Sugar Beets and My Grandmothers

Remember the beets I failed to make tasty in that vibrant pink dip? I should probably try to mend my relationship with the root, as it is probably the reason I exist.

A series of events got me thinking about the place where my parents histories converged. One was a comment on my Facebook page. A friend, Sandy, noted that beets are the number one crop in her part if Colorado. Then a few nights ago, my second cousin posted a beautiful and stark article about Nebraska that was published in the New York Times. This led me to think about my grandmothers. These two women, Betty and Margaret, have had a profound impact on who I am today.

Besides my obsession with food, I am a genealogy buff. Betty was, too. It was her initial research that gave me a head start and ignited my desire to know more about my people. Who were they? Where did they come from? What did they face? 

On Betty's side, I learned about the Volga Germans.  To sum it up, these folks were ethnic Germans living along the Volga River in Russia.  In the 1760's, Catherine the Great actively recruited immigrants and promised them land. Her manifesto promised the immigrants that they could maintain their culture and traditions. Betty's ancestors, the Kleins and Ellenbergers lived in this area and maintained their language, food and religion. For many generations, these families lived and farmed the land. In the late 19th century, the Russian army needed more participants and the Volga German's right of exemption from military practice was revoked. This and other events led the Volga Germans to pick up and move again. They were agriculturally focused and many moved to the Dakotas, Colorado and Nebraska. The Ellenbergers and Kleins settled in Nebraska and farmed.

The crop that Nebraska was boasting to entice folks to move there? Sugar beets.

Earlier this year, when the 1940s census was released, I was so excited to see where my grandparents were living. I found Margaret, living with her parents and three sisters, on the outskirts of a small town in Nebraska. The Gallegos family lived in the camps set up on the edges of sugar beet crops. Margaret's parents, both Mexican immigrants, worked in these fields. Life was ridiculously difficult and the family lived in poverty.

It is in that small town that my parents met. Their families, made of immigrants from different parts of the world, were drawn to Nebraska and the work that sugar beets promised. My mother's grandmother lived a few steps away from my father's parents. There, in Nebraska, many generations of my family were born - including my sister and I.

I think about my grandmothers when I try to figure out what it is that makes me such a fighter. Why can't I just mind my own business instead of fighting against the issues that I find so unjust? The Volga Germans and the Mexicans, that's why. The Volga Germans had to have had a sense of adventure, right? They picked up and made new homes in new lands more than once. They were willing to strike out for a better opportunity for their families. My family still makes the food of these ancestors (cabbage burgers, anyone?). Betty was always ready to learn something new and to seek out new experiences. I could never win a debate with her because she was so well read and so thoughtful. She taught me the value of knowledge, of learning. She taught me to question instead of accept. Betty and Margaret both lived through hardships and came out stronger because of them. Margaret and her Mexican family faced racism and from what I hear in hushed voices, they were looked down upon. Again, my Mexican ancestors struck out for a better life in America. Margaret taught me to do what I thought was right, despite what other people may think. Her experiences showed me that I should judge people less and be compassionate more. She taught me the value of empathy and reminded me to put myself in other's shoes. She taught me the value of never giving up. We still cook her food, too. Nobody I know makes enchiladas the way my family does.

It is only upon recent reflection (this happens as you get older doesn't it?), that I realize that their lessons were with me all along. Taking a stand and fighting the good fight are in the genes. Facing down those that think you won't make it and using your own wits and intellect to prove them wrong? It's written in the stars.

So, yeah. I may have to give beets another chance.

Life Doesn't Always Go As Planned

This morning, while trying to balance too many things, I dropped a small container of salsa. It spilled on the ground. I stared at the spilled salsa for a few too many seconds. I told myself that this wasn't a sign. Just because I dropped the salsa, it didn't mean that today was going to go poorly. I told myself this. I tried really hard to believe it.

The District Health Council was to meet at 3:15 today.

At 2:58, I received a call that E was laying on the couch at day care, complaining of a stomach ache. I had to pick him up. My husband was at work. I called and left a message with the assistant superintendent to let everyone know that I would be late.

But E was feeling pretty warm and he had a rash on his stomach. That with stomach pains? He needed to see a doctor. My husband could leave early to take him, but how long would waiting at urgent care take? If it took too long, who would pick Baby O up from day care? How long would my meeting last? Surely not longer than 5pm?

