Mini 4 Meals in 4 MInutes

April Product Specials

HG Preferred Member - Choose to customize your order your way OR receive this featured product bundle of the month via auto-ship:

If you have never tried one of our 4 meals in 4 minutes™ collections, you will find this month's featured meal plan a real treat. We have taken a sampling of the meals from the Limited Edition Spring 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Collection and created a 'mini' collection as this month's featured products! And don't let the name fool you, this 'mini' collection makes EIGHT MEALS!

The Mini 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Collection includes:
Homemade Gourmet® Cilantro Citrus Marinade Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Chipotle Steakhouse Rub
Homemade Gourmet® Apple Pecan Vinaigrette Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Creamy Caribbean Cheeseball Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Coleslaw Dressing Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Orange Vinaigrette Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Mom's Smashed Potatoes Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Texas Cornbread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Spanish Rice Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Key Lime Cheesecake Ball Mix

This featured product bundle is available for only $40.20 to HG Preferred customers with the 20% HG Preferred discount. All other customers can purchase this bundle for $50.25.

Apple Pecan Pork Chops - Cilantro Citrus Chicken - Does this sound YUMMY to you?

April Hosting Specials

Hosting Bonus for April
Host a 4 meals in 4 minutes® demonstration…
It isn't your mama's home party!

It IS what you, your friends and family need to get back to the dinner table and out of the drive thru!

It IS a hands-on, fun, and interactive experience!

It IS sampling great tasting, easy-to-prepare food!

It IS 4 meals in YOUR freezer when it's over!
It IS an abundance of fabulous Hosting Rewards!

Hosting Bonus for April
April Only!!
The Mini 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Collection, $50.25 retail value for ONLY $30.15! That's 40% OFF!

If you have never tried one of our 4 meals in 4 minutes™ collections, you will find this month’s featured meal plan a real treat. We have taken a sampling of the meals from the Limited Edition Spring 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Collection and created a ‘mini’ collection as this month’s featured products! And don’t let the name fool you, this ‘mini’ collection actually makes EIGHT MEALS!

The Mini 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Collection includes:
Homemade Gourmet® Cilantro Citrus Marinade Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Chipotle Steakhouse Rub
Homemade Gourmet® Apple Pecan Vinaigrette Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Creamy Caribbean Cheeseball Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Coleslaw Dressing Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Orange Vinaigrette Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Mom’s Smashed Potatoes Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Texas Cornbread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Spanish Rice Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Key Lime Cheesecake Ball Mix

See the Meal Planner in the Product Specials section for all of the delicious recipes you can create… FAST with this collection!


HOST EXCLUSIVE
Recipe Organizer & Meal Planner System
a $70 value for ONLY $35.00! That's 50% OFF
***APRIL BONUS!***
Receive a set of Pre-Printed Dividers and 100+ recipe cards, a $27+ value, FREE with each Recipe Organizer & Meal Planner System purchase!

Keep all of your Homemade Gourmet® recipe cards, recipe flyers, In The Mix e-Newsletters, and Kitchen Connection magazines all in one convenient planner!

Includes:
beautiful red, zip-up binder with logo
20 recipe card sleeves with 4 pockets each
10 blank section tabs
instructional CD with meal planning tips, calendars, grocery list and more!
This fantastic organization and meal planning system
is ONLY available to Homemade Gourmet® Homeshow Hosts.
When your Homeshow reaches $400 in sales, you can get it
for the extraordinary 50% OFF price of $35.00, along with
your choice from the other generous rewards!

To get yours... Book a 4 meals in 4 minutes™ demonstration TODAY!

Homemade Gourmet Business Oppurtunity Call!

March 30th at 8:00 p.m. CST :

Business Opportunity Call (30 minutes)

Call (800) 608-4241 then enter PIN 42231318#
Press *6 to mute & again to un-mute


This is an opportunity for you to invite potential Distributors to hear about our exciting career opportunity from the Homemade Gourmet® Founder, Tami Van Hoy and CEO, Ken Johnsen.

The first 20 minutes is informational. The last 10 minutes is Q & A.

April will be an awesome month to join my team with Homemade Gourmet. New distributors will get a FREE Starter Kit and free products*

Fell free to contact me after you listen in to the call if you would like more information! I'm happy to help.

*details to be out soon!

The New Spring Mixes are Fabulous!

I just got to try some of the new products, and wow was I happy!

The Jalapeno dip was great! Some thought it was too spicy, but I thought it had just the right kick. ( I'm not much of a spicy fan either!)

I absolutely loved the Apple Pecan Vinaigrette!!! I sampled it over a bed of spinach. The great thing is that you can also make this into a fruit dip or make a yummy apple chicken wrap!

I made the Creamy Caribbean cheeseball, and everyone loved it! It was good, but I like the Jalapeno better. This was actually everyone's favorite dip. The recipe calls for 1 8 oz block of cream cheese, but next time I'm also going to add 8 oz of sour cream....just to soften it up some.

The last thing I sampled was the Key Lime cheesecake. I don't like key lime, so I really don't know what to say about it. Everyone else enjoyed it though. I also made this for Easter, and my family ate it up!

I haven't had the chance to make any of the wraps from the That's A Wrap Sampler, but I love how it has a special flyer that tells you step by step on how to create the perfect wrap of your choice. I'm looking forward to trying the Apple Pecan Chicken Wrap! This Sampler is great for those that make 4 meals in 4 minutes type meals. With the leftover meat from your dinner you can have a very fast, healthy, and delicious wrap for lunch. I know what Joseph and I will be having for lunch next week!

Speaking of 4m4m, you will love the Market Fresh Sampler! This includes Glad microwave steamer bags so you can make fresh vegetables of your choice. The recipe flyer pairs up different vegetables to certain Homemade Gourmet seasonings. I used one bag to make baked potatoes. The potatoes came out perfect! The cooking time is on the bag which is nice. This is a must for easy side dish options that are healthy!

Make sure to sign up as a HG Preferred Customer to get your Spring products at a 20% discount! It's free to join! Go to http://www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou to join.

NEW! MARKET FRESH SAMPLER, $36.00 FREE re-useable Homemade Gourmet® Market Bag, 7 Glad® microwave steamer bags, and an exclusive Recipe flyer! The Market Fresh Sampler contains everything you need to make your trip to the market easy, with naturally fresh and delicious results! We’ve doubled the mixes to allow you to sample from 20+ recipe choices that are prepared using the healthful cooking method of steaming featured in the recipe flyer. Packed in a handy giftbox that makes sharing these fresh and delicious recipes easy! #40.0038 — Sampler includes: 2 Homemade Gourmet® Garlic Lemon Marinade Mixes, 2 Homemade Gourmet® MockSpinach Dip Mixes, 2 Homemade Gourmet® GarlicBasilSeasoning Mixes, 2 Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mixes, FREE Box of Glad® microwave steamer bags (7 count), FREE Recipe Flyer and a FREE Homemade Gourmet® reuseable MarketBag.

NEW! THAT’S A WRAP!SAMPLER, $21.75 Fresh fruits & vegetables wrapped up with Homemade Gourmet® seasonings make delicious light and easymeals in minutes! Our That’sA Wrap! Sampler includes5 mixes and an exclusive recipe flyer to help you create simply deliciouswraps that allow you to enjoyhealthful choices, fast and easy. Choose from 10+ recipes for a quick and light meal anytime! Packed in a drawstring giftbag that is great for gift giving! #40.0039 — Sampler includes: 1 Homemade Gourmet® Orange Vinaigrette Mix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Apple Pecan Vinaigrette Mix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Italian CheeseballMix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Teriyaki Marinade Mix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Maria’sSalsa Mix and a FREE Recipe Flyer.

NEW! JALAPEÑO BACON CHEDDAR DIP MIX, $4.50 The smoky flavors of roasted jalapeño and bacon combine with creamy, mild cheddar for a taste that leaves you wanting more, more, more! Prep Time: 5 minutes, Chill Time: 1 hour. Add: sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese. Yields: 2 cups. #05.0001

NEW! CREAMY CARIBBEAN CHEESEBALL MIX, $4.75 Smooth and creamywith just a splash of mild Caribbean spice for your fresh veggies or favorite snack crackers. Your tastebudswill be doing the conga! Prep Time: 5 minutes, Chill Time: 1 hour. Add: cream cheese. Yields: 1 cup. #05.0002

NEW! APPLEPECAN VINAIGRETTE MIX, $4.00 The sweet and tart flavor of fresh appleswith crunchy pecans is a delightful and delicious combination to complementyour choice of fresh greens, vegetables, and fruit. Thismix is also included in the That’sA Wrap! Sampler on page 23 to create a light and easy wrap menu! Prep Time: 5 minutes, Chill Time: 1 hour. Add: oil, apple cider vinegar. Yields: 1 cup. #04.0002

It's About Time for a Family Meal

Someone shared this with me, and I'm happy to share it with my readers...

