Worldly Kitchen

the world's issuesOur world is filled with issues. Some of them affect our communities and others affect our world on a global scale. These are not issues that we can simply ignore. This is why there are programs like Turn the Tables that allows us to host a dinner and openly talk about the big issues that are all around us. The goal is to bring the issues out into the open where they can be discussed and thought about. It is the only way to get them out in the open so that a solution can be found.

Our Major Issues

Our CitiesThere are some very big issues going on. They range from environmental issues to political crisis. There are issues that impact our economic stability and then there are also social issues that we deal with in our communities. Every country has their own set of unique problems as well. Children are being impacted by poverty, Africa is dealing with poverty and diseases, many places are dealing with overpopulation, public safety is a thing of the past, and people within the U.S. are homeless and going without food. Each day when we watch the news there is some new information on the potential for war and discrimination. Climate change is also mentioned quite a bit and as we have seen in other countries, our rights to choose our own religion are even being questioned. The time has come when we cannot turn our head to avoid looking at the problems that are there.

Opening Conversations

helping homelessNot all issues can be solved with ease. Global warming is something that can only be changed with years of effort. Other issues, such as starvation and homelessness within our communities can be dealt with a little easier, but it will still be a challenge that will require everyone to help out some. Providing more jobs for those who need them will be a great first step, but beyond that we must also try to provide more food drives for the hungry and housing for families in need. You can host a dinner party and then work the conversation toward these issues. You can start off by encouraging others to set can foods out beside the road weekly or monthly so that homeless individuals or those who need it can take it without having to visit a homeless shelter. You can work together to set up a church event where once a month or so your church will host a dinner for people in need where they can come get warm food to eat without charge or judgement. Each person there can provide a food item to the feast. After that, you can talk about donations toward turning an old abandoned building into mini-apartments or something for low income or needy families to go, and work toward providing those people with jobs. Even raking a yard for $20 can help someone who has very little to have a chance at survival or warmth for the night.

Change the World

As everyone begins to work together on major issues, more can be done to help others outside of your community. You and your closest friends can make a positive impact that will last well beyond your time here on Earth. It starts with you being willing to put the issues out there, on the table.

Custom Glass-Like Table Finish

epoxy diningWhen you think about going home, what is the first thing you think of? What about if you could travel back in time to your parent’s or your grandma’s home? For most of us, we tend to think about backing cookies or eating them at grandma’s table. Family dinners, holiday celebrations, and more. Our lives seem to revolve around the kitchen and by default, our table. With so much value placed on a table, why would you want to settle for a boring one? You can have a table with a custom glass-like table finish that will impress all your guests at the next big dinner.

The Heart of a Home

epoxy dining tableThe kitchen is often considered the heart of a home. If this is true, then it is also safe to say that the table is the heart of a kitchen. Tables come in all shapes and sizes. They should be surrounded by comfortable chairs so that family members will embrace the time spent together while there. It should also be a place that when you sit around it, you feel embraced by the memories you have created while there. This can be done easily with a little creative thinking.

Bring Your Table to Life

epoxy table topsTables are tables. Some may be slightly more decorative than others. One may be a different color than another, but at the heart, they are all the same. Four legs and a tabletop. Why not change your table? Make it something that meets not only your needs but your personality, the family that you created. 

For instance, you can consider using food safe epoxy to put a layer of glass over the top of it. You can use liquid glass resin to create a piece that is 100% unique and yours. Simply imagine sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner at a table that is covered with past holiday memories. If not that, then photos of your family members that have sat around the table each year. In the event, you want something completely unique, you may choose to put your family crest in the middle. You can also add photographs of kids growing up, and trinkets that hold value to your family. You can choose whatever you want.

Enjoy Your New Family Space

Your family lives around a table in the kitchen. You should do all that you can to make it comfortable. Create a dining room space that allows everyone to enjoy being in that room. The right lighting, the right decor or centerpieces, and all the comfort measures that you can provide. You may even decide to turn your old table into a new one with a river running through it. You can choose to build it with blue epoxy or any other color that matches your decor. 

You may not believe it, but these little things will make all the difference in how your family feels when they are sitting around your table for the next family event. A table will further enhance it if you choose wisely or turn an old, boring table into an outstanding piece of furniture. 

 

Reducing Hunger & Preventing Mosquito Carried Diseases

third world countriesWe live in a world that is far from being perfect. There are wars being fought all around us. Crimes being committed multiple times a day. There are families that have no home. Children going to bed hungry. The list of negative things in our world is endless. In some countries, it is hard to know what can make things better for the people who live there. Sometimes you have to figure out how to reduce hunger while also preventing the spread of diseases. Often, it is more than one battle you have to fight.

The Battle of Third World Countries

daily strugglesDuring the Cold War, the term Third World Countries meant that they were not alliances with the UK or the USA. Today, we think of them as poverty-stricken countries. We see them on television where kids are going hungry. “Third World” refers to countries such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Somalia. In these areas, they often see more than a $1,000 yearly in per capita income. They also have a lower than average life expectancy at birth because of diseases and hunger. It is not an easy life for them to live.

