Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Proud Mommy




I'm so proud of my precious daughter!! She made our city's 6U All-star softball team, Pearland Power!! She has come a long way from playing with the dirt in the outfield three years ago to an awesome hitter and a did a great job this Spring at 1st base.


I've been so busy with practices, meetings, games, and tournaments that I've haven't had much time to post much on my blog. But I must say....thank goodness for Homemade Gourmet!! Even though we haven't been able to eat many meals at home, HG has helped us have some home cooked meals. If I didn't have these easy meals to put together we definitely would have been eating out all the time!
Some of the fastest meals that I've been able to put together have been spaghetti and meat sauce with a side salad. I keep my freezer stocked with precooked/seasoned ground beef (Garlic Basil) and have spaghetti sauce already made. You can't go wrong with spaghetti....the kids love it and it only takes a few minutes to cook the noodles and heat the meat and sauce...then it's out the door for softball!!


Something else that has helped with this busy time is to keep shredded chicken in the freezer. I've been buying the rotisserie chicken from my local Wal-Mart, and I bag the remaining chicken in quart-sized freezer bags for quick salads.....the Apple Pecan Vinaigrette is a new favorite of mine and I keep this in my refrigerator!!. I've also been keep plenty of fresh fruits around.

So, even in the busiest of times, you can serve your family a very healthy and delicious home cooked meal!

I'm also thankful for having HG as a business. I've been able to stay home with my little one and I'm home when my daughter gets out from school. There is no way I would have been able to get her fed and have her homework completed if I still had a 9-5 job. We are usually out the door by 5:00ish on most nights and get home late....just enough time to get the kids a bath and read them a book or two.

Back to being a proud Mommy....The 6u Pearland Power took home a first place trophy last week at a local tournament!! The Power has been district and state champions for the last 3 years, and we are making our way to the 4th straight win.....I'll keep you posted. District is this weekend and state is at the end of the month.




The 6u Pearland Power is still looking for sponsors...please contact me if your company would like to make a tax deductible contribution.






World Vision Caregiver Kits

Homemade Gourmet is partnering with World Vision to equip and encourage a network of 59,000 volunteer caregivers in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. These caregivers are making a world of difference for those impacted by AIDS. But too often, poverty denies them access to the supplies they need to safely and effectively prolong lives and comfort the sick. We can help equip them with the supplies they desperately need!

Why are we doing this?

Assembling Caregiver Kits is an effective, hands-on way we can:
• Show compassion for those suffering from AIDS
• Equip caregivers with the practical materials they need
• Encourage caregivers to continue caring selflessly for their neighbors


What's in a Caregiver Kit?

Caregiver Kits contain basic items such as antibacterial soap, latex gloves, cotton balls, and medications that improve and prolong the lives of those living with AIDS while protecting caregivers and preventing the spread of infection.

Our Caregiver Kit Event

On July 17-18, 2008 at Family Reunion, we will have the opportunity to build a Caregiver Kit(s) and support the Caregiver Kit program. Each kit costs $32 including all shipping and handling. We would like to raise enough funds to build 100 kits! You can give by donating online at www.firstgiving.com/hgcarekits. You will receive a tax-deductible receipt from World Vision by email for your gift.

To see a four-minute video from World Vision about the Caregiver Kits, go to
http://media.worldvision.org/docs/caregivers_docs/corp/cg_corp_video.swf.
For more information about Caregiver Kits, visit www.worldvision.org/wvcarekits.

Business Opportunity Call-May 27

Business Opportunity Call (30 minutes): This is an opportunity for 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 informational. Last 10 minutes Q & A.


Call number is 1-800-608-4241
Pin is 42231318#

Warning for Chocolate lovers...

Chocolate to G0-GO! Stock up NOW!

Due to potential for melting, Homemade Gourmet® products containing chocolate will not be available from June 1 - September 30, 2008. Stock up on Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake Mix and Double Chocolate Brownie Mix by May 31st so that you can offer these favorites through the hot summer months.

Get ready for your family Pizza night!

It-za Pizza Kit! Coming in May

It-za Pizza Kit!, $54.50, includes FREE recipe Meal Planner and ergonomic stainless steel Pizza Cutter!

Preferred Customer Price: Only $43.60 for HG Preferred customer with their 20% discount!

The Month of May is merry in many ways including graduation events, bridal showers, outdoor brunches and lunches, all kinds of family celebrations -- and Homemade Gourmet® PIZZA for every occasion! The It-za Pizza Kit includes everything you need to make EIGHT different pizzas! Whether served as a meal, snack, appetizer or even breakfast, pizza is sure to please. We have even included the World's Best Pizza Cutter for FREE!

