Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sustainable Food Center Announces New Board Members

SFC Announces New Board Members: Mason Arnold, Christine Fernandez and Stephen Straus.

For the full press release, click here.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Recipe for Moist & Savory Stuffing

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups chicken broth
Generous dash ground black pepper
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 pkg. (16 ounces) seasoned stuffing (Pepperidge Farms recommended)

Directions:
Heat the oven to 350°F. Heat the broth, black pepper, celery and onion in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the stuffing and mix lightly.
Spoon the stuffing mixture into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Cover and bake for 30 minutes or until hot.

Tip: For crunchier stuffing, bake the casserole uncovered.

Tip: Cranberry & Pecan Stuffing: Stir 1/2 cup each dried cranberries and chopped pecans into the stuffing mixture.

Tip: Sausage & Mushroom Stuffing: Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms to the vegetables during cooking. Stir 1/2 pound cooked and crumbled pork sausage into the stuffing mixture.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with a store-bought rotisserie chicken or turkey breast and steamed whole green beans. For dessert, serve key lime pie.

Serves 11.

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Two tech savvy mama’s throw an epic party this Tweetsgiving

Mama Fu’s joins Mama Lucy and Austin’s social media community to celebrate an attitude of gratitude


Austin, TX November 16, 2009 – TweetsGiving, a 48 hour global celebration created in 2008 by US nonprofit Epic Change, seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude. On Tuesday, November 24 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Austin area Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube users and bloggers will join EpicChange in celebrating TweetsGiving09: Epic Thanks at Mama Fu’s downtown location (100 Colorado) Festivities include live music by Hopper and Soft Healer, a live auction, free hors d’oeuvres (courtesy of Mama Fu’s) and a cash bar. Tickets are only $10 online or $15 at the door, so guests are urged to buy their tickets early! (http://epicchange.org/groups/austin/home/). This party is one of over 40 taking place around the world. All funds raised will go directly to Epic Change. This marks the first year for the event to be held in Austin.


This worldwide Tweet-up encourages participants to express their thanks using powerful online tools such as Twitter and at live events. TweetsGiving “Gratitude Parties” are opportunities for people around the world to come together to express thanks while raising money for a great cause. Organizers are using popular social media platforms to organize and spread the word about the event. Twitter users can follow @TweetsGivingATX on Twitter for regular updates and special announcements.


In Tweetsgiving’s first year, social media savvy citizens utilized the power of Twitter to raise over $10,000 in just two days, marking the first time a the social media site was used to raise such a large amount of money for a nonprofit cause. The funds supported the efforts of Mama Lucy Kamptoni, a Tanzanian who raised money selling chickens to build a school on rented land near her home. When developers came in and took the land she was using, Epic Change stepped in to rebuild and expand the school that now serves over 300 children. The primary goal of the school is to ensure that all children in the Kimandolu area are provided access to a high quality education. Funds raised from this year’s event will allow the Shepherd’s Junior primary school to build more classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, and an orphanage/dormitory. The 2008 Tweetsgiving event raised enough money to build a classroom at Kamptoni’s school. In this classroom built from gratitude, the Twitter handles of donors are now painted on the walls. The organizers of this year’s events are hoping to raise at least $100,000 world-wide to continue this expansion.

For more information about the event, please visit:
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R_GfRtbJVA
Austin Event: http://epicchange.org/groups/austin
Twitter: @tweetsgivingATXWebsite: http://tweetsgiving.epicchange.org/story/

# # #

About Tweetsgiving 2008: The Classroom Built from GratitudeInspired by a moving public note of appreciation posted by volunteer Avi Kaplan, Epic Change founder Stacey Monk launched the original TweetsGiving celebration in November 2008 as a 48-hour celebration of gratitude and giving that aimed to raise $10,000 to build a classroom in Arusha, Tanzania. Participants were encouraged to share messages of thanks on Twitter, and to give to a common cause to celebrate their gratitude. TweetsGiving was launched 2 days before the US Thanksgiving holiday, and quickly became the #1 trending topic on Twitter as over 3,000 grateful tweets from across the globe filled the stream, and hundreds of blogs, including Mashable, Venture Beat, TechCrunch, The NonProfit Times, MTV, Forbes and many others, spread the story. Over 15,000 people visited the site in the 48 hours that TweetsGiving was held, and the event easily surpassed its $10,000 goal. Epic Change invested the funds to build a classroom in Arusha, Tanzania at the school founded by Kamptoni, where the Twitter handles of donors are now painted on the walls.About 2009 Plans: Epic ThanksWith a recent grant from IdeaBlob, Epic Change has built a technology lab for the school. Expect groundbreaking participation from students and teachers at the school in Arusha during this year's event, and see #twitterkids for some amazing stories right now! Proceeds will again benefit the school, where an orphanage, library, cafeteria and additional classrooms are much needed.

