Fun "Viernes" Friday

With so many events to celebrate this weekend, from College Graduation to Cinco de Mayo we had to give you some great "adult beverage" recipes.

Corona-Rita
Ingredients:
7 oz of frozen Corona (pour a 7 oz frozen Corona into ice trays or popsicle molds)
1 1/2 oz tequila
Squeeze of lime juice

Start by pouring a 7 oz bottle of Corona into an ice tray or popsicle mold. Once frozen, dump the frozen blocks or cubes of Corona into the blender. Add 1 1/2 oz of tequila and a squeeze of lime juice. Blend together and garnish with a lime slice. This recipe is a fun refreshing twist on a normal margarita. If you use a 12 oz Corona, double the tequila to 3 oz.

Margarita Ice Pops Recipe

Ingredients
yields 2 cups (16 oz) of batter
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup tequila
3 T. triple sec
3/4 cup water

Directions
1) Combine lemon juice and lime juice in a bowl. Add sugar and whisk until completely dissolved.

2) Add tequila, triple sec, and water. Stir until combined.

3) Pour into pop molds or dixie cups. If you are using dixie cups then cut a small square of tin foil for each cup. Secure foil over the top of each cup and puncture with a knife. Insert Popsicle stick into the hole. This will keep the stick from moving, falling, etc. while the pops set up in the freezer.

4) Freeze for at least 6 hours. Serve with a pinch of salt on top and a lime wedge... ¡Salud!

http://www.cookingbymoonlight.com/2012/05/margarita-ice-pops.html

 

Man Dip - Husband Approved Cheese Dip

16oz block 2% Velveeta

2 - 12.5oz cans white chunk chicken, drained (or two cooked chicken breasts, chopped)

1 package taco seasoning

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 - 14 oz can original Rotel (don't drain)

8 oz fat free sour cream

2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp cumin

1 Tb diced jarred jalapenos

Turn crock pot on high. Cut the Velveeta in to small chunks and place in the crock pot to start melting. Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring to combine. It will take a little while for the cheese to melt and for everything to incorporate. Continue checking and stirring until desired thickness is achieved.
*To speed things up, place cubed Velveeta in a microwave safe bowl and microwave before transferring to slow cooker and adding remaining ingredients.

-Denea Duran

Servpro becomes Red Cross Heroes

Local SERVPRO Franchises Become Red Cross “Heroes”

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Columbia Region Red Cross

SERVPRO franchise owners Chris Cromer (Dutch Fork), William Hinson (Richland County) and Marty Williams (West Columbia/Cayce/Lexington) take a break from the tournament to meet with Red Cross employee, Paula Thayer.

We are verfy excited to announce that local SERVPRO franchises have become Red Cross “Heroes” by hosting the First Annual SERVPRO/American Red Cross Golf Tournament on April 12^th at Golden Hills Golf Club in Lexington.
A total of $6,746 was raised at the inaugural tournament, and 100% of the proceeds were donated to our local disaster relief program.

“This is a perfect partnership since we are both in the business of helping put lives back together following a disaster,” said Paula Thayer, major gift manager, American Red Cross, Columbia Region. “There is no greater feeling than that of bringing hope and comfort to someone who was lost everything.”

The tournament was a huge success thanks to the following local SERVRPO franchises for joining efforts: West Columbia/Cayce/Lexington, Dutch Fork and Richland County.

We would like to thank all of the participants and sponsors of the tournament but most of all the wonderful owners and employees of the three SERVPRO offices. It is because of people and organizations like these that the Red Cross is able to fulfill its humanitarian mission each and every day down the street, across the country and around the world.

The Red Cross “Heroes” program is a grassroots fundraising and awareness campaign through which the Red Cross partners with community groups and individuals to raise funds for the vital programs and services that the organization provides to the community.

