Novella Carpenter

I went to listen to Novella Carpenter author of Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer.  She made the crowd laugh and she made her talk very interesting.  She uses profanity and humor in her speeches which had many of us looking around because it was unexpected.  There was a mixed crowd ranging from college age to late 60’s maybe. Most of the people there was K-College student since it was hosted in their Fine arts building.

One thing I found most interesting was she used the term “squatting”.  At first I didn’t know what was meant by the term until she further explained that it was farming on a piece of land that nobody really owned.  She mentioned her car was egged when she first rode through the neighborhood.  This is a part of town that has been neglected with lots of burned and abandoned homes.  The land she squatted on for 8 years was a burned down apartment complex.  In this part of town is called “Ghost town” traditionally called food desert because there are no access to grocery stores or healthy foods. She mentioned it was like the perfect storm because the city tried to help and eminent domain destroyed housing, highways were built and it destroyed the sense of community.  People would ask her for .50 cents and she would offer them an apple not thinking they would accept her offer.  This is when she got a real sense of hunger in the community. 

Another topic I found interesting is the fact that homeowners can get a tax credit for having a garden instead of a lawn.  You can place the garden on top of concrete and not have to worry about contaminants such as lead that's found in the ground in California.  I would quickly put a garden in my yard, not so much for the credit but because it’s empowering when you are able to feed yourself and know that you grew it.

Global Warming

I never really thought about global warming and the affects that climate change has on agriculture.  There is overwhelming evidence that the earth is warming based on statistical data. It saddened me to know that the developed countries are the cause of so much greenhouse gases but it’s the developing countries who are suffering the most.  1 in 7 people are chronically hungry especially in Africa and Asia. America is better than most countries when it comes to hunger but we still have problems as well. 450 million people depend on agriculture for eating and economical purposes therefore we must do something about global warming and its affects.

I didn’t know I was helping to minimize my carbon footprint when I got my home weatherized a few years back.  I bought my home in 2010 because of the incentives offered to new home owners after the housing crisis of 2008.  A few months after living in the house I notice it was drafty and my heating bill was threw the roof.  So I called a company that came and blew installation in my attic and walls, sealed up cracks and air seeps and put weather stripping around doors. Getting the home weatherized helped my heating bill tremendously, but most importantly helps to reduce emission from my furnace into the atmosphere. I also learned in my science class that Geothermal heating and cooling emits no greenhouse gases in the air but are very expensive in install.  Although it is costly it only requires a small amount of electricity practically eliminating your carbon footprint.  As our guest speaker mentioned in class the government is also trying to help reduce the effects of climate change by offering tax incentives. If you buy a window that’s energy star rated or if you install a geothermal heating system you receive a tax credit, kind of like a payback when you file your income tax returns.

 I could also buy a more fuel efficient car to help reduce the fuel emission I help put in the air.  I really like the Chevy Volt over a Toyota Prius but I can’t afford either one of them right. So I guess for now I can help by walking to the store that’s only two blocks away instead of driving.

Saffron's

Dr. Allen has taken me out of my comfort zone this semester. He has made me publish blogs for the first time, I visited the food co-op that I’ve rode pass a million times and my latest adventure was visiting Saffron’s.  Friday afternoon I had an enjoyable experience sampling Indian food with Kate and Jordan.  We had the opportunity to talk to the waiter, Abhi, and he was delighted to tell us about the owner and some of his countries cooking traditions. The owner came to the United States and worked with his brother in Boston which is where he learned about cooking. He moved to Michigan and opened Saffron’s which has been in business for over 10 years.  The spices are imported from India and at least 30 are incorporated into each dish. What I found most interesting is the way the animals are slaughtered which is by slicing the throat. Killing the chickens this way has some religious implications and is considered to be more humane.
O.K, so you probably want to know how was the food?  It was so-so. It wasn’t nasty but I can guarantee you it was my first and last visit. It’s just not my style of food.  I tried almost everything on the buffet and the one thing I didn’t try was made with spinach, YUCK! I found 4 items I really liked which was the Naan bread, Tandoori chicken, Saffron’s sensational salad and the Badami Kheer.  The Naan bread reminded me of pita bread that had been cooked over an open flame. It had kind of a char tasting, but it wasn’t burned.  The sensational salad was spectacular. You would never believe that cantaloupe, raw onions, celery, grapes and a shit load of other fruits and vegetable would be good together. It was awesome! The chicken was a little dry but tolerable and the Badami Kheer is an almond rice pudding with raisin and nuts. 

