Chewy Chocolate Espresso Cookies

 

6 Tablespoons of all purpose flour sifted

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 ounces of high quality semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup of unsalted butter

3/4 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder (Medaglia D’Oro or Ferrara)

2 large eggs

2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract (good quality)

1 cup high quality semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat such as Silpat.  Mix the flour, baking powder and salt with a fork in a small bowl, set aside.  Melt the 8 ounces of chocolate chips and the butter over low heat.  Remove from the heat.  In a medium bowl add the sugar, espresso powder, vanilla and eggs, using an electric mixer, beat until well blended.  Stir the sugar/egg mixture into the warm chocolate mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon.  Stir in the flour mixture and the 1 cup of chocolate chips, mix well. 

Drop the cookie mixture by the tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the tops crack but the cookies are still soft.  Cool 5 minutes before removing from the baking sheet.  Transfer cookies to a rack for further cooling.  Makes 2 dozen cookies.

5 Things Every Guy Wants From A Woman

“SHE SAYS” by Heather Juma

Here are five things a guy wants from his girl. Want the guy in your life to be blissfully happy? Read on…

He wants to be himself. Why are women always trying to change the men in their lives? He thinks he’s cool the way he is, so accept him for his quirks instead of viewing them as “faults”.

Accept his relationship with his friends. Allow him the space and freedom to hang out with his firends even if you don’t approve of them. They can’t be all bad if he chose them, right?

Don’t expect him to share everything in his life with you. He might not feel the need to share secrets or confidences with others, don’t expect him to. Are you going to share every detail of your best friend’s life with him? Don’t expect the same of him, he’ll share what he wants.

Give him space. If he wants to go out with his friends or visit his parents without you, let him, this shows how much you respect him and trust him. Trust and respect are important.

Support him and his decisions. If he takes a risk and no one else believes in him be there as a confidant and support system. Lend an ear whenever he wants to talk about his hopes and dreams, believe in him and support him.

Follow these 5 simple steps and your guy will love you forever!

Get Sexy! Be Happy!

  Are you feeling kind of blue?  Feeling a little sad and maybe even a bit depressed?  I know just the thing to shake those blues away!

You need a mini-makeover.  A makeover that will make you feel sexy.  If you feel better about how you look you will start to feel better about yourself and your life.

Let’s start with the basics.  Spa Day!  You need to book a day at the spa and pamper yourself from head to toe.  A facial, massage, manicure, pedicure…  you deserve to have it all.  Make sure to book your waxing appointments too.

Next, your crowning glory.  If your hair looks awful, EVERYONE is having a bad day not just you.  So book your favorite stylist and tell them you need to freshen up and update your look.  Maybe a new cut or perhaps a new color, don’t go too extreme though or you may regret it later.

Want to feel luxurious?  Pick a new perfume that makes you feel incredibly sexy, make sure to pick up the bath gel and body lotion in the same scent.

Buy one fabulous outfit that makes you feel like the hottest chick in town.  Make sure to get the shoes, purse, all the accessories you’ll need for a complete, pulled together look.

Lastly, stop by your favorite makeup counter and have your makeup done.  Oftentimes we get into a rut with our makeup, you need to update your look every now and then.  Usually you’ll only need to purchase a few new items to completely update your look.

Now for the fun part.  Grab the guy of your dreams and go on a wild and crazy date totally unlike anything you’ve ever done before.  Be daring and adventurous, take a walk on the wild side for a change.

Once you’re done everything I’ve explained, there’s no going back.  I guarantee you will feel wonderful, sexy, fabulous and beautiful, you’ll feel much happier then you were before, and you’ll know what to do next time you’re feeling a little blue.

Secrets To Fabulous Scrambled Eggs

 

Serves 2

4 large eggs

1/4 cup of half and half

1 tbsp. of unsalted butter

Kosher salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Fresh Chives (optional), Crumbled Goat Cheese (optional)

Whisk the eggs in a bowl with the half and half.  Add kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.  Over low heat, melt the butter in a saute pan, swirl the melted butter in the pan so that the bottom of the pan is covered.  Add the eggs, increase the heat to medium-low and stir the eggs constantly (preferably with a rubber spatula) until the eggs reach desired doneness (do not overcook, the eggs will continue to cook when removed from the heat).  After removing the pan from the heat add a tiny bit of butter, minced chives and or crumbled goat cheese if desired.  Stir the eggs, taste and correct seasonings.  Serve on warmed plates.

