One Last Hurrah (Giveaway Post)

Today was a very long and busy day, but thankfully tomorrow I’m off to go to our wedding cake tasting! I get to “sleep in” which means getting up at probably 7:30.

On my way home, I realized that while a black bean burger (the original planned dinner) sounded OK, a ground beef burger sounded even better! I stopped at the grocery store an ended up with an odd conglomeration of toppings. More on that later.

When I walked in the door, I was greeted by THREE packages! One I was expecting, and two I was not. The one expected package included this lovely golden flaxseed from Tropical Traditions:

You know what it means when I get something from Tropical Traditions… it means that soon, YOU can get something from them!

The second (and smallest) package contained a lovely Mexican ceramic box that I won from KP at To Be The Whole Package:

And lastly, I opened the largest of the packages. It was from none other than the amazing and generous Veggie Girl, who was quite distressed in our last conversation that I’d never tried anything from One Lucky Duck. In this amazing package was quite possibly EVERY snack food that the company offers, as well as a school-perfect bright red tote bag:

This box contained grawnola, chocolate macaroons, blonde macaroons, cinnamon crispies, chocolate crispies, cheese quackers (crackers) and rosemary quackers.

Thank you SO VERY MUCH Miss VG!!! I’m beyond appreciative!!

Dinner was a simple summery dinner, kind of as a last summer hurrah. I made my “summer burgers” without the bread crumbs, and ate it on an Arnold’s bread thin. But the random toppings that I ended up with? Yeah, those would be garlic and herb Laughing Cow light cheese, jarred roasted red peppers, and avocado. Just check this out:

SO VERY DELICIOUS!!!

And this brings me (in a very non-sequitur sort of way) to the giveaway. A few weeks ago, I was sent some samples of Tanka Bars to try and review. They were both intriguing to me, as well as a bit scary. Why scary? Well, they’re not your average snack bar. Tanka bars are made from 100% organic grass-fed buffalo mixed with organic dried cranberries. There’s a spicy version as well, which I got to try in “bite” form. When I finally did try the bars, I was pleasantly surprised! There was a very beef-jerky smoky type flavor, as well as a nice sweet/tart contrast from the cranberries. I couldn’t eat very much of a bar at any one time, as they were quite chewy and satisfying, and the “hot” flavor of the bites was QUITE spicy!

The lovely Linda at Tanka Bar offered a whole box of 12 Tanka bars to one lucky What’s For Dinner reader! All you have to do? Comment below! That’s it! Winner will be announced at tomorrow’s dinner post, when I’ll be announcing the NEXT giveaway! It’s apparently giveaway week…

Don’t want to wait to win? Linda and Tanka Bar have created a special coupon JUST for What’s For Dinner readers that will grant $5 off a box of regular Tanka Bars from today through October 31! Just enter the code “IMADEDINNER09″ at check out.

Have a great Monday night and a fabulous Tuesday!

http://www.imadedinner.net/2009/09/21/one-last-hurrah-giveaway-post/

Taliman: Native women entrepreneurs: Good business for Indian country

By Valerie Taliman

Story Published: Sep 4, 2009

Story Updated: Sep 3, 2009

As I leave the nonprofit world to return to my own company, I’m inspired by Native women who’ve built successful businesses and created thousands of jobs in Indian country. Their leadership has shaped a path for others to follow, and our communities are benefiting from their vision and fortitude.

Most people are surprised to learn there are more than 90,000 privately held companies owned by Native American women. These businesses generate more than $12 billion in annual sales and employ some 130,000 people, according to a 2004 survey by the Center for Women’s Business Research. That’s no small thing in Indian country.

On a national basis, more than one out of 11 Native women own a business. We also have the highest rate of entrepreneurship among major ethnic groups (9.2 percent compared to Caucasian-6, Hispanic-4.2, and African American-2.8 percent.) Business ownership increased by nearly 70 percent between 1997 and 2004, and new data due out in 2010 is expected to show further increases.

Raised among strong Navajo women who historically made decisions about land, livestock and family finances, I’m not surprised by the numbers. Many of us grew up on reservations where half the population couldn’t find work. For decades, Navajo Nation unemployment rates have hovered near 50 percent, and have exceeded 70 percent on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Finding a job is simply impossible at times.

Under these conditions, many Indian women are compelled to mesh innovative ideas, hard work and heartfelt concern for their families and communities to create businesses that bring money and jobs to tribal economies.

