Bad Economy!

“The WORST thing you can do in this economy is get a second job.

The BEST thing you can do is start a home based business!” ~Dave Ramsey (well said!)!

Dave Ramsey has specifically mentioned The Pampered Chef as a great way to earn money and pay down debt.

TAKE THAT BAD ECONOMY!!!

“New Beginnings Can Jump Start Your 2012″

We, as people, begin to search our lives and evaluate things around us as the New Year begins. Some make resolutions to change this or that and others make short or  long term goals.

All these things are good but to do these, we must not only evaluate and critique, but in making and setting a goal, we need a roadmap, a plan to reach that goal. The goal must also be an attainable/reachable goal.

Goal setting is a must in all areas of our lives. When setting goals, generalized goals, such as I want to lose 50 pounds in 2012, or I want to earn more $ in 2012, are nice goals but are less likely to be attained if you do not have a roadmap to get there.

Have you ever been on vacation without knowing where you were going? Once in awhile this could be a fun adventure but most of us, would not leave home with our children or pets for a vacation without knowing where we were going, how long it would take to get there, will we need to make stops along the way, how far between stops, etc.

My niece, for example, in driving from NC to Texas with her young daughter and large dog, knew how often they would need to rest and even how long to drive each day before getting a room. She checked ahead, to see within that mileage, which places would allow her to keep her dog within her room.

If you don’t know where you are headed, you don’t know how to pack, the type of clothes or accessories you might need while away. So being prepared, is not only key to a trip or vacation with family but key in all parts of our lives.

In a direct sales business and all home based businesses, we must set goals.

What would we like to see from our business in 2012? Once we know we want something, WHY do we want it? How will attaining that goal make us or our families happier, healthier, or financially sound?

Once we know our WHY, then you need to know how (the roadmap) to get to the goal.One friend often says, “if your WHY” doesn’t make you cry, it isn’t large enough”; meaning, you haven’t delved deep enough within yourself to why you want to reach that goal.

First you need to write your goal down. You also need to know by when do you need to accomplish the goal. It needs to be an attainable goal so you must ask yourself, is this a realistic goal in this amount of time.

To figure it out, let’s say you have a goal for the year. You need to divide that goal by 12 months so you know what needs to be accomplished monthly, then divide by 4 so you know what you need to accomplish weekly.

“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Now does it look more doable? If not, then you need to rethink the goal if your goal looks impossible. If your goal looks just a bit scary, that’s ok. We need to stretch ourselves and our goals, so we don’t get lax into thinking it’s a piece of cake and I can work on this as I please, when I please, and it will just happen. That mindset will not work at all. This is the reason so many people try to convince others, direct sales companies isn’t a real job because that person either did or knew someone who took just that approach to the business. If you want something bad enough, you will change your mindset and not be influenced by those people. You get from any business or project, what you put into the business. Often those who chose to think of it as not a job or business, also chose to not be trained or work it as a business.

All business owners must have a goal and a business plan.

Write down your Ultimate Goal. Your long term goal for the year.

Write down your Monthly Goal.

Write down your Weekly Goal.

Write down one quote that empowers you.

Did you know, only 3% of the population write down their goal? Did you know 3% of the population are millionaires?

You are 75% more likely to meet your personal or business goals if you write them down.

Now you know where you are going; you have a plan.  Now you need the roadmap to get there.So now, you must decide what it will take to get there. If you are in a party plan business, the person who introduced you to the business or your director can show you how to calculate that figure, how many shows will it take to get me to that goal?

Once your see your goals as clear, concise, inspiring, and achievable, find an accountability partner. This can be a supportive spouse, a good friend, or the person who introduced you to a business, or an up-line director, if you are in direct sales. Writing your goal down is key but sharing it, holds you accountable to your goal.

Next, give yourself four minutes each day to focus. First, for just one minute, reconnect to your business or your vision for your business. For 60 seconds, revisit what you want. Write down three things you are thankful/grateful for (should take just one minute), and in your 3rd minute, determine the quality you will embody in this day; decide the qualities you are going to live this day to show up more confident in the day. Perhaps it is to be positive, smile more, be curious, a better listener, less of a procrastinator or not going to make excuses today.  Your fourth minute is to read or recite a quote/thought that will empower you each day.

For example, mine in 2012, is “You Must DO the thing, you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt.

“What’s the MORE you are looking for today?”

If you are looking to earn some additional money so your family can “play more” in 2012, help pay for college, pay off college loans, help make ends meet, needing some adult or “mommy” time, or just needing to fill some “me” time, Pampered Chef could be the answer. It’s perfect for a college student because it’s flexible, can be worked around classes and it’s perfect for the full-time worker or stay at home Mom, because the hours are flexible to work around most schedules. If you are looking for supplemental income where you can find a healthy balance/harmony between work and family, it’s perfect too. There is no inventory, a very small investment to begin (less than the cost of a new outfit and matching shoes), training and support. Pampered Chef is perfect for the hobbyist, wanting to fill their kitchen with quality tools without having to pay full price, while others wanting a part-time or full-time income/earnings can achieve that, too, with The Pampered Chef.

“What’s the MORE you are looking for?”

yvonne@getyvonne.com

Chicken & Broccoli Ring

Chicken & Broccoli Ring–using the Pampered Chef’s large 15″round stone with handles…..this recipe is wonderful by itself or serve with your  favorite soup or chowder

Ingredients:

2-package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls

1 cup cooked chicken (2-3 small chicken breasts cooked in your deep covered baker–chopped with the salad chopper or you could use the food chopper

3/4 cup coarsely chopped broccoli (very small head of florets works perfectly)
1/2 cup (2 ounces) cheddar cheese–i like extra cheese–so individual taste
1/4 cup  red bell pepper or green peppers–depend on price—I just slice down one side- with forged cutlery knife–don’t really measure–chop fine with the  food chopper
2 tbsp mayonnaise–I used more than that—so do it as you need according to ingredients added, some use more chicken than others
1 tsp Pampered Chef Pantry All-Purpose Dill Mix (or dried dill)—-or some leave it out—I like the wonderful taste it gives
1 small garlic clove, pressed (minced)—I used two-three cloves—-healthy
1/8 tsp salt couple turns of the grinder
1/8 tsp pepper couple turns of the grinder
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Unroll each container of crescent rolls; separate into 8 triangles.  Arrange triangles, slightly overlapping, in a circle on a PC Small Round Baking Stone with wide ends 3 inches from edge of baking stone (points will extend off the edge of the baking stone).  Roll (or use fingers to press) wide ends of dough toward center to create a 3-inch opening.  This part sounds kinda tricky the first time you do it, but it’s not so bad.  To see picture look in Pampered Chef’s  ”All The Best Cookbook”
2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, broccoli, cheese, bell pepper, mayo, seasoning mix, garlic, salt, and pepper and mix well.
3. Using a  scoop, scoop filling evenly over dough in a continuous circle. Make sure filling is evenly spaced/spread.  Bring points of triangles up over filling and tuck under dough at center to form a ring.  (the filling will show)

Optional: Lightly brush dough with egg white; and/or sprinkle with almonds.You can add cheese to top.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until deep golden brown.

0?Weight Watchers Point Garden Vegetable Soup

0?Weight Watchers Point Garden Vegetable Soup 

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup diced onions 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

3 cups fat?free broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) 

1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage 

1/2 cup green beans 

1 tbsp. tomato paste 

1/2 tsp. dried basil 

1/4 tsp. dried oregano 

1/4 tsp. salt 

1/2 cup diced zucchini 

Directions:

In a large saucepan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute carrots, onions and garlic over low heat 

for about 5 minutes. Add broth, cabbage, green beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano and salt, and bring to 

a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for around 15 minutes or until beans are tender. Lastly, stir in 

the zucchini and continue to heat soup for 3?4 minutes. Enjoy!!

Beef Taco Ring

Beef Taco Ring ,  a wonderful alternative to taco shells…….

¾ to 1  lb lean ground beef

1 package (1-1.25 oz.) taco seasoning mix

1 (4 oz.) cheddar cheese

2 tbsp water

2 packages (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls

1 medium green bell pepper

1 jar  salsa

lettuce optional

1-2  medium tomato

1/2 onion

½ c pitted ripe olives (optional)

1 tub Sour cream

Cook ahead up to 1 2/3 cups ground beef.  Cook in large skillet over medium heat.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In Classic Batter Bowl, combine beef, taco seasoning mix (southwestern seasoning) and water.  Using the  Deluxe Cheese Grater, grate cheese into mix.

Unroll crescent dough; separate into 16 triangles. Arrange triangles, slightly overlapping, in a circle on Large Round Stone with wide ends 4 inches from edge of baking stone; wide ends overlapping in center.

Points will extend off the edge of the baking stone. Using Baker’s Roller,  roll wide ends of dough toward center to create a 5-inch opening.

Using Medium Scoop, scoop meat mixture evenly onto widest end of each triangle.

Bring points up over ?lling and tuck under the wide ends of dough at the center of the ring.  (The Filling will not be completely covered.)

Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut off top of bell pepper.  Discard top and insides.  Fill pepper with Salsa.

Shred lettuce and slice tomato.  Chop onion using the Food Chopper.  Slice olives using a knife or the Egg Slicer Plus.  Place bell pepper in the center of ring; arrange lettuce,

tomato, onion and olives aroung the bell pepper.  Fill the Easy Accent Decorator with Sour cream.  Garnish.  To serve, cut with Slice ?n Serve.

Yield: 8 servings

You can also place extra ingredients in side bowls, letting dinner guests top their slice with any or all the extra ingredients….my preference ……enjoy!

“Taco Soup”

Here you go.  Love this soup.  I think it could easily be made in the Deep Covered Baker. I would cook hamburger first and then add other ingredients and cook 10-15 minutes covered in m icrowave.  Finish off with sour cream and cheese.

“Taco Soup”

Ingredients:

2 lbs fresh lean ground beef

1 onion, coarsely chopped

1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies

1 (1 1/4 ounce) taco seasoning, packet

1 (1 ounce) Hidden Valley Ranch dip, packet

2 (11 ounce) cans corn, undrained

4 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, undrained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

grated monterey jack cheese, and or cheddar cheese

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 minutes/ Total Time: 40 minutes

step 1 Brown the meat with the onions in an 8-qrt stockpot.

step 2 When cooked all the way through, add remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes.

step 3 Eat now, if you are not freezing it.

If eating now, Top with grated cheese. Use a grater and a  block of cheese for a healthy and cheaper choice. Shredded cheese purchased in bags contains a large amount of, not only air, but cellulose: note it’s normally third on the ingredient list.

Using the easy accent decorator, fill it with sour cream. When the soup is ready, it’s refrigerated for your family and easily dispensed, no mess.

Tortilla chips are a good substitute for crackers.

step 4 If freezing, let soup cool completely, then  pour into freezer bags. First mark the bags with “Taco Soup, Reheat to Serve” and the date and/or use the leak proof glass containers with labels.

step 5 When ready to eat after frozen, Let the bag partially thaw, enough to get it out of the bag and then heat over low until warmed through or if using container, let it partially thaw, then microwave and serve.

This recipe was one prepared and eaten at a cooking show, introducing Power Cooking.

No Knead Ciabatta Bread

No Knead Ciabatta Bread

This has been one HOT recipe! No one can believe how easy it is. Try it…

“it’s delicious and only costs 35 cents to make! “

No-Knead Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting

¼ teaspoon instant yeast

1 ½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups tap water

Directions:

Step 1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 ½ cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18 hours, at room temperature.

Step 2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Liberally flour a Pastry Mat using the Flour/Sugar Shaker, and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Fold the 2 sides of the Pastry Mat over the bread and let it stand on the counter for 2 hours to rise.

Step 3. 1 ½ hours into the 2 hour rising, preheat oven to 450 degrees & place the empty Deep Covered Baker with lid in oven for 30 minutes. (This is the only recipe I have ever preheated a stone for!)

You want the Deep Covered Baker blazing hot. Dump the dough into the The Deep Covered Baker, put the lid on and put back in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes then take the lid off.

Bake for another 8 to 15 minutes until the bread is golden brown on top. Cool on a cooling rack.

Can’t wait?!?! OK…go ahead. Get a stick of butter and and eat it. We don’t have the patience in our house either to let it cool!

Bon Appetit!!

The cool weather=a warm drink…..

Breakfast For Holiday Guests,Dips,& Appetizers

Antipasta Pull Apart Christmas Tree

2 cans Pillsbury French Loaf

¼ cup olive oil

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 can artichoke hearts

½ red bell pepper

½ of large can of whole black olives

4 garlic cloves

Block of parmesan

Block of mozzarella

Slice French loaf into 16 round pinwheels from each can.  Arrange on large bar pan in Christmas tree pattern.  Brush with olive oil.  Grate parmesan over crust.  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.  Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.  Drain artichoke hearts and place in bowl.  Add ½ of red bell pepper (just cut into large chunks), olives,  garlic cloves sliced with slicer,  olive oil and 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning.  Chop with salad choppers.  Cube half of mozzarella and add to chopped salad.  Top crust with antipasta mixture.  Grate additional parmesan over top.  Bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

A beautiful way to take a veggie tray to your next party!

Edible Christmas Tree (Stoneware Bar Pan or your Rectangle Stone or Large Round Stone)Ingredients:

2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls (not unrolled)

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1-2 small cloves of Garlic, pressed

1 teaspoon Pantry All-Purpose Dill Mix

1 large crown of Broccoli, chopped fine

2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1 carrot scored and sliced

1 yellow bell pepper, sliced in the round, then halved to look like garland

About 10 cherry tomatoes or smaller, halved

2 green onions or sliced black olives

Directions:

Take crescents from package and separate into 4 rolls (2 per can). Each of the 4 rolls needs to be sliced into 8 circles so you’ll have what looks like 32 mini cinnamon rolls.

Start about an inch from the top (in the center) of your Stoneware Bar Pan or your Rectangle Stone or Large Round Stone, with your first crescent circle then place two below it, then three, etc. until you have 7 circles across. Then you place 2 centered beneath the 7 and 2 more beneath it. This is your tree trunk. Then roll with your Baker’s Roller to smooth it out and press them together.

Bake at 350 oven for 10 - 12 min. until browned. Let cool.

Mix mayonnaise, cream cheese, garlic, and dill mix, then spread on cooled tree.

Top with chopped broccoli to make your TREE green.

Then add your yellow pepper as garland on the tree.

Then add your ornaments (Carrots, green onion, and/or tomatoes tomatoes).

Next add your snow, the parmesan cheese.

Then you can take a large piece of cut carrot and put it at the top of your tree OR you can get a small star cookie cutter and cut out a piece of your yellow bell pepper.

VOILA—a beautiful veggie edible Christmas Tree!

Spinach & Bacon Deviled Eggs

12 hard boiled eggs

1/2 cup spinach chopped ( I used a 10oz frozen & mash all the water out of it)

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup real bacon (I used OM real bacon bits)

2 tbs butter softened

1 tbs cider vinegar (she said some like to add a little less-individual preference)

1 tbs sugar

2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together with yoke and put in egg using easy accent decorator. Serve in Chillzane Rectangular Server.

Christmas Greetings!

Christmas Greetings!

