Turkey day "shorcuts" top chefs' style

 From the easy trick that'll slash you turkey- roasting time in half to the day- ahead tip that will give you even better mashed potatoes, the nation top chefs shared their favorite Thanksgiving shortcut!





For super smooth gravy in minutes....Use fast flour!;

 If you cook your turkey on  a roasting rack over a pan(like Rachel Ray) there is no need to make gravy separately: Save time by making it in the pan!

 Chef's shortcut: "When you take your turkey out of the oven, just add a can of chicken stock to the pan and 1/4 cup each chopped celery and onions," says 2012 Hel'ls Kitchen Top 5 finalist Clemenza Caserta. "the drippings are going into the pan, so when the turkey's ready, you just lift it up, strain what's there and add about 1/4cup of flour!" which flour? Wondra Flour! it dissolves quickly and will never clump.


For delicious turkey in half the time..... Slice it before you cook it!:

 Separate the legs and breast before you roast your turkey, suggests chef Luca Paris, of Luca's Mediterranean café in Keen, NH . Since smaller pieces cook faster, it'll cut your roasting time in half, he promised.

For a savory stuffing..........Stock up on stock!

Stock is the ingredient that will give your stuffing the most flavor, "unless you are cooking your stuffing in the turkey" say  chef Luca Paris, of Luca's Mediterranean café in Keen, NH. " a lot od=f Stock" say sixteen ounces for one pound of stuffing.

 Chef's secret: Food network star Bobby Flay keeps a pot bubbling on the stove all day on thanksgiving day and pours a ladle-full on just about everything: On the bottom of the turkey pan to help steam the meat and keep it juicy while cooking, in the gravy and, of course, ladled on his stuffing to keep it moist!!


 Fuss-free mashed potatoes....Make them on day early!

 Yes!! "Just add  extra flavor - enhancing fat to your mashed potatoes, and you can scratch your spuds off your to-do list on day early" says Renee Ferguson, author of Talk Turkey to me.

  Chef's shortcut: "For every three pounds of potatoes, add about one stick of melted butter. Give them a stir when you take them out of the fridge, cover with foil and pop them in the oven at 375°F until hot." 


 I hope these tips help you cook a delicious thanksgiving dinner, and do not forget to enjoy the presence of your loved ones.



 Book Corner:

 I just read Assertiveness for Earth Angel How to be loving instead of "too nice" by Doreen Virtue, honestly these is a really good book, in it the author explains that Earth Angel are very sensitive, spiritual and trusting people, who love to make other people happy and avoid conflict at all cost; for that reason Earth Angels are easy targets for manipulative people who gladly take advantage of them. This book teaches Earth Angels and everyone how to build and maintain healthy boundaries with others, how to achieve assertiveness without being aggressive or causing hard feelings. I highly recommend this book.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

 Resources: Woman's World Magazine.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

trick or treat!!!!

It is again that time of the year!!! and for all the people that have children (like me) know how stressful can be to find the perfect costume for our kiddos; and of course buying a costume every year can be pricey; But guess what..? it doesn't have to be that way!!; we can create  nice, inexpensive costumes using things that we already have around the house. Here are some examples:

Snowball Costume:

All you need is: an over-size pale-blue sweatshirt, string, batting, an extra-large sewing needle, white felt, seam binding, Styrofoam balls in assorted sizes, elastic, Velcro, fabric glue, a large safety pins
Talk about the perfect storm! Your little Jack (or Jacqueline) Frost will leave family and  friends spellbound. And, as with the rest of our costumes, all the supplies can be easily found at any big arts and crafts store.


Raining Cats and Dogs Costume:
All you need is: a child-size clear umbrella, black sticky felt (like Preto), black poster board, fabric pencil, gray thread, a needle
Drips are for kids! This clever idea is sure to be a hit in your neighborhood. Pair the decorated umbrella with the raincoat and rain boots your child already owns and she'll be set to have a blast in any weather


Mr. Twister Costume:

All you need is: an over-size black shirt, silver lame, heavy cardstock, batting, black felt, fabric glue, black gloves
For the wild child whose energy seems to be heaven-sent, what better choice than a bright bolt? He'll be sure to electrify the entire neighborhood



 Boo-tiful Ghost:

An oversize sweatshirt, some white tulle and ribbon make a simple (and spooky!) no-sew ghost costume.
You'll need:

• Oversize white sweatshirt
• Fabric glue
• 1/2 yard white ribbon
• 2 yards white tulle
• 1/4 yard batting
• Black felt
• 1/2 yard black ribbon

Body: , using a white sweatshirt. When it's time to go out trick-or-treating, fold tulle in half and cut a slit at the center, large enough to fit your child's head through. Pull over child's head, on top of the sweatshirt.
Hat: Take one sleeve and cut 8 inches down from the shoulder. Glue raw edges of the widest end under. Coat one side of the batting with glue. Gather the narrow end of the hat and wrap the batting around the top 3 inches, squeezing as you go to form a pointy tip.
Mask: Cut two circles (about 2 inches in diameter) out of black felt; cut smaller circles from the insides to make goggles. Connect them by gluing a piece of thin ribbon between (just long enough to sit on bridge of nose); glue on longer pieces on each side to tie around child's head.



