Buy Pink

  You know October is arriving when your ordinary every day items turn pink.  During this month you have an option to buy almost anything and everything and support breast cancer research.   There has even been a movie against the “pinkwashing” phenomenon, Pink Ribbons, Inc., but I’ll save that for the hard-hitting journalists at the DeSoto Times Tribune. 

  In this month's issue of Click, we highlighted a few products that support breast cancer awareness and research.  While we could feature only a small number of items in the magazine there are so many companie who are donating money to breast cancer research and awareness there is no way we could feature everything.  Even the products below are only a sampling of the wide variety of items available to purchase to support not only breast cancer awareness, but research as well.  If you need any help locating a place to buy these items, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me an email.    

1. Estee Lauder, Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact, $75. 100% of the sales will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from August 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

2. Bobbi Brown Pink Peony Set, Illuminating Bronzing Powder and Mini Face Blender Brush, $45.  $10 from the sale of this limited-edition set goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from September 15, 2012 to November 30, 2012.

3. Mary Kay, Beauty That Counts Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss (in Inspiring and Possibilities, $14 each.  $1 will be donated to The Mary Kay Foundation that supports Cancer Research for women until December 15, 2012.

4. Everlast Women’s Pro Style Training Gloves, $39.99.  $1 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation throughout the year.

5. Everlast Pink Women’s Evergel Hand Wraps, $24.99.  25 cents will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

6. Everlast Pink 108” Hand Wraps, $6.99. 25 cents will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

7. Eight different Marvel comics will feature special Susan G. Komen variant covers.  Inside the comics is critical information to increase awareness in ways to fight and reduce the risk of disease.

8. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Inspiration, $19. $5 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation through 10/31.

9. Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode Hairspray, $27.  $5 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation during the month of October.

10. KitchenAid 5-Speed Artisan Series Blender with 56-Oz. Blend & Serve Pitcher, $129.99. Throughout 2012, KitchenAid is proud to donate a minimum of $450,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

11. KitchenAid Cook for the Cure Edition, Artisan Series, Stand Mixer, $349.99. Throughout 2012, KitchenAid is proud to donate a minimum of $450,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and specifically $50 from each purchase.

12. Aveda Hand Relief, $22.  $4 donated to support cruelty-free research through The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (with a max donation of $270,000) during the month of October.

13. KitchenAid 7 Speed hand mixer $69.99. Throughout 2012, KitchenAid is proud to donate a minimum of $450,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

14. Sonia Kashuk, Proudly Pink Brush Set, $14.99. 15% to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

15. Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, $19.50. $5 will be donated during the month of October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

    Pumpkin pastries at Starbucks, pumpkin ale in the grocery store, pumpkin spiced latte at every coffee shop, pumpkin pie soda from Jones Soda Company.  You can find pumpkins everywhere as soon as the weather starts cooling off and even before then.  As a child, one of my favorite memories is sitting at the table with my whole family carving up a pumpkin.  Each of the children would try and out do each other with the most elaborate carvings.  No one would necessarily win, but we definitely cared whose pumpkin looked the best when they were proudly put out to decorate the front door. 

   Most of the time we would put the seeds directly into the garbage can because what else could you do with those messy seeds?  I’ve finally found a recipe (or two) that calls for pumpkin seeds.  Instead of putting the scooped out pumpkin seeds in the garbage, you can put them in a colander and wash them for about five minutes (or until the slimy texture has been completely washed away).  Then place them on a paper towel and let them dry (for at least 15 minutes, but its best to let them dry overnight).  If you’re not carving pumpkins anytime in the near future, you can always buy them from the grocery store. 

   Another recipe I am making (and will post this month) required green pumpkin seeds, so the pictures will reflect what green pumpkin seeds look like roasted.  They still have a slight green tint to them instead of entirely turning brown.  While my base recipe is from here, I tweaked it as I saw fit.  My whole family loves these roasted seeds.  Some say they taste like sweet sunflower seeds, some say they taste like pine nuts.  What do you think they taste like?  

