A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about Food as Medicine and shared my story of how this blog began as a place to record foods I made for my friends with cancer, as well as my personal journey to help feed my family healthy, delicious and beautiful food. I also shared my dream to help others learn to prepare healthy foods for themselves and their loved ones, whether they are well or ill.
In the past, some people have questioned my motive when I cook for people that I barely know who have cancer. Why would a complete stranger offer to get so intimately involved with someone who has cancer? Where did she come from…out of the blue…all of sudden, she’s her friend?
Honestly, I can’t tell you why I am drawn to people who have cancer. All I can tell you is that I believe in my heart that it is a gift that God has given me and that I need to figure out what I am supposed to do with this gift, as odd as it might seem to some people. The relationships that I have built with these women with cancer have been a blessing to me, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The personal emails that I receive from people I’ve never met who have cancer or other illnesses validate what I am trying to do. These women are what keep me going.
This past week, I met with a few local small businesses and non-profit folks hoping that it would lead me down some path to where I should be headed. I was so excited prior to my meetings as I couldn’t wait to offer up my services to help out. The funny thing is this…when they asked how much I was charging and I told them I would do it for free, I got almost an awkward response, certainly not the reaction I was anticipating. I thought for sure that these folks would say, “absolutely, would love to have you help us out.” Instead, I almost felt as if they thought I was up to something, that I had an ulterior motive.
My motive was simply this – to practice and share what I have learned with either a small start-up business or a non-profit organization because they are often the ones needing the most amount of help but can’t afford it. Yes, I would like to (and need to) make income to help support my family and I will endeavor to do that through different paths, but I also believe there is a need for volunteer services that I can provide.
It really bothered me that people did not value my free services. When I got home, and talked it through with my husband, it made me a bit sad to think that today’s society has produced a mindset where status quo is that you do something only if you get something in return. That anything free is probably of poor or mediocre quality. After all, aren’t the most expensive shoes the very best quality? More often than not, people are thinking, “Nothing’s for free, so there must be a catch,” “What’s in it for me,” or “What’s their angle.” I guess I am still a bit naive and an idealist, and believe that there is good in everyone. We just need to look for it.
At the dinner table, I asked my kids what they thought about the experiences I had this past week, and how they would have reacted if they were the business folks and I had offered them free services. They said they wouldn’t have thought anything of it and would have taken me up on it, which made me think that perhaps something in our culture changes our mindset so that we become less trusting of others as we grow older.
I also realized that these folks really didn’t know me, and that I hadn’t done a very good job of communicating to them about my background and true intentions. As a former financial executive who worked for a top fortune 500 company for 15 years, I had a name to stand behind me when I was in the corporate world. Today, I am simply a stay-at-home mom trying to follow my passion in an arena that I am new to where no one knows my name.
So, I have made very little progress, but am continuing on a course that follows my passion, and praying that doors will open at some point to give me more direction.
In the meantime, I am sharing a recipe for Warm Artichoke and Hearts of Palm Dip that I made this week for a small gathering of women. When I showed up to our meeting with this artichoke and hearts of palm dip and a container of vegetables, the lawyer in the group commented, “I don’t normally like vegetables, but I think I could eat this.” She actually ate more than a few pieces of vegetables, which I took as a positive sign (I might make a convert of out her ;)). Another woman was thrilled to see that I had brought something healthy to share. She had recently lost a lot of weight, and had not eaten before coming to our meeting. She purposefully did not pick up anything on the way as she knew it would probably be an unhealthy choice, so she happily indulged in this dip with the veggies. You can check out my photo of this dip on Instagram, my latest obsession.
This dip is similar to an artichoke dip I made last year for my son as a healthier mayonnaise substitute for sandwiches, but I added hearts of palm this time as I saw a recipe by Zarela Martinez for Ensalada de Palmitos (Hearts of Palm Salad) and was curious to see how it would taste. Hearts of palm don’t really have much flavor in my opinion, but similar to artichoke hearts, are a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamin C. In addition, hearts of palm are fairly high in iron.
Now, let’s get on with this week’s 50 Woman Game Changer in Food – Zarela Martinez. A group of food bloggers has been making its way through the list and we are nearing the end as Zarela Martinez is #47. So, who is Zarela Martinez?
