Figure Skating and Fudge!

Figure Skating and Fudge

Had a fun interview with Kristi Yamaguchi today. Besides being an Olympic Gold Medalist, Dancing with the stars champion, wife, mother and philanthropist, Kristi is now a successful children’s storybook author. In fact, her book, DREAM BIG, LITTLE PIG, debuted at the #2 slot on the New York Times bestsellers list when it was released this past March.

The illustrations are charming-in fact, you’ll smile as soon as you see the cover! And the story content won’t disappoint either. It’s a very fun book to read aloud.

“Poppy” is a little pig with lots of dreams. But following her dreams isn’t as easy as it sounds. Her best friend and her family encourage her to keep believing and to have fun doing it. And although Poppy tries ballet, singing and becoming a super model…before she finds that she really like to ice skate.

Part of the proceeds of each book will benefit Kristi’s “ALWAYS DREAM” foundation for early childhood literacy programs. Make sure you get a copy of this delightful storybook for your special little one!


It is Nutty Fudge day today and I shared the following recipe:

Nutty White Fudge
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. milk
2 c. confectioners’ sugar
2 (1 oz.) squares white baking chocolate
½ tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnutsIn mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Gradually add sugar. Beat in melted chocolate. Add vanilla and salt; mix well. Stir in walnuts. Spread into buttered 8” square pan. Chill for 4-5 hours before cutting. Store in refrigerator.

Weight Loss, Writing and White Chili

If one of your New Year's resolutions was about losing weight, I've got a GREAT book for you!

Today I talked with Dr. James Beckerman, a cardiologist at in Portland, Oregon. Rather than teaching just one way to lose 10, 20 or even 50 pounds, Dr. Beckerman tells how to lose a SINGLE pound...200 different ways. His new book is "THE FLEX DIET: DESIGN YOUR OWN WEIGHT LOSS PLAN" and is all about using the tool, tips and techniques that work best for you and your lifestyle. Basic, common sense ideas that you can start doing immediately. And ideas that will show results! He takes the 200 solutions and breaks them into 5 sections: Eating/Drinking/Exercise/

Activity and Lifestyle.

For instance

#31: Getting enough sleep. You might not think that this would have anthing to do with weight loss, but Dr. Beckerman tells you why it is so important.

#46: Don't eat while watching T.V. I'm at fault on this one. You'll find out why this prevents you from losing weight.

#72: Skip the diet soda. People think that "diet" foods are good, however, if you're drinking diet soda, you're more apt to order that double cheeseburger, so you really aren't saving any calories-in fact, you're gaining weight instead of losing it.

These are just a few of the many great ideas you'll find in this easy to read book. There are also great recipes, excercise plans. Check it out!

This is Universal Letter Writing Week and International Thank You Day. If you haven't sent out those notes for your Christmas gifts yet, better do it today. In this digital age, it's so nice to get a card, note and/or letter that's hand written. It's a much more personal way to stay connected, don't you think?

I've been asking for favorite soup recipes since we're into the cold winter weather...Here is a white chili recipe that you might want to try. It makes use of a rotisserie chicken (from your local grocery store deli) which saves time for you.

White Chili with a Kick

1 large onion, chopped

6 Tbsp. butter, cubed

2 Tbsp. all purpose flour

2 c. chicken broth

¾ c. half-and-half cream

1 rotisserie chicken, cut up
2 (15 oz.) cans white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 oz.) can white corn, drained

2 (4 oz.)cans chopped green chilies

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. white pepper
½ tsp. hot pepper sauce

1 ½ c. shredded pepper jack cheese
Salsa and chopped green onions, optional
In Dutch oven, sauté onion in butter. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Gradually add broth and cream. Bring to boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the chicken, beans, corn, chilies, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and pepper sauce; heat through. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish each serving with salsa and green onions if desired.

Sweet Treats and Sandwiches

Today is National Sandwich Day, so celebrate by sampling something you’ve never tried before; inventing a new kind; or simply enjoying your favorite. Did you know that the first sandwich is said to have been made by the ancient Jewish sage Hillel the Elder, who is said to have put meat from the Paschal lamb and bitter herbs inside matzo (or flat, unleavened bread) during Passover?

