10.31.2010

Happy Halloween

Once a year on Halloween, for a few hours in the evening, children come knocking on your door, asking for candy and goodies.

Every day at Moveable Feast, we come knocking on your door, bringing you nutritious meals, annual home visits with our dietitians, and - most importantly - hope. We do this for hundreds of thousands of clients each year, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 20 years and running. 

No tricks. Some treats ;-) . And hope, hand-delivered in each bag of meals and groceries.

10.29.2010

BONUS Weekly Health Tip: Healthy Halloween Treats


Here are some great ideas for healthy Halloween snacks. Kids will love these...and parents, you will too! 

Veggie Skellie 
Create a skeleton with vegetable sticks on a long platter dish. Sticks of carrots and cucumbers do great for limbs. Try raisins or cherry tomatoes for eyes, and red pepper strips for the ribcage. If you're feeling especially daring, slice jalapeno peppers - the long way - and use them for feet and hands. Use low-fat vegetable dressings in Halloween-themed bowls.

Pumpkin Brain Soup
These needs to be done on a long, breezy weekend day. Take the kids out to the pumpkin patch and have them pick out a pumpkin. Spend the day carving the pumpkin - you can Google cut-out patterns for the pumpkin face, if necessary. Whip up a soup with the "pumpkin brains" and have the little ones help out as you cook the "brain goo" into a delicious soup. Add other vegetables and chicken for a healthy, filling dinner.

Melon Brains
Purchase a small, round watermelon. Start by peeling off the green skin. Then use a knife to gradually carve the watermelon's shell into the crevices and folds of the brain. For extra Halloween spookiness, rest the melon in a large shallow pan of red fruit punch ("blood"). Float olives for eyes. 

I Vant to Sssssuck Your Blood
If you're having a Halloween party, you can easily make straws to be Vampire themed! At the top and bottom of the straw, cut out small triangles beginning at the rim, to imitate fangs. The kids will be slurping away all night. Red fruit punch is a must.


10.28.2010

Don't Miss Gertrude's on FOOD FEUDS Tonight!

John Shields's GERTRUDE's At The BMA participated in our Dining Out For Life 2010 event, and certainly helped fundraise a lot of money. All the money raised goes towards feeding our clients, who suffer from HIV/AIDs or breast cancer. 


Food Network's FOOD FEUDS television show is featuring Gertrude's tonight! This show is the story of Iron Chef Michael Symon, who is out to settle some of the most famous food rivalries across the country.


The Food Feuds Gertrude's episode will air on Thursday, October 28th at 10:00PM EST on the Food Network. Reruns will be aired on 10/29 at 1:00AM & 10/31 at 11:00PM EST.

10.27.2010

Weekly Health Tip: Slimming Down Sushi

Sushi is delicious and definitely better for you than a Big Mac or KFC Fried Chicken. I Ambassadored for the lunch hour at Minato Sushi Bar on N. Charles Street for Dining Out For Life 2010, and would definitely recommend it!


But there are some aspects of a sushi meal that are not always so healthy.

  1. Regular soy sauce. 1 tablespoon contains about 900 mg of sodium. Cut down by using low-sodium soy sauce, often designated by a green cap in the restaurants.
  2. Imitation wasabi. Surprise, surprise. That little green pat of paste on your plate might not be the real thing. Check with your server in a polite manner, and if it's imitation, be sure to request the real deal. Imitation wasabi contains oil, extra sugars, and lactose. 
  3. Tempura rolls. All that fried dough for the tempura adds a lot of calories, fat, and sodium. Swap for a regular roll, with fish roe (fish eggs).
  4. Rolls containing cream cheese. There are many rumors floating about as to how these came to exist in Japanese sushi culture. A common story is that it originates from a Japanese and South American food fusion. Regardless, the cream cheese (or sometimes mayo) add a lot of fat to the meal. Swap for healthier rolls with only fish and vegetable. Suggestions include tuna sashimi, cucumber rolls, and California rolls.
Happy eating!

10.26.2010

The dangers of HRT & the importance of Moveable Feast


Last week I read in both the Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun about how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal women drastically increased their chances of contracting deadly breast cancer.

The Women's Health Initiative has released a report documenting higher rates of breast cancer in women that took Prempro (a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin). This study was extensive, as it followed over 12,000 women over a period of 11 years.