Now I can say I’ve tried Indian food but I can’t say that it’s something I would be willing to pay for again. This location has about 10 options to choose from so Indian food has to be something you really enjoy. The lack of option was my biggest disappointment but overall the waiters were excellent and the environment was welcoming.

Ham on Rye, the end!

I have completed my novel Ham on Rye!!  I enjoy reading but because of my class, work and family schedule I rarely have the time so in a sense I am glad to have taken this class.  There were some disturbing points that would make you shake your head, but overall the book was a pretty good read.
I was a bit confused as to why there weren’t very many references to food but by the end of the novel I was well aware that this family is living through the great depression, poor and most of the children were ill-fed. I felt bad for Henry (the main character) when he was in high school he had terrible acne that blistered and oozed puss when they burst. GROSS, I know.  His acne had gotten so bad he had to leave school for a while to seek treatment. He had an 8:30 appointment with 40-50 people waiting, no guarantee to see a doctor and if you leave you lose your spot.  Here in Kalamazoo we have a dental clinic geared to the unemployed and low income families.  You have to be there by 7:30am and there is always a line that starts way before 7:30.  It’s a first come first serve basis and if you leave you lose your spot and have to come back the next day as well.  This part was interesting for me to read because the author is referring to his life back in the 1930’s and the poor is still being treated the same way today.
There was one statement that really stood out for me and it said “I guess the only time people think about injustice is when it happens to them”.  This is so true.  I know some wealthy people who ride pass Loaves and Fishes or the Salvation Army and haven’t even thought about giving to the poor or less fortunate.   Here I am, head just barely above water giving to these organizations.  I do it because I care and one day it could be me in need. We talked in class how restaurant workers are striking and asking for a pay increase of up to $15 per hour.  I was quick to say “they don’t deserve that much, flipping burgers requires no education and no skills”. But I wasn’t saying that when I made $9 buck trying to take care of a kid and pay rent.  So in other words, whether it’s our situation or not we should try to make a difference in the lives of others.

Ham on Rye pages 50-100

I will start by saying I’m a tad late posting my blog this week but a little late is always better than never.  I was a bit confused as to why there weren’t any references to food in these 50 pages compared the first 50 pages.  Matt who is also reading Ham on Rye brought up a really good point that this section of the book is probably taking place during the great depression which led to vast food shortages, and I think he is spot on with that assumption. 

I believe the author’s way of conveying his message is very direct, explicit and at times too detailed. The events he wishes to expose that has taken place throughout his life is almost disturbing at times. The fact that a child could be beaten for not cutting the grass correctly is horrible.  His father would get down on his hands and knees to look for hairs (grass) left behind.  Then when he found them he would beat the kid and his mother was ok by it.  I have a son old enough to cut grass and I would never hit him because he didn’t cut the grass my way.  And secondly I am not getting down on my hands and knees to check for anything!!   He also beat his wife which is insane.  He had an affair and when the woman showed up at their house she stole his car.  He then went back inside and beat his wife with his child in the other room. Very disturbing.  Another part of the book that’s a bit too detailed for me is the fact he keeps referring to women’s private parts and what he wants to do J.  I guess it bothers me because him and his friend are only in the fourth and fifth grade and they should be focusing on grammar and math equations.  How and why would they be thinking of such things?  I guess some good did come out of reading this portion of the book because it prompted a sex talk between me and my son who is in the eighth grade.

