Cocoa and Communication

I'm not much of a coffee drinker-never acquired the taste for it. I do love a good cup of hot chocolate and also like flavored tea. I found three ways to update your cup of cocoa...

Malted Hot Cocoa with Toasted Marshmallows
Broil 3 marshmallows in broiler or toaster oven until just golden, about 30 seconds. Mix hot cocoa with 3 Tbsp. malted milk powder. Top with toasted marshmallows.
Minty Hot Cocoa Float
Top hot cocoa with ¼ c. mint chocolate chip ice cream and 1 sprig of fresh mint.
Mexican Spiced Hot Cocoa
Combine 2 pinches ground chipotle chili pepper and 2 pinches ground cinnamon. Mix the hot cocoa with half the chipotle cinnamon mixture. Top with 2 Tbsp. sweetened whipped cream. Sprinkle with remaining chipotle and cinnamon.

It's great to curl up with a warm afgahn, a good book and a steaming mug of hot chocolate while the winter wind blows through the bare branches.

If one of your resolutions is to improve your life, you will want to get a copy of Janine Driver's book, "YOU SAY MORE THAN YOU THINK: A 7-DAY PLAN FOR USING THE NEW BODY LANGUAGE TO GET WHAT YOU WANT". Over fifty percent of what we communicate to others is non-verbal; in other words, our "body language". Whether you want to become a stronger leader, gain a more confident attitude, manage your nerves more effectively or strengthen your interpersonal relationships, this book will help you get what you want out of life!

Janine gives you the tools and techniques to be successful AND she says you can learn it all in 7 days!

A few of the tips/techniques that she shared with us today
~If you want to look more intelligent-tilt your head slightly toward your left shoulder

~If you want to look more attractive-tilt your head slightly toward your right shoulder

~If you want to command attention when speaking in front of others, keep your head straight.

The book is easy to read, easy to understand and you'll learn tricks to help the stress melt away, the 7 second body language fixes to decrease social anxiety and so much more....

Fruits and Fiction

Today's blog is devoted to fruits (The Pomegranate) and Fiction (Kim Edward's new novel, "THE LAKE OF DREAMS".

Have you eaten pomegranates? I like pomegranate juice and I've also tried the arils (juice sacs) but I have never purchased one from the grocery store and cut it open. A listener called the other day wanting to know the proper way to open a pomegranate and in case you've been wondering this as well, here is a 3-step process to go from messy to easy...

1. cut off the crown and cut the pomegranate into sections.

2. Place sections in a bowl of water; roll out the arils (juice sacs) with your fingers and discard everything else.

3. Strain out the water; eat the juicy seeds (arils)!

This fruit is believed to have been brought to California by the Spanish Padres over 200 years ago when they grew them at their missions. Today, the San Joaquin Valley is the only concentrated area of commercially grown pomegranates in America. When purchasing pomegranates look for skin that is hard, shiny and bright red; the heavier the better (this means more juice); and the crown should be firm and not too soft. Pomegranates are only available September through January so now that you know more about them, go out and enjoy one today!

My interview today was with Kim Edwards, the #1 New York Times best selling author of "The Memory Keeper's Daughter". This book spent 122 weeks on the best seller list in 2006 and Kim released her newest novel yesterday. Her new book is "The Lake of Dreams". The book's central character is Lucy Jarrett, who has been traveling the world ever since her father died. After returning home, from a trip to Japan, she discovers a stack of old letters and historical pamplets in her mother's house, which leads her to confront the truths about her family's history. Ms. Edwards explores the history of women's suffragettes as well as the history and art of glass blowing and how some artists embedded secret messages into stained glass windows. I wasn't able to read the book before the interview because we set the interview on very short notice. I am however, looking forward to it.

We also talked about new uses for coffee beans
1. Pie Weights-line bottom and sides of cold pie dough with foil. Fill to the brim with coffee beans and bake according to directions
2. Hand Deodorizer-after chopping onions or garlic; rub a few beans between your palms to eliminate any lingering smell.
3. Candle anchor-fill hurricane vase with beans before adding a pillar candle to help keep candle steady and minimize mess (beans will catch the wax).
4. Nose Neutralizer. Sniff beans between spritzs at the perfume counter to cleanse your “palate” between fragrances.
5. Pore shirker. Place two cups of medium-to light roast beans (these have more caffeine than dark varieties) in a bowl or bathroom sink and fill with hot water. After a few minutes (when water is cooler), splash your face for a tighter complexion.

The Brain, Beliefs and Blueberries

Our brain is such a fascinating part of us. All the information it is able to store, retrieve, process and remember...as well as all the emotional functions that it's capable of performing never ceases to amaze me.

In today's "Book Nook" segment I spoke with Spencer Lord, author of "THE BRAIN MECHANIC-A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO TUNE UP THE MIND AND MAXIMIZE EMOTIONAL HEALTH". It's a concise, entertaining and easy-to-use handbook that demystifies cognitive behavioral therapy. It took only about 90 minutes to read and Mr. Lord shows us how to overcome negativity, anger, depression and more. First he defines what the brain is(Under the Hood), and the different parts to our brain. In section II (The Tune Up) he tells how we can change our beliefs. In the third part, (The Toolbox) he shows us excercizes that we can initiate and the last part of the book deals with the "Action Plan"-5 quick steps to emotional well being. We can't always control the events that happen in our lives and we have limited control over our emotions but Spencer Lord shows us how to control our beliefs. A very fascinating and thought-provoking book....

If you're looking for a quick and easy dessert that you can make in the slow cooker here's a GREAT one....

