Sweet potato love to help end world hunger

Today is Sweet Potato Day, dedicated to increasing awareness about world hunger. It's the brainchild of ONE, a movement that's all about fighting extreme poverty (yep, Bono co-founded it). I had to join in, given the cause and Max's devotion to sweet potatoes; that's my mom feeding Max, circa age 6.

It may seem like a humble potato, but it has the power to save lives. Every year, 3.5 million children die from poor nutrition. Right now, there are an estimated 25 million chronically malnourished children around the world. Investing in agriculture is one of the best ways to fight poverty and malnutrition—which is where the sweet potato comes in. Sweet potatoes are easy to grow. They pack a lot of Vitamin A, which promotes growth and development and healthy skin, eyes and immune responses. And they're tasty, too.

I was happy to give Max plenty of them when he was a baby, because he needed all the vitamin boosts he could get. At one check-up, the pediatrician questioned whether Max liked sweet potatoes. I asked how he could tell. "His skin has an orange tint," he noted. I was tempted to tell him it was self-tanner.

As it became clear that the cerebral palsy was causing issues with chewing, mashed sweet potatoes were a blessing, easy for Max to munch on. I'd drizzle in a teaspoon of Omega-3 oil (said to help with brain development), and mix in a load of butter to make sure he was getting enough calories.

To this day, sweet potatoes are one of Max's favorite foods. Last Thanksgiving, I decided I was going to make the most decadent sweet potato pie for him. I am not good at concocting my own recipes, but I excel at asking for suggestions—and I got a ton of great ones from Facebook friends.

I settled on this sweet potato pie from All Recipes. I can't tell you exactly why I went with it, it just seemed simply good. I made two. Max ate the better part of one. My family is still talking about the pie. My husband is sad that nobody remembered the turkey he cooked.

So consider the mighty sweet potato: A staple on our tables, yes, but also a spud that can sustain children's lives. Enjoy the recipes below from bloggers far more cook-tastic than I am. And please, take twenty seconds to sign this petition asking world leaders to make serious commitments to reducing chronic malnutrition for children around the world.

• Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burritos from This Week for Dinner
• Truffle Sweet Potato Frites from Savory Sweet Life
• Sweet Potato & Chicken Sausage Stew from Chefdruck
• Honey Sweet Potato Biscuits from Food for My Family
• Sweet Potato Burgers from Cutie Booty Cakes
• What's Gaby Cooking and Sweet Potato Day
• The Mission List and Sweet Potato Day
• World Moms Blog and Sweet Potato Day
• Go Graham Go and Sweet Potato Day
• Cranberry Sweet Potato Crumb Cake from Barbara Bakes
• Bourbon and Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes from Boston Mamas
• Documama and Sweet Potato Day
• Sweet Potato Bread Pudding from Eat the Love
• Lamb Shanks with Sweet Potatoes and Sausage from Kitchen Gadget Girl
• Celebrating Sweet Potato Day with Mom Trends
• Sweet Potato Chili from Righteous Bacon
• Cooking Sweet Potatoes for Picky Eaters from Rookie Moms
• Sweet Potatoes and Global Health from Third Eye Mom
• Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Kielbasa ONE Skillet Bake from Tickled Red
• Sweet, Dude, Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash from Helen Jane
• Oh My Sweet Potato Apple Bake from Bowl Licker
• Sweet Potato and Peanut Gratin from Non-Reactive Pan
• Sweet Potato Fries from When You Wake Up a Mother (also found on Million Moms Challenge)