SWEET YELLOW CORNBREAD

As an aspiring entrepreneur with a major financial setback in the past, the idea of launching a business might be a goal but also an intimidating notion. Thankfully, it’s possible to make your dream come true by using the right approaches. Here’s how to get started.
 
Handling the Planning 
One of the first steps you’ll need to take as you get ready to launch your company is selecting a structure. Often, going with an LLC is wise. It’s a flexible option with less paperwork. Plus, you’ll reduce your liability while potentially getting some tax advantage. If you want to avoid attorney fees, use a formation service like Zenbusiness.com or file on your own. Just check local laws before you start, as the regulations can vary by state.
 
Next, you will want to craft a thorough business plan. In many cases, your business plan helps you organize your thoughts and set critical priorities, all while ensuring you fully understand how your company will work, both functionally and financially.
 
Pre-Launch Research 
Research is another critical step you’ll need to handle when launching a company. Usually, you’ll want to start with market research, allowing you to learn more about your customers' needs and preferences. Then, move on to competitor analysis, ensuring you get insights that can help you separate yourself from the pack and secure more market share.
 
Getting Your Branding Together 
While you may think that hopping directly into a marketing plan is the right move, you’ll usually want to consider your branding first. By establishing a clear brand voice and making aesthetic choices in advance, you can ensure that your future marketing efforts are cohesive.
 
Once you’ve made the initial decisions, take advantage of free tools that simplify your branding. For your log, you can use the free logo maker online by Adobe. It’s simple to use and gives you a customized logo that you can use on your digital, print, and social media campaigns.
 
Getting Support from Your Community 
If your business is going to succeed, you may need support from your local community. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to secure it. Along with options like offering discounts or freebies to those in the area, you could run educational workshops relating to your business. Sponsoring local events can also make a difference, as well as joining your local Chamber of Commerce.
 
Choosing the Right Risks 
Risk is powerful in business. When managed – and embraced – properly, you can create opportunities for significant growth, pushing your company forward.
 
Simply running a company means accepting some degree of risk, but you want to make sure that any chances you take are actually good moves. While exactly what constitutes a smart risk can vary, you usually want to focus on opportunities where the possible ROI is respectable and the harm from a failure is minimal. Additionally, using research and metrics to guide decisions is typically part of the equation.
 
Improving Your Skills 
In some cases, aspiring entrepreneurs don’t feel like they have the right skills to start their company. If you’re in that boat, then you may want to use a different approach, ensuring you can prepare yourself for the work ahead.
 
One great option is heading back to school to get your MBA. That way, you can further your knowledge and acquire skills that will help you develop strategies, oversee operations, and manage your company.
 
Credit:  Derek Goodman

I have been anxiously awaiting be able to announce the release of Southern Comforts, Sweet Yellow Cornbread.   This cookbook is a dream come true!   Thanks to HP Publishing for all the help in getting this accomplished!

I was beyond honored when HP reached out to me to publish a cookbook.   There is a ton of work to do behind the scenes to get ready to publish a cookbook.  Sunday Comforts, Sweet Yellow Cornbread & Fixins brings back wonderful memories of my childhood.  My parents both were such great homecooks. 

I am thrilled to pay a little tribute to them in this collection of recipes.    This collection contains over 90 recipes.  From biscuits, quiches, appetizers, desserts to full Sunday Supper meal ideas.   The book starts out with Sunday morning ideas, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Grazing & Appetizers, to Sunday Supper.  Of course, there are lots of Sweet Yellow Cornbread & Fixins.

Sunday Comforts will make a wonderful Christmas present for your friends & family.   During this pre-order time, Free Shipping is available!   #winwin


CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY 

Happy Fall Ya'll!   I love the cooler temps!  The trees haven't lost many of their leaves yet in #LittleRock.  However, it won't be long.  I love waking up to the cool crisp air, and sweater weather!  I can't wait until the afternoon temps remain that great cool crisp filling.

