Memorial Day Blender Fun





Frozen Banana Daquiri

1 ½ ounces light Rum
1 Tablespoon Triple Sec
1 Banana
1 ½ ounces lime juice
1 Teaspoon sugar
1 cup crushed ice

1. Pour ingredients into a blender
2. Blend on low speed for a few seconds, then at high speed until smooth
3. Pour into a chilled hurricane glass and garnish

1. Add all ingredients into a blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Serve in a tall glass with banana slice or raspberry garnish

8. ounce can crushed pineapple

1. Several hours before serving (preferably the night before) blend pineapple, dry red wine, orange juice, lemon juice and sugar in a blender at high speed for 20-30 seconds.
2. Be sure all sugar is dissolved
3. Pour mixture in a 9 by 9 baking dish or something similar
4. Freeze mixture in freezer
5. When ready to serve, take pan from freezer and let stand at room temp until softened.
6. Stir with a spoon until semi-thawed then spoon into wine glass

1. Pour all ingredients into blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Pour into whatever glass you want and garnish a chunk of snickers candy bar

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives.

Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hot dogs, sandwich meat, packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals. They are usually manufactured with a carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite. This is used as a color fixer by meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh. Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a sharp increase in cancer risk for those who eat them.

A 2005 University of Hawaii study found that processed meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent. These are alarming numbers. Note that these cancer risks do not come from eating fresh, non-processed meats. They only appear in people who regularly consume processed meat products containing sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red meat products (you won't find it in chicken or fish products). Here's a short list of food items to check carefully for sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (MSG), another dangerous additive:

• Beef jerky
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Hot dogs
• Sandwich meat
• Frozen pizza with meat
• Canned soups with meat
• Frozen meals with meat
• Ravioli and meat pasta foods
• Kid's meals containing red meat
• Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants
• Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks

If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970′s but was overridden by the meat industry.5 It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."

Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal care products.

You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:

1. Always read ingredient labels.
2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.
3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.

And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether.

Read More at: http://dreamhealer.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/processed-meats-declared-too-dangerous-for-human-consumption/

MURRAY, Utah – Putting a stop to bullying in schools can be a difficult task for teachers, but one woman from Murray, who found out her daughter was relentlessly teasing another student, decided to teach her a lesson by giving her a taste of her own medicine.

"She really needs to know that this had such an effect on someone else's life," said the mother, Ally, whose last name we have omitted to protect her daughter Kaylee's privacy.

Ally is not the Kaylee's biological mother. She has been in a long term relationship with the girl's father for several years. The girl's father, who has custody of the child, was present during and gave permission for this interview, and he said Ally and Kaylee share a mother-daughter relationship.

Wednesday, Ally received an email from Kaylee's teacher explaining that she had been bullying another student because of how she dressed. The harassment had been taking place for the last three weeks, and according to the teacher, the student no longer wanted to come to school.

"She would take her out on the playground and call her names, and tell her she was a slob and tell her she dressed like a sleaze," Ally said. "Someone not wanting to go to school anymore based off of something that one other little person said to them. I mean, that's huge, that's damaging."

But when Ally addressed the issue with Kaylee after school that day, she said Kaylee did not show any remorse for what she had done. The reaction prompted Ally to instead show her why her behavior was unacceptable.

"I thought this is a perfect moment for us to really teach her, this is right, this is wrong, which path are you going to take? And then it's her choice," said Ally.

Ally went to a local thrift shop and bought about $50 worth of clothing that she knew her daughter would never want to wear. Thursday morning, Kaylee awoke to find an unflattering outfit on the bathroom door with a pair of old sneakers below it. Ally explained to Kaylee that she would be wearing the ensemble to school that day.

"I died. I did," said Kaylee, who admitted she cried when she first looked at the clothes.

Read more at: http://fox13now.com/2013/05/17/mom-gives-bullying-daughter-a-unique-punishment/

Kicking off "The Voice" live elimination episode was a tribute to Oklahoma tornado victims. Resident coach Blake Shelton is an Oklahoma native. He and his wife Miranda Lambert live just 100 miles from Moore, Oklahoma, which was devastated by the storm. The couple offered a subdued performance of their song "Over You" in tribute, while donation information for The Red Cross was presented on-screen. Viewers can donate by going online to redcross.org or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Wetpaint thought the "touching rendition was an appropriate way to start off the live results show during such a painful time for America." And "The Voice" kept urging those Red Cross donations throughout the various live performances on the show.

