shoplocalleominster.com

Curves of Leominster Health Tip

Posted on30. Aug, 2010 by admin.

Health Tip #23- Make a commitment

Now is the time- Make a personal commitment to become stronger in at least one area.  Perhaps you want to get fit enough to go on a hiking expedition or learn a new work skill.  Write it down. Then break it down into achievable steps that require specific actions within a specific time frame.  Say you want to lose 50 pounds within the next year, your first steps might be to start a fitness diary and tell at least two people of your plans. To help you stay focused on your goal.  Goto MyCurves.com message board.  It’s a place where we can encourage each other.  Make a commitment to post at least once a week.  We are always stronger together.

Cut out the added sugar – One way to cut added sugars out of your diet is to limit processed foods and satisfy your sweet tooth with fruit.  Check food labels for exact sugar content.

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Warm Spinach Salad with Grilled Sausage Recipe

Posted on23. Jul, 2010 by admin.

Warm Spinach Salad with Grilled Sausage

A good summer supper. Serve with polenta, garlic toast  or mix in some pasta. However, it is great on its own. Serves 4.

4 italian sausage links

1 cup cherry tomatoes

1 onion, sliced into 1/2 rings

about 8-10 mushroom caps

1/2 red pepper cut into strips

4 T extra virgin olive oil

3 bunches fresh spinach (about 10 ounces)

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

Heat the grill to medium heat. With a fork pierce the sausage in several places. Grill till cooked. About 12 minutes.

Meanwhile rinse the spinach and let drain.

Meanwhile, clean the vegys and toss into a gallon bag. Toss with 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil to coat. Grill the vegy till tender. About 5-6 minutes for the onion slices, mushrooms and pepper.  About 5-6 minutes for the tomatoes, turning halfway though that time.

Mix the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and mustard or the dressing.

Transfer the vegatables to a large bowl as they are done.

Once the sausage is cooked through, transfer to a cutting board and slice. Toss sausage in with the vegys.

Add the drained spinach and dressing and toss. The warm vegys and sausage will slightly wilt the spinach.

Serve warm.

Submitted by Rituals Spa

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Green Apple Slaw Recipe

Posted on09. Jul, 2010 by admin.

Green Apple Slaw

This is excellent on a hot summer day. Serve with smoked poulty, grilled lemon fish or pork or just enjoy on its own. This is a keeper.

1 Tablepoon Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 Tablespoon maple syrup

1 Tablespoon Scotch whiskey

1 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh sage

1 very large green apple, cored, cut into matchstick strips ( about 2 1/2 cups)

1/4 cup paper thin slices of red onion,

2 green onions chopped.

Whisk first 5 ingredients in bowl to blend. mix in rest and toss. refrigerate for at least hour.  enjoy.

Rituals Salon & Spa

we have moved!
646 Central St
Leominster, MA 01453
978-537-9394
www.ritualsspa.com

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Recipe from Rituals Spa

Posted on01. May, 2010 by admin.

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Quotes

Posted on16. Apr, 2010 by admin.

To have a good friend is one of the greatest delights of life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I would rather live in a world were my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it. ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

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ShopLocalLeominster.com 09-10 Stats

Posted on11. Mar, 2010 by admin.

Here are two screen shots of the web traffic for the shoplocalleominster.com website. The first is 2009, and as you can see we started the site in May.

And here is the first few months of 2010 so far….

The numbers are good for a local site, but make sure to help promote the website to your customers and friends. The more people that come to the site the more people will see your business.

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Health Tips

Posted on25. Feb, 2010 by admin.

Health Tips from Donna Dimarzio
Healthy meals – Lifestyle change #1
Eating healthy will not only protect your heart, but it will also
impact your overall health. Limit foods high in fat, cholesterol and
salt; but, be sure to get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains
and low-fat diary products. Most of us don’t get enough Omega 3 fats
(found in fish), but research has shown Omega 3 to have a positive
impact on your heart health. Ask a member of our staff how you can
order your Curves Omega 3 supplement today.
Exercise – Lifestyle change #2
It’s recommended that we get at least 30 minutes of physical activity
on most days. Wow, that’s just one more reason to love your Curves
workout!

