Christine Pirello,host of Christina Cooks Naturally, jokingly looks away while pouring plenty of monounsaturated fats like this avacado oil.

story by Crystal Harpstreit
photo by Tyler Williams

Sun Winefest 2010 at Mohegan Sun showcased many talented chefs and wine makers. A few of those were women who were able to break into predominantly male dominated career paths.

Two female chefs who were showcased at the event were Christina Pirello, a vegan chef and Mary Ann Esposito an Italian chef. Both participated in the celebrity chef cook offs on the DACOR Culinary Event Stage in the Uncas Ballroom.

Christine Pirello, host of Christina Cooks Naturally was first to appear and created a Crispy Tofu and Artichoke with Radish Salad. Before the demonstration began, Christina pulled an unsuspecting member of the audience up to the stage.

He ended up helping with the dish by frying the tofu in avocado oil until it turned a perfect golden brown. The end result was a colorful and fresh dish.

Christina recommends cooking with monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, avocado oil, walnut oil and macadamia nut oil, which she joked, “Is so expensive you’ll have to re-finance your house once you buy it.” She also recommends that all the food you purchase be organic.

Christina became an advocate of whole or unprocessed and unrefined and organic foods after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 26. Her cancer was gone within 14 months of beginning the change to whole foods.

Later in the day came Mary Ann Esposito, who is the host of Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito.

Mary Ann cooked up a dish of Spaghetti a la Carbonara. As she began boiling the water she entertained the audience with questions about pasta and life in Italy.

“Do you think that one pound of pasta is enough for four people?” she asked. Many audience members replied, “No.”

However, in Italy she stated that pasta is served as an appetizer instead of as a main dish, therefore it is fine to have only one pound since each person will only get about a cup.

Mary Ann also shared her knowledge of how to tell when pasta is done cooking, which is very useful. She said, “Doing this will not tell you anything,” as she tossed a string of spaghetti over her shoulder and it clung to one of the cabinets.

Instead, she recommended breaking a string of the spaghetti in half. “If you see any white in the middle it’s not cooked.”

Sampling her meal was a rare treat, the pancetta, what many call the equivalent of Italian bacon, was pan fried to a crispy yet chewy texture, the pasta was cooked to an al dente perfection and the egg sauce was rich and creamy.

Mary Ann learned to cook from her two Italian grandmothers and later on, in formal classes. Her show on PBS is in its 20th season and going strong.
One of the wine exhibitors, Bedell Cellars of Long Island, New York is proud to say that they employ one of the few female wine makers in the business and the only female wine maker on Long Island. Her name is Kelly Urbanik.

Kelly graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology; she was later selected as a Laureate by the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin in Burgundy.

Though Kelly did not appear at Sun Winefest 2010, her work in the wine cellars was appreciated by many who attended. Her First Crush White 2008 which is aged in steel and never touches oak was light and refreshing.

Kelly has already won many awards for her work. She will be on the wine scene for years to come.

These women achieved prestige in their careers and are paving the way for the many who will come after them.

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Jennifer Weisenburger, senior at Griswold High School, volunteers every Monday night at the Thames River Family Program.

story & photo
by Maren Schober

Jennifer Weisenburger is very good with children,” Kathy Allen tells me. Kathy is the director of the Thames River Family Program in Norwich which provides transitional housing for single mothers with young children.  “You can see it in the way the children react to her.  She calms them down, comforts them and gives them her full attention Monday nights during the weekly meeting between the mothers and staff.”

“I love working with the children here,” states Jenn. “I cannot help but fall in love with each of them.  They brighten up my Mondays!”

Jenn admits that the hardest thing about her volunteer work with the children, is finding the time to do this every Monday night. Jenn, 18 and a senior at Griswold High School, has a very full schedule. “I go to school all day, am applying to colleges and horseback ride competitively. I am involved in the Griswold High School production of “The Sound of Music.” Also. I am the only girl on an all boys wrestling team at school!  Three hours every night I spend wrestling.  In addition, I downhill ski, fish and hang out with my friends.”

“Monday nights I volunteer to keep peace with the children and provide crafts and other activities for children of different ages.  There are staff members to help me.”

Jenn tells me about one special child she sees Monday nights. “One of the litte girls always comes shyly over to me.  She is so small she comes three quarters up my leg!  She always tugs on my pants and smiles so adorably at me.  This alone makes my experience worth it.”

“I am learning how to manage my time and watch over children.  I would love to be a pediatrician someday, so this experience is very helpful to me.”

“I was recently given a small scholarship to Drew University because of all my community service.”

Jennifer started doing volunteer work at the age of seven. “My mother took me to help out with her at the Jewett City Food Bank.  My mother taught me by example how to give back to the community and not to take the simplicities of life for granted.  She motivated me at first, but once I realized the impact I was having on so many people’s lives, I began to motivate myself.”

Jenn will make a good pediatrician, I am certain,  and whatever she does in life she will do as service and she will do with all her heart.

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Margot Larson is a Life Transition Coach, helping people face challenges and changes in their life and careers. She has already done due diligence in facing her own illness, (Non Small Cell inoperable and recurrent Lung Cancer, Stage IIIB). In 2001, Margot authored “Jump Start Your Life,” about choosing your own lifestyle before someone chooses it for you.

by Margot Larson

Everyone approaches adversity in a different manner.  Reaction and emotion run the gamut. Some get floored and incapable of action; others burst into action and tackle the challenge with gusto.  And then again, some address it with such optimism that it mimics denial and out-of-touch with reality while others are angry and resentful.  F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “For every minute you remain angry, you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind.”

