Sensational Grilled Chicken Salad

Sensational Grilled
Chicken Salad
Marinade
1//4 cup oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 garlic cloves minced
Salad
2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned, halved.
4 cups shredded lettuce
1 small tomato, seeded, chopped
1 avocado, peeled, sliced, pitted ripe olives,
Lime wedges

In medium non-metal bowl, combine all marinade ingredients; blend well. Add chicken; turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate 1-2 hours, turning occasionally. Heat grill. When ready to barbecue, place chicken on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4-6 inches from medium-high coals. Cook 15-20 minutes or until chicken is fork tender and juices run clear, turning once and brushing occasionally with marinade.

To serve, cut chicken into strips. Place 1 cup lettuce on each of 4 plates. Top each with chicken, tomato, avocado and olives. Just before serving, lightly squeeze fresh lime juice over each salad. 4 servings.

House Rules: Words to Live By

· If you lay it down, put it away.
· If you eat out of it, wash it.
· If you empty it, fill it up.
· If you lose it, find it yourself.
· If you break it, replace it.
· If you borrow it, put it back where it belongs.
· If it howls or meows, feed it or let it out.
· If you make a mess, clean it up.
· If you turn it on, turn it off.
· If you ask for it, eat it.

· If you open it, close it.
· If it rings, answer it.
· If you wear it, hang it up.
· If you move it, return it.

Cateror`s Secrets to a Great Get Together

Do you love the thought of having friends and family over, but cringe at the thought of what to serve? Consider these great tips from the party masters. They’ll make your next get together an even bigger hit with the critics and you!

First of all, think light. More than ever, people are watching their weight and the amount of fat they consume. Use no-fat salsa instead of dips. Use turkey breast, instead of steak. Or for the grill, offer chicken for those watching their weight, and fix barbecued ribs for those who prefer beef, or pork.

Another great tip is to use filo. Butter and stack filo pastry sheets to make exciting wrappers and shells for baked appetizers and foods. The most important rule for any get together is to have plenty of appetizers.

One of my favorite appetizers is stuffed potatoes. Little stuffed potatoes with sour cream and vegetable toppings are a big hit. Another great appetizer, that always goes over well, is Rumaki (bacon wrapped water chestnuts).

One final word of advice, by planning your party you reduce stress and make it fun for you too. That’s the idea!

How to Start a Babysitting Co-op

First, gather a list of interested parents. Invite them to an organizational meeting and discuss the following: the size of the group, membership requirements, election of officers, how often you will meet, dues needed to pay for supplies, guidelines for handling emergencies, sick children and late pick ups.

Next, you will need to establish an exchange system. Consider a ticket system. Authorize an established number of tickets per child, per hour. Determine the number of tickets the average person will need per month and distribute.

It would also be a good idea to appoint a secretary that can establish a system for personal record-keeping for each child. Include allergies, doctor’s name and number, emergency information, etc. Once, the baby-sitting co-op is in place, kick back and enjoy a night out in comfort. You deserve it.

BBQ`d Ribs - A Backyard Favorite

Barbecued Ribs have long been a back yard favorite. Choose one of the ways listed here for succulent hickory smoked ribs your whole family will love.

Start by allowing 1 pound loin back pork ribs or 3/4 pound country style loin ribs per person. Cut into serving pieces; remove any excess fat. Place in large skillet or Dutch oven; pour 1 (3 1/2 oz.) bottle liquid smoke and 2 cups cold water over ribs. Cover and steam over moderate heat 20 - 25 minutes. Drain.

To Grill:
Grill drained ribs 3 inches from moderate coals 20 minutes, turning once. Brush with barbecue sauce (below); continue grilling until ribs are done, 20 - 30 minutes, basting often with sauce.

To Cook on Rotisserie:
Lace or weave drained ribs onto rotisserie rod, balancing ribs for even cooking and turning; secure ends with holding forks. Arrange medium hot coals at back of firebox; place drip pan under ribs. Cook ribs until done, about 1 hour, basting frequently with barbecue sauce.

To Bake
Arrange drained ribs in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Spread with barbecue sauce. Bake, covered, in a 325F oven until tender, about 1 hour.




Down Home
Barbecue Sauce

1 cup catsup
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in saucepan.
Simmer 15 minutes.

Fire Safety in the Home

If you haven’t taken the time to discuss fire safety with your family, then you really should. Here are some of the rules of fire safety your family needs to know.

1) Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area.
2) Test batteries in smoke detectors and change them every six months. If you change them when you change the time on your clocks it will make it easier for you to remember.

3) Have an escape plan and practice it. This is the most important thing for all ages. In an emergency you will instinctively do what you know, and you will know what you have been practicing.
4) If you encounter smoke, try an alternate route and crawl on your hands and knees. You should always have 2 ways out of every room.
5) Don’t open a door if it feels hot. If it feels cool, brace your shoulder against it and open it slowly. If you see smoke, close the door and escape through a window or alternate route.
6) If your clothes catch on fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
7) Once you’re out, stay out!

