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Letter from EditorCITY MAGAZINE

March 2011

Contents

Camey

06 Healthy Snacks

09 Local Flavor

10 Martha’s Home

14 Beer & Cheese Party

16 Hoopla March 2011

18 Cash Savings Tips

20 Frugal Living

22 Guiness

24 Spring Fever

28 Dress Shirt

As I rush to finish my end of month obligations and tidy up my deadline requirements. I begin to wonder what would happen if I did not check my email or my Facebook account 57 times a day? Or what would happen if I didn't spend more time than I care to admit playing spider solitare? Would I become more efficent? Would I get more things accomplished?

I have a short attention span I get bored very easy. I'm the first to admit the internet is a wonderful toy for those of us who enjoy self-soothing with an infinite and constantly changing source of entertainment. But does being wonderful make it the right thing to do?

I think it is time for me to step away from the computer and see what happens. I'm not talking about legitimate computer tasks. I mean my entire work day is spent in front of a computer. I work online, I bank online. I have to check email at least once or twice a day and since I don't get the newspaper, I still need to search for any upcoming events. It's the random, "gosh I'm bored so lets see what is happening” kind of stuff that gets me in trouble.

So I am going to ease myself off of the computer and enjoy some time outside and maybe this time next month I will be on time and on schedule...but probably not!

Peaks and troughs in your daily energy levels are just a part of life, but certain aspects of our modern routine tend to aggravate the extremes of these highs and lows. Many of us deal with energy flat-lines by glugging back six cups of coffee and grab-bing a donut; or worse, we down sugar and caffeine loaded energy drinks. This kind of strategy gets you an intense, immediate buzz, but this serious energy spike quickly deteriorates into a horrendous, plung-ing low. The key to sustaining a relatively steady level of energy lies in regular exercise, around six hours of sleep a night, and a diet that’s packed with food your body can use slowly and efficiently. Here’s a list of some super, all-natural snacks that will keep you feeling vibrant throughout the day …

AlmondsNuts are an easy snack to carry with you in a little container because they don’t get soggy or spoiled during a day in your handbag. Almonds are fab pick-me-up and contain a variety of energy-producing nutrients. They’re rich in manganese, magnesium and Vitamin B2. In addition, the fiber in almonds helps to regulate blood sugar and so prevents that four o’ clock sugar craving which even diet goddesses have trouble resisting.

Soy BeanBoil them and add them to a salad of piquant pep-pers, rocket and goat’s cheese, or simply eat them straight out of the shell. Soy beans are full of trypto-phan which helps to stabilise your appetite and even regulates your sleeping pattern. They’re also packed with proteins, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids to promote sharp mental functions and help to avoid energy crashes.

PineapplePineapple is a tasty, nutritious power fruit that’s simply packed with manganese, B vitamins and natural fibres. It’s a great source of fructose,sugar that naturally occurs in fruits, and water which keeps you hyrdrated and promotes an alert state of mind. Eat it chopped up plain or in fruit salad, or get yourself a glass of fresh pineapple juice for a quick energy fix.

All-Natural Snacks to Boost your Energy Levels

page 8

Complex CarbsComplex carbohydrates, like whole wheat breads and cereals, break down slowly in the body and so they release energy over time, and not all at once. This means you’ll feel alert for a sustained period and won’t experience any peaks and slumps. Make yourself a lunch sandwich of whole grain bread, turkey breast, light mayo and lettuce for a midday meal that’ll keep you going till dinner.

WaterYou’ve heard it before and it’s still true: drinking plenty of water, about 6-8 glasses, helps to keep you bright eyed and bushy tailed throughout the day. Dehydration causes feeling of drowsiness and it also slows down mental function considerably. Instead of reaching for that coffee cup next time, take a sip from that water bottle first; I guaranteed you’ll feel perkier even without the caffeine.

Pumpkin SeedsPumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium which fights fatigue and keeps you alert. They’re also a really great mid morning or afternoon snack because they’re easy to carry with you. Eat them plain or

sprinkle over a salad for an extra energy kick.

YogurtYogurt is full of healthy carbs and is great for intesti-nal health as well. Because it’s a liquid, your body absorbs it quickly so it gives you an immediate energy boost. Go for a plain Bulgarian variety; these are low in fat and include little or no added sugar. Stir a few chopped berries through for a tasty breakfast or morning snacking, or cover in honey as a special treat.

prinkle over a salad for an extra energy ck.

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Prep: 12 minutesCook: 6 minutesTotal: 18 minutesMakes: 4 servings

Ingredients4 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil 3 eggs, lightly beatenSalt and pepper to taste½ pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp½ teaspoon Emeril’s Original Essence3 green onions, minced, white and green portions reserved separately2 teaspoons minced garlic3 cups cooked white rice1 tablespoon dark Asian sesame oil2 cups (about 12 ounces) frozen stir-fry vegetables, defrosted2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce

PreparationHeat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil over high heat in a large skillet or wok. When hot, add the egg and a pinch of salt and pepper and quickly stir until egg is fully cooked, removing the pan to and from the heat as necessary, about 40 seconds. Transfer the egg to a paper-towel lined plate and set aside.

Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining peanut oil to the skillet/wok.