The It-za Pizza Kit! includes the mixes needed to make:
Tomato Basil Pizza Crust Breakfast Pizzas
Garden Herb Pizza Santa Fe Nacho Pizza
Apple Pizza
(w/ Spiced Dipping Sauce) Easy Pizza Sauce
Mini Pizzas Barbeque Chicken Pizza
BLT Pizza

The It-za Pizza Kit! includes:
Homemade Gourmet® Tomato Basil Bread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Grandmother's Sunday Roast Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Spiced Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Kansas City Rub
Homemade Gourmet® World Vision Basic Bread Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Homestyle Spaghetti Sauce
Homemade Gourmet® Taco Soup Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Tropical Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® Black Bean Salsa Mix
Homemade Gourmet® BLT Dip Mix
Homemade Gourmet® stainless steel pizza cutter, a $9 value - FREE

Friday, April 11, 2008

Natural food vs Organic foods

I attended a healthy eating seminar this week and it really opened my eyes to the type of foods we expose our children to every day. So, naturally every thing that sparks interest to me I have to 'investigate' (which means I do lots of reading/research).

I've been interested in the Organic craze, but never took the time to really learn about it until recently. Also, I've seen the word 'Natural' on some of the foods that I've been purchasing lately. Natural sounded great so I just started picking it up...mainly lunch meat. In my search for answers I came across this article (written by: the Food Marketing Institute)
that states the differences between Organic and Natural foods. For the full article to go: http://www.fmi.org/media/bg/natural_organic_foods.pdf

The great thing about cooking with my Homemade Gourmet seasonings is that I'm able to choose the type of ingredients I use. I can use organic , or low sodium soup, fresh or frozen tomatoes, low fat or fat free varieties, and/or Natural food items. I'm so excitied that HG brought in a Registered Dietitian to our staff! Keep your eye on our Kitchen Connect magazines for Susie's healthier versions of our Homemade Gourmet recipes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Are natural and organic foods the same?

No. The term “natural” is not regulated except for meat and poultry. It applies
broadly to foods that are minimally processed and free of synthetic
preservatives; artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and other artificial additives;
hydrogenated oils; stabilizers; and emulsifiers. Most foods labeled
natural are not subject to government controls beyond the regulations and
heath codes that apply to all foods.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requires natural
meat and poultry to be free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives
and ingredients. These products must be minimally processed in
a method that does not fundamentally change them. The label must also
explain the use of the term natural such as no artificial ingredients. Labeling
meat and poultry products natural does not refer to how the sources of
those foods were raised.

“Organic” refers not only to the food itself, but also to how it was
produced. Foods labeled organic must meet or exceed the regulations of
the National Organic Program (NOP), which took effect October 21, 2002.
They must be grown and processed using organic farming methods that recycle
resources and promote biodiversity. Crops must be grown without
using synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, petroleum-based fertilizers
and sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Organic livestock must have access
to the outdoors and be given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
Organic foods may not be irradiated.

What's a Mom to Do?

This article can be found at The American Dietic Association at www.eatright.org. You can read the entire Nutrition Fact Sheets,or even print it out, along with many other helpful nutrition facts and healthy eating tips


Most moms agree that feeding their family well is very important. According to a
new survey commissioned by Wendy’s®, 80% of moms would like to get their kids
to eat healthier—but many obstacles get in their way. Families juggle busy
schedules that make it difficult to eat together and don’t leave enough time to
shop or cook. Nearly 40% of moms surveyed feel that healthy foods don’t always
taste good. For others, the challenge is a family that doesn’t want to eat healthy
foods or is on a limited food budget.


Busy moms—especially young moms—are also
frustrated by the flood of changing nutrition
advice, especially as they try to make sensible
dietary decisions for their families. Moms have a
wealth of concerns when it comes to their
children’s eating habits. The top concern, shared
by more than four-in-10 moms, is that kids are not
eating enough fruits and vegetables. Picky eaters
and eating too much junk food round out the top
three overall concerns of moms.

What’s a mom to do? Start with these easy,
practical tips:

• Make mealtime family time. Try to have at
least one meal a day together. Eating meals as
a family can actually improve your children’s
food habits since kids tend to eat more fruits,
vegetables and dairy foods at meals shared
with their parents.


• Get the family involved in meal planning
and preparation. Your kitchen can be a
learning laboratory. Give kids simple tasks to
help with family food shopping, preparation
and cleanup. Children are more likely to eat
foods that they have helped to prepare.


• Be a good role model. Moms and dads often
tell their kids to eat healthy but don’t follow
the advice for themselves. Make sure you set
a good example for your family. Healthy
eating is a lifestyle—not a fad. It needs to be
a family affair that begins at an early age.


• Try something new. Set a goal to include
one new food or recipe each week. You’ll
soon discover new favorites to incorporate
into family menus. When you want your
children to eat more fruits and vegetables, try
a new or exotic variety like mangoes or
tangelos. To make fruit easier to eat, serve it
in bite-sized pieces with some yogurt for
delicious dipping!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Host a 4 meals in 4 minutes® demonstration…

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!


Including:
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!

PLUS!

FREE Products equal to 10% of total Homeshow sales!

40% OFF one of the Pantry Staples of your choice!

FREE Hosting meal kit when sales reach $400 or more!

FREE mixes to prepare and sample at the Homeshow.

Four meals in your freezer if Hosting a 4 meals in 4 minutes™ demonstration!