To become a Hero, call (803) 540-1219 or e-mail Paula.Thayer@redcross.org. Click here to make a financial donation, call (803) 540-1241, or mail to the American Red Cross, PO Pox 91, Columbia, SC 29202.

http://crredcross.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/local-servpro-franchises-become-red-cross-heroes/

Composting 101 (You Know You Want To)

What is it?
Composting is when you use the decomposition of plant and other organic remains (like dead leaves, apple cores, and coffee grounds for example) to make a rich, earthy substance that is perfect for enriching soil.
Why is that awesome?
Composting allows you to recycle your yard and kitchen wastes. You suddenly endow your banana peel with purpose when you compost. It helps reduce the amount of garbage we send to landfills (what should be viewed as a last resort disposal of waste). Not only does composting supply you with a harmless way to dispose of organic materials, it actually fertilizes your soil (ie. guess who will win this year’s neighborhood Best Garden... mmm hmm).
But is it cool to compost?
Yes! Not only do farmers and avid gardeners compost, but skinny jean-wearing, Mac junky, café-loving espresso drinkers are doing it too! So if protecting the earth and having an awesome garden don’t provide enough incentive, just think about how cool you’ll be!
What can compost do?

• Suppress plant diseases and pests
• Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers
• Promote higher yields of agricultural crops
• Facilitate reforestation, wetlands restoration, and habitat revitalization efforts by amending contaminated, compacted, and marginal soils
• Cost-effectively remediate soils contaminated by hazardous waste
• Remove solids, oil, grease, and heavy metals from stormwater runoff
• Capture and destroy 99.6% of industrial volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in contaminated air
• Provide cost savings of at least 50% over conventional soil, water, and air pollution remediation technologies, where applicable

What can compost not do?

• Heal human disease
• Create its own facebook account
• Fly
• Dissolve sheets of metal

How do I do it!? I must know!
There are many different ways to compost. There are several different ways to use bin systems as well as just having a fenced-in (or not) pile in your yard. For a step-by-step article on creating your own compost pile, see here, or watch this helpful video, How to Make Compost courtesy of KitchenGardeners.org.
For a detailed list of what to put in and leave out of compost, please see EPA.gov. You’ll be amazed at what all you can dispose of this way (and some of the things you have to leave out too).
Content Credit: Veg Web Composting, EPA.gov, How to Make Compost.
Image Credit: Dug.org


-Sandy Hayden

Check Your Home!

Healthy Home Checklist

[ ] Do you smoke in your home?
[ ] Do your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room have adequate ventilation and exhaust fans?
[ ] Do you change your air filters once a month?
[ ] When cleaning or doing laundry, do you use bleach, ammonia or aerosol spray cans?
[ ] Is your gas fireplace and or gas stove checked yearly for emissions?
[ ] Was your home built before 1978? If so, has it been checked for lead-based paint?
[ ] Do your bathrooms have carpet?

Dirty ducts can circulate odors and contaminants like mold and irritating dust throughout the home. Servpro of Cayce/ West Columbia/ Lexington uses a proven portable ventilation and duct cleaning system to examine duct work and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

We can eliminate embarrassing offensive odors in your home.


Call us SERVPRO of Cayce/ West Columbia and Lexington 803-755-9774


-Denea Duran

Fun Friday

This month has been full of events around the community that SERVPRO has participated in. I thought that I would make FUN FRIDAY extra special today.  Here is a blog filled with delicious recipes.




Skinny Low-fat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 12 • Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 170.7 • Fat: 5.0 g • Protein: 1.4 g • Carb: 34.5 g • Fiber: 1.4 g • Sugar: 25.4 g
Sodium: 113.1 mg

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line two cookie sheets with non-stick silicone baking liners or lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir to blend. In another bowl, whisk the sugars, butter, egg white, applesauce and vanilla together until light and fluffy.

Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out.

Fold in chocolate chips.
 
Drop by level spoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets.

Bake 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let them stand 5 minutes before removing the cookies from the pans to cool on wire racks.
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/best-low-fat-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Quesadillas

4 medium-sized flour tortilla shells
1 lb chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
salt and pepper
1/2 cup scallions, diced
8 strips of bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 avocado, diced
mild cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbsp butter
Arrange bacon on a cooling rack (like for cookies) and set it on top of sheet pan. If you don’t have a cooling rack, you can just put the bacon straight on the sheet pan. Or in a 9×13 baking dish. Either way will work. Place bacon in a cold oven, turn heat to 400, and cook 15 mins per side.
Add 1/2 tbsp bacon drippings to a skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions and saute about 2-3 mins until softened. Add the chicken in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 mins or until chicken is golden and cooked through, flipping just once during cooking. Remove the chicken and scallions to a plate and rinse out the skillet.
Add about 1/2 tbsp butter to the skillet over medium heat. When foamy, add a tortilla and swirl it around to get it nice and buttery. Layer one side of the tortilla with chicken, bacon, avocado, and a little cheese. Use tongs to flip the other half of the tortilla over and press down. Cook the tortilla for about 1-2 mins on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
Repeat with the rest of the tortillas, adding a little more butter for each tortilla as needed. Eat & enjoy!
Makes 4 quesadillas.