For more info on global event, please visit www.tweetsgiving.org and www.epicchange.org

-- Jetté Momant
Manna Lifestyle Marketing
www.mannalifestylemarketing.com
Austin Restaurant News Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-21205-Austin-Restaurant-News-Examiner
Décor Jetté : Event Design & Decoration
Haute Couture and Gettin' Hauter
www.decorjette.com

Friday, November 20, 2009

Man v. Food ~ Eat Your Way to Free Burgers for a Year

CALLING ALL EATERS!!
Elevation Burger ends 2009 with a bang and challenges Austinites to finish a ten patty Vertigo Burger

WHAT:
In honor of the most gluttonous month of the year, Elevation Burger is hosting its first eating competition. Contestants will be tasked with the challenge of eating the famous Vertigo Burger, a ten-patty monster of organic, grass-fed beef and aged cheddar. To make the challenge extra difficult, each eater will also have to empty a basket of Elevation Burger’s famous olive-oil fried French fries. Such a feat comes with a generous prize—the first person to finish the Vertigo meal will receive free Elevation Burgers for a year (up to two burgers a week).

WHEN:
Thursday, December 3, at 7 pm

HOW:
Contestants can email their name, age and contact info to ebarboretum@gmail.com and will receive confirmation of their entry via email.

WHERE:
Elevation Burger
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
512.608.4054

WEB:
www.elevationburger.com

ABOUT:
Elevation Burger is located on 9828 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX, 78759 and is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm and Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm. For more information or to place an online order, visit www.eleavtionburger.com or call 512-608-4054.

***
MEDIA CONTACT:
BREAD & BUTTER PUBLIC RELATIONS
Ali Slutsky
815.210.7454
ali@breadandbutterpr.com

Meredith Vachon
512.363.6485
meredith@breadandbutterpr.com

Austin – Los Angeles
c: 815.210.7454
f: 512.243.7151
www.breadandbutterpr.com
Twitter: @BBPR

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Yankee Pot Roast at Lehigh Restaurant near Rochester, NY

While I delivering training to students for a client in Rochester, NY, I had the opportunity to stop by the Lehigh Restaurant there in Henrietta, NY.

The diner is family-owned and operated and reminded me of diners of days long since past. When I walked through the door, I was greeted in a very friendly manner as if I were a relative who just came in from the cold after a long trip. There was the cash register and next to it was the chill case with the pies and desserts. All of them looked so wonderful.

I was escorted to my booth and given a menu. Within a few seconds, a very friendly waitress came to my table and asked for my drink order. After giving it to her, she was off quickly. I had time to observe the customers. Many were families and each had a relationship with the staff. They would talk and joke with the waitresses there in the diner. It was very refreshing to see such an atmosphere of family.

I gave the menu the once over and found the specials. The Yankee Pot Roast quickly got my attention. The evening was a little cold so a good, hearty dinner with meat, vegetables and mashed potatoes with brown gravy sounded wonderful. When my waitress returned with my drink order, she asked me if I was ready. I told her that the pot roast sounded the best. She told me that I would really enjoy it.

Along with the pot roast, I had a side salad, a couple of rolls and a soup. The soup was hamburger and macaroni. Wow! Something from my childhood. The soup was excellent. It was perfectly seasoned and hot. It was a great way to start the meal.

When the waitress brought the pot roast out and served it to me, I was shocked. The portion size was very large and definitely a great value. The mashed potatoes were served in a separate bowl covered in beautiful and tasty brown gravy. The vegetables that were cooked along with the meat were tender. The meat itself was perfectly seasoned and so very tender. I was able to cut it with my fork. The waitress did bring me a steak knife, but I don't know why. It was absolutely perfect and one of the best pot roast meals I have ever had.

I didn't have room for dessert, but I wished I had tried at least one of them. If they are anything like my meal, I'm sure I would have loved them.

So, if you find yourself in Rochester, NY, visit the fine folks at the Lehigh restaurant and enjoy a wonderful home-cooked meal.

Address
4835 W Henrietta Rd, Henrietta, NY
(585) 334-2520‎

Recipe: Pasta Salad

This pasta salad recipe is an easy, flavorful addition to any picnic, cook-out or party. It's sure to get compliments from your guests.

Ingredients
1 package (16 ounces) rotini, fusilli or shell pasta
5 cups assorted vegetables, such as broccoli florets, sliced carrots, bell pepper strips, cherry tomato halves and red onion slices
1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian or ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup McCormick® Salad Supreme® Seasoning or 1/4 cup McCormick® Perfect Pinch® Salad Supreme Seasoning

Directions
1. Cook pasta as directed on package. Rinse under cold water; drain well.
2. Place pasta and vegetables in large salad bowl. Add dressing and Seasoning; toss gently to coat. Cover.
3. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until ready to serve. Toss before serving.

Note
The McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning is a blend of Romano cheese, sesame and poppy seeds, paprika, garlic, and black pepper adds great flavor and a colorful garnish to tossed salads or pasta salads.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Recipe: Beef Teriyaki

When I have guests who enjoy a taste of the Orient, beef teriyaki is my go-to recipe. Everyone who tries it loves it and asks for the recipe.

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 3/4 cups beef Stock
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 boneless beef sirloin steak OR beef top round steak, 3/4-inch thick, cut into very thin strips (about 1 pound)
4 cups fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets
Hot cooked rice

DIRECTIONS
Stir the cornstarch, stock, soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic powder in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth.

Stir-fry the beef in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring often. Pour off any fat.

Add the broccoli to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens. Serve the beef mixture over the rice.

Tip: To make slicing easier, freeze the beef for 1 hour before slicing.

Serves 4.

The Rock Stars of Salt

The Rock Stars of Salt - Food & Drink - FOXNews.com

Salt’s journey to the grinder on your table has a long and storied history behind it that goes far beyond the trip home from the grocer, its ability to preserve food in many ways making it the foundation of all civilizations.
Consider that the Chinese harvested the mineral as early as 6000 BC.

I can tell you this. I have several different salts that I use from time to time. Depending what I need it for, I use the different ones to handle various recipes.

For example, I prefer to cook with Kosher salt. It is easiest to use when you need pinch of salt. Control is easier with the larger grains.

I also use sea salt. It does not have that processed taste to it. In fact, I use it when I want to really bring out some wonderful flavors out of a piece of meat.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Elevation Burger owner donates to Austin Junior League FIT program

WHERE INGREDIENTS MATTER FOR ALL AGES
WHAT:
Danny Bone, owner of Elevation Burger at the Arboretum, will present a $2,500 check (ten percent of a last week's sales) to, Kathi Haralson, president of the Junior League of Austin, for their FIT (Food in Tummies) program, which provides free meals to the 97 percent of children at Baty Elementary who are on the National School Lunch Program. Every Friday, the children are given backpacks full of healthy and nutritious meals along with nutrition tips to keep them nourished on the weekends, making for a happy return on Monday morning.

Elevation Burger will be offering free meals to all who come celebrate the donation!

WHEN:
Thursday, November 12
5 pm – 7 pm

WHERE:
Elevation Burger
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759
512.608.4054

WEB: http://www.elevationburger.com/

ABOUT:
Elevation Burger is located on 9828 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX, 78759 and is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm and Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm. For more information or to place an online order, visit http://www.eleavtionburger.com/ or call 512-608-4054.

***
MEDIA CONTACT:
BREAD & BUTTER PUBLIC RELATIONS
Ali Slutsky
815.210.7454
ali@breadandbutterpr.com

Meredith Vachon
512.363.6485
meredith@breadandbutterpr.com

South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery Welcomes the Holidays with New Trailers

Mark your calendars: Party at the Trailer Park, Thursday, November 19th

6:30pm to 9pm Free Event: The public is invited to their Trailer Park home for the holidays! Torchy’s Tacos, Holy Cacao, and Man Bites Dog invite you to groove to DJ Chicken George while sipping Liquid S’mores made with complimentary Dripping Springs Vodka and 1921 Tequila and get a preview of HOLY CACAO’S 12 DAYS OF CHOCOLATE special holiday Cake Balls! The eateries of the Trailer Park & Eatery will donate 10% of sales for the entire day of November 19th to the families of the Fort Hood tragedy.

AUSTIN, TX – 11/12/09 – Torchy’s Tacos welcomes its new Trailer Park & Eatery neighbors: HOLY CACAO and MAN BITES DOG. Come celebrate the SOUTH AUSTIN TRAILER PARK & EATERY Re-Launch on Thursday, November 19th from 6:30pm to 9pm with free cocktails inspired by Holy Cacao’s Frozen Hot Chocolate (called Liquid S’mores) and designed by Claire Hees (local Artist and Bar Manager) while grooving to music spun by DJ Chicken George.