Blueberry Cobbler

1 (21 oz.) can blueberry pie filling

1 (9 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix

1/4 c. chopped pecans

1/4 c. butter, melted

Vanilla ice cream, optional

Place pie filling in greased 1 1/2 quart slow cooker. sprinkle with dry cake mix and pecans. Drizzle with melted butter. cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until toppping is golden brown. serve warm with ice cream, if desired. (You can also substitute the blueberry pie filling with apple or cherry pie filling).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year to you!

It's hard to believe another has come and gone.

Are you a person who believes in making New Year's resolutions? I like to write down one or two. Something that I can stick to and feel a sense of accomplishment when I reach my goal.

Marsha Egan-business coach, author and consultant (http://www.inboxdetox.com/) says that if you are going to make resolutions for the new year you need to do the following:

1. Write it down. Seeing it print will motivate you to keep going. Post it at your desk, on the refrigerator and/or the bathroom mirror.

2. Make it specific and make it measureable. Don't just say you want to lose weight. Set a specific goal (Say 10 pounds by March 1st or whatever your specifics might be).

3. Be accountable. Share your resolutions/goals with others. You'll be more apt to stay on track if others know about your goals.

4. Pick a goal that will have the most impact. If there are a number of resolutions that you would like to accomplish, begin with the item that will have the most impact.

One of my resolutions is to blog every day after the show. Monday through Friday. Last year, when I scheduled a specific time during the work day to blog, I managed to do it! So I am taking tip number 3 (see above) to heart.

I have posted my goal for all to see. And I'm sure you will all keep me accountable, if I do not stick to my resolution!!!

I read that most people stick to their New Year's resolutions for about 2 months. I plan to make mine work throughout 2011!

What about you?

One of my goals last year, was to read more books in 2010 than I did in 2009. I first started doing the Idea Exchange program in February 2009 and that first year I read 89 books and did 123 interviews.

In 2010, I read 108 books and did 183 interviews. I read so many wonderful books:

"The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin,**** "Saving Cee Cee Hunicutt" by Beth Hoffman, "Life's too short to fold Fitted Sheets" by Lisa Quinn****, "52 Loaves" by William Alexander (it will change the way you think about this wonderful food), "Heroes for my Son" by Brad Meltzer****, (a fantastic gift to someone who is a hero in your life!) "Messages", by Bonnie McEnnay (about survivors from 9-11 and how they have received messages from their deceased loved ones)***** and those were just some of the great ones that I read from January through June.

****denotes the fact that I feel this is a MUST READ kind of book!

I'll save the second half of the year for tomorrow....

Turkey Tips and Tons of recipes

Turkey is day is fast approaching. Here are just a few tips to keep you organized when cooking the big bird!

• If you want to have leftovers, plan approximately 1 to 1 1/2 pounds per person.


• If you have a large number of guests coming, you might want to cook 2 smaller birds as opposed to one larger one. (Less cooking time)

If you're wondering how long you need to roast the turkey you can use this as a guideline:

• 12 pounds: 3-4 hours at 325


• 15 pounds: 4-4 1/2 hours at 325


• 18 pounds: 4 1/2-5 hours at 325


• 20 pounds: 5-6 hours at 325

And if you're wondering how much food to plan for when preparing your side dishes:

• 1 pound bag of carrots = 4-5 servings


• 1 (12 oz.) bag of cranberries = 2 1/4 c. sauce


• 1 (16 oz.) can of cranberry sauce = 6 servings


• 1/3 cup of gravy per person


• 1 1/2 pounds of green beans = 6-8 servings


• 1 (5 pound bag) potatoes (mashed) = 10-12 servings

AND

If you want to visit a REALLY fun website check out http://www.northpole.com/

It has tons of holiday recipes, interactive games, crafts and activities for kids. It is awesome!

Fudge and Forgotten Delights

Do you like to do lots of baking for the holidays? Just a few family favorites each year? We shared a couple of fudge recipes on the show today.

A favorite that a listener called in last year is Milky Way fudge, made with Milky Way candy bars. Very YUMMY and very easy!

Milky Way Fudge

3 regular size Milky Way candy bars

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

Place all ingredients in microwave-safe bowl. Melt until smooth. Pour into greased 8x8" glass dish. Chill until firm.

This recipe was also shared on today's program. It would be a festive touch to your holiday dessert platter with the red cranberries...

Cranberry Nut Fudge

1 tsp. butter

1 (16 oz.) can milk chocolate frosting

1 (12 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips

1 (6 oz.) pkg. dried cranberries

1/2 c. chopped pecans

LIne an 8" square dish with foil and grease the foil with butter; set aside. In heavy saucepan, combine frosting and chocolate chips. cook and stir over medium low heat until chips are melted. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Pour into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into 1" squares. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 2 pounds.

In the Book Nook segment today we spoke with Lesley M.M. Blume, author of "LET'S BRING BACK-AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FORGOTTEN YET DELIGHTFUL, CHIC, USEFUL, CURIOUS AND OTHERWISE COMMENDABLE THINGS FROM TIMES GONE BY". It's a whimsical and beautifully illustrated collection of objects, recipes, words, and even people that she feels should be re-introduced...

As I read through the book, I easily flagged about two dozen things. For instance: door-to-door peddlers (I remember the Fuller Brush Man and the Minnesota Woolen Mills rep who stopped at our house once every six weeks or so). Good Cracker Jack prizes (I liked to collect all the circus train cars). Homely Christmas Trees. (No matter what our tree really looked like, Dad always proclaimed it was "The prettiest tree we ever had!")

There are so many more items that will trigger your memories. A fun read, and a great gift to give or receive.