"Make it Happen 2015."

` Join us for this years International Woman's day celebration. This years theme make it happen will focus on the achievements of woman while calling for equality. We are planning on having fun and creating an atmosphere of empowerment and equality.  Purple the color of justice and dignity, values associated with woman's equality.  In 1908 woman the Woman's Social and Political Union in Great Britain adopted the color scheme of purple, white, and green to symbolize the plight of suffragettes.  Today we honor woman everywhere with the color Purple.



 

Plan on celebrating with us.  Wear purple if you like. Bring friends, family neighbors, children, and the men in your life are welcome. 

Plan on being empowered mark March 2nd on your calendar.

 

For information on how Woman all over the world are celebrating go to.

 

 www.internationalwomansday.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year Smile be a Goat

By Kathy Chavez 

     February 19th begins the year of the goat, sheep or ram, these terms are used interchangeably in the Chinese Zodiac.  According to the Chinese horoscope predicts that this year will be one of prosperity and well being.  The Green Wooden Ram (also sheep or goat), the Yui Wei represents a period of a passing summer the time of happiness through reaping the benefits of diligence and hard work. 
     What better way to celebrate the year of the goat than to be a goat.  Or just give a goat. The gift of a goat improves the life of an entire community by providing a source of income.  If you just can't be a goat Oxfam offers other adorable and valuable gift ideas. Go to www.oxfamgifts.com If not a goat perhaps a chicken?  Help create happiness and prosperity in the world around you.





 Giving a goat will bring a smile to a multitude of people.

This year can also be the year to change your life by a simple smile.  Researchers found that holding a smile may help your heart and reduce stress whether you are truly happy or not.  Smiling reduces our stress response, by lowering heart rate.  They also found that the act of smiling increases endorphins which lifts your mood.  Smiling can also increase longevity, make you look younger, kills pain, increases attention, you will simply feel and look better overall.

Smiles are contagious so spread happiness and well being.

  

Oxfam Action Corps sending you miles of Smiles.

www.oxfamamerica.org
 https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/s/application-oxfam-action-corps-organizer

Join us spread the joy.  Take Action.



Reminder: It's time to apply to be an Action Corps City Organizer!

Hello Everyone!

Let's talk about Action Corps: it is awesome. Period. No two ways about it. And luckily, it is once again that great time to join this amazing group of individuals as an Organizer!

Check out our page for more information about our locations in 16 different cities, the job description, and the application! And look below at what other Organizers have said about their experiences...

"This is leadership in practice. You can't just read a book on leadership. You have to put it into practice." --Jill Mizell, Researcher, New York

"Oxfam Action Corps has given me a ton of confidence... Gaining knowledge and being able to speak to people about the issues." --Amy L., Business Operations Analyst, Des Moines

"This has become one of the best parts of my life... I can't express enough how satisfying it is to be organizing with people who are just as committed and dependable and passionate. It is so great to have the support from the Oxfam America staff, and I've been really impressed by their accessibility, competency and friendliness." --Isaac E., Educator, New York City

Ready to join them? Apply to be an organizer or if you aren't ready yet, consider volunteering with any Action Corps in efforts to help Oxfam fight hunger and social injustices! Remember, Oxfam is here to Right the Wrong so come join us!

Have a Happy Year. Join the Oxfam Action Corps.

Jasmine jumping for change.

     Do you believe poverty is wrong and needs to change?  Then join us at

www.oxfamamerica.org/takeaction/volunteers 

 to Right the Wrong of Poverty.

     In the fall of 2012, at the local farmers market, I overheard Jasmine talking about a dinner.  Without hesitation, my new found friend and I cooked up wonderful recipes for change.  We worked to save lives by changing laws and policies all over the world. 
   Oxfam believes poverty is solvable.  Poverty's roots are injustice, discrimination, and unequal gender power relations.  Eliminate injustice and poverty ends.
    Oxfam petitions law makers and giant food companies (Mars, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kellogg, General Mills...) to change for greener and fairer policies.  We deliver petitions letting them know what constituents and consumers feel is important. 
     Fisherman, farmers and others know their trades, they need our help to be heard.  When we join voices we speak louder.  We could use your voice at Oxfam Action Corps!

 Apply now, the deadline is February 1st !!!

 www.oxfamamerica.org/page/s/application-oxfam-action-corps-organizer

 

     We have Action Corps teams in 16 cities:

Albuquerque, NM

Austin, TX

Boston, MA

Burlington, VT

Chicago, IL

Columbus, OH

De Moines, IA

Indianapolis, IN

Kansas City, MO

Madison, WI

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

New York, NY

Philadelphia, PA

San Francisco/Bay Area, CA

Seattle, WA

Washington D.C.

                                                                                          

     Oxfam will provide free training in Washington D.C. April 24th through April 28th. Flight and accommodations are included.  We learn  and have a wonderful time during the training and throughout the year. We also learn how simple changes in our daily lives can make a big difference in ending world hunger.  Be part of something big and have fun.