Regardless of your reaction, everyone who has cancer will experience a change in lifestyle and capabilities, even years after treatment.  I don’t need to list all the residual side effects.  If you’ve been there, you know them.

Yes, we are grateful for being alive but that doesn’t change the hurdle of adjusting to this life that we had not anticipated.  For many it’s the loss of vigor and physical capacity.

I can’t hike in the woods.  I can’t go back to my job full time. I can’t enjoy  kayaking ‘cause I no longer can carry it to the water.  I can’t bicycle that 10 miles or play tennis the way I used to.  I have lost cognitive skills, my memory is undependable, my eyesight is weak.  I’m not sleeping well and I’m not having fun.

You have been propelled out of your comfort zone.  You’ve lost energy; fatigue is a common visitor.  Your eyesight, hearing and memory have aged you beyond your years. You pass by a mirror and wonder who’s looking back. And with every test or visit to your oncologist, you endure anxiety as you await the results.  Then, on the days when you feel almost normal, you want your old life back, and it’s beyond your reach. 

I could go on, but the bottom line is we are trying to recapture our lives and just like aging, we can’t rewind the clock.  The past represents memories.  We must find the joy in the present now that we have a chance of seeing the future. We are allowed a little time to grieve but should not waste too much time there. We’ve learned that time is precious.  Don’t get stuck – move on.

So what’s next? What can we do?  If we are truly grateful to be alive, shouldn’t we focus on the present, the gift we received for a second chance?  Let’s spend our time and energies on the choices we do have.

Make a list of your obstacles. What is standing in your way?  What is causing you stress and really bugging you? Acknowledging these obstacles is the first step to finding the solution. Now, focus on what you can do. You’ve already shown a great deal of fortitude and courage in battling cancer. Don’t stop now.

Redefine yourself. Who are you? You are not somebody’s spouse or parent.  You are not your job title. Find your identity, the real you. Accept that you used to be a great accountant or nurse and now you are something else.  There is still time for something else and this is your first conscious choice.

I was a great management consultant.  Now I am a retired HR Consultant, a Writer and a Life Transition Coach.  I still have valuable skills that I can transition and apply to something else.

Create routines. Challenge yourself to develop new habits.  Take the time to consider what you really enjoy and want in your life. Start the day and end the day with a routine so you feel a sense of normalcy. Set goals–something to focus on and gain a sense of accomplishment outside of your battle for health.  Recognize your little successes at the end of each day, each week.

Make your “bucket list.”  It’s as good a time as any to create your list of things you always wanted to try or do.  You don’t have to be facing death to reach for some of your dreams. You may need help from others to reach some of them. Ask.

Develop a strong sense of community. Create a network, a following, a support resource, before you need it. It’s never too late to start. Rekindle old friendships. Join an exercise group or book club or coffee club with like-minded people. If you reach out to others, people will gravitate your way. Volunteer somewhere. It’s a great way to make new friends and acquaintances.

Reach out for help. If you find yourself stuck, ask for help. Tap in to your company’s employee assistance program if you are still on the payroll or a retiree. Attend an appropriate support group. Many people find themselves gravitating to their faith during difficult times. Consult a therapist, particularly someone who specializes in working with cancer patients. You may also work with a life transition coach to help you surmount some of the obstacles that are standing in your way. Ask your best friend for help. 

When your house is on fire, the reaction is usually to call for help quickly.  You don’t procrastinate or spend a lot of time considering the alternatives.  So reach out the moment you realize you need help.

Add significance to your life. Take it a small step at a time. Look for the opportunity. Open your eyes, your mind and your heart. Find your “new” passion. Perhaps helping others might bring you a sense of purpose that you feel is missing in your life. How could you help someone or bring joy to someone else? Try things out.  It doesn’t have to be permanent. Enjoy the exploration.

Be patient. Life is a journey not a destination. It takes a while to build new habits, to make new friends. It’s an evolution. Cut yourself some slack. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Remember, you are no longer on a treadmill.  You can choose to slow it down.

Adopt healthy living practices and balance. Make it a priority. Learn about nutrition and adopt healthy habits. Exercise regularly, at whatever level you can manage. Enjoy/cherish your relationships. Identify what causes you stress, so you can focus on getting it out of your life. Step away from toxic and negative environments and relationships. Forgive others and make peace a priority in your life. Learn to shrug. Identify the little things that make you smile and feel good. Let go of the urgency to always finish things quickly by learning to enjoy the process. Focus on what you CAN do rather, than on your limitations.

If you look at life’s events and search for the lesson, you might find it easier to accept the present. Perhaps the purpose is not evident to you — yet. Live in the present, in the moment. Let go of the pass so you can find peace with who you are and the possibilities that exist for you.

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The first black American hero of World War II, Doris Miller (1919-1943) became an inspiration to generations of Americans for his actions at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Four revered U.S. Navy icons were commemorated with a First-Class salute with the dedication of the Distinguished Sailors collectable stamps.  Available nationwide, the 44-cent stamps immortalize four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th Century:  William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy and Doris “Dorie” Miller. The dedication ceremony took place at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC on February 4th.

“On behalf of the U.S. Postal Service, I am pleased to honor these four great sailors who impacted our nation and world,” said Potter. “These brave individuals represent the U.S. Navy’s proud legacy of service to this nation. Their example is an inspiration to every American.”

The stamps, designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, are based on photographs from Navy archives. Text along the top of the stamp sheet identifies the four sailors, the approximate date of each photograph, and a ship named in honor of each sailor.

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