Air (Tobacco Free) – Lifestyle change #3

No amount of tobacco is a safe amount. To quit smoking today is
absolutely, without a doubt, unequivocally one of the best decisions
you can ever make for your health.
Regulate your weight – Lifestyle #4
Even a little extra weight can lead to high blood pressure, high
cholesterol and diabetes, which increases your chance for heart
disease. A BMI (body mass index) less than 25 and a waist measurement
less than 35 inches are ideal, but remember that if you can reduce
your weight even by just 10% that will make a difference.
Take the Tests – Life style change #5
Get regular health screenings for your cholesterol and blood pressure.
If you know your numbers, you know what action you need to take.

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Newsletter-2/17/2010

Posted on17. Feb, 2010 by admin.

Feb 12, 2010

Trivia Contest
Winner and Answers.

Congratulations, Sarah Deihl is the January 2010
shoplocalleominster.com website
contest WINNER!

Sarah won a box of gift cards from Studio S and gift certificates for
the Monument Grill and Blue Marlin by answering the following
questions.  The questions related to pictures by Susan Cashman of
Studio S.
#1:Where do people in Leominster go to enjoy the sounds of music?
John R. Tata auditorium

#2:What is the name of the flower that you see at Sholan Farms every Spring?
crab apple blossoms

#3:Where is the most popular walking path in Leominster?
Doyle Field

Calling All LSBA Members for Support!
Local resisident and LSBA member John Joffrion of Fletcher’s Hardwood
Floors, is in need of our help.  The Joffrion family has four
beautiful children, one of whom has battled health issues since his
birth.  Tommy has a rare disease called Neurofibriomatosis (NF).  It
is common for NF patients to develop tumors and other health problems.
In December of 2008, Tommy had a portion of one of three brain
tumors removed successfully.  He recovered well from surgury and has
been motinored closly since.

Three weeks ago in an urelated scan, his spleen and liver appeared to
be enlarged.  After blood work and follow up tests were performed, it
was discovered that Tommy has Chronic Myelogenos Leukemia or CML.  He
is being treated through the Dana Farber Center in Boston.

We have organized a team appropriately called Team Tommy 2010 and have
already kicked off a series of fundraisers.  We have raised over
$2,000.00 so far and plan on raising more as the families needs
continue to demand our assistance.  We have a dedicated group reaching
out in various modalities and this is where LSBA can fit it.

I am asking for your help in one of many forms.  First and foremost,
John Joffrion is a small independent business owner, in a tough
economy, in the dead of winter.   He does fabulous work or flooring,
including banisters, stairs, refinishing, etc.  If YOU, YOUR business,
or anyone YOU KNOW can use his expertise, please refer him.  You can
get a free estimate and ask him for referrals from past customers.
Please check out his info on the Shop local website.

Secondly, you can somehow raise, donate, or collect money for the Team
Tommy Fund.  See www.teamtommy2010.blogspot.com for more info and
contacts.  This website will be updated weekly.  Mia Bella Spa has
most graciously set aside March 14th from 12-4 pm (by appointment
only) and will donate all their proceeds to the Team Tommy Fund.  This
is above and beyond what we had expected!  Believe me the team and
family are so excited about this and will spread the word the best we
can about this fun event.

The third way and easiest way to help is by donating a service or item
for our calendar raffle.  We will be selling calendars all through
March.  Starting on April 1st, we will pick a name each day; the
person picked will win the prize on the calendar for that day.  Their
name will then go back into the pool.  We already have donations from
Little Stars Gymnastics, Mia Bella, Market Basket, Cristina’s and
about 16 others.  We need to fil up the 30 day month and could use
your help.  We will distribute the calendars at the schools, Fall
Brook Family Fun Fair, participating businesses, and through family
and friends.

Please contact me for more info or to help out with our cause.  Be
creative and have fun.  The family is helping with cupcake sales and
other events, because we are all turning something unhappy into a
positive community-building project, that is keeping everyone smiling
with renewed energy and hope.

