An ode to the most beautiful and courageous woman I have ever known,

Here is a dish that is simple and festive for your Christmas dinner.



Feed the Soul
Palate Pleaser

Eat our Reds and greens

Move over spinach, swiss chard is here. This leafy veggie screams Christmas to me with its green leaves and red roots. Swiss chard is loaded with vitamins K, A, C, E, and minerals magnesium, maganese, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber. It is also a great source for vitamin B1, B2, B6, protein, zinc, biotin, need I go on. This veggie definitely needs to be plated on Christmas day and once a week for that matter. Here's a great and simple recipe for this  holiday dish.

3 bunches of swiss chard
3 cloves of garlic
(Garlic powder can be used as well)
1/2 onion
1 pinch of cinnamon
3 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Wash the swiss chard thoroughly, cut off the stalk up to the leaves, and chop the leaves finely. You will want to have some root in the dish. Heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Saute for 1 minute then add the swiss chard. Toss for 5 minutes then add the garlic, salt,  pepper and cinnamon to taste. Cook for another 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Suggestions: Serve over brown rice topped with blackened salmon.

Looking for a nice and simple package to present your gifts this Christmas and New Year's Eve? Well I may have your answer.

Creating Fabulous
Funky Finds

Do you have a small gift but want to present it in a big way? Well let's go back to the past by using Christmas stockings by Callie Decor (www.calliedecor.com). This won't be the old red mesh stockings that you fill with candy, they are silk with swarovski crystals, and to die for. (The foot is so cute with crystal toes!) You can purchase these stockings at John Sluevog 1539 N Milwaukee Ave. 773.772.1983 The price ranges from $37.50-47.50. These stockings can make a mini pack of Ferrero Rocher sweeter, or better yet, why not put two tickets to a concert in the stocks!

Are you giving wine as a gift year? Check out Distant Village (www.distantvillage.com) for their cute yet environment friendly natural Joyeux wine basket with the twine handle. Sold at $2.00 each you can walk into that New Year's Eve party styling and saving the environment.

Here are my top 3 Christmas songs that you should download this year

Keeping the Party Live


1.  Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald. Why not croon yourself into this holiday season with this song sung by this special lady.

2.  Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCarthy. I have always loved this song. It was so bouncy and cheery. Great song to go down memory lane while we're "simply having a wonderful Christmastime".

3. This Christmas by Donny Hathaway. This has to be my all time favorite Christmas song. With so many versions of this song nothing could ever touch the original version by Mr. Hathaway. This song is so soulful and beautiful that I find myself listening to this song all year long and I know I am not the only one.

Roses and Brunch for Mom.  BBQ and sports for Dad?  Let Dad have Father's Day - his way!


Feed the Soul
Dinner Date with Daddy

What makes the Dad in your life happy? What would He like to do?  That's the ultimate question when planning activities for Father's day. Since Father's day never gets the same hype as Mother's Day (most Dad’s can be nonchalant about celebrating themselves) you will find yourself searching for something fun and exciting to do and most importantly, what to feed the man of honor on this day.
 
Whether you choose to have a BBQ, golf outing, bowling or billiard party, create an experience that the whole family can be a part of.  Create a dinner filled with all his favorite dishes but change it up by adding something he can’t have everyday - made his way! Allow someone sweet to help you with making dessert while the kids keep Daddy occupied with tons of games.
 
Here's a recipes for Daddy Day!

Daddy's Rum BBQ Marinade
1/2 cup Lime Juice
1/3 cup Rum
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon ginger powder
 
Stir together and pour over 2 lbs of chicken wings and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for 2hrs or overnight. Cook on the grill!
 
 
Wash it down with,
 
Big Daddy's Peach Martini
From Alvin Green, Personal Chef
 
 1   12oz can of peaches in heavy syrup pureed in a blender
 Grey Goose® vodka (Le Citron Vodka)
 3/4 oz peach puckers
 1   can of frozen minute maid lemonade
 1/2 oz triple sec
 1   11.3oz can of peach nectar
 

Friends and Family tell Dad how special he is with this great gift idea!



