Tag Archives: NOLA

How Miss Gloria’s Garden is making a difference in New Orleans

Meet the woman behind Miss Gloria’s Garden–a community garden in New Orleans that helps locals eat healthy by giving them free organic food.

By Heather Newgen

It’s 9:00 am and as volunteers arrive, Gloria Ward, 72, has already watered the entire community garden and is moving onto the next project. She stops to excitedly greet everyone and tell them about Miss Gloria’s Garden, a space where locals can stop by and take produce at no cost.

“The community by and I let them take vegetables for free. You can come and get anything you want here,” Ward explains to the new group of people volunteering for the day.

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“It’s important for me to do this so I can help other people,” she said.

Ward is known in New Orleans for her kindness and generosity, something her daughter Zada Summers says locals are taken back by.

“People are always surprised like why would you do this? It’s like why wouldn’t you do this? If you grow food that you like, you can’t eat it all. So why not share it with other people?”

Ward self-funds Miss Gloria’s Garden and relies on volunteers for help.

“I need volunteers to come help me with the weeding and maintaining. I just like volunteers cause I meet a lot of young people and see where they’re going in their lives,” she revealed.

Ward works 10-12 hours a day in the garden and loves to see the community enjoying Miss Gloria’s Garden. She created what she calls “a safe space” for people to come and be themselves.

In addition to growing healthy organic food, the garden can be used for cooking and sewing classes, as well as arts and crafts for kids, yoga and meditation.

Miss Gloria’s Garden also has movie nights, concerts and other great events.
For more information visit www.missgloriasgarden.com.

Volunteering in New Orleans with Camp Restore

Looking for a responsible volunteering project in New Orleans? Camp Restore offers several programs for skilled and unskilled workers.

By Heather Newgen

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, causing severe destruction along its path from New Orleans to Mississippi to Alabama, however, NOLA was hit the hardest after the levees failed due to poor engineering. As a result, over 1800 people died and the majority of the city flooded, causing an estimated $108 billion dollars worth of damage.

In the months following the catastrophe, support poured in worldwide and Camp Restore was an organization that was created in response to Hurricane Katrina. Years later is still working to rebuild the city with the help of volunteers.

“What began as hurricane relief has grown into efforts to address large-scale systemic challenges, such as restoring the wetlands that protect against hurricanes, supporting local schools and youth programs and helping new, innovative community nonprofits get off the ground. We achieve this through partnerships with more than 150 fellow nonprofits and churches,” their website states.

Camp Restore partners with over 80 local nonprofits, so there are plenty of volunteer projects that skilled and unskilled volunteers can do like working in a community garden, recycling Mardi Grad beads, rebuilding a home (if you have experience) and so many other projects.

Although Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast in 15 years ago, pockets of New Orleans still needs assistance. Volunteers are always welcomed. There are several ways to give back and  Camp Restore is an organization that takes groups of volunteers or individuals who are traveling alone and want to make a small difference.

Affordable volunteer housing is offered and and available to those who prefer to stay on site at Camp Restore.

Check out the video to see what it’s like to volunteer in New Orleans and how you can give back.

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How King Cake Became a Mardi Gras Tradition

You can’t do Mardi Gras without having King Cake, which is the official food of the Carnival Season. So here’s everything to know about the holiday tradition.

By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

As colorful decorated floats make their way through the crowded streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras you can be certain of a few things. You’ll collect a massive amount of cheap beads, you’ll have an unforgettable time and you’ll eat King Cake, which is a rich oval shaped doughy pastry stuffed with a variety of fillings such as cream cheese, fruit, cinnamon or chocolate. It’s then topped with festive icing in royal colors. Purple symbolizes justice, green signifies faith and gold is power.

But, that’s not all. Inside every cake is a small plastic baby. Whoever gets the slice with the baby will have good luck and prosperity. However, that person has to buy a King Cake for the next Mardi Gras social gathering.

King CakePhoto Courtesy of Manny Randazzo

FACTS ABOUT KING CAKE

–It’s believed France brought the King Cake tradition to New Orleans in 1870.

–According to some denominations of Christianity, the Wise Men met baby Jesus on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. This significant event is known as the Twelfth Night and it leads into the Epiphany, commonly referred to as Three Kings’ Day. Many observe this as a holiday and celebrate the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.

–The Twelfth Night kicks off Mardi Gras and King Cake season. Throughout this time the city celebrates with parades, parties and other events.

–Mardi Gras, meaning fat Tuesday in French, is actually only one day, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday–a time of prayer, fasting and repentance.

–Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which lasts 40 days and ends on Easter. During this period, people who follow certain denominations of Christianity, will give up something during this time in honor of the 40-day fast Jesus experienced in the Judaean Desert. So Mardi Gras season begins in January and ends before Lent starts.

–Mardi Gras and King Cake season is for people to let loose and party in preparation for the good behavior they must display during Lent.

WHEN DO YOU EAT KING CAKE?

–Some bakeries in New Orleans begin selling as early as December, but King Cake is always available at the start of the season–January 6th until Fat Tuesday, which marks the end.

–If you aren’t in NOLA during this time, don’t worry. Several bakeries offer fast delivery anywhere in the United States.

 

King CakePhoto Courtesy of Manny Randazzo

WHERE DO I BUY A KING CAKE?

—Manny Randazzo is one of the top spots to get King Cakes, but the line is around the corner during peak Mardi Gras times, so order early.

–However, New Orleans is filled with a number of delicious bakeries and restaurants who make the Mardi Gras pastry. You have plenty of options.

CAN I MAKE KING CAKE AT HOME?

–Yes! Here is Sucre’s award-winning recipe for inspiration this Mardi Gras season.

**THIS RECIPE MAKES 2 KING CAKES

King Cake RecipeDough
2/3 cup whole milk
5 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces, room temperature
Combine flour, sugar, salt, yeast and milk in a mixing bowl and mix on low speed till it comes together. As dough comes together, add 1 egg at a time then add butter gradually. Continue to mix at medium speed till smooth and elastic. Do not over mix.

Place in a clean bowl and wrap with plastic wrap, keep at room temperature and allow to double in size. When doubled, “punch down” to deflate, and wrap again to allow to rise again.

At this point, make the cream cheese filling.

Filling
8oz Cream Cheese (1 pack)
1ea Egg yolk
1/8 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Zest of 1 Lemon
Combine all ingredients and mix till smooth. Will be divided on 2 pieces of dough

Assembly
Roll dough to an even rectangle about ¼” thick. Cut into 2 lengthwise and pipe or spoon cream cheese filling on the upper 1/3 of each piece. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup sugar + 1tablespoon cinnamon)evenly. Roll each piece into a log and twist them together to form a braid. Shape into a ring sealing the ends well.

Proof to double in size and bake in preheated oven @360*F for 20-25 minutes or till golden brown on the bottom surface. If top is golden brown and bottom is still not baked, cover the top with foil and turn oven down to 325*F. Allow to cool before glazing.

Glaze
2 cups Powder sugar
1/2 cup Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix all ingredients till smooth and coat top of cooled cake. Allow glaze to dry before serving.

KING CAKE RECIPE COURTESY OF SUCRÉ 

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