The most shocking finding was that, among the twelve thousand women: 
  • 385 women who had invasive breast cancer had also taken HRT....
  • ...compared to only 293 women who had invasive breast cancer without taking HRT.
  • HRT increased the risk of having breast cancer spread to lymph nodes
  • HRT doubled the chances of dying from breast cancer

There's still a great deal of controversy surrounding hormone replacement therapy & the added risks of contracting breast cancer. On the one hand, the increased risk of developing aggressive, invasive breast cancer seems obvious. Yet Yale endocrinologist Hugh Taylor says that HRT greatly improves the quality of life for those undergoing severe menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, greater irritability, personality changes, and decreased ability to focus and concentrate. 

Ultimately, to the regular woman, it seems that HRT will still be a judgment call made on an individual, case-by-case basis. The latest research and doctor's advice can only guide her decision.

There are so many causes - both known and still yet unknown - for the development of breast cancer. It will be a long time before the scientific and medical world knows all the factors that create additional risk. In all this uncertainty, I'm glad Moveable Feast is here to help those that suffer from breast cancer, and will be for many years to come.

10.25.2010

Nestle Raisinets ("Fun Size" bags)


This just in from our dietitians.

Nestle has issued a product allergen alert for one batch of Nestle Raisinets Fun Size bags. 

This batch  can be identified by a production code of #02015748 or UPC number #2800010255. This batch could have undeclared peanuts, which might be deadly for those with peanut allergies.

Everyone, be aware. Check your Raisinets! 

For more information, please check out the official FDA report: Nestlé® USA Issues Allergen Alert on Single Production Code of Nestlé® Raisinets® Fun Size Bags

10.24.2010

Moveable Feast's Autumn Donation Drive

Hey readers!

Wasn't it great to have that 3-to-5 pound dumbbell handy when you wanted to try out the Hip Hinge workout this week?

Many of our clients struggle with maintaining their lean body mass as they fight HIV/AIDS or breast cancer. Keeping a healthy body weight is incredibly important in battling their diseases. In fact, loss of weight due to HIV/AIDS even has its own name - "wasting syndrome." It's common among clients that do not exercise enough! Exercising helps the body stay strong and upholds a healthy immune system.

This autumn, you can help out Moveable Feast's clients maintain their healthy body weight - donate your extra exercise equipment. In particular, we're looking for free-weight dumbbells and exercise bands. 

Don't worry, with some of the healthful, low-fat Thanksgiving recipes we'll be posting next month, you won't even need that equipment to keep fit and fabulous! 

We're also collecting a number of other items for our clients, so check out the Facebook Event Page: Moveable Feast's Autumn Donation Drive | Facebook Events.

10.23.2010

New Homepage Coming Soon!


Today, we're thinking about how lucky we are to work with a local Baltimore organization - the Center for Community Technology Services (CCTS). Moveable Feast enlisted their services a few months ago to help redesign our website (check out our old website at http://www.mfeast.org). 

The Internet, more than ever, is a linchpin for an organization's success. Individuals in a community have reams of information electronically available through their computers. A person seeking to donate funding might have countless nonprofits to choose from, thanks to high-powered search engines like Google, YouTube, and Twitter.

Moveable Feast was established in 1989. In the decade following its inception, the website of a nonprofit probably didn't hold much sway. Few people knew how to use the Internet to search effectively for information. 

Today, however, the website is often the first "face" of an organization to the public. Forget that old YellowPages book. If I want to learn about a group, the first thing I do is Google it. Gone are the days of simple hearsay and word-of-mouth - if you're not well-established on the World Wide Web, no one knows about you. 


Moveable Feast and CCTS are working together to launch our new website soon. Stay tuned for a sneak peek - screenshots of the new website in action! 


Part of CCTS's mission statement is to "apply technological innovations for social good" and to "bring digital equity to all communities and schools in the Baltimore area." For more information about CCTS, please visit CCTSbaltimore.org

10.22.2010

Weekly Health Tip: Hip Hinge with Triceps Extension


Here's a great workout idea for your hips, core, and triceps - it's called the "Hip Hinge."

You need:
- one 3 to 5 pound dumbbell 

Hip Hinge How-To:
1. Place the dumbbell in your right hand. Stand with left leg ahead of the right leg. 
2. Rest your weight on your left leg, placing your left hand on left thigh for support. 
3. Lean forward from your hips. Extend your right leg completely straight backward, forming a "T" shape with your body.
4. Hold for 1 second, then return slowly to starting position. 
 
Repeat 8-12 reps, then switch sides. 

>> After 6 months, in step 4, return your right leg to a position that is crossed behind your left leg.

