"Self-Advocacy" by Drew Burton, Marketing and PR Intern

"Getting a new wheelchair is much easier said than done," said John when asked about how difficult it was to receive his new wheelchair. 

Every seven years, a wheelchair is due to be replaced by the state. When John's seventh year in the same wheelchair arrived, he requested a new chair. However, he was denied three times by the state and was forced to take matters into his own hands. 

While speaking with John, it didn't take me long to realize that he is the epitome of a go-getter. He wanted a new wheelchair, and he wasn't taking no for an answer.

 Once he was told he wasn't getting one, he did something most people wouldn't. He contacted Illinois congressman, Aaron Schock. He explained the situation, and within a month, Schock responded with a phone call. Aaron Schock told him that it would be possible for him to receive the new chair he deserved. 

Within a few months, John was cruising in style with his brand new, grabber blue wheelchair. 

There is a lot to be learned from this story. More than anything, the moral of the story is to never give up on anything you want. Life will put obstacles in front of you. You can either give in or fight for what you want. The choice is yours.

"Third annual Walk & Roll" by Drew Burton, Marketing and PR Intern

The third annual Walk and Roll took place on October 11th and was a success as usual. EP!C covers an entire mile of land, and for the past three years, that land has been put to good use. The participants walk around the entire building as many times as they can. But they're not just walking for exercise. Walk and Roll is an event to raise money and awareness for breast cancer and it is improving every year. "It's getting better and better every year," said Rhoda, one of the founders of the event. As far as attendance goes, this year was the biggest turn out yet. It started out as just an idea, some way to raise awareness and money for breast cancer, similar to Race For the Cure. But more and more people have shown interest in participating in the event, making it a bigger turn out every year so far.

One thing that separates Walk and Roll from some other fund raisers is the fact that anyone can participate. No matter what physical or mental disability an individual has, he or she can still make an impact. In other words, it's an event where we are all the same. We can all make a difference. That's a big part of what makes this event special. There are no unfair advantages or disadvantages, just people uniting for one common goal which is to help end breast cancer. Rhoda intends on hosting Walk and Roll for many years to come, as it shows no signs of slowing down. It's an event that literally anyone can participate in. "We can all walk around this building and contribute and make a difference," said Rhoda when asked about this year's turn out. The world needs more people like Rhoda to help win the battle against breast cancer. One thing is for sure, everyone involved with this event refuses to lose the fight against breast cancer.

EP!C Harvest - Green Onions!

What came first, the onion or the green onion? 

Fortunately the answer to this is not as complicated as the answer to whether the chicken came first or the egg. Green onions, also known as scallions, are young shoots of bulb onions that have an undeveloped white bulb with a long green stalk.In other words, they are the result of onions that were harvested early. These vegetables may be small but they are packed with flavor that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Green onions can be eaten raw after proper washing, grilled, or saute. They are packed with nutrients such as vitamin K, A, and C. Vitamin K assists with bone health, vitamin A assists with eye health, and vitamin C assists with immune health. When purchasing green onions, check to make sure they have bright green stalks, crisp in texture, and a firm white base.

If you haven't already come try the EP!C Harvest green onions?The EP!C Harvest market is on Fridays in the cafeteria from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Fill your body with the necessary nutrients it needs to keep you going!

EP!C Harvest unique veggies

If a vegetable could awaken Sleeping Beauty, which vegetable would it be?

There are a variety of radishes which come in different sizes and colors. Table radishes are no larger than ping pong balls and can be red, purple, red-and-white, and pink. Red meat radishes are a type of Daikons, which are large and can reach a foot in size. Red meat radishes have a white or light green exterior color and a hot pink interior color. Unfortunately, radishes are not nutritional powerhouses, but they contain nutrients such as vitamin C, folate and potassium. Radishes can be eaten raw, after proper washing, fried, steamed, cooked or baked. Some consumers add salt or pepper to radishes to give them more taste. When purchasing radishes, ensure minimal blemishes are present and absolutely no mushy spots. Also, Red meat radishes are best preserved when refrigerated. They are also known as Watermelon radishes and more poetically beauty heart radishes which originated from Western Asia and Europe but now can be found in various parts of the world including Peoria, IL. Stop by EPIC Harvest and snag the beautiful vegetable which Sleeping Beauty might have utilized instead of a kiss from the Prince.

EP!C Harvest veggies nutritional value

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers...Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

This is a famous tongue twister which most people have heard and have attempted to recite without making a mistake. Along with pickled peppers, there are a variety of ways to eat and preserve peppers as well as diversity in how they taste. Contrary to popular belief, peppers are not always spicy, in fact peppers,such as Lunchbox peppers, can be sweet. Lunchbox peppers are smaller in size than bell peppers, and are found in a mixture of colors such as green, yellow and red. Even though lunchbox peppers are usually 2 inches smaller than bell peppers, do not let their small size full you. These mini peppers are packed with fiber which aid in reducing the risk for digestive complaints, heart disease and obesity.They also include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin,  folate, vitamins C, A,and B6.  Organically harvested at EPIC and sold at Naturally Yours, these delicious peppers make a flavorful addition to salads, pasta, and on the go snacks.

