How busy are you? You can’t even count the ways. And like many, many moms, taking care of yourself can inadvertently fall to the bottom of your priorities. If you can recall the plot of the most recent Paw Patrol episode easier than naming your favorite (or any) podcast, try fitting in some of these local culture leaders’ ideas below. Feed your mind with these recommendations from these Dallas-Fort Worth moms in the know. Soon enough, you’ll start feeling a little less cartoon critic, a little more you.
COWGIRL CULTURE
Mom of one (plus one on the way!) Ali Dee—a country artist, TV host and western wear designer who lives southwest of Fort Worth—ticks off her top five spots to experience the essence of the West.
1. Start here. Dee says the Stockyards Championship Rodeo— the world’s first indoor rodeo and the world’s only year-round rodeo—is a “must do.” Stop in the gift shop before moseying into the arena for all the action. Fort Worth, 888/269-8696; cowtowncoliseum.com.
2. See the drive, live. Every day at 11:30am and 4pm, see real drovers dressed in vintage cowboy gear ride west down Exchange Street in the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive. Fort Worth, 800/433-5747; fortworthstockyards.com/attractions.
3. Dress the part. The General Store & Trading Post is the spot for western gifts and souvenirs such as hats, jewelry, cowboy and cowgirl T-shirts, plus old-fashioned candies, chili mixes and salsas. Fort Worth, 817/625-4061; facebook.com/generalstorestockyards.
4. Learn about women of the west. Expanding the definition of a cowgirl, our editors’ pick is the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, where you’ll find 243 honorees ranging from writer Laura Ingles Wilder to sharpshooter Annie Oakley and even U.S. Supreme Court Justice (and Texan) Sandra Day O’Connor. Fort Worth, 817/336-2470; cowgirl.net.
5. And prove you were there. Get your picture taken with Lonesome Longhorns, Heather Reams’ trained cattle. “You can usually find Ms. Heather outside the Cowtown Coliseum with her gentle giants,” Dee shares. “This photo op alone is worth the visit to the Stockyards.” Fort Worth, 817/300-9082; lonesomelonghorn.com.
6. Eat like a cattleman. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse “is older than any other restaurant in the Stockyards and my absolute favorite,” says Dee. Fort Worth, 817/624-3945; cattlemenssteakhouse.com.
CULTURAL CUISINE
Genuine Italian meats, Japanese-inspired barbecue, Detroit-style pizza and more: Dallas-based Chef Uno Immanivong— a first generation Asian American of Laotian descent, chef and owner of Red Stix Street Food, and the mom of a teenager—dishes out her six favorite restaurants and markets for authentic cultural cuisine.
1. Just Like (Her) Mom’s. “When I crave my mom’s cooking, I go here,” says Chef Uno of Nalinh Market, a restaurant inside a boutique Asian grocery store. She loves the authentic Laotian food as well as the house-made sausage, soups and sauces you can buy for home. Irving, 972/721-0444; facebook.com/nalinhmarket.
2. Italy, Texas. Hit up Jimmy’s Food Store for fresh pasta, Italian cheeses and meats, pre-made sauces, and Italian sandwiches—as good as you’ll find west of New York City. “They have a limited menu,” Chef Uno explains, “but the best part is that it is an Italian grocery store and a blast to the past when you walk in.” She recommends picking up the store’s affordable wines and making a visit to the butcher who will create any cut of meat your stomach desires. Dallas, 214/823-6180; jimmysfoodstore.com.
3. Mediterranean Vibes. “The fresh pita is terrific,” Chef Uno declares about Sara’s Market & Bakery—a modern Mediterranean and Indo-European grocer and bakery, which uses a traditional Lebanese brick oven. “When I’m here, I pick up a Mediterranean feast.” The hummus, baba ghanouj and kabobs aren’t to be missed. Richardson, 972/437-1122; sarasmarketbakery.com.
4. Straight out of Motown. “[Thunderbird Pies has] the best thick, buttery crust pizzas—or pies,” she shares. “It’s loaded with an absurd amount of cheese—I’m saying this in the most flattering way, of course—and high-quality meats. The Honey Bastard is my favorite.” Dallas, 469/577-1077; Fort Worth (pickup or delivery only), 817/402-0050; thunderbirdpies.com.
5. Asia Central. If you are looking for good—and quick and easy—Asian food (everything from Japanese robata and chicken Thai curry satay to Chinese egg rolls), Chef Uno says her restaurant won’t disappoint. Red Stix Street Food, with one location near SMU and another coming to Farmers Branch as early as November, specializes in grilled skewers that can be added to any dish. Eat the “stix” now or freeze them for later. Dallas, 972/913-4883; redstixstreetfood.com.
6. Grazie, Grazie. For another Italian fix, try Carbone’s—a restaurant Chef Uno calls “a neighborhood gem.” Enjoy house-made pastas at this Oak Lawn spot; Carbone’s also sells its pasta and meat sauce to prepare at home. “I love that it’s family-friendly and relaxing after a hectic day. And if you like chocolate, they have a cake on the menu that is decadent and beyond satisfying,” she adds. Dallas, 214/522-4208; carbonesdallas.com.
MUST-HEAR PODCASTS
Krys Boyd, Dallas mom of four young adults and the host and managing editor of KERA’s midday talk show, Think, shares her top 5 podcasts for busy mamas worth your time and attention. (See more below on her advice for staying up on current events.)
