Vernon Township High School

Wacky Cake, Pizza, Cinnamon Buns (Basic Foods), German Chocolate Cake, Spring Rolls, Calzones (International Foods& American Cuisine), Rainbow Salsa, Smoothies, Trail Mix (Survey of the Arts) ..... HUNGRY YET? These are just a few of the recipes that you will be preparing--and eating during the 2011-2012 school year.

If you are looking to improve your cooking skills, get ready for when that time comes when you need to cook for yourself or simply show your friends and family that you do indeed know how to boil water I am confident that we will all learn something together.

So let's get a chance to know each other, a little about me....... First and most vital, I am a lifelong Red Sox Fan. Connecticut was my home state growing up and Fenway Park was the closest Major League Baseball Stadium.  Another loyal Red Sox fan on the VTHS staff is Mr. Foley, a Physical Education Teacher.  He will gladly discuss his love of this great American past time.   My first teaching job was in Vernon, Connecticut, where some of my 7 brothers and sisters still call home.  I have a twin sister and am married to a twin.  Our three children went through the Vernon School system.  Mike works at American Public Television in Boston, MA.  Laura works in advertising in NYC and Kimberly recently graduated from Monmouth University.  Until recently, Kimberly had a job in the heart of the garment district in NYC where she put her business/marketing degree to work at a clothing design and manufacturing company called Amerimadecoat.  Kim has since relocated to sunny South Beach in Miami, Florida.

I owe my choice of careers to my Mother.  She was a Chef before such positions were really sought after by women (her only formal training was cooking for her 8 children!). Her talents stretched beyond the kitchen and into other areas such as tailoring, fabric crafts, and interior design. She would have put Martha Stewart to shame.  Enough about me.

Your turn! Tell me what you like about food (besides eating).  What family member/neighbor has influenced your love of certain foods and what are they.  What foods do you like to eat/prepare?  Do you know anyone in the food profession (dietitian, chef, food writer, etc.)?  Did you eat in a unique restaurant and discovered you like a new food? What was your most memorable meal?  If you could eat anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you have?

Follow these steps to tell me a little about yourself and your food interests.  Click on comments below this paragraph. Survey of the Practical Arts students will type in the initials of your first and last name. All other foods students will type in your book # and class period.  Omit e-mail and web address.  Type your comments in the box and click "submit comment".  I'll review all submissions and post so that other students may view them.  It's a good way to get to know each other!

The holidays are quickly approaching and that means putting your order in for your favorite foods to eat. Many of my "seasoned" advanced students no doubt will be preparing their own favorite recipe or at least helping a family member.  I am counting on my Basic Foods students to start to navigate around the kitchen, now that you have some knowledge of how to turn on the oven! 

 As we discussed in class, food is more than simply eating.  Thinking about what we prepare and cook, why we eat what we do, when we do all have stories. Why, for example do we eat Grandma's Pumpkin Pie, how come someone is always responsible for cooking the turkey, the mashed potatoes or the vegetables?  The answers to these questions have a way of connecting families together and tell the rich story of your traditions and your heritage.

With that in mind please think about your favorite holiday food.  It can be anything from the breakfast you eat on Thanksgiving, the stuffing that may be part of your dinner, desserts or even the special snacks that you enjoy during the football games or when you're watching the Macy's Parade.  For some it may be the leftovers that you look forward to on the day after the "big meal" when you return from the Malls.

Please post your favorite holiday food and the story, tradition, or reason that it holds a special place on your holiday plate. Post a comment soon and definitely before Nov. 16th.   Follow these steps to correctly post your comments:

• Click on comments at the end of this paragraph
• Type in your book # and class period
• Do not type in your e-mail or web address

Many of you are familiar with the reality show, The Biggest Loser.  The premise of the show is to assemble a group of people who are struggling with personal weight issues.  For several weeks the contestants struggle to not only lose weight but to exercise and become more healthy individuals.  The person who loses the most weight is considered the "Biggest Loser" ,  by losing they indeed WIN.

You have been hired as a consultant for this seasons Biggest Loser, your mission is to suggest the following:

1. Create a nutritional breakfast, lunch or dinner that is both tasty and healthy.  Based on your knowledge of choosemyplate.gov explain why you chose to create the meal that you are suggesting.

2. Suggest at least one exercise tip and explain how it will assist people in becoming more healthy.  For example, don't simply say that you suggest walking, explain how, when and where people should walk and why walking can be important to overall health and well being.  Please cite the website that you used as a resource.     

3.    Follow the same posting format as in past assignments: click on comments, record your book # (Surveyand BD students will use initials) and class period.    Remember......no website names or addresses.                                      

 Living in Vernon allows you the opportunity to explore a portion of the Appalachian Trail, right in your backyard.  You have the good fortune to share almost a mile of an elevated pathway with red winged blackbirds, ducks, turtles, squirrels, deer and the occasional black bear. 

If you have ever been on the trail you will will also see families out for a short hike, people walking dogs, senior citizens out for a stroll and serious hikers who started walking in Georgia and hope to end in Maine.

For this podcast I am asking you to utilize all you have learned about healthy eating habits and proper nutrition and prepare your own "Vernon Appalachian Trail MIx"

Assume that you have been given a one day permit to sell your MIX on the trail.  You will need to create the trail mix by using ingredients that are found in the local supermarket. 

Your assignment will be to:

1.  Name your mix.
2.  List the ingredients and amount of each used.
3.  Explain why you included what you did.
4.  Establish a portion size.
5.  Finally, decide on what you plan to charge for the mix.

Good luck and have fun with the assignment.  Follow the same posting format as in past assignments: click on comments, record your book # (Survey students will use initials) and class period.    Remember……no website names or addresses.