>> After 9 months, in step 2, place your left hand on your hip - instead of thigh - for support. 
(Tip courtesy of Health Magazine 2007)

10.13.2010

The Living Red Ribbon - Success!

On Saturday, October 9th, 2010, the Partnership For Life, along with hundreds of local citizens, set a new Baltimore record for the largest living ribbon!


We welcomed Katie O'Malley, Congressman Elijah Cummings, and a representative from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake's office as our guest speakers.

Towson Dance Troupe, Finding Jersey, and Goucher College's Red Hot and Blue were fantastic as our live entertainment. 


And we were happy to have the help of almost 100 volunteers who made the day fun for the participants. These volunteers included SunTrust, Notre Dame School of Pharmacy, University of Pennsylvania, LifeLinc, Maryland Department of Health, Moveable Feast, Chase Brexton Health Services, AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, Girls Rock! Mentoring Program, IDEAH, Goucher PRISM, Goucher University, The Jacques Initiative, Family Health Center of Baltimore, and Associated Black Charities.

The day was set up similar to a festival and filled with great activities for all participants. Booths included: 
  •  Starbucks Coffee
  • Chase Brexton Health Services
  • Radio One
  • Baltimore City Health Department
  • Light Health
  • VT Dance
  • Kids Tent tabled by Girls Rock!
  • HealthyGroove RV from Maryland Physician Care
  • AIRS
  • Art With A Heart
  • STAR
  • Total Health
  • Moveable Feast
  • Community Advisory
  • Hopesprings
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB)
  • Taylor Wilkes
  • Notre Dame School of Pharmacy
  • SunTrust
  • HIV Testing Van
The morning concluded with the formation of the Living Red Ribbon while Debbie Jacobs Rock sang a unique song specially dedicated for B'more Aware of HIV. Dancers from VT Dance led participants in various dance moves while they formed the red ribbon. All in all, nearly 600 people were present to form the ribbon, resulting in a brand new Baltimore record!




Check out more pictures from the day on our Facebook page.

Weekly Health Tip: How Much Sodium?!

Too much salt, or sodium, isn't good for anyone. A lot of sodium comes from processed foods that we eat daily - and we have no idea. This week's Health Tip is courtesy of information from health.com. 
  • Kellogg's Raisin Bran: 1 cup contains 350 mg of sodium (15% DV). Substitute Cheerios - it contains only 190 mg of sodium per cup!
  • Heinz Ketchup: 2 teaspoons contain 380 mg of sodium (16% DV). 
  • Kraft American Cheese singles: 2 slices contain  545 mg of sodium (25% DV). Substitute Mozzarella or Swiss cheeses, which are low in sodium.
  • Lender's Whole Grain Plain Bagels: 1 bagel contains 490 mg of sodium (21% DV)
While these (and all the other foods in the article) may not seem to contain a lot of sodium or to be ultra processed, they actually are. Many people don't realize, for example, that breakfast cereals contain so much sodium! Cutting back on processed food intake, or using fresher or more organic substitute ingredients can help reduce sodium in our diet. And that leads to a healthier you.

10.08.2010

The Living Red Ribbon


Tomorrow, we'll be forming the Living Red Ribbon at Rash Field at the Inner Harbor. This event kicks off a year of HIV awareness activities in Baltimore through the Partnership for Life's B'more Aware of HIV campaign.

Come on out and be a part of history. Baltimore ranks #5 in the United States for HIV incidence but #21 for population size. Never before has the city been so geared up for increasing HIV/AIDS awareness. We'll also be making an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human ribbon ever formed! 



The event begins at 9:00AM at Rash Field - 201 Key Highway, Baltimore MD 21230. All participants will receive a unique placard depicting a glass mosaic designed by local art organization Art With A Heart. We look forward to welcoming Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Towson Dance Troupe, Goucher College's Red Hot & Blue, Finding Jersey rock band, dozens of local sponsors and food vendors, and the Maryland Physician Care HealthyGroove RV.  

10.06.2010

SPECIAL Weekly Health Tip: Zucchini Pancakes, a Recipe from our Dietitians


Zucchini Pancakes, originally made from our own homegrown zucchinis in our Duncan Street Miracle Garden
Portions: 4
Serving size: 1 pancake
 
Ingredients
• 2 cups sliced raw zucchini
• 1/4 cup grated onion
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash® original blend herb seasoning (or season with fresh herbs!)
• 1/4 cup low cholesterol egg product
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preparation
1. Wash zucchini and grate into a bowl. Add grated onion and stir.
2. Place the zucchini mixture on a clean kitchen towel. Twist and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Return to bowl.
3. Mix flour, salt, and Mrs. Dash® herb seasoning in a small bowl.
4. Add egg product and mix; stir into zucchini and onion mixture.
5. Form 4 patties.
6. Heat oil over high heat in a large nonstick frying pan.
7. Lower heat to medium and place zucchini patties into pan.
8. Sauté until brown, turning once. 