Something about Fall that brings a smile to your face.  State Fairs, Carnivals, Pumpkins, Hay Rides, and Football tailgating makes us all happy.  Just around the corner we will be thinking about planning our holiday meals and gatherings.

​Sunday is my baking time!  For some reason, baking is just better on Sundays!  Maybe, it is because I am not rushed as much.  I like to take a sweet treat to the office for the coworkers to have with the morning coffee.  

These Peanut Butter Blondies are perfect!   They are simple to make, and you only need 1 large bowl.  I used a wooden spoon, and didn't even have to get my mixer dirty.   This recipe is easy to hand whip using a wooden spoon.   A perfect treat for those cool crisp days!

Ingredients:

! stick of Vermont Creamery sea salt butter (softened)
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter (Jiff)
2 teaspoons organic vanilla
2 eggs
1 /2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder
1-2 cups dark chocolate chunks or semi-sweet 
1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees
Spray 13 x 9 pan 

In large bowl:

Add butter, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs.  Beat with wooden spoon until blended well. Add  Peanut Butter and continue to mix until combined.  Fold in flour 1/2 cup at a time, while continuing to mix.  Add in baking powder, and salt.   Stir until dough forms.   Stir in dark or semi-sweet chocolate chunks and stir.

Spread dough evenly throughout pan.  Bake at 350 for approx. 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.  

Let cool for 45 minutes to 1 hour and cut into bars.  

Keep in airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

ftentimes, I am sent some wonderful products to try out.   Most of them are really great products that I can use.  I especially love the food products that I can use in my recipes.  I was thrilled when I received a huge box of Don Victor all natural honey assortments.  #partner

If you haven't checked out their special on their site be sure and click on:  https://www.donvictorfoods.com   You can purchase a variety of honey in various assortments via their website and save on Specials!

I used the wonderful infused Raspberry honey this weekend by added to my granola recipe.  I also drizzled the raspberry honey on top of my double chocolate chip cookies right before placing them in the oven.    DELICIOUS!  both of them!   The hint of raspberry with the dark chocolate was heavenly!

The lemon infused honey is perfect for your hot tea.   The honey will be great to help fight off the upcoming fall/winter colds.   It is also delicious on top of some homemade biscuits!   Actually, all the flavors are.  Some of the selection include strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, lemon, and sweet honey sticks.  Of course there is the 100% natural with our without the comb.   The bottles are beautifully and are imported from Spain!   A perfect upcoming holiday gift!

Enjoy free shipping at:   https://donvictorfoods.com/collections/sweetners



A Perfect Gift for yourself or family & friends!


Be sure and check out the Dessert recipes and granola recipes on our page!
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There are a variety of foods can help boost your energy.

Whether they’re packed with carbs for readily available energy, or fiber and protein for a slower release of energy, there are foods can help increase your power and overall stamina.  These foods we are featuring also contain significant amounts of other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

All of these compounds are involved in helping boost your energy, as they provide many other health benefits.

East these foods and start your day out with that morning boost.

• Bananas. Bananas may be one of the best foods for energy. 
• Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are good sources of protein, fatty acids, and B vitamins, making them great foods to include in your diet. 
• Brown rice. Brown rice is a very nutritious food. 
• Sweet potatoes. 
• Coffee
• Eggs.
• Apples.
• Water
• Rosemary - Get a whiff of rosemary -  that the herb’s essential oil could boost brainpower. A  room scented with rosemary will help you to relax, and enhanced levels of 1,8-cineole ( an organic compound the researchers had previously linked with cognitive performance. Rosemary is a known to be a good old-fashioned aromatherapy.
  
  

Look for foods that have a low sugar index, as they are absorbed more slowly and won’t lead to a sudden drop in energy. A combination of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is good: the carbohydrates will provide some quick energy, while protein and fats will keep you full and prevent burning through energy too fast.
For example unsweetened low-fat Greek yogurt with unsweetened granola or an apple and a spoon of peanut butter will help you get the morning energy boost.  Greens like spinach and other veggies can also help you avoid an energy slump. I love putting fresh leafy spinach in many dishes that I make. 

These foods are naturally high in fiber, which influences glucose absorption so your blood sugar levels stay steady. Leafy greens also contain B vitamins, which aid cell’s energy-making process.

Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is excellent for both satisfying that little sweet tooth and improving overall focus. The caffeine content in the candy helps you to feel more energetic and focused on the tasks at hand. It also contains magnesium, which is a natural stress reliever. For a guilt-free, energy boosting treat, break off just a quarter of a bar for a great tasting energy enhancement.

I love adding a little dark chocolate to my yogurt in the mornings.   It is delicious and helps with the "chocolate crave."

Nuts

Nuts are an excellent source of protein and natural fat that your body needs to be healthy. Secondly, they are an antioxidant, vitamin E, and amino acid rich food, which means they'll give your body the natural increase in memory and brain performance you need to make it through the day. Almonds and walnuts contain some of the best ingredients for brainpower.   Nuts are also great for your skin.   That Vitamin E they have helps make for glowing skin.    

Nuts are a great treat, along with the dark chocolate, to add to your morning yogurt.

Eggs

Keep in mind that breakfast really is the most important part of the day, especially if you're having eggs.
Eggs have shown positive results in increasing memory capabilities and speeding up reaction times at work. This is thanks to a B-vitamin known as choline, which works to stimulate the brain's reactive sensors.

Have a side of eggs, with your yogurt smoothie filled with nuts & dark chocolate.  Throw in some bananas, and you are on your way to having an entergetic morning.

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Who doesn't love Chocolate?   

However, make it dark chocolate to get some skin benefits!

​Dark chocolate is my favorite!  I use it in a variety of my cakes, cookies and my granola!  The rich taste is so good!   I love it plain as well!   

If you like Dark Chocolate it is a #winwin for you!   Do you know that cocoa has some pretty great effects on your skincare?  Now you really have a reason to eat more chocolate!   But, make sure it is the high antioxidant dark chocolate.   Eating 20 grams of the high-antioxidant dark chocolate per day could allow your skin to withstand over twice as much UV radiation before burning versus eating low-antioxidant chocolate.

Participants in a recent study that consumed cocoa powder high in antioxidants each day,  experienced thicker, more hydrated skin over a 6-12 week period.    The skin was less rough, less sensitive to sunburn and had better blood flow.

Make sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa in order to maximize the benefits and keep added sugar to a minimum.   Give it a try!   The more you start eating dark chocolate, you might find yourself weaning off the fatty milk chocolate all together!

​Do You Have What You Need to be a Great Entrepreneur?
by:  Mack Dawson, Guest Writer 

Becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business will entail a repertoire of factors that you have never considered. It is not for the faint of heart, nor is it impossible if you put your mind to it. Anyone can start a small business, but whether or not it is successful depends on the core entrepreneurship of that person. Some people make it big by having a great idea or by luck. Most have to put in years of work before they see a polished final result. The world of business is always changing, it is about having the strength and perseverance to keep up with it. The question is, do you have what you need to be a great entrepreneur?

Drive

The biggest part of succeeding in owning a profitable small business is the drive to achieve. Having that feeling in your core that pushes you onwards through pressures and hardships. No start-up is plain sailing. There will be issues that you have not predicted and times when it seems futile. It is about harnessing these times and working on the points within your business that you can use to make it better. Having a core drive to succeed enables entrepreneurs to push themselves to their limits when the business needs it. Working long hours when necessary and creating an environment in which their business can thrive. Hard work in the early stages can mean a big difference for the business in the future.