Ham on Rye

As I have read the first 50 pages of Ham on Rye my first impression is the author is hilarious. He has a funny way of conveying his message and does a lot of cursing.  I have not totally made the connection that is related to our class as far as food literature but I’m sure there is some point to reading this novel.
Charles Bukowski is the author of Ham on Rye and this book is a reflection of his life growing up as a child through his adolescent years.  He did not like his father stating he was always mad about something and always started conflicts.  For instance, they would go out to eat which was very seldom and his father would find something wrong with the food so they wouldn’t have to pay.  He once said to the waiter “there’s flyshit in this whipped cream! What the hell kind of place is this”.  They asked him to leave and he responded by stating he would leave but would be back to burn the “god-damn” place down.  I have known people to do this and it’s not that they couldn’t afford to pay for the food; they just didn’t want to pay.  Another interesting part for me is when they went into an orchard and decided to pick oranges that did not belong to them.  They normally had a picnic basket full of food but on this particular Sunday the basket was empty.  As the family was picking oranges the owner of the orchard arose and asked them to dump all the oranges and to leave his property.  The father stated “there are plenty of god-damned oranges and you won’t miss a few oranges”.  The owner pointed his shotgun at the father and told him get off his property.  The father responded “Guys like you ought to be hung”.  At this point I can see the father’s frustration that this man has all these oranges (food) and people are hungry and starving.  I can remember when I went to Florida and seen an orchard for the first time it was rows and rows of oranges.  I did ask if we could pick a few and of course she said no, but they did offer samples of orange juice and you were welcome to buy as much as you wanted. As I think back on the situation, I understand people have to make a living but why not help the people within your community who are in need and hungry like this family? It could be the first step in fighting hunger in a community....

The Hunger Games

What an awesome book!  I totally agree with Stephen King when he states The Hunger Games is violent but jarring novel that generates constant suspense. I couldn’t stop reading it as I found myself laughing and even disappointed when Rue was killed during the games.  I have always turned the channel when I knew The Hunger Games was on television, but now I can’t wait to watch the movie after reading such a great book.
 I know the book is fictional based but there are some similarities throughout I could relate to the world in which we live.  Some people in society are better off than others. A person’s financial or social status can easily dictate whether a person will become homeless or go hungry similar to the tributes fighting in the games.  The tributes from district 12 are poor and dying from starvation where as the people from the Capitol seems to have all the wealth and plenty of food. The districts uneven distribution of food is no different from our uneven distribution of wealth. People in the U.S are deciding whether to pay bills or buy groceries and there are plenty of wealthy corporations that could fight or eliminate hunger but their main focus is their current interest and profits.
Another point that stuck out for me throughout the book is how some districts are better off than other districts and our communities are just the same. For instance some communities in Kalamazoo are considered to be poor and are usually the last to be economically development. When on the other hand, if you drive a bit further west there are several grocery stores and new developments being constructed as I write. So although the book is based on fiction there are some topics throughout that have some correlation to our society and our battles with hunger.

 

My Confession

I have chosen to make a confession in my blog this week.  I am a gambler and I enjoy winning all the time, but it sucks to lose.  I am on a roll this year, so much that I have to brag a little. My girlfriend tells me I have the Michigan lottery down to a science and I’m almost starting to believe her.   I have won 10 times so far this year and hope to keep this winning streak going ALL year long.  I prefer to play the Michigan’s lottery daily 3 and daily 4 digit numbers because I have better odds at winning.  You can play these games twice a day, every day but I choose to only play once a day.  You can win as much as $500 on the daily 3 digit and up to $5000 on the daily 4 and cost one dollar per ticket. I have won both amounts multiple times in the last year and my dad say some people are just lucky and I am one. He has been playing for over 10 years and has never won over $500.  I play 2 sets of numbers every day for instance one of my numbers is 329 which is my sisters birthday. I don’t believe in all the superstitions that come with playing the lottery.  For instance some people believe that if you tell others your lottery numbers its bad luck or if someone dies there are certain numbers you should play that stand for death. There are also dream numbers meaning if you have a dream about a dog there are numbers that play for dog, such as 820. I know weird right? But some people are very serious when it comes to the playing the lottery. People can also get carried away playing their lottery numbers as well.  I have stood behind people playing number who have spent as much as $100.  I don’t know how that possible but it’s not my busy nor my problem.  I spend $15 a week and some of you might even think that’s a lot. But my philosophy is that when you work hard you can take a percentage of your paycheck and play hard if that’s what floats your boat!!

