1 c. Cooked Brown Rice
2 c. Grated Carrot
6 tbsp Minced Green Onion and Tops
1/2 c. Grated Hoop or Farmer Cheese
3 Fertile Eggs
1/4 c. Minced Parsley
1 tsp. Leaf Marjoram

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

This is a very light meal, but hearty enough for a main dish. It is economical and low in calories.
1. Take 1 cup of cooked short grain brown rice and mix with onions, grated carrots, grated low fat style cheese and spices.
2. Beat eggs and mix into mixture.
3. Pour into a shallow baking dish and bake in a 350 pre-heated oven for 30-35 minutes.

This makes 6 servings.

Received via e-mail from Luiza. Thanks a lot!

“The trick to selecting the best guy gift is to consider the undeniable fact that all guys are kids,” said John Ollmann, chief gift guru at Wireless. “Guys want something to play with, something that will make them laugh, something that their friends will think is cool.”

Tap into his inner child. “Think of past holidays. What were the biggest hits for the guys in your family? Likely, a toy,” said Ollmann. Pick Classic Movie Monster Bobbleheads or the Star Wars Lego Pen Set, which make a perfect stocking stuffer.

Make him laugh. Help him relive the groundbreaking humor of this year’s Mark Twain Award recipient, George Carlin, with a collection of his countercultural comedy CDs and DVDs. If he’s a fan of the Ministry of Silly Walks, he’ll want every single episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus on DVD or CDs of Bill Cosby’s hilarious stand-up 60’s comedy.

Applaud his geeky-ness. Does your favorite guy tick with a love of clocks and watches? Math Pop Quiz Wall Clock, Spinning Roulette Watch, Square Root Watch, and Animated Train Pocket Watch are unique takes on the more traditional gift.

Celebrate his Fan-aticism. Sports phenoms will cheer when they unwrap a true-size Baseball Bat Pepper Grinder, Opening Day Collectible Baseballs, NFL Neon Football Helmet, or The Code, a book of baseball’s unwritten rules.

Acknowledge his space. Every man needs a place where he can be himself. The Man Cave sign is a fun substitute for “No girls allowed,” or present him with a personalized Harley-Davidson Outdoor Sign (must be ordered by December 10 for Christmas delivery), or Wrench Ware utensil set delivered in a rugged toolbox-style ABS case.

“And after you’ve taken care of all the guys on your list,” said Ollmann, “Reward yourself with the apropos Wonder Woman Cuff Bracelet, because you are one.”

Consumers can shop online at www.thewirelesscatalog.com (800-669-9999) through noon on December 23, requesting next day service, to receive gifts by Christmas (December 18 for Hanukkah).

The Wireless Catalog is a brand of Universal Screen Arts Company.

Based on nominations made by their peers from throughout the state, the Illinois CPA Society’s Women’s Executive Committee and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Work/Life and Women’s Initiative Executive Committee selected the following five leaders as their 2008 “Women to Watch”:

Experienced Leaders:

• Ann Marie Goddard, CPA, is the International Executive Services, Midwest Area Service Line Lead Partner for KPMG LLP. While leading a diverse team of professionals across the Midwest, Ms. Goddard is responsible for delivering global mobility advisory services to corporations which include individual tax compliance, tax advisory, international assignment policy development, and global payroll consulting. She is a founding member of KPMG’s Network of Women in Chicago, the Midwest Tax Lead for KPMG’s People Management Leader Committee, and prior Training, Mentoring and Chairman’s Award for Community Service recipient. Currently an Executive Board Member of Noble Street Network of Chartered Schools in Chicago, Ms. Goddard is also a long-time active volunteer with Chicago Cares, Junior Achievement, Taxpayer Assistance Program and Chicago Animal Care and Control.