1. New York magazine’s The Cut. This female-hosted and -reported podcast “offers a fresh, diverse perspective,” says Boyd. “The Cut” has explored topics including why we’re burned out and what to do about it, as well as how a woman decides if she wants children.
2. No Stupid Questions. Delve into human behavior with research psychologist and Grit author Angela Duckwork plus journalist and Freakonomics co-author Stephen Dubner. Among the (not stupid) questions: When is it okay to tell a lie? How can we stop comparing ourselves to other people? Is there actually value to gossip?
3. Hidden Brain. Boyd says host Shankar Vedantam “takes a compassionate but scientific approach” as he explores such varied subjects as the power of apologies, why we should think about dying way in advance, and how to really keep your New Year’s resolutions.
4. Slate’s Decoder Ring. Every wonder what happened to all those Segway scooters? Where did mullets come from? Why are Americans so obsessed with hydration? Find out with host Willa Paskin.
5. KERA’s Think. Shorter than the original broadcast, the “Think” podcast gives listeners “the best of the show in a 25-minute package,” Boyd shares. Why are women expected to take charge of contraception in heterosexual relationships? How have pets become less like possessions and more like family members? Science, philosophy, culture—Boyd thoughtfully covers it all.
How to Appreciate Contemporary Art
According to Jessica Olsson (now Nowitzki), former associate director at The Goss-Michael Foundation (read our full interview with Jessica, wife to Dirk Nowitzki and now president of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation):
Contemporary art is generally classified as any art that was produced after World War II. It comes in many shapes and forms and can often be quite abstract, shocking and thought-provoking. This type of art usually makes you think outside the box and touches on subjects such as religion, death, politics, relationships, sexuality and environmental issues. These subjects cause you to see the possibilities around you and can stimulate your mind for social change and growth.
The great thing about contemporary art is that there are no limits as to medium or subject matter. It’s getting used more as a tool for change and inspiration in modern society.
Tips for appreciating contemporary art:
1. Come in with an open mind.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the artists or their work with museum or gallery staff; that’s what they are there for.
3. Do some research on the artists before viewing their work.
4. Try to see personality, character and individuality in the work reflecting back to the artist.
How to Appreciate Live Theater
According to Rachel Hull, former director of education at Dallas Theater Center:
1. Make a date. Picking a specific day will hold you accountable to getting out.
2. Choose something stylish – jeans, a cute skirt or a summer dress – and take your style to the theater. Gone are the days of regimented attire and on are the days of artistic flair – just remember to bring a cardigan or wrap for those cooler venues.
3. Choose a play like you choose your movie. Interested in a romance, looking for thoughtful conversation, hoping for a quirky indie? Theatrical performances tend to have an element of each.
4. Come early. Arrive with enough time to grab a drink and peruse the program for fun facts about the artists.
5. Stay late. Book that extra 15 minutes for the babysitter to stay late and hash it out with your fellow audience members. Nothing like negotiating a little adult dialogue to remind you how your kids feel when debating the merits of Peeta and Gale.
10 Classic Novels You’ve Never Read
According to Dr. Nina Schwartz, now retired, former chair of the English Department at Southern Methodist University:
1. Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert
2. Middlemarch, by George Eliot
3. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
4. The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy
5. The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James
6. To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf
7. Bleak House, by Charles Dickens
8. Benito Cereno, by Herman Melville
9. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce
10. Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
How to Listen to Jazz
According to Dr. John Murphy, now retired, former chair of the Division of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music:
The biggest obstacle to enjoying jazz is the idea that there is something you need to study before you can appreciate it. Not true. Advertisers know this when they put songs like Billie Holiday’s “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” in a department store commercial. All you need to do is listen. But how to get started when there are so many artists and styles to choose from? Here are four ways:
1. Start with the classics. Let PBS and the Smithsonian be your guide to the music of Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and more.
2. Listen to what’s current. NPR provides features on new artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper and Gretchen Parlato.
3. Read an accessible book, such as Kevin Whitehead’s Why Jazz? A Concise Guide.
4. Go to a jazz club, concert or festival. Check artandseek.net and kntu.com for regular listings of jazz events in the metroplex. However you decide to make jazz a part of your life, remember to trust your own responses to it. Learning about it is helpful, but all you really need to do, in Herbie Hancock’s words, is keep your ears open, your mind open and your heart open.
How a Busy Mom Keeps Up on Current Events
According to Krys Boyd, host and managing editor of KERA’s midday talk show, Think:
1. The moment I wake up, I reach for my iPhone to check any big stories that may have broken overnight. I have KERA 90.1 turned on in the bedroom, the bathroom and the kitchen while I’m getting ready so I can move throughout the house without missing a word. Once an hour at work, I check online for updates to top stories in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Morning News and several national news sources. Other tips for staying informed on the go:
2. Get smart while you wait. I always carry a purse big enough to hold magazines, printed research and a tablet computer so I can make good use of time waiting for my children to finish sports or play practice – not to mention at the oil change place (where the magazines are terrible!).
3. Find “curators” you trust. Subscribe to Twitter feeds written by experts on subjects you care about. They often link to great information you might miss by just skimming headlines.
4. Vary your intake. People abroad often have a very different take on global stories. Check out English-language newspapers from foreign countries available online.
5. Share what you learn. Post links on Facebook to stories that catch your attention. They’re a terrific conversation-starter!
Top image of Ali Dee courtesy of Crystal Wise of Crystal Clear Photography