It’s About Time for a Family Meal

by Jolene Philo

Family mealtime is important. In fact, its importance is becoming clearer as modern families abandon the practice of eating together. Therefore, even though mealtime and menus were addressed in the December column, I am revisiting the topic. This month the focus is on why eating together is crucial for you and your children.

Mealtime Truth Observed

Family meals added structure to my own life. They were the center of my childhood. Three times a day we gathered at the table even though my mother taught full time. We ate together for two reasons. First, it was economical and money was tight on a teacher’s salary. Second, mealtime provided company for my disabled, homebound father.

So we ate cornflakes together at breakfast. Dad fixed cold sandwiches for lunch. Mom fixed a hot supper though by age ten, my siblings and I could do the same. We talked and joked around the table. The look on Dad’s face during meals told us they were the highlight of his day. He loved to eat, but this was about more than food. Just as family meals provided structure in my childhood, our presence at the table gave structure and meaning to his very long days.

My childhood experiences were so strong that as a mom, I insisted on a family meal every day. Some nights, when my husband worked the evening shift, the kids and I ate without him. Some nights, when I had late meetings at school or attended a conference, they ate without me. Sometimes, breakfast or lunch was the only time we could eat together, so that’s what we did. But every day, there was a family meal.

It wasn’t always easy and it wasn’t always perfect, but the impact of that practice was clear when our college daughter came home from her freshman semester in December. Though she hung out with friends, she scheduled her holiday activities around supper. “I want to eat with you,” she said. “That’s what I missed most at college.”

Mealtime Truth Proven

Recently I read Miriam Weinstein’s book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals (Steerforth Press, 2005). The author presents reasons for the decline of family mealtime. Most of them you can probably guess: parents’ work schedules, kids’ activity schedules, television and divorce. She lists the benefits of mealtime cited in a number of research studies. The benefits include:

o Lower incidences of smoking, drug use and teen pregnancy

o Positions children to do better in school

o Passes down of ethical, familial and religious heritage

o Lowers rates of eating disorders and obesity

o Builds children’s literacy, vocabulary and conversational skills

o Teaches mannerso Promotes resilience in children

o Promotes enjoyment of other family members

That’s quite a list. Weinstein never states that family mealtime guarantees these benefits. But she suggests that making adjustments so a family can eat together is an investment with the potential for high yields.

The book includes study results and anecdotal incidents that strengthen her position. She examines two parent and single parent families, as well as different socio-economic levels and cultures. Though her roots are in Judaism, she explores the importance of family mealtime in several faiths, including Christianity. Her insights make the book worthwhile reading.

Mealtime Truth Applied

But my subjective observations and Weinstein’s objective study results can’t do anything without action from parents like you. As a mom, especially as a work-at-home mom, you can give your children the gift of a family mealtime that will reap benefits for the rest of their lives.

As my family history shows, doing so isn’t always easy and it isn’t perfect, but it can be done. Here are the strategies that helped our family eat together at least once a day:

o Plan your meals ahead of time.

Be flexible. If your husband works evenings, eat breakfast or lunch together. If he gets home in late evening before the kids go to bed, have a family snack time.

o Take the television set out of the room where you eat.

o Limit the number of activities your children participates in at any one time to free up time for family meals.o Complain to those in charge when your kids’ activities are scheduled during mealtime.

o Have a family scheduling meeting once a week. Write all activities on one calendar. Then schedule mealtime for when the most family members can be home.

o Have the kids help plan menus, prepare meals and set the table. The more they’re involved, the more they’ll be invested in mealtime.When your family sits down to eat, begin take a moment to share spiritual food with your family before digging in. Bow your heads and offer a blessing. When you thank the Father who gives you food to eat, children to nurture, a family to love and a Savior who guides, mealtime blessings multiply.

Always remember that you are the mom. You have the power to make each family mealtime a blessing. By eating together each day, you will send those blessings forward into the lives of your children, their children, and their children’s children.

Kind of gives you an appetite for a family meal, doesn’t it?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jolene Philo is a freelance writer and speaker who lives in Boone, Iowa. She shares her house and her home office with her husband Hiram, daughter Anne, and dachshund Abby. You can learn more about her at her website, www.jolenephilo. com.

Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner

Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner

It's official, Distributors and Hosts are LOVING the new Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner! It is such a convenient way to keep all of your Homemade Gourmet® recipe cards, recipe flyers, In The Mix e-newsletters and the Kitchen Connection magazine all together in one place. And to make the Organizer even easier to use, attach a ribbon or a nylon cord to the zipper for a little more leverage in pulling it closed. A $70 valve for only $35.00, when your show reaches $400.00 in sales!.

Giving...Gives Right Back!

This Post was written by Cindy Pirtle of Homemade Gourmet. You can read this and many more post at Homemade Gourmet's office blog at... http://www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou

Last week, Tami and I were working on recipes and articles to go into the April Kitchen Connection. Loads of work, but loads of fun as well. But, I have to tell you, the absolute, very BEST part of last week was the FILL YOUR FREEZER and PERK YOUR PANTRY contest. It was also that absolute, very HARDEST part.

You see, this entire quarter, Tami and I have been reading these heart warming stories of customers who want and need a Freezer Make Over. They all submitted their coupons, a short essay and a before picture of their freezers. I must say that even if I had never read a word of the essays, some of the freezers almost made me cry.

Want to know why???

All these people were Homemade Gourmet customers!!!!!

How, I ask you, HOW, can a Homemade Gourmet customer’s freezer be in such sad shape?? Luckily, each of those customers also submitted their distributors name, so guess who I am going to be calling???? Ha - you can run, but you cannot hide.

But, I digress. (As usual!) The BEST part, really, really and truly, was to watch this fantastic lady with 3 little boys draped all over her, stand with her mouth open and repeatedly say, “That’s all you have to do???” “Wait, it is that easy??” “What else can I make with that one?” “Oh, my husband is going to be so excited!!” “Hold on, you even have dinner for tonight for us??” There is no greater joy that I have felt in a long time, than to be able to give this family easy great tasting meals and help them know that it was so simple they can do it themselves every month.


I hate to think that could be one of my customers! Please bring me some Joy and let me know if you would like to set up a time for us to fill your freezer!! I'd be more then happy to help you get started, just contact me to schedule your personal session!!!

If you are not in my area, I can help you walk through the steps. We can be on the phone, I can send you details for you to print out, we can discuss this via e-mail. Just becuase there is some distance between us doesn't mean we can't get your freezer full!

Mary Lou

The Lighter Side Bundle

The Lighter Side Bundle, $32.50 retail value for ONLY

· $19.50 (40% off) for March Hosting Special, which includes a FREE Kitchen Connection magazine with purchase
· $26.00 (20% off) for HG Preferred Customers
· $28.50 for Non-Members

We took suggestions provided by Homemade Gourmet® Staff Nutritionist, Susie Bohanan, in her "Susie Says" article featured in the January - March Kitchen Connection magazine to provide a group of delicious mixes that will help keep you meals on the Lighter Side, if you choose! A simple substitution (noted below) will follow Susie's rules for "lightening up" your menu.
The Lighter Side Bundle Includes:
Homemade Gourmet® Taco Soup Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Southwest Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Homestyle Spaghetti Sauce Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Garlic Lemon Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Grandmother's Sunday Roast Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Tortilla Soup Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Awesome Oatmeal Cookie Mix

The Lighter Side Bundle includes the mixes needed to make these recipes included in the January - March Kitchen Connection magazine:

Chicken Kabobs
Black Raspberry Oat Linzer Bar
Garlic Lemon Seasoned Vegetable of your choice!
Southwest Chicken (substitute no salt added tomatoes)
Spaghetti Meal (substitute no salt added tomato sauce and whole wheat pasta)
Creamy Tortilla Chicken (substitute low fat mushroom soup)
Beef Stew (substitute low fat mushroom soup)

Available March 1 - March 31, 2008

Homemade Gourmet Announces: Pantry Staples Made Easy

*All Pantry Staples will be available year-round
*Modest price increase to keep pace with increased
raw material prices
*Effective March 15, 2008, Pantry Staples have been reinvented:
All Pantry Staples will be available year-round for your convenience

Pantry Staples now will be sold as a single package of ingredients with a single price.
No longer will there be options of an original and a refill.
Streamlined pricing with only two price points of $16 or $18 (reflecting a $2 to $6 price increase due to increased costs of raw materials) for all Pantry Staples.