Nutrients per serving
• Calories 55
• Protein 2 g
• Carbohydrate 4 g
• Fat 4 g
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 19 mg
• Potassium 198 mg
• Phosphorus 27 mg
• Calcium 32 mg
• Fiber 1.0 g

10.04.2010

Interview with our Volunteers, Part II – “The Volunteer Experience”


Ruth, Joyce, and Jeanne have been volunteering at Moveable Feast for years; Ruth for eleven, and Jeanne and Joyce for eight. Today, they are sharing their experiences.

What is your favorite part of volunteering at Moveable Feast?

Jeanne: The bike ride. I volunteer every year. Oh, no, I don’t ride. But I work at the pit stops, helping out the Riders.

Ruth: I also help out at the bike ride.

Jeanne: Oh yes she does! Ruth acts as the ‘head of security’ at the end of the bike ride. Unofficially of course. She just waits for the Riders to arrive and then she lectures them if they have to use the bathroom. Haha.

Ruth: Indeed I do. I say, “Didn’t your mother always tell you to use the bathroom before you leave?”

So what has been the most fulfilling part of volunteering here for each of you?

Joyce: I would have to say that I enjoy knowing that I am helping people that really need it. They are sick and nutrition is so important when you are sick. If you don’t have proper food to eat, you can’t possibly get better. It’s fulfilling to know that I am doing something worthwhile.

Joyce: I also enjoy baking cookies. We don’t do it here so much, but at Haussner’s, we used to bake a great deal. We even baked gingerbread cookies, little men and women cookies, one year at the holidays. They were decorated and everything.

Jeanne: Another year we did those sugar cookies too. They were baggied up into little bags and given to the kids in the families of the clients.

Moveable Feast uses people with special needs in their kitchen and packing room, and EVERYONE enjoys working with them! How have you found it?

Joyce: You know, when they first start, they are very tentative, and don’t quite know what they are doing or what they should be doing, and it’s very nice to see them mature and really get into their responsibilities.

Ruth: Yes, I agree. There is a girl named Jessie who works in the kitchen. She makes the sandwiches. And we’ll see her, and we’ll wave, or say hello, but she won’t speak to us at all. She’ll just grin and look down. But she’s never spoken to us.

Jeanne: Or there is Raymond, who is definitely autistic. He works in groceries-to-go. And he definitely has trouble communicating sometimes with us. But the one thing he is truly great at is moving things. He is big and strong and can pick anything up and carry it.

Joyce: If he sees one of us struggling with something, he will come over and help us carry it to wherever it needs to go.

Jeanne: And we had one of those volunteer appreciation events where the families of the volunteers come and celebrate what they have done. And Raymond’s family was there. And his mother told us how happy he is to go to work every day. You know, he’s 21, just out of high school, and really has nothing to do all day. He is so excited to come to work. He really has taken his responsibilities seriously. 


Any last thoughts about volunteering at Moveable Feast?

Jeanne: And I gotta say that the work ethic of these kids is so impressive. And you really learn some great skills while volunteering here. In particular, fantastic kitchen sanitation rules.

Joyce: You gotta be very careful in the kitchen in general. But with the needs of the clients that this kitchen serves, we have to be extra careful. We have all learned great kitchen skills.

Jeanne: We’ve been here so long that we finally got real Moveable Feast aprons! After ten years! We can use them instead of the plastic ones. The only thing is…I keep forgetting to bring mine each week.

Joyce: I just don’t bring mine – I don’t want to get stains on it, I like it so much!

10.01.2010

Chatting Up Social Security

Did you know that you can support Moveable Feast through payroll deduction? 

We are involved in the Combined Federal Campaign - Employee Giving Program. Even a few dollars per pay period can help immensely. Our CFC ID# is 14810 for central Maryland, and #54 for the Eastern Shore.  

 
On Wednesday, we were at the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn, Maryland. There were about fifty organizations present, all talking to SSA employees about the different nonprofits they could donate to. We signed up a few volunteers and even convinced a few people to donate to us! 

We'll be at another CFC fair next week at the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services in Woodlawn, so come take a look.