• Dot Proux, CPA, is a Tax Partner for Ernst & Young currently in charge of the Midwest region tax staff group, where her leadership extends to oversight of campus recruiting, staff development, scheduling and education. She is considered a trailblazer as a state and local tax technician and role model, as well as a sought-after counselor by the firm’s Midwest professionals. Ms. Proux was recently named the Gender Equity Leader for Ernst & Young’s Midwest region practice, and in that role has facilitated several internal and external discussions across the Midwest related to diversity and inclusion in the accounting industry. She has served on the board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and is the Treasurer for Immanuel Lutheran Church and Open Arms Childcare Center in Glenview, Illinois.

Emerging Leaders:

• Trudie Duan, CPA, is a Manager in the Tax Department at Crowe Horwath LLP and is an active member of the firm’s Inclusion Initiative and Asian People Resource Network. She is the founder and director of Community Tax Clinic, a free tax preparation service for low-income Burmese families, and a recipient of the VIP Award from the Crowe Foundation for Community Service. Proficient in English, Burmese, Mandarin and Yunnanese, Ms. Duan is a member of the Board of Directors at the Burmese Buddhist Association, as well as Treasurer and Co-chair of their Community Outreach Committee. She has raised funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, taught English to and become a resource for Burmese refugees arriving into the Chicago area, and co-chaired a relief effort that has raised over $45,000 for victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma.

• SanDee Priser, CPA, JD, is a Partner in the Fraud Investigation & Disputes Services (FIDS) practice for Ernst & Young LLP, where she manages global forensic accounting and fraud investigations with a focus on the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Ms. Priser led the 2008 FIDS People Advisory Committee, where she proactively sought opportunities to counsel and mentor FIDS professionals. She participated in Ernst & Young’s first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fellows program, working in El Salvador for three months assisting promising entrepreneurs with her accounting expertise. Ms. Priser is the partner sponsor for FIDS on ICE (Increasing Community Engagement), volunteers with Perspectives Charter School in Chicago and the United Way, and actively supports her alma mater, La Sierra University in California.

• Vanessa Salinas, CPA, is a Manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers specializing in fraud investigations and forensic accounting engagements within Latin America; she is heavily involved with strategic business development, marketing, training and client relationships within the region. Ms. Salinas compiled the Central and South American Supplements for PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Global Economic Crime Survey. A graduate of Notre Dame University, Ms Salinas is an active member of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), where she serves as a mentor in their mentorship program and conducts investigative training at their annual conferences. She is also involved in PwC’s Network of Latino Professionals and Advisory Staff Council, and she is a Board member for Association House of Chicago, a community resource in the Greater Humboldt Park area of Chicago.

The Illinois CPA Society will present the 2008 “Women to Watch” awards at their Women’s Leadership Breakfast scheduled for Thursday, November 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at The Standard Club in Chicago. During the event award recipients will share their success strategies during an interactive panel discussion. More information about the event can be found at the Illinois CPA Society website, www.icpas.org.

The Illinois CPA Society, founded in 1903, is the fifth largest state CPA society in the nation, with approximately 24,000 members. It is the premier professional organization that represents CPAs in Illinois. During its over 100 years of existence, the Society has advanced the highest ethical and financial standards of the profession, and has been a leader in educating the public on financial issues.

For a race that was supposed to have broken the glass ceiling, it may just have shown women how hard and resistant that barrier really is. 63% of women said the press did not treat women equally; more than two thirds of women said that they were being treated unfairly in the workplace (68%) and in politics (72%).

But while “feminism” seems to connote radicalism out of the mainstream, most women have very definite beliefs about the equality of the sexes. Older women believe by nearly 2 to 1 that when given an equal opportunity, women will succeed at whatever they do. Younger women agree but more of them (43%) feel that men and women have different strengths and weaknesses in what they can do well.

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

• By an overwhelming 61% to 19% margin, women believe there is a gender bias in the media.

– Only 20% of women are willing to use the word “feminist” about themselves. Only 17% of all voters said they would welcome their daughters using that label.

