Tillie Lewis: The Tomato Queen

Tillie Lewis: The Tomato Queen

Comic Book gals with golden lariats and invisible airplanes had nothing on this TRUE heroine whose Super Power was feeding the nation and the world the ripest, freshest tomato grown in American soil.

The Tomato Queen survived the 1918-1919 Spanish flu Pandemic and created her global business success plan while recovering from her Brooklyn tenement sick bed.  She did lose her little Mom & Pop family business to the flu.

Instead of crying about it, she decided to go bigger with her bother-in-law and his investor to create an Italian Import business she called Mosalina Products.  The canned tomatoes became a huge focus for her idea “what do people really need.”

She began her studies of the Italian favorite, the San Marzano, in the 1920’s at Brooklyn’s Botanical Gardens research facilities and determined the San Marzano would likely grow in a Mediterranean climate similar to that of Naples, Italy. Tillie believed the Central Valley of California might be just the place.

By 1934, the bright, brave, and beautiful New Yorker was growing tomatoes at her new company, FLOTILL, smack in the midst of the great depression, offering good jobs to men and women based upon good character and NOT race, faith, or gender.

Tillie Lewis was soon the largest packer of tomatoes in the country. The 5th largest canner of other products, but the ONLY cannery owned and operated by a woman.

Tomato sauce, paste, juice, pizza sauces, catsup, became healthier still when Tillie created the Tasti-Diet. Tillie also looked ahead to “What’s Next?” even teaching American’s how to save money and product during war time by turning thick rich tomato paste into juice and sauces to keep our country eating healthy no matter what.

American war contracts kept Tillie Lewis packing good food for our soldiers. After the war, she was asked to assist Israel’s Moshe Dayan and Ariel Sharon in starting tomato success in Israel. At President Lyndon Johnson’s request, Tillie Lewis was the 1st woman to serve as US Ambassador in the Global Hunger Summit. Tillie Lewis reminded the world, “Food will grow 365 days a year somewhere in the world. It is our job, as agriculturalists, to feed the globe.”

Time and again. Tillie Lewis reminded herself that she owed all of her success to a TOMATO.

The truth is, this real live Wonder Woman turned her life from Tenements to Tomato Queen by knowing everything is possible when we choose a positive path and never, ever give up. What better path than feeding our bodies and minds with great nutrition?

Tillie Lewis: The Tomato Queen on Amazon & Kindle 

By,

Kyle Elizabeth Wood

Historian/Teacher/Author/Speaker

Using Lasagna to Spread the Love

Using Lasagna to Spread the Love

A non-profit spreading kindness through lasagna?! It sounds too good to be true, but with over 20,000 volunteers around the country, it most certainly is true, as they are using lasagna to spread the love.

Meet Lasagna Love! A nonprofit started at the beginning of the pandemic, by founder Rhiannon Menn, a mama who was searching for a way to help support her community during this time of need. What started with just a quick Facebook post in a mom group, offering home cooked meals to anyone who could use one, has grown into a national movement, with over 20,000 volunteers delivering meals made with love every week.

What we do is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities.

Here’s how it works:

Families in need go to lasagnalove.org/request and fill out a request form. They are then matched with a local volunteer, or Lasagna Chef as they are called, who make and deliver them a home cooked meal.

What qualifies a “family in need”:

Anything! Facing food insecurity and could use a hot meal for your family? Working mom juggling working from home, home schooling kids, and could use some help with dinner? Going through a hard time? Lasagna Love is here to help!!

Lasagna Love is a kindness movement. Our mission is to not only address the rise in food insecurity, but also strengthen communities through kindness by providing an easy way for every person to help a neighbor.

How to get involved: 

You can sign up to volunteer at https://www.lasagnalove.org/volunteer-2 if you want to get involved and make meals for families.

Lasagna Love has grown to be more than just about lasagna, but about kindness and weaving kindness back into the fabric of our communities. The Kindness Pledge is a simple way to get involved, show support for the mission, and spread kindness, no cooking required!

Simply go to https://www.lasagnalove.org/kindnesspledge and sign the pledge and go out and be kind!

