One thing remains the same

Spring is unfolding here in Connecticut…. the trees and flowers are starting to bloom, the weather is getting warmer, the kids are riding their bikes, even the ice cream truck is already out and about. But one thing remains the same, Julian is still not here.

For those of you who follow this blog, we’ve all been pretty busy with school, work and personal commitments but even through all that “outside cover” of our busy lives, our hearts and our minds keep yearning for Julian to be here with us. There are still reminders of him everywhere, when we watch television, when we go to the grocery store, when we go to the playground, we we go to the library, when we see family and friends. He’s everywhere and our loss is always with us.

This loss has been very sad for us but it has taught us a lot too. It has taught us who our “real” friends are… those that make us still feel like ourselves, even though he isn’t here, those who comfort and support us, those who really care how we are feeling, now and always because the only difference between today and one year ago is the time difference because the feelings and the longing and the loss are still the same. Julian was OUR baby, he was OUR son, he was Lilliana and Lucas’ BABY BROTHER and he is not here with us, he is buried underground in some cold, lonely cemetary. We can no longer touch his soft hands and kiss his sweet face. We can’t watch him grow, walk and smile. All of that is gone and as time goes by, that will remain the same, always.

Lilliana has been expressing her sadness lately and yearning for her baby brother. She has doubts as to where he is, if God really exists, why this happened and why she just can’t have her brother back with her. I find myself helpless because you know what, I FEEL THE SAME WAY! We all miss him and can’t understand it either, we struggle with feelings of anger, sadness and resentment but what I’m trying so hard to also show her is that we can survive it, just one day at a time. We continue to love and support each other, no matter what and be understanding and compassionate to each other and to others. It’s ok to be sad and angry, anyone would be if such a tragedy happened to them. It sucks and life is really hard, even harder now, but we just have to take it one day at a time. That’s all that we can do and no one should expect anything else. We don’t just struggle with it for one day or two weeks but EVERYDAY for the REST of our lives!

Thinking of Julian yesterday, today, tomorrow and always. I love you my handsome man.

Creating Favorite Meals with Food Jules

Creating Favorite Meals with Food Jules starts Sat, 4/14 at Chalk Hill Middle School for kids ages 7-12.

Join Liz Cerrato, owner of Food Jules, as she shares some of her all-time favorite recipes, from savory starters and hearty entrees to decadent desserts. Each week, students will work in teams to create some favorite meals, using simple cooking techniques and wholesome ingredients. Students receive their own cookbook at the end of the session. Ages 7-12.

Dates: Saturday (4/14, 4/28, 5/5, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2)
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Location: Chalk Hill School Cafeteria
Cost: Resident $125.00 / Non-Resident $138.00
Min: 10 children / Max: 20 children

Register online at http://www.monroerec.org today!

FREE Food Expo in Fairfield, CT

I just learned about this amazing local event, Food for Thought Expo being held this Satuday, March 31st at the Fairfield High School and it’s FREE! Here is some information about the event.

Fairfield’s 3rd annual “Food for Thought Expo” showcases good food and how it’s easy to prepare and enjoy with the family.  With presentations and displays by local farms, food stores, bakeries, health food vendors – and kid’s activities – the Food Expo provides a one-stop experience for the whole family on Saturday, March 31th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Fairfield Warde High School.  Admission is free.

Sponsored by the Fuel for Learning Partnership (FFLP), a Fairfield PTA Committee, the Food for Thought Expo will feature over 40 exhibitors showing products and services that help make good eating habits part of every meal.  Some of the highlights include:

  • Children’s activities and movies throughout the day.
  • Watch cooking demos for tips and recipes from local chefs
  • Our CT farms: where to get local vegetables, meats, and cheeses
  • Taste the best artisanal bread from local bakeries
  • Learn to garden!
  • How to join a CSA or food buying club
  • Sample foods from local restaurants
  • What’s it take to keep bees?
  • Talk to nutrition professionals
  • Finding the right cookbook at our Fairfield Public Library

My family and I will definitely be attending this event. It sounds like a great learning experience and so much fun for adults and kids!  It is so amazing how much our local communities have to offer, it’s up to us to enjoy it all, especially when it’s FREE!

Hopefully, next year Food Jules will participate in this great event!

 

NEW Cooking Class for Kids

Food Jules will be hosting its first six week session of cooking classes at Chalk Hill Middle School in Monroe, CT for kids ages 7-12 as part of the Monroe Parks & Recreation Spring Program. SIGN UP TODAY to take part in this fun, educational and team building program!

This session’s theme will be “Creating Favorite Meals with Food Jules”. Join Liz Cerrato, owner of Food Jules, as she shares some of her all-time favorite recipes, from savory starters and hearty entrees to decadent desserts. Each week, students will work in teams to create some favorite meals, using simple cooking techniques and wholesome ingredients. Students receive their own cookbook at the end of the session.

Dates: Saturdays, April 14, April 28, May 5, May 19, May 26, June 2

Time: 2:00PM – 3:30PM

Sign up online at http://www.monroerec.org/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=27058. Hope to see you there!

The Panini Press

Today, I bought my first panini press. What an amazing little machine…. makes sandwiches and quesadillas look amazing!

In the past, I have used my stove top griddle pan or just my skillet to make paninis and quesadillas etc. It works just fine, especially if you don’t want to own another kitchen gadget. However, since our space in our cooking class at Daniels Farm doesn’t have a stove, I thought it was the perfect excuse to purchase one of these beautiful machines. I purchased a small, Cuisinart Panini Press but it does the job and I foresee a lot of grilled sandwiches in my future!

On tonight’s menu, I made Tomato, Mozzarella and Pesto Panini’s. These were absolutely delicious and so easy to pull together for dinner. I used my homemade pesto sauce for the sandwiches but there are a lot of top quality pesto sauces at your local supermarket or farmers market. If you want to make your own, it’s super easy to make in your food processor or blender and so delicious!

I also tested out some Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas in my new Panini Press. I think I prefer these quesadillas to the Chicken ones that I usually get at Mexican restaurants and so much healthier, filled with black beans, corn, green and red peppers, onions, fresh garlic, tomatoes – just so YUMMY!

So, make it a Panini night tonight with these delicious recipes!