Doc: Living On A Dollar A Day

Four college friends leave the cushy Seattle life to experience and to document what it's like to live below poverty in Living On A Dollar A Day. 

They spent spent one summer living on $1 a day in a rural Guatemalan village.  They battled intense hunger, parasites and the realization that there are no easy answers.

What really struck me about this doc is how happy the people in this village are and how willing they are to help not only each other, but also four perfect strangers.  This film is a testament to the true human spirit.

But, the boys went beyond just a film, they have founded Living On One, a non-profit production and social impact studio that uses immersive storytelling to create films that inspire action around pressing global issues with a mission to help bring an end to extreme poverty.

Could you survive on $1 a day?


Check out the trailer:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hoff's Fall Harvest Baked Apples

Hoff's Fall Harvest Baked Apple
Serves: 4
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4 Apples (cored) (Jonagold, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Old-fashioned Rolled Oats
• 3 tbsp. Raisins/Dried Figs (chopped)
• 2 tbsp. Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
• Maple Syrup
• Honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Place Water in square baking dish
3. Add Apples
4. In a small dish mix Oats, Sugar, Dried Fruit, Spice & Salt together
5. Stuff each Apple with filling
6. Drizzle each Apple with Maple Syrup & Honey
7. Bake apples uncovered 40-45 minutes
8. Enjoy the harvest of fall!

Chocolate Cake In A Mug

Chocolate Cake In A Mug
Serves: 1
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp. GF King Arthur Flour
• 3 tbsp. Coconut Sugar
• 3 tbsp. Apple Sauce
• 2 tbsp. Water
• 1 tbsp. Cacao Powder 
• 1 tbsp. vegan Chocolate Chips (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
• Splash of Vanilla Extract (optional)
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Using a fork, whisk dry ingredients together in a microwave-safe mug
2. Add wet ingredients & stir to combine
3. Microwave for 90 seconds
4. Dig in!

Hoff Thoughts: Need frosting?  Top with a little Hershey Syrup!

Thank You

Veggie Burgers (IP)

This is an adaptation of Jeff Novick's Basic Black Bean Burger recipe.

Veggie Burgers (IP)
Yields: 10-12 Burgers
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 15 oz. can Kidney Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz. can Black Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
• 1 cup Brown Rice
• 1 cup Water
• 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tbsp. dried minced Onion
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Combine Rice & Water in IP
2. Lock lid in place and make sure pressure release valve is closed
5. Select Manual setting on High Pressure & cook for 22 minutes
6. Natural release pressure for 10 minutes, then Quick release
7. Add Beans to IP & mash
8. Mix in Oatmeal, BBQ Sauce & Seasonings
9. Form into patties
10. Allow to set-up in fridge for 20 minutes, uncovered before cooking or freeze
11. Grill or broil until golden brown, about 10 minutes each side

Hoff Thoughts: Arts & crafts is not really my thing, so I'm not going to sit around forming uniform patties.  Instead, I cheat with this silicon (BPA-free) burger press mat - love it!  These babies cook up great on my Cuisinart Griddler!  An IP is not necessary to make the Rice, use the stove method, minute rice in a bag or even frozen Rice - whatever works best for you.