2011 - A Win Win Year!

2011. Who would have of thought we’d be here just eleven short years after Y2K? Seems like a blink doesn’t it? If you say 2011 as two – oh – one - one out loud it sounds a little like “two oh won won” or win win to me. (The Steve Covey definition of Win/Win is a situation found to be mutually beneficial and co-operative. All parties come out on top. ) That’s a sign I think we’re in for a very good year! Here are some great “win wins” I would like to see take hold in 2011.

Employment Win Win - How about a good job for everyone who wants to work this year. For this to be a win win, employees will need to look at all jobs as worthy of great integrity. I don’t care if you’re being paid to clean bathrooms, if this is your job do your absolute best, be on time, work well with others and don’t complain. The second win is employers will need to treat all employees with great respect. Be polite, be caring and understand that these are hard times for everyone. Food for thought, in these uncertain times an employee today might just be your boss tomorrow.

Win Win H2O - Tell me why it is easier and cheaper to get pop than water just about everywhere even at the movie theater. I asked for tap water at the movies the other day and I was charged $3.50! I said I thought this was a bit steep and I was told I was really paying for the cup, it didn’t matter what it held inside. (If that’s the case fill mine with a Colorado Bulldog and let’s call it a day.) Seriously we have to make it easier for all of us to drink water throughout the day. Skip the pop and skip the high fructose juices water is the best bet going. Win- you don’t rot your teeth, win you feel great!

Relationship Win Win – Don’t just resolve to spend more time with family and friends in 2011, schedule it. We have become a society that fills our calendars with appointments, sporting events and commitments. I suggest we all take our calendars today and write in plans to build those relationships that are so important to us. How about scheduling game nights with the kids, call Grandparents every other Saturday, date night with our spouse, ladies night with the girls and so on. Plan it, write it down and do it because in the end these are the relationships that really matter.

I am looking forward to a win win year! Heads up though - 2012 out loud is two - oh – “one – two”. This sounds a little like a sucker punch to me so let’s all be prepared! Peace, Sandy



“The Law of Win/Win says,”Let’s not do it your way or my way; let’s do it the best way”

-- Greg Anderson



Win Win (Fun to make, fun to eat) Microwave Recipes! (If they have not won an official award, they should have in my book!)

Mushroom Spread



INGREDIENTS:



2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons sliced green onion

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

1 package (8 ounces) Fresh Mushrooms, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons dry vermouth or chicken stock

1/4 cup toasted chopped almonds

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese



In a microwave-safe casserole dish, combine butter and onion. Cover with lid; microwave on HIGH 2 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring once during cooking.



Stir in flour until smooth. Stir in mushrooms and vermouth (or chicken stock). Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender; stirring once during cooking. Stir in almonds and cheese. Cool slightly.



In covered blender or food processor, blend mushroom mixture until finely chopped but not smooth. Pack into bowl or crock. Cover; refrigerate until serving time, at least 4 hours. Serve with crackers.





Saucy Meat Balls



INGREDIENTS:



1 pound lean ground beef

1 pouch Onion Soup and Recipe Mix

One fourth cup crushed saltines

1 egg

One fourth cup water

One fourth cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon vinegar

Dash ground allspice



In large bowl, thoroughly mix beef, One fourth cup of the soup mix, saltines and egg. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Arrange in single layer in 12- by 8-inch microwave-safe baking dish.



Stir together remaining soup mix, water; ketchup, sugar; vinegar and allspice. Pour over meatballs. Cover with waxed paper; microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, rearranging meatballs and spooning sauce over meatballs once during cooking. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Makes about 30 meatballs.



TIP Here's an easy way to shape meatballs so they're all the same size for even cooking. On waxed paper; pat meat mixture out to a 1 inch-thick square. With a large knife, cut meat into desired number of squares, then roll each square in your hands form a meatball.



Goldfish Party Mix

INGREDIENTS:

One half cup butter, cut up

1 pouch Onion Soup and Recipe Mix

1 cup bite-size wheat cereal squares

1 cup bite-size corn cereal squares

1 bag (6 ounces) Cheddar Cheese Goldfish Crackers

1 bag (5 1/2 ounces) Pretzel Goldfish Crackers

2 cups unsalted peanuts



Place butter in 2-cup glass measure. Cover; microwave on HIGH 45 seconds or until melted. Stir in soup mix.



In 4-quart microwave-safe bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour butter mixture over cracker mixture; toss to coat well. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 5 minutes or until hot, stirring twice during heating.



Cool. Store mixture in airtight container. Makes about 10 cups.