We’ve almost raised $25,000 for Share Our Strength. Please help us meet that goal by going to QuakerOats.com and “Creating Your Day”! It takes less then a minute and it’s a ton of fun coming up with a name for your oatmeal creation.

As some of you may know, I’m a contributor to GoodBite.com. Starting several months ago, Good Bite teamed up with Quaker to raise money and spread awareness for good causes and they just launched a great new charitable challenge.

I encourage all of you to “CREATE YOUR DAY” by going to www.QuakerOats.com/createyourday and discovering an oatmeal creation that will best help you tackle the day that lies ahead for you. For every bowl of oatmeal you create on this site, GoodBite.com & Quaker will donate $1.00 to “Share Our Strength”, a charity dedicated to ending childhood hunger — up to $25,000! This goal is no small feat, but with your help we can do it. $25,000 will go a long way to helping Share Our Strength continue their important work.

I had the best time plugging in my favorite toppings to some of the Quaker products and coming up with hilarious names for my creations. You have to give it a try. It’s like making a virtual breakfast. I actually get so hungry doing it that I have to go straight to the kitchen afterwards to eat. At least it’s for a good cause!

One of the first episodes:

For the past couple of months I have been fortunate enough to have taken part in a super secret food project and I’m so excited to be able to finally share it with you!

Good Bite is a new internet show produced by Deca TV, the company that brought you Momversation. Good Bite approached a group of food bloggers to contribute video and share simple and delicious recipes. We bloggers share our ideas in “round table” discussions on all sorts of topics from easy holiday recipes to cooking for a crowd. There tends to be something for everyone in each episode and I really love my new blogger buddies! I’ve listed all of their sites on “sites we love”….because we do!

If you’re a big foodie or just want more healthy, fun and inspirational recipes, ideas and videos, check it out!

Good Bite “Meet the Contributors” Video:

This has been one of my favorite recipes to prepare for years. It’s not only incredibly filling, it’s inexpensive to prepare, healthy and full of protein. I wasn’t really positive if Kenya would like it, but he surprised me and ate every last bite. I also love making this dish for my vegetarian friends because it’s so hearty and filling.

Collard greens are my favorite greens to use in this recipe because they’re a nutritional all-star. Packed with calcium and vitamins A, C and E — just to name but a few of it’s numerous nutrients — it’s also high in soluble fiber, which is great for getting things moving, if you know what I mean!

Preparation is so easy. Just chop your veggies and toss everything else into the casserole dish. In no time you’ll have a one pot meal that melts in your mouth and is also good for you.

Smothered White Beans (4-6 Servings)

2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Large Leek, white and light green part only, thinly sliced
1 Tsp Salt
1 Garlic Clove, minced
2 Cups Collard Greens or Kale, julienned
1 Tbsp Fresh Oregano or 1 Tsp Dried
1 14 Oz Can Chopped Tomatoes
2 Cups or 1 15 oz Can Cooked White Beans, drained

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a saute pan (or oven proof casserole dish such as Le Creuset) saute the leeks over low to medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, garlic, oregano and salt and remove to a separate plate or bowl.
3. Combine the leeks with the greens.
4. Place half of the greens/leek mixture in the bottom of the casserole dish.
5. Cover with beans and then with the remaining greens.
6. Pour the can of tomatoes over the bean/greens mixture.
7. Cover and bake for 30 minutes (can also be cook on low heat on top of the oven for 25-30 minutes).
8. Serve.