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Exercise good leadership qualities in the office

Kirsty — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:29:37 +0000

No matter what your position is on the corporate ladder, you always have the opportunity to be a great leader. It’s ironic how you can feel most passionately about this in the beginning of your career, exercising good leadership qualities on project teams or in your department, but I will be the first one to tell you it can be easy to forget as your responsibilities increase. Here are some good rules of thumb for everyone to consider when trying be a motivational leader in the workplace:

Treat everyone like your boss. This means being gracious and respectful to everyone at all times. It is surprising how many people get this wrong, when it’s actually one of the best things you can do to be a great leader.

Say please and thank you. A little “please” and “thank you” goes an awful long way. You can never be too busy to thank someone. You may be surprised what a nice difference it will make in someone’s day and will motivate them to keep being a great team player.

Build, don’t break, morale. Everyone in a company carries a portion of responsibility for company morale. Think of how if you have a bad day, how it affects the people you work with and how it may have a negative impact on morale that day. So make it your business to think about building morale, even if it’s not in your job description. Bring donuts tomorrow or volunteer to lead a food drive for Thanksgiving. It won’t just make you feel better, but also the team in your office, as well.

Command respect. Everything I’ve mentioned above may make you think – how will anyone respect me if I’m the office softee? They won’t, unless they respect your ideas, your focus and your ability to get the job done. Lead by example and get the job done every day.

Say it to their face. It’s easy to shoot off a critical email, but not always so easy to recuperate from the aftermath. An email can be interpreted 1,000 different ways or completely misunderstood altogether. If you have something important to say-especially if it’s sharing bad news or a criticism – say it to their face. I promise that every time you have to do this, your leadership qualities will increase exponentially.

Photo by pedrosimoes7

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Recipe Wednesday: Chicken marsala

Kelly — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:03:52 +0000

Do you have a family recipe you turn to whenever you’re in a pinch and need something delicious and hearty? For me, I have quite a few of them and my grandmother’s chicken marsala is definitely one of them. I use chicken tenderloins instead of chicken breasts (they cook quicker and have a bit more flavor, in my opinion). This is a no-fail recipe if you’re cooking for company, a special dinner with the husband or just because. Serve over angel hair pasta, along with a baby greens salad and you’re set!

1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins

1/4 cup flour

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 chopped onion

1 (8 oz) mushrooms

1 green pepper, sliced

1/2 cup Marsala wine

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 TBS butter

Season tenderloins with salt and pepper and then dredge in flour. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan and add chicken, cook until done.

In a separate pan, saute onions, mushrooms, green pepper and garlic until brown and the onions are slightly translucent.

When the chicken is done cooking, remove from pan and set aside. Add marsala, white wine and butter to the pan and scrape to get brown bits off the bottom. Add chicken, mushrooms, onions and green peppers and cook five minutes more until sauce thickens.

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Recipe Wednesday: Peanut butter, cheesecake brownie babies

Kelly — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:02:39 +0000

When it comes to chocolately goodness, it doesn’t get much better than a chewy, fudgy brownie…except, of course when it’s combined with cheesecake and peanut butter! These yummy brownies got a standing ovation at the barbeque I brought them to last week…just one bite and you’ll know why.

1 package brownie mix

1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

Whipped cream

20 maraschino cherries

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to the package directions. Spoon into 20 paper-lined cupcake tins.

Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, egg, sugar and vanilla with a mixer until blended. Spoon one tablespoon into the center of each brownie. Press lightly into the batter. Bake 25 minutes or until centers are set. Cool completely and then top with whipped cream and a cherry.

Photo by www.Kraftfoods.com

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Recipe Wednesday: Easy, tasty summer appetizers

Kelly — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:28:25 +0000

In the summer, my grill gets one heck of a workout. To me, there’s nothing better (or easier) than firing up that bad boy and throwing on some chicken, lots of fresh veggies, even bread. Since the completion of our in-ground swimming pool, we’ve hosted quite a few impromptu get togethers this summer…sure, it’s quick and easy to make a few burgers and some chicken, but this year I decided to get creative with some appetizers to really get the party going. Here are a few of my tried and true favorites…the best part is they take virtually no time at all!

Grilled, stuffed jalapenos

One dozen whole jalapenos

1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese

Low sodium bacon

Cut a slit in the middle of each jalapeno and scrape out the seeds. If you happen to like yours extra spicy like I do, mix the seeds with the cream cheese. Otherwise, throw them out. Spoon cream cheese into each jalapeno. Wrap a piece of bacon around each jalapeno and secure with a toothpick. Grill on medium-high heat until the bacon is cooked and the skin of the peppers are lightly charred.

