Cooking for the Ronald McDonald House in 2013!

Cooking the pasta

Last year, our Aspie Insiders cooked for the Ronald McDonald House twice, providing meals to people who greatly needed them. Not only did it offer us a great opportunity to help out in the community, it also helped us hone our cooking skills (specifically when cooking for a large number of people).

Recently, one of our members suggested we do another cooking donation, and so we let the idea roll around in our heads for awhile. Then, armed with some ingredients and recipes, we got to cooking! 

There is a subtle trick to cooking for large groups of people, a trick that is equally important for practically cooking of any kind. That trick is time management, a crucial skill for just about anything a person does in life. Being in a relationship requires time management, being a productive employee requires it... in fact, we use time management from the very moment we get out of bed!

When it comes to cooking, managing time is extremely important, as it keeps us from burning dishes (or serving them under-cooked). Equally important, though, is that time management can help us get the food cooked quickly. With our Ronald McDonald House cooking, we served up some chili mac and cheese, green beans, and cookies. In order to do that in enough time, we started right away. Here are some tips for getting food cooked in a reasonable amount of time:

• Use kitchen timers. If you have a timer, use it! If you don't have a timer, get one! While many cooks know exactly how long it will take for certain foods to be prepared, most people don't. Timers help keep a person on track and will provide you with a reminder when food is almost done.
• Separate your ingredients based on what you're cooking. Before you start, you might want to place your ingredients in different piles based on what you're cooking. For the cooking we did, we placed all the ingredients used for making the chili mac and cheese in one place, then placed green bean materials in another, and so on. This helps if you favor organization in the kitchen.
• Choose recipes with fewer ingredients. The green beans we cooked included garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, and a few other ingredients, all of which had to be prepared properly. If you know that more ingredients will slow you down, seek a recipe on the simpler side, at least until you've mastered the basics.
• Find the time to do something. If you could look inside a successful restaurant's kitchen, you would find a cooking team that doesn't stop. While one thing's cooking, they're preparing something else. Finding "pockets" of time like this will help you make better use of your time. If you're cooking and you find yourself standing around without anything to do, you might be using your time poorly!
• Avoid overdoing it! If you're not an expert at using a cutting knife, take it slow. It's better for you to start out with the basics and move forward from there than it is to force yourself and create a mediocre dish, or even hurt yourself!

Our final product: Chili Mac and Cheese

And... Green Beans!

We used large aluminum pans to store and transport our food.  This in itself was a little tricky since the heavy food had a tendency to stretch the pans.  We gave the food ample support by placing everything in cardboard boxes.  When we picked the food up and moved it, we were careful to keep a hand in the center of the bottom of the pan — otherwise, there's a chance the food will burst through.  We placed all of our food in a single car and drove it that day to the Ronald McDonald House for them to use the next day.

Everyone together now!

AS ALWAYS, THE ASPIE INSIDERS WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT ANY RECIPES YOU HAVE! LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!

Insiders Grab Bag!

Included below is a healthy sampling of some of the more popular entries from our Through Aspie Colored Glasses blog. From learning how to make friends to tips on saving money, check them out! Remember that comments are always appreciated. And of course, don't forget to share this with someone if you think they'll find it interesting.

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Making Friends

An entry on those social skills vital to making new friends and maintaining relationships. While we don't cover everything a person needs to know to develop new friendships, our Insiders go into detail on what has worked for them and what they hope might work for you!

A Framework For Organization

Organization is tough for most, but don't lose hope! Our Insiders look at some proven techniques for turning any space from "ground zero" to a functional place to live, work, play, and so on. Our "framework" for organization provides a step-by-step process that any person can adopt to clean up even the messiest of rooms.

Perfect Planning

Planning, just like organization, is one of those Executive Functioning skills that helps us maintain order in our life. Without it, humanity would simply not get by. The Insiders chime in on what makes planning difficult, and they offer their own advice for any person who finds planning to be tough.

