worse than ever.   HA, HA.

We went from the twin cities to Fargo. Not much excitement but had a lovely snack in downtown Fargo before the big rain cloud opened up.

We will be hitting Medora today and then Billings before the park.

Today our goal will be to dodge raindrops and wind.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Practical Information-Zesty summer salad dressing

I was watching T.V. while sewing today.  I was tuned in to "Rachel Ray".  I rarely watch T.V. and I never change channels so I very seldom see her. 

There are times when I see her demonstrate a recipe and I think,"Wow I made that with mom." 

That is the beauty of Rachel Ray.  She has recipes that are simple, they taste good and she does not advocate that she is chef wonder girl.

Today she said something that brings the FACS profession home.  Someone asked her what her favorite indulgence food might be.  She said she does not believe in restricting herself from food.  There were 3 things she pointed out.

1.  Food should be from scratch and not processed.
2.  Food should be eaten in moderation.
3.  You have to move and have exercise in your life.

That is it.  That is what it boils down to when we feed our family.  There are recipes and meal that are easy to make but not packaged and processed.  Challenge yourself to make foods from scratch.  If you are uncomfortable start a little bit at a time, one or two times a week.  Then eat as a family, and don't take no for an answer.  Make some changes in your families lifesyle and you will see a difference in health and happiness.

Here is a quick, easy, zesty summer salad dressing that I use on salads.  You can make it ahead of time and store it like salad dressing out of a bottle.

1/4 cup lime juice (you may use lemon, it will be slightly tarter)
1/2 cup mayonnaise with olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

A grand potato grilling idea from Megan!

Recently my husband and I visited our son and his girl.  We had a lovely meal on the grill with burgers, shrimp and veggies on skewers, corn on the cob and baked potatoes on July 4th. 

Megan started slicing the potatoes crosswise and lengthwise in 1/2 inch squares but leaving them connected at the bottom.  She wrapped them in foil, she filled them with a little butter, salt, pepper, one clove of garlic each, olive oil on the bottom and then sealed them up.  I said, "better get these on the grill, they will take forever".....but they didn't.  It was the quickest, tastiest baked potato I've had from the grill in a long time.  1/2 hour or less.  I asked, "Where did you get the idea?"  She said she didn't know, she just thought it up.  That slicing made the potato bake quickly, and the simple toppings simmering in the potato gave it a lovely flavor.

Well,  I jumped on that idea and asked if I could share her tasty grilling idea on my blog.  As you noticed she said, "Yes".  Thanks Megan and Luke for a nice July 4th celebration and a great meal on the grill.

 I highly recommend you try it.

 

Potato sliced and baked on the grill....MMMMM





 

Will love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

A quick summer salad

With the summer finally here (remember I am from the Midwest) I thought I would post a quick summer salad that is easy to take out and about for a neighborhood or family gathering.

1 cup chopped red onion
1 large tomato chopped
30 pieces of turkey pepperoni cut in half
1-6.5 ounce jar of marinated artichoke hearts drained and cut in half
1-3.5 ounce jar of capers drained
1/2 cubed cheddar cheese
4 ounces of pasta (any shape)  cooked, drained and cooled
2 to 3 Tablespoons of olive oil (can be flavored)
2 to 3 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
Pepper to taste

I used spaghetti as that is what I had in the house.  Bows or elbows would be the best looking.

Assemble the ingredients in a bowl mix, cool and serve.  Serves 4 to 6. 

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Officially the Summer Begins as AAFCS conference ends, and rub recipe!

For me summer starts after the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference.

This year was particularly a rush because I had one day between leaving for the conference and the "Nation Festival of Breads" contest.

As a person that will no longer be in the FACS classroom I am still very much in touch with Family and Consumer Sciences and will continue in many of the roles that I have in the organization. 

I have been a member of the Obesity Prevention Community this year.  The team, lead by, Dr. Ingrid Adams,  put together a pre-conference that was rather successful.  (That is Ingrid at the podium)

We also initiated a connection with the HBO team that produced the DVD set "Weight of the Nation".  The company generously donated 500 copies of the series to partner with members to help prevent the obesity crisis.

I am also actively involved with the Public Awareness and the Elementary and Secondary Educators communities. 

Both groups are active in promoting the work that Family and Consumer Sciences professionals do in their field. 

As a FACS professional I am personally concerned about the elimination of FACS in my community (Woodbury and Cottage Grove) and others across the United States, at the Junior High School level.  Although many have the attitude that health and food preparation can be learned outside of school it has been evident that this is not taking place in today's ever changing society.  I hope that parents and families begin to realize that basic education that will be used in daily life is as important or even more important than developing brain power for a future career.  Sustaining family through proper food and communication will never be out dated or go away.  I hope to begin offering at home courses to help these families educate their children about healthy food preparation.

Below is a picture of some (there are more) of the dedicated, hard working Minnesota professionals that attended the AAFCS conference in Houston. 


I always attend the textile exhibit.  We get to see outstanding work done by students and professionals.  The picture below is a recycled project, done by a student, using feed sacks.  I love it!

 

This photo is my conference roommate and friend, Kathy.  She is a very dedicated retired professional who donates her time and effort passionately to AAFCS.  This year she worked with the mentoring team with the new group the "Leadership Academy".  These seasoned professionals will be guiding new professionals in their careers.  An outstanding program for everyone.   

I am off to "enjoy" summer.  Baking, canning, grilling, riding motorcycle, vacations.  I can't wait. 

Here is a rub recipe that I got from the T.V. show "The Chew" by Carla Hall.  Of course it has been modified with my own twist.  I really like using the coffee as a flavor enhancer.   We make this in large batches and use it all summer long.  So easy and saves so much money.  Those prepared rubs you can purchase are very expensive and very easy to put together.

Rub Recipe:  Place on meat and poultry ahead of time for great flavor

1/4 cup finely Ground Coffee
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon ground Pepper
1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
2 Tablespoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

Mix together and store in container.  Use as needed.

We start with the 4th of July and no real plans.  I know what ever it will be it will include family and fun.  Then we are off on our annual motorcycle trek.  This year it is Yellow Stone National Park.

Fun, fun, fun. 

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane