Fast and Fabulous - EZ Pepperoni Pizza Bread

Pepperoni Pizza Bread

• 1 loaf frozen bread dough
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp oregano
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 pkg (3 oz) sliced pepperoni
• 2 tbsp margarine
• 9 sliced American cheese 

Preheat oven to 350

Grease jelly roll pan with margarine.  Let dough thaw and raise until double in size.  Roll out flat ( I just stretched it out into a rectangle on a cookie sheet that has been greased)Beat eggs and add oregano,  grated parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp melted margarine.  Mix well.  Spread 3/4 of egg mixture all over flattened dough.  Top with cheese slices and pepperoni.  Roll up like a jelly roll and seal edges and ends. 

Place on a greased pan and spread rest of egg mixture on top 

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until brown.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 17% [?]

Technorati Tags: 30 minutes, pepperoni pizza, pizza bread

Score Big with Superbowl Snacks

Score a “Touchdown” this Superbowl

with the perfect Football Finger Foods

 

 

Check out my top three Superbowl Snacks that Score Big

It’s Super Bowl time again! Weather you are having a few friends over for the game or heading out for a party, knowing what to bring is always a trick. I’m always keeping my eyes open for Finger Foods and Party Snacks that impress.  

My first pick is an Artichoke Dip with a little Football KICK.  I have served it at a few parties now and it has become one of my signature requests.  You can adjust the “heat” of the dip to your personal preference by the amount of jalapeno peppers used.

Artichoke, Jalapeño and Parmesan Dip

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 pickled jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drain, reserve marinade
2 teaspoons

Tabasco green jalapeño sauce
Kosher or coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1.   Use a food processor with metal blade to finely grate Parmesan cheese. Add the cream cheese, mixing well. Transfer cheese mixture to a mixing bowl.

Chop jalapeño peppers in processor; add drained artichoke hearts and process just until coarsely chopped. Add artichoke/jalapeño mixture and the jalapeño sauce to cheese mixture. Mix well. If needed, add small amount of additional marinade to obtain desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with a variety of crackers or chips.

 

 

 

Take a Hint from Rachel Ray

Baked Jalapeno Peppers

12 large jalapeño peppers

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 ounces Manchego cheese, grated

2 to 3 tablespoons green salad olives with pimientos, finely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Slice off a lengthwise piece of each jalapeño then, using a small spoon or paring knife, scrape the seeds out of each pepper to make little jalapeño canoes. Chop the tops finely and add to a mixing bowl with the cream cheese, Manchego, green olives, parsley, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use a small spoon to fill the canoes or transfer the mixture to a re-sealable plastic bag, snip off the end and squeeze the mixture into the hulls of your jalapeño canoes. Arrange the peppers on cookie sheet, transfer to the oven and roast for 15 minutes.

 

BANG BANG SHRIMP

1 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined (31-40 count work best)

½ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

5-10 drops Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (add more to your personal spicy taste)

Corn Starch to coat the shrimp in

Mix mayo and sauces for coating . .set aside

Coat shrimp in corn starch

Deep fry the shrimp until lightly brown (4-5 minutes)

Drain on paper towel, toss in a bowl w/ the sauce

Serve in a lettuce lined bowl, top w/ chopped scallions

 Mail this post

Popularity: 24% [?]

Technorati Tags: Artichoke, artichoke dip, jalapeño peppers, snack, Snacks, Superbowl, superbowl snacks, Touchdown

Quick and Easy 15 Minute Meals

Quick and Easy 15 Minute Meals

As we head into 2009 my top resolution is to KEEP IT SIMPLE.  This resolution includes meal time.  Spending less time in the kitchen and more time with my family.  Her are a few quick 15 minute meals that are sure to free up some time and hit the spot with your family.  Make meal time family time with quick, easy 15 minute meals like these.  Click Here  to see other great 15 minute meal ideas from Cambell’s Soup 

Mom’s Skillet Chicken and Rice in 15 minutes

SUBMITTED BY: Campbell’s Kitchen 

“This hearty combination of sautéed chicken, garlic, mixed vegetables and rice simmers to goodness in a creamy sauce–perfect for a busy night when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry.”

COOK TIME	15 Min
READY IN	15 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup*
• 1 1/2 cups water**
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
• 2 cups frozen vegetable combination (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)

DIRECTIONS

1.       Sprinkle chicken with garlic.

2.       Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned. Remove chicken.

3.       Add soup, water and pepper. Heat to a boil.

4.       Stir in rice and vegetables. Top with chicken. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minutes or until done.

FOOTNOTES

• Tip: *Or use 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell’s® Cream of Chicken OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup.
• **For creamier rice, increase water to 1 2/3 cups.

Speedy Chicken Enchiladas in 15 minutes

“Sautéed chicken cubes are coated with a sauce featuring Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup and salsa, then rolled up in flour tortillas and topped with another delicious sauce made from salsa and Campbell’s® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup.”

 

 

COOK TIME	15 Min
READY IN	15 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
• 1 cup Pace® Thick & Chunky Salsa
• 8 6-inch flour tortillas
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup

DIRECTIONS

1.       Cook chicken in nonstick skillet until browned and done, stirring often. Add chicken soup and 1/2 cup salsa. Heat through.

2.       Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortilla around filling and place seam-side down in 2-quart microwave-safe baking dish.

3.       Mix cheese soup and remaining salsa and pour over enchiladas. Cover.

4.       Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until hot.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 16% [?]

Technorati Tags: 15 minute meals, busy night, Campbell, cook time, DIRECTIONS, Easy, family, ideas, meal time

Relaxation and the Holidays - IT IS POSSIBLE

Relaxation and the Holidays – IT IS POSSIBLE

It’s only 3 short weeks until the Holidays are here.  Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanza, it will be here before we know it.

Ask yourself, “When was the last time you had a really relaxing holiday?”

From Preparation of dinners, traveling between parties and even shopping. 

IT IS POSSIBLE!! All it takes is a little organization and planning.

 

 

 

 

Here are some trendy tips to get you started.

·       Make a budget. Unless you’ve got more money then you know what to do with, it is easy for the holiday season to turn into a financial headache. Ninety-nine percent of that stress can be eliminated by thinking ahead and making a budget. Financial sanity doesn’t come from having a ton of money; it comes from spending it wisely.

·       Avoid the shopping marathon. Unless you really do enjoy the thrill of “shop ’till you drop” skip the marathon mall sessions. Shop in small bite size pieces and skip the all-day shopping trips. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done by picking up an item here and there while running everyday errands. You will also find that you will save money and find gifts that are more personalized and won’t cost you a bundle. The secret is to sit down, make a list of the people you need to shop for, and stick to it.

·       Keep your list with you and keep your eyes open.Cross off a few people each week and you’ll be done with your Santa list in no time. Gifts don’t have to be large in size, keep your eyes peeled for stocking stuffers and small items. And for those of you who raced out for Black Friday I hope the wounds you endured and the aggravation you felt saved you enough to pay for the Prozac you needed when you got doneJ .

·       Wrap as you go. Don’t put all of your wrapping off until the last minute. As you pick things up, wrap them as soon as you get a chance. Keep a basket of wrapping essentials – wrapping paper, scissors, gift tags, tape, etc. The easier you make it for yourself, the more likely you are to get it done.

·       Simplify, simplify. No matter how cool your friends and family might play it, you are NOT the only one who gets stressed out around the holidays. If the stress of preparations is getting out of hand, don’t be afraid to propose a simplified pot-luck dinner instead of a more elaborate affair, it’ll be a small relief for everyone involved. When it comes to reducing you holiday workload, every little bit helps.

·       Make friends with the Internet. Take the plunge and skip the traditional shopping. Internet shopping has come a long way and is a safe and easy way to find gifts quickly inexpensively and can be shipped directly to your home. You can easily compare prices and can generally find good deals on shipping that will guarantee arrival in plenty of time for the big day.

·       Cheat. Unless you really enjoy preparing mass quantities of food from scratch, there’s no reason not to take advantage of a short-cut or two. Particularly when it comes to the dessert menu, there are plenty of quick and easy mixes that can help you shave some serious time off of your meal preparation schedule. Just go to the grocery store and find a few easy-to-make offerings or buy something from the deli. For a special touch you can dress your desserts with extra holiday sprinkles or a squiggle of chocolate sauce across the plate for a very restaurant-looking presentation. Most stores offer deli platters, dessert trays and because they prepare them in quantity they can do it at a fraction of the cost.

·       Remember your priorities. Take shortcuts where it really doesn’t matter: buy cookies instead of baking them or barter a task you don’t like for one you do. Cut out as many social engagements as possible if you want more family time—you can’t go to a school musical when it’s more convenient. Kids appreciate happy and relaxed parents’ more than perfect decorations. Don’t be Martha Stuart be MOM

 

 

 

 

 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 22% [?]

Technorati Tags: black friday, financial headache, Holiday, holiday season, Holidays, organization, Preparation

Motivators for Mom’s on the Move - Do Super Mom’s Exist?

Top Motivators for Mom’s on the Move

Any mother will tell you that raising a family, keeping a house, and working outside the home can make getting the little things done harder. Often it is very difficult for a working mom to stay focused and motivated throughout the day knowing the countless things both work and home that they need to accomplish.  Finding a way to organize is one of my top tips for stay motivated. Next time your motivation is lacking, think about these Trendy TIps to help get you through the day.

Motivation determines what and how you do things right?  So it makes sense that having a clear purpose in mind and a good attitude can be great ways to stay motivated. If you’re like me that’s easier said than done. Waking at the crack of dawn to Shower, Pack Lunches Get the kids off to school and yourself off to work, and that’s all before 7:00 a.m.  There are however, ways to keep yourself motivated so that you can accomplish more and get yourself through the long days of mothering.

Purpose: Purpose gives you a clear mental state and helps you look at your task in an objective manner. If something does not help you reach your end goal, then it should not be one of your goals.

To Do List: I am a list maker.  Making a list of my daily goals helps me to stay focused during the day and know what you still need to accomplish. As I complete each important task I mark it off the list. Seeing the list of things I’ve accomplished helps me feel like I have met my goals and gets me motivated for the next day.  This is also one of the top ways for me to get my mind off work as I get home.

Get off the Procrastination High Way. Be a good lead by example to your kids. Avoiding important tasks and chores won’t help you reach your goals.  Stay motivated, work on your jobs to finish them. Not only will you accomplish more but you won’t feel as rushed at the last minute.  You will also show your children that staying focused will help them meet their goals even if they don’t really want to do them.

Talk About It: Keeping your concerns or feelings inside can lead to reduced productivity and increased stress. Talking with a friend, a spouse or my favorite item is my daily journal. It is a perfect last personal blogg to note my daily accomplishments and remind my self how lucky I am and at least one special thing I appreciated that day about my kids or my spouse.

Super Mom’s Don’t Exist You’ll never accomplish all your goals everyday, “It’s OK”. The idea that there is such a thing as a “super mom” isn’t realistic. Simplify – It’s ok to take shortcuts on things; Snacks for school parties – get store bought treats instead of stressing yourself out.  If you expect perfection of yourself it will be near impossible to reach your goals. It is also ok to say no or to ask for help when you need to.

Do you Pass the Stress Test:  Putting yourself under stress each and every day is not healthy, nor will it inspire you. Stress can put you in a greater danger for depression and other health issues and if you don’t think your kids can see your stress, you’re wrong.

Reward yourself: Rewards can be a huge motivator for anyone. Even if you reward yourself with a new book or thirty minutes of quiet time, you will be more likely to reach your goals with rewards

 Mail this post

Popularity: 21% [?]

Technorati Tags: finding a way, motivation, Motivators, objective manner, working mom

Working Mom’s need help too…

Working moms need help too….After spending the weekend cleaning bathrooms, scrubbing floors, doing laundry and grocery shopping needless to say I found myself exausted and left with little energy to spend time with those most important to me in life, MY FAMILY.  How did this happen?  I had to imagine that I wasn’t the only Working Mom out there that feels this way, or am I?  

To clear my head I found this great article and source that let me know I wasn’t alone and neither are you.  Check out this great piece on the advantages of hiring someone to help with the less important things in life to make time for the more important things in life.

Do The Math - Then do less, make more and spend more quality time with your family.  By Dr. Debra Condren   

Here’s what I often hear from working moms:

“I love my career. That said, it demands a ton of hours. At home, I manage kids’ schedules, laundry, plus most nights I field the question, “What should we do for dinner?”

“I’m overwhelmed. Basically, I need another me. How can I stop being stretched too thin?”

Sound familiar?

Do you have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility, doing everything yourself so it’ll be done right, or to “save” money? (If you’re a woman, you’re 110% percent more likely to answer yes than are the guys in your life.) Have you ever calculated how much this is costing you? I’m guessing not.

Time to do the math.

First, figure out the real price tag for hiring someone to lighten your load.

Let’s say you clear $100,000 a year operating a small consulting firm; that breaks down to $48 per hour. Now let’s say you spend six hours a week running errands that anyone with a car and a sense of direction could do. Plus six hours a week doing household chores. That comes out to $576 (12 hours x $48/hour). You could hire a competent person to do the same work for $18 per hour ($216). So you’re losing $360 a week by doing the work yourself.

Right about now you may be thinking, “That’s easy to say for someone who makes $100,000; I can’t afford it, though.” Okay. Let’s do the math with $75K. That breaks down to $36 per hour. Now let’s say you spend six hours a week running errands that anyone with a car and a sense of direction could do. Plus six hours doing household chores. That comes out to $432 (12 hours x $36/hour). So you’re still come out ahead.

Every hour you needlessly burn up by failing to delegate is time you could be investing in your career, taking on exciting new project opportunities, positioning yourself for advancement, networking with colleagues, potential clients, and movers and shakers, and freeing up more time for yourself and for quality time with your family—and it’s one of the key ways women self-sabotage.

I’ve worked with hundreds of women who have trouble rationalizing outsourcing—and it doesn’t matter how much they earn. If you crunch the numbers, however, you’ll have objective figures that prove it makes sense to free up your time for what really counts.

Ask around and find yourself a good cleaning person, a part-time or full-time executive assistant, a computer whiz, and other support people that can complete tasks for a fraction of the time or money it would take you to do it yourself.

Stop wasting time thinking “I need another me” and spend the money for a “mini-me”. You’ll end up a lot richer—at home, and at work.

Dr. Debra Condren is the author of, amBITCHous (Broadway Books), a woman’s guide to earning her worth and achieving her dreams—with integrity. Ask Debra any question now at: Debra@AmbitionIsNotADirtyWord.com.

About the Author: Debra Condren, Ph.D., interviewed 500 women for her book, amBITCHous, a woman’s guide to redefining ambition as a virtue, not a dirty word.

Still don’t think you can afford to hire someone to help - Try these quick Trendy Mom Tips. 

Thirty seconds is longer than you think. In the time it takes to prep a bowl of cereal for the kids, you can:

1.    Prevent soap scum buildup in your shower with a few quick squirts of daily shower spray.

2.    Swipe the bathroom counter with a disinfectant wipe, clearing it of hairspray, toothpaste and soap scum.

If you have two minutes, you can:

1.    Gather stray clutter into a laundry basket. (Just be sure to put everything away later — after all, you can only hide so many filled laundry baskets in your hallway closet!)

2.    Sweep high-traffic areas, like the entryway or bathroom floor.

3.    Vacuum tops of ceiling fan blades and reduce the amount of dust swirling through the room.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 17% [?]

Technorati Tags: doing laundry, grocery shopping, household chores, quality time, sense of responsibility, working mom

Celebrity and Mother of Two - Still dares to bare all!!

The actress and mother of two goes naked for a magazine shoot. 

On the cover of the next edition of Vanity Fair Kate is seen on a fur rug wearing stockings and stilettos.

The 33 year old actress and mother of two looks amazing.  A picture perfect body and complexion  that is if she is still against airbrushed magazine shoots,  we can assume the pictures haven’t been retouched.

Don’t get me wrong moms, this Trendy Tip mommy is all about celebrating the hard work each of us puts in to maintain a fabulous body but really…..  Celebrity or Mom I have to say, “Why is it so necessary to bare it all?” Let’s get real Kate is beautiful and yes she has never been one to shy away from nudity in movies, but why is it so necessary to blaze the cover of magazines in almost nothing.  Have a little dignity and respect for yourself in knowing that you can show your beauty in trendy fashions and fabulous coutier. 

The mother of two children, Mia, eight, and Joe, five, had this to say when recently interviewed by www.dailymail.co.uk: “I know when I walk into that classrom in the morning, even if it’s for a split second, at some point I’m being checked out.  Some of them will even say to me, ‘OK, what’s the secret with the skin?’ At which point I’m like, ‘Oh my God, there’s no secret. I have make-up on. And by the way, since I turned 30 I’ve had an acne problem on my chin. I’m just like everybody else - I just know how to cover it. If you’d like me to show you how, I’d be more than happy.”

I just have to ask, “When is enough enough when it comes to celebrity Mom’s baring it all?”

What kind of example are we setting for our youth and the celebrity youth - Looks like to me we are setting the example that you need to be over the top and dressed in less to grab attention. 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 28% [?]

Technorati Tags: celebrity, celebrity mom, coutier, fabulous body, miley cyrus, mother, nudity in movies, vanity fair

Thanksgiving recipes that will leave them asking for more!

FALL recipes perfect for thanksgiving  

Glazed Carrots

Serves about 8
water
2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut in large chunks
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a large saucepan over medium heat, in 1 inch boiling water heat carrots and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until tender-crisp; drain. Add butter, sugar, nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Return mixture to heat and cook, stirring constantly, until carrots are glazed.

Pecan Stuffed Squash

Serves about 8
2 (13-3/4 ounce) cans chicken broth
4 small acorn squash, halved and seeded
2/3 cups butter or margarine
4 cups dry herb-seasoned stuffing mix
2 (2-ounce) packages pecan pieces
2/3 cups seedless raisins

Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Reserve 1-1/3 cup broth, then pour remaining broth into a shallow baking dish. Place squash cut-side down in the broth. Bake 30 minutes. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat reserved broth and butter or margarine until the butter (or margarine) melts. Stir in stuffing mix, pecans and raisins. Remove squash from oven, turn squash over, cut side up. Spoon stuffing into squash cavities. Bake 20 minutes more or until squash is is done, basting with broth every 10 minutes.

Butternut Squash Crisp

Serves about 8

Cranberry Nut Cake

Serves about 12

Cream together and serve in a small to medium size carved out pumpkin and serve with ginger snap cookies. 

 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 15% [?]

What do your SHOES say about you??

What do your SHOES say about you?

Calling all shoe fanatics this fun quiz is a must view.

You know the old adage that you can tell a lot about a person from what is in the medicine cabinet. Well I think the perfect way to get a sense of a person’s personality is to take a good look at their shoes. 

What do your shoes say about you??? I couldn’t wait to see if the results were on and they were.

Looks like I am: Impulsive – I’ve got a good head on my shoulders (why thank you), and some sensible shoes in my closet. I am responsible and mature; some might call you wise beyond my years.  My friends and loved ones can count on my patience and good advice.  What they don’t always turn to me for is…well…fun. Sounds like I need to kick off my shoes a little more and let loose…

 

Wanna find out what your shoes are saying about you? 

Click this link and find out. http://www.usanetwork.com/series/starterwife/games/profiler7/

 

PS You can also see more about one of my favorit shows “The Starter Wife” If you haven’t seen Debra Messing in this great show, you are missing out.  The cast is fun and a nice get away from the real world this show is a Trendy Tip Momma MUST SEE. 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 26% [?]

Trendy Gifts and Signature Items

Paper Doll Store - The perfect way to put your Trendy Twist on everything!!

Here I go again on my never ending search for trendy gifts and signature items that let you be you…

I stumbled upon a great new site that featured so many great items like :

* Invitations * Stationery  * Gift enclosures and Gift-wrapped Notepads

I have to admit it is the perfect way to put a Trendy Tip Twist on all your Stationery and the perfect Trendy Gift.

Here are my favorites click here to find your perfect match: http://www.thepaperdollstore.com

 Mail this post

Popularity: 21% [?]

Technorati Tags: gift enclosures, invitations, paper doll, stationery, trendy gifts

Biggest Looser Low Down

 Mail this post

Popularity: 100% [?]

Technorati Tags: biggest loser, Bob Harper, Calories, fitness, personal weight, SPIN, trainer bob harper, YMCA

Pumpkin Carving - 101

How has Pumpkin Carving changed so much since I was a kid.  My 7 yr old daughter came home from school with the simple statement that they were having the a Pumpkin Carving contest in her class and of course the statement we all melt with - “MOM I really want to win” 

Well Thank goodness for the internet and a creative mind we came up with the below  Pumpkin  Burger.  It turned out so good I was surprised but in all truth, the coolest part of our Pumpkin Carving this year was the great time we had trying something different. 

Trendy Tip Life Lesson Learned - Sometimes doing something different from the old traditions can make a new Trendy Tradition all your own.  Needless to say, I am not sure that Halloween and Pumpkin Carving will ever be the same at my house. 

Please share your pumpkin carving creative ideas.  link below and blog with other Trendy Tip moms like you.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 20% [?]

Technorati Tags: contest, Fun for Kids, halloween, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Carving, traditions

Healthy and Cheep - Home Cooked Meals

Everyone is seeing a hit to the pockets and purses these days with the increase in prices for food and fuel.  Eating Healthy can still be economical and it eating out less and make more meals at home can be the key.

Eating out may be easier but it creates an opportunity for you to indulge in foods that aren’t exactly on the healthy list. Take advantage of the healthy benefits of Home-cooked meals, it will help to save money and create a healthier diet for you and your family.

It’s easy to get started on your Home Cooked Meal kick. Pick out some favorite recipes, face it these days there are so many ways to find healthy recipes online you have no excuses. Now use some of the tips here to start thinking of healthier alternatives to substitute for standard ingredients in the recipe.  Use some of the suggestions below, and your boring cooking will have an added but healthier kick. Before you know it the family won’t be begging to go out to eat but they’ll be begging you for another helping. 

