Chef Challenge Menu Revealed

Without further ado, I present to you Chef Railey's final menu for "An Oldham County Dining Adventure." I probably should have posted this after lunch; now my stomach won't stop growling.

Appetizers:
Grilled Vienna & Spam Skewers with Hosin Sauce
Potted Black Bean Patty with Pico de Gallo
Ham Spread Canape with Pineapple Salsa

Soup:
Vichyssoise (Cold Potato Soup)

Salad:
Crunchy Ramen noodle

Entrées:
Salmon & Spinach Souffle with Red Pepper Sauce
Roast Beef wrapped Asparagus with Horseradish Spread & Demi Glace reduction

Served with Duchess Potatoes & Veggies

Dessert:
Krispy Kreme & Devil Food Pudding with Cranberry Sauce

If you haven't made your reservation yet, call the Oldham County Red Cross at 502-222-0308.

Dessert anyone?

Thanksgiving is coming early, and it's even better. For dessert you'll get a helping of cranberry sauce on top of a well known morning treat. DOH! I may have given away too much!

Things are getting fishy.

Who wouldn't be a fan of mermaid endorsed fish? But just in case your tastes stray away from sea creatures, there will be not one, but two main entree choices at this year's Chef Challenge. Last hint posts tomorrow, and we've saved the best for last.

Last Chance

Today is the last day to support your local Red Cross at Tumbleweed Tuesday! Don't miss out on a great opportunity to have fun and give back. Print off the coupon above, present it to your server, and 10% of you bill will be donated to the Louisville Area Chapter. What better excuse for a night out?

. . . or Salad?

How about both! Sure, Ramen in a soup would make more sense, but how much fun would that be? Up next, the main dish. Don't miss it!

Who says good deeds aren't rewarded?

Now you can feel even better about giving back to the community. Ice cream mogul Ben & Jerry's teamed up with Target to promote volunteering. From now until Dec. 31 if you sign up for a volunteer opportunity with VolunteerMatch.com, you will receive a coupon for free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, (while supplies last) so hurry and sign up before they run out!

The two qualifying flavors are Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder. Sounds "berry" good ;)

Soup . . .

In my house potatoes offer endless possibilities. I bake them, boil them, mash them and yes, I am guilty of frying them, too. Chef Railey will concoct a delicious soup with potatoes and ... well, you'll just have to wait to find out the rest.

Appetizing Appetizer

First off, I would like to apologize for the blurriness. The camera was being a bit temperamental in the dark lighting, but I suppose it just adds to the mystery .... This photo is your first "An Oldham County Dining Adventure" clue. Check back on Monday for a soup-er tip off on your second course.

Disaster Kit friendly foods

So, I am absolutely addicted to Yahoo! Articles, especially the ones that can save you money and calories, but check out this one that could save your life during a disaster.

The top foods you should keep in case of an emergency

The list includes commonly known items, but a few may surprise you. Oh, and as our community disaster educators know well, when you are compiling food for your disaster kit, don’t forget the can opener!

For a full list of items you should include in a disaster kit go to www.redcross.org.

Introducing Chef Railey

Chef John Railey

Executive Chef at Glen Oaks Country Club
Sullivan University alumni

Railey began his career in cooking 16 years ago in the military, but he also has experience in canned goods, Ramen noodles and other common pantry items having experimented with them as a kid.

Chef Railey on creating the menu for "An Oldham County Dining Adventure":

I’m definitely not afraid to get into the canned goods and potted meats. My dad was a military man as well for 36, 37 years. When I was a kid, he would come home from summer camp with the canned meats, so it was always fun to come home and get rewarded with the leftovers he brought back. We always played with the things that he had. With the military it was always mystery meat, so you sit there and play with whatever was in the package. It may say SPAM, but when you opened it up, it was something green. You don’t know if it had sat there or if it was a vegetable, but you would always make the most of it, and you made a meal out of it.

Even when I was on my own and trying to make ends meet, I can remember one of my first meals of Ramen noodles I thought was so awesome—I melted cheese in it. And I thought I was really cooking then, with Ramen noodles and melted cheese, but I really kicked that up a notch.

I want the challenge to show people that what they have in their pantries they can make a meal out of, and be just as tasteful as going out and spending 30, 40 dollars for a family or for other groceries to bring into the house. I look at this to be fun as well as an educational experience for the individuals that are going to attend the fundraiser.

Be on the lookout for menu hints as we get closer to the event date.

LAC responds to Pike County flooding

Volunteers Robert and Kenny prepare for the drive to Pike County in our emergency response vehicle.

Local Red Cross staff and volunteers have been deployed to Pike County where flooding damaged many homes over the weekend. Currently our 13 Red Cross workers are aiding the Big Sandy Red Cross as they conduct damage assessment and distribute emergency relief items such as water, clean-up kits, first aid kits and comfort kits.