Containers and scoops will be packaged together and sold separately from the Pantry Staple for $5 (a $3 price decrease). (Reminder: Sales tax on non-food items may apply in your state on the containers)

The Pantry Staple Recipe Card Sets will be available for $3 (a $2 price decrease). (Reminder: Sales tax on non-food items may apply in your state on the recipe cards)

Large containers will no longer be available since all Pantry Staples seasonings fit conveniently into the small containers.

The bulk packaging of Pantry Staples remains Homemade Gourmet’s best value, reflecting an average savings of more than 50% over the individual mixes.
Pantry Staple Values
PANTRY STAPLE PRICE APPROXIMATE*MIX EQUIVALENT PRICE PER SINGLE MIX SAVINGS

Tortilla Soup Seasoning 16.00 7 mixes 5.50 $22.50
Old Fashioned Meatloaf 16.00 6 mixes 5.50 $17.00
BLT Seasoning 16.00 7 mixes 4.50 $15.50
Chicken Enchilada 18.00 7 mixes 5.50 $20.50
Mock Spinach Seasoning 16.00 12 mixes 4.50 $38.00
Garlic Basil Seasoning 18.00 14 mixes 4.50 $45.00
Garlic Lemon Seasoning 18.00 15 mixes 4.50 $49.50
Grandmother’s Sunday
Roast 18.00 6 mixes 5.50 $15.00
Homestyle Spaghetti Seasoning
16.00 5 mixes 4.50 $6.50
Italian Mozzarella Meatloaf 16.00 6 mixes 5.50 $17.00
Southwest Seasoning 18.00 7 mixes 4.50 $13.50
Taco Soup Seasoning 16.00 7 mixes 5.50 $22.50
Chipotle Seasoning 16.00 7 mixes 4.50 $13.50
Kansas City Seasoning 16.00 6 mixes 4.50 $11.00
Cilantro Citrus Seasoning 16.00 6 mixes 4.50 $11.00
Tropical Seasoning 16.00 10 mixes 4.50 $29.00
Maria’s Salsa 16.00 12 mixes 4.50 $38.00

Join Us!

March 2008
Homemade Gourmet® mixes and recipes
have a long heritage of amazing tastes
that your friends and family will
remember long after the meal is over.
Along with great tasting products comes
a vision and business opportunity to
help you accomplish
your dreams.
Whether you want just a little “fun
money” or are looking for a more significant income
opportunity, we have the products and
the training to guide your success.
Join us today as a Distributor and get
everything you need to succeed with a
Homemade Gourmet® Starter Kit and
this GREAT Bonus Product opportunity!

It’s a SPECTACULAR time to Join
Us in March for your opportunity
to receive OVER $608 in products
and business supplies for only
$319!
It’s Simple!
Purchase your $79 ($158.75 value) Starter Kit and place a $400 or more
retail first order (qualifies for the 40% discount) and you will
AUTOMATICALLY* receive a:
SPRING SPECTACULAR New
Product Box
Filled with NEW and Returning Favorite Spring and Summer Products!
An additional $51.00 retail value!

Starter Kit includes:


Pantry Basics Collection, Booking/Sponsoring made Simple DVD, Homeshow Live
DVD, 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Planner, Catalogs (pack of 10), Product Flyer (pack of
50), Blank Customer Order Forms, Sponsoring Brochures (pack of 50), Homeshow
Invitations (pack of 50), Personal Webpage, Customer Newsletter Service, Kitchen Connection magazine.
**The $79.00 includes a $29 marketing administration fee which covers the Personal Webpage andCustomer Newsletter for one year. New Distributors must place a minimum $200 retail order at the time of enrollment/agreement

Spring/Summer Limited Edition Products

Available March 15 - August 14, 2008

NEW! JALAPEÑO BACON CHEDDAR DIP MIX, $4.50
The smoky flavors of roasted jalapeño and bacon combine with creamy, mild cheddar for a taste that leaves you wanting more, more, more! Prep Time: 5 minutes, Chill Time: 1 hour. Add: sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese. Yields: 2 cups. #05.0001

NEW! CREAMY CARIBBEAN CHEESEBALL MIX, $4.75
Smooth and creamywith just a splash of mild Caribbean spice for your fresh veggies or favorite snack crackers. Your tastebudswill be doing the conga! Prep Time: 5 minutes, Chill Time: 1 hour. Add: cream cheese. Yields: 1 cup. #05.0002

NEW! APPLEPECAN VINAIGRETTE MIX, $4.00
The sweet and tart flavor of fresh appleswith crunchy pecans is a delightful and delicious combination to complementyour choice of fresh greens, vegetables, and fruit. Thismix is also included in the That’sA Wrap! Sampler on page 23 to create a light and easy wrap menu! Prep Time: 5 minutes, Chill Time: 1 hour. Add: oil, apple cider vinegar. Yields: 1 cup. #04.0002

NEW! MARKET FRESH SAMPLER, $36.00
FREE re-useable Homemade Gourmet® Market Bag, 7 Glad® microwave steamer bags, and an exclusive Recipe flyer!
The Market Fresh Sampler contains everything you need to make your trip to the market easy, with naturally fresh and delicious results! We’ve doubled the mixes
to allow you to sample from 20+ recipe choices that are prepared using the healthful cooking method of steaming featured in the recipe flyer. Packed in a handy giftbox that makes sharing these fresh and delicious recipes easy! #40.0038
— Sampler includes: 2 Homemade Gourmet® Garlic Lemon Marinade Mixes, 2 Homemade Gourmet® MockSpinach Dip Mixes, 2 Homemade Gourmet® GarlicBasilSeasoning Mixes, 2 Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mixes, FREE Box of Glad® microwave steamer bags (7 count), FREE Recipe Flyer and a FREE Homemade Gourmet® reuseable MarketBag.

NEW! KEY LIME CHEESECAKE BALL MIX, $5.00
The cool, tart flavor of key limes rolled into one creamy and deliciousdessert! Fun to dip with graham sticks or fresh fruit. Roll in crushed graham crackers for another sweet option! Prep Time: 15 minutes. Chill Time: 2 hours. Add: cream cheese, butter. Serves 8. #08.0003

NEW! THAT’S A WRAP!SAMPLER, $21.75
Fresh fruits & vegetables wrapped up with Homemade Gourmet® seasonings make delicious light and easymeals in minutes!
Our That’sA Wrap! Sampler includes5 mixes and an exclusive recipe flyer to help you create simply deliciouswraps that allow you to enjoyhealthful choices, fast and easy. Choose from 10+ recipes for a quick and light meal anytime! Packed in a drawstring giftbag that is great for gift giving! #40.0039 —
Sampler includes: 1 Homemade Gourmet® Orange Vinaigrette Mix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Apple Pecan Vinaigrette Mix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Italian
CheeseballMix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Teriyaki Marinade Mix, 1 Homemade Gourmet® Maria’sSalsa Mix and a FREE Recipe Flyer.


NEW! SPRING 4 MEALS IN 4 MINUTES™COLLECTION, $139.50
Includes 60 Recipe Cards!
Includes: Homemade Gourmet® Cilantro Citrus Seasoning PantryStaple, Homemade Gourmet® Tropical Seasoning PantryStaple, 4 PantryStaple
Containers, Homemade Gourmet® Chipotle Steakhouse Rub PantryStaple, Homemade Gourmet® Maria’s Salsa PantryStaple, 4 sets of 15 recipe cards, one for each PantryStaple, Homemade Gourmet® Coleslaw Dressing Mix, Homemade Gourmet® Orange Vinaigrette Mix, Homemade Gourmet®
Creamy Caribbean Cheesebal lMix, Homemade Gourmet® Spanish Rice Mix, Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mix, FREE Re-useable MarketBag,
Homemade Gourmet® Teriyaki Marinade Mix, Homemade Gourmet® Apple Pecan Vinaigrette Mix, Homemade Gourmet® Easy Fried Rice Mix,
Homemade Gourmet® Mom’sSmashed Potatoes Mix, Box of 7 Glad® Steamer Bags and a FREE 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Meal Planner.



