My Food Story

Photo courtesy of Kunal Chandra

This week we were so unbelievably fortunate to have Barny Haughton, a brilliant and inspiring figure in gastronomy, teach and guide the course of the week, which was Sustainable Gastronomy.  I could go into his history and achievements, but I really just want to mention the way he impacted my week.

I was literally writing down his exact words from his lectures all over my notebook page.  The way he thinks and lives speaks to me, not only because of his high achievements, but also because of what I imagine in my life and the lives of others.

He set the stage of the class with the mention of a book called A New Earth.  With this introduction he talked about the future of food and our direct impact on it.  He believes that the future of food we want will come from "the imagination, courage, and enterprise of small groups with big ideas."  With that thought, he had us divide into groups and perform and present our hypothetical models for food education in practice.  The themes varied, but each one of the workshops was something I could see myself doing someday.  Not only that, but these were situations in which I have seen throughout my schooling and professional career, and circumstances in which I know need the most attention and have the highest priority in our world today.

We have done a lot of group work so far, but this particular type of work was far from easy.  We are all from different backgrounds, cultures, upbringings, and we all have our own priorities as well.  That, coupled with highly motivated, and "go-getting" attitudes from all members proved to be challenging, but successful in the end.

After getting to really dig deep into each other's points of view and genuinely learning from each other, we were able to see from where those beliefs stemmed from.  Barny wanted us to explore the significance and value of our individual relationship with food.  He wanted us not only write about it, but also present it to the class.  He stressed that this exercise should be heartfelt and real.  Here are some of the pictures from the day:

The last part of his vision for us was to have each person prepare and cook a meal which reflects our food and cultural identity.  This was to be done after class and brought for the next day to share with the rest of the class.  This would also be presented and explained to each other, in order to know and understand one another on a different and personal level.

Barny did these activities as well, in front of us, just as we did for each other.  He made a "salad for all seasons" and it was simple, yet remarkable.  He talked about ingredients as being of high importance, and how we sometimes need to separate ourselves from the entire cooking process from beginning to end--he suggested instead to just "be" with the ingredients, almost as if in a meditative state.

The dish I chose to cook revolved around ingredients and aroma.  I was unsure of how exactly I would put it all together, but I knew that I needed apples, sweet potatoes, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves.  I also knew that it needed to be warm.  The flavors and spices all spell comfort for me.  The fact that the ingredients work together is what amazes me the most; how all of my favorite flavors and foods can all be put in one dish and actually work is almost destiny.  The meaning behind all of these ingredients can be explained, which is what I presented on, but it is easier to explain in speech than in writing (which is usually opposite for me)!

Something I will share is what I wrote about for my Food Story.  And here it is:

To write about my relationship with food is a tricky task.  There are many connections I could recall upon.  I have studied the science and nutrition of food in my undergraduate degree, and now I am in a Master program, studying the culture and art of food.  When asked to speak from the heart and talk about what rings true to me, there is only one route to go.  I believe my existence on this earth is to be in contact with people.  I have been challenged with this calling at the times I have felt I wanted to be more introverted and independent, but I now know my life purpose involves people.  Life can be a challenge, but without each other there is no overcoming.  An important thing I have realized and experienced in my life is that in this interconnection of people, food is a direct and understood link.  It connects us with one another: it is associated with different holidays, it identifies with all cultures, and we even each have our own relationship with it.  Food truly couples with every detail of life on earth, and is what sustains every living thing: sunlight is food for the plants, insects for birds, nectar for bees, plants and animals for humans.  And there are not only coupled links, but truly a chain of connections between all existence thanks to this sustenance.  Connections, relationships, and common ancestry are what I have felt a draw toward.  Charity and gratitude not only for people, but for all of life is what my call in life revolves around.  To value all of life I in turn respect and feel indebted to that which sustains and binds it, and that is food.  


I have a lot of respect and a newly evolved appreciation for all of my classmates after this week.  I am grateful for having had Barny instill this knowledge of our place here and the strength we have to make a difference, and in a sense become a wake-up call for the sometimes sleeping world we live in.

He left us with the thought of "staying with the positive" and when things don't always go in the way we want them to go, we need to remember that "the best things in life are those that somehow just fall into place, like the falling autumn leaves.."

Cheers!

--A special thank you to my classmates for the pictures--

(Especially Kunal Chandra)

Change

“To the fearful, change is threatening because it means things may get worse. To the hopeful, change is encouraging because it means things may get better. To the confident, change is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” ~ Lorraine Matusak


I have always been one to follow my heart, knowing that it will lead me in the direction I am meant to go. Sometimes following your heart can be hard, and sometimes our mind allows our decisions to be made without the influence of our conscience.  No matter the path we choose, it is the one we are supposed to be traveling.  When I choose from my heart, it is what I know is best, even if it's not what my head is saying is right.  


