Feature Friday is Back...

I took a breat from writing the Feature Friday posts during the holidays because we were so busy! We're still super busy but I missed writing them. I thought I'd do a 2011 Feature Friday Recap for you. This will be a great quick reference to the notes I wrote last year!

In 2012 I have some great Feature Friday ideas. After all, Hallelujah Acres is celebrating our 20th Anniversary and I plan to have a lot of fun with that!

2011 Feature Friday in Review

What I'm Thankful For
This was my last note of 2011 and I took a moment to speak from my heart and share what I was thankful for. This was post just before Thanksgiving and I enjoyed the time of reflection.

A Vegan Thanksgiving
This note features vegan recipes covering all the courses of a holiday meal. These are not only delicious but they take the stress out of trying to keep a traditional meal on the table.

Desserts!
We all love desserts and it is the one thing that some people miss most when adopting a healthy diet. This note made took the guilt out of this pleasure in life. The post offers recipes, phone apps, and videos.

Our Kale Chips are Green!
I answered questions on the "green" factor of our Kale Chips. I also offered some suggestions on how you can recycle the Kale packaging.

Let's Talk Detox...
Do you know what detox is? This post discusses the symptoms, details, and remedies on detox.

Thyroid
This is a common issue that we get asked about so I wrote a note about. This note details iodine, vegetables to avoid, and other dietary suggestions.

Hypoglycemia
Inspired by a blog post of AM & PM, this note focuses on the symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to deal with this while on the Hallelujah Acres' Diet.

Weather Preparedness
This note was written during a time of bad weather. Considering that most of us juice, process, blend, and dehydrate - a power outage would leave us nibbling on lettuce! This note tells ways to cope with an outage and how to prepare for such an event.

Kids
A detailed compilation of articles, books, videos, and tips for raising kids on the Hallelujah Acres' diet.

Blogging
Do you have a blog? This is a post about being inspired to blog and why you may want to have your own blog.

Common Misconceptions About the Diet
You shared the common misconceptions you've faced and I offered the answers to those questions. Topics covered include protein, calcium, muscles, boredom, and the meat argument.

Sprouting Tips
Fellow Facebook users offered tips for sprouting. You asked for it and we delivered!

The Hallelujah Acres' Diet on the Job
This note explains how to be on the Hallelujah Acres' Diet when you have to travel or work outside the home. All first hand advice that makes it work!

Overabundant Harvest
This Summer we were asked, "what do I do with all these vegetables?" If you are harvesting more than you can eat, there are ways to perserve them and we talk about them here.

July 4th BBQ - Vegan?
No ribs or meat burgers at this BBQ! This note offers some great Summer recipes!

Vegan Vacation...
This post made it easy to have a go-to place for all the many nuggets of advice given for travelling while on a vegan diet.

Vegan Mayonaise
A burger and sandwich staple, mayonaise does not have to be history with vegan alternatives available. All the details are found in this note!

Vegan Pizza
Need I say more?

Tips from Willi, the Hallelujah Acres' Organic Gardener
Willi, the Organic Gardner at Hallelujah Acres, was kind enough to take the time to compile a list of gardening tips. This post gives you those tips! Thank you Willi!

The Very First Feature Friday
I admittedly used this first Feature Friday for a shameless plug of Health Ministers Training. Don't get too upset - I'm sure I'll do it again this year!

Thank you all for a wonderful year in 2011 and I look forward to 2012!!! What Feature Friday topic would you like to see in 2012?

My New Marketing Term: Unexpecting Demographic

Yes, you can use it - just give me credit for it. My plan for Social Media marketing world domination is coming together nicely! (Insert evil laugh here!)

Seriously though!

I have this habit of making up words in a way that is totally convincing. It's all those years of faking my way through English class I think! It comes in handy when I don't understand what someone is talking about. It makes me look very smart!

I have an perfect example of reaching an "Unexpecting Demographic." I love to look through different Facebook pages and see the creative ways other companies are using to engage their customer. I am very proud of the work I do in Social Media with Hallelujah Acres. Some folks appreciate photography or clever quotes, I love a good marketing idea!

I LOVED what I saw when I went to the Facebook page for the grocery store Ingles Supermarket. They were holding a Facebook Page "forum" with Sprout Organic Baby Food. The genius that inspired my new marketing term, Unexpecting Demographic? Are you ready for it?

