My Blog

Find your Strength

01/09/2012 11:29:00

"Do you want to make it on this season of Dancing with the Stars?" Yep...that is the dream that woke me up and motivated me to get out of bed on an early Sunday morning. I wonder who my partner would have been? Off we go up to the Anthem soccer fields for our Strength Training sessions. Every session brings something different for my kids. One day it might be pulling sleds with 25lb weights through the volleyball sand pits and the next day it is flipping tractor tires across the grass. We never know what to expect. Well this Sunday we were greeted by two of the biggest most adorable dogs who chased and led the kids on a lap around the field. I looked on smiling at the giggling kids who were getting a great warmup run without even realizing they were exercising. Life is good."Angie, get over here, you have lunges"

Oh sure, kids get to run with dogs and I get to stretch and bend my way from one soccer goal to another. Next up 100 push ups...HA!!! One, two, three..is that a key? How odd to find a key pressed in to the ground in such a random place. At least it kept my mind occupied as I pushed up and down. Should I turn it in to the police station..where did that thought come from? What are they going to do send someone door to door asking if the key is for their house? 20 more pushups to go and I notice 4 legs next to me and silent eyes that say please hurry up and finish so you can pet me. Interesting type of motivation but I figure if I am being nice and petting his dog maybe coach won't make me...."Ang, get your heart rate up. Do 4 laps through the sand while the kids are doing their lunges"

We finished our session with another lap around the soccer fields. "If you run as fast as you can we will be finished!"Off we go. One 7 year old girl, Three 8 year old boys, and ONE MOM. I am not afraid to admit that every single one of those kids beat me then laughed their silly heads when I collapsed at the end. Hey, they have been at this for 2 months and I just started. My chocolate 4 legged friend give me a big old lick as if to say "good job" and it is a fun moment for us all. We found our inner strength and proved to ourselves that we can do more than we think.

As I get stretched out and brace myself for the jello like feeling that will overtake my muscles in a matter of minutes our peace is broken up by the sound of chopper blades. What is that helicopter doing circling Anthem on an early Sunday morning? A mom there to pick up her child from training informs us that there is caution tape, law enforcement, caution tape and the news. An officer was shot and killed just a short time earlier while responding to a burglary at the corner of Anthem Way and Gavilan Peak.

Deputy William Coleman was shot and killed. I do not know this family but have many family and friends in this line of duty. My heart breaks for his wife who will have to find her inner strength to pull through the next few days for their two children. Anthem is such a wonderful community and things like this just don't happen. My wish is that all of deputy Coleman's family, friends, and fellow officer's will find their strength to get through this rough time and know that they are surrounded by an amazing community who comes together to support each other when we need it most.

Thank you to all families who make their own sacrifices so others can serve and protect us all.

Cookbooks for Katie; The Wagner Family Project

11/30/2011 09:56:00

Katie Wagner is a 16 year old student at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, Arizona. She was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma and is currently undergoing treatments. Kitchens that Care would like to create a special "Cookbook for Katie" with recipes donated from the Wagner family, friends, and supporters. Our goal is to have them ready to sell by 12/15/11 and 50% of total sales will go directly to the Wagner Family along with a free copy of the cookbook so they can see once again the support they have in their lives.

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A RECIPE IS 12/10/11.

Recipes can be submitted through our website or email them to info@kitchensthatcare.com. Please make a note that your recipe is for the Wagner Family Project so we can ensure the proper placing of your recipe.

Thank you for all of your support

Pampered Chef for the GABSTER Family

11/29/2011 20:25:00

We are very excited to announce a partnership with Pampered Chef consultant Erika Sammond to help raise money for Kyle Gabster and his family. This is a great time to put together some holiday gifts for your family and friends. Buy one of our "Cookbooks for Kyle" and make it a great gift by adding some Pampered Chef products. 10% of all total orders will be donated directly to the Gabsters, PLUS, collect 3 orders in addition to your own and you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win FREE Pampered Chef products.

If you would like more information please send an email to info@kitchensthatcare.com or contact Angie Bachner at 330-635-2408.

Cookbooks for Kyle, The Gabster Family Project

11/22/2011 14:29:00

Kyle Gabster is a member of the Sabercats Youth Football and Cheer organization in the North Phoenix Valley. He is a wonderful 14 year old boy who should be attending classes at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, AZ. He should be enjoying the things he loves most like playing football or strumming his guitar.

