Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Legacy Cookbook?
A: The purpose of the Legacy Cookbook is to provide information that will lead the African American community to increased awareness of their rich history and promote positive changes to improve health and nutrition.
Q: Who is responsible for the Legacy Cookbook?
A: It is a collaboration of the Network for a Healthy California—Desert Sierra Region and the Westside Story Newspaper. Community members and organizations are invited as partners, sponsors, and/or contributors to the project. Network for a Healthy California—Desert Sierra Region is funded by USDA's Food Stamp Program through the California Department of Public Health.
Q: Why is contributing to the Legacy Cookbook important to me?
A: Your recipe contribution is a way of helping others to improve the way they cook and eat, while uplifting the history of your family. This can encourage others to learn more about their own family. It’s also one way of making sure your family gets the true recognition deserved for preparing such delicious food!
Additionally, your recipe may be a good source of vitamins and minerals, or it may be low in fat. The nutritional benefits of the recipes will be explained and it may prompt others to adopt a healthier lifestyle. This will ultimately lead to a decrease in conditions plaguing the African American community such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. Therefore, having your group or organization contribute to this cookbook could stimulate a focus on improving health, nutrition, and awareness of African American history in home, school, work, church, or community.
Q: Why should I give my family recipe? It’s been in our family for years!
A: Perhaps your recipe is already being passed down from one family member to another. Or perhaps your recipe could be lost to future generations because new family members may not value the recipe or pass it down to the next generation. In any case, if your recipe is printed, it will be recorded in history for access to all future generations and your family will be credited for your contribution and listed as a published author. Keep in mind: recipes are easier kept when printed professionally.
Q: Grandpa lived for 100 years eating my recipe everyday. I don’t think there’s anything you can do to improve the nutritional quality of my recipe.
A: I am sure your grandpa was very healthy, but he did not face the modern stresses that we have today. We have a much greater selection of healthy and unhealthy foods, and we are probably not as active as grandpa used to be. In general, our society does not burn off as much food energy as grandpa used to. Instead of the physical labor and the transportation of the past -- today we drive cars, purchase convenience and fast foods, then watch television and use the computer.
Furthermore, with each passing day more scientific information is presented that let's us know about the dangers of certain eating patterns like the excess use of fat, sugar, and sodium. As consumers, we must be better educated to select the right foods to eat. There's always something new to learn and there's always room for improvement.
Q: If my recipe is not very healthy, can I submit it anyway?
A: Yes. We want to receive "unhealthy" recipes that taste good! Our staff enjoys the challenge of improving the nutritional quality of recipes without sacrificing the taste. We will professionally recommend changes so that it becomes a healthier recipe and we hope that you will give your endorsement for the new healthier recipe version.
Q: Can I submit a traditional recipe that our family has used for years, even if I did not write it?
A: Yes. If you have used this traditional recipe for your family, as a family representative, you can submit it. We suggest that you consider sharing the credit with others in your family and that you give credit to the original family member who first prepared the recipe (if known). Also, tell us how the recipe has come to be used in you family throughout the years.
Q: My recipe is not of a "Deep South" origin. Can it still be used in the Legacy Cookbook?
A: Yes. African Americans live throughout the United States and have backgrounds which include many other countries and continents. We should celebrate our rich diversity as we create the Legacy Cookbook. In additions, the diversity displayed in the Legacy Cookbook can facilitate a greater understanding and a deeper appreciation of the many ethnicities within the African American family.
Q: Will you change my recipe? And if you change it, will it still be my recipe?
A: Maintaining the delicious flavor of your recipe is our primary goal, but some changes may be necessary to improve the nutritional content of your recipe. No matter what, the wonderful taste of your recipe will be preserved. YOU will always be the author of your recipe even if changes are made to improve it nutritionally.
Q: How will you select recipes to be printed?
A: Recipes will be selected based on the type of recipes needed, possibility for improving nutritional content, and on the historical information submitted. Recipes and all information required must be received in a timely manner. Photographs of you or your family may be requested if your recipe is selected for printing.
Other selection characteristics include:
1) Favorable evaluations for taste, flavor, and ease in preparation. Cost of preparation may also be considered for some recipes.
2) Recipes represent the residents of Inyo, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
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