Tara Cucchiara 978.537.5801 or taracucch@msn.com
http://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/2010-02-05/front_page

Health Tips from Donna Dimarzio
Be a Smart Snacker – snacking is an art form, the trouble for many of
us, however, is that our technique is more like a kingartner’s and
less like a master’s, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn to create a
more intelligent snack strategy.  Here’s help:

Here are some easy snack ideas that ring in at 100 calories or less.
½ cup raw baby carrots 30 calories
17 grapes 57 calories
1 stick part-skim string cheese 70 calories
4 multi-grain crackers 70 calories
10 almonds 70 calories
2 Tbs. Hummus on whole wheat pita 89 calories
½ cup 98% fat-free choc. Ice cream 92 calories
11 baked tortilla chips with 3 Tbl salsa 95 calories

The right tools – There are three key ingredients to the perfect
snack;  fiber, water and protein, Nutrition experts say that snacks
with these components not only put an end to hunger but also give you
the right amount of energy.  Turn to vegetable and fruits to fulfill
the fiber-and-water portion of the equation. Round it out with protein
from legumes and low-fat dairy.  Here are some combos to try:

Celery with Almond Butter
Walnuts with Kiwi
Hummus dip with Baby Carrots
String beans with Low-Fat Cheese

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Recipes

Posted on16. Feb, 2010 by admin.

Bette Noire with Raspberry Sauce

12 oz. Bittersweet chocolate, morsels or coarsely chopped
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup bourbon, cognac, or rum
1 Cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, at room temp.
5 large eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
Additional butter and flour to prepare pan
Raspberry Sauce (recipe below)
Set oven 350 degrees. Prepare an 8 inch cake pan, bottom and sides,
with butter and flour. Cut parchment paper to cover bottom of pan.
Butter and flour parchment. Place chopped chocolate in bowl of food
processor. Heat sugar and bourbon in saucepan set over med-high heat.
Cook until sugar dissolves into syrup. With food processor motor
running, pour hot syrup into chopped chocolate. Add butter in
tablespoon size pieces, incorporating each before adding more. Add
eggs, one at a time. Process until mixture is smooth and luscious. Add
flour, pulse to combine. Immediately  pour into cake pan and cook in
oven about 25 to 30 minutes, until top is just puffed. Let cool and
place plastic wrap over cake. Place plate upside down on top of
plastic and invert onto plate. Invert again onto serving plate. Cover
with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.

Raspberry Sauce
1 12 oz. bag frozen raspberries
1/4 cup Confectioner’s Sugar
1/2 lemon, juiced in food processor or blender until pureed.

Blend  above ingredients, strain seeds in fine mesh sieve and discard.
Tomato Tart

1 17.3 oz pkg Puff pastry
1 egg
4 oz (1 cup) Fontina Cheese, grated
1 1/2 lbs Tomatoes, cored and thinly sliced
Salt & pepper
Thyme Sprigs
Heat oven to 400 degrees. On lightly floured surface roll each sheet
of pasty to 11 x 11 inches. Transfer each to a parchment lined baking
sheet. Cut a 3/4 inch wide strip from each side. Whisk egg and a tbsp
of water and brush edges of pastry sheets. Line edges with strips
forming a border, trimming any overlapping pieces on the corners.
Place baking sheet in fridge or freezer about 15 mins. Brush border
with egg mixture. Use a fork to prick  pastry within the border about
every 1/2 inch. Bake just until golden, 12-15 mins. Sprinkle center of
each tart with half the cheese and arrange half the tomatoes on top.
Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Garnish
with a few thyme sprigs and return to oven until the cheese is melted
and pastry is cook throughout, about 8 mins. Serve warm or at room
temperature.

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30 minute meal

Posted on15. Jan, 2010 by admin.

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Deb’s Mexican Sautee

Posted on12. Dec, 2009 by admin.

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Quotes-11/27/09

Posted on23. Nov, 2009 by admin.

To live content within small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury and refinement rather than fashion;to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds and babies and sages with open heart;in a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

Carl Sandburg

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Newsletter

Posted on20. Nov, 2009 by admin.

Lana Kopsala.  LIST or BUY your home with me as your local REALTOR any
time during the months of November and December 2009 and receive a
Gift Certificate to any shop local Leominster business member of your
choice in the amount of $300.00!* Just give me a call, text or e-mail
to set up our initial appointment!
Ph:978-855-9112     Ph: 978-602-9108          lana.kopsala@nemoves.com
*Special terms & conditions apply. Contact me for further details!

Combat fat! These edibles have proven lipid-melting powers that help you slim.

By Veronica Byrd

Almonds Almond joy! Dieters who ate 3 ounces of these nuts every day
reduced their weight and body-mass index by a solid 18 percent
compared with an 11 percent drop in the no-nut group, a study in the
International Journal of Obesity found. Almonds are high in
alpha-linolenic acid, which can speed the metabolism of fats. Stick to
12 per serving.

