Sunday, February 18, 2007

BizyMom Cookbook - Sample Recipes

APPETIZERS


VEGGIE PIZZA
Submitted by: Nancy Johnson (She sells Discovery Toys, DTNancy@aol.com)

Crust: Press 3 cans of crescent rolls onto a rectangular cookie sheet and bake (375°) until light brown Filling: 2 - 8oz cream cheese softened 1/2 cup sour cream 1 envelope powdered Hidden Valley Ranch mix

Beat together until mixed Spread over cooled crust Topping: 3 or more of your favorite veggies, chopped: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bell pepper, green onion... Grated Cheddar cheese (just a little, or sometimes I leave it off) For a Christmas version, I use just Broccoli and red bell pepper

VEGGIE ROUNDS
Submitted by: Christy Edwards (www.helping2save.cjb.net, & www.youravon.com/christyedwards)12 oz. cream cheese (can be low-fat if desired) 1/3 c. mayo 1 tsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix (powder) 1 tsp. Dillweed 1 cup of each desired veggie (try to be colorful such as finely chopped broccoli, cauliflower, and red peppers, etc. -- be creative) Shredded Cheddar cheeseRound pastry cups (in frozen foods section) Mix the cream cheese, mayo, Ranch mix, and Dillweed until you have a smooth consistency. Fill pasty cups half full with mix and top with veggies and finally cheese. Theses are so yummy you won't be able to stop eating them! MMMM!

AVACADO DIP
Submitted by: Karen Southard

1 Avocado
2 packages 3 ounce cream cheese
2 teaspoons lime juice
¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Cut avocado in half lengthwise. Remove pit. Peel skin from halves and mash pulp. Add remaining ingredients and beat with electric mixer until smooth.


SPINACH DIP
Submitted by: Connie Corodimas
Mother to: Angel (My beautiful niece!!)

1 pkg. frozen spinach
1 container Vegie soup - Nors
Helmans mayo (enough to cover)
Sour cream

Mix all ingredients together and chill. Serve with Hawaiian bread. For a lower cal version use low cal mayo and sour cream.

POTATO SKINS
Submitted by: Connie Corodimas

Potatoes
8 ounces Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Soup Cream
Chopped Green Onions

Cut potatoes into quarters lengthwise and scoop out the pulp. Spray potatoes in cooking spray and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, turning twice. Remove from oven and top with dressings.


SIX LAYER DIP
Submitted by: Debby Levine, OH BABY!! Baby Shower Specialists, www.ohbabyshower.com

1 can (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups of salsa
1 8 oz container guacamole
1 3/4 cups Shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 can (5 ¾ oz) drained large ripe pitted black olives, sliced
Tortilla Chips
1 Pyrex bowl

Preheat oven to 350°. In bowl mash beans until chunky, then stir in 1/2 cup salsa until combined. (I don't mash I put in the blender) Spread mixture evenly over bottom of oven proof 6-cup glass bowl. Spoon guacamole over. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup of cheese. Top with remaining salsa; arrange olives over salsa and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese melts and begins to brown slightly, about 25 minutes. Serve with chips.

I always make a double batch and just repeat the layers. And boy do people get fooled into thinking I spent hours doing it!!!


DILL DIP
Submitted by: Charlotte Ennen

1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
2 ½ tbsp. dill seasonings
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate.

THREE CHEESE BALL
Submitted by: Kelly Poelker

8 oz. cream cheese
4 oz. Cheddar cheese
4 oz. port wine Cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. minced onion
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Soften cream, Cheddar and port wine cheeses to room temperature. Place into mixing bowl and blend together with Worcestershire sauce. Roll in chopped nuts.

Chill 3 – 4 hours

SAUSAGE CHEESE BALLS
Submitted by: Kelly Poelker

1 lb. hot sausage
2 cups extra Sharp Shredded Cheddar cheese
3 cups Bisquick

Let sausage and cheese set to room temperature. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl by hand. Make small balls with mixture and place on cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 350°. If making ahead of time to freeze, bake only 12 minutes and then 5 minutes when ready to serve.

