Archive for July, 2010

Family Values Entertainment News

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Quiet on the Set
Welcome to the first Family Values Entertainment News! I am so excited to be here and to share with you my passion for Family Friendly Entertainment. Each of you are the reason I am here and striving to consistently find good movies and television shows you can enjoy watching with your family without any surprises… Like most things in life, this is a work in progress, so have a read and send me your thoughts. I can’t wait to hear from you! And a big shout out to the Parent Television Council for their constant effort on behalf of all families to ensure that decent suitable programming remains on television for all of our children to enjoy!  (more…)

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Bringing Up the Rear

Friday, July 30th, 2010

According to the scale at Jenny Craig, I have lost 15 pounds. I actually had lost more than that, but I gained a few back because of our trip to Ireland. Damn, those Irish potatoes!

Anyway, I believed Jenny and I have been working out like a fiend, so I decided the time had come to go bathing suit shopping. Trying to find a bathing suit that is flattering to all my varied jiggly parts is hard enough, but trying to find a bathing suit in July when the stores have already moved on to parkas and mukluks is a freakin’ nightmare! (more…)

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If you’re thinking about reading The Family Dish, here’s what you need to know:

Friday, July 30th, 2010

I don’t write about fancy food. This is because most families don’t have the money to go to special stores or buy fancy ingredients. And if they do, then probably both parents are working and then they don’t have the time to cook them. So if you’re looking for luscious photos of unattainable food ideas, move right along.

I’m a big believer in eating local, organic food.  That doesn’t stop me from drinking Diet Coke, making school lunch sandwiches with white bread (because that’s what my kids will eat), or sharing my kids’ ice-cream sundaes made with whipped cream from (gasp!) a can. Yes, this is hypocritical and contradictory. Sue me. (I say this a lot, but I don’t actually want you to sue me.) (more…)

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Summer Smarts for You and Your Kids

Monday, July 19th, 2010

No matter how much kids say they can’t wait for summer, you’re faced with the inevitable words  “I’m bored.”  And with school out, it’s often difficult to fill their days in a productive way.  Here are a few ideas you can use to occupy the long lazy days of summer (more…)

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Our Top Tasty, Quick Meal-Time Recipes for Families on the Go

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

brought to you by DuPont™ Teflon®

Now-a-days everything is go go go!  With everyone in your household darting off in their own separate schedules every day it’s difficult to see one another. In most homes, meal times are the only time the family gets to spend together in the week.  Why waste the precious time you can be spending with your loved ones in the kitchen?  Below are some quick, easy recipes your family is sure to love.



Tilapia Baked with Raspberry Vinaigrette
(A sweet twist on an old favorite)

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup Olivaylle Olive Nectar
• 1/4 cup raspberry vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Preparation
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 11 x 17 inch baking dish.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, raspberry vinaigrette, honey, mustard, and dill weed. Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the prepared dish. Pour mixture over the fillets, coating them evenly.
• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork.

For more information, visit www.olivaylle.com.



CHICKEN MEDALLIONS W/TOMATO & ZUCHINI

Ingredients
5 chicken medallions
3 zucchinis, diced
¼ medium onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
½ cup black olives, in half
1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
1 cup white dry wine
½ cup Nutrioli soybean oil
Salt
Pepper

Directions

• Heat 3 tablespoons of Nutrioli soybean oil in a large frying pan, cook the zucchinis until tender. Add the onion, tomatoes, olives and rosemary; cook for about 10 minutes, season and reserve.
• Season the chicken medallions and fry them with the rest of the Nutrioli soybean oil until well-cooked and browned (reserve the cooking juice); once ready remove the chicken from heat and place over the previous vegetable mixture.
• Pour the wine in the saucepan over the chicken cooking juice, bring to the boil.
• Finally, drizzle the sauce over the chicken medallions. Serve hot.

TO DOWNLOAD HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS RECIPES VISIT www.nutrioli.com/en-index.htm



Salmon in White whine/Green Tea Marinade over greens with Acai Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Oila White Wine Marinade
1 cup Oila Green Tea Oil
¼ cup White Wine Vinegar
1tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1T Garlic, minced
2T Red Onions or Shallots (minced)
1T Herbes De Provence
Combine all of the ingredients together. Allo w fish to marinade for at 20-
30 minutes. Meats and poultry can marinate for 1 hour to allow the
flavors to develop and for the meat to tenderize.