Berries Vitamin C?loaded fruit such as strawberries and raspberries
can help you sizzle up to 30 percent more fat during exercise,
suggests research from Arizona State University at Mesa. Blend a
vinaigrette of 1 cup berries and ¼ cup balsamic vinegar.

Cinnamon This spice could make your waistline nice. Sprinkling ¼
teaspoon on your food may prevent a postmeal insulin spike?this
increase normally occurs after you eat and ?signals the body that it
should store fat rather than burn it,? explains Lauren Slayton, R.D.,
of New York City. Add a dash to your oatmeal, yogurt or coffee.

Toys For Tots
Drop off new, unwrapped gifts to Curves  and Rituals before Dec 13 so
they can be distributed to the children in time for the holidays.
Thank you in advance.

Curves  is located at 448 Lancaster St, Leominster, MA 01453 978-534-4600.
Rituals is located at 7 Central St, Leominster, MA 014853   978-537-9394.

Health Tip Compliments of Donna DiMarzio. Curves of Leominster
Look out the window

When there?s no time for a walk outdoors to clear your head simply
looking out the window can do the trick. (Sorry glancing at a nature
picture won?t cut it).

Breath right sleep tight
Taking a few deep breaths before hitting the pillow may lead to a more
peaceful night?s rest.  So, before you pull up the covers, focus on
slowly inhaling through you nose and exhaling through our mouth for
several breaths.  This simple form of meditation helps tone down the
adrenaline that?s been keeping you awake and on the go.  You should
feel your body start to relax as more calming hormones take over, says
Herbert Benson, MD, head of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body
Medicine in Boston.

Fruit & Vanilla Dip
Cut up strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon (whatever fruit you like)
1 pkg. sugar free, fat free instant vanilla pudding
1 8 oz. container  sour cream (use low fat for a lower calorie dip)
mix the pudding with the sour cream.  Mix well You may need to add a
little milk to loosen it up a bit.
Happy dipping!

Welcome our newest members!
Friends of Sholan Farms
Master Truck caps
and Atlantic Tent Rental

Next LSBA meeting

Your Holiday Plans
Holiday time presents many challenges and opportunities to business
owners.  Come share your plans and promotions.  Tell us about your
events, bring some flyers  or coupons to share and enjoy good company.
Are you a restaurant planning to offer a special holiday menu?  Maybe
a bank that is offering a special CD rate during the holiday season?
Or perhaps you are retailer that is hosting an open house for new and
existing customers; we want to hear about it!  Everyone will be
allowed 2-3 minutes to promote their business  to the group. We hope
you will develop new partnerships and also walk away with fresh ideas
that will benefit your business.
Cash Bar               Light Appetizers will be provided
The regular dinner menu will also be available – visit lidios.com
RSVP to contest@shoplocalleominster.com
When-Monday   Nov  23rd 6:00-7pm.
Where-  Lidio?s Restaurant & Lounge
1045 Central St.
Leominster, MA 01453
www.lidios.com 978-534-6600
All attendees will be able to enter a drawing to be a Spotlight
Business. The lucky winner will have a place on page one of the
website for one month plus an article in the Leominster Champion.

Mark your Calendar
-Wed Dec 9  8am  meeting at Town Hall in the Tata auditorium. Free
Marketing tips. Details to follow.
-Wed Jan 13th 6pm business meeting TBD

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November Newsletter

Posted on07. Nov, 2009 by admin.

Soothe aching muscles

Soothe aching muscles with moist heat, which penetrates deeper than
dry heat.  Soak a hand towel in hot water, wring it out and lay it on
the sore area. Cover with a comfortably warm heating pad, and top with
a dry towel.  Let this stay on for 10 – 15 minutes then remove.  Now
you can say ahhh.

Catching some ZZZ’s

The hormone melatonin can help people with insomnia both fall asleep
more easily and stay asleep longer.  In this case, more is absolutely
not better; the megadoses of melatonin found in
some supplements sold as sleep aids actually overexpose the brain to
melatonin, rendering it ineffective after several days.  For a natural
(and delicious) source of the hormone look to dried tart cherries.
Have a handful of them a half-hour before you hit the
pillow.  Goodnight!

