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20
Oct
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Eggland’s Best Pink Party in Honor of Susan G. Komen |
One day, back in March of 2007, I thought it would be fun to take a picture of my dinner and tell my friends about it online. I knew a couple cool kids that were already doing it, and I wanted to be one of them.
Little did I know that I’d still be doing it 4 and a 1/2 years later.
And that people, other than my mother, would eagerly await my next post.
I had no idea that I’d eventually be able to dedicate this space almost entirely to recipes I made up on my own, sometimes on a whim and other times after careful thought and research.
That those recipes would make a difference in some people’s lives. Enough that my humble presence here could allow me to help others in ways I never understood.
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| Mushroom & Brie Egg Roulade |
What I’m getting at here is that I was undeniably flattered when Eggland’s Best invited me to join them in the fight against breast cancer this month, by promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting Susan G. Komen For the Cure (SGK). Their request was simple: as a member of their “Eggland’s Best Double Dozen”, I would get to host Pink Party for a bunch of my closest friends. In return, they’d bump up their annual donation to Susan G. Komen with a contribution in my honor. As an added bonus, they would provide me with ample coupons for myself and my guests, as well as some funds for extra ingredients.
Let’s recap. An opportunity to cook a fun meal featuring a favorite ingredient, spend time with the ladies I love, promote healthy living and support an amazing cause, helping women and their families everywhere who have faced breast cancer? Of course I was in.
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| Pink Lady Cocktail: Gin, Brandy, Apple Cider, Lemon Juice, and Grenadine shake with an Egg White |
Let’s chat a little bit more about that healthy living component, and why it means so much to Eggland’s Best and SGK. Did you know that…
*Being overweight is linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer?
*A healthy diet, rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins is one of your best defenses against developing cancer?
*As far is vitamin-rich lean protein goes, Eggland’s Best eggs are one of the best sources, proving twice the vitamin D and omega-3, and 10 times the vitamin E, all with less saturated fat and cholesterol than regular eggs?
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| Breakfast Pizza with Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Black Beans, Green Chiles, and Jack Cheese on a Polenta Crust |
And what does it mean to me? Well, as many of you know, I am currently maintaining a 75lb weight loss. I’m often asked, “what motivated you to lose the weight?” The answer is surprising to most. Yes, the desire to be a normal size and shop in regular stores was part of it, but it was never enough to make me take serious action. What finally made me throw my heart into it was the desire to live a long, healthy life, free of life-threatening or debilitating diseases, with my loved ones – my future husband, children, and grandchildren when they come along. I’m fully aware that we can’t predict the future nor prevent bad things from happening no matter how healthy we are, but I decided that I would do everything in my control to experience life for as long as I am able, and to be well and active as long as I can. That’s the motivation behind most of my recipes that I share with you and the drive to keep up with everything I’ve accomplished so far.
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| Latke Benny with Smoked Salmon |
In addition to developing an egg-centric menu with Eggland’s Best eggs and relating the importance of a healthy diet, I wanted to offer one more component to my friends. You know I’m somewhat of a loyalist and I often mention my favorite brands in the recipes I blog about. These are brands who make products I am proud to consider part of MY healthy lifestyle, and that’s why I am happy to share them with you. So I got in touch with some of my buddies, told them about what I was doing, and asked if they’d like to contribute a goodie for a healthy living “swag bag” I’d hand out to my guests.
The response was overwhelming! I was thrilled to send my friends home with some of my favorite products, hoping they would all find something inside to help them live a little bit healthier too.
A HUGE thank you is due to the following sponsors for helping to stuff these bags, and for making wonderful products that support healthy living:
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| Gluten-Free Coconut Flour Crepes filled with Fresh Fig & Orange Compote Roasted Buttercup Squash Goat Milk Ice Cream |
But wait, there’s more. Besides the recipes, of course, and I will be sharing those, don’t you worry.
I’ve got myself some extra swag. And I’d like to share it with someone. Actually, a few people.
In honor of Eggland’s Best for giving me this great opportunity have a party and share my love of healthy living, all while supporting SGK, I’ve decided to make my own donation in return. And I’m inviting YOU to join me. If you’d like to add to my donation, supporting all of the women who have experienced breast cancer and their loved ones, just click the button below. And for everyone who donates, I will enter your name into a drawing and randomly pick THREE people to send some swag. Sound good? I thought so. I’ll keep this going through the end of October – remember, every little bit counts!
Thanks for visiting Cara’s Cravings. If you like what you see and want more, subscribe via email or in a reader, follow me on Twitter, or visit me on Facebook.
I'm Cara, lover of creative, clean food and healthy living. Pumpkin, goat cheese, and eggplant make me swoon. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and desire to lift heavy things. 
Amie — October 20, 2011 @ 11:41 am
Any chance you'll be sharing the recipes for the pizza and roulade soon? Everything looks delicious! What a great idea and well done as always Cara.
Emily — October 20, 2011 @ 11:48 am
The breakfast pizza looks incredible – I'm a big fan of putting eggs on pizza and/or baking them with kale! Great party!
Cara — October 20, 2011 @ 11:58 am
definitely! I hope to have them up by the end of the month. Thanks for the sweet words 🙂
Ricki — October 20, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
What a menu! And what a great cause. Congrats on your ongoing achievements, with the blog, giving to others, your weight maintenance–and sharing all that yummy food! 🙂
Ranjani — October 20, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
I totally agree with your philosophy about weight loss and healthy living – it's not about appearance, it's about health. And that pizza looks incredible!! It's not just for breakfast, right? I have a feeling that will be on my dinner table soon…
Elina (Healthy and Sane) — October 20, 2011 @ 2:58 pm
This was a fantastic lunch and made extra special by the cause behind it. Thanks again for the invite! 🙂 [No need to enter me into the giveaway since I already got my swag…. btw, that Paleonola granola is amazing!!!]PS – Your pictures came out great. You're such a perfectionist 🙂
DeliciousDish — October 20, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
Wish I could have come. Such a great cause and everything you made looks stunning.
Joanne — October 20, 2011 @ 6:04 pm
Woot woot! I'm SO excited to see these recipes and I LOVE this cause. I'm having mine this weekend and you've gotten me even MORE excited than I already was!
seemichellecook — October 21, 2011 @ 1:32 am
I've only been following you for a couple of months and I love what you can come up with in the kitchen. I can't wait until you post this breakfast pizza!
Kate — October 21, 2011 @ 2:30 am
That pizza looks to die for!
Cara — October 21, 2011 @ 12:31 pm
thanks 🙂 It's tough to not be so hard on ourselves, isn't it!
Cara — October 21, 2011 @ 12:31 pm
aww, thanks Michelle! I really appreciate it 🙂
Carol, Simply Gluten Free — October 21, 2011 @ 2:44 pm
My best friend is a cancer survivor so may I just say to you and Eggland's Best – THANK YOU!
Kerstin — October 23, 2011 @ 11:24 pm
I'm so sad I missed this, it sounds so fun and everything looks so tasty! Such a great cause!
Katrina — October 26, 2011 @ 6:21 pm
Looks like an amazing lunch! I'm so sorry I had to miss it!! . . . and am drooling as I post.
Jacquelyn — October 27, 2011 @ 11:48 pm
That pizza looks deeelicious. kale is not a staple of mine and I'm looking for ways to incorporate it. I can't wait for the recipe!