Hello Everyone!

I'm officially back to my blog page! I was having some issues with my web address, but now I'm back to blogging.   So much to blog!!! 

I am so blessed, to be able to travel and promote the Blessings in a Backpack organization. ( not only in PA, but all over the US)  These last few weeks, It was a joy to be able to visit so many organizations and be able to cook with the children and spend time with their families.  

The last few weeks have given me many opportunities to help within the community and nation!

Saturday, April 28th was the Celebrity Basketball Game and Slam Dunk Contest signature fundraising event for the Clifton R. Lewis Good Life Foundation. Held annually at GNA High School in Nanticoke PA, the event attracts professional athletes, celebrities, musicians and spectators from all over NEPA and across the country. 

They play to raise important funds that go directly toward helping families with Muscular Dystrophy live a better, more accessible life through special equipment, accessibility assistance, funding for research and the Dream Creator. Last year’s event paved the way to help 12 families and make 2 special children’s dreams come true! It was great to meet Steve McLendon, Kenny Dobbs, Todd Bodine, Darnell Stapleton, Chad Szeliga, Carlos Smothers, Josh Seibert, Roscoe Johnson Jr, and most of all Cliff Lewis and his family. The the founders of the Lewis Foundation.  Inspiring to see all the great things they do for so many families.  

This week we were in Savannah, GA visiting the restaurant of Mrs Paula Deen, the food was great and Toni was a gem! I made sure I purchased a few cook books before leaving.  These signed cookbooks will be raffled off at our Blessings in a Backpack fundraiser the end of June!  

Our trip to Florida was the best, my sister in law was married on a beautiful island in  Florida!  It was SO much fun.  We had to take a water taxi to the island and leave behind our cars, driving golf carts around most of the weekend! I will say, it was  nice to detach with our family for a few days!  Sunday was Mother's Day, and most of you know, my husband doesn't cook much! Well......He and my Father in law,  made a wonderful diner with spaghetti, salad and garlic bread!!  ( my Father in law doesn't cook either!) It was a great meal and we were all impressed.  Job well done!!!

We were also educated on down home Southern cooking! YUM, I love the smell of beef brisket. Did you know you can feed about 12-15 people on one brisket.  I'm going to check this out! This may be one for the recipe book!  

Tomorrow is a "Zumbathon", at the Northwest Intermediate School, Mrs Axtell is heading the Zumbathon! She is a teacher at the Intermediate school and Zumba instructor.   All proceeds will go to Blessings in a Backpack!

Another fun event is the Blessings in a Backpack chopped competition, between staff at Northwest Area! I can't wait to see what's "Created" with these foods in the backpack! This is a fun, yet educational experience for the children  to see what's really in those back packs, and what they can contribute to them as well.  

This weekend will be the Harrisburg  Senators game.  A few weeks ago, my sister queens and I did a walk for the Arthritis foundation, at Pennsylvania State University, Altoona. 

I met Suzanne Sheaffer,  her daughter passed away this year, after being diagnosed with dermatomyositis. Which  is a connective-tissue disease.  Suzanne's goal is raise as much community awareness and early recognition nationwide!  Through her research and discussions with the myosotis and arthritis foundation .  

You would never know,  how devastating arthritis can be to children as well as adults. Did you know that in 1984, Ricky Bell  A pro NFL player died from dermatomyositis,  Their are so many stories like Sarah and  Ricky's.  I want to help Suzanne with funding this awareness.  Suzanne is going to be speaking at the Senator's game, and the memorial picnic on Sunday, May 20th heading a balloon launch in Sarah's honor. .  I know as a Mom, it must be very hard for her to do this, but I will be there to support her as she takes a stand against arthritis.    

Good Morning Everyone,

I wanted to be sure to take the time to blog this morning.

 I'm SO excited to be traveling to so many schools this week in our local area!! I'm taking this time to bond with family and friends.  So many people are always asking me, "What can we do to help you"!  Well, if you happen to be one of those people......I'm going to utilize you!! LOL   It may be packing backpacks, making foods, or handing out information.  I appreciate all the help,  and can't wait to add more and more schools to the Blessings in a Backpack program.  (locally)

I'm working on more and more recipes to share with everyone!!!