Submitted by
Donna DiMarzio
Curves Leominster
Clings
Announce your membership in the shop local movement with the LSBA
Cling. If you have not received a cling  contact Becky at
membership@shoplocalleominster.com

Your Holiday Plans
Holiday time presents many challenges and opportunities to business
owners.  Come share your plans and promotions.  Tell us about your
events, bring some flyers  or coupons to share and enjoy good company.
Are you a restaurant planning to offer a special holiday menu?  Maybe
a bank that is offering a special CD rate during the holiday season?
Or perhaps you are retailer that is hosting an open house for new and
existing customers; we want to hear about it!  Everyone will be
allowed 2-3 minutes to promote their business  to the group. We hope
you will develop new partnerships and also walk away with fresh ideas
that will benefit your business

All attendees will be able to enter a drawing to be a Spotlight
Business. The lucky winner will have a place on page one of the
website for one month plus an article in the Leominster Champion.

Cash Bar |  Light Appetizers will be provided
The regular dinner menu will also be available – visit www.lidios.com

When-Monday   Nov  23rd 6:00-7pm.
Where-  Lidio?s Restaurant & Lounge
1045 Central St.
Leominster, MA 01453
www.lidios.com 978-534-6600

Toys for Tots

- Rituals is collecting for Toys for Tots.  Are there any
other member businesses collecting? We can have one posting for us
all.     Please email Deb at newsletter@shoplocalleominster.com.

Curves

Leominster Hosts Dinner Talk
Where:  Lidio?s
When:  Nov. 10, 2009
Time:  6:30  p.m.
Please call Curves at 978-534-4600 for reservation as seating is limited

RITUALS Salon & Spa
7 Central St Leominster, MA 01453
978-537-9394

Open House     Sat Nov 14, 2009     2-4 pm
Pure Privilege Double Points Day! (at Rituals only)
The Art of Makeup with Chris Chiapetta 11a-4:30p($15 sitting fee-reimbursable
in makeup purchases that day)

Come and sample  mini services. Choose any 3 of the following mini
services for $15.

Mini manicure Mini Caribbean hand Treatment
Paraffin on Hands
15 minute Massage        15 minute reflexology
15 minute scalp massage
Facial Refresher Light Touch Makeup           Eye Zone Treatment
Express Pedicure Paraffin foot
Caribbean Foot Scrub
Flat Iron    Moisturizing Scalp Treatment     Shampoo  and Blow Dry
Walk in only, no appointments will be taken for this offer. Prices are
good only during open house hours and as time allows.  No rain checks
will be issued.
Offers not to be combined with any other offer.
Direct question to    info@ritualsspa.com

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Peanut Butter Recipes

Posted on30. Oct, 2009 by admin.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

1/2 c Butter

1/3 c peanut butter

1 1/2 c sugar

2 eggs

3sq unsweetened chocolate, melted

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 c flour

2 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 2/3 c milk

Lightly grease a 13X9 baking pan. Preheat the ove to 350′

In a mixing bowl beat sugar, butter and peanut butter. Add eggs, beat more. add melted chocolate and vanilla, blend.

Next add some of the  milk, beat in well.  Add the baking powder to the flour. Add some flour to the mixing bowl, beat in well in  betweeneach addition. Alternate milk and flour until mixed through and all ingredients have been added.

Pour batter into baking dish. bake in 350′ oven for 30-35 minutes.  Let cool, top with Peanut Butter Icing and drizzle. ( see below)

Peanut Butter Icing

1  1/4 c sifter confectioners’ sugar

1/4 c peanut butter

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cream ingredients together. Add additional confectioners’ sugar or milk to get to the proper consistency.  Frost the cake.

Melt 1/4 cup  semi sweet chocolate pieces with 1T butter. Drizzel over the frosting.  Enjoy

Submitted by:

Rituals Salon & Spa
7 Central St
Leominster, MA 01453
978-537-9394
www.ritualsspa.com

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Recycle Caps with Rituals

Posted on26. Oct, 2009 by admin.

RECYCLE CAPS WITH RITUALS SALON & SPA and AVEDA

Bring plastic caps as described below to RITUALS SALON & SPA, 7 Central St, Leominster, MA 01453. If you are a school, please see below to register your school or group.

Aveda found that a majority of plastic bottle caps do not get recycled today.