At a recent conference of Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations held on the Fort McDowell Reservation, a panel of successful entrepreneurs shared knowledge and offered advice about mentors, networking and quality services.

“Find your passion and a good accountant,” said Patricia Parker, president/CEO of Native American Management Services, a multi-million dollar firm she founded in 1989. “As a non-financial type, it was much easier to pay more attention to the passion than the practical. But to succeed, it’s critical to find someone that can help you understand the language of business – accounting and finance.”

Parker, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is considered an expert in mentoring others on how to secure 8(a) certification with the Small Business Administration to help minority firms compete for federal contracts. She balances the bottom line with the philosophy and dedication to public service.

“It’s that desire to make a difference and be of service to Indian country that really drives me,” Parker said. “It can be difficult at times, but you just have to put all the negativity aside and tell yourself ‘I can do this.’”

Karlene Hunter, CEO and co-founder of Native American Natural Foods and Lakota Express, has more than 25 years experience in economic development on the Pine Ridge Reservation where her businesses are based. She was one of several business leaders troubled by all the capital flowing off the reservation.

“We knew that within 72 hours of money hitting the reservation, it was gone, mostly to border towns. We needed to create more private sector growth on the reservation, so we formed a chamber of commerce and began working together.”

What a difference it made. Twenty years ago, there were only two Native-owned businesses on Pine Ridge – today there are more than 200.

Hunter has won national awards for her entrepreneurship. Her latest product, the Tanka Bar, made from a traditional Lakota wasna recipe, is sold in more than 2,400 stores in 42 states. The business has created 22 full-time and 40 part-time positions.

Margo Gray-Proctor, the newly elected board chair of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, is on a mission to develop the American Indian private sector as a means to help communities become self-sufficient.

Gray-Proctor, an Osage citizen, is president of the Horizon Companies which include civil engineering and design services for commercial developments. She’s urging tribal governments to create better legal and government environments enabling Indian businesses to thrive on reservations. And she’s crafting more opportunities for women.

In partnership with NCAIED and WEWIN, the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development is sponsoring free entrepreneurial development training tailored to Native women. “Creating Business Excellence” is being offered through Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business from Sept. 14 – 17 in Tulsa, Okla. Slots are open and participants only pay airfare and lodging.

The training will cover financing the business, growing in scale and profitability, improving competitive position, achieving financial stability and penetrating markets. For information, contact Pat Parker at (571) 323-5657 or pparker@namsinc.org.

We should all be proud of the many hard working Indian women who are succeeding in business, helping to build tribal economies, and fostering the next generation of Native entrepreneurs.

Valerie Taliman, Navajo, is president of Three Sisters Media, which offers publishing, social media and public relations services. She is also an award-winning journalist specializing in environmental, social justice and human rights issues. She is based in Albuquerque, N.M. Contact her at valerietaliman@gmail.com.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/57010012.html

Tanka Bars: Buffalo…the ‘other’ red meat

August 5, 2009 -

Have you ever eaten buffalo? Until this week, I had not.

*Tanka is graciously giving away one box of traditional bars ($30.99 value with shipping included). Comment below for one entry. A winner will be selected in 1-2 weeks using random.org.

Thanks to another twitter hook-up, Linda and I met through the wonderful world of tweets. She mailed me a few samples but they did not arrive. Evidently there is a high rate of ‘disappearance’ of food related shipments. This disappoints me as postal workers are held to a code of ethics stating ‘no tampering with mail.’

Kindly, at her own expense, Linda shipped a second batch of samples to me.

When I was told “Tanka Bar products” were coming my way, I did assume that meant power bars. When I opened the package I exclaimed, “Oh! It’s like beef jerky! Only it looks to be much…much…MUCH healthier.”

My husband, knowing I am not a super adventurous eater, said: “You do know you are eating buffalo, right?”

My jaw dropped. Ummm. No. I opened and ate before even reading THAT part.

My two-year-old daughter ran in and said, “Mommy! I have a bite? Please? Please? Please?” I gave her a bite sized piece. She came back three minutes later. “More please. Tastes good.” She came back for a third round.

Fine. If my two-year-old can eat buffalo, so can I, dang it.

I’ve gotten over my initial shock…envisioning the native and revered buffalo roaming the land - only to be turned into snack packs. Goodness knows what junk lies within the innards of a 711 Slim Jim and I’ve eaten THAT more than once. Not sure I can go back now.

