Major On The Major

By: Kara
Yesterday, I had the day off. That means that my co dependant cell phone relationship is broken for 24 hours, I venture a little farther away from LAX, and I'm not obsessed with checking the company website every five minutes to see if I am scheduled to fly. Instead, I spend my day hiking in West Hollywood, riding my bike around Redondo, do some blogging, and tortilla promoting.

The promoting count this week includes handing out about 5 sample packs. On Thursday, a pack went to The Green Temple, a vegetarian restaurant in the Riviera Village of Redondo. Still waiting on the outcome of that one. Yesterday, one went to Planet Earth EcoCafe in Hermosa Beach. Another wait. And another sample pack was intended for the Hermosa Beach Market Manager.

I knew the answer before I even asked the question about becoming a vendor at the Hermosa Beach market. The crossed arms and scowl on her face were already telling signs of a big "NO." I'm not even sure the words that came out of my mouth because instead of thinking about what I am saying, I'm only think about how this is not going well. I've talked with her before. This time she tells me, "I already have someone who sells tortillas." I asked if they make them fresh. She says that the vendor buys the tortillas from a store. Then I ask her another question, "So, what did you think of our tortillas." "They are great! There's no question about that!" I walk away thinking that she makes no sense. We are great, and she knows it. Win for us. She doesn't want a great product at her market? That's a little strange.

My first reaction is to feel a little angry and frustrated. Then I am struck by the thought that it's not about the markets. What really is our goal with our tortilla company? To be in farmer's markets? NO! The farmer's market is simple the vehicle to take us to our bigger goals with Created Whole. Maybe the Hermosa Beach market is not the market that will reach the crowd that could catapult us into stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Our success is not dependant on one market manager telling us no (And it's only no for now).

I am reminded again that it's not about the market. It's about focusing on the long term goals during the short-term ups and downs. It's about staying committed. It's about hearing the part about our tortillas being undoubtedly AMAZING, instead of the no. It's all about majoring on the major, meaning focusing on what counts.

Perseverance. Patience. Positivity.

Yesterday, around 12:45p, while mom and I were just finishing up Farmer's Market, my phone rang. I looked at the unrecognized 661 number, and thought, "It must be a potential pilates client or someone with a wrong number." I answered and was completely surprised that the voice on the other end belonged to the Assistant Business Editor of The Bakersfield Californian. He was in need of a response that was to be published in Friday's business section of the newspaper, and he needed it immediately.

It's pretty amazing that I actually answered my phone at that moment, because usually at the market, my phone doesn't ring, I don't hear it, or I'm just too busy to answer. The only reason the Editor knew about Created Whole was because of something that happened 2 months ago. Around the beginning of January, I had sent out press releases to writers at The Bakersfield Californian, and also to local TV stations.

Earlier Thursday morning, I had been thinking about our business and I rememberd that I had sent out the press releases. I frowned and had thought something along the lines that the things I do for the business are a waste of time and my press release must have sucked. Pretty negative.

Fast-forward again to the call. The only reason the Editor knew about Created Whole was because I had sent out the press release! It was in his inbox, in front of him. We were a solution to his deadline. Right there when we needed to be:)

Often, I expect life to happen on a specific timeline. I expect people to respond in a certain way, and events to unfold when I determine. Thinking this way is ridculous. The Editor calling reminds of a few things.

1. Keep Working: You don't know when it will pay off. Perseverance.
2. Keep Believing. Know that the work you do will have rewards. Patience.
3. Keep Hoping. When things are not what you expect, have the attitude that it will. Positivity.

It's so important for me to be reminded that what feels like rejection may not be, to keep working because I believe in what we have, and stay positive even when it feels like nothing is happening.

Read the press release and the business feature!

Happy Weekend to All!

Kara

A Votre Sante

It's a fact that Created Whole Tortillas are essential for your health. Whole Wheat is one of five foods that you should eat everyday. When you eat refined white flour products, 90 percent of the nutritional value is lost, so it's important to choose whole grain foods whenever you can. People are concerned about watching carbs, because one diet or another has said carbs cause weight gain. First of all, your body needs energy in the form of carbohydrates to get through your day. And to end any confusion about carbs and weight gain, a recent study shows that a diet abundant in whole grains actually flattens your abdominal region by reducing fat storage in your stomach area. So eat your whole grains, and we say, "What better way to get your essential servings than from tortillas?"

