Will run for food

Yellow Donkeys "run for hunger"
Courtesy: Tom Harness

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A couple of years ago I joined a running group here in southern Illinois called the Yellow Donkeys. Not only is this a supportive group of runners, but also many are my friends. Earlier this year the Yellow Donkeys became a non-profit group and is set on helping members of the community.

Some Donkeys in action
Courtesy: Brian Flath

The group wrapped up the unofficial week of giving with a Run for Hunger. Members and folks in the area were invited to run or walk with the Donkeys and bring some non-perishable food items or cash. The food and money were evenly divided and distributed to the Good Samaritan House in Carbondale and Saluki Food Pantry on the SIU campus.

Just a fraction of the food collected

After all the items were collected we headed out for a brisk run in the 30 something degree weather. Yes, it was chilly, but the Donkeys were on an important mission. I felt a sense of proud that warmed my heart as I ran the course. It was great seeing so many friends out supporting the cause. 

Today's event reminds me it doesn't take much to make a difference in your community. You may not be able to organize a food drive or donate a mountain of cash, but that's okay. Dropping off a few things at the food pantry in your community or some spare change in the Salvation Army's Red Kettle will make someone's holiday season a little brighter. 

Boo Blog: Teal is the new orange

Teal pumpkins=non-food treats for Halloween

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Halloween is the second biggest holiday of the year in terms of retail sales. Americans will spend an estimated $6 billion in costumes, decorations and candy. Let's face it, that's what makes the holiday so great. You can be someone else for the night and indulge on sweet treats without feeling guilty about it. 

But not all kids take advantage of this evening of treats. Those impacted by food allergies often have to skip the trick-or-treating because of getting the wrong thing in their bag could cost them their life. It's not just peanuts that can cause problems this time of year. More cases of allergies to red dyes are coming up as well. 

Teal Pumpkin Project

That's why the Teal Pumpkin Project was created. It's a way to let trick-or-treaters know your house is a safe one to stop by in search of goodies. There are a few simple ways to support the project. 

1. Hand out non-food treats. Things like pencils, temporary tattoos, stickers and glow sticks are popular alternatives to candy.
2. Display a teal pumpkin on the doorstep to let families know you're participating in the project.
3. Display a printable sign in your window to reinforce the fact that you have non-food items for kids.

You can learn more about the project and how to participate here. It's something to think about and a great way to make sure all kids are included in the festivities this year. I like the idea because we have friends (both kids and adults) who are allergic to peanuts and red dye. Now parents can have peace of mind knowing the people in their community care enough to make sure their kids stay safe this Halloween.

Motivational Monday: When you feel like quitting...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but the advice dispensed here has been researched or is something that has worked for me in the past.  Proceed at your own risk...

I came across that quote this morning as I was scrolling through Facebook.  It’s by no accident I’m sure.  The original post came from the Southern Illinois Men’s Expo page and was put there by Harness Digital Marketing.  I think most of us can relate to the words, whether it’s with a fitness plan, career choices or relationship goals.

If you’re reading this on Monday, then you know it’s the day after the Super Bowl.  Like many people in this country, I overindulged at a party Sunday evening.  I stayed up later than usual for me (I get up at 1:30 a.m. daily) and as soon as my alarm went off I instantly told myself “you get to take a nap today.  Skip the gym and come home and sleep.”

One of many plates. 

 But then as I got some caffeine flowing and came across the Motivational Monday quote of the week, I knew going home and napping wasn’t an option.  I really needed to get to the gym for a couple of reasons.  I had lost five pounds last week and I celebrated that fact by having an epic cheat day at the Super Bowl party I attended.  While I know I can’t undo the cheese and bacon filled mini potatoes, guac and chips and buffalo chip dip I indulged in, I knew that I would feel better working out.  Also daily frustrations had already built up and Gold's Gym is a more effective stress reliever than eating a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles like I used to do.

I’ve started and stopped working out more times than I can remember since graduating high school nearly 25 years ago.  I often think where I’d be had I stayed the course.  Now at nearly age 43, I’m determined more than ever to reach my fitness goals.  I hope when you feel like quitting you’ll think about why you started.  I know I will.  Good luck on your quest.