I tried to make decisions quickly, but it just wasn't going to happen.  I called the district again at 3:45 - I wasn't going to make it to the meeting.

My son, by the way, is OK. His fever spiked in the waiting room. 103 degrees. The doctor called it a virus. Medicine for fever, medicine for rash. He came home hungry, which I took as a good sign. Right now he is content in the living room, watching a favorite television show. He tells me his stomach doesn't hurt anymore. I am so relieved that he will be OK and that the rash didn't turn out to be anything serious.  It makes me sad when my kids are sick and feel miserable. I always wish I could fix them up with a magic wand.

But...

I didn't make it to the meeting. I wasn't there.

What did they talk about? Are they convinced that this is necessary? Are they excited about The Alliance program? Did they take an honest look at the environment of their schools? Are we meeting again soon? Is there an action plan?

I wasn't there. I couldn't talk about food rewards, no recess punishments, pop tarts at daycare, school gardens, nutrition education, ice cream socials, or trans fats in frozen school lunches from Chicago. What did they talk about??? Did they touch on any of that? Did I lose my one opportunity?

I am disappointed. I need to go hug my son and remind myself that taking care of my kids is priority one and that it is alright to miss one thing to take care of something more immediate.  Tomorrow is another day, right?

Tomorrow is the Big Day

In late October, I wrote to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of my oldest son's school district.  As I mentioned earlier, I found the district's wellness policy and read through it. I felt compelled to take this as far down the road as possible. 

The following is, in part, what I wrote in the email.

I am reaching out to both of you for a few reasons. First, I want you to know that I am dedicated to the good health of my children. We aren't perfect, but we do avoid fast food and many processed foods. We have treats from time to time, but E knows he isn't going to get candy every day. I find myself frustrated that E attending kindergarten has begun to undermine my carefully considered health lessons at home. To that end, I've done a lot of research and that has led me to see our community in a new light. Through my research, I have become passionate about the issues of childhood obesity and food insecurity. I found that in Kern County, 43.8% of 5^th, 7^th and 9^th graders were considered overweight or obese. I looked at the district's physical fitness testing outcomes and have seen that they are not much better than Kern County's average numbers. In addition, I've found studies that show kids pay more attention and do better in class when the extra sugar and other junk foods are eliminated from their diets. Moreover, kids in a healthy environment are more likely to come to class and less likely to be truant. I also read that 46.7% of students at (E's school) in 2011-2012 school year were enrolled in the free/reduced price lunch program. The food, in totality, that is served, offered and depended upon by your students, every day, matters. It might be the most important topic for you to consider because, in my mind, it might be a part of the solution to truancy, participation in the Breakfast and Lunch programs at school, student behavior, and your academic outcomes.

I share this with you because I am determined to make a difference. I'd like you to make a difference, too. Here is what I offered the district.

I would like to help you lead a Health Council or Committee. Perhaps this Council would start at the district level and then begin to involve groups specific to each school? Either way, I would very much like to lead the charge. I'd be happy to meet with one or both of you or your designee about how to go about the Council's creation. I should also add that I have been bold. There is absolutely no obligation, but I have signed up (E's school) with The Alliance for a Healthier Generation. You have the ability to sign up the entire district as well. This non-profit was ranked 3^rd with www.myphilanthropedia.org in the area of National Childhood Nutrition/Health. The Alliance has several programs, including one for healthy schools. You can find their information at https://schools.healthiergeneration.org. I encourage you to look around their website, have a look at their programs and successes, and see if this would be a good fit for the District.  Thank you so much for your time and consideration. And thank you both for all you do for my son and the other children attending schools in the District.

There were a few brief emails back and forth that acknowledged my email and my concerns. I waited impatiently for a few weeks to hear a decision regarding my offer.  Then in the second week in November, the Assistant Superintendent emailed me to let me know that  they were in touch with key staff members to set a time for a council meeting. They had, in fact, signed up all the other schools in the district with The Alliance program!

I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! I wanted everyone to know that it was possible for one person to make changes! I told my family and my friends. I blathered on to my co-workers. I did it!! I was so excited that it took me several days to return the email. I couldn't find the words to describe how much this meant to me and how much gratitude I had that my words were heard and that we were going to give this a chance.

Well, tomorrow is that meeting.  I have the agenda. I know who is attending. I am nervous and excited. It feels like the first day at a new job. I'm ready to learn and discuss and absorb and I am ready to get to work. I don't know how this meeting will go. I'm worried that these district employees, with so much already on their plates (common core, anyone?), will look at me as more of a pain in their sides than someone that is trying to help them out. I hope they understand that I want them to be rockstars. I want them to succeed. I want them to be a great example of what can happen in this county.

