You know how you pour out the seasonings from the quart size bags and sometimes, a bit of it sticks to the sides? Co-founder Stephanie Allen is brilliant at providing the simplest little tip that gives you the biggest bang of flavor.
-Simply pour the liquid out as directed.
-Then put a tablespoon of water in the bag.
-Seal it.
-Swish it around and then pour it all out in the pan.
-Voila! You got it all without jeopardizing the recipe or flavor of your dish.
Sometimes it is hard to get all of the sauce out of your sealed bag. Especially if the sauce is less fluid. Here is a great way to get all of the sauce out.
-Take the sealed bag and push it flat and get as much of the sauce out of one corner as you can.
-Take your scissors and snip the empty corner so that you have an opening that you can pour out from.
-Squeeze the sauce out of the bag and get it all without leaving a drop behind.
Ever wanted to serve your Dream Dinners pan meal in something prettier than the foil pan you made it in? It can be easy to do if you follow these steps.
Write the word “breathe” on a sticky note. Put the note where you will see it often; on your computer, dashboard, workstation, cash register, or cell phone. Or program it into a pop-up e-mail or PDA reminder.
When you see the note, do this:
Most of us worry about things that never happen or things that happened in the past. What is real is what is happening in the present — right now.
Say to yourself as often as needed each day: Where am I? Here. What time is it? Now.
One way to reduce the stress and anxiety produced by an overcrowded schedule is to complete things systematically before you start new projects.
Review your calendar for the week, the day or even the hour. Then pick one item you need to get done or one decision that you can make in five minutes or less. Make a phone call? Send an e-mail? Decide what to have for lunch? Go for a walk?
Once you’ve finished it, cross that item off and say out loud: Done! No matter how small the task, give yourself credit for completing it. As your list shrinks, your sense of control and competence grows. One success sets you up for another.
Source: Recharge in Minutes, by Suzanne Zoglio, PhD, TowerHill Press
No matter the season, more and more of us are cooking outdoors. During the warm summer months outdoor cooking and dining are even more popular. Here are some steps you can take to stay healthy and reduce your risk of illness during the summer months.
When meat and other protein foods are cooked at high temperatures, chemical compounds can form that are believed to increase risk of some types of cancer. To decrease formation of these compounds use a lower flame on your grill, trim away fat on meats to avoid flare-ups and marinate meat prior to cooking.
The heat of summer makes for perfect outdoor BBQs, but it also sets the stage for foodborne illness. Leaving food out for even a short period of time in the heat can result in rapid growth of harmful bacteria. Here are some tips to help you keep food safe:
For cooked foods:
Source: Cindy Farricker, MS, RD, CDE, Registered Dietitian, Dream Dinners, Inc.
Taking the time to store produce properly will help you to make the most of this season’s wonderful fruits and vegetables. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables is a great way to improve your health. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Rearrange the letters in the word LISTEN into a word that describes how you should be when someone is talking. The answer is SILENT. Almost everyone thinks they are good listeners, but more often than not, many of us want to chime in with a solution, judgment, an answer or story of our own before who we are talking with even get to finish. This can leave feelings of frustration and may cause the other person to be less likely to listen to you.
Here are a few good listening skills you can use to be a better listener:
What are some ways or tips you have for being a better listener? Have you seen a noticeable improvement in friendship or communication using these skills?