Vitamin D in the PNW

Since the rain and gloom have graced Portland with it's annual presence, it would seem to be that time of year when everyone starts talking about how to not stay depressed in the PNW. One of the most common ways to avoid depression and biting off someone's head that I have heard of is to take some daily Vitamin D. Another is to hit up the tanning beds for a few minutes and in some places, such as the M, they have the UV lights to provide some much needed "sunlight" to get that calcium and Vitamin D we all need.

Now, I understand that some people are more depressed and deficient than others; however, what the doctor may prescribe sometimes seems a little ridiculous. I work with several people who have been prescribed over 2,000 mg of Vitamin D...DAILY! I mean holy cow, if you have to take that much...sheesh, y'all need to think about vacationing in the sunny parts of the world instead of staycationing here. Obviously, the Vitamin D is not just to help with depression but to help make up for some of that calcium loss during the gloom.

So, if you're planning on coming up for a visit, be prepared for little to no sunshine and some of your friends may be popping little chewable Ds, so don't be alarmed. And it's days like this that we have to enjoy, it may have been cold but it was sunny and beautiful. Thank you Mother Nature.

Tip for the Day: It is always a good idea to forecast out where you want to live next. Be sure to look at all seasons and the typical weather, no just location, schools, transportation and such. We will see if this panda bear makes it through a wet winter...

Thanksgiving for the Culinary World

With turkey day only a few days away the stores are quickly becoming filled with disgruntled home cooks looking to make the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. The shelves are packed with processed and prepackaged stuffings, breads, sauces, gravies and turkey recipes. And the Christmas items are already out and being purchased.

In my few trips to the grocery store I have seen more than one person floundering about with stacks of papers, recipe cards and pictures trying to match up the cards with the foods provided on the shelves. I am here to say- make up your own recipes. Everything does not have to match the recipes! What makes the food good is how you make it. Add your own twist to this year's Turkey Day-try deep fryin' your turkey or how about a cranberry and cornbread stuff instead of the stuff out of the box (though it is actually quite delicious). Also, don't forget to thaw your bird out!

Also, please note: We are culinary students, when you see us please remember we are people, not a walking cookbook subject to your abuse about how you don't like that or wouldn't serve that to company. If you're going to harass us about our ideas, don't ask at all. You seem like a grown-up, you be creative. Tip for the Day: Everyone gets a little testy during the holidays, do not take it out on innocent bystanders. That's why you get the family together and you can be testy at each other :) Family is important during the holidays. They ground you and remind you about home if you're out and about. So make time for the ones that will listen to you when you get uptight during the holidays because they put up with a lot of your crap. And though family is important, make time for you because the holidays can be stressful. :)

As much complaining as I am doing, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. Surrounded by family, good food, booze and football, who could ask for anything better? This Thanksgiving, though away from most of my family, will prove to be no different. For the past few years, I have bounced back and forth between my Grandma's house in Wyoming and home in California thus being able to experience everything from turkey to pheasant, classic mashed taters to the ever so delicious butterballs. One day, I hope to have the patience to host my own Thanksgiving dinner with my own family with a little bit of everything that I've eaten over the past years. This year, I will be spending the holiday, enjoying a day off from the M and seeing some familiar faces from home and meeting new ones from Portland. And all of the above will be included.

So, here's to you and yours for this holiday!

The M

After a month working at the M, the Island Boss took some much needed time off leaving the fate of the hotel to me. You wouldn't think that ordering, taking inventory, stocking items, loading and unloading while being everyone's bitch for a week would be that hard...actually it is.

Since I had actually never called in an order it was a learning process to begin with. On top of not knowing the actual names of anything because of the Island Boss' nicknames for things were different than what they actually were. And since I hadn't actually been at the hotel for very long, getting to know what everyone ordered or which ones were slow movers or not, I was bound to make mistakes.

While I was on my own, the banquet kitchen had asked me to pick up a few shifts to help them with the busy schedule. And right after, I was promptly banned from the kitchen because I missed some big items. So, after all the missed orders, and being yelled at and getting through a week completely on my own, I now have a better understanding about food cost, ordering and time management.

Tip for the Day: Always do your best and don't let anyone tell you, your best isn't good enough. And yes, of course there is always room for improvement.

I have not forgotten

October has proven to be a wee bit of a busy month. New job, travels, friends, family and all that life is throwing this way.

I have not forgotten and will definitely have some catching up to do! With the impending rainy season upon us, there will be more time spent inside, gazing over the overcast city skyline.

As I sit here in the Denver International Airport, I remember the last time I was here- nervously making my way back to Laramie without a plan in the world to move my life to Portland. I have now been back twice to the Rockie Mountains and it is still hard to leave. However, Portland is starting to grow on me as long as the rain keeps at bay for a little while longer.

Classes right now...Nutrition and Costing and Purchasing...where to next, no one even knows.

Tip for the Day: Everything in moderation.