CityMama™

Silicon Valley Asian American Voices: Immigration Issues Affect Us All, No Matter Where We Live

Even if you don't live in Silicon Valley, I'm hoping that you will take a look at the trailer for the Silicon Valley Asian American Voices video project. The documentary follows the stories—the successes, hardships, and hopes—of three Asian American immigrants in Silicon Valley (but they could be anywhere, in any community across the United States). Despite struggling through language, cultural, and health care barriers, these individuals readily work to shape the local community. This piece explores the strengthening of community through the support of immigrant populations.

These issues reach far beyond Silicon Valley—the policy initiatives associated with the project impact Asian immigrants and their family members across the United States—which is why I share it here.

Please take a moment to watch it—no matter where you live or where you are from, I think you will be able to relate to the stories being told. 

If you are in the Bay Area and would like to come to a screening of the documentary you can find all the info on the Silicon Valley Asian American Voices project website. It also screens at the Asian American Film Festival on March 20.

Please feel free to share the trailer on your blog, Facebook, or on Twitter. (Here's the URL if that's easier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjKBzZv7s7g)

Disclosure: AACI, the organization behind Silicon Valley Asian American Voices is a CleverGirls Collective LLC (my social media marketing agency) client.

What's with all the brown rice and whole grain pasta?

You may have noticed a slight change in my menu planning since the first of the year.  Whereas I had always tried to cook local, fresh, healthy meals, I have now bumped that up about 10 notches because, well, I want to lose weight and get healthier. I did the New Years' Resolution cliché thing, and on January 1, I joined Weight Watchers. First online because meetings are scary, and then after a few weeks, I started going to meetings.

Having tried every diet in the book, I was skeptical. The thought of writing down (I use the online tool) and counting points for everything I put into my mouth was daunting. As someone who loves food, cooking, and eating, I thought that eating would become joyless. Pedestrian. The very opposite of the Like Water For Chocolate vibe I tried to cultivate in my kitchen. I never wanted to be one of those "food is fuel" people.

And then I lost 15 pounds.

And, with the support of the weekly meetings (which are not scary at all), and their A.MA. ZING iPhone app*, I realized it wasn't so hard.

I'm learning that I don't have to change what I am eating so much. I've swapped out the chicken thighs I love so much with chicken breasts and it's okay.  We eat leaner grass-fed sirloin or tenderloin instead of the (let's be honest) far more delicious rib-eyes. We've completely switched over to brown rices like jasmine and basmati and whole wheat pasta (which I am learning to like.)

But the other things, the fact that I love vegetables, salad, and high-fiber foods; have always preferred salt-free whole grain breads; am not a dessert or junk-food person—those things make it easier. That, and the fact that I am now running 2-3 miles four to five times a week and just trying to be more active in general. It's hard when you work and are a parent, but I am making it a priority now.

While the initial getting up to speed was a little challenging (there is a learning curve with the points and some of the jargon which is why I find the meetings immensely helpful), I have found that my meals are still delicious, cooking is still fun, and my family doesn't really notice the difference.

I promise not to turn CityMama into a diet blog, because I am not about that. I am about sensible eating and being healthy and trying to set that example for my family. What trickles over, trickles over, and if it helps you, too, then that makes me feel good, but I'm doing this for me and my girls.

And it's working.

*Seriously, if there were Academy Awards of iPhone apps, this one would win the "Best Picture" Oscar. It's that fabulous.

This is not a review nor was I compensated in any way shape or form by Weight Watchers to write this. This is simply me, sharing how my life is changing for the better. (And, damn if it doesn't chap my hide that I feel I have to write these "disclaimers" on a non-review.)

Jamie Oliver's TED Talk: Have you seen it?

Jamie Oliver recently addressed the TED conference after receiving one of the 2010 TED Prizes. His wish:

“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.”

You know I am jumping for joy that his wish is receiving such wide-spread attention. His wish is in line with what I have been trying to do here on CityMama (and before that on Family Food) for years. I advocate cooking at home, from scratch, locally-grown or sourced wherever possible, because it's the best way to teach your children about healthful, delicious eating and where their food comes from.

I also do it to show that it's not as hard as you think. I am busy, too. Between work and extra-curricular activities, there isn't a whole lot of time left over and sometimes, the last thing I want to do is cook. But then I remember that I have planned my week, and I have the ingredients, and that if I just put on that pot of rice or get the marinated chicken into the oven, the rest will fall into place.

If you cook, it much easier to teach your kids to cook. It's a life skill that I think is vitally important and that is becoming a lost art with each passing generation. Sometimes it is a pain in the ass to have the kids under foot in the kitchen, but I try make sure that my kids are near me when I am cooking so I can teach them about what I am doing, just as mom did with me.

"I can't cook," is no longer an excuse.  If you want to cook, then cook. There's no way that you are going to get better at it unless you do it regularly. When you roast a chicken for 20th time, you'll be an expert, I promise. You might have some hits and misses along the way, but you won't get comfortable with your skills and abilities unless you do it. (Just do it!)  If you don't know how to roast a chicken, come over. We'll do it together and have a great lunch to boot.