Read More http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/cheesy-chicken-bacon-avocado-quesadillas.html#ixzz1tGYylXt4


There is just one more recipe I wanted to share with you guys!
I got this recipe from 'The Chew" on ABC. Hope you all enjoy!

 Mama T's Baked Ziti with Eggplant 


We've Made Cooking As Easy As 1-2-3!

• step 1
  ingredients 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  instructionsFor the Eggplant: Preheat the oil to 350F.
• step 2
  ingredients 1 Eggplant
  Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
  instructions Cut the eggplant into rounds about 1/2-inch-thick dice. Saute in olive oil until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• step 3
  ingredients 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  1 Onion (diced)
  2 cloves Garlic (minced)
  2 28-oz can San Marzano Whole Tomatoes (crushed)
  Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
  Fresh Basil
  instructionsFor the Marinara Sauce: In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 90 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook and reduce slightly for about a half hour. Top with fresh basil.
• step 4
  ingredients
  instructionsFor the Assembly: Preheat oven to 350F.
• step 5
  ingredients 1 pound Ziti
  instructions Cook the ziti to half of the time on the package instructions.
• step 6
  ingredients 1 pound Mozzarella (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
  instructions In a bowl, toss together the ziti, mozzarella, and half of the marinara sauce.
• step 7
  ingredients Pecorino Romano
  instructions On the bottom of a casserole, create a bed of the eggplant. Grate pecorino over the eggplant and then top with half of the sauced ziti mixture. Grate more pecorino over the ziti mixture, then cover with another layer of the eggplant rounds. Add the remaining sauced ziti mixture. Cover with the remaining sauce and grate pecorino generously over the top.
• step 8
  ingredients
  instructions Bake for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and melted.
•       http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Baked-Ziti-Eggplant-Mamma-T

-Denea Duran

Your Business+ Mold = Dangerous

If you own a business or a home, here are some great facts!

In the 1970's, sick building syndrome became apparent as groups of people displayed similar symptoms after having spent extended periods of time in buildings with poor air quality. Good judgement and immediate attention can correct the situation and save you money in the event of litigation. People most at risk include:

-Infants and children
-Pregnant Women
-Elderly
-People with compromised respiratory systems or asthma/allergies
-People with weakened immune systems.


While molds are found naturally in the environment, an overabundance inside buildings is undesirable for both aesthetic and health reasons. Experts disagree about the more controversial details of molds but all agree that if you have excessive mold, it needs to be removed.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with mold please call SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington 803-755-9774

-Denea Duran

Green Means Clean

SERVPRO does not just celebrate Earth Day one day, but we practice being kind to our earth everyday. What did you do to celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2012?

Many people do not know that the first Earth Day was planned as a teach-in, a day to inform the public about environmental issues. Earth Day founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson, an environmental activist who was outraged by lack of political response to gross environmental degradation evident throughout the country, said that he was “convinced that all we need to do to bring an overwhelming insistence of the new generation that we stem the tide of environmental disaster is to present the facts clearly and dramatically. ... Every university should set aside one day in the school year-the same day across the Nation-for the teach-in."

You do not have to plant a tree to become "ECO-FRIENDLY"! Here are some easy tips to start saving Green and going Green!

1. Recycle: In the office we started recycling cans, plastic bottles and office paper. Its just that simple.
2. Drop your thermostat temperature: If you spend your time in one room or one area of the house, why not use a space heater?
3. Become a hypermiler: Just drive the speed limit. That should not be too hard. Right?
4. Carpool once a week: Living in California, there are terminals available for carpoolers. If you live in a small town, then carpool with some of your co-workers that live close by. Carpooling just once a week is the easiest way to shave 15% off your gas bill.
5. Stop drinking bottled water: Unless you really enjoy swapping your five dollar bills with one dollar bills, bottled water is really bad on almost every factor except for convenience. Bottled water is: more expensive than drinking tap water, doesn’t necessarily taste any better or provide more nutrients, and has deep economic and environmental costs in production and transportation.

-Denea Duran

Photo Credit: Google Image