Clam-stuffed mushrooms

1 pound large white mushrooms

1 clove minced garlic

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (20 oz) can chopped clams, undrained

1 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1/4 cup fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Remove stems from mushrooms; chop and cook stems in garlic and butter until liquid evaporates. Drain claims, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Add clams and reserved clam juice to the cooked stems. Add breadcrumbs and remaining ingredients, stirring frequently.

Stuff stem-side of each mushroom with the clam and breadcrumb mixture and place on grill. Grill over medium heat until filling is golden brown.

Grilled bruschetta with gorgonzola and red peppers

1 red bell pepper

Extra virgin olive oil

Balsamic vinegar

French baguette

Gorgonzola cheese

Brush olive oil on red pepper and place on the grill. Grill over medium-high heat until the outside is charred. Remove red pepper and let cool, then peel off outer layer and throw away. Slice the pepper long ways and mix with two tablespoons olive oil and two tablespoons balsamic vinegar.

Meanwhile, slice baguette and brush each slice with olive oil. Place on the grill for 2-3 minutes until lightly brown. Turn over and grill the other side. Remove from grill and spread gorgonzola on each slice, then top off with red pepper mixture.

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Recipe Wednesday: The best fish taco recipe

jane — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:00:53 +0000

Nothing is better on a humid summer afternoon than serving up a cold Skinnygirl margarita and my very favorite homegrown, homemade fish taco recipe. The great thing about this recipe is that it is so simple. If you buy high quality, fresh ingredients you can let those flavors do the work as opposed to spoiling it by overly spicing it up. Because it’s so simple you can feel confident to experiment using different ingredients and cooking methods.

The Best Fish Tacos

1/2 fillet of cod per person
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Corn tortillas

Yogurt sauce

Fat-free Greek yogurt (I prefer Fage)
Fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Brush both sides of your cod with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste.

2. Add to a grill pan over medium heat and cook on both sides until done.

3. While the fish is cooking, heat the corn tortillas one by one in a pan over medium heat until just lightly browned (be careful not to let them burn!)

4. Mix ingredients in the yogurt sauce, spread on corn tortillas, add fish and any additional ingredients.

Optional ingredients for your taco bar:

Avocados (delicious, creamy and filling)
Cheese
Corn
Cabbage (great fresh crunch)
Chopped tomatoes
Cilantro

Spicy Baked Variation

If you prefer fried fish in your taco, there is a great healthier work around to give you that deliciously spicy, crunchy taste and texture without the fat and calories. I coat the cod in an egg mixture and dip in panko bread crumbs. Bake in the over at 375 until fully cooked and sizzling.

Photo by: yurmahbude

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5 things to be happy about right now. Summer Edition.

jane — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:00:04 +0000

Summer is my favorite time of the year. It’s a time when you buy amazing produce to cook with, are invited to friends’ for cookouts, get the occasional afternoon off at work and how can I forget the occasional poolside cocktail! It’s not hard for me to find five things to get excited about this season, but here are five things I can almost guarantee you can be excited about too!

1. Jellies. Just one look was all it took. Just one look at our First Lady, Michelle Obama, sporting some old school jelly sandals! Thankfully my friend called my attention to online private designer shopping site Gilt.com’s Diane von Furstenburg shoe sale, where I scored these gladiator-style jelly sandals for a ridiculous discount. These shoes make me so happy! They are comfortable, versatile and oh so stylish. They give me a little of that carefree, little girl attitude that I think everyone needs to experience now and again.

2. Melons. Melons are in season and so delicious right now! I found an amazing recipe for melon salad, which was a big hit with guests at a cookout that I was invited to last week. It is just mildly sweet, the dressing doesn’t overtake the fruit and it is so colorful that it will impress guests just by looking at it! I imagine it would also be great to make ahead and eat during the week as a side for lunch. What a fun and fresh way to jazz up your daily fruit and veg intake!

3. Summer TV. I went through a mourning period at the end of the last television season. I thought, I hate this time of year, there is nothing on television! Two weeks later I was back in the swing of things, loading up my TiVo with my favorite programs that debuted this summer, including anything on Bravo (Real Housewives, Bethenny Getting Married, Top Chef and Work of Art), True Blood, Entourage, Royal Pains, Next Food Network Star, Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami and more. Summer is also a great time to catch up on great series I missed in the fall and spring, like The Good Wife. And there is even more to come! My favorite program, Mad Men, has an August debut date.

4. Alice + Olivia Tour. This summer, designer to the stars, Stacey Bendet is taking her fabulous fashion line, Alice + Olivia, on the road and for some great causes. Fabulous stylists Cleo, Diggy and Molly are traveling to cities throughout the south in an airstream this summer to give away makeovers and host fashion shows that benefit local charities. The tour recently stopped in Wilmington, NC and I was one of the lucky beneficiaries of a makeover (see photos here)! Follow the Alice + Olivia blog, Facebook page and Twitter page to find out if the ladies will be coming to a town near you this summer.

