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Charity Logo

Charity of the Month

CHARITY OF THE MONTH - HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

In December I am riding for Heifer International. Founded in 1944, Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Its approach is more than a handout. Heifer provides animals (e.g., heifers, goats, water buffalos, chickens, rabbits, fish, and bees) and training to impoverished people in over 30 countries. The animals can give milk, meat, or eggs; provide draft power; or form the basis of a small business. Communities make their own decisions about what crops, animals, and market strategies make sense for their everyday conditions and experiences.

Heifer International is based on 12 Cornerstones, such as Sustainability; Genuine Need and Justice; and Gender and Family Focus. Perhaps the best known Cornerstone is Passing on the Gift, in which Heifer recipient families pass on the offspring of their animals to others in need. In this way, whole communities can raise their standard of living.

A donation to Heifer International also can make a wonderful alternative holiday gift. Instead of yet another sweater for Grandma that she really doesn’t need, why not donate a Heifer animal or a share of an animal in her honor? Does your child really need so many new toys? Instead of five new toys, give him/her three new toys and a Heifer flock of chicks. Heifer has honor cards to let your loved ones know of your gift on their behalf.

I have set up a Team Heifer page to support Heifer International through A Year of Centuries. My goal is to raise $500. Please make your donation through https://teamheifer.heifer.org/AYearofCenturies. If you would like more information about Heifer’s work, please visit www.heifer.org. Whether you give to honor a loved one or make a regular donation, thank you for taking steps to transform the world for the better.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Recipe of the Week: Morning Muesli

Good nutrition doesn't have to break the bank.  Throughout October I will post a recipe each week that is healthful, inexpensive, and delicious.  Since breakfast is the first meal of the day, we’ll start with one of my favorite breakfast recipes, Morning Muesli.  You make it the night before, which is convenient when you’re trying to get out the door quickly in the morning.  The recipe calls for raw oats; yes, you read that right.  The uncooked oatmeal softens in the liquid mixture overnight, resulting in the same texture as cooked oats.  Of course, if you’re my friend Jeff (a.k.a. Stony), you don’t mind eating actual raw oatmeal.  I’ve seen him do this, and I can never suppress the urge to neigh at him.

Morning Muesli

2 cups uncooked oatmeal
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh fruit, chopped (apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, etc.)
2 tablespoons chopped nuts

Combine oatmeal, apple juice, yogurt, vanilla, and fruit; mix well.  Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.  Serve cold, sprinkled with nuts.  Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days.

Yield: 3-4 servings

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