REPORTING FROM THE TROPICS

Hello World,

Cool Gabe here reporting from the tropics.  I feel sorry for everyone up in the cold north, because I'm at work today wearing shorts and a T-shirt. 

As you know, I've been waiting for my new wheels.  I had a fitting recently for my new custom fitted wheelchair and it's a beauty!  To quote my mother,  "Woo Hoo!"  I want to give a big SHOUT OUT to Chris, the guy helping me with it, and to the scooter store because they are great.  Thank you!

Here's what been happening on the home front:

• My Aunt Mona and Joe came for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  We ate a lot of seafood  (I like to "see food and eat it").  We have so much wonderful, fresh seafood in Sebastian.  Shrimp is one of my favorite foods.  Aunt Mona and I enjoyed our visit.  
• Our neighbor, Ms. Vic and her family (kids Patty and Lenny and grandson Nick),  were over for Christmas dinner.  We had lots of great food.  Ms. Vic is one of my best friends!  Ms. Vic is from New York and is a great Italian cook which might be one of the reasons why we're such great friends.  Pasta, ravioli, spaghetti -- she can make it all!  It's always nice to share a meal with Ms. Vic.

Last week in my cooking class we used purple cauliflower from Veggies of Vero.  It was my first time to see it and eat it.  We cooked it up with some garlic, olive oil, and squash.  Yum!!!! 

Here's a fact that my teachers shared with us:  Purple cauliflower's color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant group anthocyanin, which can also be found in red cabbage and red wine.

Playing around in the kitchen!



Just having fun!

 Off for more adventures! 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

THE IMPORTANCE OF TABLE MANNERS

Hello World,

Let me ask you a couple of questions:

• Do you know how to act at the dinner table?
• Do you know how to set a table?
• Do you use the words "please" and "thank you" at the dinner table?
• Do you enjoy your food?
• Do you how to eat? 

These questions are a clue about what I've been studying this week at ARC of Indian River County.  My teachers, Barbara and Jacque, have been talking with us about Table Manners.  We've been using the computer lab to watch some really funny TV shows about bad table manners.  We've also been having demonstrations in our classroom about how to set the table and how to eat slowly.  Did you know that if you eat slowly, you digest your food better, and are less likely to overeat? 

I'm going to give you a challenge about table manners.  When you eat dinner tonight, time yourself.  If you eat dinner from start to finish in less than 20 minutes, then we have some work to do to help you slow down and enjoy your food.  Call me, because Cool Gabe is ready and able to help YOU learn good table manners! 

Off to my Healthy Cooking class!  Talk with you next week.

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

Here I am in the computer lab doing some research yesterday.

INSPIRING YOU

Hello World,

I'm so proud of my sister, Taylor.  She just made the softball team at Sebastian River High School!  She has been working hard to get on the team and now her dream has come true.  Go Sharks!  I'm looking forward to seeing you play. 

I was quite surprised to learn last Sunday that the Vero Beach Press Journal had a story about my blog.  The article was called "Inspiring Others" and it was in the "Good for You" section of the paper.  Boy, was my mom surprised!  I love to inspire others with my smile and my positive attitude.  I inspire others because I know I always have the support of my family and my faith.  Thank you to the Press Journal for the article.  There is a link to the Press Journal at the bottom of this blog. 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "inspiration" as "stimulation of the faculties to a high level of feeling or activity."  Here's my challenge to the readers of the Cool Gabe blog:  what are YOU doing to inspire others??  I'll be looking forward to hear from you.  You can contact me via this blog or you can send a letter to me at: ARC of Indian River County, 1375 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.  I think an "INSPIRING OTHERS" campaign is in order to make the world - my world and yours - a better place.  

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

http://www.tcpalm.com/

Here I am holding the newspaper article about my blog!

Working on today's blog with Walter and Kathi

WINTER WONDERLAND

Hello World!

We're turning up the heat here in the tropics.  It's Cool Gabe reporting from the cool tropics.  Very cool, in fact.  The Siberian cold front has blown through Vero Beach and Sebastian.  We've been bundling up and hunkered down in the van for my morning ride with Mark.  I look like a polar bear when I get off the bus at ARC.  Funny thing is, I like polar bears because I love the cold weather.  After all, I am Cool Gabe!

Mom is back working at school this week with the kids.  I'm back to work with my teachers, Barbara and Jacque.  It  was nice to have last Friday off with my mom, but I'm glad to be back on my regular schedule here. 

I'm looking foward to my cooking class tomorrow because I think we're making zucchini muffins with zucchini just picked from Veggies of Vero http://www.veggiesofvero.com/.  Can't wait! 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

Where's the snow??

"Winter wonderland!"