Fruit Salad, request

    Hi Everyone!



        Thank you for reaching out to me for "cost less" recipes.  I'm so happy to share this fruit salad recipe.  This is great for the warm weather approaching us.

The emphasis for this recipe will be the apples.  This is what gives the salad crunch and flavor! Choose your apples wisely!  Remember, there are so many varieties out there.  (leaving the peel on, not only adds color, but it adds fiber as well!)

• 
  
• 3 apples, cored and cubed
• 1/4 lb. seedless grapes, washed and removed from stems
• 1 banana, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 8-oz. can pineapple chunks canned in juice, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1-1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt

In small bowl, whisk together honey and yogurt. Place rest of ingredients in large bowl, pour yogurt mixture over all, and toss to mix well. You can serve it immediately, or cover and let stand for 20 minutes in refrigerator before serving. You can also  toss a small amount of trail mix over the top.  I love to eat this right before a hike or long bike ride! 

Healthy Foods, list

I'm trying to put together a summer cost-less "wellness" program.  After doing some research on fruits and veggies, I wanted to share some great facts with my readers today!  I hope you find this useful, and as always feel free to drop me a few lines! No matter where you live, you can find some great  foods—which also happen to be good for you. I'm providing a  list of some of the things you'll find in the produce aisle of your grocery store, or in your local farmers' market. ( Remember the local farmer's market's will be opening soon, let's show our local support as much as we can!)  Apples  Different varieties come in season starting in mid- to late summer and right on through autumn. Be sure to eat the skin to get the best health benefits. ( I love honey crisp apples!!!)  1 box of strawberry jello, 2 honey crisp apples a hand full of walnuts and a can of crushed pineapple is all you need to make a great healthy snack!!   add 1cup of hot water to the jello mix add, walnuts, apples (diced) and pineapple! refrigerate for two hours and enjoy!!  Apricots  Originally from China, apricots are not only delicious, but they're also a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. Look for fruits that are plump, firm, and uniform in color. Avocados  Though their seasons vary, summer is a good time to find ripe avocados in your local stores. High in monounsaturated fats, they also contain vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, plus a couple of those B vitamins. Basil  Summer is the best season to enjoy this aromatic herb—a great ingredient to liven up pastas, sandwiches, or salads. ( there  is something about "fresh" basil in sauce.) Blueberries Rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, a handful of these babies are great when you toss them into a low-fat smoothie or on top of some yogurt for a nutritious snack! Yum, Chicago prep!!  Carrots  Not only are carrots good road-trip snacks, they also have pro-vitamin A carotenes that can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Chard  Like spinach, chard is low in calories and contains phytonutrients including syringic acid, which inhibits carbs from breaking down into simple sugars, thus warding off issues like diabetes by keeping blood sugar steady. Cherries Cherries are high in vitamin C and potassium, and if you go pick them yourself, you'll get the additional benefit of some good old-fashioned exercise. ( warning do not bring hungry children, you will be up all night!!!!, trust me on this one!! ;-) Corn A summer staple, its folate and B vitamins can contribute to improved cardiovascular health. (locally grown in our area!)  Cucumbers  Cucumbers are great for your skin, muscles, and connective tissue, plus they're full of water, fiber, and vitamin C. Eggplant The beautiful purple skin found on these late-summer vegetables is good food for your brain. Fennel  This Mediterranean bulb is rich in vitamin C and phytonutrients, especially anethole, which have showed to have some anti-cancer effects. Figs  Fresh figs available during the hot months are a great source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. Garlic  Volumes have been written on the benefits of this stinky bulb, which include how good it is for heart health and how its antiviral properties may be able to help keep us from getting sick.( I swear this was a daily "vitamin" in our home growing up!!!)  Grapes Great for snacking, they're low in calories and contain the heart disease-fighting phytonutrient resveratrol, normally associated with red wine. (remember never pass up those Muscadine grapes, (Vitis rotundifolia) Green beans   Steamed  these are great  crisp vegetables for a healthy side dish that's filled with carotenoids, which are great for your heart and more. Lemongrass. Used in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking, this citrusy herb is high in folic acid and has been shown to have antioxidant and disease-preventing properties. You can purchase lemongrass juice frozen in the health food isle of the grocery store! ( this is a family favorite!!)  Lettuce  Not all greens are equal, so go for the mixed greens, romaine, or red leaf lettuce for the best benefits in your salads.  Mangos Though higher in calories, one cup of diced mango can provide 75 percent of your daily vitamin C recommendation. Great for helping out the immune system of right before boarding a plane! -:)