Research Skills

Many, if not most people who start a small business have not trained specifically to do so. This is one hundred percent normal and should not put anyone off starting a venture. What is important is the ability to research and educate oneself on business management, strategy, marketing and any problems that an entrepreneur might face. Learning how to become the best business from scratch can be a real superpower in today’s market as the online commerce world is continually changing. Keeping up to date with new strategies and tools can be a brilliant method of pushing a fresh concept that customers love.

Understanding that it is not just information that is out there, but business tools is a huge part of the research skills that a business owner needs. There are hundreds of apps and tools out there that you can use to build and grow a venture. Finding the tools that best work for your business at an early stage can be a massive boost to your business and also save you a lot of money in the long run as so many of them are free.


Understand Branding

Lack of branding is a big part of why many small businesses fail. They think that because they are not a corporation, they do not need to consider their brand. This could not be further from the truth. We are taught as a world audience to follow brands from birth. Use this. It is the best and most natural way to push your business into the sights of your target audience and have them recognize you. There are logo design sites, brand name generators and graphic design and video sites that will enable you to set up a perfect business brand completely free of charge. Read up on how to create the best brand for your specific business here.


Love Your Business

Most importantly, ensure that you have a true passion and love for what you are doing. This will come across in your marketing and the way you interact with customers and is a vital part of excellent entrepreneurship.

Becoming a great entrepreneur can be learned, built upon and grow as you do. By no means do you have to be perfect straight away – none of us are. Be open to learning, have that drive and passion and use the tools available to you and you will have the best chance of building a fantastic, long-term business that you love.

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Mother's Day is around the corner.   It's time to treat mom to some delicious skin care products & foods that help with skin & wellness.  

What are the best foods for healthy skin? Citrus, foods high in antioxidants seem to have a protective effect for the skin.  Citrus foods help protect against sun damage. 


Consider these skin-friendly foods:

• Carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Berries
• Beans, peas and lentils
• Salmon, mackerel and other fatty fish
• Nuts

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On the flip side, some foods seem to be associated with skin damage. For example, some research suggests that a diet high in processed or refined sugars or other carbohydrates and unhealthy fats promotes skin aging.

Remember, many of the best foods for healthy skin also promote good health overall. Rather than focusing on specific foods for healthy skin, concentrate on a healthy diet in general. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Include nuts, seeds and beans in your favorite meals. Opt for whole-grain breads and pasta. Limit sweets. Strive for variety as you're making healthy choices.

What foods make you look younger?

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest fats on earth. 
• Green Tea. Green tea is high in antioxidants, which can protect against free radicals. 
• Fatty Fish. Fatty fish is truly an anti-aging food. 
• Dark Chocolate/Cocoa. 
• Vegetables.
• Flaxseeds
• Pomegranates.
• Avocados.

Home Remedies for Sagging Skin: 5 Best Natural Remedies to Tighten Sagging Skin

1. Aloe Vera gel. Aloe Vera gel is one of the best home remedies for skin tightening.
2. Egg white and honey. Egg whites.
3. Oil massage. 
4. Ground coffee and coconut oil. 
5. Rosemary oil and cucumber.

Collagen is a known skin tightener. Vitamin C in lemons helps boost collagen production in your body reducing wrinkles and subsequently tightening your skin. It's as simple as applying lemon juice to your body and rubbing it in affected areas. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with water.

Ginger helps dissolve that stubborn fat and firms up the skin, honey's anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties, too, helps firm saggy skin, while lemon helps boost the production of collagen, which in turn, helps restore the elasticity of skin.

How can I tighten my face skin naturally?

1. Follow These Skin Care Tips To Prevent Sagging Skin On Your Face.
2. A. Massage Your Whole Face Regularly.
3. B. Apply Cucumber Juice To Your Under-Eyes Regularly.
4. C. Moisturize The Skin Under Your Jaw.
5. D. Facial Exercises.
6. E. Sunscreen is Your Best Friend

Hyaluronic acid is an important compound for collagen in the skin. It is found in foods rich in amino acids, such as beans, root vegetables, and soy. Adding hyaluronic acid to the diet through food can easily help to boost collagen levels. Hyaluronic acid is also available as a supplement.