My husband tasted the spicy Tanka Bites (I am too wimpy to eat spicy food so I tested the mild bites, of course).

The Tanka Bars and Bites are both thick and are made with two main ingredients: low-fat, high-energy American buffalo meat and cranberries. What’s more, their production supports Native American wellness traditions.

S0 - bring on the buffalo.

From the Tanka web site we read: The 70-calorie Tanka Bar delivers a slow, powerful protein punch by mixing two primary ingredients: low-fat, high-energy American buffalo meat and tasty cranberries. This combination is no accident.

It really is a great combination. The bars and bites are both terrific - my husband and I really enjoyed them (as did our ten your old son who tried the bites last night). Try it for yourself! Tanka products can be purchased online or at a number of brick and mortar locations around the country.

When ordering online you may also enter code MOMMYPERKS at checkout to save 10% off any regularly priced merchandise: through September 30th.

And…don’t forget to enter for your very own box of traditional Tanka Bars by commenting below. Never again will you be able to down a Slim Jim.



http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=1941

New Intern, Jason Stover.

Jason's responsibilities include updating social network websites, including MySpace and Twitter, as well as writing, photography and production for Tanka sites.
Personal: Single and with two younger brothers, Jason plans to finish a degree in Native American Studies at Oglala Lakota College.
Free time: During his free time, Jason likes movies, pool, darts, bowling and paint ball. He also likes to lift weights, fish and play video games.

Press Release of Senator Johnson

Johnson Joins CDFI Announcement in Kyle

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Kyle, SD—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) joined U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Director Donna J. Gambrell and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin at an event in Kyle, SD to announce $8 million in financial assistance awards for Native CDFIs committed to serving economically distressed Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities across the nation.

CDFIs provide financial services to underserved communities with the goal of bringing those communities into the economic mainstream. CDFIs include loan funds, banks, credit unions/associations and venture capital institutions. They tend to pair their loans and other financial services with financial training and other assistance, in order to boost their customers’ prospects for financial success. The Treasury Department reports that every federal dollar invested in a CDFI leverages 27 private dollars.

CDFI’s Fund’s Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program is designed to encourage the creation and strengthening of certified CDFIs that primarily serve native communities.

“These community-based organizations can better serve the needs of Indian Country with targeted banking services, so that they can find funds to start businesses and buy homes that meet their needs,” said Johnson. “The CDFI funds and services that these grants help provide are an example of that kind of investment that will help all aspects of the community.”

A total of $11.3 million in grants was announced today nationwide with $8 million coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the remaining $3.3 million coming from the CDFI Fund’s annual appropriated budget.

The five SD awardees will receive grants worth $2.9 million today. Three are receiving financial assistance (i.e., lending capital) via the stimulus: $873,600 to First Nations Oweesta Corporation of Rapid City; $876,060 to the Lakota Fund in Kyle; $870,153 to Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Inc. of Pine Ridge.

Two organizations will receive technical assistance awards from annual appropriations: $131,451 to Four Bands Community Fund, Inc. of Eagle Butte; $148,316 to The Harvest Initiative, Inc. of Fort Thompson.

The President's budget requests $243.6 million for the CDFI Fund – a 127 percent increase over the $107 million appropriated for FY09. Johnson, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has pledged to work with the Administration on reaching this funding level this coming fiscal year.

http://johnson.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=315293

Where the Buffalo Roam A pair of entrepreneurs look to alleviate poverty and turn their community into an economically prosperous place with their bus

On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, home to the Oglala Lakota Sioux and a place that was once described by then President Bill Clinton as the “epicenter of poverty in America,” a pair of seasoned entrepreneurs are working to turn that around by creating wealth and a future for their community with their fast-growing business, Native American Natural Foods and its flagship product, the Tanka Bar.

“Everything we do here is about creating value,” said company president, Mark Tilson, a lifelong supporter of Native American causes and longtime partner with company CEO Karlene Hunter, the 2007 SBA Small Business Woman of the Year for South Dakota, with whom he started Lakota Express, the only reservation-based Native American-owned direct marketing firm in the nation. Value, for this company, is about more than money. It is about their place in the community and the effect that their company has on that community and the world.

