Tips and Recipes from Donna

Dinner in a Pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:45:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 medium pumpkin
2 lbs. hamburger (cooked & drained)
diced onions & celery to taste
1/4 c soy sauce
2 T. brown sugar
1 4-oz can sliced mushrooms (drained)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.

Cut a lid for the pumpkin. Paint on a face with a magic marker. Remove the seeds and pulp.

Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, onions, celery, mushrooms and soup in large bowl. Add rice. Then add cooked hamburger removing the grease first.

Spoon the mixture into the pumpkin. Place in a medium baking pan or cookie sheet.

Bake 1 hour until the pumpkin is tender. Scoop out to serve.

by Andrea Zober

Five Layer Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter
1 cup gramb cracker crumb mix
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup coconut or toffee chips
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions

Melt 1/3 cup butter in Rock ‘N Serve Large Container for 45 sec. Add 1 cup graham cracker crumb; mix, flatten and microwave 1 ½ minutes.

Then add the following:
¾ cups milk chocolate chips or whatever
¾ cups coconut or toffee chips or whatever
2/3 cups sweetened Condensed milk (about ½ of the can)
Cover and microwave for 4-5 minutes. Cool completely, cut and serve.

by Tupperware Classic

Two Recipes Today

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:05:00 +0000

CHEESY CHICKEN POT PIE

Ingredients

* 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
* 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
* 1 jar (1 lb.) Ragu® Cheesy Double Cheddar Sauce
* 1 bag (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
* Pastry for single-crust pie

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. In 2-quart casserole, toss chicken with flour. Stir in Double Cheddar Sauce and vegetables. Press pastry around edge of casserole to seal; trim excess pastry, then flute edges. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking 20 minutes or until crust is golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Preparation time: 10 Minute(s)
Cook time: 40 Minute(s)
Servings: 6

Source: Our Recipe World on Yahoo

7-Up Baked Apples

Serves 4

4 baking apples
4 tablespoons golden raisins
4 teaspoons brown sugar replacement
1/2 cup diet 7-up

Core apples without cutting through the bottom. Stand apples in
baking dish just large enough to hold them. Place 1 tablespoon raisin
and 1 teaspoon brown sugar replacement in center of each apple. Pour
in 7-up. Bake at 350F. for 45 minutes, basting frequently, until
apples are tender but not mushy. Serve warm or chilled.

Calories 122, Fat 1g, Fiber 4g, Carbohydrate 31g, Sodium 3mg, Cholesterol 0mg
Weight Watcher Points 2 Points

MY SOURCE: Realfood (yahoo)

Cheddar Potato Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:57:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 cup milk
4 Tbsp. melted margarine
1 tsp. dried onion flakes
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 pkg. (24 oz.) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 tsp. paprika
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions
In a small bowl combine milk, butter, onion flakes, salt and pepper. Add potatoes and cheese mix well. Spread in Rock ‘N Serve Large Deep or other deep microwaveable container, cover and vent. Cook on high for 12-15 minutes or until bubbly. Delicious for a brunch or as a side dish with dinner.

Concerns Over Polycarbonate Containers

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:41:00 +0000

U.S. Website Polycarbonate Statement

Reports have appeared recently in the media that polycarbonate containers are unsafe for use in food contact applications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found this material to be safe. Polycarbonate is a high-strength plastic made from a monomer known as bisphenol-A http://www.bisphenol-a.org/human/consafety.html. Certain Tupperware products are made from polycarbonate, including serving products and Rock-N-Serve storage and cooking containers. However, polycarbonate is NOT used in Tupperware baby bottles or toys.

Bisphenol-A http://www.bisphenol-a.org/ has been an approved substance for use in food contact products for decades. Governmental regulatory agencies around the world, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, the European Food Safety Agency, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency and the Japanese Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare have all approved the material. Over the last ten years, other scientists have raised concerns over the substance, including the amount which migrates out of the products during heating. These governmental agencies have reconfirmed the safety of the material during this period. Tupperware also has conducted migration studies of bisphenol-A from its products using independent testing laboratories, and found the migration levels to be within acceptable levels, as specified by the Governmental regulatory agencies.