1. Whole grains.It’s easy to replace white-flour pastas and white rice with wheat pastas, brown rice, wild rice, bulgur, barley, or quinoa and your family won’t even notice. You can also replace half or more of the white flour in a recipe with whole-wheat flour what a healthy difference it will make.
2. Portions - smaller amounts. Often you can reduce the amounts of oil, sugar, and salt that a recipe calls for — and no one will know the difference. Don’t forget you can use other, healthier seasonings and extracts to add more flavor.
3. Low-fat. Choose lean cuts of meat, or go vegetarian alternatives – Tofu.
4. Low Fat Dairy products - slim and skim. When it comes to dairy products, choose low-fat versions of milk, cheeses, or yogurts.
5. Vegetables and Fruits. When a recipe calls for veggies or fruits don’t skimp in fact, don’t be afraid to add more. Even if a recipe doesn’t call for veggies, add them any way. Veggies can add the added nutrition you need as well as additional color for pazaz.
6. Substitutions. Did you know that you can sometimes use apple sauce as a replacement for butter or oil in recipes for baked goods? Egg whites instead of full eggs or wine, vinegar, or broth in place of oil for cooking.
7. The most important thing is to be creative and add some of your favorite’s recipes to create healthier meals.

For more information on tips like this or others on how to save money when shopping visit Hip and Healthy or Hip Home Maker.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 40% [?]

Technorati Tags: Cooked, Eating, family, Home-cooked, Low-fat, Portions, recipe

The Perfect Holiday Card

 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 18% [?]

Technorati Tags: Card, family, Holiday, PaperShout, PERFECT, Traditional

Halloween Parties Made Easy

Halloween Parties Made Easy Traditional Trick or Treating door to door is only one way to enjoy Halloween.  How about a Spooktacular neighborhood Halloween party?  

 Frightful Fingers

This fun finger food is the perfect bit size snack. Just for fun serve them on a platter with a bowl of BLOOD (Katchup) 

Mini Hot Dogs or 1 package of Franks cut into 4ths

1 package crescent dinner rolls 8 rolls

1 small package of Almond Slivers

Hide the Hot dogs into the crescent rolls (kind of like a pig in a blanket) press a fork on the top to create the illusion of finger wrinkles. Take 2 almond slivers and poke them into the end as if creating the look of the nail of a finger.  Bake in the over 375 and Bake for 12 minutes.

 

Tombstone Cookies

These ghoulish goodies make great party tray decorations. For a fun presentation, stick them in a “graveyard” of chocolate frosting or pudding and invite the kids to scoop to their hearts’ content.

2 ½ c. all-purpose flour
1 c. powdered sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 large egg, beaten
1 ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Mix flour and sugar together well. Add remaining ingredients and combine well. Divide dough into two sections and wrap well in plastic wrap or put in zipper-lock plastic bag. Refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.

Put the kids to work making cookie cutters out of cardboard, or find the cutters at your local party store.

When the dough is chilled, roll each section to about 1/8-inch thickness and let the kids go to work with their cookie cutters. Older kids can even use plastic knives or pastry cutters to cut their shapes from the dough. If desired, use cookie stamps to put things like “RIP” on the tombstones. (You can make a cookie stamp out of a potato. Just cut in the desired stamp design.)

Bake on parchment-lined cookie sheets at 350° F for 10-12 minutes. Cool on racks.

Worms And Dirt Cupcakes

This one is great fun for even the youngest kids. You can even make the decoration one of the party events!

Bake your favorite chocolate cupcakes, either homemade or from a boxed mix.

Frost them with chocolate frosting, then top with a generous sprinkle of crushed chocolate cookies (Oreos work really well).

Cut the Gummi worms in half, and stick them into the tops of the cupcakes so they look like they’re crawling out or burrowing in.

The kids can do as much of the decorating as their age and patience will allow, from the frosting through the worms.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Party Music Playlist

 Mail this post

Popularity: 20% [?]

Technorati Tags: cookie, food, fun, halloween, kids, recipes, snack

Halloween Fun Raiser

Halloween Fun – Making a difference! 