There are so many types of sandwiches: Au jus, Club, Cheesesteak, Dagwood, Fluffernutter (one of MY favorites!), grilled (as in cheese), PB & J, Po ‘boy, Rueben, Sub and Tea sandwiches, just to name a few.

The craziest sandwich I ever heard about was a “Mustard/Chocolate Star” combination between two slices of white bread. Today on the program a listener called in to say that her sister has always loved “mayonnaise and pickles”. What’s your favorite sandwich? Or the craziest combo you’ve ever eaten?

A listener shared a "sweet treat" idea for the holidays. (See photo above.)Very easy to assemble and young helpers in the kitchen would have fun making - AND EATING! these! They are "adorable". Almost too cute to eat.
Christmas Mice
1 (12oz,) pkg. of semisweet chocolate chips
1 jar 10 oz maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted dry
36 milk chocolate Kisses with stripes (“Hugs”)
Sliced almonds
Place chocolate in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for1 minute stirring twice.
For each mouse, dip cherry by stem into melted chocolate to coat. Place coated cherry on a large baking sheet. Immediately press the flat bottom of a chocolate kiss up against the cherry to form the head. Insert two almond slices between head and body to form ears. The stem will become the tail. Use a toothpick and dip in melted chocolate to make eyes & on the tip of the kiss to make a nose. (Or use a plastic bag, snipped, filled with chocolate and squeeze the amount out to form eyes and nose). Chill mice in refrigerator about 15 minutes or until chocolate is set. Remove from pan with a thin spatula. Put in airtight container and cover. (Store for up to two days in refrigerator). Yield: 36 mice.

Hassle Free Holiday Tip:
Use boxed cake mixes or pre-made cookie dough to jump start your holiday baking. Better Homes and Gardens http://www.bhg.com/ has a great website with 100 days of Holiday Ideas. Baking, cooking, decorating and other tips all available at their website. See recipe below for “Chocolate Chip Kisses”.

Chocolate Chip Kisses
1 (18 oz.) pkg. refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground cardamom
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
32 milk chocolate kisses
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 375. In large resealable bag, combine cookie dough, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg; seal bag. Using your hands, squeeze and knead dough mixture together in bag until combined. Remove dough from bag. Shape dough into 1” balls. Place 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Immediately press a kiss into center of each cookie. Transfer to wire rack and let cool. Sift powdered sugar over cooled cookies. Makes 32 cookies. (To store: layer cookies between waxed paper in airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months).

Careers and Creamscicles

Today is Creamsicle Day
I remember buying orange ones from the corner grocery store as I was growing up. On a hot summer day, there was nothing better!
The word "creamsicle" is a brand name-owned by Unilever, however the name has come to describe any ice cream snack (homemade or store bought) that has a vanilla ice cream center. Orange used to be the only flavor available but now you'll find blue raspberry, lime, grape and raspberry. They also are available in 100 Calorie Bars, Low Fat, No Sugar Added and Sugar Free Bars. Can't you almost taste one right now?
If you're craving a creamsicle here is a way to make your own!

Frozen Orange Creamsicle
2 small pkg. sugar free orange JELL-O®
2 packets Splenda®, NutraSweet® or Sweet “N Low®
1 c. heavy cream
2 c. boiling water
1 c. crushed ice
Add 2 c. boiling water to JELL-O & mix as package directs. Mix well until fully dissolved. Add crushed ice & stir to melt ice and cool mixture. Add sweetener & heavy cream. Mix well. Pour into individual cups or freezer bowl. Chill until firm. (You can also use freezer pop holders).


Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
1 ½ c. vanilla ice cream
1 c. mandarin orange sections, fresh or canned
½ c. heavy cream or milk
2 Tbsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Smoothie may be thin. If thicker texture is desired add more ice cream or frozen concentrate.

Yummmy!!!