On the strength of the repeated governmental scrutiny that polycarbonate has had, Tupperware continues to believe the material is safe. However, as Tupperware has the highest regard for the safety of the consumers of its products and the functionality of these products, it will continue to closely monitor this scientific debate and research the best materials for use in its products.

Additional references:
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620835386.htm
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/602_plastic.html

Marinating Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Marinades do not have to cover the food.

Allow 1/4 to 1/2 C of marinade for every 1 to 2 pounds of food.

Only marinade fish and seafood for an hour. Their delicate texture breaks down due to the acidity of the marinade.

Always discard marinade in which raw meat has been soaking. DO NOT USE this marinade for basting! Make extra for basting and dipping.

Marinade boneless chicken for 1 to 2 hours and bone-in chicken 1 hour to overnight; fish and vegetables for 30 to 60 minutes.

Summer Strawberry Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Ingredients

1 9oz pkg Lemon Cake Mix (makes one layer)
1 egg
1/2 cup water
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 can prepared frosting
1 tsp Cinnamon-Vanilla Seasoning (optional)

Directions

Spray a 6-1/4 cup microwaveable container with non-stick cooking spray. (I use the 6.5 cup Tupperware Heat N Serve) Set aside.

Mix cake mix, water, and egg. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Pour cake mix into container and microwave on high 12 minutes turning the container 1/4 turn every 2 mins.

Allow cake to cool slightly, then turn it out onto a Plate. Slice the cake in half horizontally and allow to cool completely.

When the cake has cooled, spread a thick layer of frosting in the middle and lay half the strawberries on top. Place the top layer back on the cake and frost it with the rest of the frosting. Decorate with the remaining strawberries and serve immediately.

Optional Toppings: 1/2 cup fresh blueberries and blackberries

by Tupperware Summer Catalog 2005

Make Your Own International Coffees

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:34:00 +0000

These recipes will save you money and also make great gifts

Store in an airtight container to keep fresh

COFFEE MIXING DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients in blender, blend until powdered

Use 1 - 2 tsp. with 1 cup hot water for individual serving.

SPECIAL NOTE:

For sugar substitute, use 16 tsp. for 1 c. sugar. You may also use decaffeinated coffee.

BAVARIAN MINT
2/3 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Sugar
1 Rounded tsp. loose, dried mint leaves
2/3 c. non-dairy creamer

SWISS MOCHA
1 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Sugar
2 c. nonfat dry milk
4 tsp. cocoa powder

CAFÉ’ L’ORANGE
2/3 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Sugar
Dried crushed orange peel
¼ tsp. Cinnamon

CAFÉ’ VIENNA MIX
1 c. Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 ½ c. Non-dairy Creamer
1 ½ c. Nonfat dry milk
4 Tbsp. Cocoa
1 c. Instant coffee

CAFÉ’ MOCHA
2/3 c. Instant Coffee
3 Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa
1 1/3 c. Sugar
1 c. Non-dairy Creamer
¼ c. Nonfat dry milk

CAFÉ’ AU LAIT MIX
One 11-oz Jar Non-Dairy Creamer
½ c. Packed Brown Sugar
½ c. Instant Coffee crystals
Dash of Salt
(Use ¼ c. mix to 2/3 c. hot water)

CINNAMON ‘N SPICE
2/3 c. Instant Coffee
1 1/3 c. Sugar
½ tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg
½ tsp. Allspice

TOFFEE COFFEE
1 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Non-Dairy Creamer
1 c. Brown Sugar

ITALIAN MOCHA ESPRESSO
½ c. Instant Coffee
½ c. Sugar
2 ¼ c. Cocoa Powder

CAFÉ’ ORANGE CAPPUCCINO
1 c. Instant Coffee
1 ½ c. Sugar
2 c. Nonfat Dry Milk
1 tsp. Dry Orange Peel
********************************
Recipes provided by Donna Loudon, Tupperware Director Donna grants premission to reprint these recipes in your blog or newsletter as long as her name and link remain exactly as in this blog. Also, no adjustments may be made to the article.

