As summer comes to a close, (only a couple of weekends left), I’m going through my recipe book to make sure I’ve enjoyed all of my summertime-only favorites.  My husband drinks lemonade year-round, but it’s a prepared brand that I mix with Stevia to avoid acidity as well as sugar spikes.  But on a hot summer day, there’s nothing like the real thing.  

I like this recipe because it’s easy to remember and it comes out perfect every time.  All you have to do is remember the ratio 1:1:5.  That’s 1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice, (from actual lemons, not a bottle), 1 part sugar, (I use the real stuff here as well), and 5 parts water.

Hope you try it, and enjoy!

Posted under Uncategorized

My husband and I are both sensitive to monosodium glutamate, MSG.  His sensitivity is worse than mine.  I will have weird dreams and not sleep well if I consume it, while he has fitful nightmares and bruxes very badly, in addition to getting almost no sleep at all. 

Several years ago, BJ would occasionally have nightmares so severe that if I tried to wake him, he would imagine that I was part of the dream and he even hit me once.  I’ve since learned to get up, leave the bedroom, and yell back at him if he’s having a nightmare and we’ve eaten out that day. 

We were having dinner one night with some friends when we shared the problem with them.  My dentist’s-wife counterpart had recently taken a nutrition class and honed in on the problem immediately; “MSG,” she said.  “It’s MSG that’s causing your nightmares.  I remember that from the class.”

We figured we had nothing to lose and it would be easy enough to test.  Sure enough, after a couple of weeks of no MSG, he deliberately ate a meal containing it and boom – severe nightmares and bruxism.

The problem makes it difficult to eat out since most restaurants use MSG at least a little.  Some, like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Long John Silvers, used it in nearly all preparations.  The problem affects eating at potlucks and the like as well since many recipes that we home cooks use call for Campbell’s soup, other packaged ingredients, or Accent food seasoning.  Nearly all Campbell’s soup products contain MSG, except for the Healthy Request line, many pre-packaged convenience ingredients, such as Ramen noodles and bottled salad dressings contain monosodium glutamate, meat tenderizers and seasonings often contain it, and Accent is pure monosodium glutamate.  Most cooks, even professional chefs, are completely unaware of the ingredients they use to even know if there could be a potential problem.  We tend to frequent better restaurants where the chef is more educated to the issue because of this. 

We’ve also learned what to watch out for and what to ask about.  Many restaurants and their staffs are very nice and willing to accommodate us, but we have been turned away from restaurants before.  We’ve also been ignored and served MSG anyway – ask us how we know!

But perhaps the biggest annoyance is when you want to enjoy a home-cooked breakfast containing sausage and you can’t even find an MSG-free product in any of your local grocery stores.  Even in the cities closest to us, Lexington, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, I cannot find a brand of sausage that is MSG free.

So, what does a determined home chef do?  She creates her own, of course.  I’ve been experimenting with various sausage recipes for a year or more now, and finally last week came upon a combination that both of us truly enjoyed.  This recipe is especially good in omelets, but is also delicious just fried up as patties.  I believe it was the fresh pineapple sage and thyme that made it worth sharing.  I hope you enjoy it.

Debra’s Homemade MSG-Free Sausage

1 pound Ground Pork

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh pineapple sage leaves (or just regular sage if you don’t have pineapple sage)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

½ Tablespoon light brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.  When ready, cook over medium-low heat until cooked through – about 15 minutes.

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

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Well, I’ve been kicking this idea around for about a year now and I think I’m ready.  And since what we think about we bring about . . .

A reader contacted me about this time last year asking if I’d ever considered giving a retreat like Christine Kane.  I had not even heard of this type of thing, but as one who is always open to new ideas, I attended Kristine’s next retreat as “research.”  It was wonderful. 

I didn’t feel that I was ready quite yet for that sort of thing, but after yesterday, I believe I am.  I spent the day with 11 wonderful women who share my passion for personal development.  We had a great time!  But honestly, I’m tired of the classroom approach for this type of material. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, I will continue to do one day seminars; if you’re just starting down the path of personal development a one-day seminar is a nice first step. 

But it would have been nice, especially with this group, to be able to “take a breather” sort of speak.  In the afternoon, it would have been nice to break out into groups and do some of the activities I teach:  One Hour of Solitude, vision boards, identity boards, personal mission statements, values clarification, personal strategic planning, time management, personal motivation, rampages of appreciation, etc. 

