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Fair Trade Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes

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Banana Pancakes

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ c. flour
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 ¼ c. milk
  • ½ c. Equal Exchange bananas, mashed (check your local food co-op!)
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ½ c. Equal Exchange Chocolate Chips

Preparation 

  1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon in a large bowl.
  2. Mix milk, banana, egg and vanilla until well combined. Stir into the bowl of dry ingredients.
  3. Fold in ¼ cup of the chocolate chips.
  4. Spray your griddle with cooking oil and place over medium heat.
  5. Pour batter onto the griddle into the pancake size you desire. Make a stack of small ones, or a few extra large pancakes!
  6. Cook for about 2 minute, or until the tops begin to bubble. Then, flip the pancake and cook for another minute or until golden.
  7. Work your way through the batter, reapplying cooking spray as needed.
  8. Top your pancakes with more chocolate chips and serve.

 

Reprinted from Equal Exchange

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Become an owner, win free stuff

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Mariposa's 4824 Baltimore location is turning 5 this month! In addition to hosting donation drives for organizations that progress our community, we're holding an Owner Drive during the month of March to celebrate.

What do you get for joining? A whole lot! This is an exciting time to join as our Board Elections are around the corner. Upon joining, you will also automatically be entered to win a raffle basket of our favorite products (baskets pictured below). 

News Roundup March 3, 2017

West Philly History Map

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and the Islamic Cultural Preservation and Information Council (ICPIC) create interactive historic map

West Philadelphia has often attracted national and international attention for its prominent role in our nation’s history. These neighborhoods west of the Schuylkill River have a rich cultural identity unique to the city of Philadelphia, making it a place of significance within a ‘city of firsts’.

This interactive map, a project of People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and the Islamic Cultural Preservation and Information Council (ICPIC) pinpoints sites of historic significance by both time and topic - ranging from the Lenape Indian in the 1600s to Malcom X and MLK in the 1960’s – up to the present day. Explore the map. 

 

Why Ambler Food Co-op is becoming a part of Weavers Way to open a community-owned grocery store

After five years of organizing as a start-up cooperative with the goal of opening its first community-owned grocery store in the Ambler area, Ambler Food Co-op (AFC) has found success as it works with Northwest Philadelphia-based cooperative Weavers Way to open a local Weavers Way store this July.

But while it may seem like a bittersweet victory — AFC will soon dissolve as an organization as its more-than 500 members voted unanimously Feb. 19 to transfer their memberships and assets to Weavers Way, as part of a partnership agreement — it’s evidence of how a co-op like AFC is willing to make the decisions that best benefit the community. Read more. 

 

10 things you should know about reentry in Philadelphia

It’s hard to find anyone who believes the criminal justice system is effective, and harder still to find someone who believes American prisons are doing a decent job of rehabilitating the people they house.

Yet, as much of a humanitarian crisis as mass incarceration is in the United States of America, an equally debilitating crisis is the one that follows.

What happens to incarcerated people when they are released from prison? Read more. 

 

Philadelphia gathering confronts health and water crisis

A People’s Assembly to “Confront Toxic Water & Hep C Crisis Threatening Lives of Mumia Abu-Jamal, other Prisoners and our Communities” was held on Feb. 18 in Philadelphia.

Contaminated water is plaguing prisoners in several prisons in Pennsylvania. The state is responsible for the health and welfare of people behind bars. But the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is refusing to provide clean water to prisoners that is not “dirty, brackish, turbid, even black” — as described in a grievance filed by Mumia Abu-Jamal, a political prisoner at State Correctional Institute Mahanoy. Read more. 

 

Just Announced: Porchfest returns to West Philly this June

Get your porches ready, people, because Porchfest is making a grand return to West Philly this summer on Saturday, June 3rd.

Porchfest organizer, Owen Lyman-Schmidt, first learned about the event concept when he accidentally took part in one in Massachusetts (for the full back story, click here.) After experiencing the incredible and lively community atmosphere, Lyman-Schmidt and his co-organizers knew they had to bring Porchfest to Philly. Read more. 

Celebrate our anniversary, donate to the Black & Brown Workers Collective

As Cooperative Principle #7 states, "cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members." This is why we are celebrating our anniversary by hosting donation drives throughout the month of March.

