umommy: 2013

The Great Eight Last-Minute Gift Guide for Foodies

, by umommy

Put the Giving Back in Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is considered the Super bowl for foodies – they have their game face on as they prepare for the biggest feast of the year. Sadly no one is shouting “I’m going to Disney World” when the day is done.

With all the hoopla around Thanksgiving (and this year is particularly auspicious as Hannukah coincides with Turkey day for the first time in over 100 years), it’s regrettably easy to forgot about those that are less fortunate. This year is particularly difficult for many families with cuts to SNAP and the struggling economy.

I admit I’ve been lost as to finding the best way to teach my kids about charity. How can I teach them about selflessness and empathy and explain devastation, loss or life-threatening illness that is all around us? There are a ton of resources on this subject, including the well-known work of Mister Rogers, which I wrote about here.

I recently came to the realization that children are capable of giving of themselves more than I give them credit for. Take for example my good friend and her 9-year-old son. They’ve been volunteering at the Pine Street Inn, New England’s largest resource for homeless men and women. Her son came up with the idea of a starting a cereal drive for the organization at his school two years ago, and they've been volunteering there every weekend since. Or the simple lesson given to my 5 year-old by his PreK teacher on filling a friend’s (emotional) bucket everyday. Lesson learned? Reinforce charitable values everyday. Make it a family activity. In doing so, you’ll no doubt raise good kids.

With that said, here are some great causes to consider giving time or money to during Thanksgiving and all year:

Share Our Strength’s Feed Hungry Kids This Thanksgiving – every $10 can provide up to 100 meals for a child facing hunger.
Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project – Thanksgiving fundraiser to help struggling families
Support your local food bank – organize a food drive, build a food basket for a local family or volunteer, or donate food or groceries at your local food bank.
Community Servings Pie n the Sky – Buy a Pie for $25 and you’re helping feed a critically ill client for a week.

Here’s to giving everyone much to be thankful for.

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, by umommy

In meal planning, pasta

Hurry Up and Make This!

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, by umommy

In asian, boloco

Tasty Tofu Recipe (It's True!)

If you're like me, you want to like tofu and promised to cook more of it for the family. But when it comes to a weeknight meal, that poor block of tofu you bought at the store sits alone and going bad in the back of the fridge.

At the end of the summer, burrito chain Boloco invited me to try one of their "globally inspired" burritos featuring Nasoya tofu. My family loves burritos, so I jumped at the chance to check out our local Boloco and get inspired to move that block of tofu to the front of our fridge and onto our dinner plates at last!

I tried the Summer Burrito with Nasoya tofu - mango salsa, tofu, melted cheese, black beans and brown rice. I'm pretty picky when it comes to burritos as I have written here. This was flavorful, light and refreshingly different. My oldest had some too and gave it a big thumbs up between bite after bite.

Boloco believes that even a burrito aspires. So why can't I aspire to making a tofu meal my whole family will love? I needed to pair it with flavors my kids love: asian rice bowl. This recipe is really simple and can be whipped up quickly. You can make it into a burrito too. See? Globally inspired, in your own kitchen.

Asian Tofu Bowl with Lime-Soy Glaze and Spinach

Inspired by Self Magazine

INGREDIENTS

1 cup jasmine rice
2 tablespoosn canola oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 package (12-14 oz) extra-firm tofu, drained, cut into 6 equal pieces
2 packages (5 oz each) baby spinach
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

Heat broiler, setting rack so that rimmed baking sheet is 4 inches from the heat
Cook rice as directed on package or in a rice cooker
In a small sauce pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Saute garlic and pepper flakes until garlic is lightly golden, 1 minute. Add syrup, lime juice, and soy; cook until bubbling, 3 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water; stir into garlic glaze and cook until slightly thick, 1 minute. Take off heat.
Arrange tofu on foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Broil until cooked through, turning tofu halfway through cooking time, 15 minutes. Spoon 1 teaspoon of glaze over tofu and broil for another 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add package of spinach and saute until wilted.
Divide rice among four bowls, top with spinach and tofu. Drizzle remaining sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Disclosure: I was provided coupons for Nasoya tofu and a $20 Boloco gift certificate to try this product. As always, all opinions are my own.