Career Intuitive-Sue Frederick was my guest on today's show. She is the author of "I CAN SEE YOUR DREAM JOB". We always have a great time with Sue. We took calls from listeners and based on their birthdate, Sue gave career advice and their birthpath number. If you'd like more information, you get pick up a copy of her book, or visit her website: http://www.careerintuitive.org/. I'm a "22". Check it out. It's facinating and fun!

Congratulations and Crock Pots

Congratulations !!!
to
Jill Weisensel
winner of our "Phrase of Fire" contest
She won two (2) tickets to the Fireside Theater

to see the fantastic Johnny Cash show "Ring of Fire".

Thanks to everyone who particpated!

We had a great response.
The correct phrase was:
"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. Come see ring of Fire at the Fireside Dinner Theater"


Summer time is a great time to use the crock-pot. Your kitchen will stay cool and slow cooker cooking gives you extra free time to do other things.
Here are a few tips when using your slow cooker:

• To cook food properly and safely, fill your slow cooker at least half full, but not more than two-thirds full.


• It might be tempting to check on your dish, however, everytime you remove the lid you increase the cooking time by 20-30 minutes.


• For food safety reasons, cook and drain all ground meats. but you don't need to brown large cuts of meat beforehand.


• You can place all your ingredients in the crock the night before, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place the crock in the slow cooker, turn it on and go! No need to preheat.


• Cleaning is a breeze if you use a slow cooker liner. Place the liner in the crock, add your ingredients and cook as you normally would. After cooking simply throw away the liner.

Have you ever tried baking potatoes in your slow cooker? One of my listeners shared this recipe:

Baked Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
Wash and prick potatoes; wrap in foil.
Fill crock pot with as many potatoes as you want.
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 2-4 hours.

I have also used my slow cooker to make these great tasting candy treats:

Crock Pot Candy
1 (16 oz.) jar unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1 (16 oz.) jar salted dry roasted peanuts
3 pkg. (4 oz.) each German Chocolate baking bars
1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips
1 (24 oz.) white almond bark
Layer into crock pot as follows: unsalted peanuts, salted peanuts, chocolate baking bars, chocolate chips, white almond bark. Cook on LOW for 2 hours. DO NOT STIR. After cooking time, stir to completely combine. Dip out onto wax paper by spoonfuls and let cool.

Careers and Crockpots

Another great book interview today with author, Harvey Mackay. Fortune Magazine refers to him as "Mr. Make Things Happen". He talked about his new book, "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door".

If you are looking for a job or know someone who is unemployed this is a great career resource book. Harvey will help you prep for the interview with a chapter that highlights a 44 question checklist. He discusses attitude, how to create a job application video (a very interesting concept), how to constructively think about your next job while you are still employed and maybe the most interesting concept: the invisble web. We all know that it's important to do research on the company you are going to be interviewing with. This technique will "humanize" your interview and create a more personal connection if you can search out "personal" information about your prospective employer (hobbies, interests, etc.) before the interview. Harvey did his research. He had checked out my blog and knew my interests and hobbies and introduced them into our conversation. His comprehensive book covers everything you need to know AND he offers a money back guarantee! You can access his website at www.harveymackay.com and click on the "job secrets" toolbar.


I found another great website that I'd like to share. www.50plusfriends.com If you like to use your crockpot this is a "must bookmark" site. You can find recipes for any category-appetizers, meat, fish, desserts-almost anything you can think of. All you need to do is click on the appropriate category and it brings up the recipe! Very easy and the recipes look good, too. Check it out and if you try one of the recipes, let me know the results.

Great guest line up for next week's show.
On Monday, 2/22 we'll talk with Pamela Yellin about her book: "Bank on Yourself"
On Thursday: 2/25 we'll have Sue Frederick. Her book, "I Can See Your Dream Job" generated a lot of fun and excitement when I spoke with her last fall. She will be taking calls so if you would like her to give you a quick overview of what you REALLY should be doing she will just need your birthdate. Should be another facinating interview!
And then on Friday, 2/26, we are going to talk to Tracy Trivas about her new book "The Wish Stealers". Fiction that is geared toward pre-teens but a fascinating story with a great lesson.

I am a big believer in quotes. From time to time I will pass some of my favorites on to you. Today's quote comes from Mark Twain:
"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything"