exerpts from life...

updated at http://karensturtle.blogspot.com/

Asian Steamed Cabbage Wraps

Asian Stuffed Cabbage

• 8 ounces ground pork
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps coarsely chopped
• 1/2 Cup cooked brown rice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of toasted sesame oil
• 1/8 to 1/4 t red pepper flakes, plus more for sprinkling
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 head Napa cabbage
• Opt. - Hoisin sauce


Recipe converted from Wholeliving.com: Asian Stuffed Cabbage 

Directions

1. In a pot over the sove or rice cooker, thoroughly cook the rice.
2. In a large bowl, combine pork, mushrooms, rice, garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring a pot of water to boil for the wraps.
3. Remove 8 large outer leaves from cabbage. With a rolling pin, roll each leaf until the stem end is pliable.
4. Mound about 2 Tbsps of meat mixture toward upturned stem end. Starting from filled end, holding sides in as you work, tightly roll each leaf into a bundle.
5. Arrange cabbage wraps, seam-side down, on a raised 9-by-13-inch plate or dish. Steam for 7-10 minutes, let cool and enjoy.
6. Optional - serve with Hoisin sauce

I've been recently trying to expand my recipe repertoire. I enjoy simple recipes with fresh vegetables, and few ingredients, but its difficult to make something completely without pre-made sauces or mixes that doesn't take a few hours to prepare. We tried this new dish tonight for dinner that was really delicious and easy to put together. Something fun that I will keep in the recipe box and try again later!

Renovations in my parents building

Summer break in Savannah

Skillshare @ Space 12

La Petite Peche culinary studio

Springdale Park

Eastside Ingenuity

Ortega celebrates Chinese New Year

Be a Mentor at your local school

There are still 60 kids waiting for mentors at Ortega! In the beginning of the year, our school Counselor sends home an application for parents to sign their kids up for a mentor at Ortega. I'm a part of Seedling , which is a special mentor program for kids who have a parent or relative who has been incarcerated. Ortega also has a program where you can become a mentor through AISD.

The cycle of poverty is an overwhelming problem to tackle, the systemic injustices are beyond our capabilities, but education is where kids are able to change the course of their lives. I've been able to mentor for 3 years now. Volunteering half-an-hour a week seems to be a small cost, but the investment has been one of the most rewarding. Just lending a listening ear, a word of encouragement has been so simple, something you would do for any kid that you met on the street, but has meant a world of a difference to one girl. I asked her what she would like to be one day, and without hesitation she said, "A mentor!"

Every Thursday, I ask her what she would like to do. In kindergarten we tried reading books in the library, playing on the playground, eating lunch together, but she ended up choosing to paint and do artwork. For a while, we spent every Thursday cutting, pasting, painting, and drawing, but recently she has begun to really enjoy PE. We've been  playing volleyball in the gym, her sister was on the volleyball team in HS. It's been a privilege to see her interests change and her talents develop, and to help her feel loved when her friends and family were up and down. Even in Second grade, kids have so much to  One of her friends said, "I'm not your friend anymore, don't talk to me," and got her friends to stop speaking to her.

Giving each child the ability to feel special makes an enormous impression on them. Just the fact that someone other than their parents and teacher wants them to succeed in school and in life can make a difference. Someone who pays special attention to just them helps them develop who they are, what they're good at, what they're interested in. Even being a parent, I have to hear from my kids' teachers to know what their recent interests are, sometimes I wonder how much parents know about their kid's interests when they have never had a chance to contact their teachers. The kids are so excited to have a mentor, many have parents that work difficult hours and are not able to be home and spend time with their kids until late at night. Single parents are even more overwhelmed.

From the Seedling website:

Research informs us that children, even those living in very high risk situations, demonstrate resiliency under the following circumstances:

• When they complete their education;
• When they are involved in a faith community; and
• When there are caring and consistent adults in their lives.

Of all the programs that I've been a part of, it has been difficult to continue being involved beyond a few months. Mentoring has been one of the few things that I've been able to invest in, all I've had to do is be a friend and enjoy her company. I wish I had the time to mentor more kids. I have been really impressed with people who have jobs and still make the time to spend with their mentees. There have been so many small ways that have encouraged me to see how this small investment is so worth the time and effort.