6/14 Meat-less Meals, NY Fireman Memoir, Fold of Honor Foundation

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Jessie Price Gives Us Suggestions for Fabulous, Meatless Meals!

Along with the popular rise of cooking with wholesome, locally grown ingredients has come a national reevaluation of a certain protein at the center of most dishes. Meat, in all its glorious forms, wounded darling of documentaries like Food, Inc. for its ubiquity and the large-scale, inhumane ways it is produced, continues to fall under scrutiny. Consider its dramatic toll on the environment alone. Fact is, livestock farming takes up 70 percent of all agricultural land, more space than anything else we have a hand in growing. And a whole 70 percent of that land used to be forested.

Then, of course, there are the health concerns related to a mostly meat diet, among them high cholesterol and blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, and long-term weight gain. But these downsides, significant as they are, do very little to celebrate the joys of the alternative. “Going Meatless” is a catchphrase quickly spreading beyond the otherwise rarefied world of strict vegetarians; it’s the omnivore’s agreement to try, if only one day a week, substituting a succulent meat dish with an equally delicious meal made up of vegetables and beans, pasta or pizza, with the right herbs and spices. Jessie gives us some great ideas on how to make delicious, meat-less meals.

Jessie Price is the deputy editor of food for EatingWell Media Group and directs all food content for EatingWell. She has worked on several EatingWell books, including The Simple Art of EatingWell, EatingWell on a Budget, EatingWell 500-Calorie Dinners, and EatingWell Comfort Foods Made Healthy.

We're Talking with George Kreuscher, a Retired Lieutenant with the FDNY, About His 9/11 Experience and His Memoir, Fireman

George Kreuscher, a retired lieutenant with the Fire Department of New York, answered the call of duty for over three decades. He shares moving stories and inspiring lessons in his recently published book that one retired fire captain said "made me laugh and it made me cry." His revealing memoir, Fireman, intimately takes the reader into the firehouse and provides an upfront view into the courageous hearts of those dedicated to saving lives and protecting property. His award-winning book was praised by Writer's Digest and the New York Book Festival.

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO:

We're Talking with Major Dan Rooney, Founder and President of the Folds of Honor Foundation

To honor those who protect our freedom this summer, especially with Flag Day quickly approaching (June 14), one organization’s mission is to remind us that causalities of military service go beyond the battlefield.

A study by the US Department of Veteran Affairs shows 87% of families of killed or wounded service members do not qualify for Veteran’s Administration Federal Educational benefits. To help, Major Dan Rooney, Former F-16 Pilot with three tours in Iraq started Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF), with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities.

In support of the cause, for every home run hit during the 2011 Baseball season, Budweiser will donate $100 to the Folds of Honor Foundation with its “Here’s to the Heroes” Program. In addition, Budweiser will donate a portion of all sales from May 26–July 10, in an effort to raise as much as $2 million for FHF. Consumers can also get involved by visiting www.facebook.com/Budweiser or texting HERO to 80888 to make a $5 donation to the organization.

The FHF unique scholarships can be applied to schooling now, or held by the organization on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment. Since its creation in 2007, FHF has provided more than 1,600 scholarships to recipients across the country.

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