Returning Homemade Gourmet® Spring/Summer favorites:

Cool Lemonade Cheesecake Mix
Italian Cheeseball Mix
Tropical Dip Mix
Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
RaspberryVelvet Fruit Dip Mix
Backyard Burger Bundle
Sesame Ginger Stir FryMix
Garlic Pesto Pasta Mix
Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad Mix
Cilantro CitrusMarinade Mix
Lemon PoppySeed Seasoning Mix
Teriyaki Marinade Mix
Mediterranean Pasta Salad Mix
Orange Vinaigrette Mix
Lemon BlueberryMuffin Mix
Mango Tea Mix
Chipotle Steakhouse Rub PantryStaple —now available year round
Cilantro CitrusMarinade PantryStaple —now available year round
KansasCity Rub PantryStaple —now available year round
Maria’s Salsa PantryStaple —now available year round

Homemade Gourmet easy recipes

Grandmas ham casserole
INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons Grandmas Sunday Roast Seasoning
6 potatoes, cubed
6 ounces thin ham steak slices, diced
1 bag frozen broccoli
2 cups shredded cheese, divided
Try: mixed cheese, like cheddar/jack or four cheesecheddar.

DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 400°.
2.Combine all ingredients except for 1 cup of cheese; spoon into a greased 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle on remaining cheese.
3.Bake, covered, for 45 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced with a fork.

Betty's King Ranch Casserole
large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 T Cilantro flavored Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken (if you don't already have this in your freezer, get a roasted chicken from the deli and debone and chop it)
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can (10 oz) Rotel (mild or your choice)
3 T Chicken Enchilada Soup Mix
Corn Tortillas
Grated Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese

Saute onion and bell pepper in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat...about 5 minutes or until tender.
Mix together canned soups, Rotel, Chicken Enchilada Soup Mix and the chopped, cooked chicken. Combine with cooked vegetables.
Tear or cut corn tortillas into 1" pieces. Layer in the bottom of a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.
Top with chicken mixture and grated cheese.
Repeat layers once or twice, ending with grated cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted.

My family didn't like the HG version as well, so I adapted my original King Ranch. If your chicken is already cooked, the prep only takes a few minutes. I use my kitchen shears to cut up the chicken (if I use the deli roasted one) and/or the tortillas. I also have a crinkle cutter (Pampered Chef) and the kids LOVE to help with the tortillas. Since the actual size and shape really doesn't matter, I let them have at it...one less thing for me to do. In fact, other than the cooking of the onion and bell pepper, I can turn the whole thing over to the kids...casseroles are VERY forgiving. Betty Dunn

Herbed Potatoes With Ham
1-2 TBS. HG Garlic Lemon Seasoning Mix
2 pounds red potatoes, cubed
6 oz. Thin smoked ham slices, diced
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 425.
Combine all ingredients except for 1 cup of Swiss cheese; spoon into a greased 9X9 baking dish.
Sprinkle on remaining cheese.
Bake, covered, for 45 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced with a fork.

The Fern and the Bamboo

One day you may decide to quit...

Let's Imagine you have said this before or you are presently thinking about saying this to yourself...I have decided to quit my business, my relationship, my spirituality, my daily focus on achieving My Why...

Imagine this is You...
I wanted to quit my business/life so then I went to the woods to have one last talk with God...
*God*, I said Can You give me one good reason not to Quit?His answer surprised me...

Look around, He said*Do you see the Fern and the Bamboo*?'
Yes', I replied.

When I planted the Fern and the Bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light. I gave them water...
The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Nothing came from the *Bamboo Seed

*But I did not *Quit* on the bamboo...

In the 2nd year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not *Quit* on the Bamboo".

He said...
*In the 3rd year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed...

But I would not quit...
In the 4th year, again, there was nothing from the Bamboo Seed..

But I would *Not Quit*He said...

Then in the 5th year a Tiny Sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the Fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..

But just 6 months later the Bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall...It had spent the five years growing *Roots* Those *Roots* made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive...

I would not give any of My creations a challenge it could not handle...

He said to me...

*Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing *Roots*? I would not *Quit on the Bamboo*...And...I will never quit on you...

Don't compare yourself to others...He said...

*The Bamboo had a different purpose than the Fern, yet they both make the forest beautiful

*'Your time will come', God said to me*You Will Rise High*!"

'How high should I rise?' I asked.

'How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return...

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

*Yes* He said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can"

I left the forest and brought back this story...

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you... Never regret a day in your life...

It is a Root Building Day...

Busy Working Mom?

This post was written by Cindy Pirtle, head of research and development at Homemade Gourmet....you can see this and more on HG's offical blog at www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou


Are you a busy working Mom? Ok, you fit into this category even if you work out of your home. I do that and sometimes it is harder than actually going to an office everyday! (Especially like yesterday, which was a school holiday, so I am trying to work with two girls, yelling, “She’s touching me!”)

I know I have said it before, but really two concepts have kept my family eating well and me from losing my mind. (Don’t say it . . . you have to have a mind Cindy before you can lose it. Ha ha ha) Ok, so the two concepts:


1. 4 meals in 4 minutes - literally saving all kinds of money by purchasing meat and canned goods in bulk and filling my freezer. Not only did I save money on my purchases, I save everday because I already have choices and I do not have to freak out on what to make for dinner and then resort to pizza or drive thrus.


2. Cooking a bunch of meat all at once. Now, I know that I am in Houston so that I have an advantage in that here it is February and I am using my grill outside, but you can use an indoor grill as well. One day a week, I defrost 3-4 different kinds of meat, grill it all at the same time and save loads of time for the rest of my week.

So, for example, this past week, 1. Pork Chops seasoned with oil and 2-3 tablespoons of Maria’s Salsa mix. (The mix, not the prepared salsa.) WOW! 2. Chicken Breasts seasoned with oil and 2-3 tablespoons of Kansas City Seasoning. Double WOW! 3. Crab claws steamed on the grill in a foil pack with butter and 2-3 tablespoons Garlic Lemon Seasoning. (Admission time: I didn’t even fix a plate, I ate these standing at the counter over the trash can. The whole package was 9.29 at Sam’s and my husband and I made ourselves sick eating the entire pack! But, WOW, WOW, WOW! 4. Italian Sausages (I grilled these and later in the week I mixed a can of diced tomatoes with 2 tablespoons Garlic Basil Seasoning in a skillet, added sausages to reheat and served in hot dog buns! 5 minutes and DONE!


I had everything grilled in less than 20 minutes and that provided the meat for 4 meals! Which isn’t really true, because we had leftover pork chops and bbq chicken. I cut up the chicken and mixed it with frozen veggies, instant rice, cream of chicken soup and some milk and baked it for a yummy casserole. The left over pork chops got cut up in a big salad that had my entire produce drawer in it!


If you are a busy working Mom, please, please, please give 4 meals in 4 minutes an opportunity to feed your family great tasting food fast and save you time, money, energy and your sanity!
Do you have time saving ideas to help? Write and let me know.
Cindy

Online Party!

Want to learn about new products and specials of all your favorite companies from the comfort of your own home? Then join us at http://www.mybearbuddy.net/partyroom.htm

I'll be on at 7:00, let me know you're from CafeMom!
February 19, 2008 (Tuesday)

5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Scentsy Candle Frangrances - Suzanne - http://www.scentsy.com/2938
6:30 p.m. Lia Sophia - Peggy Sue - www.liasophia.com/peggysue
7:00 p.m. Homemade Gourmet - Mary Lou - http://www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou 7:30 p.m. Yellow Rose Gifts, Company - Melanie - www.yellowrosegiftsco.com
8:00 p.m. My Bear Buddy - Julie http://www.mybearbuddy.net
8:30 p.m. Arbonne - Chrissy - www.chrissyk.myarbonne.com
9:00 p.m. Avon - Bethany Bell - www.youravon.com/bethanybell

Homemade Gourmet Business Opportunity Call

This is a great chance to hear what Homemade Gourmet can offer you!

When: February 17, 2008-Sunday
Time: 8:00 pm CST

Join Ken Johnson, CEO and Tami VanHoy, Founder, talk about where Homemade Gourmet is heading and how you can soar with the company!!

CALL NUMBER: 712-432-7600 PIN 567489#
Press *6 to mute and again to un-mute.
There will be Q&A time too!

