Ya might wanna turn down your speakers, and then again ya just might wanna crr-r-r-r-a-a-a-ank 'em up. Psst...browsing with Firefox? Scroll to the bottom of the page and enjoy the music.
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Hippity Hops, Pogo Sticks, home cooked meals, and fresh lemonade stands; things I grew up with. No cable TV, X Boxes, microwavable dinners, or fast food. What happened to “get outside and play” and make a “happy plate” (clean your plate), not get a Happy Meal?
It’s no wonder. The sedimentary lifestyle of todays generation spends much of their time indoors, captive of the idiot tube playing video games and watching 50+ TV channels advertising “order your Pizza online”. I remember four TV channels, Captain Kangaroo, riding bikes and climbing the neighbors’ trees to get their pears and apples. Be inside before dark.
As teens their social life consists of three-way calling, iPhones, MySpace, and drive-thru windows. Most of them have never heard of 8-track tapes. “Our Gang” would cruise thru town with T-Tops out listening to Skynyrd, load up the car and head to the drive-in theatre. We thought we were all that and a bag of chips. I could go on and on.
Burger King Corp., (NYSE BKC), jumped on the band wagon this month joining 11 major food and beverage companies that have pledged to focus their advertising to children under 12 on products that promote healthy dietary choices and lifestyles
A Burger King Kids Meal is currently in development and will be available in restaurants some time in 2008. The new Kids Meal is planned to include Flame Broiled CHICKEN TENDERS® (4 piece), MOTT’S® Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce, and HERSHEY®’S 1% Low Fat Milk.
Burger King joins 11 other companies that have taken the pledge: Cadbury Adams, USA, LLC; Campbell Soup Company, The Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Inc.; The Hershey Company, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods Inc., Mars, Inc.; McDonald’s USA, LLC, PepsiCo, Inc. and Unilever United States. For more information about Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, please visit www.cbbb.org/initiative.
As I’ve stated on my About page, I’m not much of a foodie (though I DO eat out of necessity and sheer pleasure) so I invited someone who IS a foodie to contribute her knowledge of the world of food, restaurants, and meal deals. I’m SO-O-O-O happy she has graciously accepted cuz although I like eatin’, I do NOT like cookin’.
Hey, she qualifies…she LOVES cooking and converting recipes to healthier versions, and SHE lives in the big city as opposed to me living here in Podunk where they still roll up the sidewalks at 5 PM and leave ‘em rolled up at least one day a week. Oh, AND she has two younger sisters who’s names are Faith and Charity (you’ll GET it in the next paragraph).
So, without any further ado, allow me to introduce you to my new co-author, sidekick, whatever ya wanna call ‘er (just be nice, K?), The Backseat Gourmet aka Hope Nance. (Her Mama, my cousin, missed the Baby Boomer generation by just one year, can ya tell?) Got a clue how we came up with The Backseat Gourmet? I’ll be adding Hope’s picture over there underneath mine soon. On to Hope now…
Live To Eat….Eat To Live with The Backseat Gourmet, Hope Nance
No matter which one of these slogans fits your lifestyle, that’s one thing we all have in common - Eating; however we all make different choices depending on our lifestyle and what suits our palate.
I will be dropping in here from time to time to share Recipes / Restaurant news with you. Whether you’re a Vegetarian, Weight Watcher, or simply just tired of eating the same old thing day after day; I’ll try to include a mixed bag of recipe choices including “To Die For Desserts”, and when available I’ll include low fat substitutions / nutritional information. If you’re tired of eating your own cooking, and want to be taken out to eat, I’ll be sharing some “Can’t Miss” dishes, or Special Meal Deals from a variety of well known restaurants, hopefully one in your area. So tell me what you’re hungry for or what your interests are.
My first entry is a favorite recipe of mine that’s always a Big Hit, and is a must at all of our family dinners, not to mention kids love it, too.
Corn Casserole
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Melt (1) stick of butter* in a 2 quart casserole dish; set aside
Mix Together:
(2) cans Mexicorn (drained)
(1) can Cream of Mushroom soup*
(1) can Cream of Celery soup*
(1) package of Mahatma yellow saffron rice (cooked according to package directions)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese* ( I prefer sharp)
Salt & Pepper to taste, I use white pepper and I even use a little garlic powder (optional)
Pour corn mixture into casserole dish with butter; Bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven, stir well, and top with additional shredded cheddar cheese* 1/2 to 3/4 cup, put bake in oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
*I use the light variety: butter (not margarine), soups, and cheese - it doesn’t affect the Taste!
Wow! You all know Beverly Mahone, one of our own here at Baby Boomers News, Reviews, & Observations. Beverly is the author of Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. As you can see from the following press release, Beverly has inducted R&B Singer Natalie Cole into the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame.
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Baby Boomer Celebrity Inducted into Diva Web of Fame
Baby Boomer Celebrity R&B Singer Natalie Cole has been inducted into the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame. The idea to establish a Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame is the brainchild of baby boomer author Beverly Mahone who says, “This is my way to recognize baby boomer women who are on the move and making a difference. Natalie Cole represents what it means to be a baby boomer diva. She’s Divine, Inspirational, Vivacious and Anointed. The author of Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age adds, “Members of my generation grew up listening to songs by her famous dad, Nat King Cole so it is fitting that she would be included in my elite group of women.
Ms. Mahone selected the famous daughter of Nat King Cole after meeting her during a Women’s Empowerment Event in Raleigh, NC. Mahone says she was totally impressed by Natalie Cole and her message. Mahone says, “Her famous dad wooed audiences back in the 1950s and ‘60s with a variety of hits including, Unforgettable, Mona Lisa and Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer. Natalie continues to woo audiences today with her incredible voice and empowering message of being a survivor against all odds. It is an honor to welcome her into our exclusive club!” To qualify for the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame, Ms. Mahone says a woman must meet the following criteria:
1) Born between 1946 and 1960
2) Pursuing her passion in life
3) Striving to help others succeed
4) Have overcome one major personal or professional challenge/obstacle
5) Accept aging with grace, dignity and style
Natalie Cole joins 23 other women in becoming a part of the inaugural group. To see the entire group of women visit Ms. Mahone’s website: www.enjoyyourmenopause.com
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Boomer ladies, if you want a sure fire way to laugh through all those hot flashes (Woohoo!), order Bev’s book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age today! You may shed a tear or two, too, but Bev let’s you know that it’s ok. Live, sweat, laugh, holler, love, cry…WHATEVER! Just enjoy the ride and “flash” in to what can be the “hottest” time of your life with Bev!