Tina Lewis Rowe

Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce and Other Traditions

Developing a New Tradition

Several years ago my hair stylist (OK, it was really just the young woman who cuts my hair…but hair stylist sounds better) and I were talking about traditional recipes for holiday dinners.  She said: “I always made traditional cranberry sauce until I found a recipe that sounded really weird but good and I tried it on my family. They loved it and never guessed what was in it! Now, it’s a tradition they will never let me stop.”

I asked her what it was and she said, “First, let me tell you that even though it doesn’t sound good, it’s delicious. It’s Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce and it’s really easy to make.”

I was somewhat incredulous and asked about the recipe. She said, “You cook cranberry sauce just like always. Then you add pork rinds, stir, and let it set until it cools. It gives it a different taste, but nothing you can quite identify. My kids absolutely loved it. Of course, when I told them what was in it they said, ‘No way’!”

I asked if it gave it a different texture and she said the pork rinds mix right in and don’t change the cranberry sauce texture at all. She made me promise I would try it even though it didn’t sound like something I would enjoy. I said I would try it, but would probably make the regular kind too. She said, “You wait, people will eat more of this kind.”

I had already walked out of the beauty shop but the recipe was on my mind and I turned back to ask her how much of the pork rinds she put in the sauce. She said,  “Not a lot, just enough for flavor. About a fourth cup for a regular recipe but you can adjust that to taste. I just buy those little bottles of it at the liquor store.”

That was the first time I heard her clearly–and also the first time I realized the recipe she gave me was for Port Wine Cranberry Sauce not Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce. Big difference.

Now you see why I stick to traditional recipes.

**************

I’ve written about this every year at Christmas and was recently asked when I was going to use it again. Since I haven’t been writing as often as usual, I was glad for the reminder and the chance to start back on my regular weekly article schedule. Happy Holidays!

December 20th, 2011 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun | 4 comments

Parties With Coworkers-A Few Reminders

Parties with coworkers and managers can be fun times when people get to know each other better outside of work. However, there is also the potential for problems.  Whether you are considering hosting a party or are invited to one, plan ahead to ensure that your party memories–and memories about you–are good ones.

1. Attendance is optional.  Some managers don’t attend any parties hosted by employees since they may not want to–or cannot–attend all of them. Some employees may simply not want to socialize with coworkers they don’t much care for the rest of the week. In most cases, in spite of the fears of a few employees, you can say you have other obligations.  (If you are the host, don’t push people to attend once they’ve said no. They have their reasons.)

Having said that, let me add this: Attending parties hosted by coworkers, employees or managers is a good way to show willingness to be part of the group and to build better relationships. Don’t automatically say no. If you’ve had bad experiences in the past, use some of the following tips to have a better experience the next time.

2. Be clear about the type of party and what to expect. If children are invited you can be fairly sure the event will be less problematic (at least in some ways) than if the invitation has a beer keg and phrases like, “Party ‘Til You Drop!” 

If you are hosting, remember that a party can be merely a time of relaxed conversation and some food and beverage (even non-alcoholic beverage). It doesn’t have to be a bacchanalia with conga lines, limbo dancing, wet t-shirts and embarrassing toasts.

3. Leave while things are still fun.  The fact that the invitation says, 7:30-?????, doesn’t mean you have to stay until ?????. Many people find it more fun to make a brief appearance, mingle with purpose and leave when they see that things are either getting rowdy or losing sparkle. You can usually tell when it’s time. If you’re hosting, don’t plan a big activity for later in the party because some of your guests will probably be gone.

4. Remember that you’ll be working with everyone after the party. What happens at the party will not stay at the party. How do you want to be perceived back at work? It’s possible to have fun while still keeping in mind that once a business-like relationship is destroyed it can’t easily be regained.

5. Keep some basic warnings in mind:

• Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want photographed or taped surreptitiously and sent to others by email. (And don’t be the kind of snake who would do that!)
• Keep your conversation light and able to be quoted without coming back to haunt you. If you’re a manager you can bet that anything you say that is flirtatious or risque or that sounds like inside information about work will be quoted and misquoted, so censor yourself. (I certainly have been burned enough to know about that!)
• Don’t talk about work, except in the most general way. It takes the relaxation out of the party and is boring to most guests.
• Don’t make the mistake of thinking that work hierarchy doesn’t apply at parties. Of course it does!  
• Participate. Walk from group to group to say hello and introduce your guest. Don’t stand in the corner people watching–it looks rude. If you don’t want to be at the party, don’t go, but don’t attend then act miserable or aloof.
• Get outside your usual work clique and mingle with everyone.
• If you bring your spouse or partner, swear to each other that you will present the image of a happy couple. No bickering, arguing, flirting with others or showing your unloving feelings. If you can’t keep it together for a couple of hours, you should stay home.
• Demonstrate your social graces and social adeptness.  The repercussions of bad behavior can be severe. The memories of you being a gracious guest or host and a pleasant person (even if you feel you are behaving a bit more bland than normal) will remain in the minds of others for a long time.

