Recipe: Oven Baked Zucchini Fries

While we are excited for Thanksgiving morning and all the energy associated with the Turkey Trot Charity 5K, we want to make sure we do not rush full speed into autumn. As a small resistance to the speed of time, we would like to end the summer with a truly summer recipe. The pumpkin recipes will have to wait, today is about zucchini.

(makes about 8 servings)

Main Ingredients:

3 zucchini (1 lb)

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 small egg

Coating Ingredients:

9 cups cornflakes (4 cups crushed)

2 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon parsley

2 teaspoons sage

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Heat oven to 450ºF
• Make the coating by pulsing all the coating ingredients together in a food processor until the cornflakes become crumbs. If you are using pre-crushed cornflakes, just mix the spices with the cornflakes, skip the processor.
• Trim the zucchini. Cut crosswise in half. Then cut each piece into 1/4-inch sticks.
• Add cheese to coating mix in a ziploc bag. Shake gently to mix.
• Whisk egg in medium bowl. Add zucchini. Toss to coat.
• Use tongs to place 1/4 of the zucchini in mix bag. Close bag and shake to evenly coat.
• Spread onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
• Repeat with remaining zucchini.
• Bake for 12 to 13 min. or until golden brown, turning the baking tray 180 degrees after 7 min to encourage even baking.

Enjoy with something off the grill, alongside a sandwich, or over a salad!

Share with us in the comment section how they turn out for you.

Picture from http://everydaymom23.blogspot.com/2011/08/zucchini-fries.html

Fundraising: Who to Ask?

We are back with more fundraising ideas. There are a ton of resources out there about fundraising, so we will help summarize those sources, add in our own experience and provide you recommendations weekly!

Now that you have read and thought about how to ask, it is time for the who!

Grab a sheet of paper or open up a spreadsheet on your favorite device. Write down the names of:

• everyone in your family that you have spoken with in the last year
• friends you have donated to in the last few years
• friends who you speak with regularly
• coworkers who you donated to in the last few years
• coworkers who you interact with regularly

Now label each of these potential donors with a "how"; Should you reach out to them via email, letter, phone call, or in person? Choose whichever way suits your connection best. Does your brother have two kids and you can never catch him on the phone? Well maybe an email would be best, along with a follow up text a few days later. Your grandmother may live on her tablet, or maybe she would prefer an actual paper letter.

Using the "ask" you worked on a couple weeks ago, rehearse, take a deep breath, and ask! What is the worst thing that happens? The worst thing is someone says "no". And a "no" is usually accompanied with a reason, but most likely you will get "yes" and "how much?"!

As your first round of asks wrap up and you see the donations, which will help to improve your community, add up, it is time to get started on round two.

Round two includes some people and organizations you may have never thought to ask! Write down the names of:

• your primary care physician
• your dentist
• the supermarket you visit most often
• the coffee shop/restaurant/gas station you visit most often
• your hair stylist
• your insurance agent
• your car dealer/auto shop
• any other business you frequent often

Most businesses, not matter how big or small, have a fund set aside for donations, you just have to ask! The best way to ask these types of establishments is with a letter. The letter does not have to be formal, but should state who you are, how you support and appreciate their service, what you are doing, and how you would like them to help you. Include the link to your fundraising page and, to go above and beyond, include a self addressed envelope. You will be surprised how easy it can be!

We really look forward to seeing how these tips and tricks work for you!

5K Training Program Interview with Kelly Albright

Hi, my name is Lindsay Crone and I am the Y of Central Maryland's Online Media Manager and with me today I have Kelly Albright, Group Fitness Instructor here at the Y of Central Maryland. Kelly is also head of our Turkey Trot Charity 5K Training Program and is here today to tell us more about this exciting program. Kelly, can you tell us how the 5K training at the Y works?

Kelly: The 5K program is an easy 10 week training program to follow that you can do with your family and friends. The group will meet and run together once a week. The participants are encouraged to run 1 or 2 more times on their own each week. At the first meeting everyone receives a training program guide that they can follow for the full 10 weeks. If a 5K training participant happens to miss a class they can follow the program and make the run up on their own. Throughout the program there will be advice and education on proper footwear, nutrition, and hydration. This program is really for people of all fitness levels whether you already run but would like to train with a group, maybe this is your first time every trying to train for a race or maybe your goal is just to be able to run 3 miles and you want guidance. Whatever your background is this training program can definitely be beneficial and a lot of fun.

Lindsay: Can you tell us the benefits of joining a group versus training alone?

Kelly: Motivation is key. For most of us it’s a lot easier when we know that we have committed ourselves to being somewhere, especially if we sign up with our spouse, friends, or other family members. You’re less likely to skip a run or not show up to the weekly meeting when you know the trainer and group is expecting you to be there. So many of my past running groups have brought on new friendships and running partners. People that may not have known each other previously are now running together, doing races, and keeping each other motivated. People run at all different paces and especially with this training people shouldn't feel intimidated. I will have people in the training that run really quickly and others who may jog/walk. But the great thing is that there are always others in the group doing the same thing, which helps everyone to keep coming back and trying their best.

