Green Articles
'Live to Eat' benefits wetland preservation
River Ridge native takes the project on
By Viviana Aldous : Times-Picayune : February 24, 2008
To raise money for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF), River Ridge native Lauren Mioton has created the "Live to Eat" cookbook. It contains 250 recipes from Louisiana residents, Purdue University alumni and even from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Mioton, a pre-medical student, graduated from Isidore Newman School in 2005 and will graduate from Purdue in 2009. After taking a summer course at Loyola University of New Orleans in 2007, she decided to publish the cookbook.
"It was during these few months (at Loyola) that I was able to see what little progress had been made since Katrina," Mioton said. "My passion was to do something was reignited."
The cookbook, which took about four months to put together and publish, costs $20 each. All proceeds will go to the LPBF's "Save Our Coast" effort. This particular effort focuses on coastal erosion and wetland preservation.
The last day to purchase a cookbook is Saturday. It can be ordered online www.boilermakernetwork.com.
"This organization (LPBF) knows firsthand what kind of crisis the wetlands are in," Mioton said. "The effort is a very important cause and should be a priority for all Louisiana residents."
The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation was established in 1989 to protect the lake's basin and its natural environment. The foundation is dedicated to restoring and preserving the water quality and habitats of the entire Lake Pontchartrain basin.
"Lauren Mioton is a great inspiration to me," said Sheila Ehren, development director of LPBF. "She had the heart and vision for the fundraiser, and I sincerely hope our community supports Lauren's efforts and the 'Save Our Coast' campaign. And she has made a difference 900 miles away."
The idea for the cookbook came from Maine native Terry Kix, director of basketball operations at Purdue. Kix's friend created cookbooks for the last two years to raise money for Katrina victims.
"Lauren came to us with the idea, put the book together and published it," said Laura Hoffpauir membership and outreach coordinator for LPBF. "A lot of times I think that people get overwhelmed thinking that the problems of Louisiana's Coast are way beyond any effort they could personally make. I think Lauren's story is a great example to show what one person can do to help."
Since high school, Mioton has participated in various community service projects, including Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchens and food banks. She created the "Unity is Strength Girls Basketball Clinic" during her junior year at Newman. The program allowed underprivileged girls ages 9 to 12 to come to Newman for a day and participate in a free basketball clinic.
"The aim was to teach these young girls fundamental basketball skills, but more important, emphasize the value of staying in school and resisting peer pressure," Mioton said.
After Katrina, Mioton said she was heartbroken to be nearly 900 miles away from her family, friends and hometown. And for more than two years, she tried to find the best way to help her city.
"I have always been concerned for the environment but have never taken such a major step in helping restore it," Mioton said. "I want to raise awareness about coastal erosion and fund wetland preservation and restoration so future generations can have the opportunity to experience Louisiana and New Orleans like I have."