Why I Hate Vienna Sausages

No thanks

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

We've currently got a newsroom game going on where our producer Weston has been hiding two small cans of Vienna Sausages in either mine or my co-anchor Jalah's things.  To be fair, we've done the same to him.  I'm also guilty in being the person who brought the cans of meat into the building in the first place.

My friend Chris willed them to me when he moved from the area recently.  He did that because I HATE Vienna Sausages.  If anyone from Libby's is reading this, it really has nothing to do with your product and I'm sorry for my strong dislike.  Please allow me to tell the story behind my disdain...  Oh before I do, this may be a little too graphic for some of you, so you might want to stop reading and skip to the YouTube clip near the end of this post.

I was in the second grade, and a classmate had eaten Vienna Sausages for lunch.  Up until that point, I'd never had them, and I had no aversion to them either.  Then, after recess and being out running around, we were settling back into our afternoon studies, when his stomach sounded like the wounded triceratops in Jurassic Park.  It wasn't long before he had lost his lunch right beside my desk.  Mixed in with all the puke, there were chunks of undigested Vienna Sausages.  

Dare Day
I'm eating it, kinda...

This happened more than 30 years ago and yet that image is still burned in my brain.  I never had any interest in eating the product after that.  I thought I never would have to until a few years ago on "Dare Day" my co-anchor Emily challenged me to eat a Vienna Sausage LIVE on the air.  I didn't know this was coming, and took just a small bite.  It's not the taste that bothers me, well it kinda is, but more importantly it's that image of them swimming in bile and mucus on the brown carpeted floor of Mrs. Morrow's second grade classroom that prevents me from ever enjoying the snack.

So the game of hide the Vienna Sausages will likely continue.  If you're wondering, they were already expired when I got them, so we chose to not donate them to a food pantry, although I have to wonder does canned meat ever really go bad?  

Boo: Halloweenies

Halloweenies or Mummy Dogs

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  It's one of those I feel like we can celebrate all month long.  The decorations, costumes, and fun foods make it an awesome time of year in my opinion.  I recently shared the "recipe" for Witch Fingers.  Click here if you'd like to see it.

Halloweenies have become a favorite around my house this time of year.  It's a recipe that's so simple, there's three things you need...

1 can of crescent rolls
1 package of hot dogs
mustard

Cut the dough into thin strips and wrap them around the hot dog so they look like a mummy.  Follow the baking instructions on the roll package.  Once they come out of the oven, add eyes with the mustard.

Veggie Pizza Recipe

Veggie Pizza!

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

This is by no means an original recipe on my part, but I made it myself for the first time recently. After posting a pic of the Veggie Pizza on social media, I got several requests for the recipe.  My wife first made Veggie Pizza years ago, but you can find recipes for it all over the Internet now.  So, here's how I  made mine.

Ingredients:
2 cans of crescent rolls
1 package of cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 package of dry Ranch salad dressing mix
Vegetables of your choice
Shredded cheese

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375.

Unroll your crescent rolls onto a baking sheet.  Roll them flat so you've created one giant crust.  Bake for the instructed time on the label.  (It was 13 minutes for the rolls I bought)

While the crust is baking, start chopping your vegetables.  I used carrots, broccoli, red peppers, yellow peppers, and orange peppers.  I went with what my kids like.  I've had it with mushrooms and onions before too, but remember, dark green veggies are really beneficial.

We didn't have any dry Ranch salad dressing mix, so I used some Pampered Chef Parmesan-Garlic Oil Dipping Seasoning instead.  I didn't measure it out, just poured some of it on top of the brick of cream cheese.  Mix the two together, and if you've got it to room temperature it should be pretty easy to mix (I used a wooden spoon)

Once the crust is finished baking, spread the cream cheese mixture on top.  Add your veggies and top with some shredded cheese.  I actually forgot that step when I made it, but I don't think it took anything away from the pizza.

If you're looking for an easy way to add a variety of vegetables to you diet, this is the way to go.  Like I mentioned, the key is adding the veggies that you and your family will eat.  You could also make mini pizzas and let your kids top them with what they enjoy.