The fountain of youth has been discovered! 

Arugula, also known as rocket is a peppery leafy green lettuce that does more than make your salad look pretty. Arugula does not only decrease the risk of cancer, but it may slow down the aging process. By incorporating at least one cup of leafy vegetables daily during meals, you can give your body the necessary nutrients it needs to function. Arugula contains beta carotene (forms vitamin A) and lutein which aids in good vision, folate, fiber, vitamin C and  potassium. Arugula aids in managing blood pressure, and the prevention of osteoporosis, which is when bones become fragile and weak. It is important to remember that the darker the leaves, the more nutrient dense the lettuce. So, next time you are thinking about adding iceberg lettuce to your grocery list, try picking up arugula instead and head over to EPIC's market which has an abundant supply of arugula which are not too spicy.

By Jen B., EP!C Harvest intern.

EP!C Harvest veggies

I can't believe they are not eggs?

Contrary to their name, eggplants  do not contain eggs, or resemble eggs in any fashion, neither are they a vegetable.  In fact, eggplants are considered a berry, but have similar nutritional benefits like most vegetables. Eggplants  are  low in fat and calories and rich in fiber, minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium,  and filled with anti oxidants.  Eggplants come in a variety of  shapes, sizes and color, but it is important that when purchasing  eggplants, they have had time to grow. Before consuming eggplants, make sure they are shiny, firm, solid and heavy. Avoid eggplants  that are  shriveled, soft when touched, bruised at the surface or over matured. Old, or unhealthy eggplants can have a bitter taste ruining the consumers eggplant experience. For longer edible life, eggplants should be stored in the refrigerator but they can also be stored in a cool place for 1-3 days.  Eggplants can be cooked in a variety of ways such as boiling, frying, stir fried, grilled, and baked but it is important to fully wash them before use and remove their stalk. To help with the bitter taste, it is recommended to salt eggplants before use, but this is not mandatory.  The whole eggplant can be eaten including the skin and seeds. Eggplants are in season from July until October.

Beets, Beets, Beets

Similar to other vegetables, beets can be found in a variety of colors and shapes but the most popular beets are the ones which are purplish/reddish in color. Along with their attractive color, beets are also known for their ability to be cooked in various ways. For example, beets can be boiled, grilled, fried, baked and roasted, with their leafy portion also being edible. Beets are a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, dietary fiber and aids in protecting the body from free radicals and lowers the risk of heart disease.It is important to note that beets stain easily hence care must be taken when preparing beets. Also, beets concentration of phytonutrients decreases with heat, and care must be taken to ensure beets are not overcooked. A recommended time frame is 15 minutes or less.

An easy way to enjoy beets is after rinsing it off under cool water, and peeling of their skin, steam beets for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, add orange juice, brown sugar, butter, salt and pepper in a large nonstick skillet. Cook until the butter and sugar starts to bubble and then stir in beets for 6-8 minutes. You are ready to enjoy!

By Jen B., EP!C Harvest intern.

Camp Big Sky's First Volunteer Graduation

Last Session:

Our last session at Camp Big Sky was really rainy! We tried not to let the weather get to us and continue with the fun plans for the day.  As a way to recap and have a little fun we played a life size review game that was set up all over camp.  The rainy weather caused us to wear ponchos, but we still managed to play half the game.  Additionally, we spent a little bit of time preparing for the graduation ceremony. The trainees prepared some amazing signs to hang up to welcome their friends, family, and additional visitors.  Lastly, we were able to practice a few of the speeches that the trainees planned for the ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony:

The Volunteer Trainee Program was a success.  We had 10 trainees graduate to be official volunteers with shirt, hat, name tag, and diploma in hand.  They were an awesome group to work with and the program couldn't have been developed without their help, patience, and dedication.  During the ceremony, there were two planned speeches that were great!  Both Jimmy and Columbia shared their experiences at camp and helped to inform everyone what the program had to offer.  Additionally, Amanda, a trainee, planned a speech with her mom that she shared with everyone at camp.  The trainees worked hard to plan the speeches and it was really nice to hear how they felt about the program.  We wanted to thank Marj for organizing and preparing all the food for the event.  Without her help, we wouldn't have been able to have such a successful cookout.  James was the great grill master for the event and did a phenomenal job grilling all the meat!  Additionally, we wanted to thank Brad Guidi for the opportunity to develop such a great program and for all his late night emails and early mornings of copying papers.  Every volunteer at camp contributed to all the success in some way this summer.  No matter what we were doing they were available and willing to help or share their knowledge! We can't thank them enough for that! 

By: Megan LePage