Monthly Archives: October 2011

Things I missed

I’ve been overwhelmed by supportive emails and comments. Thank you. I’m deeply touched. It has been a long journey and I’m so happy to be finally “out” no matter what happens next. Good news: I’m still employed!

Based upon the number of emails I have received most of you have told me they have eaten school food similar to what I ate last year. For every 20 emails confirming that there is work to be done, I get an email that says that I need to share the good stories. Please send me your good food story — I’d love to feature it as a guest blog! In fact, if anyone who has an interesting story or perspective on an issue is welcome to share it in the form of a guest post. I love guest blog posts.

The interviews I have been doing I haven’t left me a lot of time with which to talk about lunch ladies. I write quite a bit about lunch ladies in my book. I just want people to know that I think that lunch ladies are completely underappreciated and that they are valuable staff members at school. Who else gets to touch the lives of almost every child at school? Bottom line: when you feed someone it’s more than a transaction. When I feed my family, I create something that feels good. When you become a “regular” at a restaurant, you know the people as almost friends. It’s the same for lunch ladies –why else would they suffer through some rather challenging working conditions? It’s more than “just food.” They love the kids. So do I.

Here’s my little guy. I’ve wanted to share him with you for some time. He is my world. Meet Charlie. He’s who I cook for (well, my husband too!):

 

Media wrap-up

It looks like the Nightline piece has been bumped due to news coverage of the passing of Steve Jobs. So sad that he has died. Hopefully my appearance on Nightline will re-air, but I’m satisfied. Today has been wonderful.

Good Morning America

The View

USA Today

Chicago Tribune (I was on the front page — holy cow)

The blog was covered online all over the place — sorry if I’m missing some. I’ll try to share more later. So happy today is over.

 

 

 

 

 

Check me out in print

Stories about me will be appearing in today’s edition of

The USA Today and

The Chicago Tribune

When everything is up and online, I’ll share links to the stories. I’m going to be out and there will be no turning back.

I’m going to be on TV…

Finally I’m at liberty to tell you all about my media appearances tomorrow and THE REVEAL:

The reveal will be on Good Morning America! Oh yes, it will be live! I have been told I’ll be on after 8:40 am. I’m so excited — I love GMA!

Then I’ll be on The View! I think school lunch is going to be a hot topic — I cannot wait to chat with them about what I learned.

Lastly, I’ll be on Nightline tomorrow night. Juju Chang came to my house and interviewed me. I suspect that my husband and son might even make it into the segment. There is tons more to look forward to in the piece…if you can stay up that late!

Can you believe this? I’m sort of in shock. Having never wanted to reveal myself, here I am showing my face in a very public way. But I’m relieved and excited that I’ll finally be out.

In less than 48 hours…

….you will know my real name! I can hardly stand it. Check back tomorrow for all the exciting details…

“…and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin

Lunch Wrap Up: Week of Sept 19th

Without further delay…

 My son’s lunches

Monday

Omelet with taco and refried beans inside and daiya cheese, sliced apples, corn muffin, applesauce, baby carrots

I send leftovers, especially on Mondays. Child care menu: Pizza bake, veggie blend, orange, wheat dinner roll

Tuesday

Rice, apples, turkey breast cutlet with ketchup, pepper (CSA), bar

I wasn’t able to visit the farmer’s market and get fresh peaches the previous Sunday because we had a commitment. Instead we went to the grocery store and bought apples. Child care menu: Cheesy chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, strawberries, rye bread.

Wednesday

Chopped chicken sausage, goat yogurt, melon, carrots, corn muffin, pretzels

My son went off yogurt for awhile (remember the coconut milk yogurt? that was getting wasted and since it was expensive, I stopped buying it). My husband bought goat milk yogurt and he ate it for a couple days. Then stopped. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. Child care menu: Meatballs in spaghetti sauce, pasta, baby carrots with dip

Thursday

Melon, applesauce, Applegate bologna with rice cheese sandwiches, radishes and the spinach (CSA), pretzels.

My son enjoyed the radish chips I made when we got radishes in our CSA at the beginning of the summer, but he is not a fan of them raw. He told me they were “spicy.” Points for trying them though! Child care menu: beef taco, cheddar cheese, lettuce, veggie blend, pineapple chunks, soft tortilla

Friday

Bacon, applesauce, melon, broccoli (CSA), bar

As you can tell, by Friday I’m so over packing lunches and they start to look like this.. Child care menu: Macaroni and Cheese with chicken, tomato wedges with ranch dip, cranberry applesauce, wheat bread

 My lunches

Monday

Turkey sandwich with spinach (CSA), pickles (farmer’s market), homemade potato leek soup (CSA), KIND bar

I used David Lebovitz’s recipe for Potato Leek soup. The soup was perfect for the changing weather.

Tuesday

Turkey breast cutlet with rice and pecans, apple/pear (neighbors’ tree), pepper (CSA), KIND bar

Our neighbors have a tree that produces these beautiful Asian pears (at least that’s what I think they are). The wife doesn’t like how they taste and told us we are welcome to pick as many as we would like. So we visited with a paper grocery bag. I loved them — the taste is fresh and juicier than an apple.

Wednesday

Potato leek soup, sausage, corn muffins, baby carrots and two apple/pears

Can you tell I was running late that morning?

Thursday

Bologna sandwich with lettuce (CSA), melon, apple/pear, spinach and radishes (CSA), KIND bar

When I packed my lunch as a kid, I loved bologna sandwiches! Also if you are not a big salad fan, I think starting with a little bit is a great way to get in the habit of eating greens.

Friday

Bacon salad with carrots and broccoli, daiya cheese, apple/pear, dressing, KIND bar

One of the salads I adored buying years ago was a bacon, cheese, and ranch salad. I tried to recreate it here and you know what? It was delicious. Friday’s lunch was my favorite all week.