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups pumpkin seeds

2 Tbsp. olive oil

3 tsp. salt (sea salt is best)

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. paprika

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 300°F. 

Toss seeds in mixture until well coated.  Let the seeds soak in mixture for about 15 minutes as the oven heats up.

Spread the seeds evenly on a non-greased cookie sheet and place on middle rack of oven.  Let cook for 12 minutes.  Take out and mix up so seeds are turned over and the outside seeds are moved to the inside.  Cook for 10 minutes, stir up again.  Cook for 5 minutes or until brown.  (If you use green pumpkin seeds they will not turn completely brown, but will have a slight greenish tint to them.)

Let cool on paper towels.  Add salt to taste, if necessary.  Or you can serve them warm out of oven.

DeSoto Imaging Mammogram Giveaway

   October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.  The National Cancer Institute recommends women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every one to two years.  Women who are at a higher than average risk of breast cancer (women who have a family history of the disease or women who carry a known mutation, either in the BRAC1 or the BRAC2 gene) should talk to their doctor about starting mammograms before age 40 and how often to have them.  All of this sounds pretty scary, I know, but it’s all in the name of catching the cancer in its earliest stages. 

   Click is very thankful to be able to giveaway a mammogram from DeSoto Imaging!  Whether you are over 40 years old or are just a cautious younger woman, this amazing prize could be yours after a few simple steps. 
  After your mammogram treat yourself to something nice, such as this cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake and through the month of October, you'll be supporting the Susan G. Komen foundation.  What better way to support breast cancer research while treating yourself?

(Photo credit)

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This Weekend

SEC football begins this weekend, and many people will be kicking off this Labor Day by tail-gaiting. For Mid-Southerners who will be in town this weekend, however, a range of opportunities will be available to celebrate the end of summer. Here are a few of our picks:

• Zoo Brew: Macy's Zoo Brew presents the annual one-of-a-kind beer tasting paired with live music and delicious food. Participants can choose from nearly 100 brews from all over the world or relax in the VIP Lounge. Guests should be 21 and up and may purchase tickets here. Tickets are $35 for members or $40 for nonmembers. Those who wish to gain access to the VIP Lounge may purchase tickets for $55 for members and $60 for nonmembers. The event will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sponsors include Macy's, Mahaffey Tent and Party Rental, Gossett Fiat and Southwestern Beverage Distributing.

• Cochon 555- Pre-Prohibition Rooftop Soiree Presented by Duncan-Williams:
To truly celebrate National Bourbon Month, be sure to check out the Pre-Prohibition Rooftop Soiree at the Peabody Hotel August 31st. Cocktails and appetizers will be served along with a special musical performance. Local and national mixologists are teaming up with students of L'Ecole Culinary to make this night fun and tasty. Guests should be 21 and up and can purchase tickets here. Tickets are $50 and doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, call 678.PIG.LUVN. Don't miss the inaugural event!

• Heritage BBQ Competition Day: After recovering from Friday's Rooftop Party, head downtown for the main event showcasing some of the country's best chefs. Attend events throughout the day, or just come ready to taste some BBQ! The competition will be located between The Columns and Felicia Suzanne's. Ticket options vary, but range from $125 to $200 for the BBQ competition tasting only. More information and tickets can be found here.

• Delta Fair & Music Festival: The 2012 Delta Fair music line-up ranges from Chris Cagle to 3OH!3 and A Flock of Seagulls. The fair will also include an appearance from "Beck," Avan Jogia, from Nickelodeon's TV show Victorious. The family affair also offers cooking contests and cooking demonstrations. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth at the gate. For more information visit deltafest.com. The Delta Fair will run from August 31- September 9 at the Agricenter. 

Read Before You Watch

As an avid reader, I find that half of the thrill or reading is researching new authors before they appear on the NY Times bestseller list. Being able to recommend a book to a friend or realizing that one of your favorite books will be adapted into a movie are some of the little pleasures in life. So, we’ve scoured the Web for exclusive information about up and coming films. Which will be better− the film or the book? You be the judge.