Chef Lucas’ Mexican-Style Chicken Hamburgers

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:48:00 +0000

Ingredients

▪ 1 lb. ground chicken
▪ 1 egg
▪ 1 Tbsp. capers
▪ 1 medium tomato
▪ 1/2 purple onion finely chopped
▪ 1 cup cilantro (chopped)
▪ 1 Tbsp. hot sauce
▪ salt and pepper to taste
▪ 4 slices of bread (Arabian-style whole wheat bread)
▪ lemon juice

Directions

In a bowl, add egg and beat with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Add chicken, onion and tomato, finely chopped. Next, add cilantro and capers. Make medium-size balls and place them in the Hamburger Press. Grill on each side as desired. Once they are ready, sprinkle with lemon juice. Cut the bread in halves and place Mexican-Style Chicken Hamburgers
on them. Garnish with lettuce and tomato and other condiments as desired.
Tip: Arabian-style bread may be substituted for whole wheat bread for hamburgers. Garnish with finely-chopped cilantro or parsley.

Chef Stuart's Turkey Burgers

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:48:00 +0000

▪ 1 lb. ground turkey
▪ 1 cup red onions, minced
▪ 2 tsp. olive oil
▪ 1 clove garlic, minced
▪ 1/2 tsp. fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
▪ Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
▪ 4 whole wheat hamburger buns

Coat grill rack with oil and adjust temperature to medium heat. Mix turkey, onion, olive oil, garlic, rosemary and dashes of salt and pepper. Mold four one-inch thick turkey patties. Grill for approximately five minutes on each side.
Offer a variety of condiments so your guests can create their own burger. My personal favorites are crumbled blue cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato jam.

A Note From Chef Stuart

I grew up in an Irish family kitchen. As a child, I hung out with my mom and helped her cook the family meals, doing all of the prep work for her before she came home to finish the meal. By the time I was seven, I had become a right handy sous-chef. At age 11, my cooking ‘instructors’ expanded where, at my Aunt’s home, I would do my homework while helping her bake lavish pastries and pies.

This childhood pastime turned into an avid fascination that led me to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in the Culinary Arts form the Dublin Institute of Technology. My natural interest, joy and intrinsic abilities merged with a classical, formal education. Being located in such close proximity to France and having the opportunity to travel extensively while at school, it was a natural leap to integrate the French approach and earthy love of food and wine into my studies.

In partnership with Tupperware, I will be helping you to build a healthy and functional pantry and refrigerator. While many elements go into creating a delicious and healthy meal, I want to show how these elements can be less complicated, less intimidating and more easily accessible. I look forward to revealing ways to help you get the most out of your food. Plus, I’ll help you to make cooking fun!

Fresh Strawberry Freezer Jam

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Ingredients

5 cups crushed strawberries
2 tsp. Lemon juice
1 pkg. Powdered fruit pectin
7 cups sugar

Directions

Mix fruit, lemon juice and pectin in a large microwave safe container. Cover and microwave on high for 11 min., stir once. Stir in sugar; microwave, uncovered, on high for 10-12 minutes, or until mixture boils hard for at least one minute. Skim off foam. Pour into freezer safe containers and freeze for later use.

Recommended Tupperware Containers to Use for this recipe

Vent N' Serve Large Deep

See more recipes and great deals on Tupperware at

Donna's Tupperware Website

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:54:00 +0000

Ingredients

2 – 10 oz packages frozen chopped broccoli thawed and drained
1 – 10 ¾ oz can condensed reduced fat cream of mushroom soup
4oz light processed cheese, cubed (Velveeta Light)
1 cup uncooked instant rice
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup fat free milk
2 Tablespoon Butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients in a 2 quart casserole dish. Bake 45 minutes.

Points value – 3 WW points per ½ cup

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:45:00 +0000

This is one of my favorite recipes. The bread tastes like cinnamon rolls. It is fairly easy to make and your family and friends will love it.

Donna

Ingredients

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. Tupperware Cinnamon-Vanilla Spice
2 (12 oz. pkgs.) butter flavor refrigerated biscuit dough

Melt butter in microwave

Mix together sugar and Cinnamon-Vanilla in a bowl. Set aside.