5. Summer music. Music is beating the movies this summer. While I am hardly tempted to go to the theaters, I am downloading some excellent music around the clock. This summer, while I’m in eager anticipation of albums by Scissor Sisters and Mark Ronson, I’m passing the time listening to The Roots, M.I.A., Cheryl Cole, Katy Perry, B.oB., Usher, Drake, Robyn, David Guetta, Florence + the Machine, Alphabeat and more.

I’m sure there are several other things I could have added to this list – World Cup (but not so much since the USA loss), Wimbledon, my aspirational summer reading list. Tell me what I else I missed – what else are are you happy about this summer?

Photo by: NotoriousJen

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Healthy weight loss affirmations

jane — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:09:03 +0000

Summer is the easiest time to eat healthy with weekend farmer markets open and offering the most delicious fresh produce. Take advantage of this season and resolve to cook more, eat healthier and look better. Here are some of my favorite affirmations along with some from the experts to help you along your way.

Read labels.

You might opt for a low-fat chicken noodle soup, if you knew that the creamy tomato soup has 23 grams of fat.

Your diet is your bank account. (Bethenny Frankel, “Naturally Thin“)

Think carefully on what you want to spend your hard-earned calories one.

Eat your colors. (Michael Pollan, “Food Rules“)

The more colorful your plate is, the better your meal is for you.

You will never find anything healthy on a Chinese take out menu.

Recreate this fried rice dish at home to fill your craving.

Stop being a vegan and start enjoying what you eat. (Jamie Oliver)

Nothing is more important to a healthy diet than enjoying the food you eat.

Cancel your membership to the “Clean Plate Club” (Bethenny Frankel, “Naturally Thin“)

Everything in moderation! Never leave a restaurant without a doggy bag.

If it comes from a plant, eat it. If it’s made in a plant, don’t. (Michael Pollan, “Food Rules“)

Always choose real foods as opposed to processed foods. They taste better and are better for you.

Make at least one good food choice each day.

Diets are hard, but choosing the smaller size, forgoing the salt, or ordering dressing on the side are small, but easy choices you can make to help you eat better.

Photo by: Pink Sherbert Photography

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Recipe Wednesday: Tutti-fruitti summer desserts

jane — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:00:53 +0000

We’ve written before about taking advantage of great spring produce when the season comes around. Summer, of course, if another excellent time to make fresh fruit the centerpiece of your recipes. After tasking a deliciously simple and scrumptious Fruit Pizza for dessert at a friend’s cookout, I was inspired to share two of my favorite tutti-fruitti summer desserts.

Peach Crisp (Serves 8, adapted from Real Simple magazine)

5 pounds peaches (about 12), each cut into 8 wedges
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup almonds, roughly chopped

1. Heat oven to 350. In a large bowl, toss the peaches, granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the flour. Transfer to a shallow 3-quart baking dish.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, and the remaining 3/4 cup of flour. Using your fingers, incorporate the butter until coarse crumbs form. Mix in the oats and almonds.

3. Crumble the topping in marble-sized chunks over the peaches and bake until the top is golden and the fruit is tender, 45 to 55 min.

Apricot Quesadillas (serves 4, adapted from Weight Watchers)

1/2 cup(s) light cream cheese, whipped
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
4 medium apricot(s), sliced into thin wedges
1 spray(s) cooking spray, butter-flavored
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 serving(s) butter-flavor cooking spray
4 6-inch tortilla, flour, fat-free

1. Stir cream cheese, granulated sugar, zest and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. Spread 1/4 of mixture on one half of each tortilla, layer each with 1/4 of apricot slices and fold each tortilla in half.

2. Coat a 12-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Arrange 2 folded tortillas in skillet; cook over medium heat until golden brown, flipping once, about 4 to 5 minutes on the first side and 1 to 2 minutes on the other side. Remove from skillet, cover to keep warm and repeat with remaining 2 tortillas.

3. Cut each tortilla in half to form quarter wedges, place on a serving platter, dust with powdered sugar, using a sieve, and serve.

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At the Movies: Best military movies from the last year

jane — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:00:04 +0000

The last year has welcomed a host of military-themed movies. No doubt, it is our post 9-11 culture has spun countless tales of soldiers braving the battlefields abroad and at home. I spent the last month catching up on some of the most talked about films with military themes and reviewed them here so you will know what to rent and what to skip at your local Redbox.

Photo by moviegoodsposters

Dear John ☆☆★★★

This movie, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name is the only movie on my list worthy of the “chick flick” status. The first half of the film oozes warmth and romance, much like The Notebook, thanks to the tender performances of Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. Unfortunately I have to take issue with the story. Unlike The Notebook, the story behind what rips these lovers apart and brings them back together again, is to me, unrealistic, overdramatic and nonsensical. That doesn’t take away from the fact that this is an excellent popcorn flick if you’re celebrating girls night in. Just be sure to have tissues handy.