September 3rd, 2011 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun, Life and Work | 5 comments

Deck The Halls–Or Else.

At the beginning of the holiday season I wrote about not being a party-pooper at work and I encouraged everyone to make an effort to enjoy the festivities.  I heard from many people who agreed and some who didn’t. Even those who had another view were unanimous that they didn’t mind a few cookies and some decorations here and there. One man said he had been inspired to help coworkers put up the decorations and he found he enjoyed it far more than he thought he would.  Their disagreement was more with the idea of forcing people to participate in things that seemed to be outside the scope of workplace camaraderie. I agree with them on that topic!

Happy Hour events.  In some workplaces a weekly or monthly “happy hour” get-together is routine and a fun activity for many. However, not everyone wants to drink alcohol, be with those who do or be in a bar or similar place, even if no one is having alcoholic drinks. Many people need to get home and be with their families. Some know they have alcohol, smoking or sexual temptations and they try to avoid situations that lead to those things. Some can’t afford drinks and snacks every Friday afternoon or even once a month. Many have told me that happy hour times tend to be gossip times in which remarks are made about those who aren’t there. As a result, they don’t want to go but also are fearful about not being present! 

If your office has a regular happy hour, make sure everyone knows it is optional. Don’t let anyone who is absent become the target of remarks. If there are problems with anyone about work it should be handled openly at work. Whateever your role in the workplace, you can stop that kind of conversation. Keep the Happy Hour happy and don’t let anyone drive home if there is even a mild concern about sobriety.

Group and spouses functions after work or on weekends. Some employees enjoy participating in all-group events such as movies, bowling, sports or other activities that happen after work or on weekends. Usually spouses are invited to these and that seems to make people view them more positively.  However, there should not be even a vague hint that it has anything to do with work success. Example: ”You don’t have to attend, but I see it as a way to decide if you want to keep being part of our team or not.”   In the real-life situation, the threat was obvious and even though the manager didn’t have that level of authority, the employee knuckled under.  

Company parties and picnics.  I think these should be appreciated by employees rather than avoided, but they still should not be used to judge the quality of the employee on the job and should not be mandatory. (Often those who opt out would not have added much anyway, because of their negative view of everything, so don’t push it!)

Charitable giving or activities: I’ve always supported food drives, Toys for Tots, The United Way, The Combined Campaign, school volunteerism and similar activities, but I resented the few times when it was made a requirement not a choice–most people I know feel the same way. So, before your business, group or division adopts a school, supports a program or has a blood drive, make sure there is an understanding among organizers that participation is voluntary and no strong-arm tactics will be allowed. 

Your role: If you are a manager or supervisor speak up to represent the employees in your group when it seems there is inappropriate pressure being put on to participate in any activity or function that should be voluntary. If you are the one who came up with an idea for a function, charity or progam, take your ego out of it. Getting 100% participation doesn’t mean you have 100% support. It may actually mean 100% of the employees resent being badgered into participating. 

If you are an employe who feels pressured, think about whether you really must participate or is it just that you don’t want to say no? What will happen if you don’t take part? Often the idea of intimidation is mostly in the mind of the employee. They could courteously say no without repercussion, but they would rather sigh heavily and do something they don’t enjoy. Decide and do it or not, of your own free will.

Bottom line: We still have a work week to go before Christmas.  Enjoy the season and encourage those you work with to relax, smile and enjoy it too–without implying, “Or else.”

December 19th, 2010 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun, Life and Work | 8 comments

Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce–A New Tradition

Developing a New Tradition

I’ve posted this every year and recently was asked if I was going to publish my famous cranberry sauce recipe again. Another tradition I guess!

Several years ago my hair stylist and I were talking about traditional recipes for holiday dinners.  She said: “I always made traditional cranberry sauce until I found a recipe that sounded really weird but good and tried it on my family. They loved it and never guessed what was in it!”

I asked her what it was and she said, “It’s Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce. And, before you say you wouldn’t like it, let me tell you it’s different but really delicious.”

