ShelterBox and Some Awards
March 4, 2010 | Filed Under Announcements, Awards, Disaster Relief Organizations, Happy 101 Award, Our Adventures in Japan blog, ShelterBox, Sophie FoodieFiles blog, Sunshine Award | 4 Comments
If you’re interested in helping the earthquake victims of Chile and are unsure of where to make a donation, you might want to consider the international disaster relief agency ShelterBox. They deliver emergency shelter (a ten- person tent, blankets, water purification, storage equipment, a stove, cooking utensils, basic tools, children’s activity pack and other vital items) to people affected by disaster worldwide.
I first mentioned ShelterBox after the quake in Haiti. They’ve helped many people there and are now helping the earthquake victims of Chile. You can read about it here and here.
To read more about ShelterBox and or make a donation, go here.
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Recently, I received some awards from very nice food bloggers. Thanks for making me feel honored and special.
Kat from Our Adventures in Japan passed on the Sunshine Award to me.
According to Kat, "The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blogging world." The rules once this award is received are as follows:
1. Post the logo on blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees
4. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from.
Sophie of Sophie FoodieFiles passed on the Happy 101 Award.
I’d like to pass both these awards to EVERYONE who stops by here and always leaves a comment. That means all of YOU. Thank you for your presence on my blog and your kind comments. Kat and Sophie, thanks again, for thinking about me.
Best,
Paz
ShelterBox
January 17, 2010 | Filed Under Announcements, Disaster Relief Organizations, ShelterBox | 8 Comments
I’d already made a donation to help with the disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Then I read about ShelterBox USA on Jai and Bee’s blog, Jugalbandi. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that helps people, worldwide, when a disaster strikes. They provide boxes that contain a tent and other necessities, like thermal blankets, waterproof ponchos, stove, pans, utensils, water containers, tool kits, children school supplies and more. They’ve helped in several several countries, ranging from Afghanistan, Angola, Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Louisiana, Mississippi to Zambia and more. I liked what they do, so I made a donation to them.
There are many charitable organizations collecting funds to help victims of the Haitian earthquake but I thought I’d share the information about ShelterBox with you. If you would like to help those affected by the disaster in Haiti and haven’t done so yet, you may want to consider making a donation to ShelterBox. Even if you have already made a donation elsewhere, you may want to consider making a second donation to ShelterBox. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps them help others in their time of need.
If you’re interested in learning more about Shelterbox USA and would like to make a donation, go here. The main headquarters is based in the United Kingdom. In addition to the United States, there are also chapters in Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, New Zealand and Denmark. You can find the web sites for these countries at this link.
The contents of the ShelterBox provides a roof, basic supplies and six months of clean drinking water for ten people in Haiti. They need shelter and help now. So, let’s help them now (In the comments section on the donation page, state that you want your donation to go to Haiti.).
Thanks,
Paz
Ten people can fit in a Shelterbox tent.
Ed. Note: Below is an update on the ShelterBoxes. They recently arrived in Haiti (Port au Prince) and have been put to immediate use.
January 18, 2010: Three operation centers were set up in and around Haiti. Read about it here.
January 19, 2010: The First ShelterBoxes arrive in Haiti (Port-au-Prince). Read about it here.
January 20, 2010: ShelterBox tents put to immediate us in Haiti. Read more here.
Drop In & Decorate
November 13, 2009 | Filed Under Announcements, Cookies, Donation, Drop in & Decorate | 6 Comments
Hi Folks:
I’ve mentioned Drop In & Decorate®, the cookies-for-donation event founded by Lydia of The Perfect Pantry, many times before and it’s time for me to mention it again. 
It’s so exciting for me to know that this fun and worthwhile event continues to spread across the 50 states and Canada and it’s about to start again for the holiday season.
Here is what Lydia writes about Drop In & Decorate®:
We’re based in Rhode Island. This will be the 8th year of cookies-for-donation in my kitchen. We are year-round, not just at the holidays. But holidays are a great time to get people together.
I’m not a baker - in fact, I’m baking-challenged! So, really, anyone can do this.
There’s a free guide with everything you need to know to host your own party, download on our web side (www.dropinanddecorate.org)
Before the end of this year, the 10,000th cookie will be decorated and donated. Where???
December 4 is National Cookie Day.
Cookies make people smile, and bring a bit of happiness to people in difficult circumstances.
If you’re interested in this cookie donation and would like to participate, here’s how:
The idea behind Drop In & Decorate® is simple: bake some cookies; gather a group of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, your worship group or book group to decorate the cookies together; donate the cookies to a nonprofit agency serving basic human needs in your own community.
