Go Pink with Let's Dish

One year ago my mom had just finished her treatments for breast cancer. Now she's 100% back to her old self and busy, busy, busy.

One of the most amazing things about her diagnosis and subsequent treatments is how her friends truly rallied around her. The teachers at her school (where she's worked for more than 20 years) took turns doing special things for her. They even pooled money to fly my sister in from San Diego for a visit. There were gifts of books and tea, candy and lotions, slippers and bathrobes.

But perhaps most comforting was the food.

My parents were inundated with food. And, it was wonderful. Anytime my mom had an appetite, there was a great home-cooked meal waiting in the fridge. My dad didn't have to cook. Whenever Lucas and I visited, we could just enjoy our time with my mom and share in the bounty of comfort meal goodness supplied by her friends. My mom has been such a good friend to so many others throughout the years that there was almost too much food. We had to start "scheduling" the deliveries for every few days because my parents (especially when my mom was nauseous) simply couldn't consume the abundance of generosity brought to their door.

I realize, however, that not every breast cancer patient is as lucky as my mom. That's why I'm excited about Go Pink with Let's Dish.

Several friends and I went to Let's Dish back in January (I can't believe it's been so long. I have GOT to get back there ASAP!) and Abel and I thoroughly enjoyed having our freezer stocked with great easy and delicious meals. Through their Pink Dish! Campaign, Let's Dish is providing meals--at no cost--to families living with breast cancer.

There are many easy ways you can support their effort--sign up for an October Let's Dish session or purchase retail items and they'll make donations to the program. Blog about it (like me!) and they'll make donations to the program. Know a woman or a family living with breast cancer? Nominate them to receive free Let's Dish meals. You can also share a story or make an e-dedication at their website.

Thanks, Let's Dish, for providing this most basic comfort to women and families living with breast cancer. Let's all join in to help them do even more.

Let's Dish: Part Two

I'm totally impressed.

I just received an e-mail from Rick Corcoran the co-owner of Let's Dish Mid-Atlantic responding to my recent post and explaining their "very rigorous food safety standards". Here's his e-mail:


Hi Smiling Mama!
We came across your blog post and we’re glad you had a good experience. We hope you'll enjoy our meals and find them convenient for your busy life as a mom!

Since you voiced some concern, we wanted to explain that we have very rigorous food safety standards and have even retained our own Serv Safe trainer to certify not only every store manager (GM and assistants) but also a sizable percentage of the hourly store teams. We also want to explain how we use gloves-- while not wearing gloves may seem odd, many studies have shown that using your well-washed bare hands actually is a safer way to work with raw food. This is usually because when your hands are bare, if you touch a raw item, you are aware of it and will be careful not to touch another food, especially one that will not be cooked, unless you wash your hands. If you wear gloves, if your hands are contaminated, you often will not realize it and continue touching other foods with that same pair of gloves. I'm not saying this would be the case with you, but we do find in practice it is the case with many people-- folks simply use gloves as a crutch and then forget to follow food safety procedures. As long as everyone has washed their hands for at least 20 seconds in warm water as we recommend (before they begin, in between each meal, if they take a break for food or to use the restroom), our environment is not only safe, but it exceeds sanitary and safety standards on all counts.

I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance at any time.

You know, that certainly makes sense to me! Thanks so much for the explanation, Rick.

And, I'll report that the Fajita Steak with Chili-Lime Dressing also got rave reviews from one of my friends who was at the session with me.

Last night we tried the Sizzling Chicken and Veggie Fajitas and both LOVED them. We eat fajitas a lot but usually without so many wonderful veggies. I was so busy getting snacks ready for the big game (more on that disappointment later) that I didn't even make any sides. Yet, it really felt like a complete meal. Even though we both ate our fill there were lots of yummy leftovers which Abel took into work today for lunch. He is going to try the chicken/veggie/sauce mix over salad.

Thanks Let's Dish! I'm already looking forward to my next session!