We’re all watching our spending and I shared some easy ways to stretch your food dollar. Are you using new saving strategies at the grocery? Share your tips- I’d love to hear from you!

Want to hear the segment? Click here.

Ellen Whitehurst is a Feng shui expert, Redbook columnist and author of Make This Your Lucky Day. Each month she gives us a look at what’s ahead and how to make the most of it. Check out her website- and sign up for her newsletter. Want to hear the segment? Click here. Below are the Empowering Days for April, from Ellen.

EMPOWERING DAYS FOR APRIL 2009

Whoever said that April is the cruelest month just doesn’t have the bird’s eye view that I do on this really fabu and right relationship oriented one we’re moving into. In fact, there is a day during April that could conceivably be one of the most sparkling, most sizzling, most sensual and screamingly beautiful ones (loudly lovely on every level not just the OMG one) of all of 2009! Certainly, if you are looking for love or even looking to put some bubble back into a pffflat one, well, there are some seriously dedicated days to do that right here and right now. Oh la la kids, oh la la. All this and Venus FINALLY forward and out of retrograde as well? Mwah!

Things looking up on the F/S financial front too. The bear yawns as the dragon makes a comeback in April allowing investors to breathe fire into the market as long as they don’t jump back out the minute they think they are going to get burned. You could cautiously start to build up value in your portfolio as long as you aren’t looking to pay your taxes with quick cash. Sorry H & R you’ll just have to sit with whatever stocks you buy now.

From the Healthy Days Shui files, these are the days during this Year of the Ox when there is high potential for broken bones (but not hearts…go back and read first graph) while also advising caution where blows to the head are concerned (but not the heart…go bac…oh you get it.) Soothing, relaxing and revivifying music is called for in April in order to soothe the springtime savage beast. Totally tuning in myself since giving great music a listen is advised as well in order to ward off any and all negativity too. Pay attention kids, this is good stuff. And, this month, as if we didn’t already have the slurplicious astro aspects of love, now we see that the F/S ones say that metals boosts water and that this lift will be great for all kinds of relationship luck. Deja deeee-luxe all over again. Anyone not getting it yet? Beauty and brains provide the twinkle in the eye(s) of this debonair dragon. Be word to the wise, don’t gossip. Under any circumstances. Or, should I say, under no circumstances. Normally a crap thing to do anyway, but, this month, telling stories out of school carries detention. Oh, I hate when Karma gets cranky. Keep her happy and keep it zipped. Expect some unexpected luck from the unlikeliest places end month. Keep your heart open. It’s really close.

For more on your personal Shuistrology for April or to find out how best to use the most Super Stellar day of this month go to www.ellenwhitehurst.com!

APRIL 4…………Mercury that ole messenger is sextiling generous Jupiter. Could be the best day for that whole buy/sell thing. Travel looks exciting too as do any efforts at negotiation. Good times, good times. Wash the shite [Read more →]

Danny Gold shared great information about pairing beer and food. You’ll find Danny every (Thirsty) Thursday at The Party Source for Burgers and Beers. Beer lovers (and Burger lovers) will have a chance to chat with Danny and beer professionals from around the country who will act as his guest hosts each week. First up is Blue Grass Brewing. Just $15 gets you 5 beer samples and a really great burger. Hanging out with other beer lovers? Priceless.

Want to hear the segment? Click here.

Heather Eagan joined me yesterday morning to talk about Crayons to Computers,  a free store for teachers in the Greater Cincinnati area. It’s a well-oiled machine run by dedicated men and women. I encourage you to learn more about them. Maybe you’ll decide to volunteer there. Or make a small donation. Or make a momentous contribution. Whatever you choose,  you’ll know that it will make a difference in the lives of local school kids.

Want to hear the segment? Click here.

Hoisin  Chicken Spring Rolls
Makes 12 rolls

Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/3 cup finely chopped roasted peanuts

In a small bowl combine the rice vinegar, honey and soy sauce; mix until well combined. Stir in peanuts.

Spring Rolls:

1  tablespoon  peanut oil

4  teaspoons  minced peeled fresh ginger

4  garlic cloves, minced

1  pound  skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips [Read more →]

My friend Carol Irwin makes a mean Peanutbutter Ball (don’t even get me started on her pool party cuisine!) and she has agreed to share her recipe.  It’s different than a plain old Buckeye – the Rice Krispies give it a fabulous airy crunch. With Easter coming, you could shape these into egg shapes and include them in an assortment of Easter desserts.