Change can be extremely hard, and sometimes I have found myself avoiding change because of what I know is to come.  Avoiding hardship is not a way to learn or to grow I have found.  Challenging ourselves to change and go against the current can, in the end, be the exact thing we needed, even if it requires the most from us.  


Deciding to study in Italy for a year was both the easiest and hardest decision to make.  Yes, I was fearful and at times wanted to back out; and No, it's not the easiest and most comfortable situation I have lived, but that's part of the purpose.  Challenging ourselves, becoming self-sufficient, appreciating what we have, who we are, and where we are from can give us strength we never knew we had and an awareness we have never understood before.  It can make the (now) insignificant stress we experienced prior seem less than trivial.   


I know that I am where I am supposed to be, no matter how hard it may seem at times.  I have grown more this week in Italy than I have a month elsewhere.  I have learned more about myself than I had known until now.  I am fortunate and quiet, ready for the world to continue gracing me with the opportunities of life and, most importantly of love.   

Unexplainable Love

I am blown away by the unending love from those that have not only seen me at my best but also at my worst.  I tend to wonder how it works: what is it that connects me to these people?  Is it the bonds that were formed when I needed these people the most, when I was vulnerable and weak?  Is it the fact that these people have seen me at my best; have witnessed my potential and the person I truly am?  Have we shared a spiritual bond that has kept us there for each other no matter what, giving us the forgiving heart to sustain the relationship we have formed?  Or is it the fact that we are all human beings, allowing for an unexplainable understanding of one another?

Actually the more I think about it, the more I realize that there is no one answer; and thus, no right answer.

Most of our existence consists of unspoken significance and understanding.  A funny example of this theory is when I asked my Dad: what's with men and their beard phase?  And my Dad acknowledged that "women will never understand the beard."  And we don't, really.  From my perspective, it must just be something all guys do to prove they are real men.  I am man, I can grow beard.  And when I brought this up to my Dad, he said it's just the simple fact that men can grow facial hair, so they think: why not.  I feel like there is more reason than that, but as I probed for more intellectual answers (mostly in order to understand the male brain more) I was told that it's just a guy thing.  "If you were a guy, you'd understand."

As I stepped back from the conversation, I realized that it's yet another one of those unwritten and unspoken understandings (which women have an unending list of, might I add).  Ok, enough with the prefix un-.  (My apologies)

Back to my hypothesis: Sometimes people can't help how they feel or who they love--no matter what happens in a friendship or relationship, and they can't explain why.  We've all heard of the stories and even experienced firsthand the up-and-down phases of relationships.  And from the outside perspective one wonders: what are they thinking?!  But no barrier could stop the love that emanates from the relationship, the bond formed; no wrong could cause that love to fade.

And this is always hard to explain to someone on the outside, am I wrong?  The truth is: that's just Love.  It's both the best thing in life and sometimes the hardest thing to comprehend, let alone put into words.

The very best example, of course, is the love that parents have for their children.  Or even their grandchildren.  Every parent wants the best for their child, wishes only happiness for them, and would climb the highest mountain/swim the deepest sea for them.

The love we have all experienced develops of course from our family, friends, and through our long lasting relationships.  I have been lucky enough to experience this kind of love throughout my life and be a witness to others', and I truly feel that there is not one person out there who is not loved in this way.

This love we all possess is the single most important reason for our being; the one thing that gives us meaning in life and the strength to persevere in any situation.  Ironically, those who guide us through the rough patches in our lives are also those that provide us the motivation to get through it for--and that is true love: when you want to give just as much if not more for those who have given to you.

We know this: we are not here for ourselves, but of course for each other.  We should allow for others to be there for us too!  So in the times when we are at our lowest we need to be inspired by those who love us, press ahead, and humble ourselves to let them in, while acknowledging our imperfections.  

It is wonderful and expected to uncover the best and the worst of ourselves; and we are incredibly lucky for those who truly love us, who will always be there--Unexplainably.

Simple Food

From the recipes I've provided so far, it doesn't look like I eat necessarily "simply".  But the truth is, I pretty much stick to the same foods on a daily basis, sometimes depending on what is in season, what is cheapest.  This is especially true when I try a combination of something or a flavor that I really like.  Most people who know me well know this about me and can vouch, so ask them.  Whoever they are.

I started to get interested in Dietetics when I went to college, where my free time was spent researching recipes, nutrition, fitness, you name it.  It wasn't until I started really getting into the schooling and the professional issues that I realized my passion.

One of my goals in college was to find out what I would be happy doing.  I discovered a lot about myself through writing pages and pages, first starting with my interpretations of philosophy, religion, our existence on this earth.  And I have never been bored in coming up with hypotheses on different concepts and then discussing those ideas with people.  I have always been open to others' theories and I love to ask questions, so it usually makes for really interesting conversation.