The Jungle (Chapters 6-13)

The section I read in The Jungle was chapters 6-13.  It is not as gruesome as the first part of the book, but I found a lot of interesting sections throughout these chapters.  As I continue to read it’s hard for me to understand how immigrants can come to a country not knowing anything in hopes of a better life.  These individuals are taken advantage of in the worst ways and still have hope of living the “American dream”.  As this family moves through one difficulty it seems as if another is soon to appear.

One part I found troubling to read is how Jurgis and others on the killing-bed were robbed of their wages in chapter 8.  If a man is one minute late he would be docked a full hour but still made to work the balance of that hour, so e.g. he was made to work for free. If a man came to work early you would not get paid even though the packers would have them start work 15 minutes early.  And if a man worked for 50 minutes he would not be paid because it didn’t put in a full hour of work.  How could anyone really know what they were going to earn for the week or what they could afford being cheated in this way? No wonder this family was so worried about starving or how they could afford to pay for their home.  I find it appalling to know that people can be treated this way because they don’t understand their rights or not represented by a union.

Another disturbing part of the book for me is the conditions these immigrants worked under and the toll it has on their bodies.  One section describes how their nails had worn off from pulling hides or all the joints in their fingers would be eaten by the acid in the pickle-rooms.  The people who worked in the chilling-room had a disease called rheumatism and in the cooking-rooms the germs of tuberculosis might live for two years despite inspections.  I couldn’t even image working in such conditions, but as we discussed in class last week some people don’t have a choice or what they are doing is much better than where they came from.

 

The Jungle

It’s remarkable how families come to America not knowing anyone, our culture or even the language.  This novel is relevant in many ways to our discussions in class of about the meat packing industry and the lives of immigrant workers. These families are seeking riches, security and freedom that may not be obtainable in their native country. Jurgis is no different than any other immigrant worker coming to this county trying to make a living only to be subjected to low wages and indescribable accumulations of filth.

As I continue to read The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair I can’t help but to notice how graphically detailed the explanation is of Jurgis’s new job. I’m not sure if I could work in such horrific conditions that have been described.  The atmosphere is really put into perspective when they describe that every hour four to five hundred cattle are turned into meat.  Not to mention the cows are treated terribly by being shocked and poisoned, their throats being slit, and being hung by their feet.  One fascinating part of the book thus far is the fact they use every part of the animal.  The bones are used for fertilizer, the bristle can be cleaned and dried to make hair cushions and the feet can be made into glue. Another part I to be interesting is how some meat is marker with a “kosher” sign, which indicates the meat has been killed by special methods and processes.  This meat is intended to be eaten by Orthodox Jew in conformance with Leviticus 17.10-14, based on the dietary laws of the Hebrew Bible.

 

My Modest Proposal

Slaughtering America the Pig

Time and time again we are being told that the meat we eat is safe, healthy and natural.  Only to find out they are loaded with unnecessary preservatives, additives or maybe even salmonella. In addition to all the additives our animals are injected with growth hormones, steroids and lord knows what else.  A lot of these animals are feed corn, which has been genetically modified and not the natural diet for these animals.  Federal authorities estimate that 1 in 6 Americans will become sick from a food borne illness such as Salmonella, E.Coli, or Campylobacter.

