This Weekend, Observe Memorial Day The Right Way

There's one thing that many Memorial Day observers forget about each year: the true meaning of the holiday.

According to information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day" -- a commemoration of fallen soldiers marked with graves of soldiers being decorated with flowers. 

That was back in the 1860s.

Fast forward to 2014 and it appears that the holiday has outgrown its own purpose--at least in the eyes of those who lack a knowledge of what the day means.

Before you light the grill, take time to honor those who have given their lives to protect our freedom.

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Without This Bill, U.S. Consumers Might Miss A Few Meals

September 30 is a crucial date for a majority of Americans: it marks the expiration of the Food, Farm, and Jobs Bill— better known as "The Farm Bill." 

In simple terms, The Farm Bill helps farmers supply food at reasonable prices to consumers and has funded the SNAP program for needy mothers and children. While almost 46,000 Americans receive an average of $133 in SNAP benefits per month, the Farm Bill—which is renewed every five years—has a few changes that has caused some alarm with health advocates, politicians, and community activists. 

Mrs. Monica Brown Moss— a health advocate in Chicago—is pushing for more constituents to become knowledgeable about what is at stake.  As the wife of Trinity United Church of Christ pastor Otis Moss III, she works to engage the congregation and residents of the surrounding community in dialogues about important issues.

In a recent interview, Mrs. Moss shared with Empowering Voices host Rev. Joan Harrell some surprising information about how the new version of the Farm Bill will affect children. "We need to make sure that we are feeding people here on the South Side of Chicago," she said. "One out of every six children in the city of Chicago is 'food insecure' —that means that they don't know where their next meal is coming from."

For more information, check out this report from CRI TV about the Farm Bill.

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Home Cooking : Better Than Fast Food?

Sumarya Tolliver-Gurley knows her family history well--including the things worth bragging out and other items that most would not make public.  

However, one thing is not a secret for this expectant mother of twins: many of her relatives have suffered from hypertension and heart attacks. 

Having such knowledge, she has made lifestyle choices to avoid enduring those same health challenges. For her, the best way has been to eliminate fast food from the daily menu and eat meals at home. 

Mrs. Gurley joins many Americans who find that home-cooked meals are healthier and less expensive. In a recent article on Forbes.com, contributor Beth Hoffman gives some additional reasons why cooking at home is beneficial ranging from how it helps the environment to the superior taste of certain dishes. Just one week after McDonalds was found "unlovable" in a customer satisfaction survey, it is evident that families are looking for quality food options.

"I don't eat anything fried. I mostly stir fry and make soups and veggie dishes," says Gurley. " I've never been a meat eater--just seafood. So during the summer months we grill and sauté."

She says that her husband, Leroy, will indulge in fried food but only if it is prepared at home. For the 32-year-old hair designer, unhealthy eating is not an option even when she is really hungry. But she stays prepared to ensure that the twins she is carrying will receive proper nutrients for their development.  

"When I cook at home, I'm aware of what I'm eating--as opposed to eating out. Even in fine restaurants, I'm not sure of the caloric value, fat content, or food safety measures that were taken," the Chicago native explains. 

"I research recipes and I practice, practice, practice and eat, eat, eat!"

~ Zack A. Isaacs

 

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