Zarela Martinez was born in Mexico and is a New York City-based restaurateur and cookbook author. Although she had no formal training as a cook (she learned from her mother, who is a cookbook author herself), Zarela went on to make her mark in the food industry. Her career took off after she caught the attention of Paul Prudhomme while taking a cooking class, and after New York Times food editor Craig Claiborne published several of her recipes under the heading “Memorable Dishes from a Mexican Master Chef.”
In 1983, she designed a menu to be served at Ronald Reagan’s ranch in California for Queen Elizabeth II. In 1997, Zarela opened a restaurant, named after herself, Zarela, in New York (closed in 2011). Her first cookbook, Food from My Heart was nominated for best international book of the year by The James Beard Foundation.
Zarela has made it her mission to promote Mexican culture through its food and traditions, and was recently named to the board of the Mexican Cultural Institute. Her website contains lots of recipes and how-to videos on Mexican cooking techniques in addition to information on Mexican tradition, culture and travel.
“From my childhood on, cooking meant sharing and security and a way of “speaking” to people. – Zareka Martinez
Warm Artichoke and Hearts of Palm Dip
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen artichoke hearts defrosted (Trader Joe's carries these)
- 14 ounces hearts of palm rinsed and drained
- 4-6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
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Preheat toaster oven to 425 degrees.
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In a medium bowl, toss together artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, garlic, thyme and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place on a foil-lined or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
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Bake 15-20 minutes, uncovered, until garlic is cooked through. Remove vegetables from oven and strip thyme leaves from branches using your fingers, mixing the leaves in with the vegetables. Discard the branches. Place vegetables in a food processor and process until mixture is almost smooth, adding olive oil through feeding tube. Continue processing until smooth.
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Season to taste with pepper.
If you’re interested in joining our group as we cook our way through this list of 50 influential women in food, just ask Mary from One Perfect Bite. Please stop by and take a look at what the rest of the group made this week in celebration of Diana Kennedy:
Annie from Most Lovely Things
Linda from There and Back Again
Val from More Than Burnt Toast
Taryn from Have Kitchen Will Feed
Susan from The Spice Garden
Heather from girlichef
Miranda from Mangoes and Chutney
Mary from One Perfect Bite
Sue from The View from The Great Island
Barbara from Movable Feasts
Nancy from Picadillo
Kathleen from Bake Away With Me
Veronica from My Catholic Kitchen
Mireya of My Healthy Eating Habits
Claudia – Journey of an Italian Cook
Alyce – More Time at the Table
Amrita – Beetle’s Kitchen Escapades
Martha – Simple Nourished Living
Jill – Saucy Cooks
Sarah – Everything in the Kitchen Sink
For more recipes from this weekly celebration, check out my 50 Women Game Changers In Food Pinterest Board as well as our group’s collaborative Pinterest Board.
This sounds healthy and delicious. You should follow your heart always and do what you love to do.
Thanks Bellini – I try to remind myself of that each and every day.
I had the great pleasure of dining at Zarela’s several times, and always left feeling that I wanted to go back the next day, and the day after that. Her cooking really brought Mexican food to life for me.
Your ideas sound great…don’t give up on your dream! Do you have a Project Self-Sufficiency in your area? They may welcome someone to teach healthy eating habits.
Such a lovely choice for Zarela! I just love artichokes…this dip sounds like something my family would truly enjoy!
Thanks Kathy – I had not heard of Project Self-Sufficiency before. This dip is especially good served warm, hope you try it.
Any veggies with a veggie dip just call my name! This looks wonderful. And I voted for you. Best of luck, Jeanette.
Thanks for your vote Alyce – it is a tight race, so I am really thankful for your support.
I bet this would be good tossed in some pasta as well.
I’m glad you said that…I was thinking just that after I made this. Great idea!
More and more people appreciate healthy alternatives at gatherings! This is simply splendid and I have noted it. Fascinating who Martinez’s recipes seem to lean to the healthy side. I have seen many this morning. Congrats on your nomination – very exciting stuff. And just follow your heart – when you do – in the end – good things happen.
I do believe that if you just follow your dreams and live large and passionately that all good things will come to you Jeanette. I too left corporate America, not to stay home with my kids who were already grown when I exited, but because I found myself closing my office door and repeating “Serenity Now” over and over again. I believe that we are all guided to our next right steps and that often times we can not even imagine the amazing adventure that our path is leading us on. Stay true to your values and trust your gut Jeanette. Oh and please FedEx me some of that delicious sounding dip!
