This white bean chicken chili is a simple and satisfying meal that your entire family will enjoy. It combines fresh vegetables with canned white beans and tomatoes to make a quick and delicious home-made meal. While it’s simmering on the stove, bake a quick batch of easy corn muffins; they go great with this dish! For extra flavor and simplicity, use the breast meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken.  Serves 8.

White Bean Chicken Chili

INGREDIENTS:

2 T. vegetable oil

1/2 red pepper – deseeded and diced

1 medium sized white onion – diced

1 lb. cooked chicken meat – diced

1 cup chicken ... Read More »]]>

by Chef Mark Alan

This white bean chicken chili is a simple and satisfying meal that your entire family will enjoy. It combines fresh vegetables with canned white beans and tomatoes to make a quick and delicious home-made meal. While it’s simmering on the stove, bake a quick batch of easy corn muffins; they go great with this dish! For extra flavor and simplicity, use the breast meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken.  Serves 8.

White Bean Chicken Chili

INGREDIENTS:

2 T. vegetable oil

1/2 red pepper – deseeded and diced

1 medium sized white onion – diced

1 lb. cooked chicken meat – diced

1 cup chicken stock

1 can (16 oz.) diced tomatoes – undrained

2 cans (16 oz.) great northern white beans – undrained

2 teaspoons Chef Mark Alan’s Rio Grande Seasoning (available online)

(OR use a good quality chili seasoning)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

salt – to taste

1/2 jalapeno – finely diced (optional-for more heat)

juice from 1 lime

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a 4-5 quart sauce pan. Add onion and pepper and saute until soft. Add the remaining ingredients (except lime juice) and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in lime juice before serving.

With over 20 years as a cooking instructor and professional chef creating simple and delicious foods, Chef Mark Alan has earned the title of “The Well Seasoned Chef”.  He has his own signature line of all-natural sauces and seasonings to provide you with “cooking confidence” in every dish you make. To learn more about Chef Mark, visit www.ChefMarksKitchen.com.

I can even admit my ... Read More »]]>

A job interview outfit is one of the most important fashion events you will plan for. Sorry ladies but it’s not just what’s on the resume these days. Today’s market is more competitive and fierce than ever. There is a look that needs to accompany your fabulous skills and talents. I’ve worked in HR/Training for many years now and I’ve seen my share of train wrecks. I remember one candidate that stuck out to me; (quite literally) the girl with the HUGE stain all over her shirt. Come on. Fail to plan and plan to fail.

I can even admit my own job interview disaster back when I was 18. I remember going for an interview in an outfit that I would have also worn to the club. That’s right; cleavage, glitter on the cleavage, butterfly clips in my hair, and spandex. Wow. What was I thinking?

Nope, I never even got a return call. See? My point exactly.

So, what should you wear to a job interview?

Think classic with a sprinkle of irresistible flavor. Having worked in corporate America for 10+ years, I can’t stand being victim to “falling in line”. However, I’m a firm believer that there is a time and place for everything; especially when it comes to fashion. You want to take the timeless interview fashion rules but mix your personality into them. You don’t want the company hiring a robot. You want them to hire you for who you really are. Never lose yourself for a job. Believe me, it’s not worth it.

As a recruiter, they have a lot of faces to see. You want to stick out in the employer’s mind out but not for the wrong reasons. A power suit never goes out of style. However, how you style it does. You want to walk in that room and own it. Your outfit should complement your resume and say “Yes, I’m the perfect woman for the job.”

Job Interview Fashion Do’s

~Get your hair done. I think it looks best pulled back, pulled half way back but not all down if it’s long and not hot curled like you are trying to be a seductress. No bedroom hair!

~Get a manicure or a fresh fill-in. Our hands do a lot of talking!

~Wear a tailored jacket to pull your look together. It’s polished and illustrates maturity.

~Keep the color patterns neutral but don’t lose your personality.

~Don’t forget shoes and a matching handbag. You need to look pulled together. Nothing can mess this up more than a mismatched handbag or horrible shoes.

Job Interview Fashion Don’ts

~Don’t show an ounce of cleavage.

~No body glitter. Ok, seriously let’s move on to the real don’ts

~No leopard print. I love animal prints but remember there is a time and place. First interview are not the place.