Cirque Du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil (French for “Circus of the Sun”) is an entertainment empire based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada founded  by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier in 1984.

Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil was a success in 1984 and after securing a second year of funding Laliberté hired Guy Caron from the National Circus School to recreate it as a “proper circus”. No ring and no animals helped make Cirque du Soleil the modern circus that it is today.

Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world and has its own central theme and storyline which brings the audience into the performance by having no curtains, continuous live music and performers change the props. After critical and financial successes (Los Angeles Arts Festival) and failures in the late 1980s, Nouvelle Expérience was created with the direction of Franco Dragone that not only made Cirque profitable by 1990, but allowed it to create new shows.

Cirque’s creations have been awarded numerous prizes and distinctions, including Bambi, Rose d’Or, three Gemini Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards.

Cortéo is a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in North America in 2005. Cortéo, which means “cortège” in Italian, is a festive parade imagined by a clown.

The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

In September of 2003, Cirque du Soleil unveiled Zumanity. This new production was a resident cabaret-style show at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip). It is the first “adult-themed” Cirque du Soleil show, billed as “The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil”. Created by Dominic Champagne, Zumanity is a departure from the standard Cirque format. Intended to be for mature adult audiences only, this show is centered around erotic song, dance and acrobatics.

Laliberté admits that the biggest reason to produce this show was the chance to create something with riskier subject matter. He was interested in the idea of creating a show that explored human sexuality, something that was at complete odds from the other more family-oriented Cirque shows. “Our previous shows have all been family-oriented and ‘politically correct.’ Laliberté said, “which is great. But we’re human beings, we won’t hide it. We’re a bunch of happy campers. We like to live new experiences. Zumanity deals with some of those experiences.”

Is Your Computer Making You Fat?

Is your computer making you fat? How many hours a day are you spending sitting around surfin’ the Net, writing your blogs, working on your business? Your wrist gets it’s workout clickin’ away on your mouse and while it’s important to have thin wrists so your watch and bracelets look nice, what about the rest of your body?

Lots of women working from home are facing this problem. You get so involved in the work you’re doing on the computer that time flies by, you’ve spent hours sitting in front of the computer, usually snacking and the next thing you know, you’ve put on a few pounds.

I used to have this problem myself, just like I had the problem with checking emails as they came through, tying up all my time and getting off track. As a successful woman entrepreneur you have to manage your time. So what did I do? I put myself on a schedule, I write out all my daily activities on my white board and then I schedule a time next to each activity. This helps me stay on track and get things done.

I also include break times in my schedule, I go outside and take a quick walk around the neighborhood for about 15 minutes, I come back recharged and ready to go. I also put my daily exercise time on the white board, for me it works best if I do it before I start the day, because then I don’t get involved in work and not get it done.

Working at home is great, it gives you freedom and flexibility, but if you don’t manage your time you won’t be productive and you might even gain a few unwanted pounds. So take the time to take good care of yourself, exercise, take breaks and stay away from those snacks, then your computer won’t make you fat!

Easy Chocolate Mousse

Today we’re going to learn to make chocolate mousse! This is the simple version, but if you don’t tell, no one will know it’s so easy and soooo good!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A package of chocolate pudding mix (if you’re in a hurry use the instant mix, if you don’t have anytime at all buy the pre-made chocolate pudding and if you have a bit of time buy the mix that you cook, this will give you the best flavor)
• Milk to make the pudding
• A container of whipped topping (I like the extra creamy Cool Whip, “off-brands” not a good idea)
• A plain chocolate bar
• some orange liqueur (optional)
• Fresh mint sprigs (optional for garnish)

This is the deal, you’re using just a few ingredients here, so get the best tasting products you can afford otherwise it’ll taste awful. You can buy mini bottles of liqueur in wine stores if you don’t have some at home and don’t want to buy a big bottle.

Make the pudding according to the directions on the package, if using liqueur, remove 1 Tbsp. of milk before adding the milk to the mix and add 1 Tbsp. of liqueur (taste the pudding and see if you want to add a bit more). If you’ve cooked the pudding allow it to chill in the refrigerator.

Slowly add some whipped topping to the pudding, folding it in gently with a rubber spatula. You want to add enough whipped topping so that the pudding becomes light and airy, but not so much that you lose the chocolate taste.

Spoon the mousse into decorative glasses or use large wine glasses, top with a dollop of whipped cream, shave some of the chocolate bar over the top and put a mint sprig along the side. Voila! Chocolate Mousse!