Separate dough and cut each biscuit into quarters

Drop a few biscuit pieces into the melted butter. Using a slotted spoon or a fork, remove them from the butter and place them into the bowl with the sugar/Cinnamon-Vanilla mixture.

Seal the bowl and shake to coat the biscuit pieces.

Remove the biscuit pieces and place in a loaf pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 until golden brown. Cool 3-5 minutes and
then invert onto a serving plate.

Author: Donna Rivera-Loudon
Author Websie: Donna's Tupperware Website

You have permission to copy this recipe onto your blog, website, or ezine as long as the Author's title and Website are included and author is given credit for the article/recipe.

How To Make Ice Cream Shaped Like Watermelon

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:03:00 +0000

How To Make Ice Cream Shaped Like Watermelon
by Donna Rivera-Loudon

Summer is here and everyone likes the idea of ice cream. If you are throwing a dinner party or just having some friends over for dinner, you will amaze them when you bring out this ice cream dessert. It looks like a watermelon, even when you slice it. It even has the 'seeds'. It is easy to make and so impressive.

Ingredients

Lime Sherbet
Softened Raspberry Sherbet, softened. Or you can use cherry or strawberry. It just needs to be red.
Mini chocolate chips

Line a large mixing bowl with the softened Lime Sherbet. Mix the chocolate chips with the raspberry sherbet and fill in the rest of the bowl. Refreeze. Turn upside down onto a large plate of cake server. Use a warm towel on the bottom of the bowl to help the ice cream release. Slice the "watermelon" and serve. When served, each piece will look like a slice of watermelon and taste yummy, too."

Author: Donna Rivera-Loudon
Author Websie: Donna's Tupperware Website

You have permission to copy this recipe onto your blog, website, or ezine as long as the Author's title and Website are included and author is given credit for the article/recipe.

One Pan Banana Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:31:00 +0000

2 medium ripe bananas (peeled)1 C. flour
3/4 C. chopped nuts
1/3 C. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 C. oil
1 egg
1 tbs. orange juice

Slice bananas into blender. Add egg, oil, vanilla, and orange juice. Blend well until smooth. In 9″ square pan, stir flour, nuts, baking soda and salt with a fork. Add banana mixture and mix with fork. Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 min.

This recipe was submitted to me by one of my consultants, Chuck Robey.

Creamy Potato Lasagna

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:16:00 +0000

For a new twist on lasagna, try this delicious version. I use ham, but you could also use smoked turkey. I serve this with a salad.

Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Yields: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
1 cup milk
3 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced lengthwise about 1/8 inch thick
5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups diced ham
1 (10 ounce) package chopped frozen broccoli, thawed
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Alfredo sauce and milk. Spread 1/4 cup of the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Then layer 1/3 of the potatoes over the sauce in the dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the ham, broccoli and 1 1/2 cups of the Swiss cheese. Mix well and spread 1/3 of this mixture over the potatoes in the baking dish. Then top with another layer of potatoes, followed by the ham mixture, finally topping all with the remaining Swiss cheese and Parmesan cheese. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over all.
4. Cover and bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degree C) for additional 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition facts (per serving):

Protein 20.9g. Carbohydrates 39g. Cals from Protein 21%. Cals from Fat 37%. Sodium 810mg. Calories (kcal) 39. Total Fat 16.1g. Fiber 5.5g. Cals from Carbohydrates 40%. Cholesterol 56mg.

Recipe Donated by Gazelle Simmons, Virtual Assistant
Visit Gazelle's Website at http://www.admnsrvcs.com

Ten Rules of Email Netiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:25:00 +0000

As our society becomes more and more fascinated with social networking, I have begun to see even more abuses of Netiquette. Just as in our everyday lives we try to life by proper etiquette, we must also learn proper etiquette for the computer world. This type of etiquette is known by computer savvy people at “Netiquette”. There have been entire books written on this subject and most individuals who use computers for fun and business aren’t going to take the time to read a book on this subject. Hence, my reason for developing a list of Netiquette Principles that I feel most people using the internet should be aware of. If we can follow these basic principles of netiquette we can avoid offending someone without even realizing we have done so.