• 4 in 10 men freely admit sexist attitudes towards a female president. 39% of men say that a male is “naturally more suited” to carrying out the duties of the office.

• Women over 50, the first generation to have a majority in the workforce, see far more discrimination in every area of life than younger women.

“This poll shows the rising anger in American women who feel increasingly ignored politically, culturally and especially by the media,” said Tina Brown, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of The Daily Beast.

The media had a huge opportunity this fall to overcome these perceptions of bias, and it seems they failed the test — especially with the older generation. Women over 50 said Palin was asked questions and subjected to unfair comments by a remarkable 2 to 1. All voters recalled more stories being written about Palin’s hair and clothes than Obama’s healthcare plans. And despite the large volume of stories about the hair and clothes of the candidates, 70% of women think those topics are not fair game for discussion.

Both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin emerged as role models to women, while men saw only Hillary as a potential role model. 69% said Hillary’s campaign helped the chance we will one day have a women president while the voters were divided (37 to 43) on whether Palin helped that cause.

Saturday Night Live parodies of Palin and Hillary were seen by more than half the voters and most thought they were fair rather than being too hard on them.

Led by an older generation that is harshly disappointed and impatient for equality in all areas of life, women may well show greater solidarity with women running for office in the future. While 95% of African Americans voted for Barack Obama, far fewer women voted for Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin. The heightened perceptions of how women were treated this cycle just may drive more votes by women for women next time around.

The Daily Beast Sexism Poll was conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). The poll covered 1,003 internet interviews with registered voters from November 5 - November 6, 2008. Overall, the margin of error is +/- 3.09%.

The sample included: 461 males and 542 females; 361 Democrats, 301 Republicans, and 341 Independents; and 772 white and 231 non-white (Black, Hispanic, Asian, Arabic, Other Race) voters.

In a nation where League of Black Women’s national research survey, Fostering the Leadership Potential of Black Women In America, reports that only 56.8% of Black women surveyed believed that they were likely to reach their own leadership potential, we worked together to help lift and elect Barack Obama to the highest office in the land.

Black women pushed doubt and fear to the side and dug deep for the courage to stand and toil in battleground states where, “African American women, in particular played a large role in this election,” said Erica Williams of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. In Indiana and North Carolina, Republican heavy states that Obama won, Black women voted 90 percent and 100 percent respectively for Obama.

The League of Black Women, a longtime national advocate for bringing Black women’s leadership talents into all areas of the larger society, believes this is our moment too.

We want jobs and for Black women to demand the higher career opportunities that showcase the full potential of their talents and abilities.

We want many more Black women to run for political office. Public service desperately needs our distinctive innovation.

We want unprecedented funding for education as a specific way to leverage investment in Black children, as national treasures, who have unlimited potential to contribute to leadership in our society.

You’ve watched this amazing election unfold for two years, don’t blink now. The President-elect has promised to talk directly to you. Pay attention. Call, email and write your legislators. Tell them exactly how you want them to vote on funding health care, education, and your jobs in this economy.

As Whoopie reminds us, it’s time to kick the unwelcome mat to the side, put down our suitcases and unpack. The national household is a mess, and we have much to do, but as of November 4, 2008, we are finally home.

Sandra Finley is President and CEO of The League of Black Women a national organization, based in Chicago. 708-754-1676

Source: The League of Black Women

LATINA Style Business Series returns to Miami celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary Tour on Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 8:00am to 4:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Miami located at 400 SE Second Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131. The event co-chairs are outstanding Latina leaders in the city of Miami Liliam M. Lopez, President & CEO, and one of the co-founders of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC), and Nery Torrent, Vice President & CRA Lender, Ocean Bank, and board member of South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

We will feature local business leaders and hear first-hand how they were able to find true business success! These women will share the obstacles they have overcome, their secret to work-life balance, and how they stay motivated in their business. The event includes exhibits and expert presenters who will speak and interact with the audience on different topics.

The “Access to Capital” panel combines a unique blend of professionals with extensive experience in the areas of business bank lending, private, venture and angel investments and government lending for small business. Panelists will present available sources and ways to build capacity to position a small business to secure capital for expansion.

“The Essentials of a Successful Business” panel focuses on one of the greatest challenges to small business: the proper structure of the enterprise. Panelists will discuss the importance of a proper foundation and structure of a business, how to protect it and make it flourish. The establishment of a proper accounting system, right legal structure, and correct tax reporting system, proper insurance protection and strong employee clearance will insure that you do not lose your business due to poor preparation. This is a must not only for the starting entrepreneur, but for a growing business as well.

The “Growing Your Small Business” panel sponsored by Verizon Communications offers insight for small business strategies, such as overcoming obstacles, working with Corporate America, strategies to connect with alternative sources of marketing and gaining efficiencies with wireless technologies to grow further your business. This presentation is sure to inspire and motivate entrepreneurs.

The “Latina Entrepreneur Spotlight: Lessons Learned” panel topic is: Knowledge is Gold. How much better would your business be today if you only had known about this or that? Costly mistakes are a knife in the back of the entrepreneur. Four successful Latina entrepreneurs at different stages of business maturity discuss lessons learned throughout their enterprise life. They provide insight on how to recognize, research, and select a business venture, the challenges they encountered, how they overcame them, and the invaluable advice that they wish had been available to them when they were starting their businesses.

Our 2008 Title sponsor, Macy’s, will host a seminar presentation during the luncheon: “Marketing & Certification: Essential Tools to Engage Corporate America.” The focus of the panel is on “how to sell your services or goods to Corporate America.” They will discuss certification issues as well as approaching corporations such as Macy’s. Additionally, Macy’s has engaged their local cosmetics partners who will showcase an all day makeover lounge for attendees.

The national sponsors include: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, Sam’s Club, State Farm Insurance, Aflac and UnitedHealthcare. Miami Sponsors include: Verizon Communications and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. The official Business Series Airline is American Airlines and the series beverage sponsor is PepsiCo.

Registration fee includes: dynamic panels, high power networking opportunities in the exhibit area, breakfast, lunch, commemorative gift bag, and a two-year subscription to LATINA Style Magazine, only $30.00 for early registration or $60.00 the day of the event. Valet Parking discounted fee is $10.00. To register for the Miami Business Series visit http://www.bs.latinastyle.com/ or call toll free 1-800-651-8083.

LATINA Style Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for the professional Hispanic woman, hosts the LATINA Style Business Series bringing resources to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in the local area.

Source: LATINA Style Magazine

As testing for high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) emerges as the gold standard in cervical cancer prevention, scientists are already researching how to determine even more precisely who is most likely to develop the disease and thus are in need of more immediate intervention. Speaking at the EUROGIN (European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia) conference THIS WEEK, experts presented data suggesting that the most effective strategy would be to introduce a second test to determine if women who test positive for high-risk HPV have one of three types of the virus that are associated with the highest mortality from cervical cancer: 16, 18 and 45.

About 30 HPV types are spread through genital contact, and about 18 of these can potentially cause cervical cancer. Each is “named” with a number, in the order of their discovery. Much attention has been paid to types 16 and 18, which account for 70 percent of all cervical cancers and against which the new HPV vaccines protect. However, experts say that medical evidence shows that type 45 should be a priority concern as well.

“Most of the focus has been on HPV types 16 and 18, because they are the most prevalent carcinogenic HPV types and are targeted by the new HPV vaccines,” comments Attila Lorincz, PhD, one of the originators of the HPV test and Professor at Barts and The London School of Medicine. “However, type 45 also is highly associated with risk, particularly for adenocarcinoma, a very aggressive type of cervical cancer with a mortality rate of 52% after five years — twice the rate of squamous-cell cancers. The incidence of invasive cervical adenocarcinoma, which used to account for 10-15 percent of all cervical cancers, has been steadily increasing — in part because it develops inside the cervical canal and thus is difficult to detect early using a Pap smear.”

