Cookie Exchange for Charity

I know that a cookie exchange is a popular tradition for many people during this time of year, but I love the spin that Agnes Hsu, a talented bakery owner, puts on it.

I recently read about her in the December 2010 issue of BHG and had to share her brilliant idea.

She holds a cookie exchange and raises money for a charity all at the same time.

I thought it was a simple enough idea that anyone already holding a cookie swap could adopt.

image via BHG

Here's how it works...

Everyone brings their favorite cookies and the name of their charity of choice.

image via BHG

Each cookie is assigned a number to help keep track of which cookie is which. Everyone votes throughout the evening for their favorite cookie with cash. The person with the most votes gets to take all of the donations from the night and give them to their charity of choice.

Then divide and package the cookies just as you usually would. 

See? So simple!

I love this idea. So smart.

Here are a few fun links to help with your own cookie exchange.

Here is a link from BHG to get you started with their favorite Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes.

Or try these beauties from Our Best Bites

Try printing off a few of these free cookie exchange tags from Joy Ever After

I love these!

Happy Cookie Swapping -- may you bring more goodness through something already so tasty!!! 

Donut Day!!

Is this some kind of joke?!


NO!!! Woot! Woot! for the donut! {Or doughnut -- whichever you prefer.}

Today, June 4th is National Donut Day!!

{Teaser: Free donut at the bottom. No cheating. You have to read all the way through.}

History:
It is always the first Friday in June.
{'It honors the Salvation Army "Lassies" of WWI. It is also used as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army.


The original Salvation Army Donut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a morale boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl."


National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts and other foods for thousands of soldiers'.}
*excerpt from 'Holiday Insights'

A few Good Ideas to celebrate Donut Day:

Eat a donut.
Then clean out your clothes and donate them to Salvation Army (or any other charitable clothing store.)


Eat an entire box of donuts.
Then clean out even more of your clothes, since you will now be a different size and will not fit into any of your clothes.


Don't like donuts? (WHAT?!?! Stop it right now!) -- If you sincerely don't like them though, consider buying a dozen and giving them to a family in your area that is down on their luck. Maybe it could even be a military family that has a parent or loved one deployed or injured.


OR,...you could even buy a dozen and donate them here to this Bake Sale.

OR,...support a local business and buy some donuts from your local bakery.

OR,...you could make some homemade donuts and surprise your friends and neighbors with a special treat.

Like these from The Pioneer Woman

{I love her. We are best friends -- she just doesn't know it yet.}

After you do one of these good deeds treat yourself to a free donut from Krispy Kreme.

To find a participating Krispy Kreme go here.

Who knew that a donut could be so Good?

(Well, my booty knows it, but I'm just sayin'...)

If you do something Good for Donut Day -- I'd love to hear about it!

Email me at: ingoodco.britney@gmail.com

Cupcake Cupcake Who Wants a Cupcake?

Yes please. I do.

We're in luck, local yocals.

Remember the post from yesterday about Travis doing a whole heck of a lot for the Utah State Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society? Well,...he's not done yet.

This weekend, Saturday June 5th, they are having their Summer Bake Sale to earn even more money for MS.

(image courtesy Taste of Home)

What can you do you say???

Well, first you can show up between 10 and 1 and buy some serious baked goods.

There are TWO locations:

5748 Shady Stone Dr. in South Jordan

AND

6652 South Duchess St. in West Jordan

They will have designer cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake, cookies, breads, and more!

Can't come? No problem!

They would love donations of items to sell at the Bake Sale. You can either bring goods to them the day before or they will come pick them up!! They will have people going to Salt Lake, Utah, and Davis counties the night before {Friday, the 4th} collecting donations.

Need an idea of what to bake?

How about these Blueberry-filled Lemon Beauties from Our Best Bites!!!!

Oh goodness!

OR

These Caramel Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

from Frankly Entertaining (guest post from Anne at Bloom.)

Sweet mercy....

You could also try Ina's Coconut Cupcakes {love her!} as recommended by Steph at stephmodo {love her too!!!}

So, tie on your apron strings and fill the flour bin,

{or tie on your feed bag!}

There's a good cause waiting to be fed and
I do love me some baked goods!