Mary Lou Garcia
Homemade Gourmet, Independent Distributor #12493
www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou

Strawberry Pancake Recipe

StrawberryPancakes

1 HG Strawberry Bread Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 - 10oz package frozen sliced, sweetened strawberries, thawed, un-drained
Whipped topping (optional)
Fresh strawberries, sliced (optional)

Combine all except optional ingredients and stir until well
Blended. Preheat large skillet or griddle to a medium heat.
Spray with cooking spray if needed. Ladle batter onto pan
(Into pancake rings if desired)in approximately 1/4 cup portions.
Cook until bubbles appear on top. Flip and cook until lightly
Browned. Wipe pan with paper towel, add more cooking spray, and
Repeat until all batter is used. Top with whipped topping and fresh
Strawberries, if desired. Serves 6

Kansas City Brisket

On Sunday I wanted to prepare something very easy. I didn't want to be interupted during the commericals!! Who cares about the game, I was watching for the new commericals. Well, last week I had prepared 7 meals for my freezer. One was a Kansas City Brisket. I pulled the brisket out the night before, but it was still frozen. I used a crock pot liner for this meal. So I put the bag in the crock pot and set it on high for 6 hours. We made chopped beef sandwiches! The meat was so tender it just fell apart! My husband-not being a fan of brisket- just loved it. I was so happy to show him I can make a great brisket!! Kathryn just loved her sandwich too. She asked if I could put them in her lunch. They were so tasty that no one complained having it again for Monday's dinner!

Kansas City Brisket

4lb brisket

3 tbsp Homemade Gourmet Kansas City Rub

1/4 cup ketchup

1 can cola

Combine 1st 3 ingreidents in a gallon size freezer bag. Smoosh.

Crock pot: Defrost, place in crock pot, add cola and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Serving suggestions: Serve with corn on the cob, potato salad and HG colesslaw. For dessert enjoy HG Double Chocolate Brownies. Or serve as chopped beef sandwiches.

Left Over idea: Serve as chopped beef baked potato.

Value in the 4 Meals in 4 Minutes Collection

THE 4 Meals in 4 Minutes
— C O L L E C T I O N —

A quick and easy, value packed collection that allows you to make as few as 4 great tasting
meals in 4 quick minutes or as many as 40 plus meals to stock your freezer!

VALUE
Great Taste: Perfectly seasoned and delicious meals that your grandmother would be proud of

without the long preparation time.Homemade Gourmet® has prepared the perfect season blend for your fresh ingredients to provide meals the entire family will love.

Ease: So easy your children can help! If you can put your fresh meat, canned good and Homemade Gourmet® seasoning into a zip top freezer bag and label with the name of the meal, you can be on your way to a great tasting, economical, quick and easy family meal!

Time: Preparing and freezing meals ahead takes minutes, but will save hours in the days and weeks to come when you are busy.

Money: Purchasing fresh meat, canned goods and Homemade Gourmet® products in bulk is much more cost effective easing the burden on your pocketbook. The 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Meal Planner provides ideas for leftovers, turning them into a quick and easy gourmet meal
your family will love. Having prepared fresh meals takes away the last minute more expensive, less healthy, drive through purchases.

Health: The 4 meals in 4 minutes™ program allows each person to customize their meals for their family’s needs. You pick the cut and type of meat and type of canned goods that appeal to your family.

Peace of Mind: “What will I fix for dinner tonight?” This is no longer a stressful question. Every morning, you choose a meal from your freezer for the evening. Homemade Gourmet® even provides you with a planner that gives you ideas for side dishes and leftovers.

Family Time: A gift that is priceless- precious time every night with your family to discuss the day and share stories.

Products to be permanetly retired soon.

Farewell forever
The following products are being permanently retired. They will be available
through Feb. 29 only, then while supplies last as we exhaust inventory:

• Spiced Dip Pantry Staple
• Spiced Dip Refill
• Spiced Molasses Cookie Mix
• No Alarm Chili Mix
• Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Mix
• Basic Cheesecake Pantry Staple
• Basic Cheesecake Refill
• Super Sugar Cookie Mix
• PBJ Crumb Bar Mix
• Mexican Black Bean Mix
• Zesty Catalina Seasoning Mix
Brownie Pie Mix

Farewell for now
Seasonal availability ends Feb. 29 (and then while supplies last until we exhaust inventory)
on the following products (this means, they are expected to return with the
Fall/Winter or Holiday product lines later this year):

• Mocha Cappuccino Muffin Mix
• Tiramisu Cheesecake Mix
• Baked Potato Soup Mix
• Beef and Barley Stew Mix
• Creamy Corn Chowder Mix
• Lucky Bean Soup Mix
• Minestrone Soup Mix
• Mom’s Chicken and Rice Mix
• Cornbread Casserole Mix
• Shepherd’s Pie Mix
• Skillet Lasagna Mix
• Southwest Casserole Mix
• White Chicken Chili Mix
• White Pizza Sauce Mix
• Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix
• Carrot Cake with White Chocolate Icing Mix
• Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Mix
• Strawberry Bread Mix
• White Chocolate Cran-Orange Cookie Mix

Get you order in today! Lots of these will go fast, especially the casserole mixes!

Tonight's Dinner

Today we had German Pork Chops. I got this recipe from the 4 meals in 4 minutes planner that you can find in this month's Kitchen Connection Magazine. This planner has a juice theme. I must admit that I didn't have any interest in this recipe. I wasn't sure how HG Sunday Roast and apple juice would compliment one another. I heard from others that the German Pork Chops were very good, so I thought I should at least try it once. Last week I got my pork chops and chicken breast on sale. After getting home from the grocery store I made 7 meals for my freezer. I did this while the kids were playing baseball with their dad. Tonight was the big test....what would my husband think of this new recipe. He said they were Really Good! All I can say is that I have found another meal that will always be included when I fill my freezer. The pork chops were awesome. They had just a tad bit of sweetness to them. I usually season my pork chops with HG Sunday Roast and a can of cream of mushroom, but I totally love the apple juice instead! I served this meal with corn on the cob and skillet potatoes.

For Dessert I made Easy Apple Dumplings. This recipe was in the August KC magazine. Since I had apple juice left over from the pork chops I thought this was a great time to try the apple dumplings. If I had extra pork chops I actually would have made more German Pork Chops meal kits for my freezer!

Anyway, while the pork chops were in the oven I made the dumplings. This was very easy to do! The smell was just heavenly! When the pork chops were done I placed the apple dumplings in the oven and let them bake while we ate. We let them set for awhile before trying them. I was addicted at first bite! Just perfect! I ran some to my husband and he just loved them. Yes, them, I think he had 3! My daughter also had a big grin while eating hers and wanted more! One hint: The juice you make for the dumplings is actually enough to make 2 batches. I had juice left over so I just poured it all in the pan and then drained it when they were done.


German Pork Chops
6-8 boneless pork chops or chicken
2 cups apple juice
4 tablespoons HG Sunday Roast

Place all ingredients into a gallon sized freezer bag. Seal and smoosh.
Bake, grill or put in crock pot

Easy Apple Dumplings

1/2 cup apple juice
4 tablespoons HG Spiced Dip
2 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 large cooking apples, peeled and cut into 8 wedges
1 8 oz package refrigerated crescent roll dough

1. Preheat over to 375 degrees. Spray an 8-9 in square baking dish with flour based cooking spray.

2. In a sauce pan, stir apple juice, spiced dip and butter over medium low heat until butter melts and spiced dip dissolves.

3. put sugar in a bowl and toss apple wedges to coat.

4. Unroll dough and separate sections. Place 2 apples wedges along the wide edge of each dough piece. Roll up dough around the apple.

5. Arrange in the baking dish. Drizzle the juice mixture over the dumplings. Turn each dumpling over to coat in mixture.

6. Bake, uncovered for 25 minutes or until golden and apples are tender. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

Serves 8

FREE Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner System

Book your February homeshow/mini freezer day by February 1, 2008 and earn the $70 meal planner for FREE!

*Show must be held in February.

*Show must be at least a $500.00 show.

*Must have 1 homeshow book from your show.

**If your show falls below $500 or you don't have a show booked, then you can still get the meal planner for 50% off=$35.00+tax

These specials are only through me and are for February only.

After February you must have a $400 to qualify for 50% off the meal planner.

Specials for February

FREE Strawberry Pancake Set

Homemade Gourmet® strawberry pancakes are a GREAT way to share your love with someone special on Valentine's Day or any day of the year!

Any Direct Ship OR HG Preferred Customer order totaling $75 or more in the month of February will automatically include an exclusive Strawberry Pancake Kit! A $12 retail value- FREE!

This kit includes everything you need to make scrumptious strawberry pancakes for the ones you love:

One Homemade Gourmet® Strawberry Bread Mix
One set of 2 Heart-shaped Pancake Rings
One exclusive recipe flyer for Strawberry Pancakes


Hosting Benefits for February!

FREE mixes to prepare and sample at the Homeshow.
FREE Products equal to 10% of total Homeshow sales!
Four meals in your freezer if Hosting a 4 meals in 4 minutes demonstration!

