Blog, Features, Uncategorized
Who is Taylor Dorsett?
Taylor Dorsett is a senior majoring in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Human Development. She currently serves as the president of The Lion’s Pantry for the 2022-2023 academic year.
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The Lion’s Pantry Involvement:
- President (2022-2023)
- Manager since Fall 2020
- First person to be D&I (Diversity and Inclusion) Chair for The Lion’s Pantry after suggesting the position be added to the Executive Board
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Other Involvement and Extracurriculars:
- Member of NCNW (the National Council of Negro Women chapter at Penn State)
- Co-Coordinator for the Student Advisory Board on Student Poverty (2022-2023 Year)
- Undergrad Teaching Intern in HDFS (Human Development and Family Studies)
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Why did you decide to join The Lion’s Pantry team?
I have always volunteered at pantries. It’s a passion of my mom’s, and I naturally took a liking to it. I wanted to find a way to give back to our students and make positive change at PSU!
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What is your role with The Lion’s Pantry? What are you looking forward to bringing or implementing to The Lion’s Pantry in the upcoming academic year?
As the 2022-2023 President, I want to focus on visibility and collaboration across the campus. By working with other organizations, we reach as many students as possible and reduce the stigma relating to poverty and food insecurity.
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What is your favorite part about working with The Lion’s Pantry?
I like seeing how willing the community is to help out. We often have volunteer groups and individuals come in, and they’re always so excited to help out, which is always nice to see. The Exec team is also full of great people, and I’m glad I get to work with them.
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What are you most looking forward to for the upcoming academic year with regard to your role with the Pantry?
This is such a big year of change for PSU. We have our first queer person of color as UPUA President and our first woman of color as University President. Both of whom are invested in helping students on issues of affordability and food insecurity. To add to that, we will have a Director of the Lion’s Pantry soon, which is a new position. I’m confident these changes will result in progressive initiatives to better serve our students. I’m also excited about our renovations and our new ability to have fresh produce at the Pantry!
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If you could talk to an incoming student interested in joining The Lion’s Pantry, what would you like them to know about this organization?
I would say in the past we operated as more of a resource compared to a student-run, student-led affiliated organization. This year, we are focusing on making the club as fun as possible with a lot of great volunteer opportunities in store. We are obviously task-oriented, but we can have fun too, and I hope you’ll join us in the fall!
Blog, Recipes, Uncategorized
By: Julia Mertes, Communications Intern, The Lion’s Pantry
Do you have leftover flour tortillas and taco shells after Taco Tuesday dinner?
There are a variety of recipes that can be made using these ingredients to minimize food waste and spice up one’s diet. Check out these 7 recipe ideas for cooking inspiration.
1. Nachos
Break the taco shells and create delicious nachos with cheese, beans, olives, guacamole and other fan-favorite ingredients. Some other ingredient ideas include sour cream, jalapeños, corn, ground beef, avocado, chili, salsa, lettuce, hot sauce, peppers and onions.
2. Breakfast Tacos
Fill your taco shell with breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs, salsa, hot sauce and bacon. This will be a quick and easy dish to start your day with, especially before a long day in class or work.
3. Salad Topping
Break the taco shells and use them on your salad for added crunch. This would be the perfect addition to a homemade taco salad using lettuce, red onions, sour cream, medium salsa, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, beans and your choice of meat.
4. Chicken Quesadillas
If you have leftover flour tortillas, use the wraps to make chicken and cheese quesadillas. Fill the tortillas with cheddar cheese, pinto or black beans, canned chicken, and other ingredients that will give you an explosion of southwest flavor. Heat until your ingredients are warmed and melted to your liking.