To celebrate the flavors of the holidays, HOLY CACAO has designed 12 special Cake Ball and Hot Chocolate flavors (preview flavors will be available at the Re-Launch Party). Starting the Friday following Thanksgiving HOLY CACAO will introduce a NEW flavor of Hot Chocolate and a NEW Cake Ball, every day for 12 Days. Those who survive and come back EVERY DAY for the full 12 Days and have the Hot Chocolate and Cake Ball special will be rewarded with a FREE Go Local Austin Card ($10 value) which can be used all around Austin to support other local vendors. The 12 DAYS OF CHOCOLATE Cake Balls will also be available in a gift box for the perfect holiday gift.

The HOLY CACAO Preview Cake Ball Flavors available at the Re-Launch Party will include: BERRY BALLS (a cranberry thyme cake dipped in candy coating then dipped in white chocolate), RUDOLPH’S BALLS (chocolate cake spiked with chopped red hots then dipped in dark chocolate and topped with red hot sprinkles) and GRANDMA’S BALLS (a fruit cake made with red wine and dipped in dark chocolate that will make you reconsider this dreaded holiday dessert!).

HOLY CACAO has updated their standard menu to include new Cake Ball flavors, Ice Cream Floats, 2 NEW flavored Hot Chocolates and brought back Toast Your Own S’mores to the Trailer Park. For just $6, the S’mores experience includes 4 fluffy marshmallows that are handcrafted daily in Austin, 2 Hershey Bars, graham crackers, and deluxe extendable S’mores Forks that will keep your hand from getting toasted along with the marshmallow! Check out the full menu and find out more at www.theholycacao.com.

MAN BITES DOG, a hot dog venture set to open November 14th, promises to bring the heat and the meat with a menu full of innovative dog and sausage creations. The concept at Man Bites Dog is simple—more meat, better buns, bigger ideas. Highlights include the Buffalo Hottie, a 100% Vienna beef frank topped with bleu cheese crumbles, buffalo hot sauce and green onions, the Bird Dog, a chicken sausage topped with sweet corn relish and pesto mayo, and several twists on classics (think dog-meets-Reuben). For the individualists, there’s even a build-your-own option with a variety of franks, sausages, sauces and toppings.

These aren’t your average dogs. Check out the full menu and find out more at www.manbitesdogaustin.com.

With spicy tacos, hot dogs, and a campfire to toast your own S’mores, the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery is your headquarters for the cool weather.

Contact:
Ellen Kinsey 512-851-CAKE (2253)
Holy Cacao
South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery 1311 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
orders@theholycacao.com

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Dinner at the Windjammer Restaurant in South Burlington, VT

While I was in Burlington, VT to do some training for a client, I had a great meal at the Windjammer Restaurant. The meal that I had was absolutely wonderful and the staff was very friendly and helpful.

I had the Mate’s Prime Rib with Scallops. The scallops were sweet and perfectly cooked. You could not have asked for better. The prime rib was perfectly cooked to my request and very large. The local folks recommended the salad boat. The choice of salad and additions were very good.

I included some pictures of my meal. I think you will find the size of the prime rib to be very generous.



If you have a chance to visit Burlington, VT, I highly recommend a trip to the Windjammer Restaurant.

Windjammer Restaurant
1076 Williston Road
South Burlington, VT 05403
Phone: (802) 862-6585
Fax: (802) 651-0654

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Building a Better Burger for Charity: Elevation Burger Working with Junior League of Austin

Elevation Burger has been doing a promotion with the Junior League of Austin’s FIT charity to help feed the children at Baty Elementary. The promo began on November 1 and goes through November 8 and Elevation Burger owner, Danny Bone will be presenting a check to the Junior League of Austin for 10% of the total sales over that week. FIT’s mission is to help the children on the National School Lunch Program stay healthy and fed on weekends. At Baty Elementary 97% of the children are on the NSLP and FIT, with help from Elevation Burger, fills hundreds of backpacks with nutritious meals for the whole weekend. When the kids come to school on Monday they are happy, full and ready to learn.

So, if you are hungry for a great burger and want to help out FIT, drop by my friends at Elevation Burger and order a better burger for the children.

Location
9828 Great Hills Trail
Austin, TX 78759-6391
(512) 608-4054

Monday, November 2, 2009

Are You Game for Game Meats?

Are You Game for Game Meats? - Food & Drink - FOXNews.com

One of the things I really enjoy is game meat. Deer, bison, elk, duck and a host of other meats are great tasting and lower in cholesterol. Most folks dislike game meat, because of the taste. To be quite honest, they are missing out on some of the most wonderful tastes in the world.

The taste of game meat is natural and it is unblemished by all of the feeds that we use to feed our livestock. In most cases, the meat is very lean. I have deer and it is absolutely wonderful. Several of my friends are hunters and they provide me with some of their meat. Needless to say, I enjoy it thoroughly.

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