*with a $400 Home Show you can also earn:
Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner System -A $70.00 retail value, only $35.00.
That's 50% OFF!
40% OFF one of the Pantry Staples of your choice!
FREE Hosting meal kit when sales reach $400 or more!
40% off Bundle of the month

Meal Kit for January through March
Homemade Gourmet® Creamy Italian Casserole Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Coleslaw Dressing Mix
Homemade Gourmet® PBJ Crumb Bar Mix


February 2008 Snuggle Up with Stew Bundle, $32.00 retail value for ONLY $19.20! That’s 40% OFF! *with a $400 show

Get out of the cold and snuggle up with your sweetie over a hearty bowl of stew to beat the winter blues! Try our super easy and heart warming stew and bread recipes featured

in the January - March 2008 Kitchen Connection magazine – see recipes below!

The Snuggle Up with Stew Bundle includes:
Homemade Gourmet® Hearty Beef & Vegetable Soup Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Creamy Corn Chowder Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Grandmother’s Sunday Roast Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Texas Cornbread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® World Vision Basic Bread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Maria’s Salsa Mix


The Snuggle Up with Stew Bundle includes the mixes needed to prepare:
Creamy Corn Chowder Stew
Hearty Camper’s Stew
Brunswick Stew
Salsa Cheddar Bread
Jalepeño Cornbread
Available February 1 - February 29, 2008.

New recipes I've tried

Over the weekend I attend my monthly HG team meeting. Besides being a bunch of fun with my fellow meal planners I got to taste some recipes I hadn't tried. The one that I was most impressed with was the Tomato and Mozzarella Sausage Biscuits. I'm not a big fan of the Tomato Basil Bread, so you can imange my surpise just how delicious these biscuits were!! Guess what I'm going to to....I'm going to make a couple of batches of these and freeze them for a very Fast and Easy breakfast!! Great for on the go...just warm in microwave and go! A batch yields 2 dozen. The other recipe was the Sausage Echilada Dip-wow, what a tasty party dip! Supper easy to make. It had me fooled because it calls for cream chesse instead of veelveta chesse! This is going to be my party dip from now on! Guess where these 2 recipes came from....October's Kitchen Connection Magazine! I also had the Salsa Cheddar Bread from this month's KC Magazine. The salsa wasn't over powering...it gave the Basic Bread Mix a nice little kick. Along with these heavenly dishes I had our new Italian Roast Coffe. This is GOOD! I'm not even much of a coffe drinker. I'm so glad I ordered myself a bag!

Dinner Without Stress!

" In the 22 plus years that I have been a wife, Mom, homemaker and working full time I have NEVER been moved to host any kind of 'product party' until Homemade Gourmet. It so fits into who I am, the life our family leads and what is priority in our life (Faith, Family, Friends). What solidified my decision to host was the response from my family. You have a product that delivers in every sense of the word and I am excited for my 'busy Mom friends' to see what dinner without stress is all about!" ~Milissa B.

Kitchen Connection Magazines

I've been planning my meal calendar for the next two weeks today (here and there). Well, today I decided to go back to my Kitchen Connection Magazines, and I'll tell you why. I normally use my recipe cards from all of my Pantry Staples. These are all in my meal planner organizer....literally 100's of entrees at my finger tips! Well, I decided I needed to try something different. I guess I just feel like I'm in that 'trap', you know the one, where you keep making the same things because you are familiar with them. Recently, I've been reading all the fabulous reviews that other HG Meal Planners have been saying on our HG group. They have been talking about the new 4 meals in 4 minutes planner from this month's KC magazine. As I'm reading the post I'm thinking, "wow, that sounds yummy, or I have to try that one!" So, this month , it is all about the past years 4m4m recipes that I have yet to try!

When I get a new edition of a KC magazine I pull out the 4m4m meal planner, hole punch it, and then put in my meal planner organizer. Today I grabbed them out, and so far I have 6 meals I'm ready to try! Of course, I'll make sure to add a bit more meat in each freezer bag to insure leftovers! Remember COST Cooking!!

I didn't stop there. I'm in need of different sides and dessert ideas. I've been going through each KC magazine to find these recipes. It reminded me just how valuable the KC magazines are. I have found at least 1 side/dessert recipe in each edition that I want to make in the next few weeks. I don't pull any of these other recipes out of the magazine, but you could and hole punch to add to your personal organizer.

Well, don't find yourself making the same thing week after week-there's no need to with the valuable resources HG gives us! Now that my menu is planned and my grocery list made...I just need to hit Sam's tomorrow and then it's Meal Making time!

I would love to hear which recipes your family loves from a KC magazine!!

Game Day-Gourmet!

Score a touchdown with Homemade Gourmet's great recipe ideas for that football game in your home.

No need to be in the kitchen all evening and miss the game, or no need to buy expensive trays at the grocery store. Serve a Great Tasting Game Day menu for your friends...or your family.

Menu:
*Easy Buffalo Wings
* White Pizza Pepperoni Bites
* Philly Cheese Steak Pocket
*Tailgate Chipotle Dip....a big hit with the guys
* Mozzarella Sticks
*Beef and Vegetable Layered Dip
* White Chocolate Cran Orange Bar Cookies
* Bacon Bites

Make sure you place your order now! And I'll send you the recipes!

NEW! Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner!!

Coming February 1, 2008!

Recipe Organizer and Meal Planner System
A $70.00 retail value, only $35.00. That's 50% OFF! Extra benefit exclusively for Homeshow Hosts!

Keep all of your Homemade Gourmet® recipe cards, recipe flyers, In The Mix e-Newsletters, and Kitchen Connection magazines all in one convenient planner! Includes a red zip-up binder, 20 recipe card sleeves, 10 blank tabs, instructional CD with meal planning tips, calendars, grocery list and more! Additional sets of 20 recipe card sleeves will be available for sale ala carte March 1. Note: recipe cards are not included.

Schedule your Meal Solutions Class now!

You need Homemade Gourmet if...

1. You hate to cook or like to cook.

2. You don't know what you are having for dinner 2 days from now.

3. You get the 3 o'clock dinner dilemma- around 3:00pm you realize you have not planned dinner and you're wondering what you are going to do!

4. If your family eats out more then you would like.

5. You are an impulse buyer at the grocery store-buying items that look good, getting more then you need, and still don't have anything to cook!

6. You give up on dinner when you forget to thaw out the meat and end up either going out to eat, order take out, or just eat a bowl of cereal.

7. You would like to save time and money!

8. You believe spending time at the dinner table with your family is important!!!!


It is proven that kids that do not have quality time with their family at the dinner table will have problems in school and in society.

Food For Thought

I've missed more than 9,000 shots. I've lost almost 300 games. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. ~Michael Jordan

C.O.S.T. Cooking....Cook Once Serve Twice

I wanted to share the benefits of COST cooking. Leftovers don't have to be a bad thing. With a little planning you can stretch your grocery budget. With our "cleverly disguised leftovers" options your family won't even know the difference.

So here's my COST Cooking week...

Day 1: I steamed 3 lbs of ground beef (using Tami’s Tip). I seasoned 2 lbs of the meat with Garlic Basil seasoning. I also made a large bag of spaghetti and a pot of spaghetti sauce. We had spaghetti that same night.

Day 2: I diced up chicken breast and sprinkled with Garlic Lemon seasoning. We made Chicken quesodillas.

Day 3: I made 2 batches of Dream Spaghetti with leftovers from Day 1. I used 2 8×8 glad pans. We ate one this night and the other is in my freezer for next week. The kids ate this up so fast! I’m glad I have more!! Served with a salad.

Day 4: Beef Tacos, using the unseasoned ground beef from Day 1. I sprinkled Taco Soup and Enchilada Soup to the meat, added a bit of water and warmed it up. I used the leftover sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes from Day 3. We also had chips and salsa.

Day 5: We had Beef Stew tonight. This was so yummy! Plus, I used a slow cooker liner which means I don't have to clean the crock pot! Also made 2 8×8 pans of Texas Corn bread. One was for tonight and the other is in the freezer.

Day 6: Tomorrow we'll be having Cranberry Almond Pasta salad with Day 2 leftover Garlic lemon chicken.

Day 7: Beef Pot Pie using Day 5 leftover stew.

What have you had this week?


Dream Spaghetti

8 oz spaghetti noodles
3 cups prepared Homestyle Spaghetti Sauce
1 1/2 lbs cooked ground beef
8 oz cottage cheese
4 oz sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Combine sauce and cooked beef.