In a small bowl, season the shrimp with the Essence and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the wok, in batches if necessary, and cook until pink and lightly caramelized, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, green onion bottoms (white portion) and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the rice and cook, tossing, until hot and golden, about 2 minutes. Add the sesame oil and vegetables and cook until heated through, 1 minute. Add the soy sauce, reserved cooked egg and shrimp and cook until everything is warmed through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Kicked Up Shrimp Fried Rice

The city of Amarillo has so many wonderful places to eat. We have everything from tasty BBQ to spicy Mexican food to fresh sushi. With so many choices how can one decide?

Are you one of Amarillo's best restaurants or Amarillo’s best-kept secret? Let us help advertise your restaurant here.

Give us a call at 806-231-0562.

Cowboy Gelato is Amarillo's premier dining experience for gourmet Italian ice cream coupled with Cowboy comfort food like cheese stuffed hamburgers, steak and cheese Phillys, & pulled pork BBQ. Cowboy Gelato has over 130 flavors of gelato including Irish Whiskey, Guiness, Green Lone Star,

Irish Cream, Kiwi, Girl Scout Thin Mint, and many more. You may also create your own flavors with Cody Anderson,

Gelato's in house Certified Gelato Chef, trained by master Italian and Sicilian Gelato Chefs!!! For an amazing burger or sandwich followed with some tasty Italian ice cream, stop in at

Cowboy Gelato!!! Winter Hours are Mon.-Thur. 11am-8pm, Fri. & Sat.

11am-10pm, and Sun. 12pm-6pm. 2806 W. 6th 376-5286

5106 S Coulter353-2992

&

3810 I-40 W359-5000

From a long line of traditional Japanese style cooking comes Amarillo's newest and most vibrant Japanese

Hibachi restaurant, Hayashi. Hayashi offers affordable lunch specials daily. In addition, Hayashi also has one

of Amarillo's few fresh suchi bars boasting over 60 different sushi dishes!! Don't have the time for going

out to eat? Then call your order in and utilize the convenience of Hayashi's To-Go services. Hayashi also has private rooms for that special occasion or

business meeting.

3401 I-40W806-322-8988

Hayashi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Nearly everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their lives. With the turbulent economics of today, tighter employment markets, and ever growing personal situations that can cause so much turmoil in one’s life, it may come as no surprise that an estimated 3.5 million people in the United States will experience homelessness throughout the year. What does come as a surprise is that almost 40% or 1.35 million of those are children, many in families with single mothers. For these women and children, life can be incredibly difficult. For those unfortunate women and children in Amarillo however, there is an organization that grew to come to their aid, Martha’s Home.

Martha’s Home was started in 1987 by a group of nuns and other concerned members of the community that saw the female and child homeless population growing and carried a concern for these members of the area. In 1989, they received their first current property at 1204 SW 18th Ave., charitably donated by David & Mary Mullins. In 1992, they acquired their second property next door located at 1206 SW 18th Ave. As they progressed, they obtained yet another property located at 1210 SW 18th Ave. This year, Martha’s Home will be proud to announce the opening of their next property that will complete that block, 1208 SW 18th Ave., with the target date being by summer time. This home’s time and materials for construction are being generously contributed by the Texas Panhandle Builder’s Association completely free of charge!

Second Chance Prom

Each property serves a certain portion of the population. The flagship property at 1204 SW 18th Ave. focuses on helping single women that do not have children. It can house 10 women at a time. The 1206 & soon to come 1208 properties focus on helping single mothers and their children and can each host 3 to 4 families per property. The 1210 location serves as a transitional home for both single women as well as mothers and their children who are preparing to leave Martha’s Home, providing them with some additional time to reach a point of being comfortable with getting out on their own.

Martha’s Home is more than just a temporary residential refuge for homeless women and their children, it is a complete program to not only provide short-term housing, but also to supply the women with the community support, skills, and knowledge to equip them for positive lives after leaving Martha’s Home. Each program consists of a 90 day course set including sessions on self esteem & goal setting, life prioritization, nutrition, stress & well being, communication, positive conflict resolution, job seeking, money management, dealing with depression & suicidal thoughts, women’s health & hygiene, and optimism training on how to keep going when things seem rough. In addition to these course sets, which are a requirement to participate in Martha’s Home’s program, Martha’s Home also helps to provide its women with direction and networking to a multitude of other beneficial services. Martha’s Home residents are encouraged to obtain their GED’s if they do not have high school diplomas yet, as well as support for continuing education with college or trade schools. Martha’s Home also has a scholarship fund that is awarded periodically, funded through the Engler Foundation. Perhaps the most amazing quality beyond education and knowledge of Martha’s Home is the dedication and caring of the staff. These devoted staff members contribute their time at Martha’s Home because of their strong compassion for the residents of the homes. Martha’s Home provides individual one on one case management for each resident, so that they receive personalized attention from a concerned and caring professional that helps them get their lives back on track. Many former Martha’s Home residents stay in contact with the staff because of the intense life changing experience that Martha’s Home has provided for them (the women).

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Martha’s Home is a non-profit organization and obtains some funding through state and federal programs like FEMA and ESG. The largest portion of their funding, however, comes from the kindly donations of local organizations, churches, businesses, foundations, and most importantly, from the individuals of the community that want to contribute to help these women obtain a better, happier life. Although the majority of financial support does stem from contributions, Martha’s Home hosts an annual fundraising event that also adds to their support, the annual Second Chance Prom! Coming up on its 3rd year, the Martha’s Home Second Chance Prom has grown in popularity every year. This year’s theme is “Springtime in Paris,” complete with an Eiffel Tower, Paris Café, and Parisian artists, along with great music, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, silent & live auction, professional ballroom dance exhibition, and even a dance contest! The Second Chance Prom provides our community with a fun, exciting event, while also benefitting the women that Martha’s Home was created to help. This year’s Second Chance Prom will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, from 7pm-11pm, at the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room, so save the date to come out and experience the beauty and romance of “Springtime in Paris!!” Tickets are available now through Panhandle Tickets or table reservations for up to 8 people are available directly through Martha’s Home.

For more information call Martha’s Home at 806-372-4035 or check them out online at www.marthashome.org and find out how Martha’s Home offers a hand up… not just a handout.

Serving wine with cheese may be a long-standing tradition, but tradition is meant to be changed (or at least updated). Instead of hosting the usual wine and cheese soiree, surprise your guests with a sophisticated beer and cheese party (no chugging allowed!).

The allure of beer and cheeseOne of the main reasons beer and cheese pair so well together is due to beer’s heady carbonation.The high content of fat in cheese allows it to take over your entire mouth. The carbonation in beer acts as a palate cleanser. On the contrary, wine will usually leave an aftertaste in which you will need to sip water or have a cracker to ready your mouth for another taste.

Find a balanceTo make the perfect beer and cheese pairing, consider balance. If you are at all familiar with pairing wine and cheese, finding the right beer and cheese match is very similar.

You want to make sure your cheese will not overpower the beer and vice versa. For example, most IPA’s or bitter beers will take over the lightness and delicacy of most fresh soft cheeses whereas a pilsner may not stand up to a smelly blue cheese.

Take texture into considerationThe texture of different cheeses makes them amenable to particular beers. Creamy, rich cheeses probably work well with a highly carbonated or bubbly beer whereas a big dense beer may be too heavy. A hard pungent cheese will most likely pair well with a lighter beer. You don’t want to overwhelm your palate with too many bold flavors.

Location, location, location!While not always a perfect match, pairing beer and cheese from similar locations, such as New York Cheddar with a New York brew can often yield excellent results. By matching the origins of your beer and cheese choices, the flavors of each may be very similar – usually the grains that the cows graze on will be more akin to the grains used for the beer

Chic Beer & Cheese Party

Have fun with flavorsYou can pair similar flavors or pair beers and cheeses that contrast in flavor. For example, if a cheese has a nutty flavor, pair it with a similarly nutty beer. Same goes for fruit-flavored beer and cheese or even spiced beer and cheese.

Experiment with contrasting flavors. Sometimes a heavy beer may pair well with a very light cheese. More often than not, heavy and light will work well together. Keep in mind that heavy beer may not pair well with a pungent cheese, so do a taste test before your party.

Timing your tastingTypically, the best way to taste your beer and cheese pairings is to start with the lightest beer and work your way up to the heaviest or darkest. The most important aspect of beer and cheese pairing is finding what your palate likes. However, you may find at your party, that some of your guests like pairings you don’t and vice-versa.

When it comes to beer and cheese pairing, it is truly a matter of taste.

Belgian wheat beers pair well with soft cheeses like goat, feta or chevre. Fruity beers, especially the new Budweiser Wild Blue beer, pairs impeccably with mascarpone cheese. Cherry, raspberry or citrus ales also work well with this sweeter cheese.

Dark lagers pair nicely with fresh mozzarella.

High hop content beers like pilsners work great with jack cheese, muenster or havarti.

Aged cheddar will go great with a nice dark stout.

Brown ales are ideal with a sharp cheddar, colby or gloucester cheese from England.

A bock beer pairs well with a smoky gouda.

Strong Belgian ales work well with blue cheese, Stilton, Roquefort, or any creamy pungent cheese.

Oktoberfest beers pair superbly with Swiss, gruyere, or emmental.

Pale or amber ales go well with Parmesan or Romano cheeses.

Recommended beer and cheese pairings

March 2011SATURDAY MARCH 510:00am-7:00pmMake A Wish Car ShowAmarillo Civic Center

8:00pmLone Star Ballet“Peter & The Wolf”Globe News Center$13.00-$38.00 per person

8:00pmThe MousetrapAmarillo Little Theatre“Mainstage”$19.00 per person

SUNDAY MARCH 610:00am-5:00pmMake A Wish Car ShowAmarillo Civic Center

7:00pmWTAMU Orchestra“Elijah”First Babtist Church Amarillo Free to Attend but Must Have Ticket

TUESDAY MARCH 86:00pm-7:00pmBill Nye “Meet & Greet” ReceptionDiscovery Center

7:30pmBill Nye LectureAmarillo Civic CenterGrand Plaza

WEDNESDAY MARCH 910:00am-7:00pmUIL Orchestra ConcertAmarillo Civic Center

THURSDAY MARCH 107:00am-7:00pmUIL Orchestra ConcerAmarillo Civic Center

11:30am-2:00pmIn The Pink LuncheonAmarillo Civic CenterHeritage Room

8:00pmThe MousetrapAmarillo Little Theatre“Mainstage”$17.00 per person

FRIDAY MARCH 113:00pm-8:00pmThe Peddler ShowAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

