Water the Bamboo Revisited-Taking the Path of the Most Resistance

Cybil Talley and Greg Bell at the Water the Bamboo presentation at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, GA

While attending a conference for work today, I had an opportunity to hear Greg Bell, creator and author of Water the Bamboo.  This is my second time hearing him, and again, I was richly blessed by what he had to offer.  What I enjoy the most is that his messages apply to not only the workplace, but they also can be used in my personal life as well.  Some of my take-aways today from Greg's speech were:

• "You see what you believe."
• Believe that everyone can help me.  Greg calls this "reverse paranoia".
• "Always share love and knowledge."
• Create a vision board for my life.  What do I want my life to look life?  Again, if I can see it, I can believe it.
• "Put yourself on the agenda." In order for me to meet the needs of others, I first must take care of myself.  I must do this deliberately and intently.

The most important message that I heard today is that the thing that we resist the most is often the thing that we must work towards the most.  Greg asserts that "resistance is a sign that you may be on the right track to growth" (Bell, 2009).  Why did this message resonate so strongly with me?  I recently decided to return to school to pursue a graduate degree in education.  I don't necessarily need the degree right now, but I knew that I would need this credential if I eventually wanted to advance in a career in education.  So, I embarked upon a very accelerated master's program.  In just 6 days, I had decided that I wanted to quit.  Plain and simple, it was too much work and the pace was too fast. I felt uncomfortable and way out of my league. 

Even as I made the final preparations to cancel my enrollment, I knew that I would not be completely  happy if I just gave up.  My decision to quit weighed heavily on me, and I struggled with the thought of giving up on something before I even really started.  I had come up with every excuse as to why I could not complete the class and the program.  But it was all just resistance.  Resistance to the idea of learning unfamiliar material, disciplining myself with my time and focus, and stepping out on faith to do something different. 

Greg's message along with a chance encounter with an educator on an airplane and the support of my husband rang loudly, and I knew that I had to take control of my fear, apprehension, and attitude of resistance.  What I really needed was the spirit of persistence.  It took me a couple of hours to put everything back into perspective, and by the end of the day, I had decided to go for the degree.  I took an honest look at myself and decided that I could do it, even if it meant taking the longer route and starting in the next term.  I had become so complacent that I lacked the drive to propel me forward with my goals.  Drive, as my husband reminded me in one of my meltdown moments, is what makes you work hard towards reaching your goals even when it's not fun, convenient, or easy.

I'm so glad that I had a chance to learn from Greg today.  I will study Chapter 19-Patience, Persistence, and Perseverance in  Water the Bamboo this week to gather more nuggets of truth.  And yes, I promise to live up to the oath, "Whatever challenges come my way, I will continue to Water the Bamboo" (Bell, 2009). Visit http://www.waterthebamboo.com/ to learn more about this powerful way of thinking and living.

Reference
Bell, Greg. (2009.) Water the bamboo. Portland:  Three Star Publishing.

Fulton Fresh Mobile Farmer's Market Coming Soon!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-Fulton-County-Government.html?soid=1102633924971&aid=67p8uq5ChB4

Popcorn Perfection

When I booked my work trip to Chicago, I had one stop and one stop only in mind--Garrett Popcorn. As dog tired as I was, I still could not and would not resist the urge to find my way back to the Garrett Popcorn at Chicago O'hare Airport. Garrett is famous for its Chicago Mix-a super yummy blend of its signature CaramelCrisp and CheeseCorn. Sounds weird but tastes so good! The tangy cheese flavor is the perfect foil for the buttery sweet caramel drenched corn. If you don't believe me, the nice folks at the counter won't mind giving you a sample. They will insist that you eat the flavors together to get the full effect of popcorn nirvana. You know that this must be the good stuff if it made it to Oprah's list of Favorite Things!

If your next travel itinerary doesn't include a stop in the Windy City, visit www.garrettpopcorn.com to place an order. Order plenty to keep the peace!

Ready, Set, Bake: Le Cordon Bleu College Teams up with Share Our Strength’s Great American Baking Contest

Ready, Set, Bake: Le Cordon Bleu College Teams up with Share Our Strength’s Great American Baking Contest

Sip and Savor at The Atlanta Wine School

Did you know that 85% of what we taste actually comes through the sense of smell?  Or did you know that sommeliers are not only wine experts, but they also must be well-versed in beers, craft beers, spirits, waters, and even humidors?  Thanks to Michael Bryan of The Atlanta Wine School, I can confidently answer yes to those questions.

I can think of no better way to wind down on a Monday than with some of my favorite foodie friends over a few glasses of wine.  Alumni and friends of Le Cordon Bleu met up for Sip and Savor, an Alumni Wine Tasting Event at The Atlanta Wine School.  Michael Bryan, founder and owner of this enologist's paradise, shared his expert knowledge on all things wine from the best glass for serving wine, to how to hold a wine glass properly, to how to stage a wine tasting party.