Often these caps end up as litter or trash and migrate into our rivers and oceans. Birds and other marine creatures mistake them for food with tragic results.
Your school can be part of the solution by joining recycle Caps with Aveda.*
Join Aveda’s caps recycling initiative that helps extend the current boundaries of recycling and elicits participation from all corners of our community. With the help of our network of salons and stores, in partnership with community schools, we have created a recycling program for plastic bottle caps. Caps are collected enrolled schools and then sent by Aveda to our recycler where the material is recycled into new caps and containers. Rituals will collect caps fro indiviuals and send them to the recycler. Aveda has been able to work closely with our suppliers to develop ways to make new caps from the recycled caps and we plan to incorporate these caps into future Aveda products.

What type of caps do we collect?
The program accepts caps that are rigid polypropylene plastic, sometimes noted with a 5 in the chasing arrows recycling symbol. This includes caps that twist on with a threaded neck such as caps on shampoo, water, soda, milk and other beverage bottles, flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), laundry detergents and some jar lids such as peanut butter.

Excluded from collection are pharmaceutical lids and non rigid lids such as yogurt lids, tub lids (margarine, cottage cheese), and screw on lids that are not rigid. Please do not include any metal lids or plastic pumps or sprayers. Unfortunately, too much of the wrong types of materials can contaminate the recycling process. We appreciate your efforts in keeping it clean! Please help Aveda in our mission to encourage local recyclers to accept plastic bottle caps.

Want to know how your school can get involved?
Click to learn more: Parents | Teachers. Remember to contact capcollection@aveda.com when you are ready to enroll your school.

For more information on how to enroll your school contact capcollection@aveda.com or call 1-877-Aveda09.

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Bread and More

Posted on26. Oct, 2009 by admin.

Bread

Parmesan Toast

4 slices sourdough bread, sliced, cut into quarters (triangles)

1/4 grated parmesan cheese

1 Tablespoon mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

Lightly toast the bread. VERY lightly

Mix the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Spread mixture onto bread triangles. put on a pan and place into the toaster oven and toast, or bake on a sheet pan 375′ oven until cheese is melted.

variation: add 1 artichoke. (non marinated) finely chopped to the topping.

Salads & Vegetables

Rice Salad

4 Cups Water

1 Chicken Bouillon Cube

2 T Butter or Margarine

1 Med. Onion, diced

2 Med. Red Peppers, diced

3 Med. Green Peppers, cut into bite sized pieces

1/2 tsp Tumeric

1 tsp Salt

2 Cups Regular Rice

1/4 cup Salad Oil

1/2 lb. Mushrooms , sliced

2 T. Lemon Juice

In saucepan heat water, butter, bouillon, tumeric , and 1/2 tsp salt to boiling; add rice. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Place rice in large bowl. Meanwhile in large skillet over medium heat, cook onion in oil until tender. Stir in peppers, mushrooms and 1/2tsp salt; cook until all vegetables are just tender. Spoon into bowl of rice. Add lemon juice. Gently toss to blend. Chill for at least one hour.

Asparagus Parmesan

30 Stalks Cooked Asparagus (2 pkgs frozen)

1/3 cup Dry Seasoned Bread crumbs

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper

2 T. Melted Butter

Drain cooked asparagus and place in greased shallow baking casserole. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine crumbs with butter. Sprinkle over asparagus. Top with cheese. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Spinach Puff

2pkgs. Frozen Spinach , 2 10 oz pkgs, thawed

1/4 cup Butter

2 T. Onion, grated

3/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

25 Keebler Town House Crackers, crumbled

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

Drain excess liquid from the thawed spinach. Mix all ingredients together in food processor. Put casserole pan. Bake at 350 for 30 mins. or microwave 3 minutes, stirring once.

Variation: use 2 10oz packages frozen broccoli, thawed. It is also possible to use fresh, simply cook the fresh broccoli or spinach till soft. We also like to do a mix of spinach and broccoli. Either is great served with a steak and baked potato.

Broccoli Marinade

1 bunch broccoli (raw), seperated using flowerettes only

1 tsp. Dill Seed

1/3 tsp Salt

1/3 tsp. Garlic Salt

1/3 cup White Vinegar

1/2 cup Oil

1 tsp. Sugar

1 tsp. MSG

1/3 tsp Pepper

Mix marinade ingredients together and pour over broccoli floweret’s; refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.