 

World Food Day 2013.  Sara and Jasmine.  #StopLandgrabs

At Earth Day with fellow volunteer Amanda. 

Jasmine and Kalen my original team and recruiters delivering petitions to Senator Bingaman.
 A few months later it would be me in D.C.  Exciting!!

My second trip to D.C. with fellow New Mexico Action Corps volunteers Amanda and Jasmine.

World Food Day dinner. 

 

Jasmine at the first annual New Mexico Oxfam Action Corps Dinner.

Albuquerque adding a bit of Breaking Bad to the General Mills and Kellogg's Climate Change media blitz. We called it  Burque flavor



Photo of the table at a Hunger Banquet for fifth graders.  Where will you sit? Sit with us and take a stand.
 Right the Wrong of Poverty. 

 

Eating less meat ends world hunger.

Amanda during the push to get Kellogg's and General Mills to get on board to end climate change.  Oxfam action Corps posted photos during a social media blitz asking these major food companies to stop their climate changing ways.  Oxfam spoke up and they listened.

International Woman's Day 2014 with Patricia on the left and Alida on my right. 

 

A selfie at the Albuquerque downtown growers market with Congresswoman Lujan-Grisham.  This was a chance meeting and chance lobbying opportunity.




What do you mean give a speech? In New Mexico we joined several organizations and held a Climate Change March. 

The Oxfam team and Bread for the World leader Carlos Navarro.

Yes, together we change big bussiness.  Join Oxfam Action Corps.  GROW and Right the Wrong of Poverty.

The Albuquerque Climate Change March 2014.

#Selfies don't have to be #Pretty @Oxfamactioncorps.org

 

Lobbying to Right The Wrong of Poverty

To Right the Wrong of poverty we tackled Capitol Hill.  That process turned into one of the most rewarding and exciting things I have ever done.  Before becoming an Oxfam Action Corps Volunteer, meeting with members of Congress and the Senate seemed out of my reach.  Only professionals lobbied.  WRONG!

On Tuesday April 16^th 2013, the Corps team met with the staff of Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.  We urged them to support poverty focused foreign aid.  Setting up this first meeting was exhilarating yet intimidating.

The Albuquerque Oxfam Action Corps team Amanda, Kathy and Jasmine. The dream team..

Oxfam prepared us well.  We had several long days of training prior to the appointment.  More senior and experienced Oxfammers accompanied us and that calmed my concern.  As it happened, I connected on a personal level with staffers.  Matthew Padilla grew up down Highway 47 from me.  Both our families farmed just south of Belen, NM.   He understood that farmers from everywhere stand on common ground and have the same needs and concerns.   Our successful meetings made me realize that a small town girl does have the power to effect change. 

In 2014 we visited the lawmaker’s offices in Albuquerque.  We discussed local issues regarding poverty and how to wisely use our scant resources more effectively.  This time I was excited and just a little nervous.  Lobbying gratifies my need to matter and hopefully helps the greater world community.

Looks like we made it. The Oxfam Action Corps team in Washington DC April 2014. I'm the one on the far right in the Oxfam dress made by me from a large Tee shirt.  Maybe one day they will be all the rage.

 

My first time... as a Lobbyist. From left to right Brain, Kalen, Jasmine and Kathy.  The red shoes seemed  like a good idea at the time?

This year with Ane Romero at Senator Martin Heinrick's Office

Amanda and me this year at Senator Tom Udall's office

Jasmine and me partnered with Joy from Bread for the World. From left to right Jasmine, Joy, Ane from Senator Heinricks office. Kathy in the Center.

End World Hunger Love your Leftovers. By: Kathy Chavez

 

Reducing food waste can be one of the most important and easiest ways to end world hunger.  With nearly one billion hungry people in the world today, we need to stop throwing out so much food.  Right now 1/3 of all the food produced for our plates get tossed in the garbage.  In the U.S. household throw out more than 2.7 million apples a year.  My friend Evelyn gave me a great tip for the leftover apple peals from making pies.  She said to make apple butter.  What a simple yet brilliant idea.  Just boil the peels with or without added sugar, than run them through the blender. This makes a simple and healthy spread. Try putting it on toast, over ice cream, in your oatmeal, or with peanut butter for a delicious sandwich. 

Reducing the amount of food we waste we conserve our resources making it better for everyone, including the planet. Rotting food produces tons of polluting methane gas.  Start by planning meals ahead of time and buying only what you need.  If you see a sale that you just can't pass up.   Like the one that gets me every time "buy one get one free".  The extra meat made lots of extra tamales, which my friends will enjoy.  Sharing food with friends can greatly reduce waste and save money.  When eating out share a main course and or dessert. 