5:30pm-9:30pmParent's Night OutDiscovery Center$25.00 for non-membersAges 3-11

7:00pmAmarillo Bulls vs New Mexico MustangsAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$10.00-$16.00 per person

8:00pmAmarillo Symphony “The Spirit of Man”Globe News Center$17.00-$50.00 per person

8:00pmThe MousetrapAmarillo Little Theatre“Mainstage”$19.00 per person

SATURDAY MARCH 128:00amSouthwest Cowboy Poets BreakfastThe Country Barn$7.00 per person

9:00am-6:00pmThe Peddler ShowAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

7:00pmAmarillo Bulls vs Topeka Road RunnersAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$10.00-$16.00 per person

8:00pmAmarillo Symphony “The Spirit of Man”Globe News Center$17.00-$50.00 per person

8:00pmThe MousetrapAmarillo Little Theatre“Mainstage”$19.00 per person

SUNDAY MARCH 1311:00am-4:00pmThe Peddler ShowAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

2:30pmThe Mousetrap

Amarillo Little Theatre“Mainstage”$17.00 per person

6:00pmAmarillo Bulls vs Topeka Road RunnersAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$10.00-$16.00 per person

TUESDAY MARCH 157:00pmWorld Famous Lipizzaner StallionsAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$20.00 -$24.00 per person

WEDNESDAY MARCH 167:00pmWorld Famous Lipizzaner StallionsAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$20.00 -$24.00 per person

THURSDAY MARCH 1710:00am-12:00pm“Can you Afford your Medications” LectureHilltop Senior Citizens CenterFree to Attend

1:15pm-3:00pm“Can you Afford your Medications” LectureWesley Community CenterFree to Attend

6:00pm-9:00pmThird ThursdayAmarillo Museum of ArtFree to Attend

FRIDAY MARCH 1812:00pm-6:00pmWestern Antiques & Collectibles Trade ShowAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

7:00pmAmerica Supports You“A Broadway Salute to the Troops”Globe News Center$23.00-$48.00 per person

7:05pmAmarillo Venom FootballAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum

SATURDAY MARCH 198:00am-6:00pmWestern Antiques & Collectibles Trade ShowAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

9:00am-5:00pmTexas Gun & Knife ShowAmarillo Civic CenterSouth Exhibit Hall

7:00pmAmerica Supports You“A Broadway Salute to the Troops”Globe News Center$23.00-$48.00 per person

7:00pmAmarillo Bulls vs Corpus Christi Ice RaysAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$10.00-$16.00 per person

SUNDAY MARCH 208:00am-1:00pmWestern Antiques & Collectibles Trade ShowAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

10:00am-4:00pmTexas Gun & Knife ShowAmarillo Civic CenterSouth Exhibit Hall

6:00pmAmarillo Bulls vs Corpus Christi Ice RaysAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$10.00-$16.00 per person

WEDNESDAY MARCH 2311:00am- 1:00pmNursing Job FairAmarillo College West CampusLecture hall

FRIDAY MARCH 2511:00am-5:00pmAmarillo's Largest Garage SaleAmarillo Civic CenterNorth & South Exhibit Hall

6:00pm-9:30pmClassic BrewfestAmarillo Quarter Horse MuseumGrand Hall$35.00 per person

7:00pm-10:00pmBeerology- The Science of BeerDiscovery Center$49.00 for non-membersAges 21 and up

SATURDAY MARCH 269:00am-12:00pm

“Protecting Your Money” SeminarAmarillo College Business CenterFree to attend9:00am-4:00pmAmarillo's Largest Garage SaleAmarillo Civic CenterNorth & South Exhibit Hall

9:00am-4:00pmAmarillo Cat Fanciers Cat ShowAmarillo Civic CenterRegency Room

7:00pm-10:00pmAmarillo Bulls vs Texas TornadosAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$10.00-$16.00 per person

MONDAY MARCH 286:00pm-8:00pmThe Davis Autism Approach Lecture by the New Soulutions Learning CenterHoliday Inn Express/Wolflin$5.00 per person RSVP for registration806-331-4099

WEDNESDAY MARCH 307:30pmBroadway Musical“Legally Blonde”Amarillo Civic CenterAuditorium

THURSDAY MARCH 317:30pmBroadway Musical“Legally Blonde”Amarillo Civic CenterAuditorium

FRIDAY APRIL 17:45am-4:45pmSpring Conference by Hospice Care of the Southwest“Supporting people w/grief”Amarillo CollegePolk Street Campus$30.00 per person

9:00am-7:00pmJust Between Friends Consignment SaleAmarillo Civic CenterRegency Room

SATURDAY APRIL 29:00am-7:00pmJust Between Friends Consignment SaleAmarillo Civic CenterRegency Room

10:00am-6:00pm2nd Annual Ultimate Man CaveAmarillo Civic CenterNorth Exhibit Hall

7:00pm-11:00pmMartha's Home “Second Chance Prom”Amarillo Civic CenterHeritage Room$28.00 per person

7:05pmAmarillo Venom vs Allen WranglersAmarillo Civic CenterColiseum$14.00-$28.00 per person

7:30pmAmarillo Opera“The Italian Straw Hat”Globe News Center

HOOPLAwww.mycitymag.com

Shaving dollars off your monthly grocery bill may be easier than you think. Try these seven tips and watch your savings grow!