~No hooker makeup. Are you interviewing to swing down a pole or to showcase your professionalism?

~No gaudy jewelry. You know I love my chunky rings and crazy necklaces. Keep it simple and elegant.

~No ghetto fabulous nails. Sorry, but no 3D Hello Kitty nails. Come on, now.

~No fur. No studded shoes. No spikes. No metallic leggings. You get my drift?

~My biggest pet peeve of all: NO GUM!! EVER!

Another piece of advice, never get dressed the day of the interview. Try everything on a few days before and practice sitting, walking, and even shaking hands with your dubs on. When you look good, you feel good and it radiates into everything you say. Lastly, don’t forget to practice for the interview and give it all you got, Miss Irresistible!

Contributing writer, Aimee “Mimi” Beltran is an instructional designer and blogger with an obsession for all things fashion!  She spends her time designing training programs in addition to managing two blogs; Irresistible Icing and Irresistible Pets. She loves spending time with her husband, their Chihuahua, Chuy, dancing to merengue, eating icing, and anything that sparkles! Follow Mimi on Facebook and @MyIcing on Twitter!

Super Bowl Stuffed Sub By Chez Cherie

INGREDIENTS

1 (18-ounce) unsliced loaf Whole Grain Bread

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ pound Italian sausage, removed from casings

½ pound ground turkey

1 cup onion, diced

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cubes frozen garlic

1 cup Trader Giotto’s Organic Vodka Pasta Sauce (or another favorite pasta sauce)

1 ½ cup Quattro Formaggio (or other shredded cheese)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F. Split the bread loaf horizontally and pull out the center of the bread, leaving a “shell” of crust. ... Read More »]]>

Wait ’til you try this—people go nuts for it. Whatever your sports passion is, I predict you’ll make this sub all season long.

Super Bowl Stuffed Sub
By Chez Cherie

INGREDIENTS

1 (18-ounce) unsliced loaf Whole Grain Bread

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ pound Italian sausage, removed from casings

½ pound ground turkey

1 cup onion, diced

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cubes frozen garlic

1 cup Trader Giotto’s Organic Vodka Pasta Sauce (or another favorite pasta sauce)

1 ½ cup Quattro Formaggio (or other shredded cheese)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F. Split the bread loaf horizontally and pull out the center of the bread, leaving a “shell” of crust. Place the bread from the center in a large bowl and crumble it with your fingers until you have coarse crumbs. In a medium sauté pan, heat the olive oil and crumble in the sausage. Cook until barely pink, then add the turkey, onion, and garlic. Sauté until meat is cooked through. Add the bread crumbs and sauté until toasted. Return mixture to the large bowl and combine with pasta sauce and cheese. Spoon the mixture into the bottom half of the loaf, compressing slightly. Top with the top half of the bread. Cover with foil and bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes. Cool slightly before cutting.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Do Ahead

From The I Love Trader Joe’s Party Cookbook

Cherie Mercer Twohy received her Professional Culinary Arts diploma from the California School of Culinary Arts. In addition to her formal chef’s training, her passion for travel and interest in culinary tradition have taken her around the world. Closer to home, she has received instruction at the renowned Culinary Institute of America Greystone campus in the Napa Valley.

Cherie is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and recently joined Julia Child and Jacques Pepin as a Certified Culinary Professional, one of only 300 culinarians worldwide to achieve that designation. She is also a proud member of the American Institute of Food and Wine, and Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.

Cherie was recently selected by Saveur Magazine to present the Saveur Cooks cooking classes for food lovers in Southern California. She can be seen as a recurring Guest Chef on Home & Garden Television. Her first book, The I Love Trader Joe’s Cookbook, was released in October, 2009.  Visit her website at www.chezcherie.com

Do you big plans for Super Bowl Sunday? Plans that might included people coming over and expecting you to provide a plentiful spread? (Not of points, but of food?) Please don’t think you have to serve the usual boring and calorie filled football festivity staples, because I’m here to bring you treats that are both good tasting and good for you! Celebrity personal trainer and wellness guru David Kirsch shares these delicious and nutritious recipes for game day fare that won’t leave you feeling guilty the next morning.

