No Kid Hungry

After a very festive, delicious, abundant Thanksgiving meal, it's hard to remember that there are people in my country that still go without. "How am I going to eat to today?" has never been a question I have had to ask myself (unless you count restaurant or meal-prep decisions), but that question forms the foundation of many lives here in the US. Life hasn't always been extravagant or easy for me, but I've never had to go without a good meal for lack of resources or affording it, even when things were tight.

One out of five kids in this country struggle with hunger. One in five! That means there is a good chance someone your kids (if you have them) go to school with, or a kid you pass on the street, is hungry right now. And we're not talking those 11am hunger pangs. No - this is real hunger.... hunger that becomes the essence of a life. The unbearable reality that penetrates every action.

Fortunately there are organizations like Share Our Strength who create initiatives like No Kid Hungry. Hunger seems like a dire dilemma (especially when you look at the numbers), but the No Kid Hungry campaign has created simple, accessible solutions to alleviate this issue in America. Right now, Share Our Strength is asking for a simple $1 donation to bring a child in need 10 breakfasts. Yep - 10 breakfasts! That's a whole lot of improvement for less than your cuppa coffee this morning. For $18, you can provide breakfast for one child for an entire school year.

Let's do some math here. Remember that Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latter shortage earlier this year? Let's say you would traditionally order a venti Pumpkin Spice Latte every day before work. And then the shortage hit, and your world fell apart. What if you took that money and donated to the No Kid Hungry campaign? You just bought breakfast for a kid, for an entire school year, and then some. Good for you!!

Today is the last day for Share Our Strength to hit its fundraising goals. And you can help! Just Click Here to donate to the cause (enter your desired amount in the "other" box). That's it! And if you really feeling up to it, try going without breakfast for a few days, then go to work and see how productive you are. Then you will really know how much your donation will change one kid's life. Pick-up some of these adorable holiday cards, too, to help spread the message!!

Thanks for being good eggs, my friends. I know I can count on you to help in this important mission!!! Xoxo :-)

Quick disclaimer: I am overjoyed to be working with The Mission List to bring this information to you. Please go check TML out, if you have a minute. Here's a little bit about donating to Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry (since it is important that you know how your donation is used and that you donate to reputable sources!!): Share Our Strength is a registered 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit organization.

Federal identification number:52-1367538. Share Our Strength is a nonprofit and uses donations to connect children facing hunger with nutritious meals in their communities, homes and schools. Gifts made to Share Our Strength will leverage the time, expertise, and additional funds needed to end child hunger in America. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donate today and help us provide a hungry child his next meal.

Food Swap Recap

On Sunday, I attended my second food swap held in collaboration with From Scratch Club (a blog and food community I write for - amazing stuff!). I have to laugh sometimes - where I grew up, food swapping wasn't a thing, it was something you just did. I think it's funny that many of the principles I grew up with are now en vogue. It's something I've grappled with, and I'll admit, I have had a bit of a chip on my shoulder about the whole thing until recently. The foodie and local/farming/homesteading movements that have become popular over the past several years adhere to the old-timey practices I was raised on. Sometimes I still get upset when people take an old notion and act like it's totally revolutionary. I definitely fit into the "First Adopter" role in many of these cases (to through some fancy marketing terms around), and sometimes I want to hop on my high-horse and say, "Listen, idiot, that's something people where I grew up have done for generations. Just because you're doing it while wearing skinny jeans doesn't make your method new, better, or hip." Instead, I've learned to embrace a different role. I'd be putting my parents, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, my great-grandparents, and the rest of my ancestors to shame if I didn't take my knowledge and try to help others with it. Instead of competing over each other, it's my job to offer ways of collaboration so that these roots of my exsistence carry on for future generations. I'm trying to bolster what other people are doing, because I believe that what they are doing (well, most of them) is the right thing to do. Besides, I'd rather be seen as a becon of knowledge rather than a bully of originality.

Okay, enough ranting already!

Where was I? Oh yes, food swap. So, the food swap was held at All Good Bakers and organized by Christine (yes, that Christine, the one I'm forever raving about - she's awesome!!) and Chris with From Scatch Club. I was late (as per usual), but I was so excited to see all the new faces in the crowd and watch them get jazzed for their first food swap. Food swapping is quick and dirty: First, you set out what you brought (samples are always a good idea), and fill out a handy little swap card detailing your item. Second, everyone goes around and takes notes on what they like. Next, we all write our names, as well as what we can swap for, on the card of the item(s) we desire. Finally, we look at our own cards to determine who wants to swap with us, and if we want to swap with them. Swapping is based on a 1:1 ratio. For every one item you bring, you swap for one item. For more on how food swapping works, check out this handy recap.

via the FSCSwappers Facebook page

I made a Herbal Digestif for my swap item. Great on its own or in a cocktail, it is easy to make and can be used in many ways (recipe to follow). I included a recipe card in the form of a "Cootie Catcher," because who doesn't love alcohol paired with silly games? I made four jars of the digestif and swapped it for garlicky pesto (which we paired with bacon and linguine for a tasty pasta dinner), a jar of corn relish, a jar of salsa, and a bar of rosemary soap (yep, soap is techincally allowed at a food swap, the main rule being you have to swap something you made/grew yourself. No store bought items!!).

I had a great time at the swap, and look forward to the next one soon (and here's the recap of my first food swap). If you are in the Albany area, contact me for more information about the whys and whatnots of our next swap! Food swapping is a great way to lead a sustainable lifestyle because it keeps food production local and helps create a community of like-minded individuals. I hope you will give it a try!

Sustainable Snippets

via

Happy Friday! Man, can you believe March is more than half-over? 2011 seems to be flying by. Another week nearly done. I trust you have recovered from your St. Patty's Day hangover by now (depends on if you were drinking green beer or Irish Whiskey, one supposes!).

I thought I'd use Fridays to share some articles from around the web about issues related (in some way) to sustainability. So, here's round one. Happy reading!

A few simple ideas for DIY foodstuffs (this is SO the Silly Goose Farm lifestyle!)

Good thing growing season is right around the corner!

One must really like pigs to give-up vacations (did you know some breeds of pigs are smarter than dogs?)

Where was this when I was single? (I met my husband in a restaurant)

Get your Chicory Stout while the getting's good (yay craft beer!)

I've got to get that garden planned

What Does Artisanal Really Mean?

Just wanted to drop in quick to give you a heads-up about a post I just added to my other blog. It's about the meaning of artisanal. You might be surprised. If you would like to check it out, click here.

Sorry for my silence as of late. More on that soon. In the meantime, we just received another FOURTEEN INCHES of snow at Silly Goose Farm, and we're all going crazy. Even the dogs. As soon as they saw the snow, the tried to climb back inside the house and howled and wimpered like they were being toutured.

Hope the weather is to your liking where you live. And thanks for stopping by :-)