Principle One:

Do not type in all CAPS. This conveys the idea of shouting. If you want to emphasize a point put your words in between *asterisks*.

Good example: *Do not type in all caps when sending a message via any electronic means.*

Bad example: DO NOT TYPE IN ALL CAPS WHEN SENDING A MESSAGE VIA ANY ELECTRONIC MEANS.

Principle Two:

Do not type in Red letters. This also conveys the idea of shouting.

Principle Three:

Always include a subject line and make sure it is appropriate to your message.

Good example: Meeting Tonight on Proper Email Netiquette

Bad example: Important message from Donna

Principle Four:

Always include your name. Not including it is like making a phone call and never identifying who you.

Principle Five:

Check your spelling before you send your message. Bad spelling and grammar causes your message to be lost by the reader.

Principle Six:

Acknowledge you have received an email even if you cannot answer it right away. A simple “I will get back to you on your question before the end of the day” will work wonders for someone waiting on an answer to a question they have emailed you.

Principle Seven:

Don’t wander off the subject or *over talk* your message. Messages should be short and to the point. If you want to write a story, then write one and post it on a blog, not in an email or networking group.

Principle Eight:

Remember the difference between Reply to Sender and Reply to All. The only thing more annoying then spam is to have someone reply to the sender of a message and everyone in the group gets it.

If you want to reply to the group select “Reply to All”.

If you just want to reply to the sender select “Reply to Sender”.

Principle Nine:

Once you click the send button you cannot take your message back. Don’t send emotional messages until you have had time to think about the subject.

Principle Ten:

Don’t forward chain letters and hoaxes. This is a good way to get your email banned by the receiver. People today, especially in the business world don’t want to have their time wasted by these types of messages.

I hope this helps everyone understand proper netiquette a little better. The next time you post a message on a board, social group, or send an email I hope you will keep these principles in mind.

**********************************************
Donna is an online instructor for two colleges and she received both her B.S. and M.B.A. via online classes. Donna also owns her own business as a Tupperware Director.

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:41:00 +0000

This recipe is baked in an angelfood cake pan. Make and serve for a special occasion -- or “just because” when you want a delicious treat!

2 cups warm water
4 teaspoons of bulk yeast (or two packages of yeast)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup canola oil (or other cooking oil)
2 eggs
5 to 6 cups of flour (I like to use 1 or 2 cups of whole wheat flour
and the rest white flour).
6 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 cup of sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons cinnamon

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand for a couple of minutes. Stir in sugar, salt and cooking oil. Beat in eggs. Add 1 cup of flour and stir until smooth. Add 2 more cups of flour and stir until smooth. Add remaining flour -- enough to make a dough that is a little sticky.

Let the dough rest for 20 minutes.

While the dough is resting, grease the angelfood cake pan. Mix up the
sugar and cinnamon. Melt the butter.

Tear off chunks of dough the size of a small egg. Roll the dough between your palms to make it smooth. Roll in the melted butter. Roll in the cinnamon and sugar. Place in the bottom of the angelfood cake pan. Don’t fit the dough balls into the pan too tightly. They need room to rise. Line the bottom of the pan, then add more layers until the dough is all used.

Allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 40 minutes or until golden
brown.

Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn the coffee cake out onto a large cake plate.

To serve, use a fork to separate pieces of the coffee cake.

***************
From "The Rural Route 2 Cookbook" (copyright 2008:LeAnn R. Ralph)
http://ruralroute2cookbook.com

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of books of true stories about growing up on a small family dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago. "Highly recommended reading!" (The Midwest Book Review) http://ruralroute2.com

The Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:08:00 +0000

(This was posted in one of my groups. I don't know who the originator is, but thought it was worth sharing. If you are the originator, please let me know so I can give you the credit.)

Here's a newsflash (NOT!!!) The economy is, shall we say troubled, in many respects and there are hundreds of industries and professions out there feeling the brunt of it. I just spoke with a truck driver, 60 years old, and concerned. He's gone from $5500 a month in income to $1700 and his wife's company is in trouble also. His investments have shrunk beyond recognition and he would like to retire at a reasonable age and enjoy his grandkids.

Ring any bells?