My take away from the tasting is that what we serve can impact the whole mood of our event.  Michael pointed out the difference in how two sparkling wines can set the stage for different scenarios.  For example, Prosecco says inviting, welcoming whereas a champagne may infer more formality and austerity.  If there is a specific taste in wine that you prefer, Michael urged us to learn as much as possible about that wine, the grape, the region, and the winemakers that make that type of wine.  If nothing else, find a wine consultant that can help guide your choices.  After learning a few basics, we sampled about 7 wines.  My personal favorites were the Prosecco and the Moscato. 
Check out http://www.atlantawineschool.com/ to learn more about upcoming classes and events at The Atlanta Wine School.

What I Baked for Dessert Today

Favorite Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 1 (3-layer) cake

This is my go-to cake when I need a taste of home.  It's been a favorite in my family for a long time.  I start out with a basic 1-2-3-4 yellow cake which is probably the first cake that I learned to bake when I was a child.  It follows the basic ratio of 1 cup butter to 2 cups of sugar to 3 cups flour and 4 eggs.  I've filled this version with a cooked pineapple filling, but it's good with other fillings as well.  Keep this recipe handy for your next family celebration. 

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

4 extra large eggs

1 cup milk

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon almond extract

Pineapple Filling

Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat oven to 350°F.    Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. 

Cream butter in a large mixing bowl.  Gradually add sugar, creaming until light and fluffy.  Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.   Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add flour mixture alternately with milk and extracts, stirring well after each addition.  Pour into prepared pans evenly.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tester inserted into cake comes out clean.  Cool in pans for 10 minutes.  Remove from pans and finish cooling on racks until completely cooled.

Spread Pineapple Filling between layers.

Frost top and sides of cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Pineapple Filling

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons butter

Combine pineapple and sugar in a saucepan.  Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.  Stir together a little bit of cold water into cornstarch to create a slurry.  Add slurry to pineapple, stirring to combine.  Cook until thickened.  Stir in butter until combined.  Set aside to cool slightly.

 

Cream Cheese Icing

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

4 tablespoons butter, softened

1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.

First Lady Obama Celebrates the 1st Anniversary of Let's Move!

What an honor to be able to hear Michelle Obama celebrate the first anniversary of the Let's Move! initiative.  I immediately jumped on the opportunity  to attend the speech, and it was well worth a sacrificed afternoon at the office.  Mrs. Obama's speech really encouraged me to continue to push hard on making sure that I feed my family healthy, nutritious foods and to ensure that we exercise daily. 

What I enjoyed the most was that she wasn't there to preach to us.  Her message came from the voice of a mother who at one time or another had many of the same concerns about her own family's health and wellness that many parents have.  When America's First Lady can relate to what most average Americans may experience, it makes it easier and more believable to follow the Let's Move! campaign.  Mrs. Obama reminded us of a time when fast food was something special and not the daily norm and when exercise was a regular part of our days.  I, too, remember when a McDonald's Happy Meal was a real treat for me.  My mom believed in cooking "real" food.  On the days when she was too busy to cook or when she had to work late, she made sure that we ate dinner in the cafeteria at Spelman.  If we didn't eat there, we would stop at S and S Cafeteria, Morrison's Cafeteria, or Picadilly.  And she chose those places because she knew that I would get a hot, balanced meal complete with veggies.  A visit through the drive-through of McDonald's or Burger King was not a part of our reality.  So, when I did have a chance to eat fast food, it was something that I looked forward to, but I certainly didn't expect it. 

Now that I am a busy, working mom of 2 boys, I find that I do make the effort to prepare a meal for them most weeknights.  And yes, there are times when it would be far easier for me to pull through that drive-through window, I try to resist that temptation because I know that a) the food is not going to be as good as what I can prepare and b) it's just not healthy for us. Don't get me wrong...there are times when picking up dinner is the best solution.  With food prices rising, however, sometimes it seems that eating out is even cheaper than cooking at home.  Again though, the cheaper alternative is most likely the least healthy alternative.  Eating out does not have to be disastrous if we know how to select healthier options and how to make those options more attractive to our children. 

What we struggle with the most in our home is the endless snacking.  Between the potato chips and cookies, it sometimes it feels as if we've lost the war to the snack pack.  Like Mrs. Obama chided, sometimes it's just easier to hand over the chips than it is to continue harping on why the chips are bad or why you should eat the vegetables.  That's where our resolve as parents must click in.  We are the decison makers and the purchasers in our home.  Our children are most often the ones influenced by all of the commercials and ads luring them into the coolness of all types of great tasting but bad-for-you foods and habits.  At the end of the day, though, we are the ones that spend the dollars at the cash register.  We are the ones that cook the meals or make the choices of where and what we will eat.  We are the ones that have the power to either allow our kids to be couch potatoes or encourage them to be active daily.  Mrs. Obama encourages us "to find creative solutions that work for our families."  We have to find the best way to incorporate change into our daily lives that is realistic, doable, and sustainable.

While we may have more conveniences and technological advances now, it is still our right and our duty to ensure that we make food and health choices that will benefit our children, not harm them.  If 1 out of 3 American children are obese, then it is clear that the decisions we make about what we feed them and how we train them are failing our children.  And in the long run, these decisions will have dire health consequences for our children and ultimately for our nation.  First Lady Obama poignantly reminded us that "we have a voice.  We can change things when we come together."  Her words certainly sparked something in me.  For more information on the Let's Move! initiative, visit http://www.letsmove.gov/.