Friday, October 8, 2010

Food is Love: Cookies for the Cure

My mom is a breast cancer survivor. I lost Du to breast cancer earlier this year. A number of my friends have had breast cancer. So, Breast Cancer Awareness month is special to me.

Given that, I was delighted to talk with Mary Eckenrode from Cheryl's about Cookies for the Cure, their current fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

"Our company is passionate about reaching out to organizations and specifically to the Susan G. Komen Foundation," Mary says. "Many of our associates have been touched by breast cancer -- we've all been touched in some way."

I appreciate that commitment -- and I also like Cheryl's for three other big reasons:
  1. Cheryl, who started the company, used to bake with her grandmother and brought some of the old family recipes to the business. My grandmother's kitchen was one of my favorite places on earth. Talk about food is love ...
  2. Before sending sample cookies for us to review, Mary said, "Oh, honey! Just wait until you taste them. Our buttercream frosted cookies are to die for. They will melt in your mouth!" Trust me, that's not copy someone wrote for her to say. Mary likes the cookies. Genuine enthusiasm from a corporate spokesperson. Gotta love that.
  3. The review cookies lived up to the promotion. My Mary -- cookie taster extraordinaire -- said: "Very good. Soft. The icing wasn't too sweet like some buttercreams can be. The cookie is a nice texture, not too soft, so you can hold it, but soft enough. Overall, very good. Tastes homemade."

And here's one more reason to like Cheryl's. They're going to give one of you a treat -- "Cookies for the Cure Treat Tower." All three layers of the tower are pink boxes. One tier includes the buttercream pink hearts, another tier includes a sugar, oatmeal, chocolate chip assortment, and the last tier includes four frosted brownies that I've been told are incredible.

I'm gaining weight just thinking about it. If you'd like to win the treat tower, just post a comment here.* Tell me what cookie you like best, or post the name of someone you'd like to honor during Breast Cancer Awareness month. Tell me your favorite color. I don't care ... just post something. Or, since I know some of you don't like posting, you can email me at jan@sokoloffharness.com. I'll take entries through Sunday, Oct. 10, at midnight. Winner will be announced Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Thanks to Cheryl's for supporting the cause!

* I think the posting thing on Blogspot has issues. If you don't get a word to copy for the "word verification" line, just type in XXX. It will come back and tell you the answer didn't match, and then give you a word. Works for me every time. Happy weekend!

8 comments:

Leslie said...

The cookies sound wonderful...you know I have a sweet tooth. And my mom is a survivor, too, so this month--and the theme of these cookies--is special to me, too!

Average Jane said...

Sounds delightful! I have a soft spot for sugar cookies.

I have a lot of friends who are survivors.

Mo said...

I never met a cookie I DIDN'T like but perhaps my favorite is Oatmeal with dark chocolate chips! Oatmeal lowers cholesterol, dark chocolate also has heart healthy benefits AND contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant, all of which makes this a health food item!!

Like others I have had family and friends affected by breast cancer but of course the one one that will always stand out for me is Du. She taught me SO MUCH about living, planning, surviving and enjoying each day. Oh how I miss her!

dcarnswald said...

I love love love sugar cookies! And I love my mom (Du) and miss her every day. What would I give to hear that unbridled laugh again? It's still hard to believe that such a bright life force has been taken away from this world.

Angela Pritchett said...

Anything that brings awareness to cancer research & survivors is a good thing. My mom and I shared cooking & baking from almost the moment I could stand in a kitchen. Although she didn't survive her fight with cancer, she would love to know I'm taking care of me and making sure the girls in my life have healthy habits, which include a pink cookie or two.

Beth Paulsen said...

Jan, you were by my side 9 years ago this month when I learned I had breast cancer. You went with me to get my buzz cut after my second chemo treatment. You are the only friend I know who could make me laugh while I was losing all of my hair. You accompanied me to several doctor appointments. You, and other dear friends and family members, were the sunlight during what could have been a very dark time for me. I love sugar cookies, but I love you more!

Jan said...

You all are wonderful ... and, Toots, it was my honor to stand by your brave side during all those cancer events.

Kate, aka Guavalicious said...

I might sell a kid for a lifetime supply of their frosted sugar cookies. Really, they're that good.

They do an amazing job as a company so it's no surprise that they have cookies for the cure. My aunt is a hard fought survivor and we just celebrated five years since her diagnosis (two years cancer free, it spread).