Whole grains also contain fiber, and fiber is an important part of a healthy nutrition plan. Fiber helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and blood cholesterol levels, improves proper bowel function, and keeps you satiated longer. Recommendations say that adults need to consume 20-35 grams of fiber per day. Created Whole Tortillas are a good source of fiber, with 5 grams per serving.

To help you out with increasing your consumption of whole grains and fiber, you will find a few ideas below on how you can use tortillas at anytime of the day.

Breakfast
Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burritos

• 1lb firm tofu
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 2 tsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
• 1 tsp parsley flakes
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
• 1/2 tsp celery salt.
• Created Whole Tortilas
• Avocado
• Salsa

Rinse and drain tofu. In a bowl, mash tofu with a fork. Mix in other ingredients. Simmer on a non-stick sprayed skillet for about 20 mins, stirring frequently. Put avocado slices, tofu scramble in a whole wheat tortilla. Add salsa if desired. Serves 4.

Lunch
Wrap-a-Tillas

For a quick lunch, warm a whole wheat tortilla on the stove. Spread with hummus and fill with your favorite veggies. Things like shredded carrots, spinach, avocado, sprouts, mushrooms, TJ's veggie meatballs are great in wraps. Great served with soup.

Dinner
Tortilla Tacos with Veggie Fajitas

• 1 cup mock duck or reconstituted soy curls
• 1 TBSP soy sauce or Bragg's liquid aminos
• 1 TBSP lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1 cup green peppers, chopped
• 2 TBSP oil
  
  Rinse mock duck and drain well. Tear into pieces. Place in bowl with soy sauce, lemon juice, seasonings, and sugar. Marinate for desired amount of time (best if 1 hour or longer). Saute onions and green peppers in oil. Add mock duck mixture and cook briefly until hot. Serve as tacos with tortillas and salad. Also, great with brown rice and refried beans.

Dessert

• Tortilla
• Margarine
• Cinnamon and Sugar
  Place tortilla on skillet over medium heat. Spread margarine on one side (the upside), and then sprinkle tortilla with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Heat until crispy. Enjoy!

Taking Flight

Last Thursday was an eventful day. It marked Brenda's return home from Skywest flight attendant training. Her month of training was filled with long days, typically 10- 12 hours. With only two days, off over a period of 24 days, she was excited to be through the rigourous training. When asked what she wanted to do with her week off before she leaves for her Denver base, all she said was, "sleep."

Some people may think it's a little crazy to become a flight attendant after you're already a "Grandma." Brenda is just hoping that now she'll get to fly to Alaska more often to see her cutest granddaughter in the world.

Now, all of us fly in some way or another. I think Tim and Bryan were the two that planned on it, and Brenda and Kara stepped into it on a calculated, well thought out, whim. Either way, here we are, all taking flight.

California Dreamin'

A common question you guys ask us is, "How did you come up with the idea of starting a whole wheat tortilla company?" Well, besides tortillas being a 6 billion dollar a year industry, read on, and you will find out.

Brenda started cooking healthy meals long ago. It's a known fact that she made Vegan "hot" and Carob "cool." Obscure health foods that one can now easily find on every grocery store shelf were staples in the Mulder household back in the 80s.

Trendsetter Brenda, whipping up a concotion in some nice duds

Tim was all about having a healthy lifestyle. Fresh air, exercise, water, rest (can we emphasize REST?), and nutrition. He too, helped in the kitchen. Tim and Brenda made a great team!

Jumping for en-JOY-ment:)

When Tim was growing up, he and his older brother, Steve, would have burrito feeds. Tim and Steve love burritos. When they were in high school and college, they would go to Taco Bell and each would order 1 of EVERY item on the menu. (The menu was a lot smaller back in the day, but still...)

Since Tim is a thinker, he figured if he created the MOST amazing, BEST tasting tortilla in the WHOLE world, he could have all the burritos he would want for the rest of his life.

What Tim looks like when he thinks

And that's the shortened version of how the dream was born in the little agricultural farm town of Shafter. Nothing compares to Shafter, and nothing compares to 100 percent whole wheat, Created Whole Tortillas.

California Dreamin' in Shafter Paradise:)