Helping the Third World

diseases in third world countriesIf you want to help a third world country, you can contribute food. You have to think about more than providing sustenance, though. Ending starvation becomes a useless effort if you do not also stop the spread of diseases. These diseases include Malaria, Dengue Fever, West Nile, and more. They are diseases that can often be transmitted via mosquitoes. Therefore, you have to spend time working to solve both problems simultaneously. You may be able to set up a food truck or drop in food supplies from above. It does eliminate some of the issues. You can also help out by providing a mosquito light trap. This will help cut down on some of the flying insects that spread diseases. Doing one or the other, doesn’t fix every problem. You have to focus on the bigger issues that they face.

Which Battle Will You Take On?

Not every third world country has the same problems. Many of them face a daily struggle to survive, but not all are starvation or disease. Wars are also a problem that has no easy solution. You can host a dinner to discuss possible solutions among your friends. You can work out where you want to travel to assist those who need it first. You need to remember to take your supplies and protect yourself while you are at it. Maybe someone in your group will also have other ideas about what can help. These countries are not a lost cause. They are people who were born in an area that needs help. Are you going to be someone they can depend on to help?

Sound System for Pop Up Restaurants

pop up restaurantA lot of people lately are talking about the popularity of pop up restaurants. They are temporary restaurants that are also called, “Supper Clubs”. They can pop up in any private home, a former factory, or vacant building. The only thing you have to consider is the location, how easy it will be to set up, and what type of sound system you may need. The rest will be simple, and you will be able to highlight the issues within your community if you want to.

The Popularity of Pop Ups

popup restaurantA pop up restaurant is not a new idea. They have been around for a while. You had to know where to find them. These restaurants are very much like food trucks. They are used for a variety of reasons. Someone may open this type of restaurant to show off their culinary skills. This is great to do before becoming a full-time catering company. Individuals who hope to help low-income families enjoy a good meal once in a while can also use them. In short, they bring food, all types of food, to an area for a short time. Pop up restaurants have very little start-up cost. This means you do not have to worry about bankruptcy. Everyone gets what they need from it.

Setting Up Your Temporary Restaurant


When you set up a pop up restaurant, you do not need much. You may want to talk to your local county officials to see if you need a temporary license. You need to figure out what types of things you want to serve and spread the word. You will also need a stove to cook it on, sinks to wash up afterward, a place for guests to sit. You should not forget the tables and dinnerware items. All the things you would have in a kitchen in your home will be a welcome addition. You will also want to have an outdoor stereo system and a microphone if you want to talk to all your patrons at one time.

Where Will Your Restaurant Pop UP?

pop up restaurant setupWhat will you do with your pop up restaurant? Will you provide food for the low income or test the water before opening up your very own restaurant? If you want to have a place that is risk-free to test your skills, it is a great option. You have to give it a try. How far will you go on your adventure? What type of foods will you serve others and how much of a price will you put on each plate? You get to decide. You can even set it up to highlight issues that may be happening within your community. With a pop-up business, anything is possible. You do not even have to set it up as a pop-up restaurant. It can be another type of businesses entirely.

Mobile Kitchen Preparations

mobile food unitsEach day, most of us take food for granted. We have a home full of great things to eat and often cannot find the one thing that we want. This is not the case for every household or every family. There are an estimated 48.8 million Americans who do not have enough food in their homes. Approximately 16 million of that is children who go to bed hungry because there isn’t enough food to eat. If you want to support a local cause, why not start by opening the topic of feeding those who are less fortunate? You could even focus on setting up a mobile kitchen to help those who may not have enough food. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge on mobile kitchen preparations and you can start serving food to entire neighborhoods if you want to.

Helping Others Eat Healthier

food trucksIf you look around your city, you most likely know that there are areas that are well kept and have nice homes. Then there are also those areas of your town that you “don’t venture into once the sun goes down”. You may also easily see that there are places where poverty is definitely a concern. These homes may look nice on the outside, but if you could look inside, you may see empty cupboards and empty freezers because the parents are unable to find reliable income. Their children may go to school in clothes that do not fit them well. They may be skinnier than other kids that are their age. There are signs of hunger in the way that they eat their free school lunches. They may be the families that live in their car or those that have parents who ask for help on the streets. Every large city and most small towns have an area that is considered the “poor district.” Why not try to change it and make your city or your town a better place for all to live?

A Mobile Food Truck

mobile food truckIf you want to help out, you can set up a mobile kitchen or food truck. You will need a truck that has a kitchen already or you may have to gut and build your own kitchen. It will also have to be registered as a food truck, which means that it will need to meet local health regulations. All movable vehicles require insurance. You will also need to have enough cash set aside for supplies and gas. For this reason, many people opt to rent a mobile kitchen rather than purchase one. However, if you choose to build your own, you will want to make sure it has a sink, a stove, a deep fryer, a gas bottle storage rack if you plan to use propane to cook on, and more. You will also need to think about the beverages that you hope to serve. The good news is, you are able to start off slowly. If you simply want to help the hungry a stove that you can cook hamburgers on and fresh produce, as well as a glass of tea, may be enough to get started.

Help with Your Mobile Food Service

You may want to set up a mobile food service to help those in need. Often, financing will be your biggest challenge since you cannot charge homeless or hungry people a large amount of money to eat what you provide. This is where your friends, family, and neighbors will be most helpful. You may also talk to local grocery stores and farmers to see if you can get a good deal on the items that you hope to provide to the homeless. Either way, it is a great way to help your world become a better place for all to live.