Delaware Honors Paula Deen By Declaring Her Recipes Healthy For 24 Hours

Lt. Governor Presents Proclamation To Visiting Celebrity Author and Cook

For Immediate Release: Saturday, July 24, 2010

Harrington - Delaware Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn honored celebrity author and cook Paula Deen at last night's Delaware State Fair by presenting her with a state proclamation declaring her recipes to be healthy for a 24-hour period. The proclamation, signed by Denn and Governor Jack Markell, emphasized the importance of healthy eating and exercise, but stated that "it is also important for Delawareans to indulge every once in a while, and if you're going to indulge, you might as well indulge with Paula Deen."

 Denn presented the proclamation to Deen just prior to Deen's grandstand appearance at the State Fair. "Having a healthy diet means eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables most of the time," Denn said. "The state's '5-2-1-almost none' program targeted at children is a great example. But all foods can fit in a healthy diet, as long as they are eaten in moderation and balanced with exercise."

 The full text of the state proclamation follows:

   WHEREAS, the State of Delaware wishes to encourage its residents to eat healthy foods and to live active lifestyles; and

   WHEREAS, it is also important for Delawareans to indulge every once in a while; and

   WHEREAS, Paula Deen is a nationally renowned cook, author, and television star whose most popular recipes on her web site earlier this month were "Gooey Butter Cake," "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding," and "Chocolate Pecan Cobbler"; and

   WHEREAS, the State of Delaware believes that if you're going to indulge every once in a while, you might as well indulge with Paula Deen;

   WE hereby warmly welcome Paula Deen to the State of Delaware, and declare that for the next 24 hours, Paula Deen's recipes will be considered healthy in the State of Delaware.

Governor Jack Markell
Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn

Paula Deen shows off her proclamation from the State of Delaware just prior to her Delaware State Fair show. From left: Deputy Delaware Public Health Director Crystal Webb, Paula Deen, Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn, Marylou Betts, and Delaware State Fair President Leroy Betts.