Thursday, July 21, 2011

7/21 YMCA Food Program, Fabulous Cocktails, La Quinta Resort & Club

What's Cookin' Today Hour ONE:

Valerie Lawson Tells Us About the YMCA's Program to Feed Kids This Summer

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 19.5 million low-income children receive free or reduced-cost meals during the school year. Yet only one out of five children continues to receive these free meals during the summer months. This puts millions of our nation’s children at risk of hunger.

Valerie Lawson, an exercise physiologist and registered dietitian at YMCA of the USA, will discuss how the Y is helping to fight hunger this summer by partnering with Walmart to promote the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). As part of the program, children 18 and under will have access to free meals and snacks, helping to not only keep children healthy, but also provide relief to families who are unable to afford additional meals during the week. More than 300 Ys will offer summer food programs in communities nationwide to feed 70,000 kids and provide 7 million meals.

For the past 15 years, Valerie Lawson, an exercise physiologist and registered dietitian, has helped people of all ages make positive changes toward a healthier lifestyle. Valerie joined YMCA of the USA in 2007 and is part of the Chronic Disease Prevention Program team. Among her responsibilities, Valerie leads Healthy Family Home, an initiative that provides families with simple and flexible ideas to incorporate healthy changes into their daily lives. In addition to her role with Healthy Family Home, Valerie is a Master Trainer for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, for which she has trained more than 175 Lifestyle Coaches who guide and assist participants in reducing their risk of developing diabetes, and helps lead strategies for families interested in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Colleen Mullany Tells Us About Her Latest Book, The Stylish Girl's Guide to Fabulous Cocktails

Just like no outfit is complete without the perfect pair of shoes, no occasion is just right without a fabulous cocktail. Whether you’re toasting a big event, hosting a “girl’s night in,” or mixing a small batch for two, you’ll find the ultimate concoction in this collection of more than 65 recipes. Select from a delicious menu of gin, vodka, and tequila-based drinks; wine cocktails and champagne cocktails; and shots or mini-cocktails. Fun quizzes, a "drinkstrology" horoscope, and a song list for all occasions rounds out this lively and informative guide for the stylish gal.

Colleen Mullaney is a noted lifestyle expert and the author of books including “The Stylish Girl’s Guide to Fabulous Cocktails,” "Fairy Parties: Recipes, Crafts and Games for Enchanting Celebrations," and “It’s Five o’Clock Somewhere: The Global Guide to Fabulous Cocktails.” Visit her online at www.colleenmullaney.com

What's Cookin' Today Hour TWO:

Bob Butaro Shares the Summertime Events at La Quinta Resort & Club

Framed by the rugged Santa Rosa Mountains on 45 picturesque acres, La Quinta Resort & Club is always a favorite desert destination for summer vacations and weekend getaways.

La Quinta Resort & Club, the original hideaway Palm Springs hotel, has been welcoming guests with its unique style of hacienda-inspired warmth since 1926. Set amid 45 lushly manicured acres at the foot of the soaring Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta invites you to challenge golf’s legends on five championship courses, indulge in the rejuvenating embrace of Spa La Quinta, savor creations of top chefs, sourced fresh from local producers, hold court at their world-renowned tennis facility, or simply sit poolside and relax in the sam
e way Hollywood’s elite have done for decades.

Don't forget to "Like" CRN's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/crntalkAnd "Like" Our What's Cookin' Today Page, too! http://www.facebook.com/whatscookintoday