Thanks Claudia and Jill for your encouragement. I do believe we all have path to follow…we just need to be patient, listen, watch and pray. I am excited and a bit nervous about what is in store for me, but I know it is all good.
Jeanette,
Maybe you could tell these folks that you are a non-profit and you’re offering you’re services for free right now so you can build up a name for yourself through good recommendations. Regarding the other theme, to give is to receive. When you give your love and care to these women you receive it back multiplied.
And that dip sounds so perfectly delectable and healthy!
Great advice Mireya! That dip sounds lovely Jeanette 🙂
Thanks Mireya and Alyssa, yes, you are right – great thought. And you couldn’t be more right Mireya, I have received far more from helping these women with cancer than I ever gave them.
I haven’t eaten or used hearts of palm very often, but I would love to try this – it sounds so tasty. And I think what you’re doing is an amazing thing, but I do think that due to the state of the world so many people are jaded and unable to trust. And I don’t blame them. Keep up the good work, though…anything so good is worth pushing on!
What a gorgeous dip, Jeanette. I think what you do is genuine, and you can tell by the way you present yourself that it is. I hope they see that and can change their mindset to benefit from your gift.
What a cool idea Jeanette! This is truly unique dip. 🙂
Congratulations on your nomination. I love this dip. It is such a nice alternative to serve in place of calorie laden junk. Keep up the good work. Blessings…Mary
I think the first steps of embarking on a new endeavor like this are always hard, but you’ll find your way. I’m sure of it!
This dip looks so delicious. i’ve never had hearts of palm but really need to try them!
Jeanette…as I lay in bed this morning reading your post I was very moved by your goodness. I too am uber passionate about helping people with their health through nutrition and know all too well how that can be received . I try not to be pushy, but when I find out that a friend or acquaintance has fallen ill I zone into research mode and offer-up all of my services (research, cooking, smoothie making, juice squeezing, etc). I feel so fulfilled helping people heal through nutrition and would do so for anyone, close friend or not.
Keep trying. Something inside me tells me that through our efforts people will eventually come around. For now we can keep living, reading, learning, cooking, and posting about our attempts to lead as healthful lives as possible.
Hang in there and know that what you are doing is worthwhile.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words Gretchen. I am so glad to find someone of like mind. I do the same when I find someone I think needs help, and have found that once they let me into their life, that we are able to develop a special relationship of trust. It is so rewarding.
Gosh, it is so nice to know I’m not alone, I can relate to everything you both are saying!
Looks like a great dip Jeanette. Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to you to Marla!
we absolutely love hearts of palm! Happy Moms day!
Happy Mother’s Day to you too Alison!
You have a big heart and I know you will make a big difference in so many peoples lives with what you are doing. Keep persevering!
Thanks for your kind words Sylvie, I really appreciate it. Small steps, but moving forward.
Hi Jeanette
Just recently discovered your blog (via Healtful pusuit actually). And loving it! Just read about your struggle. Indeed our society is scared and suspious of Free goodies. But if you let people pay even a dollar per meal, it would mean something different. Dr Freud said : let people pay 1 dollar per session, never give your professionalism for free, or they just will not take it serious., or no real commitment.
So…maybe let the people decide if, and if yes, how much they want to donate? Just an idea..
regards ingrid
Jeanette, so much to say here. Your words are so well written of your experience, lots to think about. I admire you so much for following your passion, and I can really relate to you food as medicine point of view. When I hear of someone having an illness, I immediately think of foods, meals etc that could help whatever is ailing them. I truly believe that good nourishment is worth the effort and can heal!
Now, this dip looks amazing. I love hearts of palm but don’t cook with them enough. I love that you brought this – and was appreciated for it!
Hope you had a nice mother’s day!
I don’t know that I have ever had hearts of palm. For that reason alone I NEED to try this. Not to mentions is sounds delish.
I made this dip as an appetizer for Thanksgiving and I found the flavor to be very bland so I doubled the garlic which helped, but overall it was not well received. Unfortunately I ended up bringing almost the entire bowl home.
Hi Holly, so sorry this didn’t work out for you. When I made it, I believe I served it warm. It’s a mild flavored dip. I recall using it to spread on sandwiches in place of mayonnaise.
Holy smokes this looks good
Thanks so much Jen!