Hi folks.
I have an extra special treat for you today. Not only do I have a special lady guest posting for me, but she's written about a very specific experience. I have Kym from Free Spirit Eater today and she's whipped up an amazing dish for you. She's also whipped it and shared it with some special folks. I shall hand you over to the lovely Kym so she can share her story with you all.
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Hello fellow lunatics!
Don’t you just love Kim? If I ever need my day brightened I know who to turn to. Like the song I’m listening to as I type this up, Melanie C says it best (don’t you just miss the Spice Girls era?). Like Kim, this Kym tends to ramble and say exactly what’s on her mind. Don’t mind my extra craziness today, I am running on 4 hours of sleep spread out in a span of 2 days. My excuse is my recent return from a trip for my fiancé Tim’s birthday to a Rise Against concert in Syracuse. If you’re wondering how the trip went, let’s just say my neck is sore from head banging, my arms hurt from “slam dancing” and even after showering I still have mud on my legs. I’d say it was a very successful birthday trip.
But I don’t just selfishly have fun on my own, I enjoy bringing smiles to others as well. I try to help others the only way I know how, with food. As a teenager I volunteered often, but after a sudden life altering moment, I felt I had nothing left to give. Years later, after finally being able to battle my own demons, thanks to the healing power of cooking, I finally feel I can give back.
Food healed me, I learned to balance my love affair with food and live a healthy life style. I accidentally discovered a soup kitchen in my neighborhood, and have learned valuable life lessons from nearly every person I have encountered there. Things that have shaken me to the core, making me re-evaluate my own life, priorities and relationships. Although I have only known these people for a few months, I have never felt so connected to a group of individuals.
I decided last minute to share these experiences to hopefully give that encouragement someone needed to volunteer or begin a soup kitchen or food pantry in their neighborhood. We all place No Kid Hungry stickers on our cars, badges on our blogs and were shaken by the documentary that recently aired on Food Network. But the power of actually donating food, clothing, diapers, or just your time to give a warm smile with a hot bowl of soup to someone suffering could make a huge difference.
So I share with you the first ever meal I made for the soup kitchen. Add rice, a mesclun and iceberg salad along with warm brownie a la mode to replicate the meal we shared that evening. It was made with lots of love and thankfully brought lots of smiles and left plenty for everyone to bring home for further enjoyment.
Remember, just looking through your pantry you’ll find a few items that are donation worthy. Ask friends if they have anything worth giving away, even the smallest of actions could really brighten someone’s life.
For more information on the No Kid Hungry Campaign click here. For more photos and information on the soup kitchen I volunteer at click here.
Crispy n' Juicy Roasted Pork Shoulder and Beans
Ingredients
- 4 Pork Shoulders 4-5 lbs each room temperature for 30 mins
For the Spice Mix:
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
For Beans:
- 15 cans of red beans
- ½ head of garlic crushed
- ½ a Spanish onion rough chopped
- 3 stalks of celery split and diced
- 10 baby carrots roughly chopped
- 3 bay leaves
- Enough water to just cover the beans
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Score the fat cap, make sure to not hit the meat. (Tic tac toe board on the fat ONLY)
- Proceed to massage the shoulder with the spice rub, just enough to generously coat.
- Place in a deep pan in the oven 3 hours; feel free to baste it every half hour for optimum flavor.
- Allow cooling at least 20 minutes before slicing; do not prematurely remove the fat cap. Let the juices settle.
- Slice and serve warm.
- Recipe for Beans:
- In a large rondeau heat oil on medium high, add garlic and vegetables. Season lightly with salt and sauté until translucent.
- Add bay leaves, beans and enough water to cover the beans. Bring up to a boil for 1-2 minutes and drop it back down to medium high. Cook for one hour. Stir occasionally. Season if necessary.
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Thank you so much to Kym for sharing her recipes with us today. I'd also like to thank her for sharing her experience at the soup kitchen with us. It reminds us all there is more to life than our little world. I encourage every one to follow in Kym's foot steps and do something for others this week. Your small gesture has the power to change lives and touch people's hearts.