Lindsay: Kelly, this sounds like a fantastic program . . . what makes you so passionate about training people for Turkey Trot?

Kelly: Running and just living a healthy and active lifestyle is such a passion of mine. I just think it is so great to see people come out and exercise before they sit down to their family Thanksgiving Day meal. I think it makes everyone feel a lot better. It is so enjoyable for me over these past 5 years of doing these trainings to see people accomplish a 5K, whether they are walking, jogging, or running it is amazing to see people to complete their first 3.1 mile race. Its such a great accomplishment and such a warm and relaxed environment to do that for the first time. I also have people join the group who are working on getting faster or maybe they just want to run with a group and that is always great as well.

Lindsay: Thanks, Kelly! So how do people get involved with this program?

Kelly: This year not only will the Ward Family Center in Abingdon have a 5K training but the Catonsville Family Center Y, Dancel Family Center Y, Weinberg Family Center Y, Towson Family Center Y, and Hill Family Center Y will as well. You can go into any of those centers to sign up or sign up online.

Lindsay: Do you have to be a Y Member to participate in the 5K training program?

Kelly: No, you do not have to be a Y of Central Maryland member to be able to register. Y Members can register 2 weeks prior to the start of the first class and then open registration is available 1 week prior. Registration will need to take place at the center. The cost is $30 for Y of Central Maryland Members, $45 for Y of Central Maryland Youth Members and $60 for the open rate.

Lindsay: Fantastic. Do you know when this program will begin?

Kelly: This will be a 9 week program beginning the middle of September and ending just early November. Check your local center or online for exact dates and times.

Lindsay: Thank YOU Kelly! It has been great speaking with you and we look forward to seeing you Thanksgiving morning in Bel Air!


For more information about when your local Family Center Y is offering the Turkey Trot 5K Training program please contact your Center or visit http://ymaryland.org/online-registration. Click on the “Proceed to online registration” button in the middle of the page. On the next screen select your Family Center Y. For “Primary Category” select  “Health and Fitness”. Under “Keyword” type in “5k”. Hit “Search” and you should see the program for your location!

Leave a comment if you have any questions about the program.

Recipe: Pizza in a Half Shell

This little recipe is another great weeknight meal, that can be prepped ahead of time to make for an easier and quicker stove-to-table process. It is a great way to enjoy lots of veggies, with lots of flavor.

  

Ingredients:

4 tomatoes

4 large Portobello mushrooms

4 cloves of garlic

Lemon

1 leek

1 onion

Fresh basil

Parmesan cheese

Fresh parlsey

Olive oil

Salt

  

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• In a large skillet on medium-high heat, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Chop the onion and place in skillet.
• Stir the onion until it is slightly brown
• Dice the tomatoes, chop the onion, and chop the leek
• Add the diced tomatoes, chopped onions, chopped leeks, and pinch of salt to the browned onions
• Sauté until the tomatoes are soft
• Add one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• Add five fresh basil leaves
• Spray oil on a baking sheet and place the mushrooms on the sheet, tops down
• Add the vegetables from the skillet into the mushrooms
• Top with the grated parmesan cheese
• Place in oven and back for 12 minutes
• Remove from oven, top with fresh chopped parsley and ENJOY!

Photo and recipe from

http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/06/25/delicious-healthy-pizza-recipe/

Fundraising: How to Ask!

Some people are natural “askers”, they also tend to be the people with firm handshakes who will speak to anyone about anything. Others cringe at the thought of asking. Approaching friends and family, or others in your network, for donations can be intimidating, but we hope we can help make it less difficult.

First, remember you are not asking for donations to support your love of ice cream or so you can purchase a new pair of running shoes, you are asking for the children in Central Maryland who are depending on us to raise funds so that they may enjoy fun, safe, and educational experiences.

Asking comes down to a handful of parts:

Know the need – what is it you are raising money for?

"Children living in poverty in Central Maryland are struggling and I would like to help them enjoy the types of experiences I enjoyed as a child – preschool, before and after school enrichment and camp”

Why is it important?

"These programs provided through the Y of Central Maryland give every child a chance to enjoy safe, caring and enriching experiences.”

What are you doing?

"I am running (or walking) in the Y’s Turkey Trot Charity 5K in ____ on Thanksgiving morning.“

What you are asking for?

“Would you support me in reaching my goal of raising at least $100 and help these children in our community by making a donation?”

Pause there! We tend to get nervous (we are all afraid of rejection) and then fill the air with mindless chatter instead of waiting for a response.
 Always lead with the “why”. Far too often we say “I am running in a 5K would you help me by donating?” and forget to tell people why!

That is your ask.

Now who to ask and how? Check back next Tuesday for the who and how!

In the meantime, set up your fundraising page or donate today (you do not have to register for the event to fundraise)!