Parenting as a Social Justice Issue

I was watching the Martha Stewart show at the gym this morning. She was making pizzas with Jennifer Gardner today. My pizzas have been too soggy on the bottom lately, so I was interested to see how Martha did it.

Gardner said that she was supporting a charity in West Virginia that teaches new moms parenting skills. Her discussion of this organization reminded me of a fabulous article in the New Yorker by Katherine Boo describing a similar initiative in LA. I use that article in my public policy class every year.

I also learned from the show that I really need to get a paddle to slide my pizza onto the pizza stone.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

We don't use a pizza stone, but do use one of the pans with lots of little holes in it, so steam doesn't build up under the crust. It's not John's pizza, but it's darn good for a home oven.

Obama is proposing to bring the home visiting programs to scale.

[MH]

We haven't used the pizza stone in years, but that and the paddle are still taking up room in the kitchen cabinets. On the other hand, the Cuissinart we got for our wedding sat for at least five years, but now gets used all the time. We started with smooshing things for the baby and now we use it all the time.

[laura]

Well, smooshed food is to babies as pizza is to kids. Bet you use that pizza stone later on. On the other hand, I think I used our blender three times since we've been married.

[laura]

Haven't seen that pan with the holes, Elizabeth. I'm going to have to look for it.

[Russell Arben Fox]

I respect those who prepare fine, gourmet pizzas, and have had some fine ones myself, but honestly, I can't help but think it's like preparing a fine, gourmet peanut butter sandwiches or nachos. Pizza is bulk food, for hungry kids and carbo-loading.

[Jackie]

I've been wanting one of those too (already have the pizza stone) but I need to find my perfect pizza recipe first to really feel like I need it.

We only use our blender to make mixed drinks for summer cookouts :).

[MH]

If anybody wants to go nuts on the pizza thing, see: http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/05/01/how-to-build-the-ult.html.

[z]

You can make the pizza on parchment paper on a flat cookie sheet, and then slide the whole parchment-and-pizza onto the stone. Give that a try before you spend good money on a paddle!