Substitute "truck driver" with your pick of professions and chances are you know someone or will meet someone in the same situation.

While this is cyclical and will come back around, none of us know a time table, do we? If you listen to the news (don't!) it's not pretty.

So, what can you do? You can take action. You can get committed and you can take BACK control. In every downturn, there are those who benefit. And, those who benefit do so because they CHOOSE to be at the right place at the right time. That opportunity is open to anyone, EVEN YOU!

Have you notified those you know about what you are doing? Have you mentioned that you have found a way to "beat the recession?" Are you working your business every day, overturning stones looking for the next person who "gets" it?

Here is one thing I know, based on my own experience - You must make your own success and opportunity. Having a business and working/succeeding in a business are not the same thing. Hoping that someone will come along and ask about your products or opportunity will never set you free.

YOU set you free every time you put your business out there to be reviewed.

How will you get the word out TODAY, and every day?

How will you offer hope to those struggling in these times?

How will you build a better life for yourself?

Take action now and don't stop!

Time Management for Dummies

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:48:00 +0000

I got the following tip from Success Factory. Hope you like it. -- Donna

I once had a friend who said that she was convinced that when she threw a pair of dirty socks in an empty laundry hamper, they got together and reproduced and by the next day the hamper was filled to overflowing with dirty laundry.

I am convinced that the same thing is happening with my email.

I go to bed, with a completely empty email box and VOILA, eight hours later – my box will be filled with nearly 30 emails. Apparently the theory of laundry reproduction also applies to emails.

What I realized this morning, however, was how much JUNK email is coming into my box. DAILY (often, sometimes several times a day). I get emails from a variety of retailers – Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer, 1-800 Flowers, Plow and Hearth, Oriental Trading, Office Max, Office Depot – the list goes on and on.

Of course, I AM on email lists that are helpful to me in writing tips to you. These lists I treasure because they help me do my job better. I (like you) need my own CANI (Constant and Never Ending Improvement) in order to be motivated and continue to do my job well. I pray that I am doing my job in an excellent way so that you will continue to enjoy the emails that you receive from TSF! AND as always – we LOVE to receive emails from YOU on topics you’d like to see us feature!

The problem with the retail emails that I receive is the TIME that I am wasting. Most are from companies that I’ve done business with at one time or another. That said, if they have some kind of a special going on, I usually take “a quick peek”. Many times I end up ordering, despite the ‘snug’ economy at our house. It is amazing how that ‘quick peek’ can so quickly turn into an hour or more. Jim Rohn’s words are ringing in my ears as he says, “You can always get more money, but you can’t get more time.”

So, here’s my time saving tip for today. Take a few minutes and do what I did this morning – UNSUBSCRIBE (of course NOT from TSF! J)

At the bottom of those retail emails that you have received you will find an ‘unsubscribe’ button. OK, stop with the “DUH’S”…I can hear you! I KNOW you know how to do this, but have you done it?

I have to tell you, I am feeling SO empowered. No longer will the barrage of ads have mastery over me. I have a goal this week to get off of EVERY JUNK retail email account that I am on and I am looking forward to making much better use of the time I will save by NOT giving Coldwater Creek or The Pottery Barn a piece of my life anymore!

What could YOU do with an extra hour?

Copyright 2009 by The Success Factory All Rights Reserved

Success Tip: Feb 25

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:52:00 +0000

There are a lot of secrets to getting more Yes’s in our business. One big secret is to listen more than we talk. Success is 80% listening and 20% responding. If we listen to what others are saying, then we are in a better position to provide them with information that fits their needs. At the same time we are showing them that we are interested in what they have to say. Too many people in this world are too wrapped up in their own lives to listen to others. Successful saleswomen are different. We care about the people we come into contact with every day. – Donna Loudon

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking Classes Online

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0000

There are advantages and disadvantages to online education. It is important to understand these in order to be a successful online student. It is also important to remember that an online education is not right for everyone. By the end of this article you should be able to determine if online education will work for you.

On Your Time

One of the biggest advantages of online classes is being able to enter your classroom when it is convenient for you. Do you work all day? Then you can log on to your class in the evening or on the weekend. Are you an early riser? You can log on to your class in the early morning hours. Your virtual classroom is open twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.

