Happy Labor Day! Appreciating Unions, Writers, and Delicious Food ❤️✍️🍔
Celebrate Labor Day weekend with a shoutout to the labor movement, a spotlight on writers, and tasty food ideas!
Hello, fellow travelers, labor lovers, and powerful people!
Labor Day is more than just a long weekend; it’s a celebration of the hard-won rights and benefits that all workers enjoy today, thanks to the labor movement and collective bargaining power.
Imagine a time when workers toiled for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, in unsafe conditions, with no health benefits or protections. Children as young as five were sent to work in mills, mines, and factories, sacrificing their childhoods for meager wages. The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interests of these workers.
Today, we often take these hard-won rights for granted, but it’s important to remember the struggles and sacrifices that made them possible.
Our black lab is ready for a backyard Labor Day weekend celebration!
My Union: The National Writers Union
I am proud to be a member of the National Writers Union and an active leader in the Oregon Chapter. We organize for the rights of creative workers, including writers, journalists, and digital media professionals. I lead the Writers Corner program and attend events where I share my stories and books with writers in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Last month, I attended a Writers Fair in Portland, Oregon, where I set up a table with our NWU sign, buttons, and some of my books. It was fun to meet with dozens of writers who were eager to learn more about us.
Great Food Options for Labor Day Celebrations
Labor Day dates back to the late 19th century as a celebration of the labor movement. The first parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, when 10,000 workers marched, gave speeches, and enjoyed fireworks and a picnic.1
My Favorite Main Dishes 🌭🍔🦞
Labor Day weekend is the ultimate excuse to dive into a smorgasbord of mouthwatering dishes. Whether you’re sinking your teeth into classic BBQ ribs, savoring juicy turkey burgers, or indulging in grilled veggie skewers and brats, there’s a flavor adventure waiting for everyone. Here are some my top favorites:
1. Grilled Hotdogs, Cheeseburgers, or Steaks
Hotdogs: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill hotdogs for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until they are evenly charred. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Cheeseburgers: Form ground beef into patties and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side. Add cheese slices during the last minute of cooking. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Steaks: Season steaks with salt, pepper, and your favorite steak seasoning. Grill over high heat for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
2. Grilled Salmon, Corn on the Cob, and Fresh Salsa
Grilled Salmon: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Corn on the Cob: Remove husks and silk from the corn. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until charred and tender.
Fresh Salsa: Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and serve with the grilled salmon and corn.
3. Lobster Rolls
Lobster Meat: Cook lobster tails in boiling water for 8-10 minutes until the shells turn bright red. Remove the meat from the shells and chop into bite-sized pieces.
Dressing: In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped celery, salt, and pepper. Add the lobster meat and toss to coat.
Assembly: Toast split-top hotdog buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Fill each bun with the lobster mixture and serve immediately.
My Favorite Salads and Side Dishes 🌽🍉 🥔
Bam! Labor Day weekend isn’t just about the main dishes; let’s kick it up a notch with fresh, vibrant salads and side dishes. From spicy veggie pasta salad to crispy wings with hot honey sauce, there’s a side dish to complement every meal. Here are my top three favorites:
1. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Ingredients: Fresh corn on the cob, olive oil, salt, pepper, butter (optional).
Instructions:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
Brush the corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place the corn on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until charred and tender.
Optional: Brush with melted butter before serving.
2. Watermelon Salad 🍉
Ingredients: Watermelon cubes, red onion slices, black olives, fresh mint leaves, crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine watermelon cubes, red onion slices, and black olives.
Add fresh mint leaves and crumbled feta cheese.
Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss gently to combine and serve chilled.
3. Potato Salad 🥔
Ingredients: Potatoes, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped celery, chopped red onion, chopped pickles, hard-boiled eggs, salt, pepper, paprika.
Instructions:
Boil potatoes until tender, then drain and let cool. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped celery, chopped red onion, and chopped pickles.
Add the potatoes and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl.
Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika.
Toss gently to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.
My Favorite Desserts 🍨🍫🥧
Just like in life, taking risks with your desserts can lead to delicious rewards. Why stick to the traditional s’mores with Hershey’s when you can get creative with a peanut butter cup or even a piece of Kit Kat bar? Experiment, have fun, and make this Labor Day weekend a sweet success!
1. Ice Cream with Grilled Peaches
Description: Juicy, caramelized grilled peaches served with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream – a match made in dessert heaven.
Ingredients: Fresh peaches, olive oil, honey, vanilla ice cream.
Instructions:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Halve and pit the peaches, then brush them with olive oil.
Grill the peaches for 3-4 minutes per side until they are caramelized and tender.
Drizzle the grilled peaches with honey.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
2. S’mores
Ingredients: Graham crackers, Hershey chocolate bars or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, large marshmallows.
Instructions:
Break the graham crackers and chocolate bars into squares.
Toast the marshmallows over an open flame until golden brown and gooey.
Sandwich the toasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate between two graham cracker squares.
Press gently and enjoy the melty goodness.
3. Peach Pie
Ingredients: Fresh peaches, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, pie crust (store-bought or homemade), cinnamon.
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Peel and slice the peaches, then mix them with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a bowl.
Roll out the pie crust and place it in a pie dish.
Pour the peach mixture into the crust and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Cover with the top crust, crimp the edges, and cut slits for ventilation.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Let cool before serving.
Want more ideas for Labor Day weekend? Check out Football, Food, and Fido!
Happy Labor Day! 🎉
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day-1