Hi everyone! Swiss Chard is EVERYWHERE now which makes it extra easy to make fresh, healthy and quick side dishes or salads. Below is a simple recipe but I also have something else for you today!
I have an opportunity for you to donate to a wonderful cause, whether you live near or far. There are 10 students in town who have aged out of the foster care system. They have received a scholarship to a University but are on their own for the summer except for an internship program they are participating in where they have housing and lunch. ONLY lunch!
It’s up to us to help them get fed some healthy meals so here’s how. Thanks for helping!:
We want to make donating EASY for you!!!!!
Here’s how to donate and please keep in mind that food for a week for each student will be somewhere between $50-$100 if you want to make a week long donation. Any amount, however, is GREATLY appreciated. Call or email me with any questions!
Here is the easiest option for you: Send us a check and we will get the supermarket gift cards. Please send your checks made out to Parents Who Rock with “SHIP” in the memo to me (email me for the address at alma@takebackthekitchen.com):
Other donation options:
1)When you go shopping, please pick up gift cards from our local supermarkets: Whole Foods, Shoprite, A&P and Kings and mail to me (email me at alma@takebackthekitchen.com)
2)Alternatively, you can donate non-perishable , preferably healthy, food such as pasta, marinara sauce, canned tuna fish, cereals like Cheerios and Raisin Bran (we were given the amazing grass fed cow milk for the WHOLE summer from Green Acre Farms so cereal would be a great donation!) You can drop off the non-perishables at:
Coldwell Banker – Montclair Office (Contact: Linda Grotenstein)
Fredrick Goodman Jewelers (Contact: Gail Goodman)
Stanton Realtors (June Raeganer)
Prudential New Jersey Properties — Montclair Office (Contact: Steve Matthews )
Keller Williams – Montclair Office (Contact: Leslie Kunkin)
Mahir’s Barber Shop on Orange road
3) You can attend the Parents Who Rock concert on Friday , June 14th at Tierney’s on Valley Road at 9PM. $10 cover charge for the cause. You can also drop off your non-perishables there, too.
I will be teaching these students a basic home economics cooking class in the hopes that they will be better equipped to buy good, healthy and inexpensive food and make the most of it. To use the skills that I will impart, they will need good, healthy food and that’s where you awesome folks come in!
Lastly, here is a brief summary of where you are donating:
The Summer Housing Internship Program (SHIP) is a model housing and internship program serving young adults who are aging out of the foster care system. SHIP participants will be located on the Montclair State University campus this summer from June to August. Other c omponent s of our program i nclude facilitating internships for our scholars , providing lunch daily, weekly coaching/therapy sessions, and workshops focusing on life skills and leadership . Our goal is to ensure that youth transitioning out of the foster care system develop essential skills and competencies in education, employment, emotional resilience, decision-making, and interpersonal communication.
THANK YOU!!!!
Alma
Swiss Chard with Carrots and Pecans:
Ingredients:
4 cups washed and chopped Swiss Chard
1 large carrot, sliced and steamed until tender
2 tsp honey
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp chili oil (or another tsp.olive oil and a few shakes of cayenne pepper)
3 TBS chopped pecans
salt and pepper to taste
Method:
In a medium sized frying pan, heat up the olive oil.
Add the prepared Swiss Chard to the pan, stir for a few minutes until wilted.
Add in the steamed, sliced carrots and stir.
Add in the honey, chili oil, salt and pepper.
Top with pecans and serve immediately.