While logging into your virtual classroom at your own time is an advantage, it can also be one of the biggest disadvantages of an online course. Sometimes not being obligated to a certain day and time can lead to procrastination. Before you know it the second week of class has arrived, but you haven't started on week one's assignments. Once you get behind it can be difficult to catch up. This emphasizes two important qualities that a successful online student should have: self-motivation and self-discipline. Good time-management skills and effective study habits are also necessary.

The Professor's Lecture

In a virtual classroom your professor's lecture is written rather than spoken. There are several advantages to this style of lecture. In a traditional classroom environment you would listen to your instructor's lecture and hopefully take notes. You will then be required to do your homework assignments outside of the classroom. What happens if you are doing your assignment and can't remember what your instructor said about the subject you are studying? You can search your notes, but maybe you missed that particular point or simply didn't think to write it down. You can remember your instructor talking about the subject, but you can't remember any of the details. What are your options? You can ask some of your fellow students for assistance hoping they wrote down the points in their notes or you can wait until the next class meeting and ask your instructor.

The virtual classroom is totally different. If you can't remember what your professor said all you have to do is re-read his or her lecture. In most cases you will be able to print a hard copy of the lecture. You will be able to review you professor’s lecture without even going online again.

Your Virtual Instructor

Online instructors have the same qualifications as an on-campus instructor. They are experts in the subject they are teaching and usually have a master's degree or higher. However, if you are a person who needs personal contact you may need to do some adjusting. Some students will never actually meet their instructor and those who do may only have such contact one or two times during the course. This lack of personal contact tends to be the biggest complaint of online students.

So how does an online instructor interact with his or her students? The three main interaction tools are email, discussion forums, and chat rooms. These methods of communication will be discussed in future chapters.

Student Interaction

Online students may find it difficult to socially interact with each other. There are several reasons for this. One is conflicting time schedules. Another is the varying locations where students live. Often students in the same virtual classroom can live in different states or even different countries. While discussion forums and chat rooms provide a means for student interaction, they do not provide the social connection of an on-campus class.

The average online student is usually a working adult or a parent of small children or both. If this description fits you, then your reasons for enrolling in college courses is not likely to be social interaction. Your goal is strictly educational so you can have an opportunity to earn your degree and get that promotion you have been hoping for or move on to a whole new career or just feel good about your accomplishment. Without online courses such a goal would not be attainable. Consequently, for most online students the lack of social interaction is not a major issue.

An advantage worth mentioning here is the fact that students who tend to be shy about participating in a physical classroom are usually much more conversational in an online classroom. They tend to be more willing to post comments on the class discussion forum and are usually more prone to ask their instructor a question via email. As a consequence, a shy or timid individual can have a more positive learning experience in the online environment.

Donna is an online instructor for two colleges and she received both her B.S. and M.B.A. via online classes. Donna's websites include:

Flea Central...Virtual Marketplace; A Website for the Modern Woman; Especially for Women; Tupperware Online

How to Make Your Own Play Dough

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:43:00 +0000

In this article are two recipes you can use to make play dough for your kids. Play dough is so much fun and relatively inexpensive if you make it yourself. Once you get the hang of you, you might even be able to teach your children how to make it.

Recipe Number One

This recipe is made in the microwave, which means you can make it quickly for those occasions when you need to keep a houseful of kids occupied fast.

Microwave Play Dough

2 cups flour 1 cup salt 4 Tbs oil 2 cups water 4 tsp cream of tartar Food coloring

Mix all ingredients in Rock N Server Large Deep.

This is a Tupperware container. If you don’t have it, use a microwave containers that is deep.

Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring every minute. Cook until mixture gets so thick it can’t be stirred. Let mixture cool. Divide and knead in food color. Store in an airtight container.

Now I am a Tupperware consultant, so naturally I believe that Tupperware is the best type of container to store your play dough in, but you are the ultimate judge of that.

Now, if you would prefer not to use your microwave, here is a recipe for making playdough on your stove.