5. Tortilla Pinwheels
Use your flour tortillas to make pinwheel snacks for any occasion. Here are five recipe ideas to try this week:
- Ham & Cheese Pinwheels = Ham + Swiss Cheese + Spinach + Cream Cheese + Onions
- Turkey Ranch Pinwheels = Turkey + Ranch Dressing + Chopped Lettuce + American Cheese + Cream Cheese
- Pizza Pinwheels = Tomato Sauce + Mozzarella + Pepperoni + Garlic Salt
- Veggie Pinwheels = Cream Cheese + Garlic Powder + Black Pepper and Salt + Bell Pepper + Green Onions + Broccoli + Carrots + Spinach + Cheese
- Southwest Pinwheels = Sour Cream + Taco Seasoning + Garlic Powder + Olives + Salsa + Cheddar Cheese + Green Onions
6. Tortilla Pizza
Spread salsa over your flour tortilla, rather than pizza sauce. Then, top the dish with Mexican-Style cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
7. Cinnamon And Sugar Tortilla Chips
Cover your flour tortilla with melted butter and sprinkle with a generous helping of cinnamon and sugar. Bake in the oven until the tortilla chips are brown and crisp.
What is your favorite way to use your leftover tortilla shells? Share your recommendations with us.
Blog, Recipes, Uncategorized
By: Julia Mertes, Communications Intern, The Lion’s Pantry
In moderation, raisins act as a healthy alternative to chocolate-based treats and other sweeteners. Like many other dried fruits, raisins can be high in sugar; however, they have many health benefits, according to Healthline.
For instance, as a form of soluble fiber, raisins aid digestion and gut health. Studies demonstrate that raisins can provide heart health benefits through reductions in blood pressure and managing blood sugar levels, according to WebMD.
If you’re looking for some new ways to incorporate these treats into your diet, look no further. We have 6 suggestions for you that will be perfect when meal planning.
1. Stir raisins into your salad.
Raisins can elevate the taste of your salad. Sprinkle raisins in along with walnuts, chopped apple, red onions, spinach, shredded American cheese and celery. This will result in a fresh and flavorful meal, especially after a hot day in the sun.
Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels
2. Incorporate raisins within homemade trail mix.
The perfect trail mix combo contains dried fruit like raisins, seeds, nuts, and sweet treats like chocolate. If you need a quick, energizing snack after a long day of work, trail mix is a solid option that is easy to make and enjoy.
If you need a trail mix recipe suggestion, then we have you covered. Combine 1 ½ cups of peanuts, 1 cup of cashews, ½ cup of raisins and 1 cup of dark chocolate chips in a bowl. Separate into sealable bags for an easily portable snack.
3. Make “Ants on a Log” as a traditional afternoon snack.
“Ants on a Log” is a common childhood snack composed of chopped celery, a dollop of peanut butter, and raisins. Other variations of “Ants on a Log” including dips, spreads, or yogurt, rather than peanut butter.
4. Add raisins into your popcorn.
Rather than sprinkling chocolate candies on your popcorn for additional sweetness, consider using raisins—a healthy but delicious alternative.
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels
5. Incorporate raisins into your morning oatmeal or parfait.
Add extra flavor to your breakfast by pouring your desired helping of raisins into your oatmeal.
To complement your dish, sprinkle in 2 tbsp of brown sugar, ¼ tsp of ground nutmeg, 1 tsp of vanilla, and ½ tsp of ground cinnamon. Nuts like walnuts and pecans will be the perfect ingredient to top off your dish.
Raisins also make great parfait toppings along with granola, nuts and other fruit-based products.
6. Whip up some No-Bake Raisin Cookies.
If you’re a cookie lover, then these no-bake raisin cookies will be right up your alley.
You’ll need the following ingredients: ½ cup raisins, 1 ½ cups rolled oats, 1 cup of nut butter, and ½ cup maple syrup. Including extra spices like cinnamon can add extra flavor to your dish.
Mix all the ingredients together in a medium-size bowl. Helpful tip: warm your peanut butter or almond butter and maple syrup in a separate container in the microwave for 20 seconds for easier mixing. Once combined, separate the mixture into inch-sized chunks, and chill in the fridge until solid.
What is your favorite way to incorporate raisins into your diet? Share your tips and suggestions with us!
