Blog has been moved

Hello to all that have joined my blog here. Thank you for becoming a friend. I have moved the blog to its own domain. You can find the blog: "Thoughts of an OrganicBabyDaddy at: http://blog.organicbabydaddy.com

Press Release on Homeowners Assistance Programs

March 4, 2009
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Relief for Responsible Homeowners One Step Closer Under New Treasury Guidelines

With Detailed Program Requirements, Servicers Can Now Begin
`Making Home Affordable' Loan Modifications

Extensive Borrower Outreach Efforts Underway

Washington, DC – The Obama Administration today announced new U.S. Department of the Treasury guidelines to enable servicers to begin modifications of eligible mortgages under the Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan – announced by President Barack Obama just two weeks ago. The release of detailed requirements for the "Making Home Affordable" program facilitates implementation of the critical provisions that will help bring relief to responsible homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments, while preventing neighborhoods and communities from suffering the negative spillover effects of foreclosure such as lower housing prices, increased crime and higher taxes.

"Two weeks ago, the President laid out a clear path forward to helping up to nine million families restructure or refinance their mortgages to a payment that is affordable now and into the future.

Today, we are providing servicers with the details they need to begin helping eligible borrowers," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. "It is imperative that we continue to move with speed to help make housing more affordable and help arrest the damaging spiral in our housing markets, just as we work to stabilize our financial system, create jobs and help businesses thrive. Economic recovery requires action on all three fronts."

"Only two weeks after the President unveiled his plan to help promote homeowner affordability, we are moving forward today with these guidelines to implement that plan," HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said. "This step forward represents a tremendous coordinated effort between major government and regulatory agencies to help bring relief to America's housing market and homeowners. This plan will help make home ownership more affordable for nine million American families and in doing so, help to stop the damaging impact that declining home prices have on all Americans."

The guidelines will implement financial incentives for mortgage lenders to modify existing first mortgages and set standard industry practice for modifications.

Treasury announced today that the Making Home Affordable program will also include additional incentives for efforts made to extinguish second liens on loans modified under this program. Extinguishing second liens will make mortgages more affordable, improve loan performance, and help prevent foreclosures.

In conjunction with the release of the new guidelines, Treasury, HUD and other members of a broad interagency task force have prepared consumer friendly Q&A and eligibility assessment tools for borrowers available at FinancialStability.gov. To ensure the program can be implemented as quickly as possible, the agencies also have conducted extensive outreach with housing counselors and mortgage servicers, including the development of call center phone scripts, a training plan and detailed guides, to prepare them for incoming inquiries from borrowers in the wake of the guidelines release.

An expanded online resource will soon be available for borrowers, and agency representatives will fan out across the country in the coming weeks to conduct outreach at homeownership events in communities hardest hit by the housing crisis.

Federal Plan for Homeowners

Federal Program for Homeowners has been launched as of March 4, 2009.

For more information visit: http://www.financialstability.gov

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Here is a quick dish that I enjoy making for the lil ones. While I am not the best organic/vegan cooker. I can make these and the kids, even mom, enjoy them.

NOTE: When we make these, my wife usually makes her very delicious "Cashew Cheese" to replace milk-based cheese. While everyone that comes here and reads this blog, may not be vegan, I will give the non-vegan recipe and also provide the recipe for Cashew Cheese so you can give it a try. Just know that we prefer organic products to non-organic in our recipes.

INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 tablespoon organic brown sugar
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons butter, divided
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Organic Monterey Jack cheese, divided (Can be substituted with Cashew Cheese)

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.

2. Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle evenly with cheese, then top with some of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top, cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Good Morning - Vegan Pancake Recipe

Just wanted to take a second to share a family favorite for breakfast.

We love to have pancakes, but do not always want to use the store-bought, chemically charged pancake mixes that are on the shelves. So here is a healthy alternative that can be made from scratch and our kids really go for them!!!


INGREDIENTS

2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons and 1-1/2 teaspoons organic sweetner (see below)
1 tablespoon and 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups water
1-1/4 cups soy milk

Organic sweetners that can be used include:
Tubinado
Agave
Stevia
Organic Can Sugar

This recipe can be , obviously, modified with a variety of tasty items:

ground cinnamon (optional)
alcohol-free vanilla extract (optional)
bananas

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, stir together all of the dry ingredients. Add and mix the water and soy milk with a whisk so there are no lumps. Add your additional items and fold into your batter.
2. Heat a griddle over medium heat, and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon batter onto the surface, and cook until bubbles begin to form on the surface. Flip with a spatula and cook on the other side until golden.

Give it a try today, include it in your breakfast menu for a quick, easy meal the whole family will enjoy.

Have a great Day!!!!

Here We Go!!!!!

Well...Well..Well...

Here we are in the blogesphere. Let me begin by stating that I am new to this, but feel like someone might need to hear what I have to say. .. If this can reach even one person on the internet, then my task has been well accomplished.

This blog will be used to communicate on issues that directly affect the children of our planet. Discussions will revolve around health, communication, healthy diet, organic tips and tricks, delicious healthy recipes, parenting discussions as it relates to raising strong, intelligent, loving, spiritually grounded children.

We will be building a group of like-minded, understading parents whose goal will be to have a forum to share information, resources, hints and tips, and any other help we can to help rebuild our families.

Our economy is not the only piece of our country that needs a Stimulus Plan. Our families need one to.

Check back often and see what we are talking about. Your input is welcome.

Poppa L.

Please do not hesitate to join the conversation.