The meat packing industry has many lobbying organizations which prevent many safety initiatives from taking place. These companies spend their money lobbying lawmakers and regulators to directly impact their business. Did you know that over 70% of American food is processed and the FDA states that they currently do not have the time, money, or resources to carry out health and safety studies for every proposed GM food products? This is scary because these are the federal agencies that are supposed to ensure the health and safety of Americans.  The EPA is supposed to evaluates genetically modified plants for environmental safety, the USDA evaluates whether the food crops is safe to grow, and the FDA evaluates whether our food is safe to eat. And time and time again these federal agencies have failed to protect the American consumers.

I propose we slaughter America as we do our livestock.  We will decide which agencies are healthy and destroy the ones that are weak. The first agency to be slaughtered will be the USDA. This agency is suppose to regulate the meat and poultry processes, but because of weak regulations and little control over meat companies they have continuously failed to safeguard our meat supply causing more than 3,000 death per year.   Next we can slaughter the FDA because they regulate food, prescriptions, vaccines, veterinary products, tobacco and a long list of other divisions.  The FDA was accused of failing to properly inspect a New England Compounding Center which caused 48 people to die from a Meningitis outbreak.  This is a perfect example why one agency should not be allowed to oversee so many entities.  Lastly we will slaughter the EPA because they allow companies to spray pesticides during the growth and processing of our food. The fact that any pesticides are allowed to be left on food we buy is appalling not to mention studies are still being conduct to determine some long term effects of such products.

 

 

 

 

 

Rigoberto's Story

I have several mixed feeling about our readings this week.  It saddens me to know that people have to live in such horrid conditions and be treated as if they are animals. On the other hand, I found Rigoberto's story very interesting which inspired me to continue reading without stopping but it also leaves me asking many questions?    One thing I can’t understand is how people could continue to bring children in the world under such conditions.  Yes, we have poverty in America but these individual are living in situations that are unfathomable to me.  Even back in the 60’s its sounds impossible for someone to ever survive in a country earning 20 centavos a day. These poor people work hard in Guatemala picking coffee and receive the most unequal treatment. Another real issue for me is that we can pay over ten dollars for a 1LBS bag of coffee. Secondly, I cant understand how a person could keep having children? Eventually to watch them suffer and die from starvation, illness and diseases is even more heart wrenching as a mother.  Another point I found interesting is that they grow the beans but don’t eat them. All the beans go to the market so they can buy the few necessities they need such as soap.  And at the same time children are dying from starvation on the plantations?  She also mentioned several times how fat and overweight the landowner was, so obviously he was eating well.  This reminded me of the literature and documentaries we have been discussing in class.  How big Corporations have all the power and the little people have nothing and it’s not any different on these plantations. The landowners have all the power while starving, robbing and charging their workers for everything.   And lastly, I found it interesting that they have a fiesta before they harvest the maize. The seed is very significant to them because it is sacred, will multiply and bear fruit the next year. And after reading Rigobero’s story I can understand why they would perform ceremonies and vow not to waste the food.

Loaves and Fishes

Loaves and Fishes have been around for many years helping people in need within our community.  Families are living in poverty and children are going without food. These are two serious issues that we all need to pay closer attention to. Nobody should have to suffer from hunger and there are some great organizations within our community trying to end the fight against hunger.

 There are many ways we can help even in the smallest ways.   You can start small, as I did by donating.  You can bring in perishable items as well as turkeys, hams and fresh fruits and vegetables.  Even if it’s just 1 or a few cans there are many families who will be very grateful and appreciative for your donation.  You can even look on their website to see what items are on their wish list.  On the wish list are high demand items broken down by the months so you don’t have to guess what to bring in! Another way to help is just simply donating money.  I have given as little as $5 they were grateful for my donation and respected the fact that was all that I could give.  You can also help the organization by donating your time as well.  Not everybody is in the position to give money or food items but you can help combat hunger in other ways.  They are always looking for individuals to help distribute food to the needy, but any skills and talents are always welcomed.   So if you are in the position give a food item, donate money or volunteer your time we will all be helping to address the hunger within our community. I have included a link for another opportunity within our community for us to help fight against hunger- Walkday 2014!