Shop the circulars.

Every week each local grocery store sends their circulars to your neighborhood. Check out each one and see which has the most bargains on the staples you need each week. But stick with one store making trips to multiple stores for negligible savings wastes gas and your valuable time.

Limit your trips.

Shop no more than once a week based off a list. This will put an end to pricey impulse buys. If you totally run out of some staple, run into the store with $5 in hand so you don't even have the option of picking up other stuff.

Shop solo.

If possible, leave your spouse and kids at home. He will want a six pack of energy drinks, and the kids will want something extra and who are you to be the big meanie by saying no? Make the trip yourself and save yourself the headache and the cash.

Do some math and compare.

Just because an item is on sale, or you have a coupon, doesn’t mean it is the best buy. Comparing unit prices

on items will get you the best bargain. If it gets confusing, bring along a calculator or use the calculator function on your cell phone.

Check your receipts for loyalty bonuses.

If you use a store loyalty card, chances are the market gives you an extra bonus with your receipt that you might not have noticed. That extra piece of paper is a coupon or two personalized for your buying habits which means it is something you would buy anyway. Use it if it is something you need, and it is truly the best deal!

Actually use your coupons.

Organize your coupons with the ones that expire soonest on top so you don't miss the offer due to poor timing. But of course, you mustn't forget the golden rule of couponing: Don't buy something you don't need or want just because it's cheap.

Be smart about buying in bulk.

Sure, the 20 pound multi-pack of cereal at your local Costco or Sam's Club is quite a bit cheaper per pound than you can find at the grocery store but will you use it all in a reasonable amount of time? Also ask yourself how and where will you store it all? Be doubly cautious with perishable items, and don't try a new product or brand for the first time by buying the family-pack size no matter how great that little sample bite tasted.

Cash-Saving Shopping Tips

page 18

Are you on a tight budget? Do you have a few days to wait before payday arrives and you can go to the grocery store? Here are five tips of how to make delicious dishes out of what’s already in your kitchen.

Grocery shopping 101

If you are living on a tight budget, one of the best ways to maximize your grocery money is to stock your pantry and freezer with foods that have a long shelf life. Fill your shelves with plenty of flour, pasta, rice, beans, dry cereals, canned or frozen veggies, soups, stocks, pasta sauce and other condiments. These foods will make an excellent foundation for any menu.

Creative cooking

Don't be afraid to use your imagination when you are looking for ways to stretch that grocery budget. You don't have to stick to a recipe to make a tasty dish. No pasta in the house and the kids are clamoring for mac n' cheese? How about using rice instead? Does the chili you are making call for ground beef but you can't get to the store until next week? Try substituting beans in place of beef. Want to toss together a stir fry, but you don't have the usual broccoli and carrots? Stir fry tastes good with almost any vegetable. Just look in your fridge and use whatever veggies you have on hand.

Make tasty breads from scratch

One good way to dress up any breakfast, lunch or dinner is fresh homemade. It's very filling, healthy and cheap too. Make sure you always keep plenty of flour, yeast, baking

soda and baking powder on hand and you will always have the ingredients you need to whip up anything from wheat bread and dinner rolls to scones, muffins, waffles or biscuits.

Give your leftovers a makeover

Don't let those leftovers go to waste! It's amazing how much food gets thrown away in America's kitchens. Think outside the box and turn that leftover roast chicken into spicy enchiladas. Or toss that leftover fruit salad into the blender

with some yogurt and make a tasty smoothie. Do you love soup? Almost any leftover dinner can be repurposed into a delicious soup in no time at all. Your leftover baked potatoes? Mix them up with a little sour cream and chicken stock. Crumble a little bacon on top and you've got yourself a tasty baked potato soup. Pasta sauce? Toss it in the blender with some cream and you've made a delicious creamy tomato soup. Noodles and veggies? Add some tomato sauce and parmesan cheese and you'll be eating Pasta Fagioli in no time. The possibilities are endless.

Let your computer design your dinner

End of the week and fresh out of imagination? Don't worry. There are a variety of websites on the internet now that will help you use the ingredients you have in your very own kitchen to create tasty dinners for your family. Recipe Puppy and Supercook are ingredient based search engines that allow you to type in the ingredients you have on hand before searching their database for a perfect recipe. So let your fingers do the walking and you'll have a healthy dinner in your hands before you know it!

Frugal Living

page 20

It's time to prime yourself with some basic facts and amusing anecdotes about Ireland's most popular pint:

It's dark, so it must be heavy!Guinness on draft contains less alcohol and has fewer calories and carbohydrates than Budweiser. Sure, it's got more flavor than the typical American lager, but it's far from intense. Guinness is a session beer, one that you can consume over the course of an evening, or in the case of St. Patrick's, all day long.

What makes it black?The dark color (Guinness officially claims it is very dark ruby, not black) comes from roasted barley. Unlike most of the barley used in making beer, roasted barley isn't malted. Still, this seemingly defining characteristic wasn't a feature of Guinness until the late 1920s or early 1930s -- well after the company had established itself as a brewing titan.