Thanks Carol!
Amy

Peanutbutter Balls
2 C peanut butter
1 lb. confection sugar (4 C)
1 stick  butter
3 C rice krispies
Mix all but krispies on low heat. Remove from heat add krispies. Make small balls to dip in chocolate.
Chocolate coating
1 Lg milk choc. Bar (4.4oz.)
1 bag semisweet chips (12oz.)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 bar paraffin wax
Melt all in double boiler. Dip balls with two forks. Lay on wax paper and refrigerate until easy to handle.
Dip ritz crackers, pretzels, cookies in leftover chocolate.

If you’re about to get serious with your Spring cleaning, check out gazelle.com. They’ll actually buy  your unwanted clutter like cell phones, computers, camcorders, video games, laptops and more. They’ll send you a postage paid shipping box, too. What’s in it for them? They re-sell or recycle your electronic junk.

Change is tough.  If you’re experiencing changes in your life,  read this great advice from Ariane de Bonvoisin, whose book, The First 30 Days and website, first30days.com, is a manual for any kind change. Ariane says that the first month is when new habits are formed so it’s the key time for gathering the confidence and energy to get you through the next weeks and months of transition. Rather than approaching new experiences with fear she suggests welcoming them with enthusiasm — even joy. “Change is the one constant in all our lives,” she says. “And learning to embrace it is the most valuable tool in helping you love your life more.”

To help you get through any transition, Ariane has identified the following nine principles.

1. I have positive beliefs — about change, about life, and about myself.
An optimistic attitude is the first tool you need to tackle change, says de Bonvoisin — and yes, optimism is something you can choose. You may not have chosen the change that is happening to you, but you do get to choose your beliefs around it, says de Bonvoisin. ”By habitually emphasizing the positive,” says de Bonvoisin, “you can actually rewire your mind to think more optimistically.”
2. I know that change will always bring something good into my life.
 ”Even the hardest, most painful changes will eventually bring a gift to your life,” de Bonvoisin points out. “Sometimes the gift will be obvious, and sometimes it will take a while to realize.” Think back on three or four very stressful changes from your past, and the good that eventually came from them. 
3. I know I am resilient, strong, and capable of getting through anything.
Araine says we all have a “change muscle” — and it’s stronger than we think.   ”Your change muscle is the part of you that knows, deep down, you’ll be okay,” says de Bonvoisin. “You’re more powerful, resilient, and intuitive than you know.” To tap into that resilience, write a “change résumé.” List the big changes you’ve been through, pick three or four of the hardest ones and ask yourself: What strength did I develop during this change? How did I overcome my fears? You’ll see that you’ve sailed through many challenges — and can handle even more”
4. I know that my emotions, including the negative ones, are there as a guide — and that I can replace them with more positive ones.
 ”Not admitting that your fear is there, trying to deny it, is the most debilitating thing you can do,” explains [Read more →]

I love Easter bunnies, especially the chocolate ones, and I’ve found some really special bunnies for you. Enjoy! Amy

Vosges Chocolates has 4 fabulous bunnies in exotic flavors. I’m intrigued by the Amalfi Easter Bunny but am swooning over the Red Fire Easter Bunny. Red Fire is my favorite flavor of the Vosges chocolate bars. It’s a sultry blend of dark chocolate, Mexican chiles and cinnamon.

These little bunnies come nestled in box and I think they’re precious! Visit L.A.Burdick to get your own Easter Bunny Box.

Here’s a bunny with multlple flavors built right in! Try The Famous Robert L. Strohecker Assorted Rabbit. It’s got caramel-pecan in it’s midsection and almonds in his feet and ears!

Here’s a question from Yvonne:
Amy,
I made your soup today. I added shredded carrots for color. When I was out buying the Swanson Chicken broth in the aseptic container, I noticed there was both broth and stock. Is there a big difference in the two?
Yvonne

Hi Yvonne-

I have yet to try the Swanson stock (you know how I love their broth) but I’ll let you know once I do. In a nutshell, though, broth is made by cooking vegetables and meat, poultry or fish in water. It’s not heavily seasoned. Stock is made  basically the same way but is seasoned and is sometimes made by browning the ingredients before simmering them in water.  That’s called a brown stock. For the soup recipe, you can consider the Swanson broth and Swanson stock interchangeable.  Hope that helps-now I’m waiting for some soup!

Amy