It’s a simple idea in a complicated world, and something anyone can do.
If you’d like to host your own Drop In & Decorate® event, Pillsbury and Wilton would like to help.
Pillsbury has donated 50 VIP coupons, worth $3.00 each, off any Pillsbury product — including sugar cookie mix, icing and flour — to be distributed, first come, first served, while supply lasts, to anyone who plans to host a Drop In & Decorate event (max. 5 coupons per person). And we’ll include a Comfort Grip cookie cutter, donated by Wilton, while our supply lasts.
Write to lydia AT ninecooks DOT com for more info on how to get your free coupons and cookie cutters.
So, how about joining in on the fun of making others feel good?
Paz
New York Monday
October 4, 2009 | Filed Under Announcements, Food Blogging Events, New York Monday, World Bread Day | 13 Comments
On the way from the post office, I passed by this discarded sofa chair on the sidewalk. Obviously, the owner didn’t need it anymore but I’m sure that someone would come by and make good use of it. I’ve thrown out many things before (from furniture to books) and within a very short time, found that someone had picked it up. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
On another note, I’d like to pass along the word that the 4th edition of World Bread Day 2009 — Yes, We Bake is coming up on October 16, 2009. It’s a fun event in which to participate. For more information, stop by Zorra’s blog.
Have a great week, everyone!
Paz
Offline for a While
August 30, 2009 | Filed Under Announcements | 10 Comments
Shortly after my last post, due to lightning during a thunderstorm, I lost all the computers in my home. I also lost access to the internet. The external hard drive where I saved all my photos and other stuff were destroyed, too. When I get a new computer and am back online, I’ll be back blogging and visiting everyone.
Best,
Paz
Help Donate 1,000 Cookies for Mother’s Day…
April 18, 2009 | Filed Under Announcements, Cookies, Donation, Drop in & Decorate | 9 Comments
… and have fun in the process.
Wonderful Lydia of The Perfect Pantry, founder of Drop In & Decorate® is asking for our help to participate in the latest Drop In & Decorate® holiday event.
Drop In & Decorate® is a fun event where you and your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers (everyone/anyone) get together and decorate cookies (like a cookie-decorating party) then you donate the cookies to places serving people in difficult circumstances during the holiday season — like an emergency shelter, local food pantry, senior center.
Lydia has organized a Coast-to-Coast Drop In & Decorate® Mothers Day Celebration, which will take place from May 1-10, 2009. Her goal is to donate 1,000 cookies to agencies across the country.
For example, Lydia is hosting her own decorating party and will donate the cookies to Lucy’s Hearth, SSTARbirth, and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
She writes that "You, too, can honor moms everywhere by hosting (or helping to organize) your own cookie decorating party, with your friends, family, co-workers or faith group. We’ll write about all of the Mothers Day events (and link to your blog) on our site."
The Drop In & Decorate® organization will also give a prize to the host who donates the most cookies. The prize package includes free coupons for organic ready-to-bake cookie dough from Immaculate Baking Co.
If you’d like to participate in this Cookies-for-Donation event, contact Lydia:
Lydia AT dropinanddecorate DOT org
She’ll send you more info on how to host your own cookies-for-donation event. In the meantime, she’s passed along some responses to Frequently Asked Questions.
Thanks for your help!
Paz
Ed. Note: Fourteen different Mother’s Day events have started already. You can read about it here.
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Mothers Day Coast-to-Coast Drop In & Decorate® Cookies for Donation
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take part in the Coast-to-Coast Drop In & Decorate® event?
It’s easy — your party can be big, or just you and your kids, or a couple of friends. Pick a date between May 1-10. Bake cookies ahead of time (or ask people to bring baked cookies). Invite a few friends over to decorate, or invite your entire neighborhood to join in. Then wrap your cookies, and deliver to a local agency or shelter.
Where do I donate the cookies?
To your local food pantry, Ronald McDonald House, senior center, homeless shelter, or domestic abuse shelter. For Mother’s Day, why not look for an agency serving women and children? If you don’t know of an agency to take your cookies, we’ll help you find a recipient.
Is there a prize for whoever donates the most cookies to their agency?
Yes! Besides the warm feelings that come from giving a gift of kindness, Drop In & Decorate has a special prize pack for the host whose event donates the most cookies to their designated agency: A reuseable canvas shopping bag, three large cookie cutters, and 5 coupons for free ready-to-bake organic cookie dough from Immaculate Baking Co. — enough to bake 120 cookies! Just let us know that you’re planning an event; then, send us the name of your recipient agency, the number of decorated cookies you donated, and photos to share on our site at www.dropinanddecorate.org.