3. Combine cottage cheese and sour cream.

4. In a 9x13 pan, layer bottom with cooked pasta, spread on the cheese mixture, top with meat mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes. Serves 6-8

Beef Stew

3 lbs Stew meat
1 Homemade Gourmet Sunday Roast Seasoning
1 Can cream of mushroom
1/2 can water
1 bag frozen stew vegetables

1. Combine all ingredients in a crock pot.

2. Cook on low for 8 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.

This is a great freezer meal. Make a couple of batches when stew meat goes on sale! Put all ingredients in a slow cooker liner and then put the bag into a gallon size freezer bag.

Low Carb spaghetti

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.
Pierce 1 medium spaghetti squash several times with fork, place in a shallow baking pan, and bake until tender, about 40-60 minutes
Cool, cut open, remove and discard seeds, and scrape squash out with a fork.

Free, 1 hour meal planning/making session!

With the new year among us a lot of us begin to think about health and nutrition. I know that when I'm prepared and I have a freezer full of meals my family eats healthy. When I'm not prepared it's just too easy for us to run down the street to our local Jack in the Box or to my hubby's favorite Mexican restaurant.With Homemade Gourmet, you can have nutritious meals and tasty dinners for your family all year long! I encourage and challenge you to keep your Freezer Full in 2008 and reap the rewards. Rewards such as saving time, money, and peace of mind!

Homemade Gourmet has made filling your freezer simple! There are so many Homemade Gourmet resources you can use to accomplish this goal! You have the quarterly Kitchen Connection Magazine, the "In The Mix" monthly e-newsletter, two 4Meals in 4 Minutes Collections, and loads of recipes that come with each Pantry Staple Seasonings. HG will even give you a 20% discount for the needed HG mixes just by joining the HGP club!

You will want to get your copy of the January Kitchen Connection ASAP! This issue contains a Fill Your Freezer make-over that our lucky customer was surprised with! Tami and Cindy left her with a total of 36 meal choices which included 16 dinner choices, 15 bonus meals, and 5 meal starters. Your freezer can look the same. Try this on your own...you will be satisfied with the results! ALSO-- Submit your entry form for a chance to win your own Freezer and Pantry Make over...
https://www.homemadegourmet.com/VirtualOfficeImages/Documents/FreezerMakeover.pdf


Want to have a freezer full of dinner choices, but you still feel overwhelmed?
Relax!

I'm going to help get you started so that you will feel comfortable with meal planning/preparation!! During your 1 hour session, I will go to your kitchen to help you make a menu, set a meal calendar and prepare meals with you. For January through March we will concentrate on the same meals that are in the January KC. Your freezer will look like the lucky customer's! See photo. This class is FREE with your purchase of the need Homemade Gourmet mixes.

Contact me for more details and to schedule your session!



If you are not ready for that many meals and would rather start small...then I would recommend gathering a group of 5+ friends together at your kitchen for a Mini fill your freezer session. You will chose which 4 to 5 meals your group will be making.

Have a 4 Meals in 4 Minutes Collection just sitting in your pantry? Then call me today!! I'd be happy to schedule you a 1 hour session!!
____________________________________________________________________

It's exciting to hear that HG has added a staff nutritionist, Susie Bohanan, RD, to our team! You will find her article (this month's KC) delightful with simple tips to make our meals more lean and healthful recipes. Included in this section is a HG customer's persoanl testimony on how she lost 42 pounds by eating with HG mixes/seasonings!
____________________________________________________________________

My Hostess Won!

I'm so excited for my hostess, Shiva, today she won a Kitchen Aid Toaster ($50 value)!! Ken Johnsen~Company Chairman-personally called her this morning.

We never heard the phone ring during the show, so you can imagine my surprise when I had a voice mail from HG's CEO saying that Shiva had won. He then went on to say that he finally got a hold of Shiva and had a great conversation with her and is mailing her her toaster!
This was followed by Shiva's voice mail (sounding very excited) saying that Ken called her to tell her she won!!

I'm so excited that one of my hostess won....hopefully more will win! I still have a couple of dates available in January.

I had so much fun at today's 4 Meals in 4 Minutes class! She had a great group of friends that loved the ease and simplicity of preparing ready to go meals. I love what I do because it allows me to show others how to save time and money! Dinner time can be stressful without the right tools or planning....Homemade Gourmet is the solution! If you would like help with dinner time, let me know and we can set up a time to get your freezer ready! I'm more then happy to help!

To order you favorite Homemade Gourmet meal solutions...
www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou

Free forms for organization.

I came by this site recently and find it very helpful with organization. There are many catagries, but I wanted to make you aware of some that will help you with your freezer management. If you click on the 'household Notebook' link then go to the 2nd page you will find the printable forms titled...Month of Meals and Freezer Inventory. http://www.householdnotebook.com/

Chicken Manicotti

Super Easy Chicken Manicotti

4 cups Prepared Homemade Gourmet spaghetti sauce
1 TBS Homemade Gourmet Garlic Basil Seasoning
1 1/2 pounds fresh chicken breast tenders
14 uncooked manicotti shells (8 ounces)
1 can (2 1/2 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

1. Spread about 1 to ½ Cups of the spaghetti sauce in rectangular baking dish, 13 x 9.

2. Sprinkle garlic basil seasoning on chicken. Insert chicken into uncooked manicotti shells, stuffing from each end of the shell to fill if necessary. Place shells on spaghetti sauce in dish.

3. Pour remaining sauce evenly over shells, covering completely. Sprinkle with olives and cheese.

To Store:Refrigerator: cover unbaked manicotti tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate no longer than 24 hours.
Freezer: Wrap unbaked manicotti tightly with aluminum foil and label.Freeze no longer than 1 month.

To Cook from
Refrigerator:Oven: About 1 hour before serving, heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake in covered baking dish about 1 hour or until shells are tender.

To Cook from Freezer:Oven: About 1 1/2 hours before serving, heat oven to 350 degrees.Baked in covered baking dish about 1 1/2 hours or until shells are tender.

Refrigerating this dish for 24 hours helps to soften the pasta.

January 2008 Kitchen Connection

WOW! I just read through the entire new Kitchen Connection Magazine! I'd been looking forward to receiving my copy, but boy did I under estimate it! It is jammed pack of lots of wonderful articles!!

It starts of with one of Tami's favorite soups....Broccoli and cheese potato soup.

1 HG Baked Potato Soup
4 cups water
1 cup milk
1 can cheddar cheese soup
2 1/2 cups broccoli florets, frozen
salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil, slowly, over medium heat to prevent scorching. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Soups Ready!


Next is a beautiful spread of our new products with special recipes.

Then the Fill Your Freezer Section follows. This is awesome! Anyone can do this at home! Kristen, a lucky winner of the Fill your Freezer makeover, is shown making her meals and learning a great deal with Tami and Cindy. Her freezers holds 16 dinner choices, 15 bonus meals, 5 meal starters along with many more options in her pantry! Make sure to enter the Freezer Makeover Contest!!!

Of course in the middle, is the newest 4 meals in 4 minutes planner (a new one is included with each edition of the KC magazine). Remember each meal planner has 8 dinner choices and 8 bonus meals to make with leftovers and grocery list.

It's exciting to hear that HG has added a staff nutritionist, Susie Bohanan, RD, to our team! You will find her article delightful with simple tips to make our meals more lean and healthful recipes. Included in this section is a HG customer's testimony on how she lost 42 pounds by eating with HG mixes/seasonings!

Soup, stews, and bread recipe cards round out this edition of the Kitchen Connection Magazine.

If you're ready to get a variety of flavor, ease of preparation, and peace of mind with getting dinner made for your family, then you won't want to miss this edition! Order your copy now! HGPerfered members get one free with their monthly bundle. They are $4.00 each or as a special from me, FREE with a $40.00 purchase.

It's been a while since I've had time to post about meal time...sorry! So, I wanted to go back to December when I planned ahead. This continues from my post back on the 17th.

Well, my pre-cooked ground beef was a great help to me during the holiday rush. With 2 lbs of meat I made Homemade Gourmet's Bonnie's Blue Ribbon Chili. I also made Texas Cornbread muffins. My husband just loves the chili. The kids don't eat this since it has a bit of a spiciness to it. It makes so much that I had some for lunch and we had again for dinner that same week. I saved money and time with just this one meal!!