They offered recipe ideas, using their baby food, giving individuals of all ages (even Seniors love Sprout Baby Food) without children a reason to buy baby food. SCORE! Do you understand how genius that is? This is one of those times that I appreciate the genius and then think to myself, "man, I wish I had thought of that!"

Here's our Twitter conversation:

@LeahMcGrathRD The Ingles Facebook post on using Baby Food in Recipes - GENIUS!

via @Laura_HAcres "The Ingles Facebook post on using Baby Food in Recipes - GENIUS" //THANKS! @SproutFoods @SproutMom

@LeahMcGrathRD I sent it to our marketing team as an example of how to reach an unexpecting demographic. Wish I had thought of it! LOL!

@Laura_HAcres I LOVE that term "unexpecting demographic"...could be the name of a rock band ;)

@Laura_HAcres RT @LeahMcGrathRD The Ingles Facebook post on using Baby Food in Recipes - GENIUS!> Thanks, Laura! Glad you liked it!

@SproutFoods Is this a national effort to build your demographic or did it just play out that way?

@Laura_HAcres It's playing out that way - there are so many uses across many demos (and pets!) - Sprout is real food!

There you have it folks! Who would have thought that I would have a reason to buy baby food after all of my kids have grown? So many uses for baby food - even for your pets. Did you see that coming? Sprout Baby Food is real food! Wanna see a recipe? Curiosity gets you every time!

Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies. (You can use Carob Chips to make this vegan!) You can also use these products for dips, glazes, sauces, pancakes, smoothies! I'm going to try to freeze some of them and run them through my Green Star Juicer to make Ice Cream. I'll post pics, I promise!

So that makes me wonder, what's your favorite baby food flavor?

Be Thankful in All Things...

I was talking with my boys this morning about being thankful. I asked them one "Thing" they were thankful for. They could not name anything that is living or ever was living. My younger son kept naming things that he thought would be the "right" answer. He said, "a good economy," and "a healthy environment." I had the same problem with a Facebook poll. I got answers like, "God" and "my Mom."

People are not able to sincerely communicate their thankfulness without feeling judged.

I told my younger son, "I'm thankful for my car." He was shocked and said, "OK, I'm thankful for having my own room." Now we're getting somewhere!

Whether you are a Christian or not, the Bible principles of loving others and having a grateful heart make us all better people. I am so thankful for everything I have because so many have not!

I do not worship my car or place it above my God or my family, but I am thankful for it.

I encourage you to be thankful for what you have and do not feel guilty for doing so. I am sure someone that has not, would be very thankful for what you have.

Give thanks and be grateful this Thanksgiving holiday season.

What I am Thankful for!

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I want to take a moment to express to you the things I am thankful for this year. This has been a wonderful year! As a child, I always made a Christmas list. Now that I'm grown, I think I'll make a Thanksgiving list instead.

My Thanksgiving List

1. My Heavenly Father I am so thankful to God my Heavenly Father for loving me in spite of myself. I sometimes fail Him and let Him down, but He continues to see me as worthy of His love. For that I am most thankful!
2. My Family I have the most wonderful family that includes my husband, kids, parents, in-laws, siblings, nieces, nephews... and the list goes on! They have filled my life with joy and I am thankful that I get the opportunity share in their lives.
3. My Church We recently moved back home and from the moment we stepped foot into our church, they have loved us as if a day had not passed. I know how precious it is to have a loving church family and I am eternally thankful for our's.
4. My Friends I am surrounded with friends who laugh when I laugh, cry when I cry, and hurt when I hurt. I am thankful that I have so many people in my corner.
5. My Job The day I walked into Hallelujah Acres for the first interview, I asked, "is it always like this?" It was so peaceful and welcoming, and yes - it is always like this! I am so blessed to be proud of what I do, proud of who I work for, and especially proud of who I work with. Forget an amusement park - Hallelujah Acres is the greatest place on Earth and I am so thankful to be here!
6. You I am thankful for all of you. You have no idea how many times you have put a smile on my face or brought laughter to me! I have prayed for you, laughed with you, smiled at you, and cheered you on. You do the same for me and I just want to say THANK YOU!

What are you thankful for?