Trimalchio's Dinner

I had a very hard time reading and understanding the roman novel Trimalchio’s Dinner. I found myself reading the same sentences several times because the tone, dialog and language flew over my head.  There were many words throughout the reading that I had no clue what they meant such as paterfamilias, which is a man who heads the household or the father of the family.  It started off a little weird to me as well especially when there was a slave holding a pot for Trimalchio to relieve himself.  He was also rood and uneducated using zodiac signs to describe people and food.  An important fact I did gather from the reading was the correlation between Satyricon and many of the books we have read and discussed in class.  There is a disconnection between the wealthy and the poor. Big corporation and rich people like Trimalchio have all the power over the weak and the poor, such as the slaves mentioned throughout the reading. He throws a lavish feast which represents dishes from the zodiac signs.  It also reminds me how we are so wasteful such as Trimalchio’s hundred year old wine that sours and our abuse of wealth.

SUPER SIZE ME

Super Size Me is an award-winning documentary about the fast food industry and the health ailments associated with fast foods such as obesity. Obesity has become a real problem in this country and will eventually kill more Americans than tobacco products.  Much like the books we have been reading in class this documentary brings light to the fast food industry, the lobbyist, and the governments hand in the obesity epidemic in this country.  The way Americans eat has changed over the years from eating most of our food at home to eating fast food on the go.  We are now eating more processed foods which helps attribute to health issues such as diabetes.  Some interesting but disturbing facts I gathered from the documentary are the impact these food can cause the body such as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and a long list of other health issues.  Did you know?

·      A super gulp from Seven Eleven is equivalent to ½ gallon of soda

·         We are the fattest  nation in the world with 60% of adults over weight

·         Mississippi is one of the most obese states with 1 in 4 overweight

·         1 out of 3 kids born in the 2000’s will develop diabetes in a lifetime

·         If you obtain diabetes before the age of 15 you will take 15-17 years off your life span

So where does personal responsibility stop and corporate responsibility start? My thoughts are that personal responsibility STARTS with us as the consumers. Buying fast food is a choice and when you make bad choices you get bad results.   As a business major I understand that companies are in business to make money. We must remember these fast food companies are not non-profit organization working towards the good of a community or some cause.   It is our responsibility to know and understand what we are putting into our bodies. I know that fast food is unhealthy for me but if continue to buy a double cheeseburger I cannot then file a lawsuit and blame my heath issue or obesity on McDonalds.  

 

 

BEHIND THE COUNTER

I can remember working at the age of sixteen at my very first job, Dairy Queen. 

It was a way to earn money while attending high school as well as gaining valuable work experience, so I thought.   I was young, still living home with my parents so at the time I was able to accept and work for such low wages.  I would work a few hours after school and long hours over the weekend often neglecting homework and other responsibilities.  Unfortunately most of the customers were rude; I was often disrespected and looked down upon standing behind the counter.  Because I was under-appreciated   by my managers and the customers, Dairy Queen was my first and last fast food job.

About one third of the nations fast food workers are under the age of twenty according to the book, Fast Food Nation.  The fast food industry is mostly dominated by teenagers and has the biggest group of low-wage workers in the United States.  About 3.5 million people work in fast food compared to 1 million migrant farm workers. The fast food industry seeks to hire part-time, unskilled workers willing to accept low work wages which teenagers fit the bill perfectly.

The big fast food corporations get tax credits worth up to $2400 for each new low-income worker they hire.  When in turn, these employees receive little training, no benefits or only stay with the company for a few months.  A study conducted in 1996 showed that these workers would have been hired anyways, so what is the purpose of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit? Is this another incentive to continue paying low-wages?  According to a 1997 survey, the average corporate executive bonus was 131,000 up 20 percent when the real value of the minimum was still 27 percent lower than the 1960’s.

