Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Down the Mountain
Today is Blog Action Day at Change.org and the entire blogging world is focused on one thing....clean water. As I write this, I sit at my desk with a glass of cold, clear, clean H2O, free from disease causing bacteria that could cause my body harm. I got this water from the refrigerator in my office, 20 steps away. That very same refrigerator is plastered with pictures of communities that lack this very basic resource. Its a funny thing we do, putting pictures on our fridge. We can't explain why we do it, but we do. I usually put up pictures of my friends' babies or wedding announcements to look at and smile. The pictures I look at in my office still make me smile, but they also make me think. What would my life be like if I couldn't walk 20 feet to get a glass of water? How would I feel physically? What would this mean for my family? What would my days look like in order to solve this problem?
You see, the reason our fridge is filled with photos of communities that lack access to this resource is because I work for an organization called Blood:Water Mission. We are an organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa. I can't think of any place else I would rather be than fighting alongside these amazing communities for this basic right, communities like this one in Larachi, Kenya, which one of my staff was able to visit this year.
These families of Larachi have moved their homes down to the bottom of the mountain where they lived to have more access to development in the hopes they will one day have clean water and medical care. Here's where you come in. You can enter into their story and stories like theirs throughout Africa by being a part of a movement. A movement for clean water.
Ask yourself...
Who do you know?...in your own community to join forces with
What do you love?...what are the things you love to do that can create change
How can you act? ....to make a difference in the lives of your neighbors a continent away
How can you be the movement in your own community? You can find out more at bloodwatermission.com/bethemovement
Also, you can make a difference in a community in Rwanda or Uganda by donating and your money will be matched dollar for dollar. Donate $10 and it becomes $20. Donate $100 and double that! The need is great and every little bit counts. Click here to donate.
Thank you,
Kellie
You see, the reason our fridge is filled with photos of communities that lack access to this resource is because I work for an organization called Blood:Water Mission. We are an organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa. I can't think of any place else I would rather be than fighting alongside these amazing communities for this basic right, communities like this one in Larachi, Kenya, which one of my staff was able to visit this year.
These families of Larachi have moved their homes down to the bottom of the mountain where they lived to have more access to development in the hopes they will one day have clean water and medical care. Here's where you come in. You can enter into their story and stories like theirs throughout Africa by being a part of a movement. A movement for clean water.
Ask yourself...
Who do you know?...in your own community to join forces with
What do you love?...what are the things you love to do that can create change
How can you act? ....to make a difference in the lives of your neighbors a continent away
How can you be the movement in your own community? You can find out more at bloodwatermission.com/bethemovement
Also, you can make a difference in a community in Rwanda or Uganda by donating and your money will be matched dollar for dollar. Donate $10 and it becomes $20. Donate $100 and double that! The need is great and every little bit counts. Click here to donate.
Thank you,
Kellie
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Mini Shepherds Pies in Acorn Squash
So, If you know me, you know I'll stuff just about anything in a green acorn squash. I love them! So sweet and delicious. I also LOVE shepherds pie. So, I got this thought on my way home last night to stuff squash with mini shepherds pies. Once that thought was in my head there was no turning back. Luckily I had everything at my house to make them, but remember you can put anything you like in shepherds pie. I include my favorite veggies.
Ingredients
2 green acorn squash
1/2 lbs ground beef
1/4 of red bell
1/4 of an onion
handful of sweet corn
handful of peas
2 cloves garlic
2 tbls butter
salt & pepper
pinch red pepper flakes
pinch dried sweet basil
Idahoan instant mashed potatoes (herb and garlic)
handful of shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 400. Cut tops off acorn squash like you would a pumpkin and scoop out all the seeds and stringy stuff. Cut a little sliver at the bottom so the squash can sit upright without falling over to one side. Baste inside of squash with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put in oven to bake for 30 minutes.
While squash is cooking, saute red bell, onions until tender. Add garlic and ground beef. Cook until beef isn't pink anymore. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and basil. Add in handful of peas and corn, can be frozen when added in. Let all saute for a couple minutes together.
Boil water for mashed potatoes and prepare when ready. I totally cheat on the taters. These Idahoan ones are so good and EASY! Once squash is done in oven, fill each with the meat mixture. Top with mashed potatoes. Return to oven to cook for 15 minutes. Take pies out then and top with cheddar cheese and put back in oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt. Voila! You're done.
Bon Appetit!
Ingredients
2 green acorn squash
1/2 lbs ground beef
1/4 of red bell
1/4 of an onion
handful of sweet corn
handful of peas
2 cloves garlic
2 tbls butter
salt & pepper
pinch red pepper flakes
pinch dried sweet basil
Idahoan instant mashed potatoes (herb and garlic)
handful of shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 400. Cut tops off acorn squash like you would a pumpkin and scoop out all the seeds and stringy stuff. Cut a little sliver at the bottom so the squash can sit upright without falling over to one side. Baste inside of squash with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put in oven to bake for 30 minutes.
Bon Appetit!
Monday, October 11, 2010
My "wanted" fall collection
My friend, the lovely and talented Elise Yetton, has a wonderful blog called Pennyweight and posts a weekly "Wanted This Week" edition. I decided to create my own for today, inspired by the changing weather of my favorite season! Now, if only I could find $1600 for this leather bag. Maybe I'll check the couch cushions :)
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