Fast, Fabulous and Fun Cocktail Party

A Cocktail Party is the perfect way for women entrepreneurs to throw a great party without all the fuss involved in planning a dinner party. Cocktail Parties are fun and glamorous, you can look like you knocked yourself out and “wow” everyone with a quick trip to the supermarket.To keep things glamorous, serve all beverages in martini glasses or champagne flutes. Set up a self serve station for drinks and appetizers, include the basics like glasses, napkins, and plates for appetizers. Purchase high quality cocktail napkins and do not use paper plates.

If you have a beautiful table cloth, stack some books and small boxes (sturdy shoe boxes will do the trick) of varying heights on the table, cover with the table cloth. Place your best serving trays on the covered books and boxes, this will make an interesting arrangement as the serving trays will be at different levels on the table. Place flowers in a beautiful vase and light votive candles, arrange these on the serving table for a glamorous effect. A few strategically placed wine buckets with bottles of wine and champagne will add a look of elegance to the table.

You’ll want to offer a wide array of appetizers for your guests to nibble on. Crackers fanned out across a platter, bowls of olives and drained roasted red pepppers, a wide variety of nuts, ready made dips and spreads in beautiful bowls, bread sticks served upright in glasses, slice up a baguette and serve with a purchased olive oil based dipping sauce. Serve prewashed baby carrots, and quickly sliced red and green peppers with purchased dip or hummus, serve a variety of cheeses on a cutting board surrounded by grapes, figs, sliced pears or apples sprinkled with a bit of lemon to prevent discoloration. Go over the top and serve paper thin slices of salmon on crackers topped with a smidgen of herb flavored cream cheese, break out the caviar and your favorite store bought pate.

It’s best to have the bar area separate from the food area, to avoid everyone gathering in one spot. Prepare one special signature drink to offer each guest as they arrive to get the party started. Provide sparkling waters, both flavored and unflavored, a wide array of beers, wines and sodas. You’ll want to serve both white and red wines and of course your favorite champagne; add a few mixers to the bubbly like creme de cassis for a Kir Royale or a touch of peach nectar for a luscious Bellini. If you don’t want to serve as bartender all evening set up a well stocked self serve cocktail station with all the necessities and make sure to have plenty of ice!

Well it’s time to dim the lights, light some candles, play your favorite CDs or iTunes on the Ipod, slip into that slinky, sexy dress of yours and get ready to impress your guests!

3 Things Men Need From Women

” He Says” By Phil Gilliam

I know you are thinking that the three things he needs from you are dinner made, allowed to watch TV, and SEX! But, you are wrong. He may want those things from you, but he does not need them.

The three things he needs from you are to be respected, admired/adored, and to have a sense of control in the relationship. Now before you get any ideas, I do not mean control over you. I’ll get into what I’m talking about later in this post.

I will start with respect. When the two of you first started dating it is likely that the sun and the moon rose and fell in his eyes for you. It is also likely that even as far out as his dreams and desires were, you would at least listen with eager anticipation for the outcome, but if you are lacking respect for him now it is typically about the lack of fulfillment or follow through on those dreams and aspirations, big and small. He longs for that sense of respect from you above all others. It will come out in what he says and how he carries himself.

Your respect, above all others, is a powerful measure for him. If he is unable to maintain respect from his mate; who can he hold and receive respect from? On the flip side of that coin; if he has your respect he will shine and be willing to take on the world.

Admiration/Adoration is the reward and gift you give him. How you show your appreciation for his contributions. I can always tell when a woman is lying to me about how happy she is in her relationship by simply asking her to tell me about him. I am not overly concerned with what she is telling me, but with her eyes. If they sparkle and her face lights up when she speaks of his accomplishments for himself, her, and the family, big or small, then I know that they have fire in their relationship. If she has no spark, even though she may be saying that he is a good man and provides for the family, she does not have a passionate relationship with him.

Sense of control. As I said when I first introduced this to you, control has nothing to do with being controlling. Remember, I have talked about the masculine and the feminine (I must comment that those two have nothing to do with gender) and the primitive brain that we all have. Being in control and having a sense of self motivated direction is a powerful driver for men. It is the driver that compels men to want to strive to the next level whatever that level is for him. It is the alpha male mentality that drives him to have a sense of control in his life, then he can lead and protect.

I spend a great deal of time educating our clients on the difference between being in control of himself and his responsibilities, and wanting to control others. For the sake of this post, please understand that I am by no means promoting controlling behavior; no person has the right to control another’s actions of behavior…PERIOD.

