This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity, and although it may sound like a catchy phrase, it’s more than just talk (which Red loves to do) – it’s about taking action (definitely Black’s strong suit). It’s about the power of women to drive change (pun intended, as we’ve seen the effect Black’s racing Ferraris has had on girls). So, since March is Women’s History Month, spend some time learning about and celebrating women’s accomplishments, including these female trailblazers who changed American education.
And even though we talked about breaking the bias last year (see below), we think it bears repeating and rereading …
Pointing out bias may seem negative, but it can lead to positive change.
BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Red, as a lover of history, likes that March is Women’s History Month and she’s inspired by all the stories of women’s accomplishments; but Black prefers International Women’s Day, with its emphasis not only on raising awareness but looking toward the future and making positive change.
Red will admit that she first learned about International Women’s Day last year and that the 2021 theme, “Women in Leadership,” made her think about women and leadership skills differently. As did Black’s insight based on her years in corporate management, especially as it was in the oil and gas industry, a field notoriously run by the “good ole’ boys” (or, at least, it was back then).
But when Red learned that this year’s theme is #BreakTheBias, she, well, had to laugh because if there was anyone that seemed not only to break biases, but to approach it as a challenge, almost defying the opposition, it would be her sister,
Black’s always had a strong personality and gone after what she wants. Whether being one of the few women in business school back in the 70s, excelling in a male-dominated industry, or racing Ferraris. But much to my amusement, I had to point out to her that she’s a role model for not only her nieces but many other girls, proving they can do anything. And I’m guessing along the way, she changed many people’s (male and female) preconceived notions of what a woman can do.
Black quickly points out that the first step to overcoming biases or prejudices is to recognize we all have them. That’s why International Women’s Day’s so important – by celebrating women’s achievements, we’re also helping to identify, and hopefully, overcome biases. But sometimes, those biases are where you least expect them,
Besides there being a fascinating phenomenon (well, I find it fascinating) known as “confirmation bias,” I have seen where a bias can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Red, a straight-A student with a degree from a prestigious university, was convinced that she could not “do” personal finance. Which, unfortunately, is a stereotype that many people have about women. Red was not only her own worst enemy but, by “accepting” the misconception, perpetuated it. Until I forced her to face the truth, anyone can “do” personal finance.
So, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, and strive toward women’s equality, maybe we should each identify one bias we think needs breaking and work toward that end goal – either on our own or by joining together with others. Because if we look at today as the start of the process, imagine what we can accomplish
Well, last year’s post about food “Best By” dates doesn’t have a “best by” or “use by” date. Although Red’s still amused that it was Black, of all people, since she makes reservations, not dinner, that let her know it had nothing to do with safety but were merely suggestions (here’s a great “cheat sheet”). But Red was recently shocked when Black told her that Red’s collection of spices might be the germiest part of her kitchen.
When it comes to a food’s expiration date, maybe you only think you know what that means …
BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Red expected the simple task of cleaning out our mother’s pantry would be a mindless, yet productive, way to spend her Saturday; whereas Black was concerned it might be a day filled with sad memories – we were both wrong.
Our mom had passed in mid-December, and Red had decided the first part of her house she’d tackle was the walk-in pantry. And while Black thought it was an odd place to begin, she figured it would go quickly as she expected it would be a well-curated collection of expired products, and couldn’t help but wonder if some of them dated back to when our parents still lived in our childhood home in New York. (Black remembers them shipping pantry items and old plastic food containers when they moved to Texas decades ago.)
For years, Red had wanted to “freshen up” the pantry or, at the very least, throw out anything “dated” more than a few years ago, but our mom was a self-proclaimed depression-era child, so wouldn’t waste anything. Now, Red faced row upon row of cans of salmon and tuna next to jars of gefilte fish and mayonnaise, much of which expired when her younger daughter, today a college freshman, was still in middle school. And she couldn’t help but feel an odd mix of bewilderment and amusement, with a bit of “yuck” thrown in for good measure.
As Red started to send Black photos with the stamped dates to “prove” why she was trashing so much (and to help ease her guilt of getting rid of things that our mom thought worthy of saving), she noticed that some items had “expiration dates” while others had “best by,” “sell by,” or “use by” dates, and wondered about the differences, and was surprised when Black commented,
Actually, except for baby formula, those dates are not federally regulated. So, I think of them as mere suggestions. I can remember explaining that to a former boyfriend who was trying to clean out my pantry. Think about it. What can “go bad” in dried pasta or matzo? Items that, in many ways, start off stale.
At first, Red started to panic because if that were true, she’d have to reevaluate the mini grocery store of old, expired items she’d already trashed. But then she stopped and quietly laughed to herself when she realized it didn’t matter as the dates were so far in the past that it was a no-brainer. And the good news is that when it comes to the pantry, if you wait long enough, some suggestions become obvious decisions.
Forget about what came first … the chicken or the egg. What about the sticker shock at egg prices?
BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: One of the last things Red ever thought about when grocery shopping was the price of eggs which, until recently, was always one of the most economical (and versatile) grocery items she bought; while for Black, she might not have noticed the dramatic price increase except for the seemingly endless articles.
It's not that Black’s totally clueless when she goes grocery shopping, but since she lives alone, it’s easier to buy prepared foods, and the biggest part of her grocery bill is fresh flowers. Plus, a dozen fresh eggs last her months since she also buys hard-boiled eggs that have already been shelled. However, Black was amused that the price of eggs resulted in the word “eggflation” and countless memes (her favorite is comparing the purchase of eggs to purchasing a car, although she finds it eggstreme since you can’t test-drive them first.)
She understands the reasons for the increase (inflation coupled with Avian flu) causing some people to find alternatives, whether plant-based or substitutes for cooking. But what she doesn’t understand is people who think they have figured out a way to “beat the system” and have run afoul (pun intended) of the law (border agents have discovered more people trying to smuggle in eggs from Mexico) or common sense,
This is basic grade school math, although I was tempted to call it eggonomics. People are buying chicks so they can raise them to supply eggs. Obviously, they have forgotten to calculate the cost per egg based on the cost of buying the chicks, all the materials needed, and raising them until they produce eggs. Of course, an eggception might be if you are buying them as pets.
Red’s been happy being a mom to labradoodles for years and has no desire to own chickens. And although she hasn’t been happy about the rapid increase in egg prices (but that’s been the case for most of her groceries over the last six months or so), there’s some “good news – bad news” about cholesterol in eggs,
I didn’t eat eggs as much as I might have because I was concerned about the cholesterol, but it turns out that eggs have gotten a bad rap all these years. Yes, egg whites have lots of protein. But let’s face it, the yummy part is the yolk. Now it turns out that the yolks on us since it has lots of nutrients and isn’t nearly as bad as we’ve thought.
So, what’s the bad news about that? Well, as Red’s committed to a healthier lifestyle (including a focus on being heart healthy), she’s now eating more eggs, and have you seen the price of eggs?!