Creating Fabulous
Honoring Daddy


To celebrate the great Dad in your life, I have a great idea for you. With a video camera, you can create a “docu-card” for the Man of Honor, telling him how great a job he is doing as a Father. Get creative and have fun with it. Involve his parents, siblings and friends. Have them talk about their point of view, watching him become the Father that he is. End the “docu-card” by letting the children speak about having a special Father like him. Set up the screening as family movie time after the Father's day festivities earlier that day. He will be so surprised that you took the time to do something SO special for him. Remember it doesn't have to perfect. You are not making this film to enter in the Cannes Film Festival, you just want to present a different way to express your thanks: something that he can keep forever.   

Tip:
If you don’t have a video camera but still want to do the “docu-card,” CVS Pharmacy has a one-time use video camera for $29.99. It gives you 20 minutes of footage and you bring it back to any CVS with a 1 hour lab and they will transfer it over to DVD for you. How great is that!

Add the live element of music to your wedding to create a unique experience for you and your guests.  A Social Life shows you how in Keeping The Party Live.


Keeping The Party Live
For All Brides and Grooms

Every bride and groom dreams of a celebrity wedding. One way to obtain that celebrity wedding feeling without breaking the bank is hiring live musicians.  Instead of having a DJ all night or your cousin attempting to sing, make your entertainment memorable. Live music always adds that special touch to any event, especially weddings. Real musicians that can play current hits, delicate classical melodies and timeless jazz or pop standards during the reception gives your event a mini concert feel. DJ's are still great but they don’t have the same finesse as musicians - you definitely get a better bang for your buck..

There are many resources on finding live music. Do some research. Ask your friends, circulate clubs that have live music or go through an agency like TJG Booking which has a variety of musicians that can give you what you need to make your day ultra special.

When in Chicago – it helps to know how the world dines so you can keep your cool while you get your global grub on! 


And Everything Nice....

I am at my best with food beautifully plated in front of me. I truly enjoy dinner parties and dining out. Over the last ten years my palate has become more global by dining at ethnic restaurants and meeting various people from different cultures.  Dining Globally can be very different, fun, and educational. Over the years, I have become a little obsessed with learning about other cultures and their dining etiquette. If you are dining out at an ethnic restaurant or someone’s home, try to learn the dining traditions from their country. It’s so rewarding. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you are Dining Globally:

Chinese
- Never eat or take food before the eldest person (grandparents) at the table.
- Holding your bowl of rice or food is acceptable but palm the bowl from the bottom. 
-Don’t let your thumb or fingers grip the lip of the bowl.
- Don’t mix your food up with your rice. Think of the white rice as a palate cleaner. It gets you ready for your next item.
- Don’t take more than one food item at a time.

Ethiopian
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Make sure everyone has injera (a sponge like bread that is use to pick up food)
- Don’t lick or suck on your fingers. Wipe your fingers instead.
- Never reach over someone else’s hand or arm to get some food.
- Try all dishes. Don’t assume that you have to eat only the entree you ordered – this is communal eating.

French
- A French dinner often consists of a salad with vinaigrette for the starter, main course, cheese course, dessert, and coffee.
- Bread is always laid on the tablecloth not on a bread plate unless it’s a formal affair.
- At the end of your meal use a piece of bread on your fork, as a means of cleaning the plate for the next course. This is done when eating at a friend’s house, otherwise in a more formal setting, each course is served on a new plate.
- When in doubt, follow the lead of your house. When the lady of the house puts her plate in your lap you do too.
- Put your good clothes on. The French version of casual to dress up but don’t overdress.
- Don’t cut your salad. Fold the lettuce on to the fork.

Indian
- Don’t ever ask for pork or beef...you won’t get it. All Indian will not serve beef or pork. Hindus believe that the cow is a sacred animal and Muslims believe that the pig is a filthy animal. So there you go.
- You can eat anything with your hand as long as it is not messy or wet. They believe that eating is a very sensual thing and should be experienced with all the senses.
- Be prepared to go out for after dinner drinks. You most likely will not find alcohol in an Indian restaurant and if they do, the bar is very minimal.

Italian
- Pick up cheese with your knife rather than your fingers.
- The host gives the first toast yet the honored guest returns the host with a toast later.
- Take a small amount of food so you can take the second helping that is guaranteed to be offered. It is ok to leave a small amount of food on your plate.
- If invited to a dinner party, bring wine or chocolate.


