Hello SNAPpers!
I doubt anyone is quite as obsessed with The Food Network as I am, but if you're interested in watching cooking shows and finding inspiration for your SNAP Into Action Against Hunger Challenge, I suggest checking out the new show by Sandra Lee, called "Sandra's Money Saving Meals." The perky blonde hostess who also hosts Semi-Homemade Cooking, has tailored her new show to people who are finding it difficult to serve healthy, yummy meals to their families while facing a tighter budget.
One thing I love about her recipes is that many of them offer up a "Round 2", or a way to use the leftovers in a new and tasty way. For example, her recipe for Barbeque Bean Chili Dogs uses inexpensive canned beans and hot dogs, and the Round 2 recipe uses the left over chili for a Bean Chili Quesadilla, which incorporates cheap tortillas and some shredded cheese and store bought salsa. Both sound delicious and are easy and very cheap to make.
Please feel free to share any comments/suggestions/recipe ideas any time here on the blog! Also, if you make an inexpensive and delicious recipe, SNAP a photo and submit it for the photo contest at kbradley@handsonhartford.org
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Eating Real Food - Just for the Rich?
First off I'd like to thank everyone who came out last night for the kickoff event for the SNAP Into Action Against Hunger Challenge 2010. It was great to meet you all and get to know a little more about what is involved in the Challenge as well as a bit more about the hard reality of hunger in Hartford and Connecticut. I hope everyone had a good time and is ready to tackle the Challenge, whether you're committing to the whole month, just a week, or a few days. In the next few days I will post some pictures of the event.
I came across the article on CNN.com today about another food challenge proposed by blogger Jennifer McGruther - to rid your diet of all processed foods (Click here to read the article). I found it particularly interesting considering the rules I'm finding myself faced with for the SNAP Challenge, particularly that one small stipulation about spending only $3.50 a day on food for myself and what that would mean if I were to take on both challenges. I think it would be nearly impossibly to eat only "real" food on this budget - considering the prices these days for fresh produce and other unprocessed foods.
Last night one subject that came up was the stereotyping of people on the SNAP benefit only eating junk food, because generally that sort of processed, pre-packaged food is cheaper and more easily accessible than fresh make-it-yourself meals. Does this mean that those on the SNAP benefit can't eat a diet of only "real" food? Or is that an assumption made based solely on the fact that when I want something quick and cheap it is usually something completely unhealthy?
I'm interested to hear your opinions on this paradox of diet challenges, and whether you think they can be done simultaneously or not. If you're feeling especially adventurous you may want to attempt both challenges! Let me know what you think!
I came across the article on CNN.com today about another food challenge proposed by blogger Jennifer McGruther - to rid your diet of all processed foods (Click here to read the article). I found it particularly interesting considering the rules I'm finding myself faced with for the SNAP Challenge, particularly that one small stipulation about spending only $3.50 a day on food for myself and what that would mean if I were to take on both challenges. I think it would be nearly impossibly to eat only "real" food on this budget - considering the prices these days for fresh produce and other unprocessed foods.
Last night one subject that came up was the stereotyping of people on the SNAP benefit only eating junk food, because generally that sort of processed, pre-packaged food is cheaper and more easily accessible than fresh make-it-yourself meals. Does this mean that those on the SNAP benefit can't eat a diet of only "real" food? Or is that an assumption made based solely on the fact that when I want something quick and cheap it is usually something completely unhealthy?
I'm interested to hear your opinions on this paradox of diet challenges, and whether you think they can be done simultaneously or not. If you're feeling especially adventurous you may want to attempt both challenges! Let me know what you think!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tonight's the night!
Tonight at 6:30 pm is the kickoff event for the SNAP Into Action Against Hunger Challenge 2010 at the Charter Oak Cultural Center. We hope you will join us for a welcome by Rabbi Donna Berman, Executive Director, as well as information about hunger in Connecticut from Foodshare and End Hunger CT, a shared meal, a video presentation, and an orientation to the challenge including ways you can volunteer to help alleviate hunger right here in Hartford with the help of Hands On Hartford.
New to the challenge this year is the SNAPShots of Hunger Photo Contest. We will award a prize to the photo that best depicts the fight against hunger in the Greater Hartford area. Submit your photo along with 250 words or less about the picture, your involvement in the Challenge, and what it means to you and your community. Photos may be emailed to kbradley@handsonhartford.org and the winner will be announced at our Wrap-up event on Monday, March 29th at 6:30 pm.
We hope to see you all there tonight!
New to the challenge this year is the SNAPShots of Hunger Photo Contest. We will award a prize to the photo that best depicts the fight against hunger in the Greater Hartford area. Submit your photo along with 250 words or less about the picture, your involvement in the Challenge, and what it means to you and your community. Photos may be emailed to kbradley@handsonhartford.org and the winner will be announced at our Wrap-up event on Monday, March 29th at 6:30 pm.
We hope to see you all there tonight!
Friday, February 19, 2010
"Be the change you want to see in the world." ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Too many people in our capitol region, state and nation struggle to find enough to eat on a regular basis…and the downturn in the economy has made this problem even larger. Food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens help to ease the problem, but increased access to government food stamps serves as the best temporary solution to this ongoing problem. While we work to end the poverty that engenders hunger, it’s important that we build people’s awareness of the extent and consequences of hunger, and of what we must do to change it.
SNAP into Action Against Hunger, cosponsored by Charter Oak Cultural Center, End Hunger Connecticut, Foodshare and Hands On Hartford, takes a creative, learning from-the-inside-out approach to hunger awareness and action. Designed to raise consciousness about the realities of hunger in Hartford and to raise funds for MANNA Food Pantry, SNAP into Action Against Hunger presents an opportunity for people who don’t live in poverty to experience what it is like to exist on the average nationwide food stamp allotment of $3 per person per day.
Join us March 1st at 6:30 pm at the Charter Oak Cultural Center as we kick off this initiative with a shared meal, orientation and conversation, and here on the Blog where we will discuss issues surrounding hunger on a local and world-wide scale.
SNAP into Action Against Hunger, cosponsored by Charter Oak Cultural Center, End Hunger Connecticut, Foodshare and Hands On Hartford, takes a creative, learning from-the-inside-out approach to hunger awareness and action. Designed to raise consciousness about the realities of hunger in Hartford and to raise funds for MANNA Food Pantry, SNAP into Action Against Hunger presents an opportunity for people who don’t live in poverty to experience what it is like to exist on the average nationwide food stamp allotment of $3 per person per day.
Join us March 1st at 6:30 pm at the Charter Oak Cultural Center as we kick off this initiative with a shared meal, orientation and conversation, and here on the Blog where we will discuss issues surrounding hunger on a local and world-wide scale.
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