• The Great Gatsby- The classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald will be released this Christmas. You may recognize the book from your high school days, as the book has been part of U.S. curriculum for quite some time. The novel, recognized by the Modern Library as the second best English-language novel of the 20th Century, was not an instant success at the time of its release in 1925. Fitzgerald gives a fictional depiction of the “Jazz Age,” a time with which he was all too familiar. With its dramatic tale of obsession and tragedy, the novel illustrates the lavish Roaring Twenties through complex characters and a mystifying plot. Reread The Great Gatsby before it hits theaters with a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire.

• The Glass Castle- The most successful memoir to be featured on the NY Times bestseller list, The Glass Castle remained more than 250 weeks on the chart. Published in 2005, the memoir tells Jeannette Wall’s perception of her “deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant” family. Walls bares her soul as she describes her journey from the American Southwest to an apartment on Park Avenue. Leaving nothing undisclosed, the author recounts her convoluted relationship with her parents and siblings that she eventually rose above through a career in journalism. Lionsgate purchased rights to the film and is reportedly in talks with Jennifer Lawrence to play the lead.

• Serena- Ron Rash’s most prominent work, Serena tells the story of newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton’s intense and passionate relationship. The pair moves to North Carolina to build a timber empire as the Great Depression engulfs the United States. The plot follows the ambitious pair through their sometimes murderous exploits while family secrets threaten to destroy them. The film, set to be released in 2013, will feature Jennifer Lawrence as Serena and Bradley Cooper as George.
       

Celebrating in Style: A guide to British drinking

I took this photo of the Thames and Parliament in June while in London.

The Olympics are in full-swing and Americans certainly have something to celebrate. Having won 63 medals to date, the U.S. athletes have proven their worth in the London Olympics. Although the events may be across the pond, Americans can still celebrate in style with traditional English drinks. Whether you’re hosting a large event or leisurely watching the games from home, the Brits have a drink for you.

Pimm’s: 

First and foremost, in my opinion, is Britain’s national drink. Known as Pimm’s, the classic drink is sold in liquor form or ready-to-drink cans mixed with lemonade. The spicy and citrus flavor of Pimm’s is traditionally mixed with lemonade, mint, cucumber, orange and strawberries to create the unique and refreshing taste. Perfect for outdoor events or barbecues, the drink will keep you and your guests cooled off as you celebrate the history of this nearly 200-year-old delight.

Tea:

Introduced by the Portuguese, tea did not become a pastime for all Brits until the 19th century. Since then, the British have incorporated the drink into their culture whether it be in the form of afternoon tea or high tea.

So, what’s the difference? Afternoon tea historically began as a pre-dinner meal. Scones, sandwiches and pastries accompanied the drink. Today, afternoon tea has become a bit of a delicacy and a must when visiting the country. High tea, on the other hand, signified what we know as dinner or supper. When high tea was popular, most Brits ate their largest meal around midday and a lighter meal, high tea, in the evening.

Regardless of what you call it, tea is a great compliment to watching an equestrian or synchronized swimming competition.

Ale:

Choosing the perfect brew is a daunting task when in London. The first alcoholic beverage to be produced in England, the drink is as commonplace as sweet tea in the South. The options are endless, though no apparent “favorite” can be noted. It seems that Brits, much like Americans, have differences in opinion when it comes to this beloved beverage. One fact is undeniable, however, a soccer game is not complete without friends and refreshing ale.

Cider:

Often overlooked as a traditionally English drink, cider’s origins in the UK date back to 1066, according to some accounts. Because of the low-tax, a recent article shows that cider sales are dramatically increasing, especially among young people. The definition of cider in the UK varies a bit, ranging from alcoholic to non-alcoholic. For all you trend-setters, trade in traditional lager for what many consider a lighter and sweeter summer drink.