Like many of you we have spent the last few weeks searching for the perfect Halloween costume. For my daughter and I this also is a time of excitements as we get ready for our 3^trd annual Trick or Treat for Canned Goods Food Drive.  3 years ago my daughter and I found ourselves throwing away much of the candy she had collected while out Trick or Treating. What a waste I thought. It got me thinking; I knew I had read articles about other kids taking Halloween as an opportunity to collection donations for other organizations.  Scared that my then 5 yr old daughter would think I was crazy, I threw out the idea of “Trick or Treating for Canned Goods” instead of candy.  To my surprise she bit, in fact she was so excited that she couldn’t wait for the following Halloween to get started.  

Now let me explain –I know it isn’t normal for a 5 yr old to take so easily to an idea like this, but as a self proclaimed Volunteer Addict I had already exposed my daughter to volunteering through helping out at the local food shelters and just toting her around when ever I was out doing community work. To my surprise it took and she couldn’t wait to help out the people from the shelter.  For others this might be a great idea for kids that are 3 – 5^th grade that still enjoy dressing up but don’t need all the candy and junk to go along with it.   

• Our plan is simple and the results were amazing.  Each year we have increased our donations collected and each year my daughter gets more and more excited to beat the year before.  The first year we received an overwhelmingly positive response from the 2 neighborhoods that we included in our Trick Or Treat Food Drive.  In all we collected over 800 lbs of food to donate to our local Food Pantry.  That is right 800 lbs from around 100 houses collected from.  The second year, people were looking out for our donation bags and eager to help again.  In the second year we were able to increase our donations to 985 lbs .  WOW we had no idea what a success this idea would turn out to be.               Our Scary Simple Plan to Make a Difference!

1. Select a fun Halloween Costume
2. Create a Spooky flyer
   1. Update everyone on your goals and what you are doing
   2. Detail the times you will be picking up donations on Halloween night
   3. Detail a wish list of donation items
   4. Information on where the items will be donated – a great way to tell people about other opportunities to volunteer with their family
   5. List a phone number to contact if they have questions
3. Get Paper Grocery Bags from a local Grocery Store (our local Family Fare – Spartan Store) was happy to help
4. Staple the flyers to the exterior of the bags
5. Deliver the bags to the houses you have selected to visit on Halloween night. (you can either hang them on the doors or put them nicely into mailboxes)
6. LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST – Head out for a fun night of Trick or Treating and collect all the donations.

• Make it a family event - Parents this is where you will be a big help but make this a family event.  My daughter now 7 helps with all the preparation from making the flyer to delivering them to the houses (about a week ahead of Halloween) The day we deliver is a great day out walking around the neighborhood and dropping off the bags house by house, it really adds to her excitement in anticipation for Halloween night. On Halloween night you will need a vehicle ideally a Van, SUV or Truck.  My hubby has taken on the role of driver while my daughter and I travel house to house Trick or Treating for Canned Goods and quickly gathering them into the back of our SUV.   Every year we find more and more people asking about what we are doing and we hope that in years to come we will see more kids out hitting the streets and helping their community through a TRICK OR TREAT for Canned Goods Food drive of their own.

We hope that we have inspired each of you to think outside of yourselves on an every day basis and take time to help those around you.  Please remember that there are so many people less fortunate then us and that you can make a difference.

Have a Spooktacular time!

Halloween really is a great opportunity to help your kids use there imagination and creativity, but it can also be a great opportunity for your kids to do something GREAT to help others.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 20% [?]

Technorati Tags: family, food drive, food shelters, halloween, halloween costume, halloween fun, ideas, information, kids, local food pantry, volunteer

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Resources    

 

For years I have had the great pleasure of being a volunteer with ACS American Cancer Society. The time it took was minimal but the benefit I received was priceless. Not only has American Cancer Society brought me closer with my community, it has also helped to introduce me to some of the greatest people I have ever had the right to know. 

I have committed myself to the ongoing development in the fight against cancer and my partnership with American Cancer Society to show people the importance of educating others and about awareness. In the months to come you will see many features in the Vogue Volunteer section related to American Cancer Society and opportunities to get involved.

This October American Cancer Society is focused on helping others to understand and learn about Breast Cancer.

 

For more information and to find out about volunteer opportunities check out the below American Cancer Society links.

 

If you have cancer, know someone who has cancer or just want to be informed. You may want to understand more about the disease; where to go for help; and so much more. These resources will guide you:

Reachto Recovery® match estrained volunteers who have survived breast cancer with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to help them cope with their disease by providing emotional support and information.

LookGood. . .Feel Better ® is a free community-based, national service that teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

“tlc” ^TMis a”magalog” (magazine/catalog) that combines helpful articles and information with products for women coping with cancer treatment.“tlc”, or Tender Loving Care, offers wigs, mastectomy forms and products, and a large selection of hats and head coverings

ICan Cope ® is an educational program for people facing cancer, either personally or as a care giver. The program offers reliable information, peer support, and practical coping skills.