Mini Spring 4 meals in 4 minutes



This month we wanted to give you a sample of the BEST that Homemade Gourmet® has to offer...
4 meals in 4 minutes™


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. If you have our Original 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Collection, this is your opportunity to sample the Spring/Summer Collection! We have taken a sampling of the meals from the Spring/Summer 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!
All you have to do is follow the simple instructions in this planner and from your first 4 meals will be able to create 4 additional meals without a lot of extra cooking!

After you have tried this months suggested meal plan, we think you are going to want to do it over and over — so be sure to see the FREE Cool Lemonade Cheesecake Mix Offer!
Here are a few things you need to know about following this month’s 4 meals in 4 minutes™ meal planner:

HOW DO I READ THE MEAL PLAN?
􀂄 The left column tells you a suggested menu to go with the featured entrée.
􀂄 The center column tells you the recipe for creating the featured entrée in advance.
􀂄 The right column tells you how to turn leftovers from your entrée into a completely new
BONUS meal that requires little to no cooking time!

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO USE THIS MEAL PLAN?
􀂄 The 4 meals in 4 minutes™ concept refers to making the 4 recipes in the center column at the same time in just 4 minutes! They are made in zip top freezer bags that can be labeled and placed in the freezer for easy use when you are ready.
􀂄 We suggest you take a few minutes after receiving your products and prepare the 4 recipes in advance as suggested. Place them in your freezer and use them over the next month. The planner explains that you can choose one of 3 cooking options when you are ready to prepare them:
􀂊 Slow cooker
􀂊 Baked in the oven
􀂊 Grilled
HAVE LEFTOVERS? GREAT!
􀂄 The 4 meals in 4 minutes™ concept is best when the third column bonus meal idea is taken
advantage of! It uses leftover meat from your entrée recipe. Each of the center column recipes calls for enough beef, chicken or pork to feed a family of 4 with leftovers. If you are feeding a larger family, you can add up to 2 more chicken breasts or pork chops or an extra pound of meat and not have to increase the other ingredients. This will stretch the main entrée to feed up to 6 with leftovers.
Order your Mini Collection today, or earn it free by hosting your own 4 meals in 4 minutes class-plus you'll have these 4 meals in your freezer after the show!!!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

CHAT with Us...

You are invited to join
Executive Director, Courtney Wright
for a
Homemade Gourmet
C.H.A.T.
(Come Have a Taste of Homemade Gourmet)
on
Saturday, April 12th
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Freeman Library Children's Room
16616 Diana Ln.
Houston, TX 77062
281-488-1906
If you would like to learn more about the Homemade Gourmet business opportunity, this is a great time to hear from one of HG's top leaders. Starter Kits are FREE in April! And you also get $104.00 of FREE product when you enroll as a new distributor. New Homemade Gourmet Spring products will be served.
Please RSVP to me at:
832-444-9605 or

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Free Starter Kit in April!

I love the flexibility and rewards of my career with Homemade Gourmet, and I'd love it even more if you join me. Busy families all over need to hear how we can help make their lives better by eating dinner together regularly! The $39 Starter Kit contains the business supplies you need to get the right start, including a personal web page, customer newsletter service and ongoing support from the Home Office in the form of training, inspiration and recipes. Plus, when you place an initial order of $400 retail, you'll get the Pantry Basics Collection worth $104 for FREE! It includes our four most popular Pantry Staples. I'll help you get enrolled and get started! Call me today and I'll be happy to share all the details.

Warmly,

Mary Lou Garcia #12493
832-444-9605
MLGKNG24@sbcglobal.net
www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou

$39 Starter Kit
Yes, the kit is now half the price! And it has more of the Sales Aides a new Distributor needs to build a customer base through Homeshows. In fact, we've included all the Sales Aides necessary to hold a successful cook-off and the first three Homeshows:
* Open me first envelopes of all the current promotions for customers and all the current incentives, recognition and publications for Distributors.
* Booking Made Simple DVD
* Homeshow Live DVD
* New Distributor Workbook
* A pack of Sponsoring Brochures
* 3 packs of Product Catalogs (yes, 30 catalogs!)
* 6 Original 4m4m Planners
* 2 packs of Homeshows Invitations
* A pack of Product Lists
* A pack of Customer Order Forms
* A pack of Kitchen Connection magazines
* A pack of T-shirt Bags (customer bags)
* A pack of Customer Care Cards
* NEW! A set of Presentation Script Cards on a ring
* NEW! A Silver Circle program bracelet
* And, as always, a year's worth of the personal webpage and customer e-newsletter service

Together, all these Sales Aides are worth $110 to a new Distributor.
But wait, there's more!

We're so excited about this new kit and getting new Distributors started right that we have designed a fabulous incentive for new Distributors in April:
· The $39 kit is FREE when the new Distributor places her $400.00 retail order. You read that right: Free!
· We're including a coupon in the new April-August Kitchen Connection magazine that gives new Distributors the opportunity to get a FREE (yes, free!) Pantry Basics Collection when she enters the coupon code during the online enrollment process. This coupon is good through May 31, 2008.
· This means a new Distributor in April can get started for $240 plus tax and shipping, and they'll get more than $600 worth of Sales Aides and product. Amazing!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

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!