Social Recreation

Behind the seemingly simple idea of "hanging out" with friends, there are many skills that one must coordinate to do something like meet up with a group of buddies on a Friday night. There's planning, communication, organization... and this all before you even meet up with those friends! For some, this all seems like common sense, but for others it's not so easy. Our Insiders offer their own thoughts on what we've termed "social recreation," the practice of meeting up and hanging out with friends.

Insiders: On Money

Finances is a pretty big topic that covers a lot of different things. So rather than looking at advice concerning money, the Insiders sat down for a discussion on how they handle finances. While many good points were made, perhaps the most important one of all is that managing money successfully requires one's own custom strategy. What works for one person doesn't always work for another. If you check this entry out, don't forget to let us know what works for YOU when managing money!

COMING SOON, WE WILL BE DOING INTERVIEWS WITH SOME OF OUR VERY OWN  INSIDERS AND THOSE WITHIN THE ASPERGER'S COMMUNITY. AS OUR ASPIE INSIDERS BLOG CONTINUES TO GROW, WE ARE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM US! LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW, AND THANKS FOR READING!

The Insiders On: Giving Back

Giving back — whether it be for a community, a friend, or a cause — is something that we as human beings are all capable of. It is a concept that helps the world move in a productive, positive manner as well as one of those essential rules that helps ensure that people are cared for and looked after. When we give back to others who have helped us, it offers us a chance to not only focus on people other than ourselves, but to actually make a concrete difference in another person's life.

The Aspie Insiders met today to discuss some of this and recount the ways that they have given back to the community or to those close to them. As we talked about our own experiences, it became clear that volunteering one's time or abilities can often lead to more opportunity. One of our members, Daniel, shared that he volunteered at a nearby library by teaching computer skills. Eventually, he was asked to join the library in a paid position. Another Insider, Jay, offers his skills as a DJ on a regular basis for many events that go on at the iCan House. While he has done this voluntarily, many of his paid gigs have come from recommendations through the iCan House.

Giving back doesn't have to happen with the expectation that one will get something in return though. One Insider mentioned the "pay it forward" idea from the movie of the same name. The concept is simple: if someone does a good deed for you, do a good deed for three other people. This "random acts of kindness" thing is something we talked about last week. It's simple, it's kind of impulsive, but it sticks. It's definitely a way to create more friendships, but it's also a way to change lives.

So how can you give back to others? Consider the following:

• Volunteering. Seriously, there are tons of places out there with specific needs that are looking for YOUR specific talents. Consider www.volunteermatch.org/ as a starting point. Or, simply look up some local organizations and make some calls. There are opportunities out there for you if you're looking to volunteer!
• "Paying It Forward." If you do something nice in return for a friend's kind act, the circle of compassion ends there. If, however, you do three good deeds for every one good deed done for you, then the cycle continues (especially if you encourage the people you help to "pay it forward" themselves). 
• Being a good listener. Giving back isn't just about what you can do for your community, it's also about what you can do for your friends. Friends aren't just for hanging out with — they're also there to listen to you when you have something heavy on your heart. For those close friends, consider opening up a conversation by simply asking "How are you doing?" If your friend responds with a quick "fine," press a little bit more: "No, really. How have things been? Good, bad, could be better? What's on your mind?"
• Use your talents and skills. What's better than doing the things you enjoy doing? Answer: doing what you like to do for someone else! Think about your own talents and abilities for just a moment. Chances are, there is someone that you know who could benefit from those skills that you have. Consider making a list. Consider what YOU can do!

HOW HAVE YOU GIVEN BACK TO EITHER THE COMMUNITY, YOUR FRIENDS, OR A CAUSE? AND HOW DID IT MAKE YOU FEEL? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!

A Day at the Park for the Insiders

Though summer isn't over just yet, we are getting closer and closer to fall, meaning some cooler weather is just around the corner. Before it gets too cold to do anything outside, the Aspie Insiders decided to meet up at a nearby park for recreation and some time to hang out together. Of course, we also went on a couple of biking trips recently, so rest assured that the Insiders are making use of the warm weather!