I was somewhat incredulous and asked about the recipe. She said, “You cook cranberry sauce just like always. Then, you add pork rinds, stir, and let it set until it cools. It gives it a different taste, but nothing you can quite identify. My kids absolutely loved it.”

I asked if it gave it a different texture and she said no, that the pork rinds mix right in and don’t change the cranberry sauce texture at all. She made me promise I would try it some time, even though it didn’t sound like something I would like. I said I would try it, but would probably make the regular kind too. She said, “You wait, people will eat more of this kind.”

The recipe was on my mind as I walked out of the salon, which was near a grocery store. I turned back and asked her how much of the pork rinds she put in the sauce. She said,  “Not a lot, just enough for flavor. About a fourth cup for a regular recipe, but you can adjust that to taste. I buy those little bottles at the liquor store.”

That was the first time I heard her clearly–and also the first time I realized the recipe she gave me was not for Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce, but for Port Wine Cranberry Sauce. Big difference.

Now you see why I stick to traditional recipes.

December 14th, 2010 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun, Life and Work | 7 comments

An OlyO’s List For Your Work

There used to be a fantastic pizza place on Highway 101 in Encinitas, California: OlyO’s. (It’s been a wine bistro since 2006.) The small space had casual tables and wooden benches that were always crowded but fun. There was noisy conversation, laughter and a beach within walking distance. Dave and Sue Olsen were the owners and when Dave chatted with me briefly one time when I visited, I felt very special because he had a role in making OlyO’s the perfect California beach town pizzeria. (And, the pizza was spectacular!)

There was a sign at the front, ”If there is time to lean, it is time to clean.” Dave told me he had been given that advice early in his career. He and the employees apparently followed the advice, because they were constantly wiping, washing, tidying and putting away. For a hectically busy, small pizza kitchen, it looked very clean.

Since then I’ve heard bartenders and store managers say that adage–and I’ve said it to myself! I have a mental OlyO’s list of things to do–recurring tasks, now and then chores and things to start even if I don’t get them done right away. It’s been useful for keeping me energized, productive and caught up with tasks I might normally procrastinate about.

Create An OlyO’s List

If you’re supervising, managing or working with a group, enlist their assistance in developing a list of things that can be done instead of killing time in the afternoon, before lunch, the days before vacation or when the schedule has some free time–even five minutes. Or, make a list just for yourself.

1. Clean the break room or coffee area.
2. Clean around the copier or in the supply room.
3. Clean your desk top or get rid of clutter.
4. Contact someone who could be a good resource.
5. Do something on a project that always needs work (Research, organize, file, shred, replace, stock, clean, inventory or whatever ongoing work is required.)
6. Delete old emails or old files or organize them more conveniently.
7. If you’re going to talk with coworkers anyway, talk about work in a positive way or focus on solving problems not just complaining about them.
8. Pick three recurring problems and write them on a card to place where you can see it. Now and then use your less-busy times to think of solutions to those problems. Put a due date and swear you’ll have at least one option to consider or to present to the group.
9. Leave your work area if you can and go to another area to say hello–without being disruptive there and without taking more than a few minutes at most.
10. Make a list of the people who have helped you recently and send a thank you note. It doesn’t have to be mushy, just sincerely appreciative.
11. Put something on your calendar and get it started as a way to force yourself to take action.
12. Scan some material you want to save or can share.
13. Get started on something you’ve been stalling about.
14. Produce some work in advance of when you need it, so it will be ready to go.
15. Freshen a PowerPoint presentation or edit a document you use but haven’t evaluated in awhile.
16. Use some of the ideas in my article on Time To Tidy Your Work Area.

Make a list that fits your situation or have your group make a combined list, then distribute it or have it in your desk drawer, billfold or workspace. Use it to provide a push when the temptation is to lean instead of clean!

September 17th, 2010 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun, Keeping On!, Life and Work, Service to Customers, Clients and Coworkers | 10 comments

Keeping The Fun In Office Birthday Celebrations

Many offices have parties to celebrate birthdays. Some celebrate on the actual day while larger offices may have a party day once a month to celebrate for everyone born that month. Still others go out to lunch or do something else  in honor of the birthday person. (I tend to think the it’s mostly a way for everyone to take a cake break.)

As fun as these can sometimes be, they also can create problems that could have been avoided with a few guidelines, requirements and limitations.

1. Let employees develop the guidelines, using established criteria or with final approval by the manager.  It’s good to let employees decide about events that pertain directly to them, but the outcome is still the responsibility of the manager.