LITTLE LATIN MEATBALLS
Submitted by: Kelly Poelker

2 jalapeno chilies
1 lb. ground beef
1 egg
½ cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup milk

¼ cup Shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper

Remove stems, seeds, and membranes from chilies, chop. Mix chilies, beef, egg, bread crumbs, milk, cheese, onion, salt and pepper. Shape into one-inch balls. Place meatballs in ungreased oblong pan (13 x 9 x 2). Cook uncovered at 400º until brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Place in chafing dish. Cover with salsa.
Salsa:
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp. snipped parsley
1 tbsp. vinegar
1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. salt
Heat in saucepan until hot, stirring occasionally.

MINI MEATBALLS
Submitted by: Sharon Simoncini
Mother to: Renee and Todd, Grandmother to Alex

1 pound ground beef
1 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tsp. sugar
½ tsp. minced onion
Dash garlic salt
Dash ground ginger

Combine soy sauce, 1 tablespoon water, sugar, onion, garlic salt and ginger. Mix meat and crumbs and then stir in the soy sauce mixture. Shape into 1 inch balls. You can then deep fry them or bake them in the oven for 20 minutes at 350.

QUICK AND EASY SALSA
Submitted by: Jolyn Dickerson (PARTYZ – Fun for Kids - www.partyz.net & www.1800partyconsultant.com/6083)
Mom to: Stephanie and Diane

5-6 fresh ripe tomatoes (from your garden or farmer's market) - diced into pieces
1/4 - 1/2 onion finely chopped
1/8 cup cilantro (fresh) finely minced
1/8 - 1/2 tsp. garlic (fresh) minced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 shakes chili powder

Combine all ingredients gently. Adjust seasoning to suit your family. Serve with tortilla chips.

ONION RINGS
Submitted by: Diana Ennen, Bizymoms Host, Author: Bizy’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Word Processing Business and Bizy’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Virtual Assisting Business

6 large white onions
1 cup flour
½ tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 tbsp. cooking oil

Cut onions into ¼ inch slices and separate into rings. Combine all ingredients and then coat onion rings until well battered. Fry in deep fryer. (Onion rings are done when they float to the top of the oil).

BBQ SAUCE
Submitted by: Heather Malecha (http://greatestnetworker.com/is/heathermalecha)
1 cup catsup 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 3 dashes Tabasco sauce Mix all together.

BBQ SAUCE
Submitted by: Diana Ennen

1 can tomato puree
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup vinegar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp. sweet basil

Simmer for about 15 minutes.

BBQ SAUCE
Submitted by: Camry Thomas

My husband loves to BBQ and claims every time he does it that it is his cooking that is so great. I tell my kids it's in the marinade/sauce that of course "I make". All he does is cook it on the grill which I think is boring. This has been handed down in my family of Texans. Hope you enjoy. We BBQ a lot so I make up a large mayonnaise jar up at a time. I buy a large gallon size bottle of store brand sauce and add my own stuff to it. I don't use the whole bottle but just enough to fill the jar until next time. I add brown sugar, catsup, worsteshire sauce, diced onions, Tabasco, salt and pepper and liquid smoke. Fantastic!! I hope you enjoy. Camy


CHILI CHEESE DIP
Submitted by: Kelly Poelker, Bizymoms Host, Author: Bizy’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Virtual Assisting Business

One can Armour Chili without beans
One jar Cheese Whiz (or Velveeta loaf)

Combine chili and cheese, mix well. Heat in microwave for 3 minutes, remove and stir. Heat in microwave until hot, stir and serve with tortilla chips or Doritos.

LOW CAL SALSA
Submitted by: Diana Ennen

2 tomatoes
1 small onion
½ jalapeno chili
1 green pepper

Dice up all the above and mix.

Home-Based Business – Is it Right For You?

Home-Based Business – Is it Right For You?

What does it take to be successful in this field? Ambition, personal drive, motivation, desire and perseverance are the forerunners. Without these, all the skills and experience in the world won’t enable you to succeed. However, combine those with your personal skills and experience, and you’ll have what it takes.

Also, take into account the following: Are you ambitious, constantly striving for more fulfillment in life? Are you not fully satisfied until you’ve done your absolute best? If so, working from home is for you. There are no limitations. The more you put into the business, the more you’ll get out of it. You control your paycheck. Only you can determine what follows that dollar sign on your tax return each year.

Are you a self-starter? You alone are the one who will make this business a success or failure. The amount of time and energy you invest will determine just how successful you are with your business. Are you motivated enough to make things happen? In the beginning stages, a business will require a tremendous amount of hard work and long hours, often without immediate results. You need to be willing to invest that time and await the results with confidence.

Are you creative? Can you think of a new idea and within days make it a reality? What a joy it is to tap that inner imagination and create a new idea for your business. Whether it’s an effective advertising piece or a dazzling brochure for your clients, you have the power to make it work.

You should be self-motivated and enjoy working with others. Many of you will come from a 9-5 job and the general tendency is to cut loose with the extra freedom. No Boss-No Time Restraints-What fun! You have to discipline yourself right from the beginning not to get sidetracked watching soaps and sleeping in. After you are established, your workload won’t permit this anyway.

Working with different clients is a part of owning your own business. Remember, a satisfied client will tell other potential clients about your services. You need to possess the ability to make your clients feel confident and secure in your services and comfortable working with you.

You can’t fold under pressure. Owning your own business can be extremely stressful at times. There are no bosses to run to or co-workers to seek advice from. The computers will break, faxes will jam, clients will become too demanding and you must know how to handle the situation and stay calm. NEVER PANIC! Learn to take a deep breath, regain your composure and then solve the problem.

You should be organized and have a good understanding of the business you are going into. Many companies fail because they didn’t do their homework. Read as much as you can on home-based businesses before you get started. Research your area to determine the customers’ needs and the amount of competition.

You need to be able to say NO! Clients will take advantage of you if you don’t. You have to remain in control or you will find yourself working outrageous hours for little profit. Decide what hours you want to work and stick to that schedule.

Owning your own business can be an exciting and rewarding adventure. There is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment when you land your first client or make that first sale. It’s the kind of feeling that you just want to keep getting over and over again.

Excuses, Excuses

Just how badly do you want this? What’s holding you back? People present all kinds of excuses for why they shouldn’t start a home-based business. Fear is the most common. Fear of failure, fear of financial insecurity, fear of responsibility, and fear of change are the most frequently stated. Let’s look at these for a moment and see if they apply to you.

Fear of Failure: Most of us fear failure. It’s natural. Who wants to fail at anything? Besides, if you don’t try, you can’t fail, and you will not have to deal with those negative emotions. Successful entrepreneurs see failure as an opportunity. They believe that there is no such thing as failure, only lessons. You need to be able to learn from your past failures or, as I call them, “tries.” I consider it this way: “I tried it, it didn’t work, so I’ll try something else.” I give failure no power. One of our favorite clichés is, “I would rather regret something I did over something I didn’t do.”

You should learn valuable lessons from each of your mistakes. What did you do wrong that could be corrected next time? Never dwell on your mistakes. Solve the problem and plan a new course of action.

You can also prevent the risk of failure by being aware of why most home-based or small businesses fail and then guard against these things. The following are several reasons many businesses fail:

1. Lack of enthusiasm, motivation, dedication and drive
2. Lack of self-confidence
3. Lack of knowledge and expertise
4. Lack of management skills necessary to run a successful business
5. Lack of providing clients with quality and professional services
6. Lack of a professional attitude
7. Lack of a market for services

Remember that success takes time. Very few businesses are overnight successes. It takes work, rethinking of ideas and carrying out your plans. Think of success as a marathon, not a sprint.

Fear of Financial Insecurity: This is a valid concern for those leaving the security of a full-time job with a regular paycheck every week. There is no guarantee that every week you will make a certain amount of money. However, you can take steps that will enable you to make it through the slow times until your business is up and running. Don’t let your paycheck addiction seriously interfere with your dream of entrepreneurship. Keep in mind that you could be downsized, fired, laid off, let go, given the pink slip (you get my point) tomorrow, so take control of your future now!

Have two or three months of money in reserve to help you through the first few months. This alleviates the stress of having to make money NOW! Many start a business on a part-time basis and continue working their full-time jobs to keep money coming in and to build their client base. However, let this stop you from starting a business. After being in business now for 20 years and seeing so many businesses succeed, I know many who have made it without this extra money.

Fear of Responsibility: Many are frightened by the role of sole responsibility. They like the option of going to someone else when a crisis hits and having that person solve the problem. With everything falling on their shoulders, they fear they can’t handle the stress. Advance planning is the key here. When you start your business, have a good back-up plan in effect. Then when a crisis hits, you immediately know what to do. After the first few crisis situations, you learn to remain calm and solve problems with little effort.
**********
Diana Ennen is the President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com and the author of Corel WordPerfect Office Ready Virtual Assistant Solution Pack (http://www.corel.com), and Virtual Assistant – The Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA & workbook. She is also the publisher of the children’s book, Zip, Burp, and Hula and fiction thriller, Sledgehammer. Articles are free to be reprinted as long as the author’s bio remains intact.

Brain Gym & Me

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Dennison
www.braingym.com
(805)-650-3303
edukbooks@aol.com

Brain Gym And Me’s Unique Approach To Physical, Emotional And Spiritual Health

Ventura, CA (January, 2007) Finally, an all new and highly effective approach to the eternal quest for better body and mental health and freedom from the daily stressors that effect us all. Paul Dennison’s new book, Brain Gym and Me: Reclaiming the Pleasure of Learning delves into Dennison’s highly successful Brain Gym Program based on Educational Kinesiology - enhanced learning through movement. This movement-based system introduces enjoyable, easy-to-do physical activities to enhance people’s ability to learn, process information, and respond to the world in an ease-filled, effective way. Dennison’s Brain Gym program is currently in more than eighty countries and book sales have toppled over 415,000 during the past years.

Brain Gym was created to assist people in all facets of daily life, from the trainees of an insurance company preparing for the formidable exam, to the owner of a travel agency suffering financial losses each year in business, to children struggling with ADHD looking for an alternative to harmful medicines. Thus, the basis of the book can help corporate executives and educationally challenged children alike with the primary goal of better health and total body well being.

The lessons taught are profoundly simple, can be done anywhere, and work well for all ages. Dennison hopes to awaken his readers to an understanding of the interdependence of movement, learning, and brain development. The Brain Gym movements have been so effective that many schools across the world now offer Brain Gym in their classrooms, as more and more parents request it for their children.

Another benefit to the Brain Gym program is its effectiveness in dealing with stress. The Brain Gym focuses on methods for everyone to overcome the daily challenges of life and focus on how to overcome stress, restlessness, lack of coordination, and memory difficulty. As is outlined in the book, negative stress triggers the flight-or fight syndrome, flooding the body with hormones to ready it for instantaneous reaction. This can be successfully conquered by using the right steps. Just a few minutes of practicing the right Brain Gym and Me movement has proven positive impacts on stress reduction, goal setting, perceptual motor skills, reading, writing, remembering and even deep sleep.

The author, Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D., is a professional educator, a pioneer in the field of applied neuroscience and a world authority on cognitive skills and reading achievement. With a background in curriculum development and experiential psychology, Dennison conducted research at his learning centers into reading achievement and its relation to brain development. During the last twenty-five years, Dr. Dennison has taught workshops in movement-based learning in more than fifteen countries, being presented with numerous honors, including the Reading Excellence through the Arts (RETA) Award from the International Reading Association.

Brain Gym (ISBN #0-942143-11-6, 266 pages, Published 2006) allows the reader to turn reading challenges into astonishing successes. Brain Gym and Me sells for $19.95. You can purchase the book and get additional information at our website at www.braingym.com. Dr. Dennison is also available for workshop and speaking engagements.