Hand selected by Mariposa staff, each organization is important to the progression of our community. Donate at the register the next time you shop and check back each week to find more information about each organization.

Black & Brown Workers Collective 

March 1 - March 7

Total Donated: $3,321

Black and Brown Workers Collective

The Black and Brown Workers Collective (BBWC) is a direct action social justice entity that combats injustices manifested in both in and out of the non-profit organizational structure and in the broader community of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Our mission is to actively challenge, resist and dismantle, those colonialist, white supremacist and oppressive systems that impact our lives as Black and Brown workers. 

Most importantly, we seek to create our own spaces where Black and Brown labor and community will define the value of their own work while setting roots in communities that establish black and brown owned enterprise and collectively run spaces. Our philosophy is rooted in decolonization practices and organizing methodologies.

Our mission stands at the intersection of both the Worker's Right's movement and the Black Lives Matter movement. We see these two movements as inextricably connected as the lives of Black and Brown workers and community members are valued differently in a raced and classed system. Finally, as descendants of Warrior African/Indigenous peoples, we see it as our responsibility to continue the legacy of fighting for our Liberation. 

As a collective we recognize that true radical transformational work will not be funded by the government, but rather supported by community members like you. Because government funded initiatives control what organized community members and collectives can do on the ground, we have decided not to accept government money that silences our voices and stops the People’s Movement. 

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11 veggie noodles we’re drooling over

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Get more veggies in your life! Veggie noodles are often gluten-free and low carb.  

Rainbow Pad Thai

Eat the rainbow.

Carrot pasta with a creamy zesty garlic sauce

Carrot noodles will make any dish instagram-able

EASY SESAME CUCUMBER NOODLES

A take on cucumber salad.

“RAMEN” BURGERS WITH PARSNIP NOODLE BUNS

Parsnips cannot be ignored when it comes to veggie noodles.

Feed Me Phoebe

Feed Me Phoebe

ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO

Blend avocado for a creamy texture and healthy fats.

Coconut Curry With Sweet Potato Noodles

Sweet potatoes boost flavor and add extra vitamins.

FRENCH ONION ZOODLE BAKE

Bake noodles and cover with cheese for a winter time treat. 

Climbing Grier Mountain

Climbing Grier Mountain

Sweet Potato Noodles with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper, and Spinach

LEMON GARLIC ZUCCHINI NOODLES

A dish that can be ready to eat in 20 minutes. 

GARLICKY BUTTERNUT SQUASH NOODLES WITH SPINACH AND RICOTTA

Running to the Kitchen

Running to the Kitchen

CRISPY BAKED CURLY FRIES

Classic.

News Roundup February 10, 2017

The Common Market Makes Matching Loan to Help Raise $25,000 in 25 Days

The Common Market, a mission-driven food distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region, has offered Kensington Community Food Co-op members an incredible opportunity to double their investment in the project. Read more. 

Jamila Medley & Peter Frank announce PACA's executive director transition

The Philly Black History Syllabus: 13 must-read books to understand our city

Philly has made a lot of black history. Nearly 690,000 African Americans live in the city.  And so, with this large and longstanding community, there’s no shortage of institutions to honor and stars to remember during Black History Month.

So if you wanted to get a strong grasp of this history, what books should you read? We reached out to several experts and researchers. Many recommended the same works; others pointed to tomes of which we’d never heard. Out of dozens of suggestions, we’ve narrowed that list down to 13. (It was hard.) You may not have been able to take a class on Philly Black History in college, so here’s that syllabus. Read more. 

Free community tax filing sites are now open in West/Southwest Philadelphia

Campaign for Working Families has again opened sites across the city, where volunteers are helping qualified individuals and families to prepare and file their taxes. Free tax preparation services are being offered to families with incomes less than $54,000 and individuals with incomes less than $20,000. Read more. 

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Avocado Brownies

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Brownies are a perfect place to slip in some creamy avocado. In place of some of the butter, avocado adds creaminess with more nutrients and fewer calories. You will never know there's a healthy fruit in there, thanks to the cocoa and vanilla. 

