Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

As the destruction of Hurricane Ike becomes clear, we urgently need your help to rush emergency food and supplies to the devastated areas.

The hurricanes have nearly depleted our Disaster Relief Fund and emptied the shelves of many of our food banks!

We must get 17 truckloads of food and emergency relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Ike immediately.

Every penny you give today will go directly to helping the men, women, and children left reeling in the wake of these recent disasters.

Your neighbors need you. There is no time to waste. I hope I can count on you today to help provide emergency food and supplies for those in need.

Sincerely,

Vicki Escarra

President and CEO

P.S. Many victims of Hurricane Gustav still need our help and now Ike has brought a new wave of need to our doors. Please give what you can today!

America’s Second Harvest is now Feeding America
As of September 1, 2008, America’s Second Harvest will be called Feeding America. Research has told us that making this change will not only make our mission of fighting hunger and feeding Americans in need relevant to more people, but it will allow for increased awareness of a problem that is hidden to most — 35 million Americans facing hunger. As our new name suggests, our mission is the same as always — to feed America’s hungry.

Thank You!

Thanks to all of you, The Recipe Box is now a "FEATURED HOST" on BlogTalkRadio. com!

What does that mean? We're front page news!

So, look for us under "Featured Today" on the home page of BlogTalkRadio. com. We're committed to providing great content and fun guests each week.

Check the show blog - http://www. BlogTalkRecipes. blogspot. com or the website - http://www. BlogTalkRecipes. com. You will find out about current giveaways, program schedule, recipes and advertisement opportunities.

And listen to the live broadcast and archives at http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/TheRecipeBox.

Thanks again for listening and for all of your feedback!

Blessings~

Barbara

So...I Was Kicked Off a Couple Nings This Week

Hmm...

Well, actually not "officially" kicked off. My post was deleted by the Ning managers on two communities where I am a member. Or, was. But more on that later.

If you are not familiar with Nings, they are online social communities. Basically, you set up a profile page, add you widgets and photos and links and banners and other blather. Then you join up with a few discussions, make friends, ya know.

The insane thing about Nings is that somehow they spawn new Nings while you sleep. After joining one, you wake up the next morning with 20 "Join Me At XYZ community..." emails. Then 20 more, and so on, and so on. You begin hearing from "friends" that you have never met on Nings that you have never joined. Spooky.

I usually join groups to network and, being the Queen of Shameless Plugs, promote my projects. I've met some really awesome people through Nings ... and some really irritating ones. Oh well, such is life, right. For the most part, I am pretty low key unless I have something really exciting to share with the other members. Like helping to promote their businesses through my podcasts or blogs, stuff like that.

So, how did I get kicked off - or, why did I leave the two "shall remain nameless" Nings? What could come out of my thoughts into a post that would be so offensive that my words would be deleted? Hmm...

It was the title of a book by Celeb Chef and 6x Emmy Award Winner Writer/Author/Producer, Janette Barber. She was my guest on The Recipe Box Show (btw: if you haven't listened to the show lately, you really should. I'm giving away cool stuff!) ANY-way, Janette is a tremendously funny and talented woman that has taken on the issue of body-image in regards to women weight loss/gain, etc. She blogs and provides videos and recipes to help women along the way to discovering they are SPECIAL in whatever package they are blessed with learning how to EMBRACE their B.F.A.'s - listen to the show at http://tinyurl.com/655e7h to find out more. Remember I am the Queen of Shameless Plugs :)

I must say that after one manager deleted my post, she did send an email explaining why she did. I wish she had sent the email prior. Or, actually READ the entire post. Considered my previously unblemished record as an active member of the community. But, que c'era sera.

The other Ning manager was not so kind. She deleted the post and each time I tried to post another entry, it was automatically deleted. Hmm... so I quietly packed up my widgets and dropped out. No fanfare, no goodbye kisses from all my virtual friends. Nothing, not a peep.

Don't get me wrong. I understand we live in a "what have you done for me lately" kinda world. And EVERYONE is EXTREMELY too busy to care about my little drama.

Janette Barber was supportive and kind. A new virtual friend with feelings. It's amazing how certain personalities can connect with you regardless of the medium of communication. Janette has that gift. I hope you'll stop by her blog http://www.janettesblog.com/ and purchase her new book, "Embracing Your Big Fat Ass" - THERE, I said it!