I love hearing other's perspective because it  not only opens my eyes to new ideas and thought processes, but it helps me solidify my own.  And I respect all views. To each his own, right?

I loved working for WIC because I felt like I was giving to those who are in need.  I was often frustrated, though, because of the restrictions the USDA puts on this program.  I would often educate my clients on how they can save money in the most simple ways, leading to their children actually liking fruits and vegetables.  Some of my theories, for those who were able, considered learning to grow your own food, and especially getting the kids involved.  Learning to can and store your own food as a fun hobby to learn as a family.  Also buying in season fruits and vegetables because they are often much cheaper and they taste better!  And if possible, supporting local farmers.

I could easily go on and on about this topic on the why and how, but I will contain myself.  This time.

Much of my passion for good, clean, and fair food is from that of Slow Food.  I learned about this movement in Italy, when I studied there 3 years ago, and I knew right then and there it was something I needed to be involved in.  It encompasses all that I believe and want to work for, and it allows me to theorize, write, interpret, educate, respect, have compassion, continue learning and gain fulfillment in my job!

Slow Food started in Rome, Italy as a protest against putting in a McDonald's at the bottom the the Spanish steps  (fyi-the McDonald's went up anyway, I saw it!).  It has turned into a Movement that has spread to every country and now every state in the US, and there are even many local chapters in each state.  Their idea is to slow down the meal--and slow down as a way of living too.  They commit to and have respect for the community and the environment.  If you haven't heard of it, I would recommend even just reading about it--it will truly open your eyes and may even provide for a changed perspective.

Again, something I could talk extensively on, but I feel like there will be ample opportunity for that.

The University I am going to in Italy for my Master's in tied in with Slow Food.  I will be doing an internship in the last 3 months of my schooling, and I am hoping this will give me the "foot in the door" I need to be part of this movement--in some way or another.

I look forward to the continued education and further awareness of not only my Italian heritage, but the agricultural heritage that has led me to my stated simple food.

Slow Food unites the pleasure of food with responsibility, sustainability, and harmony with nature. Carlo Petrini, Slow Food founder and president

Turkey & Vegetable Burgers--with Guacamole!

First of all I need to apologize that I don't have any pictures for this one!  I actually took great pictures of this, and deleted them from my camera, thinking I had put them on my computer--however, I did not put them on my computer at all.  And I deleted perfectly good pictures.  Ah, such is life.

This was really fun to make because I knew the different flavors and spices together would be heaven on a plate.

They are both extremely easy and the directions are short and sweet.  I hope I gave enough information on the recipe, so if not--just ask!

Here are the recipes:

Turkey & Vegetable Burgers

1 pound ground turkey

1 medium zucchini, grated

1 medium carrot, grated

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

Tabasco sauce

salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.  Form the mixture into 1/2-inch patties.  Heat oiled skillet over medium heat and cook patties for about 5 minutes per side, making sure no trace of pink remains. Serve with Guacamole, listed below.  

*I also recommend grilling these burgers, yumm!

Guacamole

2 medium avocados

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 large green chili pepper, chopped

10 (or so) cherry tomatoes, quartered

fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon orange juice

salt and pepper

Mash the avocados with a fork, add remaining ingredients.  Refrigerate for about 3 hours; Serve on top of the Turkey and Vegetable Burgers!

I love these turkey/veggie burgers.  The water from the vegetables I think added some moisture to the burger, so they seemed juicy, even though they are made from turkey.  It might be a lot of vegetable for someone who doesn't like the idea of vegetables in their burger, or even the idea of vegetables at all!  I loved the balance, but if you are hesitant, I suggest using about half the grated vegetable it calls for and simply add more meat.

The guacamole was to die for.  I have nothing more to say--it was that good. 

I had this with spinach, and it was perfect.  I put lots of fresh spinach on the bottom of the plate, then burger, then guacamole on top!  I hope you enjoy!

And then it snowed...Again

Well, it's no surprise I am talking about the weather turning cold again.  It seems it is included in everyone person's conversation, and rightly so.  However, I have chosen to be in Northern Minnesota, and I am not going to complain about the weather.  I am going to embrace it.  And realize that it is part of God's beautiful creation I talked about last time.

It seems like whenever there is a large storm--or in some cases in North Dakota, a flood--it is my cue to get out there and explore.  Back in college at UND we had a couple of times where the warnings told us to stay inside because of the cold/wind, where apparently frost bite could occur within seconds.  Of course, it's fun to have a snow day and stay inside, watch movies, drink hot cocoa, make popcorn..oh yeah and study.  But for some reason it gives me the itch to get outside and investigate for myself.