For the most part, we played Bocce Ball, a game very similar to Petanque. If you're unfamiliar with these types of games, you can find out more about it here. In short, it's much like horseshoes with balls instead of, well, horseshoes. It's an outdoor bowling game that requires precision, unique strategy, and a bit of creativity. Aside from this, we also threw the Frisbee for awhile.

As you can tell, it was a very relaxed day at the park for the Aspie Insiders. Though we talked briefly about plans for September, today was a chance to practice some of that social recreation we've talked about in the past. The weather was nice and much fun was had!


WHAT ARE YOUR LAST-MINUTE PLANS BEFORE THE END OF THE SUMMER? OR, IF YOU'RE READY FOR FALL, LET US KNOW THE BEST PART OF YOUR SUMMER BREAK! TELL US BELOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!

Insiders Cooking: Preview + Recipes!

 The Aspie Insiders are continuing to discuss the things that matter most to them and apply some useful independent skills to their own day-to-day living. One of these skills — cooking at home or for friends — has been a favorite for some time. In the words of one member, "I want to learn how to cook so that when I'm on my own I don't resort to eating fast food all the time." This same person pointed out that not only can cooking for oneself keep the fast food habit out of the picture, it can also be a way to socialize. Inviting friends over and cooking for them is a perfect way to spend time together and have fun, and it provides a much-needed throwback to a time when eating dinner meant that individuals would come together as a group to tell stories and socialize.

With this in mind, the Insiders have set a menu for the cooking they plan to do this month. Provided here are the recipes for chicken gumbo and a basic tossed salad. Thanks to our last cooking venture, the Insiders learned how to properly use cutting knives. I mention this because both recipes call for dicing and chopping skills. If you're not too savvy with a knife, you can check out the video here that goes over some of the basics (remember to be careful and take necessary precautions!)

 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ANY RECIPES, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THEM! POST YOUR IDEAS BELOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

Cooking for the Ronald McDonald House Again!

The Aspie Insiders had a great time cooking for the Ronald McDonald House the first time around, so they decided to do it again!  We met up at a local church and decided to make baked ziti, steamed broccoli, and chocolate chip cookies.  Considering some of the experience we gained from our previous cooking contribution, we made sure to have detailed, step-by step recipes.  We also separated our ingredients to make it easier to see how each item would be prepared.  Not only did we make another cooking contribution to the Ronald McDonald House, we also took a tour of it at a later date.  It gave us a chance to learn about what they do for the community, and it also let us explain to some members of the staff what the Aspie Insiders group is all about!

There were a few things we noticed about our dish.  First of all, the baked ziti was fairly easy to make.  It did require some basic cooking steps (such as boiling water, preparing the oven, etc.), but outside of that it really was just a matter of throwing the ingredients together, mixing it up, and adding a bunch of cheese.  Our Insiders seemed to like the relative ease of this recipe.

Steamer Basket

Another thing we learned was how to steam something.  There are lots of different ways to cook food, and this is one of them.  One of the benefits to steaming food is that the food doesn't lose its nutrients; other cooking methods like frying have the tendency to burn away a lot of the good nutrients in food.  To steam our broccoli, we used a steamer basket.  Once we had water boiling underneath the basket, we poured in the broccoli and covered it up.  After a number of minutes, the broccoli turns dark green and softens.  We added butter, salt, and pepper to the broccoli after it was all sufficiently prepared.  Our Insiders felt that this too was a relatively easy dish to cook.  The only thing that makes it difficult is that it might require some cutting and working with a knife depending on whether you buy the broccoli on the stalk or pre-cut.  Also, just a reminder to our cooks out there: remember to always rinse your vegetables or fruit before you start cooking with it!