With another pound of meat we had tacos!! I simply thawed my meat, added 1 tablespoon of HG Taco and Tortilla Seasoning, just a bit of water , then heated in the microwave. I warmed up pre-made taco shells, took our our sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes and dinner was done! Oh yea, I also made HG's Hot Enchilada Dip. My daughter just loved her tacos. I made myself a taco salad instead of just tacos. It was a great/easy meal that everyone loved. With the leftovers, I was able to get lunch for me and the kids the next day.

For the last 1lb of meat...I added this to my remaining Hot Enchilada Dip (makes a ton) for a holiday party. This was a great hit and I had a quick and yummy dip that I just had to warm up!!

What meals are in your freezer?

Hot Enchilade Dip

3 1/2 tablespoons-or to your taste- Chicken Enchilada Seasoning
1 10oz can Rotel (diced tomatoes with or with out green chilies)
22oz Velveeta Cheese, cubed
1 cup milk

Combine all ingredients in 1 1/2 quart pan.
Heat slowly on medium heat, stirring often.
Serve with chips.

Even easier when made in a crockpot!

HGP customer specials

-All NEW HGP members who sign up this month will receive a coffee sample of the exclusive Homemade Gourmet® Estate Blend as a welcome gift in the mail!

-Monthly members who joined prior to November 1, 2007 will receive their FREE gift this month! The gift will include a full-size bag of the exclusive Homemade Gourmet® Estate Blend coffee along with a Thank You note with fun coffee facts and trivia.

Become a Homemade Gourmet® Distributor.
It's a Delicious Opportunity.

Join Us in January and receive
a FREE New Product Launch Box*, a $61.50 retail value!

Bring your family back to the dinner table!
Exceptional products that offer quality, convenience and value.
Love your job!
Earn unlimited income, bonuses, incentives and even fabulous vacations!
Be your own boss.
A unique taste testing Homeshow everybody wants to attend.
Flexible schedule; work your business full time or part time.

*With purchase of a Starter Kit and minimum $400 Activating order.

Win a Freezer Makeover!

Introducing the Perk Your Pantry and Fill Your Freezer Contest !!!!

YOUR CUSTOMER could receive a Fill Your Freezer Makeover by Homemade Gourmet® Founder Tami VanHoy and Cindy Pirtle from Homemade Gourmet’s® Research & Development Department. Our very own dynamic duo will be traveling across the USA Filling the Freezers and Perking the Pantries of some very deserving families ... and YOUR CUSTOMER could be one of them! Each Kitchen Connection magazine for the remainder of 2008 will feature a fantastic Freezer Makeover! Make sure your customers check out the Fill your Freezer makeover in the NEW January – March magazine and fill out the entry form TODAY.

Customer/Hostess Specials

Customer Specials of the Month

January 2008
Fill Your Freezer Bundle with a FREE BLT Dip Mix, $35.00 retail value for ONLY $30.50!

Create 8 mouth-watering meals in a FLASH! Instead of wondering what’s for dinner, simply make your choice from a freezer full of delicious options. Use the simple steps and ingredients featured in the Winter 2008 Kitchen Connection magazine to create the fabulous recipes listed below!

The Fill Your Freezer Bundle includes:
FREE Homemade Gourmet® BLT Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Grandmother’s Sunday Roast Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Southwest Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Zesty Catalina Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Chipotle Steakhouse Rub Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Tomato Basil Soup Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Maria’s Salsa Mix

Preferred Customer Price is only $28.00 (this includes the members-only 20% discount)!
The easy recipes using THIS bundle are featured in the January - March 2008 Kitchen Connection magazine!

Recipes are:
Hawaiian Round Steak
Burgundy Beef Tips
Southwest Chicken
Zesty Catalina Chicken
Cranberry Spiced Pork Chops
Raspberry Pork Tenderloin
Tomato Basil Pork Chops
Salsa Pork Chops

Available January 1 - January 31, 2008.

Hosting Specials of the Month January 2008

Fill Your Freezer Bundle, $35.00 retail value for ONLY $21.00! That’s 40% OFF!! *with a qualifying show

Hosting Meal Kit for January through March – FREE with a $400 Home Show!

Homemade Gourmet® Creamy Italian Casserole Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Coleslaw Dressing Mix
Homemade Gourmet® PBJ Crumb Bar Mix

JANUARY HOSTESS EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE!

Cozy Coffee BundleA $37.50 value for only $18.75! That’s 50% off!
When you host a minimum $400 retail Homeshow.

Includes one each of the NEW products:
Homemade Gourmet® Estate Blend coffee - ground
Homemade Gourmet® Italian Roast coffee - ground
Homemade Gourmet® Tiramisu Cheesecake Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Mocha Cappuccino Muffin Mix


February 2008 Customer Special
Snuggle Up with Stew Bundle with a FREE Maria’s Salsa Mix, $32.00 retail value for ONLY $27.50!

Get out of the cold and snuggle up with your sweetie over a hearty bowl of stew to beat the winter blues! Try our super easy and heart warming stew and bread recipes featured in the January- March 2008 Kitchen Connection magazine – see recipes below! #40.1023
The Snuggle Up with Stew Bundle includes:
FREE Homemade Gourmet® Maria’s Salsa Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Hearty Beef & Vegetable Soup Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Creamy Corn Chowder Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Grandmother’s Sunday Roast Seasoning Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Texas Cornbread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® World Vision Basic Bread Mix

Preferred Customer Price is only $25.60 (includes members-only 20% discount)!
The easy recipes using THIS bundle are featured in the January - March 2008 Kitchen Connection magazine!

Recipes are:
Creamy Corn Chowder Stew
Hearty Camper’s Stew
Brunswick Stew
Salsa Cheddar Bread
Jalepeño Cornbread

Available February 1 - February 29, 2008.

New Products

The NEW January – March 2008 edition of the Kitchen Connection magazine NOW available!

Since its creation, the Kitchen Connection magazine has gotten better with each issue, and the January – March 2008 issue is no exception! This issue includes a heartwarming collection of stew, soup and bread recipes with which to cozy up in front of the fire this winter, a new 4 meals in 4 minutes™ planner, a dramatic Fill Your Freezer makeover and contest announcement and MORE. Order yours now so you will have these great recipes and meal ideas at your fingertips! Free for HGP members, Free with a $40 purchase, or $4.00 each.

Homemade Gourmet adds new coffees to line of delicious foods!

“In addition to our full line of fresh spices and easy-to-make food
mixes, Homemade Gourmet now offers two exclusive coffee blends
from a small, family-owned plantation in El Salvador. This is
gourmet coffee like you’ve never tasted before – fresh, smooth and
flavorful. It’s grown on the side of a volcano in high altitudes and
hand-picked, all of which contribute to its flavor and aroma. If you
like a medium roast, try our Homemade Gourmet Estate Blend. If
you like a little bit darker roast – but not too dark – try our Italian
Roast.”

“If you drink coffee for the caffeine fix alone, you can probably find
a more affordable way to settle your morning nerves – maybe
flavor is not a priority for you. But if you savor that first cup of
coffee or you’re looking for a coffee you can proudly serve to your
guests, Homemade Gourmet’s coffee is an affordable luxury. And
even better, you can get our coffee for free if you choose to host a
Homeshow or Coffee Break.”

Homemade Gourmet Estate Blend is described as “magnificent and brilliant with notes of sweet jasmine, it seduces the soul of the one who tastes it and the one with whom it is shared. This blend is strictly high altitude grown and selected to European grade. A medium body blends with a complex sweet acidity to leave you wanting more. This medium roast is the coffee you will serve at breakfast and all throughout the day!”

The Italian Roast is “dark and delectable, like chocolate and honeysuckle.
Beginning with a light floral aroma, this cup has a medium body balanced by undertones of dark chocolate and a hint of fresh honey. The dark flavor maintains intensity without overpowering lighter notes in the cup. This ‘lighter side’ of a dark roast is the perfect coffee for after dinner or with a delicious dessert.”

“Homemade Gourmet recommends you purchase only enough
coffee to drink between orders for the freshest possible cup.
Investing in whole beans, grinding them yourself, using fresh
filtered water – all of this will contribute to the best possible flavor.
If you’re drinking the coffee throughout the day, I recommend you
serve it from a thermos, rather than from the coffee maker, so that
the coffee doesn’t sit and cook all day.”

“If you look forward to your cup of coffee every morning, you
would enjoy Homemade Gourmet’s coffee for its flavor and
freshness. This is a gourmet coffee completely unlike the mass
marketed brands of coffee you can get at your local grocery.”

Also coming back in January....Perfect Complements to the Perfect Cup of Coffee....available while supplies last...January 1-February 29, 2008.

Mocha Cappuccino Muffins-$6.50
Tiramisu Cheesecake-$6.00