Omss Fashion: Yummy July 4 Recipes in Minutes + Blog Yoani Sanchez Out of Cuba

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July 4, 2011

Hi everyone,

Happy Fourth of July, one of my favorite holidays.

By Fat-free Vegan Kitchen: Everybody Loves a Parfait!

This is the day I typically walk around the house with a cup of coffee and my pocket guide to the Declaration of Independence and talk about how lucky we are to live in a nation with so many civil rights.

Then I talk trash to the kids that THIS is the year I finally tattoo the First Amendment on my left clavicle, in a huge red-white-and-blue heart guarded by a screaming eagle motif.

Since my 15-year-old is at camp, let's just imagine him repeating what he says every year:

"Think of the push-ups you'll need to do to keep that eagle flying."

Sigh. Free speech is sometimes so fresh.

And then we eat.

Today I want to humbly ask you to exercise the finest use of your little First Amendment machines -- your own sites, be they social media or blogs -- to help another BlogHer exercise hers: Let's Let's Blog Yoani Sanchez out of Cuba to BlogHer '11 (hat-tip: BlogHer Grace Hwang Lynch and Ana Roca Castro of Latism.org).

Without our help, Sanchez, a BlogHer International Activist Scholarship Recipient, won't be able to receive her award at BlogHer '11. Together, this community can fix that -- won't you help?

Thank you.

Without further ado, let's eat -- recipes below. Enjoy!

Grill it

Winning Recipes! Copyright The Pioneer Woman Cooks

The four winning recipes from The Pioneer Woman's grilling contest sponsored by Bush's Beans are in, and they are delish:

Sweet Pepper Harissa Crusted Cowboy Steak by Laureen Pittman
Grilled Shrimp Skewers by Melanie Feehan (she blogs the Coupon Goddess)
Tandoori Grilled Chicken by Rebecca Lindamood (she blogs Foodie with Family)
Sweet & Sassy Chili Pork Chops by Staci Martinez

The veggie alternative I'm dying to try is Fat-Free Vegan's Red Bean-Chipotle Burgers. Check out her gorgeous garnish.

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Sip it

Red White Blueberry Smoothie. Copyright 100% Vegan Happy Healthy Life

Red White Blueberry Smoothie

by 100% Vegan Happy Healthy Life

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Slurp it

Fourth of July Jello Shooters. Copyright Bakers Royale

Fourth of July Jello Shooters

by Bakers Royale

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Frost it

Fourth of July Cake. Copyright i am baker

Fourth of July Cake by i am baker

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American as Pie

Lastly, if all you need is a nice cool pie with the freshest fruit ingredients, don't miss Simply Recipes' Fourth of July Buttermilk Pie.

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We hope you have a wonderful week! If you have a question or idea, email me at lisa@blogher.com.

Best,