Doug Nehls, a retired aviation professional, has discovered his true calling as a lunch and recess associate at an elementary school. With a career spanning nearly five decades in aviation maintenance, Nehls now finds immense satisfaction in interacting with children. His role involves assisting students during lunch and playtime, offering them guidance and support. Despite the challenges of outdoor supervision in cold weather, Nehls cherishes every moment spent with the kids, emphasizing the importance of communication and kindness.
His journey began after retiring from a long career in aviation. The desire to remain engaged with young people led him to apply for the position at Grant Ragan Elementary. Over the past year and a half, Nehls has not only supported the students but also embarked on a personal learning journey by studying Spanish to better connect with non-English speaking children. He finds immense joy in listening to the children's stories and helping them navigate social interactions during recess.
Bridging Generations: A New Chapter in Retirement
After a lengthy career in aviation, Doug Nehls sought a new way to contribute to society. His decision to join the staff at an elementary school marked a significant shift from his previous professional life. This change allowed him to reconnect with his lifelong passion for working with children, something he had nurtured through years of coaching youth sports. Now, as a lunch and recess associate, Nehls feels more fulfilled than ever before.
Nehls' transition into this role was driven by a deep-seated need to stay connected with younger generations. Having spent much of his adult life around children—whether through family or coaching—he found that retirement left a void. When the opportunity arose to work at Grant Ragan Elementary, he jumped at the chance. Each day, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Nehls engages with students, ensuring they have a safe and enjoyable experience. He emphasizes that the most rewarding aspect of his job is the genuine connections he forms with the children. Whether it's helping open food containers or engaging in heartfelt conversations, Nehls finds immense value in being part of their daily lives. "The kids like to share their home life, holidays, and all sorts of things," he reflects. "I love sitting and talking to them, asking how their day is going."
Building Bonds Through Language and Play
One of the highlights of Nehls' role is the opportunity to learn alongside the students. Upon joining the school, he noticed many children spoke Spanish. Motivated by a desire to communicate more effectively, Nehls enrolled in Spanish classes. This initiative has not only enriched his interactions with bilingual students but also deepened his connection with them. "It's been great to be able to communicate with a kindergartner who initially only spoke Spanish," he notes. Learning a new language has become a fulfilling endeavor that enhances his ability to support the diverse student body.
While supervising recess can present its own set of challenges, particularly in colder weather, Nehls remains dedicated to providing a positive environment for the children. He often joins in their activities, pushing them on swings and encouraging physical movement to stay warm. However, the most challenging moments arise when students face social difficulties. "Sometimes a child will come up and say their friend doesn't want to play," Nehls explains. In such situations, he offers comforting advice, guiding the children to find alternative activities or companionship. "Recess is crucial for their social development," he emphasizes. "We're here to teach kindness and help them understand what truly matters." Every day, Nehls leaves the school with a heart full of gratitude and a smile, knowing that he has made a difference in the lives of these young students.
El mojo picón, una salsa emblemática de las Islas Canarias, ha conquistado paladares alrededor del mundo con su sabor intenso y picante. Este aderezo tradicional se ha convertido en un acompañamiento imprescindible para los platos típicos de la región, especialmente para las papas arrugadas. La gastronomía canaria, rica y diversa, ofrece una variedad de sabores únicos que reflejan la cultura y tradiciones de este territorio insular. Además del mojo picón, otros manjares como el conejo en salmorejo, el almogrote, el gofio y el queso asado son joyas culinarias que no deben pasarse por alto. En este artículo, exploraremos cómo preparar esta salsa auténtica paso a paso y descubriremos sus usos más allá de las papas.
Las Islas Canarias poseen una identidad culinaria única, influenciada por su ubicación geográfica y su historia. Entre las especialidades locales, el mojo picón destaca como uno de los elementos más representativos. Esta salsa picante, elaborada con ingredientes frescos y naturales, complementa perfectamente los platos de pescado, carne y, por supuesto, las famosas papas arrugadas. Para crear el auténtico mojo picón, es crucial seguir una receta detallada que incluye ingredientes específicos como pimientos morrones, cayenas, pimientos choriceros, especias y aceite de oliva virgen extra. El proceso comienza con la hidratación de los pimientos secos durante media hora en agua tibia. Luego, estos se trituran junto con ajo, comino, pimentón dulce, vinagre y una pizca de sal hasta obtener una pasta homogénea. Finalmente, se añade lentamente el aceite de oliva mientras se mezcla para lograr una emulsión similar a la mayonesa.
La preparación del mojo picón no solo es un arte culinario sino también una experiencia sensorial. Los pimientos choriceros, preferiblemente los pimientos palmeros si están disponibles, aportan un sabor ahumado y profundo que se intensifica cuando se hidratan adecuadamente. La elección de especias como el comino y el pimentón dulce de la Vera adiciona capas de complejidad al sabor final. A medida que la salsa se tritura, los aromas llenan la cocina, anticipando el placer que traerá al paladar. La adición gradual del aceite de oliva es crucial para alcanzar la textura cremosa deseada. Cuando todo se combina perfectamente, el resultado es una salsa versátil que puede realzar cualquier plato, desde carnes rojas hasta pescados a la brasa. Además, el mojo picón puede ser un excelente aliado en ensaladas, bocadillos o incluso como base para otras salsas.
Más allá de su uso tradicional con las papas arrugadas, el mojo picón ha encontrado su lugar en una amplia gama de recetas modernas. Su versatilidad lo hace ideal para acompañar cortes de carne como entrecot o chuletón, donde su picante contrasta maravillosamente con la jugosidad de la carne. También es un compañero perfecto para pescados a la brasa, aportando un toque de sabor que resalta las notas marineras. Incluso en platos menos convencionales, como los vegetales asados o las ensaladas verdes, el mojo picón agrega una dimensión extra que transforma cualquier comida en una experiencia memorable. Con cada cucharada de esta salsa, se descubre un pedacito de la cultura y tradición de las Islas Canarias, llevando un poco de su encanto a cualquier mesa.