Stovetop Playdough Recipe

1 cup flour ½ cup salt 1 cup water 3 dessert spoons of cooking oil 2 tsp cream of tartar Food coloring

Mix all ingredients together. Add a few drops of food coloring. Keep mixing ingredients until all lumps have been blended. Put the mix in a saucepan and cook it very slowly over medium heat.

Keep stirring. When the dough start to come away from the side of the pan, remove it from the heat.

You can add scents to the playdough by using vanilla or peppermint essence.

Food Safety: Purchasing Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:19:00 +0000

According to the FDA, even eggs with clean, uncracked shells can occasionally contain Salmonella. Salmonella can cause intestinal infection and is nothing to play around with. The most effective way to prevent egg-related illness is to know how to buy, store, handle, and cook eggs safely. And not just eggs, but any foods containing eggs also must be handled and cooked safely. In this article I will talk about buying eggs safely. In future weeks I will talk about safe handling and cooking of eggs.

Buying Eggs

It is important to buy eggs only when they are sold in a refrigerator or a refrigerated case. Do you like to buy fresh eggs from those who have their own chickens? Make sure they are being stored in a refrigerator. If you don’t know and can’t find out, play it safe and don’t buy them that way. Do you like to buy your eggs at the local farmer’s market? Again, make sure the eggs are refrigerator. Don’t take any changes with your family’s health.

Open the carton before buying it. Make sure the eggs are clean. This is important. Sometimes when we purchase eggs from someone who has laying chickens, they are not cleaned properly. Make sure the ones you are buying are cleaned. Also, make sure none of the eggs are cracked.

Refrigerate your eggs promptly. Sometimes we neglect this step. Maybe we don’t go straight home after we buy our eggs. If this is the case, carry an ice chest with plenty of ice so your eggs stay cold.

Store eggs in their original carton and use them within three weeks so your eggs are the best quality when used.

Etiquette & Netiquette Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Rivera-Loudon) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:31:00 +0000

Definition: Etiquette, one aspect of decorum, it is the code that governs the expectations of social behavior, the conventional norm.

• Whether you do presentations, have an online store, brick and mortar store, etc., etiquette plays an important role in your life no matter what you do or where you are. An example might be that if you are doing an online party in which case you would adhere to the rules of proper NET-iquette, which is the same definition as above, but it is in a virtual setting
• When doing presentations offline, dress appropriately no matter what you are trying to sell. For example, just because you might be selling lingerie does not mean that you would wear a sexy negligee to your presentation. That is definitely a no-no! Use common sense and dress in professional attire, or at least casually but not crazy. Clothing and your outward appearance believe or not does matter
• Sharpen up your listening skills. Listening is just as, if not more important than talking about your products. This is for both online and offline meetings or events. Respect what other’s have to say or request, rather than bombard them with information without letting them get a word in edge wise
• Get to your presentations, meetings, parties, etc., online or offline in advance. This makes you look much more professional, and responsible, which is what people want to see
• Make sure to have business cards with you at all times, especially when doing offline presentations, parties, or even stopping by your local stores. Your business card would be a physical reminder of you, and the company that you are representing
• Be polite at all times; remember that you are trying to make a sale. Even if a person is not interested in what you may be offering, or even disagrees with you on certain issues, keep it calm, cool, and smile. Remember to always say thank you for your time.
• Breaking the ice in many cases is fairly easy to do, whether it is online or offline, take a few minutes to chat, get a bit friendlier, and definitely use some humor when appropriate. Remember that the people that you are talking to are just people like you and me. Introduce yourself, be calm, positive and definitely smile, and you will eventually get the benefits and rewards of adhering to the proper conventional norm of etiquette/netiquette

Ellen Levinas is a published writer and Founder of www.howtoguide.us, & www.howtoguide.us/VA, www.thesamplebag.com, www.wabizbox.com, Partner/Executive Team Leader of http://wahmaddictssocial.ning.com, www.wahmaddicts.com. Ellen graduated from the University of Phoenix earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Business/E-Business, as well as being a Certified Master Virtual Assistant. Ellen is also the Creative Marketing Assistant for Cello In a Box® Company, and is a WAHM of two.

This article is available for reprint with author's resource box intact and all links live and click-able. Copyright is reserved by author.