Oh My Gosh.....SPECIALS!!!

Well here I sit in my VERY quiet hotel room.  No kids...No husband...No roommate...No nothing...Nothing but QUIET time...this is a VERY good thing.  It has been quite the opposite of quiet for a few weeks now-(there are several new recipes/crafts to be posted soon, I promise).

I am in Orlando, FL at a conference to enhance my business with The Pampered Chef.  This year marks my 16 years as a sales consultant with the premier direct sales company in kitchen tools.  16 years, can you believe it!  Why have I stuck around so long... well let me give you a few reasons in case your interested...

• First and foremost because I LOVE TO COOK & CREATE in my kitchen!
• I love teaching others about recipes, simple strategies in thier kitchen, and how to help them save money on their groceries!
• because right now and the last 6 years I have been able to stay home with my preschoolers :) and still earn a paycheck and FREE stuff!
• because of the friendships and professional contacts I have developed.
• because I love FREE vacations, incentives, and products from The Pampered Chef and a paycheck twice a month!
• because I love writing off (taxes) my grocery bill amongst other things each month and OWNING my own business.
• and because I love helping folks start their own business whether it be a hobby or something they would like to develop into a full-time job someday!

...the list goes on and on.  I started as a hobbyist when I was finishing up my senior year in college.  Only about 6 people in the whole state of FL selling Pampered Chef.  WOWSERS!!! If I knew what I knew now...This business has allowed me to have the flexability from having extra money each month aside of my professional jobs in the past (airlines, school principal, counselor, teacher, etc...) to gaining the professionalism of being a hard-working business owner and having the perks of being my own boss.  I adore the fact that 16 years ago I said one day this business will continue to grow because of the moral principals the foundation was built on - gathering familes and friends around a table to share a meal - empowering individuals both men and women to grow their God-given talents by owning a business that fits any lifestyle.  I was right.  The Pampered Chef has with stood the test of time in direct sales.  We sell products that aren't necessarily called luxury items or items of personal taste (jewerly, make-up).  We sell products that are guranteed, and things that most folks use EVERYDAY if you eat!  Boy am I glad I stayed and I am grateful each day for my family for supporting me, and my customers for believing in our products!In 2011 I am staying home with my kiddos- and my hobby money is a REAL paycheck which helps pay private school tutition, take my family out on Pampered Chef-Night-Out (movies, mini golf, dinner, etc...), assist with household bills, vacations, debt-free Christmas',etc...
Having a "job" that you LOVE and still making money at is a big BONUS! 

Do ya'll LOVE your jobs?  Not too many people do these days with the state of our country and economy.

I will stop rambling on and on about my LOVE for this company (side note - did you know we are owned by Warren Buffet/Berkshire Hathaway?)-(okay another side note - Just being a part of PC/Berkshire Hathaway allows me to save 30% of my mobile/internet service from T-Mobile, discounts with FedEx, independant health insurance, college scholarships, and much much more.) Okay, I will stop now...the benefits of a corporate job, but working for yourself...what could be better than that?

I am still sitting in my VERY quiet room anticipating what products our Product Advisory Team came up with for the spring/summer selling season.  Only hours away until the Spring Launch National Meeting tomorrow! YEAH!  In the meantime, I will enjoy this evening with my "Pampered" girlfriends and enjoy a night out in O-Town!

I wish to invite anyone who has read long enough without being bored, laughing informational post to take part in an exclusive opportuntiy this month - FEBRUARY!

• Anyone who books a catalog show will receive an additional $25 in FREE product to choose from with a $300 show- (for locals or out of towners)
• Anyone who books an in-home/office/clubhouse cooking party will benefit from the above special as well as I WILL BUY THE FOOD (savings of approx. $15), theres LOVE in the air this month-try a just dessert show or death by chocolate.
• These offers are in addition to all the regular fantastic and generous benefits from the Pampered Chef.
• This offer is only good for the month of FEBRUARY.  Call/Comment/or email me back to let me know what works best for you.  I cannot wait to "Pamper" you!

I will post back this weekend with all the amazing annoucements that you will want to know for our upcoming season!  New themes, recipes, specials, and bonuses for everyone!  Make sure you check back often or become a "follower" (to the right of this post) I will be giving away NEW products in MARCH which will kick off yet another fabulous season!

Thanks for stopping by...until we eat again...

Barb
contact information at www.pamperedchef.biz/cookwithbarb

Menu Plan Monday

Just a GREAT reminder of WHY I MENU PLAN!

SAVES TIME!!

SAVES $$ MONEY!

IMPROVES NUTRITION!

Start Simple-Write down 5 meals your family likes-or-

5 meals you can start to plan with the ingredients you have in your icebox/pantry

-use your sale ads from the paper or online to create your menu/shopping list (this is the part that saves you $$)-be flexible {plan 5-7 meals and pick from those-instead of saying you will have ___ on Monday-that may throw people for a loop and then not continue}-continue once a week to set aside time to do this-take input from your kids and family members-if you don't blog and you need accountibility to do this EMAIL your menu's to me (cookwithbarb@aol.com)- I would be glad to praise you for your efforts-help you with recipe ideas or give your resources-and overall be your own cheerleader to help you stop asking yourself

at 5 PM "What's for Dinner?"

Here are my 5 menu ideas for the week!

I decided to go old school this week, and scan some of the thousands of recipes I have in books, tear-outs, or my faithful recipe card box.  As another fellow blogger mentioned in the past week, there are tons of recipes in fabulous blogs, and the internet site, but I never want to lose sight of some of my family's favorites and  those tried and true ones handed down!

So here is my 5 days of meals - no specific order - just when we feel like what's on the menu - and the shopping is done for the 5 below!

•  Crustless Spinach & Feta Pie/Fresh Fruit (recipe below)
• Shrimp Alfredo-oh yum! (Low -Fat)
• BBQ Grilled Chicken Quesadillas/Salad
• Southwestern Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad
• Breakfast for Dinner (Mom's Pancakes, Chicken Sausage, Scrambled Eggs)

Crustless Spinach & Feta Pies (a quick take on Spanakopita)

(Foodnetwork Kitchens Cookbook)

courtesy of Food Network Kitchens Cookbook

1 T extra-virgin olive oil
1 10oz package frozen spinach, thawed
4 scallions, thinly sliced
3 eggs
1 T bread crumbs
2 t dried mint
1 1/4 t kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
pinch of cayenne
1/2 cup Feta cheese

Preheat oven 400 degrees.  Heat oil in skillet, and add drained spinach and scallions and cook, stirring until dry, about 4 minutes.  Transfer to colander and squeeze out any additional mositure.  Brush 4-6oz ramekins with olive oil and place on baking sheet.

Transfer spinach ingredients and rest of ingredients except Feta to a food processor-pulse until finely chopped.  Remove blade and stir in Feta.  Bake until edges are set, but slightly soft in center-about 20 minutes.  Turn oven off and leave for 5 additional minutes.  Invert onto plate and serve with a veggie salad or Tazatiki Sauce-Yum!

My variation:  I added a bit more Feta on the top, and a few cloves of garlic.  I also made mine in a 9x9 and doubled the recipe to have leftovers to share with my neighbor and have for breakfast!  I cut it into 12 pieces and served two per person.  :)

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