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unbleached flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 cup mashed avocado (1 large or 2 small)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup canola oil or 1 stick melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda, crushing any lumps of cocoa with the back of your spoon.
  3. In a food processor, puree the avocado until completely smooth. Add the white and brown sugars and process, then add the eggs, oil or butter and vanilla and process until smooth. Scrape the avocado mixture into the flour mixture and stir to combine. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top looks dry and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out with big wet crumbs attached-not dry. Don't overbake, if you like a gooey brownie, take it out while a little gooey in the middle and chill to make it easier to cut.
  5. Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these tasty brownies plain or dusted with powdered sugar. For a super-chocolate treat, drizzle with melted chocolate.

 

Authored by Robin Asbell. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

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Kale & Blood Orange Salad

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Via A House in the Hills

Via A House in the Hills

Ingredients

  • 4 medium blood oranges
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 bunch kale, washed, stems removed
  • 1/2 cup slivered red onions
  • 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled or cubed

Preparation

  1. For the dressing, zest and juice one of the blood oranges into a small bowl or jar. Taste the juice. If it is very tart, add a tablespoon of lemon juice; if it is very sweet, use two tablespoons blood orange juice and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil and whisk well or shake to combine. Set aside.
  2. Roll the kale leaves up, cut crosswise into thin ribbons and place into a serving bowl. Pour the dressing over the kale and use your hands to toss, then massage for a minute or two to tenderize the leaves.
  3. Peel and segment the remaining blood oranges, either with your fingers or with a knife, cutting between the membranes to make neat sections. Cut each segment into 2 or 3 pieces and add to the bowl with the kale. Add the red onions and feta, toss to mix and serve. 

Serving Suggestion

This salad is a great make-ahead, since, unlike many tossed salads, it keeps for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Serve with roasted meats, or top with leftover cooked sliced chicken for a hearty lunch salad. Substitute navel oranges for the blood oranges if you prefer; just be sure to use 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with the sweeter navel orange juice in the dressing.

 

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

News Roundup February 3, 2017

Via Billy Penn

Via Billy Penn

Please Support These 5 Standing Rock Legal Defense Funds to Stop the Dakota Access Pipeline

In December, you sent over $3 million in supplies from Amazon to Standing Rock.

Then you sent over $1 million in cash to purchase trucks, trailers, warehouses, and to complete a full service medical center.

Now, it’s time for us to step up again, but for legal aid. As you likely know, Donald Trump issued an executive order yesterday ordering that construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) continue. The order not only violates the rights of the people of Standing Rock, but it also violates the current order from the Army Corps of Engineers to halt construction while a true environmental impact study is completed. Read more. 

People's Emergency Center opening affordable housing for artists in West Philly

A new low-income housing development has been built in West Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood, designed specifically for artists.

The 20 apartments at 4050 Haverford Ave. were built by the People’s Emergency Center, a community development corporation that has built 270 housing units around the troubled neighborhood that recently has been seeing a lot of new construction. Read more. 

How to turn these huge Philly protest marches into action

At any point Thursday while President Donald Trump and the GOP were in Philly, you could have gone to a protest or demonstration. At some points, you could have seen upwards of 5,000 people taking to the streets. All that action in Philly was less than a week after an estimated 50,000 people crowded the Parkway for the Women’s March on Philadelphia Saturday.

Since Trump was inaugurated, Philly has turned out to protest and take action. Many participants have said this is the first time they protested anything. And if you’re still motivated, there are ways to take your action a step further, whether it’s joining an online community, donating to a group or calling a politician. Read more. 

Philadelphia police reformer resigns from citizen watchdog commission

Kelvyn Anderson, a longtime reformer who headed Philadelphia's Police Advisory Commission, has resigned.

Anderson, 57, who has worked on the commission since 2000 and served as its executive director since 2013, said he plans to pursue “opportunities for consulting around police and community issues.” Read more. 

Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges with Jalapeño Sour Cream

Photo Credit: Cooking Light

Photo Credit: Cooking Light

These tasty wedges pair perfectly with roast turkey sandwiches, breakfast hash, or a big bowl of chili.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes, washed and cut lengthwise into large wedges
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Jalapeño Sour Cream

  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil and spices. Add the sweet potato wedges and toss until well coated. Spread the seasoned wedges out on a large sheet pan. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, stir or flip the wedges, and bake an additional 20 minutes until browned and tender.
  3. While potatoes are roasting, mix together the sour cream, jalapeño pepper, lime and salt in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Remove the wedges from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving with the jalapeño sour cream.

 

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop