David Weiss tells the boys to go out long for the next pass.

Faxes to Frogs (111)
Single Dad David Weiss has two boys, Robert and DJ. Weiss loves being a Dad, but fatherhood is challenging. Hugh O'Neill, author of the humorous book, A Man Called Daddy, and child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Moira Rynn offer their counsel. Sam Gugino, former restaurateur and author of Cooking to Beat the Clock, shows David and his boys how to cook good food fast.

Surviving Fatherhood Facts:

• Four percent of all households are run by single dads.
  
• The average dad spends about ten hours a week commuting.
  
• Single dads work an average of 37 hours a week, while single moms work 35 hours per week.

Problem: Surviving fatherhood.
Solution: Strike a balance between structure and freedom.

• Maximize time with your kids. Even time spent running errands together is quality time.
  
• Encourage individuality. Let them live their lives.
  
• Be big and be small. Be aware of the influence you exert, even during play.
  
• Don't make too many rules.

Tips: Laundry Smarts

1. Buy 2 hampers, one for whites and one for colors, so your clothes will be pre-sorted.

2. Give each family member a zippered, mesh bag for undergarments. Write the names on each bag, wash and dry the bags, and then family members can fold and put away their own things.

3. Buy a basket for each family member and sort the clean clothes in each basket.

Contact Information:

Hugh O'Neill, Author
609-924-9564
hughieo@aol.com

Moira A. Rynn, M.D.
Medical Director, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Section
Dept of Psychiatry, U of PA
3535 Market St., Suite 670
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309
215-898-4301
800-422-7000
WeCare@mail.med.upenn.edu
www.uphs.upenn.edu/psych

Resources:

A Man Called Daddy
by Hugh O'Neill

For More Information: Search keyword(s): fatherhood, single dads.

---

Problem: Feeding a family on the go.
Solution: Cook good food fast.

• Flavor. The more flavor each ingredient has, the less ingredients you use. And, the fewer ingredients, the faster the prep time.

• Be organized. Get the right equipment and put it in the right place.

• Focus means getting in the kitchen and cooking sans distraction.

• Creativity. Using recipes as a blueprint to create many more recipes on your own.

Tips: Get food on the table in fifteen minutes.

1. Always stock pasta and olive oil. Add some canned seafood and you can create linguine with clam sauce, capellini with smoked salmon, or even tuna noodle casserole. Substitute different ingredients!

2. Canned beans are the basis of many quick meals including chili, bean soup and tortillas.

3. Eggs are the original comfort food. In minutes you can whip up an omelet, a frittata, a quiche or a Caesar salad.

4. Start with basic herbs like parsley and basil. Just add Parmesan cheese to your basil and some olive oil and pine nuts and you have fresh pesto.

5. Finally, keep frozen sausage and bacon on hand for a quick jambalaya or spaghetti carbonara.

Recipe: Chicken Fajitas with Mango Salsa

1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno peppers or 1 fresh jalapeno pepper
1 small sweet onion such as Vidalia or mild red onion, about 4 ounces
8 sprigs cilantro
2 ripe but firm mangoes
1 lime
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, 5 to 6 ounces each, or 1 ¼ to 1½ pounds chicken tenders
Add salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 medium red bell peppers
8 fajita-size flour tortillas

Cooking Directions:

1. Drop the jalapeno down the chute of a food processor with the motor running and puree. (If using a fresh jalapeno, stem and seed if first.) Stop the motor and scrape down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Peel and quarter the onion. Add the onion and cilantro leaves to the processor and pulse a few times.

2. Place each mango, narrow side down, on a cutting surface. Slice through the mango as close to the pit as possible on one side, then repeat on the other side. With a teaspoon, scoop out the flesh from the two thick slices and cut each slice into 4 pieces. Juice the lime. Add the mango and lime juice to the processor and pulse just until the salsa is fully combined but still chunky.

3. Put the oil in a wok or large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the chicken into strips about ½ inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long. Season the strips with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and add the chicken. Cut the top from the bell pepper. Stand it upright and cut down inside the four walls, separating them from the center core and seeds. Then cut the walls into thin strips. Add the strips to the chicken and cook, stirring periodically, for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is done. The chicken should feel firm. (Cut through the center of one strip to check if you're not sure.)

4. While the chicken cooks, spread the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Cook in a microwave oven on high power for 20 seconds. Put the chicken and peppers on a small serving platter. Put the salsa in a small bowl. Bring the food to the table for diners to make their own fajitas. To assemble, put 1/8 of the chicken mixture on each tortilla, top with a tablespoon or more of salsa, and fold the tortilla over. Allow 2 fajitas per person.

Contact Information:

Sam Gugino, Author
917-626-5090
Sam@SamCooks.com
www.samcooks.com

Resources:

Cooking to Beat the Clock : Inspired Meals in 15 Minutes
by Sam Gugino

Low-Fat Cooking to Beat the Clock
by Sam Gugino, Frankie Frankeny (Photographer), Frank Frankeny

For More Information: Search keyword(s): easy recipes, quick meals.