NO-FAT HUMMUS

Serve this as a snack with celery, whole-grain crackers, or cucumber. For ... Read More »]]>

Do you big plans for Super Bowl Sunday? Plans that might included people coming over and expecting you to provide a plentiful spread? (Not of points, but of food?) Please don’t think you have to serve the usual boring and calorie filled football festivity staples, because I’m here to bring you treats that are both good tasting and good for you! Celebrity personal trainer and wellness guru David Kirsch shares these delicious and nutritious recipes for game day fare that won’t leave you feeling guilty the next morning.

NO-FAT HUMMUS

Serve this as a snack with celery, whole-grain crackers, or cucumber. For more zip, add more cayenne or a few drops of hot pepper sauce.

INGREDIENTS

11⁄2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1⁄4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cayenne
1⁄4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

In a food processor, combine all ingredients.
Process until well blended.
Use immediately, or refrigerate up to 3 hours.

Makes 2 servings. Per serving: 227 calories, 12 g protein, 40 g carbohydrate,
3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 10 g fiber, 4 g sugar

TUNA AND SHRIMP KABOB

This is a really fun party dish and can easily be adapted to serve more people.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 small eggplant
2 medium shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1/2 medium-sized, yellow bell pepper
1/3 cup water
4 ounces skinless tuna steak, cut into four 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Cut eggplant in half lengthwise, then cut diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.
Cut pepper into quarters; remove seeds and stem. Cut each piece in half.
Bake peppers and eggplant in foil packet for 20 minutes. Remove and cool.
Place peppers and eggplant on skewers.
Place tuna and shrimp on skewers, alternating tuna then shrimp.
Place all skewers in a large shallow dish.
Combine water, Dijon mustard, and dill in a small bowl. Mix well and pour over kabobs. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Remove kabobs from marinade; discard marinade.
Spray grill rack with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Place kabobs on grill.
Grill tuna/shrimp skewers 2 to 3 minutes each side and veggies 4 minutes on each side.

GUILTLESS BARBECUE BURGER

Red meat need not come loaded with saturated fat. Buffalo meat tastes just as delicious as beef, but it comes much leaner. Because of its leanness, it cooks quicker as well.

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces lean ground buffalo meat
4 ounces lean ground turkey breast
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons low-sugar, low-sodium barbecue sauce
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
Nonfat vegetable cooking spray

DIRECTIONS

Mix all of the ingredients except the cooking spray in a large bowl.
Form the mixture into two patties.
Spray a barbecue grill or nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat to medium-high heat.
Place the patties on grill or skillet, and cook about 8 minutes per side (for medium), until cooked through.

Makes 2 servings. Per serving: 185 calories, 33 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate,
3 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, .5 g fiber, 4 g sugar

TURKEY CHILI

Double this recipe, making a big pot of the stuff at the beginning of the week. Whenever you are rushed and don’t have time to prepare a more elaborate lunch or dinner, serve up some leftovers. The chili always tastes better the second time around.

INGREDIENTS

Nonfat cooking spray
1 pound lean ground turkey
Salt
Pepper
1 cup peeled and grated carrot
2⁄3 cup chopped onion
2⁄3 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1⁄8 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 141⁄2-ounce can chopped plum tomato in juice
1⁄2 cup low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf

DIRECTIONS

Heat a 3-quart nonstick saucepan over high heat and coat with cooking spray.
Add the turkey, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, breaking up the turkey into pieces, until browned.
Remove to a bowl, and cover with foil to keep warm.
Reduce the heat to low, and add the carrot, onion, celery, and garlic. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Increase the heat to medium, and add the tomato, stock, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes, covered.
Add the browned turkey, and simmer for 5 minutes more.
Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 240 calories, 23 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate,

10 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 8 g sugar

Laura Carson Miller is a freelance lifestyle writer for magazines and the internet. Her website and blog can be found here: www.lauracarsonmiller.com.

*All opinions are Dawn’s, no payment has be received for thoughts or views.

Dawn Del Russo is an On-Air fashion expert seen on National TV Better TV, Fox 5 NY, InStyle Magazine, Life and Style Magazine, US Weekly for her fashion and lifestyle tips and advice. She is the author of “101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle” and owner of www.BellaDawn.com