Was Guinness always about stout?"Stout" was originally merely an adjective in brewing parlance and meant nothing more than "strong." It was applied to beers both light and dark in color. Guinness gained fame as a brewer of porter, another style of dark ale, and in the mid-1800s it applied the term "stout" to one of its products to indicate a premium level of alcohol and richness: Guinness Stout Porter. Eventually "porter" was dropped altogether and stout evolved into a style all its own.

What's up with the head?Most beer is dispensed with pressurized carbon dioxide. Guinness popularized a system that uses a mix of nitrogen (75 percent) and carbon dioxide (25 percent). The beer is forced through a special faucet that strips out the gases, leaving it "smooth"-tasting owing to the lack of carbonation, and letting the freed nitrogen work its chemical and physical magic to make the thick head that proudly sits atop your pint to the last sip.

Guinness is responsible for starting the Guinness Book of World Records, right?Yep. In 1954, after getting into an argument with some buddies while out hunting, the head of

Guinness at the time, Hugh Beaver, commissioned a handy reference book of all sorts of hard-to-prove facts as a means to settle disputes. The first edition of the Book of Records was a promotional item Guinness gave to bars stocking its beer, to be used to settle disputes before they turned into full-blown fights.

Does Guinness taste better in Ireland?We're not going to debate the precious memories of your drunken nights in a cozy pub in Ireland, but the fact is that draft Guinness for the U.S. is brewed at St. James' Gate, right alongside draft Guinness for Ireland. Sure, it has to travel farther, so there may be some minimal degradation, but if you're having a subpar pint in the States, it's probably just that your friends aren't as charming or interesting as the Irish, leaving you more time to overanalyze what's in your glass.

How do you pronounce sláinte?It's the Irish equivalent of "cheers," meaning more or less "to your health." Depending on where one is from in Ireland, the pronunciation varies, but anything from SLAN-cheh to SLAWN-chuh and you're in the ballpark. Especially if all concerned are in an advanced state of refreshment.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

It's not as easy as you think. Dilettante bartenders beware -- Guinness brewmaster Fergal Murray's life mission is to eradicate your sloppy Guinness-pouring habits. "It is a ritual," he says. "It's theater. It's about creating an experience." And he demands that the ritual be executed with the kind of respect usually accorded for religious ceremonies. "A bartender who's being irreverent -- smoking a cigarette, multitasking -- No! Be reverent to the pint."

These six steps are what we call the Guinness experience. It's much more than just pouring liquid into a glass and handing it across the bar.

Step One: The GlassThe bartender takes a dry, clean glass, which should be a 20-ounce tulip pint glass. The internal aerodynamics of a tulip glass allows the nitrogen bubbles to flow down the sides of the glass, and the contour 'bump' in the middle pushes the bubbles back to the center on their way up.

Step Two: The AngleThe glass should be held at a 45-degree angle under the tap. The tap faucet should not touch the tulip glass or beer. If you just hold it straight under the faucet, you'll get a big block of bubbles and a fish eye.

Step Three: The PourLet the beer flow nice and smoothly into the angled glass and fill it up three-quarters of the way.

Step Four: The HeadLet it settle. On the way through the faucet, the beer passes through a five-hole disk restrictor plate at a high speed, creating friction and bringing out nitrogen bubbles. The bubbles are agitated now, they can't go back into the solution, so they flow down the interior sides and back up the middle, but they can't escape. So they build this wonderful, creamy head on top. It's like an architect building a strong foundation.

Step Five: The Top-OffOnce it settles, you want to fill up the glass and top it off. You allowed it to settle, you created a domed effect across the top of the pint, and now your head is looking proud over the glass. That's the perfect vision of the perfect pint.

Step Six: The First SipYou drink with your eyes first. The cosmetic look of the pint is critical to the Guinness experience. We don't want anybody just putting liquid in a glass. And finally, drink responsibly.

Oh, and Murray also wants to spread the word that the whole "meal in a glass" thing is a misconception. There are less calories and alcohol in a pint of Guinness than most other domestic beers.

How to Pour the Perfect Guinness

Have a dance partyNo matter what the weather is like outside, you can always crank up the music indoors and have a fun and fab dance party. Choose a playlist that appeals to your music taste and theirs, so that everyone has songs they adore. Want to make it even more fun? Invite a few of your kid's friends over, lay out some snacks and have a blast.

Start working on the gardenIt might not be warm enough to start planting, but it's certainly warm enough to start planning. If you garden with your kids, spring break is a great time to start thinking about and planning your garden. Have the kids help by plotting this year's garden on paper, making lists of supplies you need (compost, mulch, seeds, plants, etc). And if it is warm enough, then get out there and start prepping the garden for planting.

Have an art showDo your kids love to draw, paint and create? Then plan a spring break art show. Give your kids all the supplies they need to make collages, paintings or sculptures and set them to work. At the end of the week, invite friends and family over to view their creations.

Scavenger huntWhether it's raining, snowing or sunny, it's always a good time for a scavenger hunt. Make a list of things for your kids to locate (a green leaf, something to shade you from the sun, etc) and set them to find them all. Have a few small prizes for when they finish to make it extra special. Want to turn up the fun a little? You can make it more hi-tech by letting the kids take photos of the items they scavenge. Then, they could even turn those photos into a fun collage art project.