“We have 22 employees, which makes us one of the larger private employers on the reservation,” said Tilson. “More than those 22 families with direct income, we offer opportunity, training, vision and hope to the community, which we are trying to transform into an economically prosperous place.”

That is a tall order. The Pine Ridge Reservation has a population of about 38,000 and a staggering 80 percent unemployment rate. The largest employers are federal, state and tribal entities such as the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Oglala Lakota College, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Indian Health Service. The Oglala also operate the Prairie Wind Casino and the White River Visitor Center near the Badlands National Park. The tribe has a Parks and Recreation Department, engages in guided hunting, cattle ranching and farming, and operates a radio station, KILI-FM in Porcupine. However, prosperous private businesses that employ as many as Tilson and Hunter do are still few and far between. Still, that has not deterred the makers of the Tanka Bar. In fact, it has pushed them to do more.

The question, when they got started, was whether they could build a national brand and drive the economic benefits back to their community. For Tilson, that meant beginning with the community. “We looked for a raw material that came from the community and what we came up with was buffalo.” It took a year of development, to test various combinations. According to Tilson, Wasna, the food that Tanka Bars are based upon, is traditionally a combination of buffalo meat and chokecherries, but the tasters they had preferred a combination of buffalo meat and Wisconsin cranberries, the inclusion of which not only sweetens the meat, but also preserves it. Once they had a product that worked — the kids who tried it called it “buffalo candy” — it was time to go to market.

From a small start on the reservation to appearances at Native American events and rodeos and then an entrée into the health food industry, the Tanka Bar has been a fast-growing phenomenon. The company has opened another production facility in Idaho to be able to keep up with the orders from their distributor, National Specialty Sales, and their retailers across the country. “We use social marketing and new media, such as MySpace and Bebo,” said Tilson and we have had great success attracting a young, health-conscious audience.”

Another advantage is, believe it or not, the economy. When times are hard, consumers become pickier about the products they purchase and Tilson believes that socially conscious businesses tend to benefit from that since consumers want to do business with companies that care for and give back to their communities. Of course, it also helps to have a great product, and for Native American Natural Foods, that is the Tanka Bar.

The Tanka Bar is more than just a snack; it is really a healthy energy bar. The product is 100 percent natural, has 70 calories, no artificial preservatives or trans fats and is very low in cholesterol and sugar. Moreover, it is simple — buffalo meat, cranberries, herbs — and in that simplicity, Tilson sees value. “Simplicity increases the product’s value,” he said, “both nutritionally and financially.”

In addition, according to Hunter, the Tanka Bar introduces an entirely new food product category: The meat-based energy bar. “Tanka Bars don’t taste medicinal or like a candy bar,” Hunter said. “They are tender, flavorful and good for you. We’re convinced that once people taste them, they’ll choose pure meat protein-based energy over ‘enhanced’ cereal bars every time.” It is already a big hit on the reservation and wherever people find it.

A social consciousness and a sense of mission, a good product and solid marketing, they all come together in Native American Natural Foods to create success, recession or not. “If I was to give advice to a young entrepreneur,” said Tilson, “it would be to figure out what you think of as success, stick to it, and watch your three bottom lines: People, product and mission. Build your brand and drive the benefits back to your community.”

For more information on Native American Natural Foods and Tanka Bars, visit tankabar.com. —Charles Cooper

http://www.americasbestcompanies.com/magazine/articles/Where-the-Buffalo-Roam.aspx

Try Out The Tanka Bar!

While I was at the Opportunity Finance Network’s conference last month, I picked up a free sample of the Tanka Bite. As their website states, “The 70-calorie Tanka Bar delivers a slow, powerful protein punch by mixing two primary ingredients: low-fat, high-energy American buffalo meat and tasty cranberries.” This little piece of beef jerky was delicious!

I’m looking into the possibility of buying a 96-case of these little bites and keeping them as a part of my daily lunch at the office. These things are so good that I’m willing to spend the $100 or so it will cost to purchase them (it’s about $1 per bite, which is a reasonable price).

There is an added positive to this product. It is made by a Native American tribe out in the Midwest. This is what you would call a socially responsible purchase since the profits are used to benefit the tribe (the Lakota tribe). It’s a great bar, check it - you’ll love it!

And when you’re done chomping on the Tanka Bar, check out New Jersey Carpet Cleaning for the best carpet cleaning in the Garden State!

http://www.jerseysmarts.com/2008/01/16/try-out-the-tanka-bar/