January 2014
How lucky are we to be enjoying South Florida and its sunny 60 degree weather (okay, 55 and rainy) while we see and hear about the freezing storms and blizzards to our north and west. THAT'S the way to start a New Year!! Enjoy!!
  

Hurry In for Botox!!!

 

Due to Allergan's price increase on Botox, we have to add a slight (very slight) increase to our fees. It won't hurt, I promise. (The promise applies to the procedure AND the price!)

And,

this goes into effect February 1, so hurry in!

What is YOUR New Year's resolution? If it's trying to be less stressed and more joyful, read on....

 

                                        8 Traits To Achieving Happiness in 2014

(1)  Self-Control: Doing what is in line wth your most fundamental goals, even if tempted to sway.

    The Journal of Personality found that college students who scored high on self-control  not only earned better grades, but were less depressed or anxious, had stronger personal bonds and healthier self-esteem and had fewer struggles with food.

(2) Grit: The raw endurance, perseverence and passion that keep you going

despite obstacles.

    Realizing big dreams takes work. It's not always fun and "can mean working 24/7." That's why grit requires passion, to keep you going.

(3) Curiosity: A desire to seek out the new and different.

    People who describe themselves as intentionally curious report greater life satisfaction and deeper sense of meaning. They also tend to push themselves to learn and meet their goals, then move on to new goals. They even begin to be curious about viewing differently something that has become rote.

(4) Optimism: Believing that the best may lie ahead.

    If you believe that good things will happen, you are more apt to open yourself up to greater opportunities. Research at Duke Unversity found optimistic graduates got jobs faster despite being picky. Optimists tend to see setbacks as temporary rather than a negative judgment in their abilities.

(5) Love: Mutually close, caring relationships.

    Obstacles are easier to overcome when a friend or loved one supports you. Research has found that even thinking of the ways a loved one has supported you has the same effect.

(6) Social Intelligence: Ability to understand the nuances or gray areas of a situation helps relationships and tricky or difficult situations.

(7) Gratefulness: Fully appreciating and noticing the good in yourself, other people & the world at large, then giving that appreciation back. By truly expressing gratitude, rather than the usual thank you,gives you joy. 

(8) Zest: Tackling life with energy, excitement, enthusiasm and eagerness. Filling your days with positive energy makes life more enjoyable. Attitude, life goals and health all play a part.

Visit www.msn.com/living for suggestions on how to work these traits into your life.

 

  
 

                                      GORGEOUS SKIN IN 2014

Drink your way there....

(1) Eat fresh produce for healthier-looking skin, a study from the University of St. Andrew's found. So, drink your veggies. Add your kale, carrots and apple to your smoothie!
(2) Proanthocyanidins, found in red wine (not white) prevent skin reactions from sun damage to wrinkles.
(3) Water hydrates the skin, an organ, to keep it functioning healthily. Underhydrated skin can be tight and flaky, leading to dull-looking skin.
(4) The antioxidants in green tea have proven to help skin glow.
(5) Bloody Marys - The tomatoes have lycopene which is great for your skin. The University of Newcastle in England recently found that consumption of tomatoes and olive oil improves the skin's ability to protect itself against UV.
thedailymeal.com

                                          Table Manners

Are you always trying to teach your children to take their elbows off the table when eating? Are table manners on your resolution list?

I found this article about table manners in other countries and it struck me funny and thought I'd share....

Afghanistan: Kiss the bread that is dropped on the floor.

South America: Pay respect to Mother Earth. In parts of Peru, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, diners spill a few drops of their drink on the ground, or flick it with two fingers, and say "Para la Pachamama" to pay resepect to the Andean goddess of fertililty and harvest.

Canada: Showing up fashionably late is socally acceptable, while showing up early or on time is not.

Chile. It's bad manners to touch any part of your meal with your hands.

China: You belch at the end of a meal to let the host know you enjoyed the meal. And leaving a touch of food on your plate shows you are full and have had enough to eat, though it's bad manners to leave any rice in your bowl.

Egypt: It is customary for someone else to refill your glass, or you to refill another's glass. If the glass is less than half full, it needs refilling. If a neighbor forgets to refill your glass, you can let them know by pouring a bit into theirs. But it is never acceptable to refill your own glass.

England: Port is continually passed to the left until it is finished. The true reason is unclear. But if it isn't passed, it's impolite to as for it. Instead, a neighbor can ask, "Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?" ,which I would gather would clue him/her in, but if not, the response is, "He's a very good chap,but he always forgets to pass the port."

Ethiopia: Eat with your right hand and from only one plate. Utensils and plates are considered wasteful.

France: Bread is used as a utensil to scoop up food, not as an appetizer.

Georgia: Toasting lasts for hours. Everyone goes around the tablemaking toasts before emptying their glasses in one sip, only to start over again. Ten to 15 small glasses are consumed by the end of the evening. Wine and vodka are used, unless you are wishing bad, then it's beer.

Italy: Parmesan on pizza is a culinary sin.

Japan: The louder the slurp the greater the thanks.

Mexico: Eat tacos only with your hands.

Russia: Drink vodka neat. Even adding ice makes the vodka "impure." But adding beer is acceptable because it produces a drink called "yorsh." Offering a drink is a sign of trust or friendship and turning it down is offensive.

Thailand: Forks are not used for any rice-based dish.

Tanzania: Eating on the carpet or mat is customary but showing the soles of your feet is impolite.

foxnews.com/leisure

KEEPING WARM

Though we are not up north, or out west, we have been having "chill-to-the-bone" weather. I wanted to have soup this week for dinner and looked for a quick one to make. This was delicious! Although all the reviews said it was perfect, I found the soup a touch lacking and added 1 TBL ground fennel seed. It took it over the top!
Fennel and Potato Soup
- 3 medium fennel bulbs
- 1 TBL butter
- 1 TBL extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
- 4 cups chicken (or vegetable) stock
- 1 large russet potato
salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions:
1. Trim, quarter, and core fennel, then slice into medium-size pieces, reserving feathery leaves from one of the bulbs (approx 2 tbsp fennel leaves). Heat butter and olive oil together in a medium pot over medium-low heat. When butter has melted, add sliced fennel, shallots, and 1 cup stock. Cover and simmer gently until fennel is soft and translucent, about 15 minutes.
2. Increase heat to medium, add potatoes and remaining 3 cups stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently until potatoes are very soft and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Season soup to taste.
3. Gently mash the vegetables with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon until the soup is thick and chunky (but not pureed), adding a little water or additional stock if it becomes too thick. Chop the reserved fennel leaves, then stir into soup.  Remove soup from heat and set aside for 5 minutes to allow flavors to develop. Can drizzle olive oil if you choose.
4. If necessary, add 1 TBL ground fennel seeds.
Saveur, 9/12/07