My Sister

What a great week!! 

 I'm filling my calendar and looking forward to reaching as many families as possible! 

I just wanted to start my blog out today, making sure I thank on more person, my sister!

The last 35 years I have had the pleasure to live my life with someone I call my "sister"!  We have shared SO many hugs and tears!!  My big sister has always been there by my side to protect me and guide me.  She has a way of making me believe in myself that she doesn't even know! 

My sister has always been a role model that I look up to, and I am so thankful and proud of my sister!! 

I love you, Mich! 

I will be packing some backpack today and tomorrow.  If anyone would like to join me, please feel free to email me @ kimberlyannmclendon@yahoo.com I want to add as many schools and volunteers as possible.  We have a lot of families in need right here in NEPA! Remember, I am always available to help in anyway I can!! 

 

The dream you carry inside your heart is far too valuable to relinquish to anyone's perspective of you. "BE YOU" That's why you are here. Discard words like "naive".  Explore, experiment, evolve. Take life in big gulps. The only person you have to answer to at the end of the day is YOU. If you feel you want to take a left turn in life, that should be because you decided to, not as a reaction to what others say.  Stay real.-:) 

Thank you!

I want to reflect this time to say; "Thank You" to everyone for supporting my dreams!  Gary, you are my true soul mate and I love you SO much for being on my team.  You are my biggest supporter and I can't tell you how much I apprecite tht!!!!  Maddy and Gary, thank you for helping Mommy get ready!!   Mom, Dad, Diane and Pam thank you for your support!!    Suzy Bootz, Thank you for all your help and Competitive Image, Thank you for all your help! Joey, you have the best taste and Clay you are a true artist, I love my photos!!!  Thank you team Cessna for all your hard work and my sister queen Dawn Hicks!! You are amazing and I'm so proud of you for all you have done for our country! You will always be a true hero to me!-:))

  I am so happy to hold the title of Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2012!! WOW, I'm overwhelmed by all the  congratulatory notes and well wishes!!  

I have a lot of work to do in the next year, and can't wait to get started! 

This weekend, was one amazing weekend!  It was a pleasure to meet and spend time with the most talented ladies that shared that stage with me!  Jill, Kathleen, Danella, Sara and Teena  you all are amazing women and it was a pleasure to spent the time with each and everyone of you!  

cooking and teaching!

Hi Everyone,

It was a long day today, but feeling very excited about so much. My day started off to a rough start, but all and all it worked out!

I was so happy to be invited to the set of WBRE, NEPA live today.  I made "cost less" meals to show families you can make healthy foods for less.  I was able to share some information about the "Blessings in a Backpack Organization"! I can't tell you how much I enjoy feeding children!

 I brought the biggest food critics I know, to "taste test" the food!  My two children, Maddy and Gary! I think the chicken passed and to my surprise,  they gave the chicken salad a thumbs up as well!   I made the "cereal" chicken recipe that I wrote for my column this week.  It was simple and  cheap to make! If I am honored to hold the title of Mrs Pennsylvania International, this will be one of the recipes show cased in my cook book!

I'm getting very excited about the next few days, I can't wait to see everyone again!  I'm so excited so many of my friends and family are coming to cheer me on! My team of supporters, I don't know what I would do with out all of you!  The old saying, "It takes a team",  I'm so very proud of my team!! !

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." ~ Zig Ziglar