Acai Pomegranate Vinaigrette
1 cup Acai Pomegranate Vinegar
1 ½ Cups Oila Green Tea Oil
1 ½ Tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1T Honey Dijon Mustard
2T Honey
2t Herbes De Provence
Combine the vinegar, salt, black pepper, mustard & honey together.
Slowly whisk in oil until both liquids are emulsified and thickens
slightly. Allow the flavors to develop for about 1 hour before using.
Dressing should be stored in the refrigerator.



Autumn Pumpkin Risotto with Thyme, Apricots & Pecans:

6 cups Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Cooking Stock
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion , finely chopped
2 cloves small garlic , finely chopped
2 cups arborio rice
1 cup sweet white wine
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1 small pumpkin (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, seeded, diced and sauteed in a little oil until just tender
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 cup pecans. chopped
3 tablespoons butter
Salt & Pepper to taste
Fresh grated Parmesan for garnish

In a saucepan, bring the stock to a boil. Then reduce heat to low.

In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over a medium-high flame, heat the olive oil. Add the onion. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the garlic and rice; stir until well coated, about 1 minute.
Add the white wine and continue cooking, stirring often, until it has been absorbed by the rice.
Add the dried apricots and pumpkin and continue to stir another 30 seconds. Lower the heat to medium and add 1 cup of stock. Constantly stir so that the rice doesn’t stick to the pan. Add the stock 1 cup at a time and stir until the stock is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Remove from heat; add the thyme, chopped pecans, and top with dollops of butter.

Serves 6-8.



Cajun Tuna Burgers

Ingredients

2 (12-oz.) drained cans Chicken of the Sea® Chunk Light Tuna in Water
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup each: diced red and green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup Cajun seasoning or spice mix
2 Tablespoons capers, drained
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 Tablespoons oil
6 onion hamburger buns
Lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions
Cajun Mayo
1/3 cup garlic or plain mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning or spice mix

Directions

In bowl, combine Chicken of the Sea® Tuna, breadcrumbs and eggs. Add next 6 ingredients to tuna mixture; blend well. Evenly divide and shape tuna mixture into six patties. In a large skillet, heat oil until hot. Cook tuna burgers on both sides until browned and heated through. Meanwhile, whip together mayonnaise and Cajun seasoning until well blended. Spread hamburger buns with Cajun mayonnaise and fill buns with tuna burgers, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Makes 6 servings.

Preparation Time: 15 to 20 minutes



Chicken Rollatini

This delicious treat is great for those special occasions, or can be quickly prepared for a weeknight meal. It’s sure to become a family favorite!

3 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 6 oz. each
24 slices Genoa salami or sandwich pepperoni
6 slices Provolone cheese
18 Asparagus spears, trimmed to about 4-in. long
1 Jar (24 oz.) Classico® Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce, or 3 cups
1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Slice each chicken breast in half and pound until about 1/4-in. even thickness. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Place 4 salami slices and one cheese slice on top of each piece of chicken. Place 3 asparagus spears in center of each and roll up, securing with a toothpick.

2. Spread 1/2 cup of Pasta Sauce evenly into bottom of an 11×7 baking dish. Arrange chicken in baking dish, spoon with remaining Pasta Sauce on top and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove toothpicks before serving.

Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes



Classic Italian Burger

1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1/4 cup Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 hamburger buns
4 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese (optional)
Lettuce (optional)
Tomato slices (optional)
Combine ground beef, Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing, green onions, Parmesan cheese and garlic in medium bowl; shape into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Grill 13 minutes or until desired doneness, turning once. Serve on buns with mozzarella cheese, lettuce and tomato.

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10 Basic Business Success Secrets

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

I’ve been conducting a lot of WOWs lately, I’m talking about Whole Organization Workshops. I pull out the Sharpies and a big white pad of stickies and start facilitating dialogues, brainstorming and strategic sessions with all the major stakeholders of a company.  It’s magical.  We always have these “aha” moments, and they’re awesome.

So I’ve decided to put 10 of those epiphanies in one place. As you read, you may think “I already knew that” and chances are, you’re right.  But the real question is, are you actually applying it?