I feel like I give a ton of great information, but it’s too much to absorb in one day.  It would be extremely beneficial to have the time to practice the ideas and concepts before going back to your “real” world.

It would be nice to offer massages, mani-pedi’s, facials, yoga, maybe a fitness class, treadmills, and wonderful, gourmet, food.  One-stop shopping; a total retreat where you could do all of those wonderful things for yourself that you’re always talking about, but have to run all over town to do and so, because it feels like a chore, you just never get around to it. 

So what do you think?  If you would be interested in attending a retreat like this, please complete the form below.  You will not be obligated in any way.  I am just getting started on this so I know your commitment would depend on many factors:  cost, location, and timing, among others.  Completing the form below signs you up only for correspondence about the retreat.  I might send out a questionnaire asking for input and feedback on ideas as I create this, but that’s all – no spam – no sales pitches for other stuff, I promise.

Thanks for your support; have a joyful day, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

Whether it’s trying something new, or having to re-think old patterns and habits, all of us face the challenge of maintaining our confidence at times.  Here are a few tricks I’ve learned; I know you’ll find something that works for you.

1.  Immerse yourself in learning. One the biggest confidence boosters I know is when you’re so knowledgeable on a particular subject, it seems that no one knows more than you.  Now, you’re not going to use this to rub other peoples’ noses in it, instead, you’re going to feel confident that no matter what someone wishes to discuss on the topic, you will have something to share.  Yes, this can really impress people in meetings or even dinner parties, but the greatest benefit is the way you feel about yourself when you are well versed in the topic at hand.

2.  Dial it up. In “Your Destiny Switch,” Peggy McColl shares some wonderful insights on how to use your emotions to make your dreams come true.  Peggy would have you imagine (or even better – go out and buy) a dimmer switch.  At the bottom of the dimmer switch place the word, “Insecurity.”  At the top of the dimmer switch place the word, “Confidence.”  First imagine where you are right now.  Then imagine dialing it up.  As you do this, not only will your confidence increase, but you will begin to get ideas on how to increase your confidence.  It’s a double-whammy!  Don’t you love those?

3.  Remember your successes. Remember my post, “The Motivational Trick that Works - EVERY Time?”  The reason it works so well is because it reminds you of your successes.  A lot of times, that’s all I need to get my confidence back on track.  It’s like self-talk that so many motivational gurus discuss, only with proof behind it.  It doesn’t get any better than that!

4.  Look the part. Sometimes it’s helpful just to put on the right clothes and stand in front of the mirror.  Sometimes, we don’t have the right clothes.  So what do you do in that case?  Go out and buy them!  “You’ve Only Got Three Seconds,” applies to yourself as well. Want confidence on a regular basis?  Look your best every day.

5.  Act the part. Remember Spock on Star Trek?  I’ve written before about how Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played the Spock character, said that he became more logical and more like that character after playing him for so long.  Act like someone who is confident, act like you are confident, and, well, I think you get the idea, but here’s the quote again.

“Spock had a big, big effect on me.  I am so much more Spock-like today than when I first played the part in 1965 that you wouldn’t recognize me.  I’m not talking about appearance, but thought processes.  Doing that character, I learned so much about rational logical thought that it reshaped my life.”

So, play the part of someone with total confidence.  I don’t know why, but Donald Trump just popped into my head.  Hello, Don!

6.  Stand/sit up straight. Your mother didn’t like to see you slouching because it portrayed an image of you that went against what she wanted for you – complete and total confidence.  Along with looking the part and playing the part, standing or sitting up straight can help you to feel the part of utter confidence.  Try it.  Right now!

7.  Smile. Ah, the Power of a Smile.  There’s just no way that a person with a big, huge, grin on their face can be anything but confident.

Until next time,
Be confident!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, purchase my latest e-book to get started on the right path. I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same. It comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Both are downloadable, so you get them immediately.

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

Do you have it?  I had it and lost it, but then found it again.  Paula Froelich has written a book about “it!”

What is it?  How does one find it?  Why is it important? Who has it? Where can a person go to get in touch with it?  When am I going to stop playing this game and define “it?”

“It” is that something special that makes you unique.  What makes you – you?  What is it?  Do you still have it?  If not, where did it go?  How can you get it back again?  That’s what today’s post is about.

We all know that we are unique.  We are told that from a very early age.  Then we spend a lot of time trying to fit in and be “normal.”  After a certain period of time, we grow tired of normalcy - and who wouldn’t? - so we go back to being unique.  However, we sometimes lose sight of those qualities that made us unique when we first came into this world.

I talk a lot on this site about finding your passion.  Your passion is part of what makes you unique, although there are only so many subjects and we often find others who share our passion – not so unique after all, huh?  But the way you go about pursuing your passion will be unique to you.  Your excitement, enthusiasm, and zeal for your life, your everyday life, are yours and yours alone.  Isn’t that wonderful?

There are other attributes about you that come together in a way like never before – and never will again.  So what are they?  Well, that’s for you to figure out, but I’m going to help you.

Below is a list of questions that you can answer yourself, or get help from others who know you well, that will help you in determining what “it” is.  Don’t worry, once you find it, you will know it, and becoming aware of it is so exhilarating that you’ll be glad you took the time to find/get in touch with it again!

Ready?  Here we go.

1. What do you daydream about?
2. What do you dream about at night?
3. What qualities do others often recite about you?
4. What qualities do you admire in yourself?
5. What special skills do you have and enjoy?
6. What gives you pleasure?
7. What have you been told that you are better at than anyone else?
8. When someone needs help from you, what do they ask you to do?
9. If you could choose the perfect career, what would it be and why?
10. When you remember your happiest moments, what were you doing?
11. Of what achievements are you most proud?
12. List three big goals you have set and achieved.
13. List the three biggest lessons you have ever learned.
14. List three people you are proud to say you know.
15. List the most important places you’ve ever visited.
16. If you found out you were going to die tomorrow, what would you list as your contributions to the world?  Why were you here?

Now, what is it?  You have it; I know you do.

If you’d like to share what you’ve learned from this exercise, feel free to leave a comment on this post.

Until next time,
Live with purpose!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, purchase my latest e-book to get started on the right path. I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same. It comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Both are downloadable, so you get them immediately.

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

Well, it’s that time of year again, finally!  We’ve had a long, hot summer here in Kentucky but the cool weather has finally arrived, along with some much-needed rain.  Something about this time of year always gives me a sore throat and general feeling of malaise so I pull out all the stops with . . . comfort foods.

My personal favorite healing recipe is the infamous Hot Brown.  Known as a Louisville, Kentucky tradition since it was invented there, I often find that people new to the area are unfamiliar and a little skeptical as to its deliciousness.

There are only 2 places in Kentucky you can get a really great Hot Brown:  The Brown hotel in Louisville where the sandwich originated, and my house.  Go ahead, ask anyone.  People who try the Hot Brown at other restaurants usually do not like it.  The hotel gives out what is supposedly their recipe, but the ingredients and the taste just don’t match up; I believe they hold back – and who could blame them.  (I’ve linked you to their recipe above.)

Over the years, I’ve developed quite a talent for tasting something a few times and recreating it in my kitchen.  Since this dish is so warm and inviting and delicious, I’m going to share it with you, my beloved readers, today.  This recipe is very simple and quick to fix; which is another aspect that makes it good when you’re feeling a little “under the weather.”

Debra’s Recipe for Hot Browns

4 sandwich bread slices (I use wheat, but white will work.)
4 Tbsp butter (1/2 stick)  (I never use margarine.)
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole Milk
½ of a medium-sized onion, chopped (See “Special Notes” below.)
½ tsp Salt
Couple dashes of pepper
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (for the sauce) plus more for topping off
3-4 ounces Ham
3-4 ounces cooked turkey or chicken
3-4 bacon slices
Slices of vine-ripened tomato (optional – see “Special Notes” below.)

Total time – 30 minutes

Recipe Notes: I use only about 3-4 ounces of meat total per person (in addition to the bacon.)  That way it’s not too much and none is wasted.  This recipe serves 2-3.  Simple orange slices are perfect as the only side dish.

Oven: Broiler set to Lo
Stove: One small burner on medium.

1. Chop onion.
2. Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat and sauté onion until tender.
3. Trim crusts from bread slices and toast on both sides.
4. Place toasted bread in plates that will be used for serving.  (Pfaltzgraff sandwich servers work well)
5. Add flour to butter and onion and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper.
7. Continue to cook on medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
8. Slice ham and/or turkey or chicken at this time if necessary.
9. Start bacon in microwave; undercook just a little – they will finish off under the broiler.
10. Once sauce is bubbly, remove from heat and add both cheeses, stir until melted.
11. Pour some of the sauce over the toast.
12. Top with ham and turkey or chicken.
13. Top with more sauce and finally with parmesan cheese.
14. Broil 5 inches from heat with the oven door partially open until bubbly and lightly browned.
15. Top with bacon and tomato slices and broil just a couple of minutes more, then serve straight from the oven.  (Use an underplate to protect your table.)

Special notes: The ham and turkey I’ve found that works best in this recipe is the “oven roasted” variety of the Sara Lee brand available at our Kroger deli.  Not smoked and not honey-roasted – just plain roasted.  I have used HoneyBaked brand before when I had it left over from Thanksgiving and it is good, but very rich, (and not necessary.)

The best onion is a Vidalia, but any good quality sweet onion will do.  I do not use the tomato because I’m allergic to tomatoes and my husband doesn’t like them, but I think it would add a nice freshness to the dish.  Just for the record, I’ve had this dish several times at The Brown hotel and sometimes they serve it with a tomato slice, and sometimes they do not.  I think it depends on the time of year – an under ripe tomato thrown on there just for looks would ruin the flavor.  So unless you have access to very good, fresh produce, leave the tomato off.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do.

Until next time,
Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW When you’re ready to create the life you want, purchase my latest e-book to get started on the right path. I share my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams. Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment is helping many others do the same. It comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Both are downloadable, so you get them immediately.

Posted under Motivation

I am hosting About.com’s Carnival of Healing for Saturday, July 21.  If you have written, or would like to write, an exceptional post about healing, wellness, healthy living, self empowerment, or spirituality, I’d love to include it in the carnival.

Please use the standard carnival submission form.  If you have any questions, issues, or comments, you can e-mail me directly at Debra_M@alltel.net.

Also, my husband and I are leaving for a driving tour through Canada on Saturday, July 14.  Our plans are very flexible.  I’d like to know if anyone has any suggestions for “must-see opportunities” in the mid-section of the country.  We will definitely be stopping at Niagara Falls, from there, we’re not sure.  If you’d like to make a suggestion, please e-mail me using this link.

I will be posting details and photos from our tour all next week prior to the carnival.

I guess this will be a “working” vacation, but then, such is the life of a full-time blogger!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

GET CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE NOW If you’d like to read all my latest success tips and how I’ve applied 20 years of solid business principles and the law of attraction to acquiring the life of my dreams, and am helping others do the same, you’ll want your own copy of Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment. It comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”  Both are downloadable, so you get them immediately.

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

Hello faithful readers!  As many of you might recall, my husband had heart surgery last week.  He was doing very well until Wednesday when a kidney stone decided to make its way down his right ureter.  He had surgery to remove the stone yesterday morning and we are home today, recuperating, again.

While we are not glad that he had to have three surgeries in two months’ time, we did learn a lot from these experiences and I’ll be sharing the lessons we learned with you in a future post.

For today, I am, needless to say, very tired - too tired to write a lengthy post.  So instead, I’m going to share with you a recipe I created a few weeks ago that’s healthy and mood lifting.  It’s simple, adaptable, and refreshing.

Because it’s too cold in Kentucky during January and February to grill outside, I find myself preparing a lot of chicken.  As you probably know, it’s challenging to make chicken taste delightful without heavy cream sauces.  One day, I was craving something light and “citrusy.”  I was able to find a lot of fish recipes, but I wasn’t in the mood for fish.  I wanted to have chicken, with a light, refreshing taste, and some vegetables to go with it.  I also wanted something simple.  Out of all these desires, “Debra’s Citrus Chicken” was born.

You can adjust the ingredients as necessary to accommodate the number of portions you need to prepare, and to suit your family’s tastes.  I’d love to hear of your modifications so after you try it, if you hit upon something that’s delicious, please come back and share it with the rest of us!

Debra’s Citrus Chicken

2 Tbsp. Orange juice
2 Tbsp. Lemon juice
¼ cup chicken broth
½ tsp. minced garlic
1 pinch dried oregano

2-3 chicken breasts, seasoned with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper

Potatoes, carrots, onions, other veggies as in season and that your family enjoys, tossed with oil, salt, and pepper

Place chicken and vegetables in glass baking dish.  Pour liquid mixture into bottom.  Bake at 400 degrees until done – about one hour.

Posted under Uncategorized

My husband is home today recovering from heart surgery.  We are thankful for a successful procedure.  As you might be able to imagine, I am busy taking care of him since his mobility is limited for a few days.  As I was driving home from the hospital, I thought, “What can I write about that would give my readers the quality of information they’ve come to expect, but not take me away from BJ for too long?”

I began thinking about how I’d love to share with you something I re-learned while preparing for this hospitalization. I was at the end of one project and ready to take on a new endeavor, but had several tasks I had been putting off.  It was just two days before BJ’s surgery. I knew that when BJ came home, I would want to spend most of my time with him.  I didn’t want to start a new project only to pick it back up a week later, and I didn’t need a lot of distractions.  So I decided to get caught up on all those little projects that had just not made it into my top 20.  Believe it or not, all of that “busy work” took two full days.  But my task list is empty now and I have to say, it feels great.  I was reminded of the fact that while most of us think of clutter as stuff piled up around us, clutter is also anything unfinished.

In that same vein, I have a few gems I’ve been wanting to share with you, but just have not gotten around to doing so.  I want this site to be informative, but I also want it to be fun and inspiring.  It’s difficult at times, to figure out how to fit “little” things in.  Therefore, I am taking this opportunity to share them with you now, and de-clutter my blog ideas category in Outlook.

The first is a recipe I found not too long ago on the Food Network website.  Chicken Tetrazzini, courtesy Giada De Laurentiis is the best new recipe I’ve tried in a long time.  Have you caught an episode of her new show, Giada’s Weekend Getaways?  I’m lovin’ it!

Second, I have partnered with our local community and technical college to offer my Career Development Workshop series for Women.  We’re calling it, “Developing Your Full Potential.”  We’ve had several businesses and organizations come forward with support via scholarships.  The only trouble we’re having is getting the scholarships filled!  It seems that many women who need this type of training and encouragement are too embarrassed to sign up for such a class.  If anyone out there can think of a way to help us reach our audience, I’m open to suggestions.

Third, we have a new Toastmasters club in Maysville, Kentucky.  If you live in this area and would like to develop your speaking and/or leadership skills, please join us.  Bridges Toastmasters meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.  If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me directly. 

Last, one of my faithful readers, Shazlan Sufian, has an opportunity to share with you.  If you are familiar with the movie, The Secret, and would like to get involved in a unique opportunity to share The Secret with others, visit www.LoASGR.com.  Shazlan has been working on this site for several months and it’s a good opportunity for the right people.  If you believe in the Law of Attraction, or have read The Science of Getting Rich, you’ll want to check this out to see if it might be for you.  I did.

Okay, that’s it.  Wow, I feel so much better!  Uncluttered, free, to go make supper, clean the house, change the bed clothes, unpack the suitcases from the hospital, do the laundry, shovel the snow off the sidewalk, unload the dishwasher, bring in the trash cans, feed the cats, feed the birds . . .

Posted under Education, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation

Okay, admittedly, this is a new one for me.  But after several days of serious posts, I thought we could all use a break.  I am notorious in my family for creating new recipes.  I came up with this one Tuesday night.  Let me know if you like it.

Debra’s Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

1 Large Chicken Breast
1 Tbsp Butter
Vegetable Oil to coat bottom of skillet
2 Tbsp. Chopped Onion
1 Full Slice Honey Baked Ham (or 3 ounces of your favorite brand)
2 cups frozen broccoli
2 Tbsp. Butter
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp Cheddar Cheese
2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese plus extra for topping

Oven 350 degrees

1.    Steam broccoli until crisp-tender.
2.    Cut chicken breast into small pieces and fry in butter and oil over medium-high heat until nicely browned.
3.    Spoon chicken out of skillet and into a lightly greased casserole dish.
4.    Add 2 Tbsp butter to skillet and turn burner to med-low.
5.    Sauté onion until tender.
6.    Add 2 Tbsp flour and cook for 2 minutes.
7.    Add milk and cook just until thickened.  Turn burner off.
8.    Add cheddar and parmesan to thickened sauce.
9.    Cube ham and place on top of chicken.
10.  Add broccoli to casserole dish.
11.  Pour sauce on top of meat and broccoli and mix lightly.
12.  Sprinkle extra parmesan on top and bake until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.
 

Serve with bread and a salad.
Serves 2, but could easily be doubled.

Posted under Uncategorized