Good News Break | August 2015
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt
Days To Remember
Aug 7: Purple Heart Day – Created by General George Washington, the Purple Heart is the decoration of the “Badge of Military Merit.” This is considered to be the first official military combat badge of the United States Armed Forces. This day was made to recognize and praise all those who have received this prestigious award.
Aug 15: Assumption of Mary – Assumption Day is observed annually by Christians in the U.S. It celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken to heaven on this day.
Aug 19: National Aviation Day – National Aviation Day, observed on the birthday of Orville Wright, was established to celebrate the history and development of aviation. Thanks to Orville and his brother, Wilbur, we are able to easily and conveniently travel anywhere in the world!
Aug 21: Senior Citizens Day – This day was created to recognize senior citizens and their contributions to the community. So make sure to call your grandparents and parents and let them know how much you love them!
Aug 26: Women’s Equality Day – The rights of women have come such a long way—in the work force, in the political world, in the entertainment industry. This day commemorates the day that women in the U.S. were granted the right to vote. Thank you 19th amendment. As an aside, Tennessee was the ratifying state vote which passed the amendment.
GOOD NEWS FEATURING INSPIRATIONAL CHILDREN
You’re never too young to make a difference and impact your community and these kids prove it.
Eight Year Old With Cerebral Palsy Finishes Triathlon
Raised in Nottinghamshire, England, Brian Matthews was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was 18 months old. This disease affects his motor skills, making certain movements and tasks very difficult. Despite his disability, this young athlete has propelled himself above and beyond. Last weekend, Matthews completed the children’s race in the Castle Howard Triathlon in North Yorkshire, which included a 100-meter swim, 4,000-meter bike ride and 1,300-meter run.
Not only did he finish the race, but he crossed the finish line in style. During the last stretch, this determined 8-year-old left his custom-made walking aid behind and crossed the finish line on his own with the help of a roaring crowd to push him to the end. “We have always tried to make sure that if there is something he wants to do,” Hardcastle commented, “There is no such word as ‘can’t’.”
Girl Helps Raise Over $47,000 To Buy Pool For Her Best Friend With Skin Disease
Nine-year-old Anne Marie Cox has a rare blistering skin condition that has kept her from being able to swim in public pools like most other kids her age. All she wanted was to swim with her best friend Bethany Walker this summer. Anne Marie’s family has looked into building a saltwater pool for their backyard as this would be therapeutic for their daughter, but they were unable to afford it.
This is when Bethany decided to take it into her own hands. She created Bracelets by Bethany after seeing one her waitresses wearing a similar kind of bracelet that was made by her little sister. These bracelets were all handmade from rubber bands and sold on Facebook. Nineteen weeks later, the 9-year-old bracelet-maker sold over $47,000 worth of bracelets, enough to build the pool that the Cox family had been wanting. The girls can now swim together whenever they want!
Bethany has also been entered to win a national scholarship for community service sponsored by J.C. Penney and IZOD, as a result of her fundraising.
Read more here: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/young-girl-sells-47000-in-bracelets-to-help-friend-with-skin-condition/
Boy Uses ‘Make-A-Wish” To Feed Others With Food Truck
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was created to grant a wish to children with life-threatening illnesses and it has made many dreams come true, from traveling to their favorite destinations to meeting their favorite celebrities. Lucas Hobbs on the other hand had something else in mind.
The 12-year-old had undergone treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and wasn’t able to do one of his favorite things while he was sick: eat. Lucas loves food and when he was finally feeling better, he decided to use his Make-A-Wish to create ChefLucasFood, his very own food truck. “When I was sick, people brought me food from our church, and it was really nice of them,” Lucas said. So to pay it forward, he used his “wish” to feed others. Lucas made stops to a homeless shelter, senior center, church, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Lucas has since finished chemotherapy and is on the road to recovery.
Read more here: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/12-yr-old-generously-uses-make-a-wish-for-food-truck-to-feed-others/
HEALTHY SUMMER RECIPES
Inspired by my Jewish and Mediterranean heritage, these recipes are healthy alternatives to common snacks and desserts.
Homemade Pita Chips
Swap out those greasy, overly salted bags of chips in your pantry for this healthier version. It’s so easy!
Ingredients:
3 pitas
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, smashed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Cut pitas into 8 wedges each
- Pour olive oil into a bowl and add garlic, salt and pepper.
- Brush pita chips with olive oil and garlic mixture.
- Arrange pita chips on baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown
Photo and recipe found at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/homemade-pita-chips-recipe.html
Kosher Honey Cake
Traditionally made on Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), this less-fattening, lower-calorie dessert can be used as a substitute from a classic piece of cake.
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. instant coffee dissolved into 3/4 cup hot water
3 Tbsp. oil
3 eggs
1 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup honey
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
Directions:
- Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dissolve coffee into water. Set aside to cool
- Using an electric mixer, mix oil, eggs, applesauce, brown sugar and honey
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon
- Alternating, add flour mixture and coffee to the egg mixture in the bowl. Mix lightly until just smooth.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Photo and recipe found at: http://kosherfood.about.com/od/desserts/r/cake_honey.htm
About the Author: Kayla Abdou
If someone had told me years ago that I would be living in Nashville pursuing a career in the country music business, I would have never believed them. Up until about a year ago, I thought I was going to be a doctor, a surgeon more specifically. I have been on the pre-medicine track at Elon University, a small private school in North Carolina, with a degree in Public Health. I love the field of medicine and learning about the human body, however, I finally realized I had a stronger passion.
I have been a huge country music fan from a very young age and I fell in love with Nashville from the first time I visited 5 years ago, but I had never considered a career in this industry until recently. With my parent’s encouragement, I decided to take a leap of faith and completely switch paths. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve made yet; my love for this city and industry has only grown since being here and interning for the summer and I can’t wait to move back here in a year after I graduate. I have no idea what the future holds for me, but I enjoy the challenge of the unknown and I am open for anything!