I'd like to invite you all to stop by Kym's blog, Free Spirit Eater and say hello. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Stumble Upon. Also make sure you congratulate her on her remarkable weight loss and lifestyle change. She has done wonderfully and I am really proud of her. You should wish her luck in her upcoming nuptials as well. Kym is planning her wedding right now. I just know her and Tim will have a lifetime of happiness. I cannot think of two people who deserve it more.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time
Bravo, Kym! I volunteer at a food pantry twice a month and love every minute of it. Meeting new people and having a chance to talk to them touches me deeply. It's Kingdom work.
This pork shoulder looks heavenly. And the beans, oh my, they look delicious as well. Thank you for sharing the food and the good work going on there.
Kim Bee
Thanks for visiting and good for you for volunteering. I love hearing stories about people helping others.
anne
Kim, I miss you ! Been lurking from time to time but 'tis the first time to comment after your great getaway from Blogger hahahaha This is one awesome guest post ! The smile of those people says it all ! You're one good person , Kym !
That roasted pork shoulder looks scrumptious ! Here , let me taste that ! 😀
Kim Bee
Lol, I ran away like I stole it. Thanks so much for coming by. I missed ya! xx
Ann
This is such an amazing post! Thank you for sharing such a tasty recipe and thank you for your service to others. Hugs to you both!
Kim Bee
Thanks Ann. xx
Anna @ hiddenponies
What a wonderful guest post, and the recipe looks deeee-licious!
Kim Bee
Thanks for coming by Anna.
Anita at Hungry Couple
What a fabulous post!
Kim Bee
Thanks for visiting Anita. xx
The Duo Dishes
This is the sweetest post out there today. What a beautiful thing you're doing. Everyone deserves delicious, heartwarming food. It's quite healing. Great work!
Kim Bee
Isn't Kym awesome. I adore her. Thanks so much for visiting.
Marina {YummyMummyKitchen.com}
That last picture is making me hungry. What a bowl of comfort! Yum! Have a wonderful Mother's Day, Kim!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much my dear Marina. I hope you have a fabulous one with your girls and hubby. xx
Mary
What a fabulous recipe. My family would love this. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings...Maryi
Kim Bee
Thanks for visiting Mary. Have a lovely weekend.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
The recipe sounds wonderful, but what a great story! Helping others, and stepping out of our little world for just a little bit, can make a huge impact on others. What a great message to share!
Kim Bee
I was so impressed with Kym for this. It's a great thing to be doing. Nothing better than giving back.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Hi Kym and Kim! What a great story and inspiration to others. Your roasted pork shoulder looks wonderful! Hope you have a great weekend.
Kim Bee
Thanks for stopping by Nami. Enjoy your weekend.
Ramona
Kym... you're even more awesome than I first thought!! What a great meal and I love that you volunteer like this. 🙂 Well done!
Kim- fabulous guest post.... well picked. 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Ramona!
FreeSpiritEater
Thank you so much for your kind words Kim and for allowing me to guest post. And thank you to everyone who read it and left some love. It feels wonderful to help others, hear their stories and see them leave with a huge grin that was not there when they first arrived. It is our responsibility to help end hunger in our own backyards, even if it is with the smallest gesture, we can all help. Many hugs and kisses for everyone, have a great weekend!
Kim Bee
Thank you Kym. It was a total pleasure doing this with you. Thanks for guesting for me.
Liz
Oh, what a fantastic meal for the soup kitchen. Kym, I admire what you're doing to help feed the hungry! And Kim, another wonderful guest post 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Liz. I enjoyed this and was so pleased Kym did something out of the ordinary.
Carolyn
Wow, what an amazing guest post. The pork shoulder looks amazing, but even more than that, the work in the soup kitchen is so wonderful.
Kim Bee
Isn't she amazing. I am so inspired by Kym and all she does.
Debra Kapellakis
Thank you for stopping by. I praise you in your volunteer work. Jesus would approve. I enjoyed your story. I like your recipe very much. I pray your wedding will bring all you want and more.
Kim Bee
Thanks for visiting Debra. Always happy to have you. xx
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
I love Kym's blog and that she shared this delicious recipes with those in need.
Kim Bee
She is so amazing. I adore Kym to bits.
Baker Street
Great guest post. Love his choice of spices used in this recipe.