Simple face tightening exercises

Smile as widely as you can and press your fingertips into the folds between your nose and lips. Lift up the muscles whilst pressing down your fingertips into the muscles for resistance. This will strengthen your cheek muscles to give you plump, round cheeks – a classic sign of youth.

We had fun on our Live Segment on The Vine with showing off a beautiful salad and other great toppings to add to it.  A simple Mother's Day meal any can throw together.   Keep mom out of the kitchen this Mother's Day.    Watch Live here:  https://www.thv11.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/the-vine/delicious-mothers-day-spread-from-sweet-yellow-cornbread/91-894378c4-5af1-46bd-bcde-95fb61048c09

​We made it special by giving away a beautiful basket full of great skin care products.  Also, some beautiful Susan Shaw earrings.  (ad) Susan Shaw earrings are gorgeous.  A beautiful selection of high quality jewelry any mother would love!

Quiche is such a great meal!  It really is a meal all by itself.  Eggs, Cheeses, Meats, Vegetables all blended in a pie crust and you can serve it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or supper!  Whatever you want to call it.

This Southwestern Quiche is really delicious for a night meal.   Easy to make ahead, and just pop in the oven when you are ready for it.   This Quiche has delicious sweet yellow corn, bacon, sharp cheddar & Parmesan cheese.  It also has Rotel', roasted garlic & red pepper, and spinach, along with the egg mixture.   

I did a morning Brunch for my segment on "The Vine" at THV11.  I made the standard quiche with the Canadian bacon, spinach, cheese & eggs, and the Southwestern style.

Here's the scoop for the Southwestern Quiche:

Ingredients:

1 DEEP DISH Pillsbury Pie Crust
6-8 Large Caged Free Brown Eggs
1 cup Milk ( I use 2 Percent)
1-2 Cups of Fine Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 cup of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup of Mild Cheddar Cheese
1/2 can of DRAINED Whole Kernel Sweet Yellow Corn
1/2 can of DRAINED Rotel - I used Mild
1/2 cup Diced Roma Tomatoes
Lowry's Roasted Garlic Pepper Blend - 1-2 Teaspoons
1/2 Teaspoon of Red Pepper Flakes
1 cup FRESH Baby Spinach
1/4 cup Green Onion STEMS (only the stems)
2-3 Pieces Pre-Cooked Bacon (optional)

Instructions:

Pre-heat Oven to 375 Degrees

In mixing bowl - Whisk together eggs & milk until combined well

Take out one of the Deep Dish Frozen Pie Crusts

Layer a thin coat of the Fine Shredded Parmesan Cheese on Bottom
Layer in the Green Onions
Layer in Corn  -- Make sure it has been drained
Layer in Rotel - Make sure it has been drained
Add meat in here if you want meat
Top another layer coat of Parmesan Cheese
Add a thin layer of Mild Cheddar Cheese
Add Spinach Layer
Add layer of Roma Tomatoes (Diced)
Top with another Layer of Parmesan Cheese
Pour egg Mixture over top of these Layers
Top with Garlic Pepper & Red Pepper Flakes
Add layer of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Add Top Layer of Parmesan Cheese   (this gets you the crusted Parmesan Top)
Sprinkle a little Garlic Pepper on top

Place Pie Tin on cookie sheet to place in oven.  Bake in oven for 30-25 minutes checking your oven temp.   Your pie crust should be golden.   You also want to stick a fork in middle to make sure eggs are cooked thoroughly.

Take out of oven and let sit 10-15 minutes  before serving.    You can cover in foil and it will remain warm.    If you want to reheat the slices - put a slice on microwave safe dish and heat up 30-45 seconds until warm.

Delicious!

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