To donate to Lasagna Love click this link for donation options. https://www.lasagnalove.org/donate

Easy Chicken Curry

Easy Chicken Curry

Less than 10 ingredients are needed for this flavorful and nutritious Easy Chicken Curry. Thanks to ingredients you probably already have on hand (such as canned tomatoes, frozen chicken, and coconut milk), you can whip up this quick and easy main dish in no time at all! With so many delicious flavors, this is sure to become a family favorite in no time. Be sure to make extras so you can have leftovers throughout the week!

Not only does this recipe taste incredible, but it’s also good for you due to the high protein and lycopene content. Thanks to the chicken, there is plenty of lean protein, which is essential for muscle building and feeling satisfied. And then when you add in the canned tomatoes, you’re provided with a load of vitamins and minerals; including lycopene, which is responsible for that gorgeous bright red hue. The canned tomatoes make up the base for this tangy, spicy dinner, so instead of ordering takeout this weekend, take an hour to prepare this Easy Chicken Curry. We’re sure you are going to love it!

For the full recipe, visit our friends at Pacific Coast Producers.

If you’re looking for other delicious recipes, check out some of our favorites:

Tomato Pesto Hummus
Swiss Chard Pecan Lasagna
Black Bean Corn Chili

15 Easy, Nutritious Recipes for National Nutrition Month

15 Easy, Nutritious Recipes for National Nutrition Month

Happy National Nutrition Month! While we celebrate dietitians all year ’round, March is a dedicated month where we celebrate these nutrition professionals and spread information to the public regarding recipes, tips, and more. Dietitians play a huge role in helping others learn more about nutrition, how to cook healthful recipes, and much more, so if you know a registered dietitian, be sure to send them a big virtual hug this month for all the hard work they do!

This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Personalize Your Plate”, which is all about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. The good news is that eating healthfully doesn’t have to be complicated! You don’t need a heavily involved recipe to have a great meal; you can have something nutritious on the table in under 30 minutes based on staple pantry items. That’s why we are big fans of canned tomatoes; not only are they affordable, but they are also sustainable, full of nutrition, and incredibly convenient! Want to know more about why canned tomatoes are amazing? Check out these Top 11 Reasons to Go Red with Tomato Products!

Having canned tomatoes (and other pantry staples) on hand will make weeknight dinners a cinch, and you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or health, either! That’s why we are sharing some of our favorite easy, nutritious recipes (featuring canned tomatoes) to get you inspired in the kitchen this month. From breakfast to soups to entrees, there is something here for everyone! So, without further adieu, here are 15 Easy, Nutritious Recipes for National Nutrition Month!

15 Easy, Nutritious Recipes for National Nutrition Month

Pizza Stuffed Chicken

Pizza Stuffed Chicken

This tasty main dish for Pizza Stuffed Chicken combines the classic Italian flavors of pizza with protein-packed chicken to make a tender, delicious meal. Canned tomatoes are the star ingredient, making this a convenient and pantry-friendly recipe. Canned tomatoes are also packed with nutrients, including tons of antioxidants, vitamin C, and cancer-fighting lycopene, the compound that gives tomatoes their bright red color. Lycopene has been shown to help prevent cancer, and people who eat more tomato products reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. This recipe can be customized with your favorite pizza toppings, from pepperoni to black olives. To sneak in some extra veggies, try stuffing with spinach, broccoli, or green peppers.

This dish couldn’t be easier and makes a great weeknight dinner that’s healthier than ordering in delivery pizza. All you have to do is slice the chicken breast to make a pocket and stuff with sausage, diced tomatoes, and mozzarella. Next you’ll bake the chicken and top with more mozzarella, tomatoes, and grated parmesan. You can feel good about feeding this meal to your family, as it’s full of lean protein from chicken breast, as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals from canned tomatoes. This meal is also budget-friendly, as canned tomatoes are a great affordable alternative to fresh tomatoes that still provide plenty of nutrients and pack in the same flavor punch. We love serving Pizza Stuffed Chicken alongside whole grain spaghetti and a garden salad to create a balanced, filling meal that everyone will enjoy. For the full recipe, visit our friends at Red Gold.

For other delicious recipes, check out some of our favorites:

Chipotle Tomato Rice POWER Bowl
Swiss Chard Pecan Lasagna
Black Bean Corn Chili