Japanese
- Try to eat all sushi pieces in one bite. Sushi is a wonderful work of art. You shouldn’t want to destroy the artwork.
- It is ok to drink your miso soup out of the bowl but eat the big pieces with the chopsticks.
- Serve each other when pouring alcoholic beverages. Never pour your own. And if someone wants to serve you more, quickly drink it down and hold towards that person. Don’t start drinking until everyone’s glass is poured.
- Never pour soy sauce on your white rice. Pour it in the small dish provided to you but never pour more than you will use. It is considered bad manners to waste soy sauce.

Polish
- If the host is wearing slippers, be prepared to take off you shoes.
- Always offer to help the host or hostess with anything. Out of politeness they won’t turn you down.
- Don’t ask for a tour of the house. 
- Toasts will be made throughout the meal and made with vodka.
- Don’t come in your flyest clothes. Dress a little conservatively for this dinner.

Spanish
- Talk, Talk, Talk. Never let a meal go silent. Conversation is the heart of a good meal.
- The Spanish like to see your hands but keep your elbows off the table. Keep your hands visible when eating.
- You may use a small piece of bread to help push food on your fork but only do this when you are at a family affair, not in the restaurants.
- Cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife when you’re done eating.

Thai
- Thai food is to be shared. Take small portions
- Finish everything on your plate; it lets the host know you enjoyed the meal.
- Don’t look around for your knife. Your fork is your knife.
- You will rarely see chopsticks at a Thai restaurant for they do not eat with them. They will have chopsticks but you will have to ask. They have chopsticks for the people who think you are supposed to eat ALL Asian food with chopsticks.

Extra Tips:
When eating Chinese and Japanese food:
When eating soups and noodles it is ok to make some slurping noises. Eating noodles without sound in Japan and China is looked upon as weird.

Chopsticks are the main utensil used when eating Chinese and Japanese dishes. If you are getting something from a large dish, do not use the end that was in your mouth, use the top ends to push food onto your plate.

The best way to learn how to eat with chopsticks is to eat with them more often. Do it at home when you’re eating Asian dishes in the privacy of your own home. You will be a pro by the time you dine out.

Universal Tips on Etiquette
Wait to be seated when going to a dinner party. They may have a special seat for you. Once you’re seated, wait till the host gives you permission to begin eating.

French, Spanish, Polish and Jamaican (if formal) table manners are continental, meaning the fork is in the left hand and knife in the right while eating.

Break your bread into pieces before eating. You should never bite down into a piece of bread.

Always be on time if you’re going to a dinner party. No exceptions. If you know you’re going to be late, call as soon as possible.

Always take small amounts of food especially during a buffet.

Add this 3 minute Spinach to your Mother's Day menu.
 


Feed the Soul
Palate Pleaser

Here’s a quick and very tasty recipe for Spinach that you can serve for Mother’s Day Dinner:

3 minute Spinach
1 Bag or 2 bundles of spinach
½ onion
1 tbsp of olive oil
A pinch of salt
A dash of black pepper
A dash of Nutmeg

Wash the spinach thoroughly, pat dry with paper towel and set aside.  Cut the onion into thin strips. In a skillet, add the oil and onion and sauté for 1 minute over medium heat. Add spinach and sauté for 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg before turning off the heat. Serve immediately.

 Alternative: Garlic is a good substitution for onions in this dish.

Running out of time and can't think of a gift to get for you mom? Here's a simple idea that will warm your Mother's heart.





Creating Fabulous
For Mommy

Sunday May 11th is Mother's day and many people are still not sure what they are going to get their Mother.  If time is not on your side, why not host an impromptu dessert tasting for Mother Dear!

I know “impromptu” may scare you, but simplicity is everything. You know your Mother better than anyone else. All you need is 3 mini desserts: something that you both can eat together, one that is her favorite, one that you both like and something new you both have never tried. The dessert tasting and great conversation gives you and your mother a memory that you both will cherish and will bring a smile to her face.   Make a flower arrangement with your Mother’s favorite flower as the centerpiece and make sure you give it to her at the end of your visit. Sometimes the smallest tokens and gestures leave the most lasting impressions.