TEAM Resources would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for supporting us in our first year with The Western Producer. It has been exciting to say the least! We would also like to extend our best wishes for the coming year.
New Year’s resolutions
Did you know that 82 percent of adults make New Year’s resolutions, but less than 10 percent of people see them through?
A resolution is the same as setting a goal, which is an exercise in control, allowing us to make positive changes in our lives. That’s why it feels good to make them.
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It’s a new year and a good time to clear your slate. Resolutions give us a feeling of hope for the future, and a chance to reflect on and learn from past mistakes.
With these positive payoffs, why is it so hard to follow our resolutions through?
- While most people are sincere about their resolutions, they fail to make ones that are reasonably attainable. For example, do not expect to cut your debts in half in a few short months. To achieve success we must be patient.
- Do not make too many resolutions. Saving money, quitting smoking and losing weight will overload you. Concentrate on one thing at a time.
- Write down your resolutions and list the reasons why you want to keep them and how you’re going to achieve them. Make a simple work plan of the things that you will need for success, such as time, energy, attitude, money and perhaps training. Keep the list and work plan where you will be easily reminded of the changes you are trying to make. For example, on the refrigerator or on your bed table, where you can read the list each night before going to sleep.
- Surround yourself with friends and family who strongly support you. If you are trying to lose weight, avoid the friends that insist on bringing baking.
Like Spanish rice
Dear TEAM: I am looking for a recipe for Spanish rice casserole. I had it in a cafeteria and it was very good. I wonder if you could come up with a recipe? – H.U., Saskatoon, Sask.
Dear H.U.: When I was given a crock-pot as a gift, it came with a helpful recipe book, one that has a recipe for Spanish rice. I have tried the recipe and find it to be very tasty.
Spanish rice casserole
11Ú2 pounds ground 680 g
chuck or beef
1 medium onion, 1
chopped
1 green pepper, 1
chopped
1 can (141Ú2 oz.) whole tomatoes 1
2 cans tomato sauce 2
3Ú4 cup water 180 mL
2 teaspoons chili 10 mL
powder
2 teaspoons 10 mL
Worcestershire sauce
11Ú2 teaspoons salt 7 mL
3Ú4 cup raw converted 180 mL
rice
Brown meat on the stove top, drain. Combine all of the ingredients in the crock-pot or casserole dish. Stir thoroughly. Cook in the crock-pot low for seven to nine hours or high for three to four hours. Cook in the oven at 350 F (180 C) for 45 minutes.
You can add shredded cheese on top, if desired.
Finding yarn
Dear TEAM: About 10 years ago I purchased some polyester yarn for making mitt liners. Since that time I have not been able to find it again. Do you have any idea where I might find some? It does not have to be 100 percent polyester, quarter or half would be sufficient. – M.K., Kipling, Sask.
Dear M.K.: There is a shop called Prairie Lily Knitting and Weaving Shop that handles yarn containing polyester. It is located at #7 – 1730 Quebec Ave., Saskatoon, Sask., 306-665-2771.
How to complain
After the Christmas holidays is the time when consumer complaints reach their peak.
To get results, follow these steps:
- Identify the problem and who is responsible.
- Collect all of the paper information, such as sales slips, warranty cards, credit card statements and cancelled cheques. Always make copies.
- Return as soon as possible after discovering the problem.
- Go to the person that you dealt with and ask her if she has the authority to help you with your problem. If she does not, ask to be referred to someone who does.
- Explain the problem, including the purchase date, the date you noticed something was wrong and what you did to try to correct the problem.
- Explain what action you think the business should take. Be reasonable but fair, positive but firm and always keep your temper.
- Now it is time for you to listen to the response of the seller. You may or may not have a valid complaint as far as the store is concerned. In fact, you should always find out store policies before purchasing your items.
If you feel that the problem is not solved at this point:
- Go further. Complain to the manufacturer and/or professional association, if applicable.
- Record who you talked to, the date of the interaction, and what was said or done.
- If you still do not get satisfaction, contact the Better Business Bureau or your provincial justice system.
A long winter
Is the thought of a long, cold winter getting you down? Do not worry, you are not the only one.
Ann Smith, author of Overcoming Perfectionism, says that when the goal is to feel better about what is going on around us, engaging in some “brainwashing” may be the quickest solution. According to Smith: If your brain is full of useless information, it needs to be washed with all of the positive aspects that surround us. Try these techniques:
- Take perfectionism out of your life. Do the best you can and you will feel good.
- Learn a new artistic skill, or take an exercise class. By trying new things, you will have an ever-interesting life.
- Focus on your positive aspects and keep them near. Write them down if you have to.
- Contact five people whom you care about, but haven’t heard from in a while.
- If things are getting you down, take a mini-vacation in your mind. Visualize yourself lying on a sandy beach, completely relaxed, without a care in the world.
Writer Annie Dillard has said: “How we live our days is how we live our lives.” One day of optimism can eventually lead to a lifetime of anticipating only the best, and often getting it.
In closing, a quote from Leo Buscaglia: “Happiness is intrinsic … it’s an internal thing. When you build it into yourself, no external circumstances can take it away.”
Cinnamon glazing
Dear TEAM: I am looking for a recipe for the cinnamon glaze you find on cinnamon buns and twists bought at the bakery.
The recipes I have are all put in the bottom of the pans as the buns are rising. I find by doing this the glaze soaks into the dough. Also, the recipes I have are not that ooey-gooey type glaze found in bakery buns. – S, Plenty, Sask.
Dear S.: I use a brown sugar filling mixture to spread over my dough to make cinnamon buns, and I find the bottoms turn out gooey. This is for a large batch (about three dozen) cinnamon buns.
Cinnamon bun filling
In a small bowl combine:
1Ú2 cup butter or 125 mL
margarine
1 cup packed brown 250 mL
sugar
2 teaspoons 10 mL
cinnamon (more, if desired)
Optional:
2Ú3 cup chopped nuts 150 mL
1Ú2 cup raisins 125 mL
Spread mixture generously over the dough. Roll, and make into cinnamon buns and place in pan. (I don’t add anything to the pan. The sticky syrup forms on the bottom.) Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
The following is a cinnamon glaze I have used that one can brush on the tops of the cinnamon buns just before baking. It is tasty, but more crispy than soft and may affect the stickiness.
Cinnamon glaze
1 egg white 1
1 tablespoon 15 mL
cinnamon
1Ú2 cup icing sugar 125 mL
Beat egg white until foamy, stir in cinnamon and icing sugar. Brush sugar mixture over the buns and sprinkle with nuts, coconut or cherries for a festive appearance. Bake as usual.