Currently, there is one HPV test, developed by QIAGEN (Nasdaq: QGEN; Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA) and marketed as the digene HPV Test, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is CE-marked in Europe. When used for screening, it is given to women over the age of 30 along with a Pap test, which can find abnormal cells but cannot detect HPV directly. And now, QIAGEN is developing two types of follow-up tests that will identify specifically which types of the virus are carried by HPV-positive women. At EUROGIN this week, QIAGEN scientists are presenting the results of research showing the accuracy of the company’s digene HPV Genotyping PS Test, which specifically identifies the presence of types 16, 18 and 45. This assay is based on the technology used in QIAGEN’s front-line HPV screening test, hybrid capture 2 (hc2) — currently the gold standard in the field. In addition, data are being presented for a second QIAGEN assay, the digene HPV Genotyping RH Test, which identifies 18 types of potentially carcinogenic HPV. Prior to receiving CE marking in Europe, the genotyping tests will be made available for research use by laboratories and physicians exploring their potential clinical benefits. First to be available will be the digene HPV Genotyping RH Test, which is expected to be launched by the end of this year.

Currently, women who screen positive for high-risk HPV, but have normal Paps, are brought back for re-testing 12 months later, since it is only persistent infections that cause cancer. However, Dr. Lorincz explains that genotyping would allow women with HPV 16, 18 or 45 — who are at highest risk of cervical cancer — to be immediately examined further for the presence of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.

Source: QIAGEN

Cell phones are an important link between parents and children, and now parents are more empowered than ever to strengthen that link. Parents can set strict limits on how many minutes they can use and apply filters restricting the sounds and images their children can download. Some services, like text messaging, can be blocked entirely. These optional tools can help parents control costs and guide their children on using a cell phone responsibly.

Controlling Content With Usage Controls, customers can:

• Set limits for voice minutes
• Limit access to certain content by ages using three filter settings:
• “C 7+” - content recommended for children ages 7 and older
• “T 13+” - content recommended for teens ages 13 and older
• “YA 17+” - content recommended for young adults ages 17 and older
• Set specific limits on the quantity of text, picture, instant and video messages as part of pay-as-you-go or message bundle plans
• Designate specific times during the day when your child is not permitted to use certain services on their cell phone
• Create lists of “trusted” and “blocked” phone numbers (Note: calls to 911 will always be allowed to connect)

Usage Controls are available for a $4.99 monthly subscription for each line of service on a Nationwide Calling Plan, whether a Family SharePlan(R) or a single-line plan. Setting and updating controls is done online. Customers access Usage Controls through the My Services tab on their My Verizon web page.

Locating Your Child’s Phone

Another application, Chaperone, is available on the majority of phones and allows parents to determine the location of their child’s cell phone. Parents can use the Chaperone web site or the Chaperone Parent application to view the child’s phone location information, which will be displayed as a nearby address on a detailed map.

Chaperone is available on a wide range of devices from inexpensive to high-end, including the new LG Dare, which has touch screen controls and is enabled V CAST Music with Rhapsody(R). This new service is perfect for teens, allowing them access to unlimited songs for a flat rate subscription each month.

Setting Expectations

To assist parents in guiding their children in the use of their first cell phone, Verizon Wireless offers the following suggestions for family discussion:

• Turn the phone off at a set time at home so family time is not interrupted and there’s no texting late into the night
• Answer your phone if mom or dad calls, no matter what, so they will know if everything is okay
• Follow family guidelines on use - Get everyone on the same page on the volume of usage and the kind of content that may be downloaded
• Check school rules — Middle and high schools may have specific rules about cell phone usage during school hours or on school grounds posted on the district or school website

Source: Verizon Wireless

American mothers have confirmed in a recent study what retailers are fearing: they plan to spend less money on holiday presents this year.

