Amazing!

Imagine cutting food with a prison ID, shredding cheese with a plastic fork, having only a microwave, no legitimate utensils and limited food items available to prepare food. This one-of-a kind cookbook is truly amazing because of the creative women who contributed to it. Women, whose ingenuity is remarkable and found unique ways to produce distinctive recipes under limited circumstances.

Who are these women? They belong to CARE I, a program of Changed Choices Inc., an organization with offices in Charlotte NC. Changed Choices is a comprehensive, wrap-around program that begins working with a woman during incarceration and follows her into reentry. CARE I (Comprehensive Approach to Re-Entry) is the program for the incarcerated women and CARE II assists the women upon release. Over 250 faithful volunteers and the dedicated staff provide a mentoring environment, resulting in a less than 4% recidivism rate for the clients. (The average recidivism rate in North Carolina is 40%.) 

The foods that appear in this book were often made to bring several women together to celebrate birthdays, upcoming release dates or simply as an opportunity to share together. Such a community effort allows for a sense of family and normalcy. Food brings us together as a human race; it brings us together to fellowship, show love, learn, and eat well. This is an important part of life for CARE I women as they share with each other, and now with you. 

Although CARE I and II are the core programs of Changed Choices, the organization is also involved with women at the local detention center. There, Changed Choices provides a mentoring program, teaches classes, provides Bible Studies and offers a strong professional counseling program to the residents.  

Our clients have experienced many challenges but are dedicated to making the changes needed to embrace the life that God has for them. Changed Choices serves women holistically, providing a variety of services as they work to fulfill the mission of the organization, which reads:  

"As followers of Christ, we empower currently and recently incarcerated women to achieve lasting, positive change through programming and personalized mental, emotional, physical and spiritual support."

The Amazing! Cookbook is dedicated to the many committed volunteers and staff of Changed Choices. Interspersed throughout, you will find words of heartfelt gratitude for the many ways that volunteers and staff make a difference in the lives of our Changed Choices CARE I women.  

May you be inspired to expand your culinary talents as a result of the recipes you find in this cookbook!