If Jamie Oliver is to be believed, and I think he is, we can help to raise a generation of kids who will make healthy and smart food choices.  The future is literally in our hands, in our pantries, on our cutting boards.

Please watch this. What Oliver lacks in polished elocution he makes up for in passion and common sense, in spades. His best argument for me was what not the clip showing that kids don't know what common vegetables are or the pointed illustration about amount of sugar in chocolate milk that kids consume over a year. It's when he said, "I'm a father," and his voice wavers just a touch.

Watch.

Let's Meal Plan Together for Monday 2/22

Did you know that this week is The Week of Eating In? The initiative started on the Huffington Post and is an awareness raising event which aims to help save you money and understand where your food comes from. Simple, sensible goals.

For those challenging themselves with a week of cooking at home I hope that this here blog will provide tips, tricks, and helpful ideas.  There are lots of recipes sorted by category in the side bar, so grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine and click around. Happy cooking!

The * indicates locally grown or sourced items.

• Monday: Venison** and white bean chili; sheep's-milk yogurt* from our ewe (it's a dairy CSA); baked blue corn chips; salsa; chopped cilantro*, jalapeños*, and sweet onion*.
• Tuesday: Leftover vegetable soup* (made Sunday) and turkey* sandwiches. (I'm headed out to a Hawaii culinary event.)
• Wednesday: Lamb chops (disclosure: sent to me by the American Lamb Board), fresh mint* pesto, boiled fingerling potatoes, salad.
• Thursday: Grilled chicken breasts, big salad.
• Friday Family Movie Night: DIY pizzas with whole wheat dough* and assorted veggie and cheese toppings*.
• Saturday: Not sure yet. I look to you for inspiration!
• Sunday: Whole grain pasta with bolognese sauce, salad, roasted broccoli rabe (or whatever greens look good at the Farmer's market).

Your turn!

**given to us by a friend of J.'s who went hunting in the Sierra. If you have a good venison chili recipe, let me know!

Bunny and wallie washing dishes.

Bunny and wallie washing dishes.
Originally uploaded by citymama

After we finished breakfast this morning, Bunny and Wallie hopped up to do the dishes. Bunny washed while Wallie loaded the dishwasher.

They must have really missed me when I was in Houston.

In the vineyards at Wooldridge Creek Winery

In vineyards at Wooldridge Creek. So pretty.
Originally uploaded by citymama

A little snapshot from our long weekend in Southern Oregon. We visit this winery almost every time in we are in the area.

Not only are their wines phenomenal (and the winemakers generous and warm), they have the best view of the entire Applegate valley from their front patio.

Beyond the vineyard is a glimpse of snow-tipped mountains encircled by wisps of fog.

It's one of my favorite vistas on earth, even on a drizzly Oregon day.

Let's Meal Plan Together for 2/8/10

Short week this week since we're heading to Oregon for ski week break.  Skiing, no. Wineries, yes!

• Monday: We had teriyaki pork tenderloin, whole grain blend (brown rice, barley, quinoa) from Rainbow Grocery, and a big salad
• Tuesday: Grilled chicken paillards with Meyer lemon, brown basmati rice, salad
• Wednesday: Spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce and turkey meatballs, steamed broccoli or wilted greens (not sure which yet)
• Thursday: Gone skii- er wine-ing!

I'm thinking ahead to Valentine's Day. Do you have a special Meal of Love planned?  If so, what are you going to make?  Do you prepare dishes that your honey likes or does the meal revolve around things like champagne and oysters?  Or, better yet, do you just go out?

Have a great week everyone!

Let's Meal Plan Together for 2/1/10

Whatchoo cookin' this week?  Here's what I got:

[* indicates locally sourced/grown wherever possible]

• Monday—Clean Out the Fridge night aka You Don't Want To Know
• Tuesday—Whole wheat penne pasta salad with apple*, chicken*, and arugula*. Ricotta gnocchi! See below!
• Wednesday—Multi-bean chili (with pastured beef*), baked tortilla chips, yogurt from our sheep*, salad*
• Thursday—Seared scallops, brown rice*, stir-fried veggies*
• Friday—Family Movie Night (usually take-out)
• Saturday—not sure yet
• Sunday—Spaghetti and turkey meatballs, farmer's market salad*

Oh!  And a question. We received sheeps' milk ricotta from the dairy and we have about a pint left. I'd like to know what you'd do with it, but I have a big caveat: it can't be used in lasagne or to stuff pasta. I have a "thing" about ricotta used in stuffed or layered pasta dishes. Blerf. (But strangely, in the sauce itself might be fine.) I've already done it sweet with honey and nuts, but worry I am going to run out of ideas and the ricotta will go bad.

Win some chocolates! Share the Valentine's Day Love with See's Candy!

My company, Clever Girls Collective, has partnered with See's Candy on a very sweet giveaway just in time for Valentine's Day. Enter for a chance to win your very own red Signature Heart Box of See's (two pounds-worth!) just by leaving a comment on our blog (linked below) or on any participating blogger's blog. Want more chances to win? We got those, too!

Head on over to The Cleverist to see what all the fun is about!