In the new report from the Marketing to Moms Coalition, a not-for-profit industry association that studies the habits and purchasing patterns of mothers, women with children plan to spend $50 less than last year, for a total of $660 in predicted holiday spending for 2008. Interestingly, the cuts are biggest for moms with teens and kids aged 7-12. Mothers with the youngest children, those aged six and under, have equal spending expectations as last year.

“Older kids tend to want expensive presents like cell phones, video games, trendy clothes and computer equipment,” says Maria Bailey, a founder of the Marketing to Moms Coalition, and author of the book, Mom 3.0, Marketing with Today’s Mother by Leveraging New Media and Technology. “Moms are telling their older kids that this year, they’re just going to have to wait.”

Offline spending (at traditional retailers) is predicted to take the biggest hit, averaging 8% less than last year’s survey numbers. Online holiday spending is predicted to remain flat at 2% less than 2007 survey levels. The big winners, if there are any, will be mass merchandisers and supercenters like Wal-Mart and Target. The majority of moms (87%) plan to shop at these types of stores for their holiday shopping, with department stores taking second place at 37%, and shoe stores and specialty clothing stores tying for third place at 35%.

Moms plan to buy different holiday gifts for children depending on the age of the child. The top gifts for children 6 and under are baby/toddler toys, educational toys and items for pretend play. Board games, arts & crafts and books are the top items for children 7-12 years old. For teens, the top items Moms plan to buy are clothing, computer equipment and/or games and cell phones.

About the Survey

The survey was comprised of a nationally representative sample of American Moms contacted between June and July 2008, via an online invitation. The sample was balanced on region, household size, population density, income and ethnicity. An ending sample of 1,033 Moms with children under 18 living at home completed the online questionnaire. The research firm Insight to Action analyzed results.

Source: Marketing to Moms Coalition

“These new findings underscore the importance that women know their risk factors and ask their doctors what can be done to reduce them,” said Lisa M. Tate, chief executive officer of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. “Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and about 500,000 die from it every year.”

WomenHeart Champions are women living with heart disease who are willing to talk with media about their experience. Call 202-728-7199 or 301-213-6231

Presented at the American Heart Association’s annual scientific meeting, the study found substantial reductions in deaths, strokes and heart attacks among patients taking statins. The study of nearly 18,000 patients - 38 percent of whom were women - may be the first study to demonstrate that statins prevent first heart attacks in women.

The study found that rosuvastatin (a potent statin) prevented heart attacks, strokes or death in people who had normal levels of LDL - or bad cholesterol, but high levels of a marker called C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein measures inflammation in the arteries, a condition that could lead to a heart attack. Both LDL cholesterol and CRP were significantly reduced with treatment.

While these findings could help save thousands of lives, Tate urges women to proceed with caution when considering making any changes to their heart health regimen and to be as informed as possible about their choices.

WomenHeart’s Scientific Advisory Council wants women to know…

• Statins are in a powerful class of drugs shown to reduce a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke.

• Women known to be at risk may already be taking this medication as part of their heart health regimen.

• Like any drug, there are pros and cons to taking anything long term. It is vitally important that women, who are not currently on a statin regimen, talk with their doctor about what is right for them.

• Discuss with your doctor whether you should have your C-reactive protein (CRP) measured.

• Undoubtedly, much information will be forthcoming from many sources about the JUPITER study (http://www.crphealth.com/home/hcp/). It is important to stay with credible sources of health and medical information. Women should be cautious and consult their physicians before making any changes to their heart health regimens.

WomenHeart is the only national, patient-centered organization dedicated to advancing women’s heart health through advocacy, community education and patient support. A nonprofit advocacy organization, WomenHeart is a community of women heart patients and their families, health care providers, advocates and consumers committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives.

Source: WomenHeart