Parmesan Artichokes

1 pound frozen artichokes

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan

This is so simple and tasty. Spray a baking sheet with spray oil. Arrange the artichoke’s on the baking sheet. (We use frozen artichokes because they are not marinated. Using fresh artichoke is a lot to prepare, so we just use frozen.) Sprinkle/ top the artichoke tops with the grated cheese.

Bake in 350 oven 15 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Ratatouille

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1 Clove Garlic, crushed

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 Small Eggplant cut into 1″ cubes

2 Zucchini, sliced

2 Large Tomatoes, diced

1 Large Green Pepper, cut in pieces

1 Large Onion, chopped

1 tsp. Salt

Basil

Oregano

1 T. Minced Parsley

Put garlic, salt and olive oil in bottom of heavy 3-quart saucepan. Put vegetables in layers sprinkling salt, oregano, basil, and parsley between layers. Cover, cook until tender and sauce is rich and thick. Take cover off last 5 minutes.

Baked Beans

1 pound bacon, cooked and drained

1 c water

1 medium onion, chopped

1c brown sugar

1 (16 oz) can EACH butter beans, lima beans, kidney beans Drain each can

I can ( 16 ounces) Pork and Beans

Cook bacon in frying pan. drain, crumble.

In a medium saucepan boil the water and onion 5 minutes. Add bacon and the water, boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat. Add the beans and combine. pour into casserole. bake 325′ 75 minutes till bubbly.

Creole Eggplant

1 Eggplant

3 T chopped onion

2 c canned tomatoes

1/4 c diced cook bacon

1/4c chopped green pepper

1/4 t paprika

1/3 c grated parmesan cheese

Skin eggplant. Cut eggplant into 1 inch cubes.

Cook bacon in frying pan. Add eggplant , onion peppers and stir until onion is soft. Add the tomatoes, paprika. Cook slowly 25 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir frequently. Just before serving, toss in the parmesan and give it a good stir. Serve over rice or macaroni.

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Quotes -Oct 26

Posted on26. Oct, 2009 by admin.

‘Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is
impossible to be silent.’ ~Victor Hugo

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The artist finds  a greater pleasure in painting than in having a
completed picture.
~ Seneca

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You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

……Abraham Lincoln

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My father worshipped dogs, hunting, fishing, the state of Maine, and the complete works of Shakepeare, in that order.
Susan Conant, True Confessions, 1995

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Dogs are…wonderful. Truly. To know them and be with them is an experience that transcends- a way to understand the joyfulness of living and devotioin.
Gary Paulsen
Winterdance 1994

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An animal is, properly speaking, a soul; I do not say an imortal soul. And yet, when I come to consider the positions this poor little beast and I myself occupy in the scheme of things, I recognize in both exactly the same right to mortality.
Anatole France
The coming or Riquet (1844-1924)

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“He who jumps into the void
owes no explanation to those
who stand and watch.”
~Jean Luc Godard

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5 things each of us can do to reduce our carbon foot print

Posted on26. Oct, 2009 by admin.

5 things each of us can do to reduce our carbon foot print.

1. Buy local- support the farmers markets. Use your local merchants.
This reduces your gas consumption and helps to employ local residents.

2. Drive a clean, fuel efficient car- Check emissions on a new car
before you buy. Try to conserve trips by planning errands. It has been
said that UPS achieved substantial gas savings by redesigning their
routes to have only right turns. Empty the extras from the car. Extra
weight in the car causes the car to burn more fuel. Keep your tires to
proper inflation for better fuel economy.

3. Reduce, reuse, recycle- think before you make purchases, paying
attention to excess packaging. Learn proper recycling methods for your
town. Before you toss an unwanted item, is there another use for it in
your home? Would it be useful to someone else? Join Freecycle. Recycle
your soda bottle caps by bringing them to Rituals.

4. Purchase Energy Star products- Your house can cause twice as much
pollution as your car. Appliances and electronics  are just some of
the items Energy star evaluates. go to www.energystar.gov for
information.  Your flat screen TV can add $120 a year to your electric
bill during the time it is NOT being used. Unplug as many electric
items as you can.

5.Evaluate your energy options- Sign up for renewable energy if
available through your energy supplier.  Ask for an energy audit of
your home. Your electric supplier usually performs this service for
free. It is a basement to attic inspection of your home

submitted by Rituals Spa

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