Okra's Blog http://www.okras.com/blog Just another WordPress site Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:21:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Kids Eating Well… http://www.okras.com/blog/kids-eating-well/ http://www.okras.com/blog/kids-eating-well/#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:20:45 +0000 djohnston http://www.okras.com/blog/?p=70 Keep Reading...]]> Okra’s owner Charles Gilliam has been a busy man.  The delicious dishes at his restaurant keep guests well fed and happy and now he is working hard to spread the word about good food and nutrition among our youth.  As part of Michelle Obama’s “Chefs Move to Schools” national program Gilliam is working side by side with the Manassas City public school system to help nourish and educate our children about the benefits of eating tasty, healthy meals.  This partnership with the school system and cafeteria staff has been a rewarding experience for Gilliam. With childhood obesity rates at their highest levels, this program can create a real difference in people’s lives and is one Gilliam wants to make wildly successful.

The hard work put into this program was justified at a recent unveiling of the new dishes at Metz Middle School.  Kids devoured the food and enjoyed the hearty flavors of Gilliam’s red beans and rice.  School staff was overwhelmed by the response as “pizza and fries” were shunned in favor of the new alternatives.  Local website Manassas.patch.com has been following the story since it started.

Three articles on its developments can be found here: http://manassas.patch.com/search?keywords=gilliam

]]> http://www.okras.com/blog/kids-eating-well/feed/ 0 Okra’s Gives Back in Eye of the Storm http://www.okras.com/blog/okras-gives-back-in-eye-of-the-storm/ http://www.okras.com/blog/okras-gives-back-in-eye-of-the-storm/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:27:16 +0000 djohnston http://www.okras.com/blog/?p=47 Keep Reading...]]> Hurricane DrinkHere at Okra’s the glass is always half-full.  While others were pounded by the forces of Hurricane Irene, we are thankful that our area escaped any major devastation.  This year has been tough for many parts of the country from the tornadoes that ripped through Alabama to severe flooding in the Midwest to areas of the East Coast ravaged by Hurricane Irene.  In an effort to help those who were injured, suffered damage to their homes or are in need of financial assistance from the effects of any natural disaster, Okra’s will be donating a portion of all Hurricane drink sales to relief funds.  Not only can you enjoy this Okra’s specialty drink but you can feel good about it too.  A fund will be chosen and announced in our newsletter.  Giving back never tasted so good!

]]> http://www.okras.com/blog/okras-gives-back-in-eye-of-the-storm/feed/ 1 “Red, White and Blooze” http://www.okras.com/blog/red-white-and-blooze/ http://www.okras.com/blog/red-white-and-blooze/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:29:12 +0000 djohnston http://www.okras.com/blog/?p=9 Keep Reading...]]> We’re not sure about your July 4th celebration, but at Okra’s we had one heck of a good time.   The patio was hoppin’ and so was the music.  A big THANKS to DC Transit Band who played before the fireworks display and a shout out to everyone who stopped by to meet friends, enjoy some great food or try one of our awesome specialty drinks.  Jennifer D won an Okra’s gift card for submitting this photo of folks relaxing on our patio.  See ya soon!


]]> http://www.okras.com/blog/red-white-and-blooze/feed/ 0 Congratulations Teresa Z. http://www.okras.com/blog/congratulations-teresa-z/ http://www.okras.com/blog/congratulations-teresa-z/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:36:47 +0000 djohnston http://www.okras.com/blog/?p=5 Keep Reading...]]> Congratulations to Teresa Z. who won a $25 gift card from Okra’s.  Her request for the return of “Crawfish Hash” was selected as the winner from the many ideas we received on our new comment cards.  Crawfish Hash will be offered in the restaurant one day per week throughout the month of August and will be featured in July’s newsletter as the Featured Recipe.  Take a moment to fill out a comment card at the end of your visit and keep those ideas coming.  We are listening – just ask Teresa!

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