Sometimes employees aren’t thinking of the big picture or don’t have the insight to know what could be problematic. For example, a suggestion in one office was for each employee to take turns hosting an event–but that can’t be required and may not be possible for everyone. Another office wanted to do a fun “Old Folks Home” theme for an older employee. NOT a good idea. One group wanted to require a sizable monthly donation for parties.  And, I very clearly recall the disciplinary action that followed a Male Strip-O-Gram for a female employee’s birthday.

2. Keep celebrations as simple and inexpensive as possible. The more simple and the less expensive the party, the less set-up and clean-up time is involved and the less money has to be gotten from an office fund, individual contributions or the pockets of managers and supervisors.

Consider really tasty cookies, simple cupcakes, the least expensive source for the cake, a plain fruit tray or one that is made at work. Or, do as some offices do and eliminate a food event altogether, focusing instead on verbal and written birthday wishes.

3. Have equitable parties. It can be embarrassing and hurtful to have a giant party for Betty but only a few cupcakes in the break room for Barbara. Or, to take Bill to lunch but not do anything for Bob. The best way keep it even is to do about the same thing for everyone, every time. If the employee has special dietary needs, get a small serving for the honoree but the usual thing for everyone else.

There is a gorgeous office-wrapping display shown on this site (and I really like the site too!) It looks lovely and probably was fun. However, I am aware of a similar situation in which the next employee with a birthday ( a very nice person who was well-liked) arrived at work expecting something similar, only to find everyone had been too busy to do it. She shrugged it off in front if everyone, but it hurt her terribly and made the other employee feel badly too. 

4. Don’t let birthday celebrations become a reason for conflict. Many people do not like having their cubicles decorated or having similar complicated birthday activities.  Ask ahead of time if someone is OK with having the usual birthday celebration. If he or she doesn’t want the celebration assure them it won’t be a lot of hoopla. If they still don’t want it, don’t try to argue them into it. 

 I’m familiar with an office where they have a birthday bash for every employee, including the ones who don’t attend their own event–and invariably there is some negative talk about the person who didn’t want a party. 

In an office I visited not long ago the manager commented that one of the employees had taken her birthday and the day after off, knowing the weekend followed, to avoid having her cubicle decorated for her 40th birthday.  “What she doesn’t realize”, the manager said with a grin, “is that we’re just going to wait until she comes back, however long that takes.”  My response was, “Good grief! You’re concerned about conflict in your office. Why do you want to create another one for no reason?”  

5. Keep focused on the spirit of the celebration. It”s good to honor birthdays and to have a reason to smile and enjoy a break, perhaps with something good to eat.  However, like most things that are done with good intentions, birthday celebrations can create problems that outweigh the good. Keeping them simple, inexpensive, equitable and welcomed can help ensure success.

May 23rd, 2010 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun, Life and Work, Service to Customers, Clients and Coworkers, Supervision and Management | 9 comments

Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce–Sort Of

Developing a New Tradition

Several years ago my hair stylist (OK, it was really just the woman who cuts my hair…but hair stylist sounds better) and I were talking about traditional recipes for holiday dinners.  She said: “I always made traditional cranberry sauce until I found a recipe that sounded really weird but good and I decided to give it a try. My family loved it and never guessed what was in it!”

I asked her what made it so different and she said, “It’s Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce. And, before you say you wouldn’t like it–I promise it’s delicious.”

I was somewhat incredulous and asked about the recipe. She said, “You cook cranberry sauce just like always. Then, you stir in the pork rinds. It gives it a different taste, but nothing you can quite identify. My kids were absolutely crazy about it.”

I asked if the sauce had a different texture and she said no, that the pork rinds mixed right in. She made me promise I would try it some time, even if I didn’t think I would like it. I said I would, but would probably also make the regular kind.  She said, “You wait and see. People will eat more of this kind.”

I had already walked out of the beauty shop, but the recipe was on my mind and I turned back and interrupted her while she was cutting someone else’s hair. I asked her how much of the pork rinds she put in the sauce. She said,  “Not a lot, just enough for flavor. About a fourth cup for a regular recipe, but you can adjust that to taste. I just buy those little bottles of port wine at the liquor store.”

That was the first time I heard her clearly–and also the first time I realized the recipe she gave me was not for Pork Rind Cranberry Sauce, but for Port Wine Cranberry Sauce. Big difference.

Now you see why I stick to traditional recipes.