CHECK OUT OUR SPECIALLY CRAFTED STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE GUIDE

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Recipe Baked ZitiRecipe: Steamed Broccoli

We used large aluminum pans to store and transport our food.  This in itself was a little tricky since the heavy food had a tendency to stretch the pans.  We gave the food ample support by placing everything in cardboard boxes.  When we picked the food up and moved it, we were careful to keep a hand in the center of the bottom of the pan — otherwise, there's a chance the food will burst through.  We placed all of our food in a single car and drove it that day to the Ronald McDonald House for them to use that night.

Ronald McDonald House

INSIDER THOUGHTS:

•  Overall, this dish was easier to prepare than the one before.  It required some basic cooking know-how such as heating the oven, boiling water, and cutting with a knife, but outside of that the recipes were simple and didn't take a great deal of time.
• There are many different ways to cook and prepare food!  This time we added steaming to our list of food preparation skills, but food can be fried, baked, boiled, grilled, and so on.  It always helps to have the materials needed to prepare the food in different ways.
• Separating our ingredients seemed to make the cooking process a bit easier.  Rather than having everything on the table at one time, we moved some of our cooking materials and ingredients to a different table.  Not only does it look less messy this way, it's easier to get hold of what you need when you need it.
• Cooking for many people doesn't have to be tough, but it definitely pays to be prepared.  For this cooking experience, we had large pans to hold the food and plenty of ingredients — it kept us from having any complications throughout the cooking process.

With our second contribution to the Ronald McDonald House done, we're still looking for more material for our "Aspie Friendly" recipes — simple, comfortable foods that don't require too much work. If you would like to contribute to this project, please email Allie Lindborg at allison@icanhouse.com or Erik Nance at erik@icanhouse.com and let us know!

Cooking for the Ronald McDonald House

The Aspie Insiders met up once again to put their cooking skills to the test.  However, unlike before, it wasn't them who enjoyed the meal afterwards.  In an effort to give to the community and make good use of what they've learned over the past couple of months, they warmed up the stove and made a generous contribution to the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC).  If you're not familiar with the Ronald McDonald House, you can visit their website here.  The food donation the Insiders made will go to feed people in need.

Our dish for the day was decided following some of the guidelines provided by the RMHC.  We settled on making Polish chicken and pasta with a side of peas and brownies.  Of course, we made the food with a large serving size in mind.  Making food for a large number of people is a little different than making it for oneself, but the basic idea is still there.  As the Insiders cooked, they were careful to keep the food measurements in mind.  Overlooking one simple detail (such as adding only 2 eggs to a bowl of brownie mix when it should have been 6) can cause the food to not cook properly.

The Insiders had a few more tips for when cooking for large numbers of people:

• Attention to detail is VERY important.  Make sure that you have the correct ingredients and the correct amount of ingredients.  It's okay to double-check on measurements, especially since one slip-up can ruin a large dish.
• Keep yourself busy!  If something's cooking in the oven, you can start on the next item or wash some of the dishes.  If you're cooking correctly, you will rarely find yourself with nothing to do.  This is especially true when cooking for many!
•  It might help to keep your ingredients separated according to what's needed for each item.  Visually, it's much easier to have things sorted this way, so that when you're ready to cook something, you have everything you need in one location.
• Sometimes, things don't go according to plan.  When this happens, it's much better to be flexible than give up.  During our cooking we noticed one of our dishes was too soupy.  Using a measuring spoon and cup, we simply removed some of the liquid and the dish was fine.

After preparing and cooking our dish, we stored the food in aluminum pans and delivered them to the Ronald McDonald House.  Dropping the food off was an easy process, and the people who worked at the RMHC seemed to appreciate our hard work and effort.  Overall, the experience was fulfilling and fun!

Below you will find the recipes we used to cook this dish.  If you would like to make a similar contribution to the RMHC, you can follow the link above to their website and find all the information you need to make it happen.  The Insiders are planning on another cooking contribution next month, so be on the lookout for how that goes!