Now be honest…

  • WOW Takeaway #1. All of us together know more than any one of us alone.  Remember that the next time you’re faced with a challenge and someone (perhaps even a “lowly assistant”) in your organization makes a suggestion. Listen to them!! Ask for input and feedback, and when you get it, give it the value and gratitude it deserves.
  • WOW Takeaway #2. Most of us spend more time and energy chasing brand new business, instead of focusing on existing clients, getting old clients to come back or pursuing referrals (all of which are generally more profitable than new biz). Where are you spending your efforts and $$?
  • WOW Takeaway #3. The elephant in the (board)room for almost every single service-based business I worked with was… drum-roll, please… PRICING. Price determines profit because once you’re covering costs, each additional dollar in revenues equals a dollar in profits. Problem is, most of us struggle with setting price, and then maintaining price integrity. If this sounds like you, here’s a link to a great slide-show: Pricing For Profit.
  • WOW Takeaway #4. If you’re not email marketing, you’re missing out on an amazing opportunity…. Problem is, 95% of email marketing is SPAM (okay, I made this statistic up, but I’ll bet it’s actually more like 99%…).
  • WOW Takeaway #5. Almost everyone is trying to use social media to drum up business in some form or another. Corollary: Most of it is a big, fat waste of time.
  • WOW Takeaway #6. For the vast majority of us, word-of-mouth marketing and referral marketing is the single most cost-effective way to drive sales.
  • WOW Takeaway #7. Most of us don’t develop cohesive strategies around word-of-mouth marketing and instead wait for it to “happen.”
  • WOW Takeaway #8. Strategy isn’t a once-a-year effort.
  • WOW Takeaway #9. When developing our marketing messaging, most of us focus on features, efforts and efforts, or PROCESS, instead of RESULTS.  Remember, most people don’t care how you do what you do, they only care about what you can do for them. AKA: WIIFM – “What’s In It For Me?”
  • WOW Takeaway #10. Why do what you do? You’d be surprised at how many people don’t have an answer to this question.

Michelle Villalobos

(vee – ya – LOW – bos)

(888) 531-3830

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Hold the Whip, Please – Week 19

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

pregnant, family

Can someone tell me why doctors and the entire medical sphere in general like comparing my growing fetus to the produce department? Week 19, your baby is now the size of a large heirloom tomato. Last week, it was a bell pepper. A freaking bell pepper! Of course, this is to make it easier for expectant parents to compare size and length. But this unfortunately doesn’t work for all people (aka, me). I mean, who can tell me exactly how large a rutabaga is? What is it used for? Have I ever even tasted it? Was it ever used in some sort of bartering exchange way back when?

Hey. I have an idea. You want to elicit some knowing nods? Try comparing it to Starbuck’s drinks. I may not know the size and shape of a rutabaga, but I sure can tell you how big a venti caramel frappe is (no whip please, I’m watching my figure). Why, my baby is DELICIOUS! See, this way I can compare my baby to my delightful yet extremely overpriced addiction. I’m sure I’m not alone on this.

Ma’am, your fetus is the size of a venti soy caramel latte. My response would be “with or without whipped cream? I mean if you add it, then it increases my child’s size to… at least one of those domed plastic caps. Darn it, you spelled my name wrong on the outside of the cup again!”

Click on the link below to see what I mean:

http://www.babycenter.com/slideschow-baby-size

Can I drench my baby in creamy balsamic?

Mmmm, my child is super delicious

Besides thinking of my growing child as I peruse the produce section of my overly crowded local supermarket, I may as well tell you all that I feel like my body is going through a second puberty. I’m thinking of contacting my 7th grade teacher and asking her to send me that tape they made all of us watch when we were “of age.” You know which one I’m talking about — the videotape where minor celebrities tell the youth of America about their changing bodies as some sort of public service announcement. I believe the minor celebrity for the girls in my class was Scott Baio. Imagine being 11 or 12 years old and watching a video of Scott Baio telling you about your growing breasts. “Hi, I’m Scott Baio, and your body is changing!” No, that’s not traumatizing at all. What more can I expect as I progress in my pregnancy, Scott Baio? Please tell me, Mister Authority on Women’s Bodies. Can you give me a ride to the movies later? Do you like me? Circle yes or no.

Pregnancy has been quite an adventure, I’ll give you that. It has its ups and downs.

Now. Who wants a venti caramel latte?

Koreen Alvarado
Chronicles of a Baby Bump
About Koreen: This is Koreen Alvarado’s first pregnancy. She, admittedly, has no mothering credentials to speak of except that she is pregnant and finds it amusing. She does very important, big time things in Boston with her dog Duncan, cat Dash and her humorously tall boyfriend, Tim.

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