Note: As some of you may have noticed, this is a repeat of an article I wrote last year. I received several requests for it this year and thought I should publish it before the holidays were packed away. (Apparently it’s amusing to read about someone else’s crazy mistakes.)

December 26th, 2009 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun | 7 comments

Gaining Ten Pounds Could Make You More Appealing!

Do You Have Starved Glands?

This is from a 1935 magazine, but doggone it, it sounds like a good thing to me! Without a lot of effort–just taking concentrated cod liver oil and minerals a few times a day–I could gain ten pounds and look more appealing!

Until I can order a supply of this product I’ll bet Dreyer’s vanilla ice cream with hot Hershey’s syrup, twice a day, would accomplish the same thing.  Still, I think Vitro-Min Plus should be recommended to almost all Americans since so many of them are skinny. Besides that, who could pass up chocolate flavored cod liver oil? I know I can’t! Yum!

October 27th, 2009 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun | 8 comments

Denver Is A Great City!

I love Denver! It’s not perfect (what large city is?) but it’s a great city in many ways!

For one thing, there are few large cities that are so clean, especially downtown. In addition, few have such a low crime rate in the downtown area.  We have a small downtown, compared to some that seem to spread all over the place. You can walk the central part of it–16th Street–easily.

Unlike many large cities, Denver is alive almost all night long! It’s fun to walk the 16th Street Mall at night–and feel safe. At 11 p.m. it’s as busy as it is in the daytime, but with an atmosphere of fun.

Denver also has wonderful communities, excellent cultural opportunities, fun activities, theatre and concerts and everything else you could want in a city, without most of the things that are less attractive.

We don’t have slums as they are seen in some other urban areas; we don’t have scandals and unethical government officials (that we have found out about, anyway!) I think we have an excellent mayor, John Hickenlooper (what a name!) who has tremendous business-sense in a time when that is needed.  Overall, I just love this place!

If you live in the area and haven’t visited downtown lately, do so. Take RTD Light Rail from an outlying area to avoid the pressure of driving and parking. (Kids love the Light Rail experience.) Or, drive if you must and then park and walk. Promise you won’t complain incessantly about parking fees–you’ll ruin the evening!

Do something special–dinner, a play or shopping.  (There are scads of restaurants in Downtown Denver!)  Or, just get a cup of coffee and walk the mall.  During the day go to the Denver Museum of Science and Nature. Visit the zoo. Go to the wonderful Botanic Gardens, near downtown. Walk the area between the City and County Building and the State Capitol. Take photos. Have fun in a truly enjoyable downtown and near-downtown area.

Get to know Denver–it’s a great city!

May 21st, 2009 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun | 8 comments

Don’t Forward the Villejuif Leaflet, Please.

While researching something completely different (you know how that goes!) I read about an urban legend of the 1970s and early 1980s, that resulted in millions of fearful people all over Europe and the United States.  I can imagine how many email warnings I will receive from well-meaning friends, if it starts up again!

The pamphlet or leaflet that started the panic was a list of  food additives that contain cancer causing substances.  Among them was citric acid–one of the most prevalent food additives in the world and a chemical  that occurs in every living organism. (Corn syrup is one of the ingredients in a large percentage of the citric acid used in food processing.)

As with many urban legends, whoever originated it (and that was never known) decided to give it more clout by saying it came from the Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute in Villejuif, France.  (Pronounced, I think, as Villzhweef, more or less.) That attribution was untrue and so were the “facts” about most of the alleged toxins and carcinogens on the list.  But, millions of people panicked and products containing citric acid were returned to stores by the bags–there are lots of things with citric acid, you’ll notice.

Apparently Internet access is not required to be suckered in by rumors, innuendos and shocking stories that are not true.  Back then there was no Snopes site to clear things up, but you would think someone would have verified the information. As it was, the list was printed in newspapers and magazines and even pharmacists and doctors referred to it because of  the Villejuif name.  The hospital tried to convince people it was a hoax–but that was seen by some as being a conspiracy to cover-up the truth. As late as the 1990s a few so-called expert nutritionists warned people to avoid anything containing “deadly citric acid”. 

Here is how some researchers think the mistake began:  Citric acid is part of a chemical process called the Krebs Cycle.  In the German language krebs means cancer. So, language confusion probably started it all.  People who didn’t check the information kept it going. Another reminder that just because it’s on the Internet or in an email message–or in a leaflet–doesn’t make it so.

April 20th, 2009 Posted by TLR | Food, Fitness, Fun, Life and Work | 4 comments