Photo by Cine Fanatico

Brothers ☆☆★★★

Jim Sheridan’s drama about a captured soldier and the family he leaves behind is, in typical style from this director, utterly gut-wrenching. While it’s not my favorite military-themed film to debut in the last year, I found it to be the most emotional, thanks to Natalie Portman’s, Jake Gyllenhal’s and Tobey Maguire’s brave performances. Unfortunately this is the kind of movie that was probably half an hour too long. It spends much of the time expertly setting up the evolution of Portman and Gyllenhal’s relationship, which leaves less time for Maguire’s character to truly unravel onscreen. What results is the climax of the film, which in my opinion, came an hour too late. If anything, this film stands for the importance of recognizing symptoms of PTSD and shows tragically how if untreated, it can tear a family apart.

Photo by Cineblog

Hurt Locker ☆★★★★

Hurt Locker is a marvel to watch. You don’t want to take your eyes off the screen. Your heart races right along with the characters in Bravo company whose job it is to diffuse IEDs in Iraq. This gritty and very real portrayal will leave you on the edge of your seat, and the slivers of emotion that director Kathryn Bigelow infuses in her story, will bring you back down to earth. I think Hurt Locker has been the most successful portrayal of modern warfare in a full-length feature film to date, managing to convey in a whisper, what a film like Jarhead did in a scream.

Photo by KarFlick

The Messenger ★★★★★

The Messenger was my favorite military- themed movie within the last year, primarily due to the tour de force performance by Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster. I originally thought this movie was about Army casualty notification officers and their unusual and unenviable job of notifying next of kin when there’s been a death. The movie is indeed about that, but it’s also about so much more. It’s about assimilating back to life after returning from war, when everyone you love has moved on without you. It’s about missed chances, living with regrets and desperately trying to keep your personal demons at bay. It’s about how to wake up the next day and keep living, when all that you have to live for is no longer there. This film is so multidimensional and its characters so rich, that it leaps off the screen – far more than Avatar did in 3D.

Photo by: RoOoNa

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Recipe Wednesday: Become a casserole queen

jane — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:00:37 +0000

Casseroles are so versatile. Whether it’s contributing to a holiday or office potluck, consoling a neighbor going through a tough time, or lending a hand to a friend who has her hands full with a new baby. Casseroles are a great way to say “I Care.” Here are some delicious, hearty and healthy casserole recipes.

Spicy Mexican Bake (Serves 6)

Cooking spray
1/2 pound lean ground turkey
1 diced onion
1 diced green pepper
15 oz. can of black beans
15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 cup picante sauce
1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
2 cups reduced fat cheddar cheese
10 corn tortillas

1. Preheat the oven to 350.

2. Spray a non-stick pan with cooking spray and brown the turkey until well done. Drain and set aside turkey.

3. Spray the pan again and saute the onion and peppers until the onion is translucent.

4. Return the cooked turkey to the pan and add tomatoes, black beans, picante sauce and seasoning mix and saute for 10 min. until mixture thickens.

5. Spray a 2-qt. casserole dish with non-stick spray. Add 1/3 turkey mixture to the dish; top with half of the tortillas and half of the cheese. Repeat. Top with layer of turkey mixture, covering the tortillas and cheese.

6. Bake for 25-30 min. and cool for 10 min. before serving.

Baked Beef Ziti (serves 8 )

12 oz. uncooked whole grain ziti
Olive oil spray
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp. dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
28 oz. canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup shredded, part skim mozzarella cheese

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cook pasta, drain and set aside.

3. Add olive oil spray to a medium saucepan over medium heat; saute garlic for 2 min. Add beef and cook until browned, up to 5 min. Drain fat and return pan to heat.

4. Add herbs and stir, coating the beef and cook until fragrant for up to 2 min. Add tomatoes, bringing to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 5 min.

5. In a 4-qt. casserole dish – add a thin layer of tomato mixture, half of cooked ziti, half of remaining tomato mixture, half of the cheese, last half of the ziti, last half of the sauce, remaining cheese. Cook until cheese is golden, about 30 min.

Overnight Egg Bake (Serves 8 )

16 oz. pure liquid eggs
12 oz. fat-free evaporated milk
6 slices of whole grain bread
6 oz. turkey sausage
1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

1. Coat a 9 x 13″ baking pan with non-fat cooking spray.

2. Beat eggs well and add milk.

3. Layer the bread on the bottom of the pan. Toss the meat and cheese over the bread and pour the egg/milk mixture on top.

4. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

5. In the morning, back the covered egg mixture at 350 for 45 min. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 min.

Photo by: DinnerDiary

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