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.

So tired...

3:45am up and dressed (so really up by 4:15). Out the door by 4:40 and on Big Ol' Blue and down The Hill.

Now for those of you who have not heard, this hill...The Hill, is pretty steep. Even the locals try and find a way around the hill. This past week I have now successfully biked up this bad boy. The first time I got to the top I threw my hands up in celebration at my awesome accomplish and my celebratory actions were returned by all the cars on the hill honking and cheering for me...instead of honking at me!

With the great hills of Portland, I can make it to work in about 5 minutes, depending on how long it takes to get up the other hill. From the moment I get to work, I'm a workin'. Straight through until I leave and head to class. Every day is on average an 18hr day. So needless to say, I'm a little tired...still. For my nutrition class we are required to record what we have eaten for three days and calculate our caloric, fat and other nutrients. With the new schedule, my records indicate that besides the salad and soup and 36 oz of water, I also consume about four ounces of Sour Patch Kids, 1/2 pint of Ben and Jerry's and at least one grilled cheese sandwich on any given week day.

There are several added perks such as having to taste EVERYTHING that comes in, including the new multi flavored truffles, new fruits (such as pluots and stone fruits), and any foods that I haven't tried, steel oats and the soup of the day. Not to mention the attractive delivery guy that I am forced to see twice a week. So, here's to hoping that I get more used to waking up at 4am and will survive the next year in one piece.

Tip of the Day: Sleep is important. But nutrition is also important. Sour Patch Kids do not count as a nutrient. Take the time to find out your daily caloric, fat, carb, protein, fiber and fluid intake. It's actually pretty cool what you'll find out...

Real Life is here...aka new full time j-o-b

It has been a while.

Time for some catch up!

After my wedding crashing hoorah, my first full week of work began. My new job title, lowly as it may sound, is the Receiving Clerk for the Portland Waterfront M. My boss, a Hawaiian born Filipino, who is as crazy as all of the other Filipinos that I know, loves her roots, is a dedicated family woman and according to most, never been happier than to have me working for her. She has been doing, her job as the Purchaser and my job stocking everything by herself. Though we are not the smallest people that work at the M, but we are very tiny people. Tiny people lifting 60 lb boxes and stocking things that even the tallest people have a hard time putting up on the shelf. What can I say, we're amazing.

My shifts start at 5am and since public transportation does not run that early, I have started riding my bike up and down the hills of Portland. Since, it was due for a tune up and the change in elevation did a number to the pressure in my tires, I thought it would be a good idea to ride it anyway. For two days I rode around with flat tires, peddling down hill. Big Blue (my bike) is now scheduled to have his tune up. I'm going to look like a midget body builder pretty soon. I was unaware that so much happened in the wee hours of the morning. And all of the people that I work with are so friendly and always say good morning. It has taken a few days but I think I have finally started saying good morning back.

I spend a lot of time in the walk-ins dating things, throwing product away, organizing and stocking and restocking. Something that most people have a hard time doing. If it's old, they think if they leave it there, it will go away. It's not my job to get rid of it, but I do...because health inspections are usually a surprise. Even though I stock everything as 'first in, first out' and making sure that the older product is more accessible than the new, these assholes will still dig for the best stuff, grab stuff from the back to get the newer stuff and not throw away boxes or trash when it's empty. I'm amazed that half the people that work in the food industry have jobs because we're on the good end of safety and sanitation.

My boss, the Island Boss, has me walk with her whenever she does orders, takes inventory and has me attend meetings. Essentially, I am learning the purchasing aspect for when she is away or unable to make an order. I am taking the Purchasing and Costing class and I am learning more at my job than at the thousands of dollars school that I am attending. I have even been able to cook and prep food in the kitchen. It's a good all around job.


But through it all, I really do enjoy my job. I am working hard, which is something that I didn't do a whole lot of in past jobs, not to say that I'm not a hard worker but because all of my past jobs were in my field, I was good at the things that I did in my comfort zone. Now, I'm not in my comfort zone so I have to work a little harder, but I'm still good at the things I do. 

Tip for the Day: There is such a thing as growing up. But most of us will still always be a kid at heart.

Wedding Crasher!

I figure with a full time job on my hands, my availability to go and do fun things is going to decrease. Last night, there was a wedding being thrown at the restaurant next door...live band and everything. In my aggression to try and get some sleep, I wandered down to angrily glare at the drunken guests.

When I arrived at the scene not 30 feet from the building I was approached by some of the wild guests. Well, what the heck I thought. Free booze, free dancing and free food. I'm was a big fan of Indian food and all of the other food combinations that were scattered about the tiny room. The Man, this is the name this guy actually introduced himself as, showed me around and introduced me to several people. Within the few hours that I was there, I only met the bride whose name was...Lola....Lana...something with an L.

After several hours of dancing, we were told that we had to move the party inside. I think we were being a little loud, the whole reason why I went down in the first place. I ended up going home eventually mostly because my body was so sore from the day's activities. I woke up the next morning body sore and and feet throbbing. The weekend is now also the only time to run errands and enjoy my time alone. So, I ran to the store to grab some essentials. While I was waiting in line to check out, I happen to over hear the conversation going on behind me about Will and Lorie's wedding. As I turned the two men talking stopped abruptly. All three of us just stared at each other, awkward smile and then the "Were you at...did you...?" asking all at the same time.

It was a nice adventure before real life started.

Tip for the Day: Wedding crashing- free and exciting. If you wedding crash do it right, like John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey. Know your stories and have a good time. Now, go grab your suit and make someone throw their inhibitions to the wind.