I'm sharing this with you, because I need you to know that it is possible. You can use your voice and you can make a change for the better.  You should do this. Have I said this already? Food matters. What we put in our bodies and what we feed our children has so many ramifications for health, society, the earth. I want my kids to be healthy, but I've gone further. I want your kids to be healthy, too. I'll ask you again - are you with me?

Kale Chips

I've made kale chips before, but this time I wanted to try it with purple kale. I like the recipe at Smitten Kitchen. It is pretty simple and straight forward. The ingredients are few: kale, olive oil and sea salt. You could add other seasoning or maybe even Parmesan (note to self - try that next time!). I'm always on the lookout for new ways to eat veggies, especially greens, so that the family eats more servings.  E is really good about eating salads and and he loves collards and other cooked greens, but why not try chips? Don't most kids like chips??

Purple kale is more delicate than dinosaur or curly kale, so I only needed to bake these for 15 minutes at 300°F. The above recipe says 20 minutes, but I'd start checking on the chips at about 15 minutes since size and type of kale will make a difference in cooking time.

*Added bonus? After tossing the kale in the olive oil, my hands are softer!

Maybe this would be a good side dish for a school lunch menu? The prep takes the time, but I bet someone that is quicker with a knife than I am could chop up the kale quickly, then its just a matter of tossing it in oil and a little salt, then into the oven to bake! Of course, the school would need a kitchen with an oven...

Unfortunately, that beautiful purple color didn't stay. Live and learn right? While the chips aren't outright ugly, they aren't what I hoped for.  None the less, they are still delicious!  E, my husband and I all packed some in our lunches today.  Last week, I gave E some purple kale in a salad for lunch. When he got home, he told me that he didn't like it.  Fair enough, kale can be really bitter when it is raw. Even though I find the purple kale more palatable than other varieties, it is probably still an acquired taste when eating it raw. This morning, E tried these chips and loved them! Mom wins!

The Lexicon of Sustainability

In my travels across the internet, I found a website that has really left an impression on me. There are a lot of really excellent groups doing amazing work to spread the word on the need for nutrition education in schools, the dynamic between obesity and hunger, and sustainable food practices.

The Lexicon of Sustainability, is a project that's premise is that people can’t be expected to live more sustainable lives if they don’t know the basic principles that define sustainability. They explain these terms in beautiful and dynamic ways. It is perhaps the lost photographer in me that is so drawn to the work that filmmaker/photographer Douglas Gayeton and producer Laura Howard-Gayeton are doing. Right now, this group is in the process of creating 20 films that will explain these terms and show you the people that are affected by them.

Here's why I think this is important and beautiful and something worth supporting:
I was once, and still do find myself, confused by what I see in the grocery store. A cage free egg sounds good right? Free! That should mean that the chicken isn't stuck up in a cage somewhere, unable to move. Right? I've seen the videos of the living conditions of factory farm animals (have you? google it if you are ready to feel sick to your stomach). Cage free chickens get sunshine and physical movement. Right? Well, no, as it turns out. Just because the chicken isn't in a cage, doesn't mean it gets to see daylight and stretch its legs. Well, certainly we should go with a free range egg, then? The words free and range certainly sound to me like the chicken is in the idyllic farm setting. Oops, no again. The USDA regulations only indicate that the animal has been allowed access to the outside. There are no specifications for the size of said range or the duration that Miss Chicken is out on that range. The Lexicon of Sustainability has taught me that I should look for pasture raised eggs if the health of the chicken is important to me. Oh, and if you weren't sure about that either, you should very much be concerned about the health of those chickens.

Those are only a few examples of the many terms that are explained by this project. What is a CSA? GMO? How do you define food security or fair trade? Does your beef come from a grass fed, antibiotic free cow? Should it? Why? Moreover, what does sustainability really mean anyway?

Education, education, education. The beautiful simplicity of knowing the right words and their definitions. Look, I'm working on my words and using my voice. That's why I started this whole thing.  On this one though, please see for yourself.  As I mentioned above, this group is in the process of making 20 shorts. They don't have enough funds.  At the moment, I don't have enough either, so my contribution is spreading the word. You can look at the campaign here. For now, watch this video: