Quick, healthy chocolate dessert - no cooking needed!

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 (c)Markus Rothkranz from LOVE ON A PLATE by Cara Brotman and Markus Rothkranz.

Chocolate can be decadent, but here’s a healthy dessert recipe from the “uncookbook”   Love on a Plate: The Gourmet UnCookbook* that’s easy to make for your family.  No cooking needed!

 (c)Markus Rothkranz from LOVE ON A PLATE by Cara Brotman and Markus Rothkranz.

Delicious Freezer Chocolate with Marzipan Filling
This chocolate gets hard within 30 minutes of being in the freezer.  It can be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but needs to be eaten right away when taken out because coconut oils melts at room temperature.  Pure raw coconut oil is really good for you.

1 cup cacao powder (sifted to remove lumps)
1/4 cup carob powder (sifted to remove lumps)
1/4 cup cashew butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup coconut oil (warmed to clear liquid at room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix in bowl, pour in mold or dip things like fruit in it and put in freezer. Ready in one hour.

Marzipan
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup maple syrup

Grind almonds into a fine power in a coffee grinder to make the almond meal. Then mix with the maple syrup and knead into dough.  You can eat immediately or use it as a filling for the chocolate that has hardened.  Stores in refrigerator for long time.  For a whiter-looking marzipan, use skinned or blanched almonds.

Reprinted with permission of the publisher from LOVE ON A PLATE: The Gourmet UnCookbook by Cara Brotman and Markus Rothkranz. Copyright (c) 2014.

Business Resource: US Small Business Administration

If you have a business idea or question, The US Small Business Administration is a great resource to use.  There are courses on starting a business,  managing a business, and information about loans and grants, and even local assistance availability.

Here is an introduction video on SBA:


Like US Small Business Administration on FB: https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov
Follow on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sbagov

Business Resource: OWN IT A new network dedicated to small business success

OWN IT, a new trusted network of thousands of small business owners dedicated to supporting each other in creating thriving businesses.

In partnership with  QuickBooks, OWN IT is designed for small business owners and the self-employed to share stories and make better, more informed decisions via the experiences of experts and business owners. There are more than 56,000 members.  

I did join OWN IT, to see what it's like. (It's free).  You can connect with other like minded business owners and add topics of interests you would like to see in your field.  Kind of reminds me of a Facebook layout but for entrepreneurs.  

More confidence in 11 minutes

If you've ever gotten the feeling that men, in general, are more confident than women, there's a scientific explanation why. 

According to experts, there is actually a part of the brain (the anterior cingulate cortex), that creates more self-doubt in women than in men. 

Workplace wellness expert Michelle McQuaid can help women retrain this part of the brain in 11 minutes-- and she claims it's a career changer.

I had the opportunity to ask Michelle.

Faten Abdallah (FA): What does "Confidence" mean?

Michelle McQuaid (MM): Researchers define confidence as the ability to turn our thoughts into action.  It’s what allows you to start acting and risking and failing, and to stop mumbling and apologizing and hesitating. With it you can take on the world, but without it you remain stuck on the starting block of your own potential.

FA: Is confidence something you can work towards or is it naturally in a person?  How does one build confidence?

MM: Studies suggest that confidence is shaped by the way our brains function, the experiences we've had and perhaps most importantly the choices we prioritize.  This means that while some of us may feel more naturally confident than others, there are choices we can make and behaviors we can practice that will improve our confidence over time.  It appears that confidence can be built by: 

• Being authentic
• Challenging self-doubt when it doesn't serve as well
• Taking action and stepping outside our comfort zone with a willingness to learn from both success and failure

FA: Is it true that men are more confident than women?  Can you explain?

Studies suggest men are more confident than women.  For example when it comes to our careers we know women ask for pay rises four times less frequently than their male colleagues, negotiate salaries of 30% less and won't put themselves forward for promotions unless they meet 100% of the qualifications necessary for a job (while a man will be feel confident enough to apply with 60% of the qualifications).

Researchers put this down to a couple of factors.  For example:

• Our Biology - It appears the the female brain is wired to worry more about making mistakes, to avoid conflicts and ruminate over and over about what might go wrong.  Not only do women have 30% more neurons firing at any one time which can lead them to overthink things, but the cingulate gryus - the brain’s “worry wart”- is larger making women much better at recognizing their mistakes and prone to ruminate on them.  Add to this the higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of testosterone coursing through women's veins, and it’s no wonder their prone to avoiding conflict and risk even at the cost of winning.

• Our Social Experiences - School is where many girls are first rewarded for being good and doing things the "right way": by quietly figuring things out and finding the perfect answer whilst not making a fuss or being challenging in any way.  The result is women often learn early on in life to avoid taking risks or making mistakes, while boys (for whom one study found got eight times more criticism for their conduct) learn that a little scolding or failure can be taken in stride.  Perhaps as a result during the teenage years when girls are six times more likely to drop out of team sports, boys keep playing learning to own victory and survive defeat with some studies suggesting there is a direct link between playing sports in high-school and earning a bigger salary.  It appears to be a vicious social cycle: girls lose confidence, so they quit competing, thus depriving themselves of ways to regain it.  As a result girls walk away believing competence matters more than confidence, but as the studies show at work this is often not the case. 

FA: How can women build more confidence in the workplace?

MM:

• Be authentic. best-selling authors of The Confidence Code, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, suggest the linchpin choice when it comes to confidence may be authenticity.   By making a virtue out of our differences instead of trying to hide, erase or change them, we allow confidence to emanate from our core.  

• Think less. Note down the stories you’re telling that undermine your confidence and ask: “Is this true? Is this the only explanation for what’s unfolding?” Try to capture as many plausible alternatives as possible and invest your attention on the explanations that build, rather than destroy your confidence.

• Take one small step. Acknowledge your self-doubt and then take a small step outside your comfort zone anyway.  Start with small challenges that allow you to grow, improve and gain confidence. If you fail, think about how you can do it differently next time and try again. If you succeed, set yourself the next challenge and keep stretching yourself forward again and again.

• Focus on how you’re helping others.  Women tend to do much better when they focus on the meaning and purpose behind the actions they’re taking and how this will benefit others.  How will the small step you want to take make someone’s day a little better or easier because you had the courage to act with confidence? 

•     Practice self-compassion.  Don’t let that “mean girl” voice run wild in your head.   Instead talk to yourself like you would to any other friend and be willing to look at your mistakes and short-comings with kindness and understanding.  Acknowledge that you’re “not there yet” but that as long as you stay open to learning and willing to practice, you will get better.

FA: Anything else you would like to add?

MM: One of the most effective ways I've found to help female leaders close the confident gap by feeling more authentic and taking action is to show them how to discover their strengths (the things they're good at and enjoy doing) and find small-busy proof ways to confidently use them to take action each day.  You can try this for yourself at www.strengthschallenge.com which is a free resource to help people feel more confident, energized and happy at work.

Guest Post: Life Saving Self-Defense Tips for the Most Dangerous Time of Day

by

Matt Romond

With school quickly beginning again it is time for parents to look at all of the aspects of back to school. More than a quarter of America’s school children are on their own after the school day ends, and before parents get home from work. Despite growing awareness that children are at particular risk during these afternoon hours, the percentage of children left on their own in the afternoons has actually increased in the last five years. Krav Maga Worldwide, a leading self-defense expert has created a list of tips that will help parents teach their kids safety and self-defense.

These unsupervised hours pose unique dangers for different age groups.

 Grades 1-5

Lack of proper supervision is rare for this group except for very short periods of time. Children of this age are most commonly left alone during a short walk to and from school. Here are a few practical tips to ensure that this time is as safe as possible.

• Always walk with a buddy who lives very close by.
• Be sure to go straight to school or home. No detours or goofing around.
• If a stranger says, “hello” they can smile, make eye contact, waive, and say “hello” back, but they should always keep walking toward either the school or home no matter what.

Grades 6-10

Lack of supervision is relatively common in this group. At this age children take on more responsibility and are less susceptible to the dangers faced by younger children. However, the dangers that children in this age range encounter are more commonly imposed by friends and acquaintances.  These peer pressure based dangers are experienced by every child in this age group. But the risk can be mitigated by ensuring that your children’s time and attention is occupied during these key hours. Here are a couple practical tips for this age group:

• Get them involved in after school activities that they genuinely enjoy
• Schedule the time after school for them to complete their chores or homework. Ensure that you hold them to that expectation when you come home from work.
•  Communication Is Key … Make sure your children understand that there is no such thing as communicating too much. By letting them know that you expect regular updates you will feel better leaving them unattended.  Before leaving them for the first time set expectations. Let your kids know what you expect whether it be staying inside while you are gone or coming straight home after school.
• Talk to kids about knowing their surroundings. By explaining to them that they need to be fully aware of what’s going on around them can avert dangerous situations from happening.

• Confidence in speech (projecting, clear) and body language (posture, eye contact, etc.) are the single most important factors that can increase your child’s chances of safety. Regardless of the dangerous situation or the age, a child with a strong presence is less likely to be at risk than those that project shyness or aloofness.
• Children should always listen to their instincts, if something doesn’t feel right they should leave the area immediately without hesitation or fear of getting in trouble.

Matt Romond is a 3rd Degree Krav Maga Worldwide™ Black Belt, the Director of Krav Maga Worldwide's™ KM-X Kids program and has over a decade of experience teaching children and adults Krav Maga self-defense and fight classes. 

About Krav Maga Worldwide

Founded in 1997 to promote Krav Maga throughout the United States and around the world, Krav Maga Worldwide trains and certifies instructors and licenses over 150 authorized Krav Maga Worldwide training centers in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, South America, and Europe, as well as over 800 law enforcement agencies and military units. Krav Maga offers the highest caliber of instruction to thousands of people, supporting the company’s core commitment to improving and saving lives. Krav Maga Worldwide continues to develop, promote and implement self-defense and fitness programs. For additional information, visit: www.kravmaga.com.

Feature Friday: Emii changing the narrative of women in POP industry

An extraordinary young person and important indie-pop artist is making a huge difference in the evolution of America's 'pop singer' image by using her work as a vehicle to communicate profound messages that are saving the lives of young women everywhere. 

Since Emii hit the scene with the smash hit MR ROMEO, featuring SNOOP DOG, she's continued to evolve on the music scene as a unique and important voice in the pop community. 

Emii's new hit single LEAVING YOU BEHIND (Video Here) champions survivors of domestic violence and is empowering young women to come forward all over the world. With that in her pocket, Emii is crawling up the charts and has skyrocketed to literally millions of online views and now -- we don't think there's much stopping this inspirational young person from continuing the change all of over the world...because for her, it's never stopped at just the music. 

Enjoy the interview with Emii.

Faten (FA):  What inspired you to make music?

Emii (E): It's the deepest form of communication for me... and, as we all know, often times mere words aren't enough. Even the simplest kinds of music can communicate feelings, emotions strong enough to inspire, to MOVE people, to make someone smile, forget about their problems, or remind them of how far they've come. I live for that.

FA: What do you want others to get from listening to your music?

E: I want them to feel. To be able to turn off all of the worries and anxious thoughts at least for a few moments... to connect with the messages and the emotions in the music and clear their minds of the daily-grind clutter. When you can really connect, it's akin to meditation. When you can't, then it's just noise. But the beauty of music is that there is something for everyone out there, no matter who you are or what you enjoy.

FA: What have you learned about yourself as a musician?

E: That so many people will try to put you "in a box" and attempt to mold you into what they believe you should be. Being true to yourself is ultimately what connects you to those who appreciate you for what you live for, for what you create.  It's important to never sacrifice your passion for someone else's idea of what you should be. I've had countless people tell me I shouldn't and couldn't be who I am... and I am most definitely someone who has a love for many types of music. I find myself creating depending on what inspires me, and after much trial and error I believe that filtering your artistry to appease someone who thinks they know what people want is a travesty. The fans can speak for themselves, and so should we.

FA: What are some of your future projects and plans?

E: I aim to inspire. That's all I'll say for now.

FA: Anything else you would like to add?

E: No matter where we begin our journeys, there is greatness in all of us. We just have to find it. I encourage everyone to remember that I'm just that formerly-bullied geeky girl from Ohio who could not stop following a dream. I'll never stop creating, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Be sure to check out Emii's work on 

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heart-in-a-box-the-remixes-ep/id1004729901  

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/emiimusic

Connect with Emii:

www.emii.net

@Emiiofficial/INSTAGRAM

@Emiimusic/TWITTER

Guest Post: Raising Money-Smart Kids: 7 Lessons from Back-to-School Shopping

by

Andrea Woroch

One of the biggest obstacles parents face during the back-to-school shopping rush is their kids' desire for the latest-and-greatest products, including expensive items like the newest Apple device, designer jeans and name-brand sneakers. Since schedules fill up quickly this time of year, it's tempting to save time and give into those pricey requests. But instead of letting this shopping craze get out of hand, consider it a great opportunity to teach your children about budgeting and saving.

Turn back-to-school shopping on its head by imparting these seven important lessons about money management.

1. Establishing a budget.
Once you receive the school supply list, sit down with your son or daughter to review items and separate the needs from the wants. Take inventory of what you already have at home and establish a budget for the missing supplies. If your kids protest about using last year's supplies, point out the cushion their budget now has for use on items in their wish lists!

2. Setting a savings goal.
If there's something your child desperately wants like a new pair of Nike sneakers or Ugg boots, teach him or her how to set a savings goal. Offer to match their savings to pay for the "want," assign money-making chores or encourage them to increase their babysitting or lawn care tasks to pull in more money. Demonstrating how money must be earned in order to fully finance a want is a wonderful lesson, and your kids may decide all their hard work is worth more than a pair of trendy shoes.

3. Sourcing used options first.
If your son wants that Ninja Turtles backpack or your teenage daughter is requesting designer jeans, show him and her the less expensive options at consignment shops, and how much more a dollar can buy by scouting used over regular retail. In addition to secondhand stores in your community, introduce sites like ThredUp.com for like-new clothing and accessories at up to 90% savings.

4. Comparing prices for the best deal.
The ShopSavvy app uses a barcode scanner to compare competitor prices for a specific good at both online and nearby brick-and-mortar retailers so you know the cheapest place to buy that item. Plus, everyone will have fun playing detective in the hunt for the lowest price! Encourage your child to request a price match from customer service, as most stores are willing to meet a competitor's discount. Some stores like Staples will even go a step further, offering 110% price match guarantee.

5. Considering generic or store-brands for select items.
While shopping for supply basics, your kids may instantly reach for the Elmer's brand of glue or FiveStar brand of notebook. This is a great time to point out the generic or store-brand versions of these products and demonstrate how much less the item costs for very little difference in appearance and utility. Reinforce that saving money on these supplies leaves extra room in the budget for more desirable purchases, like backpacks and apparel.

6. Using digital tools to enhance savings.
In addition to the comparison-shopping app referenced above, there are other digital tools your child can use to save money. For instance, Coupon Sherpa's free coupon app lists deals to hundreds of stores for instant redemption, including 20% off at Sports Authority or 30% off at Aeropostale. The Savings Catcher tool on Walmart's app is another great resource, offering cash back in the form of a gift card for products you purchase that are better priced elsewhere.

7. Boosting budget by selling unwanted items.
In addition to saving money, teaching children how to earn money represents another great opportunity this time of year. If your kid is desirous of a pricey product, suggest selling clothes for consignment or trading in an old gadget or video game at sites like Glyde.com or Gazelle.com. Padding budgets is just as important and stretching them, and this is a great lesson in side hustles! 

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Huffington Post, Forbes and many more. For more information, visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.