Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies

        

So here you go with an “old favorite” from our kitchen to yours with a little help from Nestle sure to please:

Ingredients:

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
Mix flour, baking soda and salt, butter, sugar, brown sugar,
and vanilla extract and eggs in large bowl mix on low speed with a mixer until creamy. 
Gradually mix in flour a half cup at a time or it will blow all over the place.
Stir in morsels and nuts.
Make circles with the dough into round sizes the shape similar to a milk jug cap or if you want large party sizes make them the size  and shape of a small egg, then place them onto a Pam sprayed greased baking sheet.
BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION:

PREPARE dough as above.

Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper.
Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Then cut into half inch wedges then place disk shaped cookies on cookie sheet sprayed with pam (non butter flavored). Bake for 8 minutes, then cool on baking sheet or cooling racks, serve and eat! 
 Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

All that's left to do is enjoy, share with many and you'll have lots of smiles to go round!

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Heart Healthy Meatloaf

Ever Since my Dad had his heart attack a year ago, my Mom has been revamping every recipe you can imagine. The Doctor said, “You better get Heart Healthy or he won’t be here for too many more Christmas’s”. That was all it took for Mom to get busy in the kitchen!

But dad had other ideas, of course, he was an Ox and gonna live to be a hundred! Yeah, okay whatever Dad, So in an effort to “fool” Dad into thinking he is eating his “regular” foods but keeping with the Doc’s orders, mom has whipped up a few recipes I have tried and there really great! We had this delectable number the other night. It’s a revamp of a winter classic but with a healthy twist! Hope you all enjoy!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since turkey is generally better on the body because of it's low fat and cholesterol content it is a good substitution for beef and less salt than pork, and cooking spinach makes its disease-fighting antioxidants easier to absorb. Yep, this is a feel-good food in every sense of the word; it will even fool you Dad! He he

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp. mustard
2 tablespoons tomato paste 

1 can of campbells tomatos soup

1 can of tomato ketchup (hunts lowfat)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup grated onion
Salt and pepper
1 cup of strained spinich

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. In a large skillet, heat oil  medium-high heat until hot .

3. Add garlic and spinach, onions, and salt & Pepper. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, about three minutes. 

4. Mix in Ground turkey and eggs, cook  on medium heat until done. 

5. Add the tomatos soup and the paste slowly to the cooked mixture.

6. Add th bread rumbs slowly for th beast southern taste add bread crumbs flavored as italian flavor. Progresso bread crumbs work best.

7. Mix well, using your hands.

8. Make sure you use a deep bread pan or baking dish and spray well with Pam cooking spray.

9. Flatten the meatloaf mixture by patting it into the corners  in a"burping" motion. Take thumbs and press a crease around the edge ofthe pan to form a "ditch" that acts as a rim to the finished product. 

10. Bake for about 1 hour or until done.
11. Enjoy!

Hunting as a Recreation Sport

                                                           Hunting as a Recreation Sport

            Learning to shoot a gun can be a fun activity for all ages. As long as safety and general knowledge of guns are used you will have a fun time. First before you leave your house you will need to check to make sure you have a trigger lock on the gun, gun in gun case, safety glasses, earplugs, and binoculars.

After getting to the gun range you will need to begin with posting your target at whatever distance you feel comfortable shooting. Then pull the rifle out of the case remembering to always point it down range. If the rifle is a bolt action, install the action into the slide where it will lock into place. To load this type of rifle take one bullet at a time and load it into the barrel or storage clip if applicable. If the rifle is a semi-auto pull the clip out of bottom of the gun and load the clip with ammo, install clip into gun.

Now you are ready to shoot but first make sure you have safety glasses on and earplugs in. Aim the rifle down range at the target that was posted earlier. To aim use the three sights on the barrel. The sight at the end of the barrel will need to go between the two sights right by your eyes. Place the butt end of the gun tightly against your shoulder and place your finger around the trigger. Only when you feel completely comfortable and calm can you pull the trigger other wise this will mess your shot up. On a bolt action pull the action up and back to release the shell and slide forward and down to load the next bullet. A semi-auto will automatically load the next shoot so you’re ready to go. After you are done shooting for the day pack the gun up in the case take the bolt action out and put the trigger lock on the gun.