During the 1970s McDonald’s workers tried to organize and join the Teamsters union.  These workers hoped to negotiate higher wages only to have the corporation fire all the workers and shut down the restaurant.  One editor wrote “Did somebody say McUnion, not if they want to keep their McJob”.  This is quite disturbing when all these workers want is job security and wages higher than the US minimum wage.

 

Fast Food Nation

The Founding Fathers

Carl N. Karcher’s father once told him “the harder you work the luckier you will become”.  Today Carl Karcher is one of the founding fathers of the fast food industry as well as the McDonalds brothers, Keith Cramer, William Rosenberg and Mathew Burns.  At the age of twenty Carl decided to leave his family farm in northern Ohio and move to Anaheim, California to work for his uncle.    In the 1940, California was thriving with automobiles and drive-in restaurants which are known as “car hops”.  Carl first open a hot dog stand, moving on to the Carl’s drive-thru Barbeque and eventually in 1997 bought Hardee’s Hamburger.   The fast food war was becoming fierce in California, becoming the birth place of the Jack in the Box, McDonalds, Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr. Today Hundreds of millions of people buy fast food every day unaware of the founding fathers and how these fast food chains came into existence.

 Speeder Service

Richard and Maurice McDonalds left New Hampshire for southern California after the start of the depression with hopes to find jobs in Hollywood. They opened the McDonalds Brothers Burger Bar Drive-in located in San Bernardino, California.   By the late 1940 they had grew tired of searching for carhop locations, replacing dishes and glassware as well as price of short order cooks.  In 1948, the closed all their locations installed larger grills and opened three months later with a new method of serving food.  They had gotten rid of everything that was to be eaten with a fork or spoon and replaced them with paper cup, bags and plates.  The food preparation would be divided up so that one person only had to learn one job.  The McDonalds brother helped revolutionizes the fast food industry with speedy service and the golden arches where formed.

Glen W. Bell Jr visited the McDonalds in San Bernardino and decided to copy the assembly line creating a chain later called Taco Bell.  Keith Cramer also heard about the McDonalds brothers’ restaurant and flew to California from Florida.  After seeing the success of the new assembly line approach he flew back home and with his father- in- law opened the first Insta Burger King in 1953. Dave Thomas started working in restaurants at the age of 15, dropped out of high school, served as a bus boy and cook, eventually opening the first Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers in Columbus, Ohio.  Unfortunately, Thomas Monaghan bought a pizzeria in Ypsilanti, Michigan and eventually decided to sell and accepted a used Volkswagen for his share of the business later known a Domino’s.

 

Juicing

I can remember sitting at the dinner table for hours looking at the vegetables left on my plate. Thirty years later with two kids of my own, I find myself in the same constant battle with them over eating their vegetables.  Especially the green veggies such as green beans, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus and even lettuce which has no taste.   

I have become a broken record that even I am tired of hearing “Kids eat your vegetables, please and thank you”.  Unfortunately, at the end of the night their veggies are still on the plate.  After years of frustration, sneaking and even bribery I found the perfect solution to our little vegetable problem, JUICING!! Blending fresh fruits and vegetables are the perfect way to get the kids to eat (drink) their vegetables .For the past several years I have allowed the kids to make their own creation of what we call “awesome juice”.  It consists of fresh fruits, vegetables or a blend of both to a smooth, healthy, energy-rich drink.  After three single serve blenders the kids have perfected their concoction and are excited to prepare and drink their creation. Their favorite is what is known as the Orange jubilee juice which is oranges, carrots and apples.  Another top-pick in our home is the Shrek juice which consists of celery, kale and apples. Allowing the children to shop for, clean and even process and prepare their own vegetable and fruit drinks is the best thing I have ever done!!!  As the kids have grown older I continue to stress the importance of a balanced diet which should incorporate all main food groups including vegetables.  Vegetables provide many nutrients that are vital to their growth and development while at the same time help to reduce the risk of diseases and even cancer.   Plus, the various vitamins such as A and C help to promote healthy eyes, skin and teeth.