How much does a party cost?
If you already have the ingredients for your favorite type of sugar cookie in your pantry, the party is absolutely free! If you’d like to purchase supplies similar to those used at the flagship event, download our "host your own cookie decorating party" brochure for supplies and sources.
Can I use your logo for my event?
Yes! Send me an email, and I’ll send you a JPG.
Cebollas Encurtidas (Pickled Onions)
February 8, 2009 | Filed Under Announcements, Ecuadorian Recipes, Latin Recipes, Laylita's Recipes blog | 13 Comments
Hi Everyone. I haven’t meant to seemingly abandon this food blog. I know it’s been a while since I’ve put up a new post here. Unfortunately, life is keeping me extremely busy and stressed. As a result, I haven’t had much time to blog here or visit other blogs. Forgive me, please. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed me and left messages here to make sure I was okay. I very much appreciate your concern.
Anytime I go to the neighborhood Dominican restaurant and order mangú or one of my other favorite Latin meals, it comes with a typical side dish — cebollas encurtidas (pickled onions). They are tasty sweet/sour-tasting pink, thinly sliced onions. Normally, I have to beg them to add an extra serving of the pickled onions. Depending on who waits on me, I get an amused or annoyed look before they comply.
Thanks to Laylita’s Recipes, I’ve now found out how to make my own cebollas encurtidas. My own pickled onions! Yay! I no longer have to beg for an extra serving of onions. Surprisingly, it’s easy to prepare. All I need are red onions, lime, salt and a little bit of time of patience (waiting three hours or overnight for the onions to turn pink). Oh, Layla’s recipe calls for sunflower oil. I didn’t have that and used olive oil on one occassion and canola oil at another time. And viola! I have my tasty onions. The only thing I need to practice is cutting the onions to produce nice, fine slices. I’m told that it takes a good tomato knife and lots of practice. I’m ready to practice my heart out to make nice, even onion slices. Thanks, Layla!
Before I end my post, I wanted to let you know that I’ve opened a Zazzle Gallery, where I’ve put up a few postcards for sale. These postcards have photos of NYC that you’ll see on my photo blog. At the moment, I have 10 postcards featured. If there’s a photo, in which you’re interested, let me know I’ll see it is possible to turn it into a postcard. Check the gallery when you have a chance.
If any of you miss New York Monday, don’t forget that you can always go here to find a NYC photo.
Paz
Cebollas Encurtidas (Pickled Onions)
Ingredients:
2 small red onions
Juice of 3 limes
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 tablespoon salt + more to adjust taste
Preparation:
- Cut the onion in half, slice very finely (a mandolin is very helpful with this part) and place in a bowl
- Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and a squeeze of lime juice, let rest for about 10 minutes
- Cover the onions with lukewarm water and let rest for another 10 minutes
- Rinse and drain the onions
- Add the lime juice, salt and the oil, and mix well.
- Cover the onions and place in the fridge, the onions will start to turn pinkish after about 3 hours, and will turn very pink if left overnight. Taste again before serving and add salt if needed.
Good News: My Caribbean Cookbook
December 14, 2008 | Filed Under Announcements, Caribbean Recipes, Cookbooks | 10 Comments
Cynthia of Tastes like Home has a cookbook out. It’s called My Carribean Cookbook. What a delectable title! She always makes scrumptious-looking and sounding meals on her blog, so I know her cookbook will produce the same types of recipes. Check out Cynthia’s blog; you can buy the book here.
Paz
Good News: Drop In & Decorate
December 6, 2008 | Filed Under Announcements, Baking, Cookies, Donation, Drop in & Decorate | 5 Comments
Some news I wanted to share with you:
Lydia of The Perfect Pantry is also the founder of Drop In & Decorate, a special cookie event. I mentioned Drop In & Decorate last year. It started out as a holiday event and has grown bigger. It’s a fun time where you bake cookies and then invite your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers (everyone/anyone) to help decorate the cookies. It’s like a cookie-decorating party. Next, you donate the cookies (to places like a shelter or food pantry, etc…). This is not only a fun event in which to participate, it’s also worthwhile.
Check out Lydia’s site, Drop In & Decorate. You’ll find cookie recipes, photos, tips on how to host a cookie-decorating party, where to donate your cookies and more.
Announcement: International Women’s Day
March 4, 2008 | Filed Under Announcements | Leave a Comment
Here’s an invitation from Zorra to participate in the Yellow Food for International Women’s Day event. I hope you can join in on the fun.
Paz
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p.s. Men are more than welcome to participate, too!
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