Red Cross workers are also working with community partners to distribute food to affected residents using Red Cross emergency response vehicles, two of which were sent by the Louisville Area Chapter.

One Red Cross shelter is currently open at Pike Central High School where an average of 25 residents have stayed while recovering from the disaster.

Stay tuned to our blog for more information on how the Louisville Area Chapter is assisting those affected by the Pike County Floods and for information on how you can prepare for floods and other disasters.

No home is too small . . .

Imagine living in a house that comes with all the basics: a bathroom, a bedroom, a kitchen; it even has room for a bookshelf. This may not seem unusual, unless of course you consider that the house is only 89-square feet.

Owner and builder, Jay Shafer, chose to minimize his stress by minimizing his space. I doubt anything goes on in Jay's house that he doesn't know about, including a fire, but it's still important to have escape routes planned. You know, just in case.

Keep the following tips in mind when creating your own emergency escape plan:

• Plan two escape routes from each room.
• Make sure your plan includes all floors and rooms including garage, stairways and elevators.
• Know the location of fire extinguishers and utility cut off points.
• Decide on a meeting place for all members of your household to gather during an emergency evacuation. Make sure EVERYONE knows where it is.
• Practice your emergency evacuation twice a year with all household members.

For more tips on disaster preparedness, visit www.redcross.org.

Man Vs. Food

Ok all you Food Network junkies. Here is your chance to witness a food challenge first hand. Join the Oldham County Red Cross and Glen Oaks Country Club executive Chef John Railey for “An Oldham County Dining Adventure.” There Chef Railey will present a 5-course meal consisting of food items that can be found in the OCRC food pantry.

Don’t worry; you won’t end up with canned corn and baked beans. I promise. If you are interested, call the OCRC at 502-222-0308 to make reservations. Dinners are $75 per person, $600 per table of eight. Sponsorship packages are also available for $500.

Supporting our Armed Forces

Flemister (top, right) with call center staff and volunteers.

Last Friday, members of the Louisville Area Chapter's Community Emergency Services received a surprise visit from a military member recently assisted by LAC volunteer Nicholas Johnson. Staff Sergeant Anthony Flemister said he was able to return home for a family emergency in less than 72 hours with help from the LAC call center. Currently, Flemister is on active duty on Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. This is the second time he has been helped by the hardworking members of our Red Cross services to the armed forces.

Red Cross services to the armed forces assists military members and their families during emergencies. Last year the LAC call center assisted more than 160,000 military families across the United States and over 1,200 in the Louisville area.

Haiti: Six months later

Thanks to donors across the world, including those in the Kentuckiana area, the Red Cross has raised a total of $468 million for Haiti relief and recovery efforts. During the first six months 1/3 of the donations have been spent as follows:

38% on food and emergency services
35% on emergency and transitional/semi-permanent shelters
10% on livelihoods and host family assistance
8% on health and disease prevention programs
5% on on disaster preparedness activities
4% on providing clean water and sanitation

The shelter and financial assistance agreements to be signed in the next several weeks will add another $71 million in spending.

A lot of work has been done, and there is still so much more to do. Red Cross will use the remaining funds on long-term recovery spanning the next 3-5 years. Spending plans focus on health, shelter and financial assistance.

For a detailed report on the progress in Haiti and future relief plans, check out the full press release.

Blood+Donation=Saving Lives

Help others like Danny by donating blood today! Stop by the WHAS11 Health and Fitness Expo July 9th and 10th. While there, you can donate blood and visit with our Disaster and Health and Safety departments about training opportunities with the Red Cross.

The Expo is from 10am-5pm both July 9th and 10th at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville.

American Red Cross 10% Tuesday!

Every Tuesday throughout the month of July, head to any area Tumbleweed, (that includes our Hoosier neighbors to the North) and 10% of your bill will be donated to the Louisville Area Chapter. Enjoy fresh Tex-Mex with an ice cold drink all while supporting your local Red Cross!

Just print off the coupon pictured above, and bring it in to your nearest Tumbleweed. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your friends!

Check out Tumbleweed’s menu before you head out.

The LAC serves the Kentuckiana community via its main office in Louisville and six service centers in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

The heat is on!

People across the Kentuckiana area are feeling it. Near record-breaking temperatures are causing everyone to flock indoors. Luckily, humans don't melt in 99 degree weather, but other heat related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, can be just as dangerous. Stay safe and cool by taking the following precautions:

• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of fluids; avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. (Monopoly anyone?)
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
• NEVER leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Check on your animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, choose a place to go for relief during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, malls).

The best way to prepare for heat-related emergencies is by getting trained in first aid. Contact the Louisville Area Chapter at 589-4450 for more information on first aid courses, and visit louisville-redcross.org for more tips on heat safety.