I also coach the men I work with on the other side of this coin, the fact that you must feel valued, cherished/adored, and most importantly safe emotionally and physically now and always.

The hard part on both sides of this equation is the fact that no two people translate these three things the same. What is respect to one man is not to another. What is feeling valued to one woman is not to another and so on.

The best part of this knowledge is that if both sides of the partnership are working to provide the other with the three items they need, then you will be building an upwards spiral of support, passion and happiness.

For now, take some time to write down all of the reasons you respect and admire your man, and what he does in the household or your world that is his and within his sphere of control. Please use this list as a positive, not as a tool to figure out what he should be doing.

Contact Phil @  Average Guy Help

Forgive Us Poor Men, We Know No Better

“He Says” By Phil Gilliam

My name is Phil Gilliam and I am a coach and author and specialize in working with men and their relationships with women. Heather asked me to help with your education in the mysteries of men and relationships. I couldn’t be more honored.

I thought I would start the same way I start with my clients; a history lesson. I will keep it short and entertaining. Over the past fifty years or so an amazing sociological change has been in motion and rightly so, women have been taking their right to be treating and viewed as equals in the work place and even in the home. Do I agree and support this mission? ABSOLUTELY!

I however, do have an opinion. It is my opinion that in the same time frames men mistakenly translated the request of women to be allowed to play on a level playing field to men accommodating and elevating women. Therein, is one of the biggest issues in relationships today.

You see men, just as you, learn from role models and mentors. The problem is that our role models meaning our fathers, male influences, our mothers, TV, and pop culture is either working from outdated material or fiction. Now without going into great detail, I would say it is pretty obvious with the divorce rate so high and the amount of anti-depressants we as a culture consume, that our role models on both sides of the genders, as a whole missed the mark a bit.

Now, women have been marching right along; you are doing your best to succeed in the work place and in the home, but if men are working off of a 1950’s model of relationships and doing better in his eyes than the bumbling idiots on sitcoms and reality TV, then he may believe that he is doing his job well. He works, he provides, and he comes home just like his dad or grandpa or maybe even better. If he didn’t have the male in the family around he is following the instructions of his mom who said to be home and support your family. He thinks he is doing well.

Think of the time and energy men put into their education or trade, and the training available for him to be a successful supporting member of our society. The resources and social pressures to be a success are off the charts, but I often ask, after men have spent the better part of 16 years learning to be a success, how many times in that period were we coached or directed to learn about how to deal with the relationships we desire in the time between the hour we get home and sleep? None. We are even social programmed as men to not talk about relationships.

You see someone forgot to send out the memo to us poor men, that in today’s world that model is only playing a quarter of the game. Women are working and supporting the family too and unfortunately still being asked to carry all of the responsibilities of what was called “woman’s work.”

Women as a whole are taking on so many more of the masculine traits, whether by choice or necessity, and quite frankly most guys don’t know what to do with that. At work women are making the decisions and having to maintain control, at home they are making decisions and managing the household and the list goes on, but the point is that men really don’t understand how to deal with it or that those issues are impacting the relationship, and in my opinion, women don’t want to always have control of every situation. Women want to have the ability to be lead when the need arises, and supported when that is desired. Women want to have a man who is willing to take the role he promised to support and grow in that role as the relationship progresses. Again, most men are oblivious to what that means and even if they did they would be unsure of how to fulfill it.

Evolutionary psychologists regularly remind us that the short period of time we have been living in a “civilized” society is only a fraction of the time compared to the millions of years humans have been in existence all religions and religious arguments aside. That being said, there is some basic hard-wiring in both men and women’s brains that demand that we have a balance for the security and survival of the family and ourselves. With that kind of hard-wiring and the social changes that are moving at the speed of broadband; men are unfortunately oblivious to the issues at hand. Yes, that may be by choice, but oblivious just the same.

Most men really do not realize that in surrendering their masculinity whether by choice or ignorance they are creating the very issues in the relationship that they don’t want to have happening. Contrary to popular belief men are not trying to cause fights or create reasons for you to be upset or as I call it “constructively criticize” him.

There is more to this history lesson and I promise I will expand on these issues in future postings, but will close with this. On behalf of my brothers, I ask for forgiveness, not that it is not our responsibility to learn and grow to have our relationships be a success, it is that most of us are oblivious to the fact that there is a problem. In this case ignorance is not bliss!

Contact Phil @ Average Guy Help

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