"As Oklahoma residents, Blake and Miranda had a special connection to the devastation and they chose to sing a song that was particularly meaningful to them both," Wetpaint said. "The couple co-wrote the tune in honor of Blake's older brother who passed away when he was a teen."

As if the pressure wasn't great enough when you have to sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in front of a crowd of hyped-up sports fans.

Yes, Canadian singer Alexis Normand had the honor of performing the American national anthem ahead of Memorial Cup ice hockey game between the Portland Winterhawks from Oregon and Halifax Mooseheads from Nova Scotia.

And, well, put it this way: it started off well, and ended strongly - but in the middle, it went rather spectacularly wrong.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/20/alexis-normand-us-national-anthem-video_n_3305120.html

Source: Huffington Post

Brunch Cocktails:

Mimosa 75

Recipe courtesy of Alex Guarnaschelli

3 ounces Plymouth Gin

Grated Zest and juice of 2 lemons, plus 1 wedge for glasses

Grated Zest and juice of 2 tangerines

1 ½ tablespoons honey

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

1 750ml bottle of dry champagne/sparkling wine (chilled)

Combine the gin, lemon juice, tangerine juice and honey in a cocktail shaker; cover and shake.

Put the sugar on a small plate and sprinkle the lemons and tangerine zests on top. Rub the rims of 6 champagne glasses with lemon wedge, then gently roll in the zesty sugar.

Divide the gin-citrus mixture among 6 glasses and top with champagne.

Pomegranate Smoothie

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee

3 cups of ice

1 cup vanilla yogurt

2 cups Smirnoff Pomegranate Martini Ready to Drink

4 fresh raspberries, for garnish

To a blender, add the ice, yogurt and pomegranate martini. Blend until smooth. Pour into chilled martini glasses and garnish with raspberries.

Brunch Recipes:

Chocolate Waffles

Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine
Prep Time:
15 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, plus more for topping
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cooking spray
• Confectioners' sugar and/or berries, for topping (optional)

Directions

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata

From Food Network Kitchens
Prep Time:
5 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Serving suggestion: Crispy potatoes and mesclun salad

Directions

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Omelette with Green Onions

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence, 2008
Prep Time:
2 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
5 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 servings

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/3 pound smoked salmon, torn into large piece
• 1 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 green onions, finely chopped, garnish
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Brunch Cocktails:

Mimosa 75

Recipe courtesy of Alex Guarnaschelli

3 ounces Plymouth Gin

Grated Zest and juice of 2 lemons, plus 1 wedge for glasses

Grated Zest and juice of 2 tangerines

1 ½ tablespoons honey

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

1 750ml bottle of dry champagne/sparkling wine (chilled)

Combine the gin, lemon juice, tangerine juice and honey in a cocktail shaker; cover and shake.

Put the sugar on a small plate and sprinkle the lemons and tangerine zests on top. Rub the rims of 6 champagne glasses with lemon wedge, then gently roll in the zesty sugar.

Divide the gin-citrus mixture among 6 glasses and top with champagne.

Pomegranate Smoothie

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee

3 cups of ice

1 cup vanilla yogurt

2 cups Smirnoff Pomegranate Martini Ready to Drink

4 fresh raspberries, for garnish

To a blender, add the ice, yogurt and pomegranate martini. Blend until smooth. Pour into chilled martini glasses and garnish with raspberries.

Brunch Recipes:

Chocolate Waffles

Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine
Prep Time:
15 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, plus more for topping
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cooking spray
• Confectioners' sugar and/or berries, for topping (optional)

Directions

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata

From Food Network Kitchens
Prep Time:
5 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Serving suggestion: Crispy potatoes and mesclun salad

Directions

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Omelette with Green Onions

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence, 2008
Prep Time:
2 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
5 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 servings

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/3 pound smoked salmon, torn into large piece
• 1 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 green onions, finely chopped, garnish
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Where would the Founding Fathers stand on a right to bear pencils?

A second-grader was suspended from school for two days for pretending his pencil was a gun while playing with his friend in class Friday.

"It's an effort to try to get kids not to bring any form of violence into the classroom, even if it's violent play," school spokesperson Bethanne Bradshaw said.

During a game of make-believe, Christopher Marshall, 7, imagined he was a Marine like his father Paul Marshall, who thinks his kid was just being a typical boy. He and his wife Wendy Marshall said the Driver Elementary School in Suffolk, Va. is overreacting.

"I find it ridiculous that he cannot use his imagination and be a boy," Wendy Marshall told the Daily News. "When my son wants to pretend he's a Marine or a Navy pilot like his granddad or an auto mechanic like his other granddad, I don't think that should be an issue."

Bradshaw said that the school has a zero-tolerance policy for weapons. She thinks that a pencil can be considered a weapon if someone makes gun noises while pointing the weapon at another person in a threatening way.

Christopher said that he is sorry and will not pretend to play with guns in school any more. His parents were quick to point out that, according to the suspension note, Christopher stopped when the teacher told him to do so.

The other student, also 7, was suspended as well.

Paul Marshall understands that people feel uneasy about guns in schools considering the onslaught of recent school shootings but feels that Driver Elementary School failed to use common sense.

"It's gone too far. Enough is enough," he told local station Fox 43. "Where do we draw the line? A pencil - was it sharpened? Was it now? Is it a No. 2? I mean what's the big deal? He's just being a kid."

This is only the latest in a series of gun-play suspensions that have occurred since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn.

A kindergartener from Hopkinton, Mass. got suspended for bringing a toy gun to class in March and another boy was sent home from his Hyannis, Mass. elementary school for building a gun out of Legos in January.

1 oz. GREY GOOSE® Vodka
1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
3 oz. Cranberry Juice
Splash of Triple Sec

1. Thinly glaze a round of brie cheese with Honeycup mustard, sprinkle with sliced almonds.
2. Bake in oven at 350F - 375F until cheese is runny and nuts slightly brown. (Approx. 5 minutes)

Chipotle Cheddar Bisque

Recipe by Anthony Lamas, Chef and Owner of Seviche Restaurant

Yield: 6 servings

• 2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and quartered (or 4 cups mashed Idaho potatoes)
• 1 medium Spanish onion, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 ounces canned chipotle chiles with adobo sauce
• 4 cups chicken stock or water
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 cup grated smoked Cheddar cheese, plus additional for garnish
• Kosher salt, to taste
• White pepper, to taste
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
• 1 lime
• 1 cup Crispy Shoestring Potatoes (recipe follows)

Directions:

1. In a large pan of salted water, cook potatoes in 140ºF water for 20 minutes, then bring to a boil until potatoes are soft. Drain.
2. In a sauté pan over high heat, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil for 1 minute; add chipotle chiles and adobo sauce; lower heat to medium; continue cooking until onions are soft and translucent, 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Combine potatoes, stock or water, cream, cumin and coriander in large saucepan. Bring to gentle boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes. Turn off heat; let cool about 5 minutes.
4. Purée with immersion blender until smooth, gradually adding cheese. Season to taste with kosher salt and white pepper.
5. Prepare Crispy Shoestring Potatoes: Using a mandolin, cut potatoes into shoestrings. Pat dry. Deep-fry in 350ºF peanut oil until crisp, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Drain; set on paper towel. Sprinkle with salt; reserve.
6. In small bowl, mix together bell peppers, cilantro and onion. Squeeze lime over; mix in juice. Season to taste with salt.
7. Per portion: Garnish each bowl of soup with 1 to 2 tablespoons pepper mixture, 1 tablespoon cheese and 1/4 cup Crispy Shoestring Potatoes.

Crispy Shoestring Potatoes

• 2 medium unpeeled Idaho® potatoes, scrubbed
• Peanut oil for deep-frying, as needed
• Kosher salt, to taste

Shrimp & Rice Squares

by tiffani Faison
of Sweet Cheeks Q, Boston, MA

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon table salt

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 lb cooked, peeled and de-veined, tail-off shrimp, cut in half lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
• ¼ cup white soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon table salt
• 3 English cucumbers, seeded and rough chopped
• 1 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and veined, rough chopped
• pickled ginger and wasabi paste for garnish

With the economic downturns of the 2000s, many industries were effected. Among them has been the housing sector, with many people being unable to afford to buy homes. Even now it is difficult form many realtors to make a living.

One such company, Rapid Realty of New York, gave an incentive to their 800 employees. Their boss offered a 15% raise to anyone that would get the company's logo tattooed on them. Forty of these employees took up the offer and got inked. The company tweeted a group photo of the employees.

The employees got their tattoos a a show of loyalty to their employer Employee Adam Altman saw the tattoo as a motivator to push himself to succeed and work harder to make sure that Rapid Realty to succeed.

Such acts of loyalty to employees can work to help their employee to gain more advertising, and also ensures a loyal workforce. Will other employers attempt such actions as a way to maintain their workforce, and encourage better teamwork and dedication?