Nomday Happy Holidays!

The holiday parties and dinners are still rolling here in Arizona and so are the interesting recipes and delectable treats. This past weekend we invited a small number of non-blood family members for our annual non-Christmas-Christmas  Dinner. Most of the recipes are traditional to the holiday, but because we never know where everyone will be on Christmas day we host a little bit early.

Main Dish

Baked Ham

Serves Approximately: 8 – 12

Cook Time: 4 Hours

12 lbs. Pre-cooked Ham

1 liter Dr. Pepper

Place the rinsed ham in a roasting pan. Pour in soda. Tent with aluminum foil. Bake at 450.

Side Courses

Mashed Potatoes

Serves Approximately: 8 – 12

Cook Time: 45 Minutes

8 – 10 medium red potatoes, un peeled

4 tblsps butter

1 cup milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Boil potatoes in a large pot until soft. Strain and transfer to a bowl. Mash with a large fork. Add milk and butter and blend until smooth.

Candied Carrots

Serves Approximately: 8 – 12

Cook Time: 45 minutes

6 – 8 medium carrots, sliced

4 tblsps butter

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup honey

Combine all ingredients in a baking dish, cover and cook at 350 for 45 minutes.

Happy Holidays!

For Impact Friday: Alzheimer's Association

As I mentioned in the last For Impact Friday post, this is something I am giving a go at in the interest of expanding my understanding of 501c3 companies and my internship with Public Allies, Arizona. In the first posting I also mentioned that my time with Public Allies is a short span, a mere ten months. Yes, not even a year to attempt to understand such an important part of community. This is not a classroom based experience though, and I always learn much more hands on. While we do spend a fair amount of hours, Fridays mostly, in lectures to better understand the business end of non-profit, the remainder of my nine-to-five weekdays are on those front lines. So, what is my troop?

The Alzheimer’s Association: Desert Southwest Chapter serves to bring help and hope to individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It was not until I found myself with this amazing organization that I realized how much Alzheimer’s already touched my life.

One in six people over 65, in the United States are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementia! One in six! After age 85 that increases to 50%. There is no cure. There is no way to vaccinate against it. There is research and hope, but there needs to be more serious focus and awareness from the government.

Heard of the Baby Boom generation? Yes, they are an enormous population and they are about to fall right into this health risk! What is the nation doing to prepare? Not enough. What can you do?  

You can start by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your area and requesting information about this terrible degenerative disease. You can offer to be a volunteer educator, and learn how to present the facts to your community. You can train as a facilitator for local support groups. Educate yourself too; how can you protect your brain health, what factors might put you at greater risk? 

Most important, make others aware now that you are. Thank you!

Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter

1028 East McDowell Avenue, Phoenix

www.alz.org/dsw

Nomday: What About Parties?

Happy Nomday after another very busy weekend! With all of the holiday parties and shenanigans complete meals are likely the last thing on anyone’s mind. I know we have been eating and creating finger foods for days! But, they are just as great to toss in your lunch box or pile on as adorable entrees. So, what are some of your favorite things to make and take to potlucks and year end shindigs? Please, no more cookies, fluff salads or cheese and cracker trays! 

How about mini lamb and veggie kabobs?

Mini-crescent dogs?

Home-made pizza rolls?

These are a few to get you started! Happy holidays!

bint Hazine Civic Space Park: Week One

This first week at Civic Space Park in Phoenix was rather quiet, but Ana and I did work out some great plans for next week. Once again, we invite you to join us at the A.E. England Building for a morning of belly dancing fun! This is a free drop-in class, though we do request a canned food donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank. 

Here is the new information for next week:

Civic Space Park, A.E. England Building

444 Central Avenue, Phoenix

Saturdays, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm

All Ages (under 15 must be accompanied by an adult)

FREE

*requested canned goods donations for St. Mary’s Food Bank through January*

These classes are drop-in so we will review week to week and build on skills more than choreography but we will have a ton of fun! The first week will be all about posture, poses and positioning as we gain comfort in a brand new location. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement.

Nomday: Stroganoff and Meatloaf

I haven’t done a post about the amazing beef stroganoff in a long while, so that is so our dinner for this week! But, because I am now planning for all day meals, we are doing a bulk purchase and did two beef dishes; apologies to all the veggie-eaters out there. Please make a salad or some steamed carrots for the side dish that will go along great with both meals.

Beef Stroganoff

Approximate Cost: $15.00

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 – 8 hours

3 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 small carton sliced mushrooms

3 clove garlic, minced

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

8 oz. sour cream

Brown ground beef, drain and set aside. Saute onion, mushrooms and garlic until soft. Combine all ingredients in crock-pot. Stir until blended. Serve with noodles.

Meatloaf

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6 – 8 hours

2 lbs. ground beef

1 lbs. ground sausage

2 tblsp. Greek seasoning

1 tsp. garlic chopped

½ cup red onion, chopped

Worcestershire Sauce to taste

Form meat mixture into a loaf and place in crockpot. Cook on medium heat.

For Impact Friday! Something new: Public Allies

This is something new I am trying out since joining and finally getting comfortable in Public Allies. With all of the wonderful 501c3 organizations I am honored to work alongside I really wanted to make mention of them to my readers. I suppose I should start with an explanation of the Public Allies and how you can get involved too. 

The Public Allies program was added to the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation at ASU in 2006. Since then it has engaged many young professionals and students in social change and work with “for impact” companies. 

While this is the reason why my writing work may suffer for a ten month stretch (August thru June, in my case) it is so going to be worth it in the end. I am learning so much about organizations here in Phoenix area and even more about how nonprofit companies function. The website says most of the allies are between 18 and 30, so I am a bit old for this game, but I am enjoying every minute and it is nice to be around so many young people so interested in hard work toward change for very little payment. Hey, there is a stipend, but it isn’t about the money for this group. 

It is about learning, sharing, caring and growing. I have to say that even though I am a bit more on in years than the others in the group I am not going to say I am as much more mature. These young people are dedicated, responsible, intelligent and driven. It really is a nice shift from some circles I have run in the past. 

If you are interested in becoming an Ally and experiencing this stunning opportunity for learning and connecting, or if you are part of a nonprofit organization interested in bringing an Ally on board please contact;

Public Allies Arizona
Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation
University Center - Mail Code 4120
411 N. Central Ave., Suite 500
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-0691

publicallies@asu.edu

602-496-0427