            Finally once you are home don’t forget to clean the, Rifle this is a very important part of shooting. Pull out your cleaning kit and pour the cleaner down the barrel. Use the cleaning swab and rod to clean the inside of the barrel. Once that is finished take the spray can of gun oil and spray two squirts down the barrel. Now use an old toothbrush to scrub the action/slide part of the gun this is where the most dirt and powder are located. Use cleaning pads to wipe this area clean. Repeat steps tell the cleaning pads are still clean after wiping. Oil the action and slide with the spray can of gun oil, proximally 4 small squirts will do. Place the gun back into the gun case and if possible lock the gun case. Place the case somewhere in the house where children and burglars will not easily find it. This is an activity that everyone should partake in at some point in his or her life. Not only will it give you the knowledge of how to defend yourself but can be a hobby on the weekend with your family.      

 

Do-Not-Call Lists

Do Not Call Laws Remain Active

It’s been five years since the Federal “Do-Not Call” law was enacted and consumers registered their phone numbers. But wasn’t the registration good for only five years? So, the law no longer applies, right? WRONG!

Originally, consumers were required to re-register if they wanted to continue on the Do Not Call list. However in February 2008, legislation was passed that changed that. Consumers no longer need to register their phone number again for the second time. Their original “Do-Not-Call “status remains active.

No change in regulations about cell phone numbers either. You’re still prohibited from calling these numbers unless you have specific written permission or request to contact them at their cell number.

This means companies are still required to observe all Federal and State laws. The penalty for improperly calling just a single number on the Do-Not-call list is a whopping $11,000 dollars at the federal level and up to $25,000 bucks for additional state imposed fines!

National “Do-Not-Call” List Registry:

https://www.donotcall.gov/

Top Ten Ways To Get Rid of Telemarketers

Erie's Banana Topper

My darling 12 year old is a wiz in the kitchen! Her older brothers have already picked up on her keen unusual ability to cook up a great meal and hover over her daily with requests! (She sure didn’t get it from me!) Take it from someone who can barely boil water this little darling has been creating her own recipes for two years now! (Yeah, I know I’m shocked too).

In her amazing little trunk of recipes in her room, this recipe is a ‘timeless classic’ she improved on and whipped up on her own the other day. I thought to myself this is a great idea for the holidays. So with her permission, here it is, a delicious scrumptious holiday treat sure to please you and your guests! Hope you all enjoy!

Erie’s Banana Topper

You start this recipe with these ingredients:

*Neapolitan Ice-cream.
* Bananas
*Chopped Nuts
*Hershey’s Chocolate syrup
*Maraschino Cherries
*Pineapple Crushed in Molasses
*Coconut
*Whipped Cream
*Fudge Flavored Waffle Bowls

1) Take a fancy colored bowl, your favorite with some holiday cheer around the rim. Place the waffle bowl in the middle. Take an ice cream scoop and put one of each flavor (Chocolate in the bottom, vanilla and strawberry on the top) in the waffle bowl.

2) Next cut a banana length wise, and then in half. Put the pieces surrounding the waffle bowl inside the colored dish. Then place three scoops of whipped cream around the bowl, shaped like a triangle.

3) Heat Hershey’s syrup in the microwave for 10 seconds then pour syrup in a clock wise motion around on the ice cream lofts then on the bananas to give it the dripped effect. Take a fork and shake crushed molasses pineapple around on the bottom then one last one on top of the beautiful mounds of chocolate.

4) Sprinkle nuts and coconut over the whole plate and top with as many cherries as you like!

Your Delicious Banana Topper is sure to please and leave you and your guests this holiday season with a satisfied palate!

Happy Holidays!

Have You Started Your Holiday Shopping Yet?

Last weekend I went to the mall and was overwhelmed by all the holiday decorations. Kids were taking pictures on Santa’s lap, the stores were playing Christmas music, and everyone was walking around with red Starbucks’s cups filled with Eggnog, and a Aunt Annie's pretzel wrap.

I love to give people beauty-themed gifts like scrumptious scented body products, luxe candles, and especially those that are filled with Bath and Body Works scrumptious scents for the holidays. Have you tried the baked apple cinnamon? They have so many already prepared gift baskets that sure to please. Even those last minute I forgot my hair stylist gifts for under $20 bucks!

What about you—do you like to get and/or give beauty presents? And more important, have you even started your holiday shopping yet?

For a Whole list of Under $20 bucks Gift Ideas Try Bath and Body Works Website:

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/sm-20-and-under-gifts--fi-3394928_cp-2484530.html

Role of Psychology in Our Every Day Lives

Image by FotoBloke (Busy..) via Flickr

Psychology is the scientific study of mental roles and behaviors in humans. Many students find the study of psychology to be fascinating because it helps them to understand and predict the actions of others.

- How can understanding and predicting behaviors benefit us in our lives at home, at work, and in school?