12 TV-free Spring Break activities for kidsSchool breaks are something that kids look forward to. But for parents, it can be daunting to find ways to keep kids occupied (it's a big short-term shift in schedule!) So, what do you do? These 12 ideas will keep your kids busy - without turning to the TV. Spring break is a fabulous thing. For kids, it's a much-needed rest from the daily rush of school and homework. But for parents, it can either mean a great vacay to a fun spot or a week of trying to find something for the kids to do. If your spring break falls into the latter category, this is for you.Unlike summer vacation, where you find a new rhythm for a few months, spring break is just one week so it interrupts the flow of school without the benefits of the longer summer break. Plus it comes at the cusp of seasons - not necessarily warm enough for playing outside all day, all week and not necessarily cold enough for winter activities like skiing and skating.So, what are some ways to keep your kids busy?

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Pick up a kitSand art, soap, candy ... there are kid kits for everything these days. Find one that your kids are interested in and help them use it.

Get 'em in the kitchenKids love to get in the kitchen and help cook, so let them! Not only will they be more apt to try what you make together, but they also can learn valuable life lessons about feeding themselves. Former Food Network personality and chef George Stella says that cooking with kids can be a great way to get ahead on making foods ahead of time. "Make plans to cook with your kids in the kitchen for three hours and make meals for when you are tired," says Stella. Not only will you spend quality time with the kids, but you'll have great meals for when you don't feel like making anything.

Break out the board gamesWho doesn't love a good game now and again? Break out the Scrabble board, Apples to Apples set, Monopoly or whatever games your family loves and have a fun afternoon of game play. Want to make it a weeklong activity? Plan a tournament among your family members and play games each day until there is one final winner.

Get out and walkFor nice days, getting outside can be a great adventure. Take a nature walk through your neighborhood and have the kids make note of all the animals and animal prints they see. Or see how many different trees you can find.

VolunteerSoup kitchens, nursing homes and other organizations are always looking for help. See if they might need a few good kids to help out over spring break. The experience will be good for your kids -- and help the community too.

Hit the libraryAll year long, kids have to read school-assigned books. Over spring break, let them read whatever they want. Take them to the library and let them choose a book or books to entertain them while they are off from school.

Do a fantasy redecoratingAre your kids bored of their rooms? Pick up a sheet of poster board for each kid and hand them catalogs and magazines to leaf through. Have them create a storyboard of what their ideal bedroom would look like with photos. Who knows? You might even like what they come up with.

Check the rec centerSome towns have special spring break camps for kids. See if yours does and consider signing your kids up. Who knows, they might be able to spend the week improving their soccer skills.

Good news: You have a special lady in your life. You've gone from interesting strangers across the room to partners and lovers. Bad news: The only thing she likes more than going shopping is going shopping with you in tow. Each time, it's a trip to the store that turns into an adventure into the unknown that you, as a man, may be poorly built for.

Shopping can be terrifying; it’s her territory and her rules. It can be long and unpredictable. It’s like watching your team playing on different turf and with the weather against them. Shopping with her is a direct attack to your testosterone. Hours of diving into stores await you. Muscle-aching torture is ahead as your arms scream from bags being heaped upon them. And no matter how many times you've gone shopping with her, it's always torturous.

Dread no longer; it's possible to survive shopping with your girlfriend.

Know her shopping black holesA black hole is a giant, dead star that devours time and space, letting nothing escape. Think about it; she has stores that do the same thing. You've experienced it, hours of her walking the same aisles with no end in sight. You've shopped with her before, so draw on that gathered knowledge. Know what store you may need to bring a magazine to, know what store you can get some shopping done with her or just know when you’ll need extra patience. If you want to survive shopping with your girlfriend, you'll need to know her habits in the wilds.

Think about what shopping means to herFor men, shopping is just shopping. We go, we buy, we leave. However, for her, there’s a store or two that actually mean something to her. Maybe it relaxes her or takes her back to fond memories. Maybe it validates her success or relieves stress. This shopping could be special for her so don’t screw it up with obvious negativity. Consider it an honor to take her to her sanctuary, even if it has hundreds of others bustling in it.

Break the day upTake in a run to the food court, check out an unknown store or suggest a mid-shopping movie. Whatever it is, try it and you'll be that much closer to being able to survive shopping with your girlfriend. By having fun while shopping, you turn it from a them-buying and you-waiting experience to both of you enjoying being out. Break up the constant barrage of shopping with mid-shopping relief. If it’s something that you know you'll both enjoy, she'll see it as less of an attack on her shopping and more of a good romantic idea.

Bring an iPodWhether it’s an iPod, a Kindle or a portable TV, bring it if you need it. While you’re waiting outside the dressing room, you can be enjoying the game you’re missing or relaxing to your favorite tunes. Use whatever device you need to survive. However, remember not to ignore her for your portable distraction.

Survive Shopping With Your Girlfriend

Approach it as time togetherRealize this is an opportunity to get closer, to communicate and even get a few brownie points. Although you’re out shopping, still take time to talk, hold hands and be affectionate. Often, shopping is about one partner entering the world of another. You may even see sexier sides to her than you had previously known (read: lingerie store). Enter freely this strange realm and be open. You may even enjoy the places you’re going. WelI, it’s possible…

Focus on her when shoppingThere will be the helpful clerk, the fragrance model or the other girl perusing the thong basket next to you, but keep your eyes in your head because the mall can be full of beautiful women. Your lovely lady is watching your watching of everyone else. Keep yourself in check.

