April 13, 2011

Fashion Show in the Making Part II: Models with a passion to help, Hair & Make-Up Styling from Local Businesses

Author: Maria Diestro

Aycha Williams, Fashion Chair of Second Harvest’s Wine Women & Shoes, gives us an update on the fashion show. We are so excited that Wine Women & Shoes is less than 2 weeks away! 

Last week, I wrote about how we put all the moving parts together for Wine, Women & Shoes Fashion Show, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank. I had mentioned that we received far-reaching support and help from our local businesses of Winter Park and greater Orlando.  

Today, I would like to introduce  our models that will all be donating their time and positive energy on the day of the event; walking the catwalk with the season’s must-have looks from Ginger Boutique at Winter Park village, Jacobson’s on Park Avenue and Black House, White Market at Alta Monte Mall.

I would like to introduce first three of our nine models:

Linda Mottram
Linda is a mother of two beautiful girls, Marley age 4 and Ivy, 16 months and is originally from Pennsylvania. After graduating from Penn State University, Linda moved to Orlando in 1992 and she says she fell in love with the city, its friendly people, not the mention the warm climate. Linda worked in legal industry in Orlando where she also met her husband, Jeff and they settled in Winter Park where they raise their beautiful daughters. She is now a stay at home mom, she loves to travel and to learn about other cultures. As a very stylish beautiful woman, she says she has always had a passion for fashion. Linda volunteers for charitable causes on a regular basis. 

Sissy DeMuth
Sissy is has lived in Winter Park for the most part of her life and is a graduate of Rollins College. She is a general contractor by trade and has her own company, DeMuth Renovations, specializing on residential and commercial construction and renovations. Her passion is helping the disabled veterans where she teaches art classes and facilitates memory games once a week for over 10 years now. Before that; she has volunteered for American Red Cross since she was 14 years old. After hearing the focus of her volunteer work, I was not surprised to learn that Sissy gears her business towards residential modifications to accommodate people with disabilities. Sissy is certified in all surrounding counties and states, needless to mention that her company is a woman owned business. She models from time to time, and said she is very glad to be of help for our event.

Kelcie Richter
Kelcie is young model in training as well as a college student and was referred to us through the Maile School of Acting and Modeling. She was born and raised in Orlando and her new modeling career includes runway shows in Mall of Millenia. Kelcie’s other interests are dancing, music and the beach. She has a very warm, sweet personality and said that she is more than happy to offer her time to model for our event.

 

We could not have put this fashion show together without the help of:

Urban Blonde Salon and Eclips Salon & Spa: both local businesses in Orlando. They both graciously offered to donate their services to create the looks of our models. Kristen, with Urban Blonde Salon and Colleen Baker, owner of Eclips Salon & Spa along with her head make-up artist Melissa Sorrano, will arrive in teams of four and help style our models before the event. We are thankful for their support and contribution.

Follow us in the next few days as I will be continue to introduce our models; a business woman, a cancer survivor mother of two, a local doctor and a professional model. Upcoming blog will also talk about our DJ, Clinton and his passion for music.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet for Wine, Women and Shoes on April 23rd, there may be a few left! Event and ticket info: www.winewomenandshoes.com/secondharvest

Aycha Williams
Fashion Chair
Wine, Women & Shoes

March 8, 2011

Eat Right with Color

Author: Maria Ali

By Kristina LaRue, Nutrition Intern at Second Harvest Food Bank

It’s National Nutrition Month! The American Dietetic Association designated the month of March to communicate the importance of making good food choices. This year’s theme is “Eat Right with Color.” This is the challenge to Americans— eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day.

Why does color matter?
• Not all plants are created equal—Each fruit and vegetable provides different nutrients and unique health benefits.
• Live it up with color—Eating the same fruits and vegetables over and over again is boring, especially when you are supposed to eat 5 a day. Including a variety of choices will help you to enjoy your food a whole lot more!
• Rev up the flavor—Fruits and vegetables come in all flavors. Add a twist to a dish by including a new taste. Eat the rainbow.
• Red—watermelon, pomegranate, strawberries, radishes, cherries, red peppers, red potatoes, rhubarb.
• Orange/Yellow—rutabagas, sweet potatoes, lemons, pumpkin, yellow tomatoes, apricots, pears, peaches, butternut squash.
• Green—zucchini, spinach, lima beans, collard greens, avocados, artichokes, green apples.
• Blue/Purple—blueberries, figs, blackberries, plums, purple grapes, prunes, raisins.
• White—cauliflower, mushrooms, garlic, onions, potatoes, turnips, bananas.

Take the challenge!

• Next time you are at the supermarket, put a new fruit or vegetable in your shopping cart!
• Make a list of the fruits and vegetables that you currently eat to figure out what colors you might be missing.
• Get creative—find new recipes that include fruits and vegetables. Make a fresh veggie dip, enjoy fruit smoothies, use dried fruits in trail mix.
• Keep ready to eat fruits and vegetables in the fridge.
• Double up. Increase the amount of veggies in the recipe.
• Have fruits for dessert.

Visit eatright.org for more information about National Nutrition Month. For more ideas and fun recipes visit fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov

Maria Ali, RD, LD/N
Nutrition Manager

May 4, 2010

Pietopia

Author: Sasha Hausman

I had the great pleasure of attending the Great American Pie Festival April 24th and 25th in Celebration. Which basically meant good bye Pound for Pound Challenge, hello delicious pie!

Apple, pecan, key lime, cherry, French silk, you name it … I tasted it! So you might be asking, “So what does this have to do with Second Harvest?” Well the folks at the Pie Council and Village Inn care so much about Second Harvest Food Bank’s Kids Café program, that they dedicate some fun activities to raise funds for our afterschool program.

There were buckets spread out throughout the festival for pie lovers to drop donations into. There was a great booth set up where kids can give a dollar to participate in a “Pie Walk” similar to a cake walk, where they could win a free Village Inn Pie!

Finally, the Pièce de résistance…the 4 ft in diameter pie! Have you ever seen anything more beautiful in your life???

It was a chocolate cookie crust with a chocolate ganache and cream cheese filling…with fantastic local grown strawberries, raspberries, and wild blueberries in a glaze with fresh whipped cream on top!

Each piece of this pie was sold for a donation to Second Harvest. It was a hit! All of these great fundraisers brought in over $500!

In food bank math, we are able to provide up to $4,500 in buying power to feed our neighbors in need. We are so happy and thankful to have such a great partnership with the Pie Council and Village Inn!

Check out this great video to see the other yummy things that went on during the weekend!

Are you interested in coming out to the Pie Festival next year? Keep checking our events page every so often so you don’t miss out on the fun!

In the mean time, take a look at our other events coming up…we’d love to see you there!

Until next time!

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist

January 13, 2010

Participants in Second Harvest Food Bank’s Kids Cafe learned the fine art of Pie Making (and Pie Eating!)

Author: Maria Diestro

Central Florida children served by Kids Cafe – an after school nutritional program operated by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida – became bakers-in-training on Tuesday, January 10 at Midway Safe Harbor Center. Midway Safe Harbor Center is located in Sanford, Florida.

Yesterday, a group of around 50 kids learned how to make and enjoy homemade pies! The American Pie Council’s Board was also there to teach the basic cooking skills and prep work, such as rolling dough.

Pie making is geared toward elementary-school age children. The American Pie Council will be making pies again in April for the Great American Pie Festival.  For more information, visit the American Pie Council.

Watch a video of the kids at work:

Photo Slideshow of Pie Making:

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager