Simply Sensational Cheese Straws
January 31, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
Wow your guests with these tasty delights. Cheese straws are very simple to make using frozen puff pastry from the grocery store. They make an elegant appetizer presentation when you stand them in a decorative glass.
I box (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted in your refrigerator
1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp. of water, in a shallow bowl
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
3/4 cup finely grated Gruyere Cheese
2 tsp. Kosher Salt
2 grinds of fresh black pepper
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Combine both cheeses, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured cutting board. Brush the surface of the pastry lightly with the egg. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry. Using a rolling pin lightly roll the cheese mixture into the pastry. Cut the pastry crosswise into 12 strips. Twist each entire strip then place on a baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining pastry and ingredients.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly brown and puffy, turn each straw and bake another 2-3 minutes, do not overbake. Serve at room temperature. Makes 24 cheese straws.
Posted in Goals!
January 28, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
Brian Tracy’s Goals! How to Get Everything You Want–Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible is not only informative, but highly motivational.
Brian Tracy is one of the top consultants, trainers and speakers for major corporations and has written numerous books and audio programs. His personal mission statement is “To help people achieve their goals faster than they ever would in the absence of my help.”
Tracy begins by sharing how he learned as a young man how to set and achieve his own goals, which led to huge gains in his success and financial rewards. He also shares ideas for discovering what you really want, and for making sustained progress toward achieving your goals. Other topics covered in the book include how to be an expert in your field, time management, strategic planning, flexibility, creativity and persistence.
In this book, Brian Tracy provides a powerful step by step system to help you set and achieve your goals in the shortest possible time. He highlights the importance of clearly defining your goals, writing them down, defining strategies to reach your goals and how to remain focused. Your ability to set clear, specific, measurable and challenging goals are the keys to your success.
This is an outstanding book by a renowned expert that has positively changed countless lives. Goals! will help you transform your dreams into action plans that when implemented will lead to your success.
Those interested in living passionate, fulfilling lives are invited to study the seven key elements of goal setting and the 12 steps required to reach your goals expertly presented and articulated by Brian Tracy, among other critical insights in the book.
GirlsWhoNetwork’s Book Club members are currently reading and discussing Goals! we’re looking forward to sharing their views in the future.
Home Spa Treatments
January 27, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
Here are some inexpensive beauty treatments straight out of the kitchen pantry.
Silky, soft hands-warm some olive oil and soak your hands in it for 10 minutes
Skin Glow Facial Mask-mix 2tsp. of oatmeal (not instant) with 1 tsp. of baking soda add enough water to make a paste. Apply to your face avoiding the eye area, rub gently. Rinse off with tepid water, blot dry.
Fabulous Feet-fill a basin with warm water, add the juice of one lemon and one cup of oatmeal (not instant). Soak your feet for 15 minutes massaging your feet gently with the oatmeal. Rinse, pat dry, apply lotion, put on cotton socks and off to bed you go. Awaken with soft, smooth feet the next day!
Soft lips-apply a little bit of honey to your lips before bedtime
Shiny Hair-Add one tsp. of rosemary oil to one cup of green tea and use as a rinse for freshly washed hair.
What SHE Needs
January 27, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
What’s a girl really want from that special guy in her life? We heard Phil tell us what a guy needs, and yes in spite of our beliefs to the contrary his list didn’t include food, sex and absolute and total control over the remote!
So here’s what a girl needs … a guy who will listen, not a guy that will just nod his head, say “um hm” or grunt every two minutes, and then swear up down five minutes later that ”you never told me that”. We really want guys to listen, to understand us and take what we have to say seriously, not just tune us out and pretend they’re listening to us.
Girls want romance! We would love to be swept off our feet now and then! Hey guys surprise us, do something romantic! It doesn’t have to be fancy, leave a love note on our pillow, snuggle on the couch with us, bring home a bag of our favorite cookies. Something simple, spontaneous and most of all something that shows that you took the time to think about us in the middle of your busy day.
Ask us about our dreams for our lives. Again listen to what we have to say, believe in us, encourage us, support us. Be the “cheerleaders” in our lives, tell us how proud you are of us when we accomplish a goal or have a “win” in our lives. Be 100% supportive even if things don’t go as planned. Have “our back”, we need you there with us as we strive to be ”all” that we can be.
So what’s a girl need? Love, Respect and Understanding.
Smart, Savvy Shopping!
January 27, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
With these tips you can “shop till you drop” and we’re not talking about dropping lots of cash! Every girl loves a bargain, right? But who has time to drive all over town … and smart chicks know … time is money!
Here are some tips to help you be smart, savvy, shopper! Here is a list of the best time to get the deals.
- January/February: Winter clothing including shoes, bicycles and linens (aka White Sales)
- March: Ski equipment, snow blowers, European Vacations
- April/May: Televisions and appliances
- June/July: Furniture, Air conditioners, Caribbean Vacations
- August/September: Summer clothing, Cars, Summer toys, Outdoor Furniture, BBQ Grills and equipment,
- October/November: Toys, School Supplies
- December: after the 26th of course, Christmas decorations, cards and wrapping paper, Houses and Cars at the end of the month (dealer’s have quotas)
I Love Jason Bourne!
January 27, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
I love Jason Bourne! No, I don’t mean I really “love” him, after all he is an international assassin, but I love the Bourne Movies. The Bourne Identity is a 1980 spy fiction thriller novel by Robert Ludlum. It is the first in a series of novels written by Ludlum, and later Eric Van Lustbader. The Bourne Identity was voted the second best spy novel of all-time, right behind John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, by Publishers Weekly.
A sequel to The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Identity and the third film of the Bourne Trilogy, The Bourne Ultimatum was released in 2007.
I love Jason because he has laser focus and determination. Jason achieves his goals, he has the “whatever it takes” attitude and always finds a way no matter the obstacles that he faces. Jason doesn’t try, Jason does. I think this is what makes the movies so powerful, you see a man with the drive, ambition and determination to face the odds and win. The soundtrack is pretty awesome too!
You may be saying well, it’s just a movie … well, it is just a movie but watch … learn the lessons the movie will teach you and then go out and create the life of your dreams. Real “live” people do it everday!
Metropolitan Museum of Art
January 27, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to simply as “the Met”, is one of the world’s largest and most important art museums.. The main building is located on Central Park in New York city, along what is known as Museum Mile. The Met is a designated Natural Historic Landmark.
The Met’s permanent collection contains more than two million works of art, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The Cloisters, the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. The building and its cloistered gardens—located in Upper Manhattan—are treasures in themselves, effectively part of the collection housed there.
Represented in the permanent collection are works of art from classical antiquity and Ancient Egypt, paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. The Met also maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine and Islamic art. The museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world. A number of notable interiors, ranging from 1st century Rome through modern American design, are permanently installed in the Met’s galleries.
In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Met organizes and hosts special exhibitions and free events.
The Met Store is a fabulous place to buy gifts; you’ll find publications based on past and present exhibits, stationary, puzzles, jewelry, educational toys and other reproductions produced by the Museum. They also offer a wide variety of home decor items including art reproductions.
The “Secret” To Attracting Perfect Customers
January 26, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
Who wants more customers? Everyone does! You’ve heard of “The Secret” well why not use those concepts to attract your “perfect” customers?
Here’s a “new” concept … stop selling yourself and your business! Yes, you heard me right, stop the selling! Focus on attracting your perfect customers.
This is a more powerful yet simple way to sell. Here are three simple steps:
- provide something people need or desire
- be visible
- WOW, every client, every time
Then your best advertising is: your happy, satisfied customers!
There is a fascinating book that is a complete “how to guide” on using this marketing strategy. The book is Attracting Perfect Customers by Stacey Hall and Jan Brogniez. This book shows you how the Law of Attraction can be applied in business, and how you can attract Your Perfect Customers too.
Best Ever Ice Cream Sandwiches!
January 26, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
Once you make ice cream sandwiches this way, there is no going back to store bought ice cream sandwiches … EVER!
1 pint of good quality coffee ice cream, softened
12, 3 inch Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Place 6 cookies upside down on a baking sheet that will fit in the freezer, the flat side of the cookie must be facing up. Using an ice cream scoop place a scoop of ice cream in the center of each cookie. Top the ice cream with another cookie, flat side down. Gently press down on the top cookie to spread the ice cream to the edge of the cookie. When you have made all six sandwiches, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least two hours. You may wrap the sandwiches individually and store for a month (I guarantee they will NOT last that long). Six delectable, delightful Ice Cream Sandwiches
You may vary the cookie-ice cream combinations to suit your taste! Have fun and enjoy!
Warm Goat Cheese Salad
January 26, 2008 · Written by Heather Juma
Crispy salad greens tossed with a spicy mustard dressing and topped with warm goat cheese is a delicious salad combination!
One bag of mixed Spring Salad
6 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
1 egg, beaten in a shallow bowl
1 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (not the green can, the real stuff)
1/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1 8 ounce log of Goat Cheese, Montrachet preferred sliced into 8 slices
1 Tbsp. butter
1Tbsp. olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Combine the olive oil, lemon juice and Dijon mustard in a small bowl whisk thoroughly to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place the bread crumbs on a plate, add the Parmesan cheese then toss to combine.
Dip the goat cheese slices lightly in the egg, then coat both sides with the bread crumb mixture
Place the breaded goat cheese slices on a plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes at least (may be prepared ahead, cover)
Just before serving, melt the butter with the olive oil in a skillet do not allow the butter to brown. Over medium heat cook the cheese slices until golden brown on both sides about 4-5 minutes.
Whisk the dressing to blend, drizzle the dressing over the salad greens to coat lightly, toss then season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange dressed salad greens on plates that have chilled in the freezer. Arrange cheese on top. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