In my place of work we have to deal with customers all day long, I have a headset strapped to my head for eight hours, take warehouse orders, and call the distribution center to load the trucks. After the Sales Rep.’s have been given their weekly reports we then call the Drivers to iron out any delivery problems.

It’s all very stressful and you have to deal with every type of personality on the planet! It is very imperative that we use our intuition skills to decide how the person on the other end of the phone is reacting to you. Understanding and predicting behaviors is a big part of our lives at home work and school.

You may have insight into how people react from the experiences you have had in your life already. For example, If someone calls in with a very irritated voice you may know from previous experience that they are only going to react to someone in a very patient tone of voice and you will have to listen carefully. However, you wouldn’t know that except from previously messing up a call and learning to be patient first.

About two years ago I decided to go back to school. I have to say I am a little biased in my thinking but, online students have it best I think because we bring so much of our own flavor and character to a very fast paced online educational environment. I think it is equivalent to being an online blog writer. These authors spend so many hours each day dedicated to their interests and to educating you as a reader, parent, and friend. You have to really read and pay attention to the details which are the key to the success of this classroom setting, the Blog your writing, or to the child you’re trying to teach.

I mean you could be in a physical classroom setting and only half of the students and the teacher for that matter are even paying attention or know you are there. You could be writing for newspaper that is used to wrap someone’s glass wear before the move. Worse yet your work could end up as doggie training paper!

So no matter how your work gets noticed, whether it is in a newspaper online classroom or in your Childs school, Psychology is a part of our everyday lives. We learn from history and how we raise our families and this make each of us stronger emotionally and mentally ready to handle the real world because we have built on our confidence in ourselves and the work we know how to do from this experience!

Grandma's Pies

Ahhh, I remember the good ole days when Grandma baked the pies so early in the morning the aroma of baked apple awoke you from your slumber just enough to make you stomach churn for hours till dinner was ready.

Well me and mine will be sleeping in for Christmas because I have a bunch of teenagers at home who will swear they are 'the spawn of Satan 'if I dare wake them before 11 ' o clock in the morning.

So me and my dogs will wake early enough to thaw the bird, throw some "already made" pies in the oven and start mainlining coffee before I attempt to wake the dead. Image by Lorri37 via Flickr

Then if time allows I will enjoy the peace and quiet of Christmas morning, listen to the church bells and enjoy the Snow if there is any.

Regardless of what is going on in the world this time of year reminds me of the miracles of the holidays, the joy families have of being together and the friendships we have made.

It is the one time when everyone lets go of all there problems and can enjoy peace and beauty of the season. If you can , try to catch a episode of Miracle on 42ed Street, or Christmas Story, these are necessities for the holidays.



You can check out 101 Christmas videos online! so spread some Christmas cheer and enjoy the movies!
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/soapbox/64

Debilitating Test Taking Anxiety

As you may have already experienced in life, some stress is good to have. It can keep your alert, attentive, and provide you with motivation. But, some stress can have adverse affects causing you to forget information and become very nervous before and during exams. This good type of anxiety is called facilitating anxiety and this bad type of anxiety is called debilitating anxiety.

Facilitating Anxiety keeps you motivated to succeed. This type of anxiety does not hinder test preparation and test taking abilities. In fact, this type of anxiety may help to improve performance.

Here are some examples of facilitating anxiety: an adrenaline rush before a big game or positive (but nervous) energy before a date. In the career world, it could be a rush of adrenaline before conducting an interview or butterflies before a big presentation.

Debilitating Anxiety has a negative affect and impact on a student's test preparation and test taking abilities. When someone has testing anxiety, they are feeling the influences of debilitating anxiety.

Here are some examples of debilitating anxiety:

Waiting until the last minute to study for a big test and feeling nervous and unprepared. Arriving to a test late and having to rush through the questions to answer them in time. Being pulled over for speeding with the knowledge that your insurance is going to go up as a result of the ticket. Or, in the career world, it could be missing a deadline or being unprepared for a board meeting.

What Can Help Testing Anxiety?

Tests, exams, essays, and projects are all ways for your teachers to make sure you are meeting the objectives of the course. And, outside of the classroom, being an effective test taker can help you meet the challenges you will face in the career world and in life. Tests are not a measure of your self-worth or intelligence; rather they evaluate a certain bank of knowledge.

Just like everything else, our attitudes and perception of test taking are very important. These attitudes can hinder or help with test taking success. If you have had positive and successful test taking experiences in the past, you probably have a good level of confidence with test taking. If you have had bad test taking experiences, you might experience a bit of anxiety before and during exams.

The best way to reduce test anxiety is to have a positive attitude and give yourself plenty of time to study. If you are not prepared for a test, it causes bad stress which in turn can cause severe test anxiety. This test anxiety can cause you to do poorly on the test. When you are prepared for an exam, your levels of bad stress will be low. Test preparation, attitude, and anxiety levels are directly related.

Sources:

Alpert, R. & Haber, R. N. (1960). Anxiety in academic achievement situations. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 61, 201-215.

For More Reading on stress and test Taking Strategies:

Three Tips to Get The Highest Grade on a Paper http://editorialnation.blogspot.com/2008/10/three-tips-to-earn-highest-grade-on.html

Understanding values and Career Goals http://editorialnation.blogspot.com/2008/10/understanding-values-and-career-goals.html

Stress Coping Strategies http://hubpages.com/hub/Stress-coping-Strategies

How To Create critical Thinking Skills http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Create-Critical-Thinking-Skills

White Earth Indian Reservation:A New Begining

After twenty years as tribal chief Chip Wadena (Kare 11 Television) was finally out of office. On his way to prison for embezzlement of tribal funds, Wadena, who now holds a criminal record can’t run for any tribal office in white Earth Indian Reservation anymore. His criminal record has “proved him unfit for office” says tribal members (Robertson).

According to Erma Vizenour, current Chief and first women chairperson to sit on tribal government, “White Earth has paid their dues and has a fresh start” (Grunderson). Erma grew up in White Earth Indian Reservation and in 1980’s became a vocal critic for the misleading of then tribal chief and government leader Chip Wadena.

After Wadena was convicted on federal corruption charges, Vizenor was appointed secretary and that’s were her mission really started. Vizenor says “she hopes to make a difference to the children who are living with the same poverty I did” (Grunderson). In a recent interview with public radio, Wadena who was recently discharged said “it’s tough to just walk away from something you have known for your whole life” (Robertson). Afterwards he signed up to run for office in the next White earth Tribal Election. But Wadena is now talking of renewed service to his people, Vizenor is acting upon it.

Vizenor says “there’s a critical need for jobs, and reforming the tribal constitution is imperative to prevent future corruption” (Roberston). Even though constitutional reform would most likely keep Wadena from entering any elections vizenor says it’s what the people want not her intentions.

Wadena promises a brighter future and that his concentration will be on family again. However one supporter commented, “it doesn’t really matter anyhow conditions have been this way for so long to hope it would be different” (Roberston).

After the news broke of Wadena’s pending run for office, The U.S. District Court of Duluth handed down a series of indictments involving Wadena and business partner Guillermo Gonzales, for allegedly defrauding car owners by evading taxes and concealing car title status (Oakes). The Federal Grand Jury is expected to hand down indictments this week following an investigation into the criminal acts of Wadena and his business partner (Robertson, Wadena Attempts Comeback, Despite Criminal Indictment).

Vizenor has no comment on this current situation. Meanwhile White Tribe Reservation is starting to flourish under its new commander and chief, Erma Vizenor. As she takes the helm with fresh blood and a new generation to lead them, the tribal community of White Earth can expect to see change and have hope for a brighter future for many years to come.

Sources:

Chip Wadena Pleads Not Guilty. Perf. Minneapolis, St. Paul Kare 11 Television. 2006.

Grunderson, Dan. Erma Vizenor is new White Earth tribal leader. Radio Broadcast. Minnesota: Minnesota Public Radio, 2004 June 9.

Oakes, Larry. Wadena Former White Earth Chairman Pleads Not Guilty. Newspaper Article. Duluth, Minnesota: Star Tribune.com, 2005 November 5.

Roberston, Tom. Wadena Tries For Political Comeback. Radio Broadcast. St. paul ,Minnesota: Minnesota Public Radio, 1999 April 9.

Robertson, Tom. Turbulent Election Nears On White Earth Reservation. Minesota, 9 march 2005.

Website References:

Star Tribune: www.startribune.com/dynamic/mobile_story.php?story=5708786

Minnesota Public Radio:

http://news.minnestoa.publicradio.org/features/2004/05/26_robertsont_whiteearthlex/

http://news.minnestoa.publicradio.org/features/199904/09_robertsont_wadena-m/

http://news.minnestoa.publicradio.org/features/200003/09_robertsont_wadena-m/

http://news.minnesota.public.org/features/2004/06/09_gundersond_vizenorwins/

Associated Press:

http://www.Kare11.com/news/news_article.aspz?storyid=110661