Be patient when shopping with herSince this is more than just shopping for her, you may get bored and impatient. However, remember that you don’t like to be rushed, so don’t do it to her. The more you show your continued interest in all parts of her (not just the obvious ones), the more that you show your growing maturity and sexiness to her. That’s a good thing.

Set a post-shopping goalPlan a light at the end of the tunnel. Whether it’s a 7:00 p.m. movie or a 8:15 p.m. dinner reservation, have a goal that will end the shopping. Make sure it’s a goal that she agrees to and would enjoy or it will appear you’re once again attacking her shopping trip. Also, if you’re both looking forward to it, she won’t be upset about ending her one-day contribution to the economy.

Survival of the fittestSo, while shopping may terrify you, there's no reason to be afraid. Remember for her it’s something special. Your joining her is more than just you coming along and it’s less “for sale” and more “foreplay” than you know.

There may not possibly be any paradox in men’s style quite like the dress shirt. While basic in its form it can be quite complex in its function. It belongs not only as a staple in any man’s wardrobe, whether gentle or otherwise, but as a panacea for the ills of the style challenged amongst us. Arguably, there is no other article of a male’s clothing that can have as dramatic an impact on your appearance as the dress shirt. It can slim your appearance or draw attention to the fact that your new year’s resolution to workout more frequently has again been postponed until next year. It can take turns in displaying you as strong and regal or as meek and feeble. It can make the blandest of attire sparkle or deem the presentation of the most vibrant ensemble. It could quite possibly be the clothing equivalent of the Swiss Army Knife. You may be asking how can a simple dress shirt do all of this? Well my friend, as the German proverb can attest, “the devil is in the details.”

An important aspect of a dress shirt that is often overlooked is its fit. In modern times, thanks to the cavalier attitude taken towards work dress, sport shirts and dress shirts have become interchangeable since they do share similar characteristics. A dress shirt’s purpose is found in its name it is meant to be dressy. A dress shirt denotes that its wearer is engaged in some sort of polished endeavor, be it professional or personal. It is presenting that your situation or avocation fits you exactly, whether that is in high finance such as Henry Kravis or extreme leisure like the Duke of Windsor. This is the reason that your dress shirt should fit you as if it was made exclusive to you as if it were another layer to your skin, adaptable but yet attached to you. It should not be loose or disheveled like is customary of a sports shirt. While often complimented by a suit, not quite as often as it perhaps should, it can also stand alone with or without a tie and still extract from you all of the qualities that were previously mentioned. The importance of fit can not be overstated in your selection of shirts as, besides tailoring, it is what distinguishes the dress shirt from any other, which in turn distinguishes you.

Dress Shirts

The second aspect of the dress shirt that requires attention is the collar. This in many ways, in addition to color and pattern which we have touched on in prior articles, is what helps or harms your appearance. As far as basic aesthetics go you should always make sure that the dressier you want your shirt to appear the less room for tie space they should have. This is why a spread collar is usually the dressiest of shirts, followed by the oxford and point collar. Dressiness aside, your collar is what acts to draw attention to your face, whether that attention is good are not depends entirely upon the attributes of your face and the corresponding collar on your shirt.

Should you have a very long, narrow face like actor Adrian Brody, you would want to invest in shirts that have wide spread colors as to give the illusion of fullness to your face. If you happen to be a bit on the “fuller” side already like Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter, then you will want to gravitate towards straight pointed collars to offset the roundness of your face and appear leaner than you might actually be. For those of us with square jaws as if we were drawn from the acclaimed Animated Series of Batman will do best with a standard point collar to best frame these features. Those blessed with an oval face can have their pick of the litter when it comes to selecting a collar, as their face shape is the most versatile. The musician Stevie Wonder is an example of this type.

In whatever avenue a man decides to travel in his life, the dress shirt acts as the companion that can propel him and soundly speaks to his status as mature minded in opposition to a juvenile. It is constructed so that it adapts to him and not him to it, like the majority of other clothing. It speaks artful purpose and focused determination. It says all of this so the gentleman does not have to. All you need do is reach into your closest and allow it to trumpet.

Dance to the Beat of the Circadian RhythmOur internal clocks are in sync with the 24-hour cycle that determines our sleep and wake periods, as well as other biological functions. We are not just turning the clocks ahead by one hour, but tonight, we are also moving our internal clock and the many mechanisms that are governed by it, ahead by one hour, and therein lies the rub. Getting those inner-mechanisms to work on a time schedule!

Here follows a few tips that will make this transition flow more easily, and get you on track faster!

Reset all your clocks on the Saturday night before the switch.

Do not wait till the morning to do so. It helps both psychologically and physiologically. This is also a good tip when flying into different time zones. The minute the plane takes off, reset your watches.

Get a good night's sleep tonight.

In other words, don't go out partying, or staying up unusually late.

Wake up at your usual time.

Don't plan on an early morning hike, or a sleep in.

Drink more water.

One glass at bedtime, and one when you wake up for sure. Water is the cure all, reset your body, keep the brain going miracle liquid.

Do NOT Nap.

Your body might tell you that you need a nap, but do your best to stay awake. You don't want to add more chaos to your inner-schedule.

Enjoy the LIGHT!

Revel in the glory of having more light. Spring is knocking on our doors! Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 2:00:00 AM clocks are turned forward 1 hour

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