While you're out surfing, drop by The Recipe Box Show blog - Recipes For Life, enter a comment for a chance to win a copy of "Embracing Your Big Fat Ass" - THERE, I said it again!

Embracing Your Big Fat Ass - Interview with Celebrity Chef Janette Barber

The Recipe Box Talk Show hosted by Barbara Howard

Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 8pm ET

I will be joined by 6 time Emmy winning producer, writer and celebrity chef, Janette Barber. A four time nominated head writer from the Rosie O’Donnell Show, she has written for the Grammy Awards and the Tony Awards. She was Hot Topics writer on ABC’s The View during Rosie O’Donnell’s tenure there and won a 2008 Daytime Emmy in Special Class writing for her work on that show.

Chef Janette's show on the TV Food Network, Lighten Up focused on converting fattening recipes to be lighter healthier and less fattening. She was also a spokesperson and recipe creator for Molly McButter through two ad campaigns. Her current project with solftware company, ElmLife, involves creating a web-based, interactive, artificially intelligent software guide. An animated version of Janette will host the guide and interact with users to help them develop better, healthier eating habits. Also, Janette is the spokesperson for EyeCare America's Feast Your Eyes campaign about how healthier eating habits can preserve eye health.

** Join us and YOU COULD WIN a copy of Janette Barber's book "Embracing Your Big Fat Ass" (Atria) which is humorous self esteem and empowerment for women around the topic of body image.



The Recipe Box Talk Show hosted by Barbara Howard

Back To School Lunch Tips

My guest Denay Davis provided these bag lunch ideas:

It should be noted that most children do not like unusual textures and/or flavors. Children like the foods they are accustomed to PB&J (for those who like it, American Cheese, simple cold cuts, bologna, ham, & turkey.

The real key is to keep it simple, fresh and familiar. Parents who feel the need to experiment should save it for the weekend when children are home and they can experience first hand the child's reaction to a new food. There is nothing worse that going to school and finding out at lunchtime that your parent has stuffed your lunch pail with a food you have never eaten.


Advice for creating good lunches:
No child likes to eat a lunch that is "smashed."
No child likes to eat messy food, e.g. boiled eggs (they also smell bad) oranges, bananas etc.

No child likes soggy bread.

Lunches should not be an after-thought; parents must put time and effort into what they are feeding or not feeding their children.

Bag-lunch ideas that require no refrigeration:

1. Mozzarella string-cheese sticks (other hard cheeses are great too) and whole-wheat/multi-grain crackers, Fruit cups. Whole-wheat carrot and/or apple muffins.

2. Bagel spread with cream cheese (you may want to try mini-bagels for small children) Sugar snap peas. Box of raisins.

3. Tortilla rolled up with a slice of mild cheese. Fresh green beans.
Small tangerines (Clementines, if in season).

4. Banana bread spread with peanut butter and a little honey. Cucumber slices.
Melon cubes.

5. Cream cheese and apple and/or pumpkin butter on whole-grain bread. Veggie mix (baby carrots, snap peas). Dried apricots or mixed dried fruits.

6. Half of a pita stuffed with shredded carrot and mild cheese (or peanut butter).
Individual cup of applesauce.

Bread:

Pita (either small individual size or half of a regular-size)
Quick bread (banana, pumpkin, apple, etc.)
Whole-wheat bun (hamburger or hot dog)
Bagel
Tortilla
Raisin bread

Fillings:

Peanut butter, plain or with (pick one) honey, banana, jelly, shredded carrot, raisin
Cream cheese, plain or with (pick one) jelly, apple butter, shredded veggies
Mild cheese
Hummus

Veggies:

Baby carrots or carrot sticks
Fresh green beans
Sugar snap peas
Cucumber slices
Crisp, tender broccoli florets (small ranch dressing cups)
Zucchini sticks

Fruits:

Half a banana
Small apple
Orange wedge
Raisins or other dried fruits
Drained pineapple chunks (or fresh)
Individual applesauce container
Melon cubes


Food Safety
Use a thermos to keep soups, stews and casseroles warm. Wash the thermos with soap and hot water after every use.
Place a frozen juice box or bottled water next to cold food items.
Use an ice pack to keep foods cold. (use puncture proof ice packs.
Use an insulated lunch container to help keep temperatures stable.


Listen to the entire interview at The Recipe Box with Barbara Howard.

Go to the The Recipe Box Show website (www.BlogTalkRecipes.com) to download recipes, contests and more!