Another Diva Recipe

Not all of us can be great cooks, but we can strut with authority around the kitchen (even in stilettos) if we are handy with a can opener. This is a great recipe to have on standby when you need to produce a fast and impressive meal.




Creamy Chicken with Pasta and Asparagus.
Serves 6


INGREDIENTS:
225 g uncooked penne
1 can asparagus spears
1 tspn margarine (optional)
250 g skinless, boneless chicken strips
40 g chopped onions
2/3 can condensed cream of chicken soup
80 ml milk
80 ml white wine (or water if preferred)
40 g cream cheese, softened and chopped up
40 g grated Parmesan cheese


DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place penne in the pot, and cook until spaghetti is al dente. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl.

Melt the margarine in a pan (or spray pan with oil) over medium heat, and cook the chicken and onion 5 minutes until the onions are softened

In a bowl, whisk together the soup, wine, milk, and cream cheese until smooth. Add to the pan with the chicken and onion, and bring to the boil. Simmer 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

Add in the asparagus spears and penne and stir gently to mix. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve in a large bowl with crusty bread.

I need a massage.

Recently on Diva Days we ran a poll on what you would do with your free time if you had any. The overall winner by a clear majority was “Have a massage”. What a great choice that is. Not only does it relax you, but it has other benefits too.

Massage has probably been around as long as human have. What mother hasn’t instinctively rubbed the back of her baby or child to help soothe it? There is written evidence dating from 5000 years ago that massage was used in ancient China, and later in India and Egypt. In the early 19th century Per Henrik Ling developed the system of massage that we are familiar with today, often called Swedish massage.

Massage has physical and psychological benefits and is something that we should experience regularly. Massage stimulates circulation and boosts the immune system. It aids in digestion and can ease respiratory complaints. It helps to flush toxins out of our systems, and above all it relieves tired and stressed muscles. Reflexology, reiki and shiatsu are different forms of massage but all rely on the power of touch. Massage for relaxation should be gentle and soothing, and conducted in a soft and serene environment. It is a technique that should be used with care as the hands become instruments of healing.

Today we live our lives at such a hectic pace that our bodies carry the stresses of the mind every day. Depression, heart attacks, back pain and general bodily pain or stiffness are common throughout society. Our minds never stop working as we rush through the days. Massage can soothe the mind and ease bodily tension which, in turn, will help to stop the onset of physical and nervous diseases. It is a preventative tool as much as a treatment and is something that we really should schedule into our week. Yes, I said schedule. If you don’t mark it in you won’t make the time for it in your busy day.

Prevention is better than a cure, particularly in this case. Why wait for ‘if we have the time’? Perhaps a better question would be ‘Why don’t you make the time?”

When Opportunity Knocks

They say that opportunity knocks but in reality it can hurl itself at you or, sometimes, slink in the back door. It can be really difficult to be ready for opportunity when you don't know where it will come from.

Some things that you can do:
Keep your eyes open - and by that I mean really be alert. If you look for opportunities you will see them.
Update yourself - Keep your skills, knowledge and yourself up to date. If you are lagging a year or two behind you may not be able to use the opportunity when it arrives.

Change your habits or your processes. Sometimes this might even create an opportunity!
Keep your resume and personal documentation up to date and ready to present in an instant.
Maintain your health. You can't reach very high if you are bedridden.
Exercise your thinking. You may need to be creative to see how to use the opportunity.
Practice positivity - don't let the possible pitfalls blind you to the bonuses.
Many of us are just too scared to try new things in case we fail. Others just jump blindly into the deep end. Personally, I would rather take the risk and try out the opportunity than miss out altogether.
The opportunity presented to myself as well - we bought a house! Very nice location and a bargain! Pity we have to pay over $20k in stamp duty to the government (source: http://stampduty.calculatorsaustralia.com.au/). But overall very happy with the property we bought :))

Are you a secret blogger?

Well don't keep it secret any longer. Come and join the Blog Whammy.

What is a whammy? It is a way of boosting traffic to member blogs and have a lot of fun in the process. Oz-e-wahm Blog Whammy was started by Kylie from Aussie WAHM blog. She want to help build the blog impact for work at home mums. Her idea is that the whammy will increase the traffic, comments and links to your blog which will help to increase your blogs popularity.

At the moment there are 10 blogs that participate regularly but we would love some more to be involved. If you are a wahm and have a blog that you would like to promote then come over and visit us at Blog Whammy.

Shopping with MAY MADNESS!

"When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country." Elayne Boosler

I think it must be time to shop! May Madness is a huge promotion put together with my fellow Business Mum's and it is underway now.

We have banded together to bring you a multitude of specials from a multitude of businesses. There are discounts on photography, business coaching, gifts and virtual services.

The promotion comes just in time for Mother's Day here in Australia, so what a good time to be shopping rather than invading another country!