The 3 Most Important Factors on Your Vacation

It’s not just a real estate truth. The three most important factors are location, location, location. It’s true on your vacation.

When in Orlando, see Disney World, but what about the rest of the state? Naples and Sanibel are as close to the tropics as you can get, all within a few hours drive. The question is, will it cost $300 a night or more for the family to stay in a safe, comfortable, and ‘spacious lodging?’ Not if you go exploring.

One family found that by planning ahead and reviewing a few travel magazines they could come upon a private hideaway for less than $700 per week. When the owner asked them how long they were staying, they said that depended on the price.

He asked them how much they had to spend, and when they answered about $500, the owner agreed to let them stay for a week for just $500.

Granted it took a few phone calls and some detective work, but they were prepared to go without, do without, or do different. As a result they discovered a special place that most of us would miss.
They did their research in the local papers in the destination they wanted to visit, and they started early. If you’re a family that only has a few days and very little flexibility, then

starting early is the best bet, up to one year in advance.

If your time is short, and the trip all of a sudden appears as a possibility, try the ‘accidental tourist’ approach. The movie by the same name made the point that you should pack a big bag with everything you need, and then a small bag for essential items, then leave the big bag behind. Why? Because they have toothbrushes where you’re going, and underwear, and most everything else you’d bring in the big bag.

By keeping your options open, you give yourself the chance to take advantage of little known hideaways and special opportunities like my lucky friends.

Another idea to make your next vacation fun is to identify two or three locations, some loose parameters, and to do the most investigating you can. Then ‘roll the dice.’ Wherever you are, you ultimately are responsible for making your own fun, right?

One experienced traveler said that by planning trips up to a year in advance, the whole family could plan, anticipate, and become enthusiastic about the trip. Afterward, by sharing pictures, diaries, and favorite experiences; they were able to re-live the trip without leaving home.

Consider these ideas to help you plan a great trip, and don’t forget the video camera. Someday these memories will be priceless.

Great Quotations to Share With Your Children

· Never look down at anyone unless you are helping them up.
· Be kind to unkind people, they need it most.
· Learn to listen - opportunity could be knocking at your door very softly.
· Joyful thoughts create a joyful world.
· As long as you live, keep learning to live.
· Be ‘for things,’ not against things.
· No one fails who does his best.
· Believe in your dreams.
· Always look for the good in people.
· Do what is right rather than what is popular.
· Rejoice in others’ successes, knowing there is plenty for us all.

8 Ways to Make an Ordinary Day Special

It’s the little things you do that sometimes make the biggest impression. It’s the special touch that you add that makes the ordinary extraordinary!

Here are a few ideas:

1) Celebrate half birthdays with half a birthday cake.
2) Celebrate your pet’s birthday.
3) Make a tape of a cheering crowd, play it back to a family member that’s done something terrific.
4) Serve sparkling apple juice in wineglasses to toast a family member’s accomplishments.
5) Start a party idea file - refer to it when entertaining.
6) Visit a local farm in the summer and pick your own fruit.
7) Surprise your child by dropping chores for the day and doing something spontaneous together.
8) Plan a ‘this is your life’ celebration for a loved one’s birthday.

Tips to Share with Your Kids to Keep Them Safe

Many parents think their kids have learned safety rules in the classroom at school. In most cases this is true, but just to make sure they know what to do, take a few minutes to go over these safety tips.

1) Settle disputes with words, not fists or weapons.
2) Turn off the violence (on TV, in movies, etc.)
3) Do not stand around watching when others are arguing; a group makes a good target for violence.
4) Trust your feelings; if you sense danger, get away fast.
5) Stay well out of reach if approached by someone you don’t know.
6) Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know and trust.
7) Have a family “password” for emergency situations.
8) If someone tries to abuse you, say “NO!,” get away, and tell a trusted adult.
9) Run, Yell, and Tell.

Travel Games for the Road

Alphabet Objects: While riding in a car, look out the windows in search of items beginning with the letters a-z, in alphabetical order, starting with a. These can be actual letters on signs, or license plates, or objects that begin with the letter. The first person to finish the alphabet is the winner.

Find All 10 Provinces and all 3 Territories: A good way to start this game is to make a list of all 10 provinces and all 3 territories. See who can spot all 13 of the license plates first, or who can come up with the most.

Going on a Picnic: One player begins by reciting the phrase, “I’m going on a picnic and bringing _____.” The first player fills in the blank with an item that begins with A. The second player must recite this sentence in it’s entirety and add an item that begins with B. Each turn requires that the previous items be repeated. The winner is the person who is able to complete the longest string of items without making a mistake.