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Every morning I walk my dog, Bruno Marshall, around the neighborhood.

We live in a neighborhood where the houses are far apart and the streets are usually free from cars, unless someone is throwing a party. The speed limit is 25, but there’s a lot of space and the streets are long so many people think the speed limit is negotiable.

Well, it’s not.

I am never more self righteous than when some idiot is speeding in my hood. When Bruno and I are walking and this happens, I always put my hand up LIKE A BAD ASS BEYOTCH to get their attention. From there, they either slow down from shame, or they think “screw her” and keep going.

Yesterday, some guy came FLYING around the corner and, as usual, I did my thing. He slowed down instantly (You know he did!) and then he gave me the thumbs up sign as he drove by.

It got me thinking about how lucky I am to be living in a neighborhood where a driver gives me the thumbs up sign, because some neighborhoods aren’t like that. There are some neighborhoods where I might get the middle finger or, even worse, the barrel of a gun.

That sh*t happens. It does. I should probably be more careful about scolding random drivers, but I can’t help it. (Plus, it’s the only time all day that I’m completely 100% positive that I’m in the right and I don’t want to waste it.)

As Bruno and I walked, I thought about the at-risk kids I used to work with. I remembered the neighborhoods where they grew up and how, if I lived there, I probably wouldn’t be so quick to shame every driver that went over the speed limit. Those neighborhoods were tough and a cap in your ass is no way to start the day.

The kids I worked with didn’t choose to grow up in that environment, they were born into it. I always had trouble with that: the unfairness of it all. In fact, working with those kids was undoubtedly a main motivator for us to adopt a child. Get a child out of one environment and into a better one. Win-Win.

Now that I have two kids of my own, I want them to be aware that there are other kids who aren’t as fortunate as them.

We frequently discuss the different kinds of lives that other kids lead. It’s important for us to have that dialogue, especially because my older one hails from less desirable conditions than those she is used to now.

She doesn’t care though. She’s very busy and can’t be bothered right now, but hopefully one day she will get it. Hopefully they both will. In the meantime, here’s our starting point:

That’s a Tzedakah box (pronounced tse-dock-ah). My younger daughter made it when she was in pre-school. It’s used to hold change for charity. Tzedhakah is a Hebrew word meaning justice or righteousness but commonly used to signify charity. If you grew up in the 70’s (and you’re Jewish) you’re probably familiar with this one:

Anyone can have a Tzedakah box though. You don’t have to be Jewish and it doesn’t have to look any certain way. It doesn’t even have to be called a Tzedakah box (but “Tzedakah” is fun to say). My daughter’s Tzedakah box currently has .06 in it, and a flower sticker. I don’t think she’s going to be changing any lives with her broke ass Tzedakah box, but it’s a start.

There are no rules when it comes to getting kids involved with charity, but if I had to come up with a few (besides the Tzedakah box) it would be these two:

Pick a charity that means something to you.

We are usually drawn to children’s charities. Working with at-risk kids was good for me until I got bogged down with kids of my own. When I met my husband, I got lucky that he was on the board of The Bear Hug Foundation because it became part of my life as well. The BHF sends underprivileged, at-risk and special needs kids to camp. (And I can tell you, first hand, that there is NOTHING like watching a kid who would never normally get to go to camp experience that kind of magic.) Watching kids who live an otherwise fearful life, smiling and laughing in a safe and happy environment—there’s nothing like it.

But kids and camp might not be your thing. No problem! There are lots of charities out there. Maybe cancer is closer to your heart, or something environmental, or maybe Derek Zoolander’s Center For Children Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too? (Not everyone will get that, but the ones who do will think it’s funny.)

Give what you can.

Charity works on a sliding scale. There’s no obligation. We give what we can—and it doesn’t have to be money! It can be items you’re no longer using, or it can be time. Time is HUGE. Spending time at a group home with mentally challenged people or serving or delivering food to those in need are both great.

Still, that .06 and sticker in the Tzedakah box won’t add up overnight, so if you have any charities that you love, please comment below or on the Dim Sum and Doughnuts Facebook page so my family (and hopefully others) can explore different charities.

And if you know of one where we can sit around eating cake and listening to Eminem with people who need us, make sure to put some stars by it. We’ll hit that one up first.

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Thanks for being here!

XOXO The DS+D Crew

Facebook : DimSumandDoughnuts

Twitter: RobynCoden

Instagram: dimsumanddoughnuts

On March 23, 2016 we came out with the post Lose Yourself. It was an announcement post of sorts: We decided as a family we were going to take a shot at branding Dim Sum and Doughnuts.

It’s been almost 2 months and I have learned so much. My daughters, who the blog is named and written for,

are right there with me. We are learning about time management, social media promotion, work ethic and integrity. We are learning a new business. (They are also handing out pens, cards and chip clips to anyone who wants one.) My husband is at camp, getting everything ready, but he somehow manages to take care of business when we need him, no matter how busy he is.

And then there’s you guys. No one would even know who the hell we are, or what we’re trying to do, if it weren’t for you guys.

You are the ones taking the time to read, comment and “like” the posts. That means everything. When you read something and you share it, that means everything and more because that’s how we grow. You’re bringing awareness to Dim Sum and Doughnuts, which helps us bring awareness to so many other things: Good things, positive things, things that deserve attention.

Truth be told, had I REALLY known what was going to be involved with taking Dim Sum and Doughnuts to the next level, I probably wouldn’t have done it. I already have a job. And kids. And camp. I didn’t realize what I would be taking on. I just thought I’d be writing. Nope.

But that’s how it goes. Anything worth something means hard work.

And we’re working hard.

Thank you to everyone who has shared or invited friends to the Facebook page. We know who you are. The Facebook page is like our house and every time someone new shows up, we are happy to have them. Parties are fun, but even better with friends.

And speaking of friends, thank you everyone who is part of the Facebook page. Many of you I have never even met in real life, but that page is a party because of you. Posts don’t get shown in the Facebook newsfeed unless people “like,” comment or share—and you guys are the ones keeping it afloat, and keeping it fun.

Thank you for sharing the blog posts. You’re helping to promote what we believe in, and you’re showing us that you appreciate what we have to say, whether you agree or not.

The blog subscribers: You guys are getting the posts in your email before anyone else, so you’re the first to decide if it’s good or not. If the blog is the heart of Dim Sum and Doughnuts, you’re the life support. Thank you for your loyalty. It does not go unnoticed.

If you follow us on Instagram— #weloveyou #welovehashtags #wethinkwearefunny

Twitter is still a little sketchy, but we are working on how to use it for more than just stalking @Eminem and yelling at hip hop artists who ignore us.

We recently discovered Snapchat and we can’t figure out how we have lived without its total and utter ridiculousness for so long.

Thank you to the haters, non-supporters and non-believers: We use you as fuel to keep us going and you’re the ones we would strive to prove wrong— if we cared. #byefelicia

Thank you for the positive feedback, it’s what keeps us going.

Thank you for the negative feedback, it’s what keeps us learning.

A very wise author once wrote “You never know what you’re going to get with Dim Sum and Doughnuts: Sometimes controversial, sometimes comedic, but always a voice that’s powerfully honest and entertaining. “

We try to live up to those words every time we post, as we only want to give you something worth reading and sharing.

And lastly, thank you for being on this ride. We hope you stick with us as we find our way—and if you’re having as much fun as we are, please consider telling some of the people in your life who are also looking to promote positive things, make mistakes and have SUM fun.

Love,

The Dim Sum and Doughnuts Crew