Being BUSY, as we celebrate Christ, has become the status quo since Thanksgiving. Hoping you soon have the opportunity to stop, relax, prop up your feet, grab your favorite beverage and re?ect on the memories of the past four weeks, the past year, and time to ponder 2012. 2011 has been an incredible year, in spite of my Dad’s death, all the changes, circumstances, trials and adventures. My palate has been  filled with forgiveness, humility, patience, and above all, truth. My cup runneth over with love, grace, thankfulness, and an abundance of faith. “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed.” (Psalm 27:13)

Christmas Day, “The Holy Day”, was the day God gave the World the greatest gift, His Son. Jesus’ birth was for everyone, regardless of wealth or status in society. I no longer focus on gifts and gift giving. My focus is on the Christmas Spirit, the love

of Christ being shared with those I come in contact with daily, family, friends, and seniors without family and/or an advocate. I have learned over the years, it’s not about me. It’s about God and asking, “What would Jesus do?” It’s easy to say “yes” to things without your calendar. Consider taking control of your life with an organized calendar–writing down all personal/family obligations, work schedule, school obligations, and the activities of the church for 2012. Once you have written down these things, “don’t change these for worldly opportunities”.  When asked to do something, always say, “let me check my calendar”, and if available, say,  ”Yes, Lord Willing” (James 4:15). There’s someone at every turn who needs a smile, a handwritten note, a hug, a word of encouragement, assistance or our time. It’s up to us, to “open our hearts” as Mary and Joseph did so long ago, and to give “freely” of our “limited time” and “endless love” as Jesus did. “That’s being sacri?cial!”

As I’ve enjoyed the quietness of the evening listening to Kenny G’s (instrumental) ”Miracles, The Holiday Collection” while writing this letter, I ?nd myself thinking about the words that are missing in the songs.  I think of all the possible gifts I can give Him.  All we do should be about Him, not about ourselves.

“TGIF: Today God Is First. Let Go. Let God!”  God is in control. Since God is in control, why do we ?ght, hurt or ignore others in our relationships? Our Siblings,Parents,Church Family, Spouse,Signi?cant Other or Friends? We should love as Christ loves, even in the midst of life’s trials & dif?culties. God could be pruning you, as He is pruning me, through our daily activities & the trials we may be facing; pruning us for something larger than we can imagine for His Kingdom.  ”God is in control”! Whether we join Him or we resist Him, His will shall be done on earth, as it is in heaven. As 2012 unfolds and the mysteries are revealed, I have chosen to believe, stand ?rm in my faith, and continue to give Him my heart, my time, love, and my service. How about you?

Christmas is about rediscovering “the thrill of hope”, the words we hear in  ”O Holy Night”.  Focus brie?y on the words of this song, on God and His gift that set us “free”, the perfect gift:  Jesus Christ, His SON, “from the Cradle to the Cross to the Resurrection”. “WOW!” “A thrill of Hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”. The weary world does rejoice my friends,  just as the song says, because “Hope in Christ”  provides us with joy and purpose.  The Hope of the Prophecy having been ful?lled, brought us our Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. There’s never been & never will be, a more perfect gift here on earth; therefore, we should LOVE and LIVE today, as if there is “No Tomorrow”!

A Christmas letter would not be complete without mentioning Missions. A “thank you” to everyone who took part in the missions programs of your church, community, school, wherever you served the Lord in 2011.

Missions is not only about doing ministry projects for others; it’s about providing the gospel & the love of Jesus Christ through song, word, prayer, and action through the daily activities of our life.

Jesus  instructed us in “The Great Commission” to “do missions outside our comfort zones”. “Thank You for having served HIM through the ministry opportunities  & especially those done anonymously.

“Thank You” to each of you who have helped me and my family this year as We Celebrated Dad’s life and told Dad “until we see you in heaven (not goodbye), for those who have been praying and helped Chloe with speech, for those who helped Mom following Hurricane Irene, and for those who helped openly & anonymously with gifts of  cards, visits, food & love this year. “Thank you” sounds so weak but it’s truly from the heart and your gifts were all  answered prayers from God. I know you will receive rewards in heaven because the scriptures tell me so. (Matt. 25:35-40).

2012 & All its “Mysteries” will soon be knocking on our doors; but for now, I am  living  by faith and “savoring the miracles of this Christmas season”.

“May the God of Hope, ?ll you with all the Joy and Peace in believing, that you may abound in HOPE by the Power of the Holy Spirit.”   My wish for you and your family in 2012:  ”A New Year of Hope, Peace & Love!”

Treasure life,

Yvonne 12/2011

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