Pink Heals Salsa - WOW!

Couldn't resist sharing a couple of pictures from the Pink Heals Salsa Party last week at the Piedmont Cancer Wellness Center. Executive Director and Founder Lisa Vingerling hosted the kickoff for Pink Heals to celebrate with young women who are cancer survivors. Super Salsa Dance Instructor Jimmy Rumba from Take Hold Ballroom got them to "strut their stuff" with lessons that produced incredible results. Can't believe how well they did moving across the floor - who knew the group could dance so well? They drank sangria and enjoyed the tapas while taking in the beautiful views across the city. Pink Heals will have their next event in the fall - if you know any young women who are cancer survivors, hook them up with this organization. I can guarantee they will have a great time. 

If you are looking for Pink Heals find them at: pinkheals.org For Jimmy Rumba: jimmyrumba.com For Take Hold Ballroom: takeholdballroom.com  And if you are a cancer survivor, (or family member), and interested in quality programs with caring individuals check out piedmontcancerconnection.org

Signature Spice Skewers

I've had received several emails lately that have asked me just what I put on the delicious chicken skewers served at the John Fox Poetry Reception, StoryCorp Reception and SuperFoods Luncheon at the Piedmont Cancer Wellness Center. The secret is Signature Spice from Modern Day Masala. It's a versatile spice blend from those fun and smart folks over at MDM - you can add it to almost anything and the results are wonderful. Just make a paste with Signature Spice and a little extra virgin olive oil, massage into chicken breast or thigh pieces and toss in the frig for a few hours. When you are ready, remove from the marinade, load onto soaked bamboo skewers and cook on the grill, or in a 400F oven for about 10 minutes. Make a quick dipping sauce with a mixture of sweet chili sauce, (sambal oleck), minced red onion, chopped fresh mango and a little chopped cilantro. That's it - done! Here's a link to the website, so you can purchase Signature Spice yourself: www.ModernDayMasala.com

Eat Like There's No Tomorrow

Isn't that a great book title? Hans Rueffert, a Georgia Chef and all around wonderful guy has published his first cookbook. If you are a foodie, you may remember him as a contestant on the show "The Next Food Network Star", but he is much more than just another pretty face:) After competing, he returned home to discover that he had stomach cancer, and has been dealing with it and the after effects for several years now. He hasn't let it stop him - he has been hosting a PBS show on the North Georgia affiliate and writing his book among many other culinary pursuits. Here's a picture of me and my "spice-maven" friend, Kristin at a book signing and reception for Hans last week at the Piedmont Cancer Wellness Center. I made the Honey Cumin Shrimp and Okra from his book for the guests - and WOW is it good. Click here to learn all about Hans and his beautiful new cookbook: http://www.hanscooks.com/

Healthy Holidays at Piedmont Cancer Wellness Center

Don't you love the LAUGH sign on the wall? We all need to be reminded of that more often... I am passing on a couple of pictures from a super class this week at the Piedmont Cancer Wellness Center. The group was just wonderful - asking LOTS of good questions, enthusiastically taking notes, and providing great feedback while tasting -my favorite part of the class. Although I truly enjoy all my classes, this one was special. Not only was my class lovely, the director and staff treated me like a star. Another treat was the fact I brought along my two "oldest" friends to help serve the class. (That's "oldest" as in I have known them "longest") From the comments given so freely, I think we all had a genuinely good time!