Lego:

Follow these instructions to turn a plain old cardboard box into a costume with all the right angles.


STEP 1: Cut off the bottom flaps of a box (ours measured 16"W × 29"H × 11"D) with a utility knife. Tape down the top flaps.


STEP 2: To create head and arm holes, trace a dinner plate on the top of the box and saucers on each of the box's sides, and cut out with the utility knife.


STEP 3: Lay the box flat on its back. Using wood glue, affix eight round 2"H x 4"diam. craft boxes — without their lids — in two vertical rows along the front, as shown. Make sure the bottoms of the craft boxes face out.


STEP 4: Once the glue has dried, spray-paint the entire piece glossy red. If necessary, coat multiple times for a brighter color, then let dry 


As you see you don't need to spend a lot to create cute costumes; I hope this help you.

Resources: www.countryliving.com
                   www.parenting.com

The book corner:

 
 
I  just read the book " How to Heal a Grieving Heart" by Doreen Virtue and James van praagh. This is a great book that provides the readers spiritual, and emotional  support in moments of grieve, this is not a "chapter book", so you don't have to start reading it from the beginning., you can just open any random  page and read the beautiful  message. This book is filled with gentle messages that grieving people will find comforting  when they are facing a loss of a loved one. The book is small and colorful, and it make the perfect gift for a grieving friend.  

 FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

What does your favorite soup say about you..?

Now that we are entering the Fall months and the weather is beautifully changing, think about this.. Is there anything more comforting on a cold fall day than a bowl of soup? I don't think so; and neither does Neurologist Alan Hirsh, MD (SmellAndTaste.org), "soup brings us back to the cozy fall/snow/rainy days of our childhood" he says. "That nostalgia factor- plus the fact that the taste and personality develop in the same brain region- means soup can reflect aspects of who you are." Find out what your favorite soup says about you!

If you prefer:

Vegetable or Minestrone: You are a serene thinker

Vegetable Soup, with it's earthy flavor, complements your down- to- earth nature.   "thoughtful and introverted, you prefer long walks to, say, team sports," says Dr. Hirsch. Calm and collected, you epitomize grace under pressure and exude a sophisticated cool that puts others at ease.


French Onion Soup: You are a risktaker!

"Ristakers tend to be drawn to the strong flavor of onions" says Dr. Hirsch; Indeed, you love to challenge yourself and know that even if you fail now and then, it's the attempt that always makes you a winner. For you,  obstacles are opportunities and challenges are incentives to push yourself harder and to grab everything you deserve.


Tomato: you are carefree kid at heart

Tomato soup the perfect partner for mom's grilled cheese sandwich., It's closely associated with childhood. No wonder you retain the best attitudes of youth- a relaxed spontaneity! But it doesn't mean you don't work hard when it counts. "You are diligent, yet stop just short of stressful perfectionism" notes Dr. Hirsch. In other words you have a healthy, balanced, approach to life. 


Split Pea: You are in the Driver's seat!

"People who like split pea tend to be confident leaders" says Dr. Hirsch. Split pea is a relative unusual choice, he explains, hinting at your own out the box thinking. Rather than being intimidated by the spotlight, you relish it and think well on your feet. It's a rere talent that makes you perfect for leadership roles. 

 Clam Chowder: You are a natural optimistic!

 Dr. Hirsch's research reveals a strong link between idealism and a craving for clam chowder! That may be because clams are a summery food often enjoyed in happy groups and, that speaks to your social spirit. You are fun-loving and can lift the mood of those around you with just a smile. 






Chicken Soup:  You are there for loved ones!

" You are generous and very receptive to  emotions of those around you" says Dr. Hirsch. Translation? you are hugely empathetic and feel compelled to help others. Just as chicken soup it's associated with comfort and healing, so are you linked with nurturing and sensitivity.  










  So what do you think..? which one it's your favorite..?


The book corner:

I  just read the book "The Rosary, the prayer that saved my life" by New York Times best selling author Immaculée Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin.

  This is a beautiful book, written by  Immaculée Ilibagiza  who is a survivor of the horrific 1994 Rwanda genocide, In this book she relates how since her childhood her family thought her how to pray the Rosary, and how  at that time she didn't understand  the real meaning of those beautiful prayers, as she grew older she finally understood that the Rosary, It's more than just " beads on a string"  She truly  understood that the Rosary it's a Powerful prayer given to us by our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary,( who is Immaculée's favorite saint)  In these book she help us understand how effectively pray the Rosary, and the glorious meaning behind this wonderful tool, the author explains how by praying  the  Rosary  with faith can help anyone, with any life situation, She explains that the Rosary it's for everyone  no matter of your  religion affiliations, and invites everyone to discover it's enormous world changing power. This is a wonderful book suitable for anyone.
 FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product. 

Need something..? ask your angel..!

 What a wonderful summer this has been.!. can't wait for autumn though; it's my favorite season of all!! anyway.. I decided that today I wanted to share with you a little bit  about angels and Archangel; so if are curious about this divine beings then I invite you to read further..

Who are the angels:

Angel are divine light beings who are God's messengers on earth; they are divine part of our creator, sent in a form of guardian angels to protect us, guide us and help us whenever we need them; they are never too busy to help us,  nothing it's too large or too small for angels.

Angels are Beings of Light from the 7th dimension and higher. The angelic realms come from the heart of God and do not have free will as we do. Their will is the divine will.

We cannot usually see or hear them because they vibrate at a frequency that is beyond our visual and auditory range. Certain people can connect with them because they are psychic and can tune into the angelic waveband. Others have to learn to do this.


Guardian Angels:

The angels of the 7th dimension are your Guardian Angels and others who help humans. Every single person has a Guardian Angel who protects and looks after them. Your Guardian Angel keeps the divine blueprint for your life, which you agreed before you were born, and he whispers guidance to you to keep you on your chosen spiritual path. Usually we think the whispered guidance of angels is our own inspired thoughts or bright ideas!
If your soul has agreed that you need an experience illness or accident for your spiritual growth or even if it is time for you to pass over, your Guardian Angel must step aside. No one can contravene the free will of your soul. However, if this is not the case, your Guardian Angel will step in and help you. Remember to say ‘Thank you’ when you have had a near miss in your car!
Your Guardian Angel and Guides also arrange for you to meet the people you are meant to meet, such as a partner or good friend – even an enemy who challenges and strengthens you. Your Guardian Angel organizes all co-incidences and synchronicities.

There are dozens of wonderful inspirational stories in New Light on Angels and Angel Inspiration illustrating how people are helped by angels.
The spiritual law is ‘ask and you shall receive’. Your angel is always listening and if you ask for help (and it is for the highest good) he will assist you. Angels must wait until you ask because you have free will.
Your angels will help you to be safe, to find a parking space, to reach your destination at the correct time, to find something, to heal a relationship and many other things.
Your Guardian Angel is always by your side if you need him. He may leave you for a few moments if his in on a mission for you. For example, he may flash off to fetch some pure energy for you from a waterfall or the moon. He may go to speak to another Guardian Angel on your behalf to bring about a better relationship. When my grand-daughter was born I was in Ireland at a Master Teachers Meeting for the Diana Cooper School. I received a text to say that she had been safely born then went into a meeting. I noticed that my Guardian Angel was not by my side and immediately he came whooshing back. I said telepathically, ‘Where have you been?’ and he responded, ‘Taking your love to the baby.’
Your Guardian Angel loves you and nothing can stop him from loving you whatever you do.


Communicating with angels

If you want to communicate with angels, think, read or talk about them for this helps you to be on their wave length. Change your expectations. Most people do not hear a voice or see a golden being. Angels usually communicate telepathically, so you have to learn to differentiate between your thoughts and their messages.
As people become more clairvoyant they start to see the light of the angels but this does not always happen. Most people just sense their presence or know they are there. So start your communication by knowing they are with you. Then talk or think to them and trust the angelic thoughts that drop into your head in response. They will always be positive and good.

Archangels

Archangel Michael:
Most people know Archangel Michael who is the warrior and protector angel. You can ask him to place his deep blue cloak of protection round you and sense his angels putting it in place. It is wise to do this every night and morning.

New Light on Angels and Angel Inspiration share many stories of how he has helped people. You can see his exact blue color in his Orb in Ascension Through Orbs.
He uses his Sword of Truth to cut away cords that do not serve you.

 His twin flame is Faith. Archangel Michael has a very strong, masculine energy; you'll know he is around if you feel a very warm, protective and loving energy embracing you. Call upon Michael whenever you are fearful, or unsure about a situation, he'll go to your side right away.


Archangel Metatron:

 This illuminated being who is in charge of the Stellar Gateway chakra of the planet and of individuals. He helps people connect with their Monads, their I AM Presence, and with Source.
His color ranges from magnificent orange to gold and he is leading and guiding the ascension of this planet.
His twin flame is Archangel Sandalphon who is in charge of the Earth Star chakra of the planet and of individuals. You will find much more about this mighty Archangel in The Keys to the Universe and Ascension through Orbs. Call upon Archangel Metatron when you need assistance with kids., children are one of Metatron's specialties.



Archangel Gabriel:  

Archangel Gabriel and his twin flame Hope are working particularly hard at the moment to purify the world and individuals.

If you want clarity about a situation or personal problem sit quietly and ask Archangel Gabriel to help you find that clarity. Then you can take decisions and move forward. He will help you to see the light side of what is happening and be joyous.

He is in charge of the development of the base, sacral and navel chakras of the planet and humanity; Call upon Gabriel to help with assistance on fertility, pregnancies, artistic inspiration, strength, public speaking. depending on your need, you might feel Gabriel's  loving energy as male or female.



Archangel Uriel:  

This wondrous golden being is in charge of the solar plexus of humans and the planet. . It takes in the fear of the world and transmutes, then radiates out magnificent golden energy. However this chakra is so overwhelmed with negative energy that it rarely manages to shine with its true fifth dimensional light.
Archangel Uriel helps you dissolve your fear and develop your confidence and self worth, so that you can bring back your own inner wisdom. Call upon Uriel when you need help with school related problems, or  memory problems.


Archangel Raphael:   

Archangel Raphael is in charge of the third eye chakra of individuals and the world.
He is the healing angel and the angel of abundance. Call on his emerald green angels of healing for help for yourself and anyone else who needs it. Call upon Raphael for assistance with any health related issues.






BOOK CORNER:
 
I just read "Miracles of Archangel Gabriel" by Doreen Virtue

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

This a Wonderful book, its filled with uplifting stories about Archangel Gabriel interventions, I love how knowledgeable the author is about the references to Archangel Gabriel in different religious texts, such as the Bible, Quran, ect.. I also love how the book shows how "versatile" Archangel Gabriel is, the book covers a lot of topics such as calling upon Archangel Gabriel from assistance in conceiving and pregnancies, to artistic inspiration and strength . Each story is unique and wonderful, and after reading them you will left filled with hope. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you for reading; Hope you all like it!!

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction, chackra balancing and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."   Reiki is the name given to a system of natural healing which evolved in Japan from the experience and dedication of Dr Mikao Usui (d. 1926). Fired by a burning question, Dr Usui was inspired to develop this healing system from ancient teachings after many years of study, research and meditation. He spent the rest of his life practising and teaching Reiki. Today Reiki continues to be taught by Reiki Masters who have trained in the tradition passed down from Master to student.  The method of receiving a Reiki treatment from a practitioner is a very simple process. The recipient simply lies on a couch and relaxes. If they are unable to lie down the treatment can be given in a sitting position, the main thing is for the recipient to be as comfortable as possible. There is no need to remove any clothing as Reiki will pass through anything, even plaster casts. The practitioner gently places their hands non-intrusively in a sequence of positions which cover the whole body. The whole person is treated rather than specific symptoms. A full treatment usually takes 1 to 1½ hours with each position held for several minutes. 

  Reiki and the chakrasTo understand Reiki and the hand positions used one will have to have some knowledge of the chakras. The Reiki hand positions as used here in the west covers and treats all the major chakras. The chakras are both connected to the physical organs in our body and the different layers in the aura.7 centers of energyChakra is a Sanskrit word and means "wheel". A wheel that spins around its own axis and can spin fast or slowly. A chakra will spin in relation to the energy level of your system. Where will you find these chakras? They exist within us all. In the same way that we have a physical body we also have a subtile body. Our chakras are parts of a large network of subtile energies.Today we know that living cells from humans, animals and  plants give off invisible energies. Simple groups of living tissue issue a sort of light (aura) that can be seen on a Kirlian photo. Specialized groups of cells that make up physical organs create more organized energy patterns. The human body's system consists of sensory, breathing, circulation, digestion, reproduction and secretion. There are six corresponding chakras for these bodily functions. The brain and the whole being also has one chakra, making a total of 7 major chakras. These chakras are situated at the top of the head, forehead, throat, heart, solar plexus, the navel and at the bottom of the pelvis.The chakras and the physical bodyEvery chakra has a corresponding organ in our physical system.
The root chakra belongs together with the large intestine and the rectum. It also has a certain influence on the function of the kidneys.
The navel chakra belongs to the reproduction system, the testicles and ovaries and also the urinary bladder and kidneys.
The solar plexus chakra is in relation to the liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen and the small intestine.
The heart chakra belongs to the heart and the arms.
The throat chakra relates to the lungs and the throat.
The third eye (forehead) chakra belongs to the brain, face, nose, eyes etc.
The crown chakra does not have a corresponding organ but is related to the whole being.There is a clear connection between the condition of a chakra and the condition of the corresponding organ. A chakra can be over active, under active or in balance. Using Reiki can give the chakras balance and the organs health. Chakras and the endocrine systemThe chakras change energy from one level to another by distributing Ki (also called Chi, Prana, Mana depending on belief system) to the physical body. This is partly done through the endocrine system that regulates other systems in the body. According to tradition each chakra also corresponds to one of the major glands in the body. The Reiki hand positions not only cover the chakras but also major organs and glands.
The root chakra is in relation to the adrenal gland.
The navel chakra to the ovaries or testicles.
The solar plexus chakra is related to the pancreas.
The heart chakra belongs together with the thymus.
The throat chakra corresponds to the thyroid gland.
The third eye chakra has a connection to the pituitary gland.
The crown chakra is usually connected to the pineal gland.The endocrine system plays a major role for the body's daily health. The glands release hormones directly into the blood stream and control all aspects of growth, development and daily activities. Physical problems are often the result of a blockage in the energy flow in the system made up of meridians and chakras causing the organs or glands to not function properly.

 Benefits of Reiki:

1. One of the greatest Reiki healing health benefits is stress reduction and relaxation, which triggers the body’s natural healing abilities (immune system), aids in better sleep and improves and maintains health.
2. Reiki helps bring about inner peace and harmony. It can be valuable tool in the quest for spiritual growth
3. Reiki also balances the mind and emotions. Regular Reiki treatments can bring about a calmer and more peaceful state of being, in which a person is better able to cope with everyday stress. This mental balance also enhances learning, memory and mental clarity. Reiki can heal mental/emotional wounds, work through dysfunction In more severe situations, Reiki can help alleviate mood swings, fear, frustration and even anger. Reiki can also strengthen and heal personal relationships. Because Reiki enhances your capability to love, it can open you up to the people around you and help your relationships grow. By improving your capacity for empathy, Reiki allows you to connect with people on a deeper level.
4. Reiki offers relief during emotional distress and sorrow. Reiki helps in the grieving process. It cleans and clears the emotions, preventing them from being so draining and offers perspective.
5. On the physical level, Reiki helps to relieve pain from migraine, arthritis, sciatica ~ just to name a few. It also helps with symptoms of asthma, chronic fatigue, menopausal symptoms, and insomnia.
6. Reiki speeds up recovery from surgery or long-term illness. As it helps in adjusting to medicine/treatment, it also tends to reduce side-effects. For example, Chemo-therapy patients who received Reiki noticed a marked decrease in side effects from treatment.
7. Reiki can be an effective way to treat immediate problems, such as physical or mental illness (recovery from surgery, but regular treatments can also improve overall health. By helping to maintain a state of physical and emotional balance, Reiki can not only treat problems, but perhaps even prevent them from ever developing.

Reiki is for everyone: it heals adults, babies, toddlers, children, elderly and pets.

I am a Reiki practitioner please let me know if you would like a treatment.

BOOK CORNER:

I just finish reading the book "Salomon Speaks on Reconnecting your life" by Dr. Erick Pearl and Frederick Ponzlov. I thinks this a great book that will appeal to everyone not only to energy healers, because it's profound message it's applicable to everyone; I really enjoyed the way the authors tell their personal stories; and of course the message that "Salomon" (the entity that it's channeled by Fred Ponzlov) brings; this message it's to remember who we truly are; and that we are essential part of all that is; He guide us how to live a in a simple way; trusting, enjoying and focusing in the process instead of the results., Knowing that we are all healers but in order to heal others we have to start with ourselves, he guide us on getting tune with our inner self, trusting that there are no wrong choices, everything it's in perfect order and timing and we just have to trust it and let that energy flow and take place. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for higher wisdom.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

Buy this book: http://www.hayhouse.com/details.php?id=8275&utm_id=3313