TellA Friend is a breast cancer early detection program that encourages family, friends, and others to get a mammogram.

BreastCancer Profiler Toolis a treatment decision tool that provides a detailed analysis of the patient’s specific condition, a statistical breakdown of treatment types, and the exact topics they should discuss with their doctor.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 19% [?]

Technorati Tags: awareness, breast cancer, cancer, education, support, treatment, volunteer

Choose to be a Life Enricher

Choose to be a Life Enricher

I heard a great analogy yesterday that I couldn’t resist but to share.

Rich DeVos (Co-founder of Amway Corp) spoke at a local event I had the pleasure to attend on Powerful Phrases for Positive People. What I thought was so compelling about his presentation was his inspiration that you could not only be a Vogue Volunteer by getting involved in non-profits but even better by choosing to be a Life Enricher with everyone you interact with on a daily basis.

Here was is analogy: There are 3 types of people you can choose to be..

Well Drillers – The people who always put others down to pull themselves up.

Lawn Mowers – Those that plug away, doing their thing never impacting or caring about others along the way.

Life Enrichers – Those that make a choice to live a life that will enrich the lives of others before themselves.

He made me think about the type of person I am today and the type of person that I want to be in the future, and that is a “Life Enricher.” I was amazed at his views on how just little things you say and do to encourage and help those around us can make such an impact.

With the elections and all the political hub bub going on around us and all the un-kept promises from politicians about what each of them is going to do to make it better, I found myself wondering why I was looking to these public figures to make a change for our economy and the world around us. Rich’s views on this reminded me that even though a very small impact on the world around us, you and I can make a difference just by choosing to be a Life Enrichers.

* Make a choice to make small changes.
* Open up your vision of others and take note of how you interact or treat
   people.
* Take one opportunity a day to lift up someone/ anyone you interact with
   just by words of kindness, or doing something unexpected for someone.

Have you heard the new trend on how to be a Vogue Volunteer?
Be a Life Enricher

 Mail this post

Popularity: 20% [?]

Technorati Tags: Coach, family, inspiration, local event, non profits, Phrases, political hub, volunteer, words of kindness

Fabulous Meals On A Budget

Now a days who doesn’t need Inexpensive Cooking Tips.  Saving money on those things that you truly need goes hand and hand with an effective household budget.  Eating out at expensive restaurants just doesn’t fit on the list of must do things.  With two kids and a husband that grew up on eating out, one of our biggest struggles is finding ways to make inexpensive eating in, more fun then eating out.  That’s where America’s Most Wanted Recipes came into our kitchen and started making dinner time fun and delicious for the whole family with its inexpensive cooking tips. 

 

To start saving I take an inventory of our family’s favorite restaurants and food items.  This gave me an immediate list of weekly menu items that were sure to be a hit with the family and not a hit on our household budget.   From Applebee’s Baby Back Ribs and KFC Original Recipe Fried Chicken to California Pizza Kitchens BBQ Chicken Pizza the inexpensive cooking items from the America’s Most Wanted Recipes cookbook were the secret we were looking for.

 

• Save Money– We were immediately surprise at how much money we were able to save by making our favorite restaurant items in our own kitchen.
•  Fun and Easy for Everyone – Not only was I able to put a smile on the faces of my family when using the great recipes and inexpensive cooking tips from the America’s Most Wanted Recipes cookbook, but the Recipes were so easy with the step by step instructions that my 7 year old couldn’t wait to jump in and help me to prepare meals. 
• Saving Time– As a working mom I needed dinners that were fast and inexpensive - America’s Most Wanted Recipes helped me to learn the important shortcuts, cooking tips and techniques.  It’s like I am the chef of my own restaurant.

 

I had to let others know about this great book that is a staple in my kitchen and should be in yours.  I said goodbye to all my other cookbooks and hello to the #1 cookbook for families that want to enjoy great food on a budget. The America’s Most Wanted Recipes is a must have for every family looking for FUN, Fast, Inexpensive Cooking Tips and Recipes.

 

CLICK HERE to start Saving Money and Still Enjoy America’s Favorite Recipe’s with your family. I dare you to see if your favorites are in the cookbook.

 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 36% [?]

Technorati Tags: budget, budgets, cookbook recipes, cookbooks, favorite restaurant, food, household budget, meals, recipes, recipes cookbook, saving time, tips saving money, wanted recipes