Instead, Kyle is fighting and trying to overcome, Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis with underlying Wegener Disease.While his family continues to remain positive and determined it is not an easy battle and one that is leading towards the necessity for Kyle to have a kidney transplant.

A close friend of the family has contacted Kitchens That Care for our help to raise money and offset any expenses that the Gabster Family needs help with.

Kitchens that Care will be donating 50% of the total sales directly to The Gabster Family so send in your recipes and lets all come together to make this a great fundraising success for TEAM KYLE.

We are asking you to reach into your kitchens and share some of your recipes to make a wonderful cookbook for Kyle Gabster and his family. We are setting a goal to sell at minimum 50 cookbooks. The final sale price will be based on number of pages and we are targeting a price range of $10-$15 each. Order information will be ready on 12/1/11 and remember it cost nothing but a few minutes of your time to submit a recipe through our website or via email at info@kitchensthatcare.com.

To contribute services or monetary funds to this project please contact Project Coordinator Angie Bachner directly at 330-635-2408.

The Football Family

11/22/2011 08:00:00

What else does a gal from Pittsburgh give a guy from Pittsburgh when he comes to Atlanta to visit over New Years Eve. Tickets to a New Year's Eve Peach Bowl game of course. It would have been better if his alma mater was playing that year but at least it was a "home game" for UGA. Although his loyality lies with another university but he adorned a Bulldog hat (also a gift from me) and we had a great New Year's Eve. I recall one of his brothers saying "she bought you tickets to a bowl game?? As in FOOTBALL bowl game... She's a keeper! Don't mess it up"

4 months later that same brother was hosting a Wake themed engagement party in our honor but it was not until the fall season that my "fiance" realized what he was getting. A perfectly matched, just as passionate, screaming, yelling, born to bleed black and gold STEELER FAN.

11 years later we are one tight football family. Always knew we wanted our son to play tackle football before any other sport. I always knew that I would volunteer to be team mom and maybe mu hubbie would coach. Enter Sabercats Youth Football and Cheer (www.sabercatsfootball.com) .

Last year was the the year of many first. Our son started 1st grade, playing on his first football team with me in my first volunteer position with a football club in its first year. My son's team consisted of 19 1st and 2nd graders in their 1st year of football ever. Some didn't even know the meanind of a 1st down or 1st and Goal....and I am talking parents not the kids. We all grew as a club, gained new friendships, and learned a lot about our own capabilities. Our second season is complete. We had 7 returning kids from last year and I am amazed at what they learned but for me it is the little accomplishments. When I see the look of joy on a kids face when he makes his first tackle ever in the last game of the season and promptly announces that his mom finally has to pay him $10.....that's what it is all about.

To be there for the kids both on and off the field. To help them in a time of need. To encourage them to do their best, try their hardest, be respectful, and live their life with a mission to succeed with honor.

We Are....a football family!

My Next Concoction

11/14/2011 11:14:00

When my sister was getting married I was tasked with throwing her bridal shower...ok the reality is I offered and jumped right in! My sister and I have always been close, sure we fought and pulled each others hair but what sister doesn't. We, along with our brother, kept our parents on their toes but that sure made for some fun topics to put in the memory jar. One gigantic thing we have in common is that we were both diagnosed as children with Celiac Disease and 30+ years ago it was a big challenge for my parents to feed us. My all time favorite meal has to be "rice-a-ghetti" which was our twist on spaghetti.

When my sister got engaged I felt it was my duty as older sister to make sure that her kitchen was set for success. Instead of just asking guests to bring recipes to her bridal shower I came up with the brilliant idea to create a cookbook for her instead. Out went the invitations and in poured the recipes from all of our family and friends. It didn't stop there. I also got letters from Uncles and stories from Aunts on the trials and tribulations of the first year of marriage and how the kitchen played a part.

Let us just say that in general wives have some dedicated loving husbands who in that first year of marriage will eat and say anything to keep us happy. I for one am very lucky to still be married (almost 12 years now) after the moldy hot dog bun incident and really, really bad attempt at homemade potato soup. Without the love and support of my husband I would not be the kitchen guru I am today. Oh sure I have a flop here or there with my concoctions but how else would one learn, right?

It is with that same love and support that I jump right in to my next concoction. Taking your collection of recipes and turning them into cookbooks that can be sold for fundraising, charity events, or just to donate to someone you think might need the extra money. I hope you find the process virtually painless on your part but very rewarding in the end.

Happy Cooking!