It is undoubtedly harder to motivate in the winter.  I would be happy if it lasted 3 months for cross-country skiing and then it was over.  But that's not how it works.  When I lived in Wisconsin the weather wasn't as harsh, and it was really fun to go out on a clear night, even if it was just for an exploratory walk after work.  It was often pitch black, but the shining stars were awe-inspiring.  Sometimes that's all it takes--is to just get out there.  It can open up our eyes and our minds to more than we knew possible.  It can refresh our spirits and guaranteed, relieve any stress.

It is good to push ourselves a little, and even sweat in the winter.  It's always that much more comforting afterward to snuggle up with a warm blanket and cup of hot cocoa.  And, of course, it's fun to cook/bake both before and after these little excursions.  I am going to include 2 really good recipes in my next post.

Sometimes we just need a little push!  And it shouldn't be a push to go do something miserable like running on a treadmill, staring at the wall.  But it should be a push to go out and enjoy the elements, leading to positive emotions and hopefully a much needed epiphany that can come through after.  Much of my greatest ideas have come from my excursions, runs, walks, skis--this blog being one of the epiphanies--aren't you glad?

Most importantly, it should be FUN.  It should be something you want to do and that feels good to you.  For some people it's just shoveling.  For some it's just playing outside.  Walking.  Running.  Skiing.  Talking on the phone.  Listening to music.  Listening to the sounds of nature.  Whatever your fancy--alone or with someone else--let it be something that brings you happiness. 

So here is your push.  Get out there: go find the meaning of something, alleviate stress, breathe in the fresh air, embrace the cold!  You won't reget it, I promise.

Woods

Going to the woods is going home.  John Muir

This simple thought is what popped into my head today when I was out in the middle of the woods.  I thought about how I have never felt scared or alone among the trees.  The sounds are what especially draw me in: the breeze and the birds, sometimes the sound of woodpeckers and owls and squirrels surrounding me.  At times, especially in North Dakota, the sound of the river; or in Minnesota, the peaceful wave that comes in to the lakeshore.  People listen to CD's to mimic this because the sounds of life are so amazingly calming!

I must say that the place that gives me the most peace is the Boundary Waters, where most of life is untouched and exactly how it should be.  Where life exists because of Mother Nature herself, who has produced the natural beauty that surrounds the land. There is no greater feeling than in the canoe, as if part of the water, the trees and the dirt.  The fresh air literally reviving your body back to purity.  This is when I feel like all is right in the world, and there is nothing more I could even ask for.  This is when I am most in the present and can thank God for the most beautiful gift of life.  Where I can close my eyes, breathe in, and most of the time have tears well up in my eyes.  It is then that I remember who I am and what I am here for.  It is when I am most thankful for the love that has surrounded me my entire life.

These trips to the Boundary Waters have always been with my Dad.  And this is another reason I sometimes get teary-eyed.  I have been blessed with the most amazing and loving parents a girl could ask for.  Everything I am is because of those two.  But it doesn't just start with them.  It started with my Grandparents, and their parents, and beyond.  It started with all who have been inspirational to them, taught them how to live life to its fullest, be the best person they can be--and most importantly, to simply Love.

I was just talking to my Dad about our ancestors from the Ongaro side.  I could not believe in hearing that the first Ongaro (that we know of) was born in 1609 in Gandino, Italy--this tiny village we were fortunate enough to visit the last time we were in Italy.  What is amazing is that there have been Ongaro's in Gandino since then and no one ever left until my Dad's grandfather came to Hibbing in 1910! (more specifically Carson Lake or Leetonia).  My grandpa Frank Ongaro lived and passed away in Hibbing, and my Dad now lives in Hibbing.  So there are two places that the Ongaro's have held onto their history--Gandino, Italy and Hibbing.  This gives me such an appreciation for our descendants, and how much the Ongaro's respect their name and their culture.

It is incredibly important to know where our families came from.  I would not be here, in America, if my family didn't make the sacrifices they did.  My great-grandma "Baba" (My grandmother Ongaro's Mom) was sent away to Leetonia (right outside of Hibbing) from her beautiful Croatian village.  She spent a month on the bottom of ship in the worst conditions imaginable to get here.  I have been to her homeland in Croatia, and I would not have wanted to leave!  And she didn't--she hated it here at first!

To know our roots us gives us an even greater appreciation for our life today--and these are some of the thoughts that come to me in the middle of the woods, among the beautiful life that surrounds us.  I thank God for my family and for the life I have been given.  I think of the freedom I have to go wherever I want, do whatever I want, be whoever I want.  I have such a respect for my family, and I will never forget where I came from.  I will spend the rest of my life honoring all those who have sacrificed so I could have a better life.





In the beauty of nature is where I am rejuvenated and feel like there is nothing in this world that can bring me down--as long as I keep coming home, to the woods.