My friends were talking about all the amazing meals they were going to make with leftover turkey.  Turkey posole made the top of the list this year.  To make it you simply rinse the uncooked hominy (soaking for a few hours is optional) sauté onions and garlic, add the hominy boil till tender add turkey include some dripping for flavor, red or green chile.  This gives the usual turkey soup a new and spicy twist.  If you prefer the more traditional soup, add any leftover green beans, corn, peas, and any other favorites, to the mix, add garlic, salt and pepper to taste.  This makes a yummy and nutrient rich meal.

A traditional New Mexico Thanksgiving meal includes red chile.

Cooking a smaller turkey cuts down on waste.  My sister bought an eight pound turkey.  We still have plenty to enjoy later.  My mother frequently made empanadas (turnovers) using leftover turkey.  Fill pie dough with turkey, veggies, and any other goodies you like, fold and bake till dough is golden brown.  Any leftover crescent, or biscuit dough will make a quick and easy dough.  

Tamales a holiday favorite.  They can be made with turkey, pork, squash, mushrooms, spinach, red or green chile. 

 

Nearly one billion of us go to bed hungry every night.  Five easy ways you can help stop this. Find out more +Oxfam America +OxfamAmerica ActionCorps  Oxfam Right the Wrong of Poverty

 

My lunch on Saturday.

My favorite and simplest way to eat my leftover Thanksgiving meal, the sandwich. Take a bun, slice it open, add turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, red chile, fold and eat.  Make mash potato hash browns in the morning.  Form them into patties, sauté in olive oil till golden brown.  They can also be added to turkey stew, they make a wonderful natural thickener.  Create a simple, low calorie, salad using leftover greens and turkey.  Place greens on a plate, add turkey strips, sliced onions, and olives. Celery, cranberries, and carrots can be added as well.

So easy and delicious. It makes a great late night snack if you are still up spending time with friends and family.

Potato  patties.

 

Store Red chile in a cool, dry place.  Some people blend and freeze it ahead of time making it fast and easy to use when needed.

 

Enjoying my favorite way to eat leftover Thanksgiving dinner.  Be grateful for every meal.  Be kind to yourself and others. Simply do your best to be wise with food, reduce waste. Share a meal or two, invite someone over, or take them some food.  Think before you throw it out.  Plan ahead, be creative and come up with new traditions on how to Love your leftovers.

My favorite.

 

Caught with a mouthful.

 Learn more about simple ways to Fight World Hunger Starting at your Kitchen Table. +OxfamAmerica ActionCorps  Wishing you a Happy Winter Season.

 

Preparing for Our Third Anual World Food Day Ceabration.

Josie from Montoya Farms on the left, and Kathy Chavez.  Their will be apples from her farm.

 The Oxfam Action Corps of New Mexico will hold its third annual community dinner celebrating World Food Day on Saturday, October 18th, in Albuquerque.  The event will be co-hosted by Interfaith Power and Light, and supported by fellow organizations, Bread for the world, Food Corps, Abq. hours and slow food.
     This years speaker will be Evelyn Curtis-Losack.  Stacia Spragg- Braude wrote biography about Evelyn "If there's Squash Bugs in Heaven, I AIN'T STAYING.  In her book she describes her as an "unselfconscious octogenarian heroine, tending to the land and the History of Corrales New Mexico; selling her peaches, making her best apple pies, writing letters and teaching music."  having had the pleasure of meeting Evelyn at the Corrales growers market, she is fun, forth coming, wise and did  I mention Fun. 
    World Food Day began in 1945 with the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization at the United Nations.  Oxfam and many other organizations continue to celebrate raising awareness of the root causes of food injustice.  Oxfam works to Right The Wrong of Poverty.  This year along with the basic changes each of us can make in our daily lives, eating less meat, buying fair trade, local and seasonally we will ask for help in supporting the Food for Peace and Reform Act of 2014 a petition will be available for signing.
    Most of the food will be purchased on the day of the dinner from the Downtown Growers Market and cooked on site.  We have been prepping and cooking up some deliciousness and freeing them.  For example quelites, verdolagas, and tamales. 
    The dinner will be Saturday October 18th 6:00pm in Albuquerque at the 1st Congregation Church 2801 Lomas Boulevard NE which is one block east of the University Hospital. 

   

   Looking forward to celebrating with you! Please bring your appetite.
 

Pinto beans from Estancia New Mexico with green Chile.

Jamie and Jasmine at the growers market "Fresh Tortillas"

Jasmine with Amanda from Chipas Farms.

Evelyn on the left, Kathy Chavez center and Alida Davila Larrichio at the Corrales Growers Market.  We have so much fun and learn a lot from Evelyn, looking forward to hearing her speak.

Don't worry I won't eat it all.  We will serve fresh bread from Bosque Bakery.

L

Red chile and verdolagas.

Debbi and Bobby from Cracked Pot Herbs

Mary and Mr. Macias from Macias Farms.

Bob stirring up goodness for the tamales.  We are having a couple of tamale making parties "La Tamalera"

Cooking up prickly pears for juice.