Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist's Blog

Sarasota Food and Wine Festival, Then a Speakeasy

This month’s food and wine festivals began with last night’s Sarasota Food and Wine Festival sponsored by the American Lung Association. Southgate’s Hilllview Street was transformed into a mecca of food and wine. You know I’m a happy girl when I’m faced with a street lined with food from 25 restaurants and caterers and an array of wine to taste from Premier Beverages. I could be seen rushing from table to table in an effort to taste every edible… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 24, 2010 at 5:30pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Take a Tip from Conan

I don’t normally watch late night television, but after all the hoopla about NBC replacing Conan O’Brien as the Tonight Show host, I tuned in for his last couple of shows. What I viewed was an example what Relational Life Therapists like myself refer to as "relational living."On Thursday’s show, there was great fun at the expense of NBC. But on Conan’s last night as the Tonight Show host, he became serious. He expressed gratitude for his twenty year… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 24, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: The Hard Truth is a Gift

Whether you are giving it or receiving it, the hard truth is a gift. Most of us have a difficult time both giving and receiving negative feedback. However, when we care about people, one of the greatest gifts we can give them is to lovingly and respectfully tell them those things about themselves that no one else has the nerve to tell them. Conversely, it is a gift to receive that information about ourselves.

Think of all the things you… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 20, 2010 at 7:00am — 1 Comment

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Post-Holiday Salad

This refreshing, light and easy recipe that Donna Paige submitted for the holiday recipe contest sounds like a great salad for after the holidays too. Hence, I've changed the title here from Holiday Salad to Post-Holiday Salad, a delicious addition to my post-holiday weight loss efforts.

Needed:

4 Tablespoons Frozen Cranberry Juice Concentrate

4 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar

1/1/2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard

2 Tablespoons… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 17, 2010 at 9:00am — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Don't Let The Shame Be On You

As humans, we all make mistakes at one time or another. When a mistake is made or something has been done to hurt someone, many people tend to withdraw and wall off in shame, inwardly berating themselves. This behavior is what is called toxic shame. The message is “I’m so hurt by how I hurt you that my pain is more important than yours.” Others lash out and attempt to mask their error by blaming the other person for his wrong-doings. Both of these types of behaviors are self-absorbed and do… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 12, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Turbo Weight Loss Soup

Now that the holiday feasting is over, the three food thoughts running through my mind are: I need to lose the pounds I gained over the holidays, I don't want to sacrifice eating good food in order to lose the weight, and I want something warm in these freezing temperatures. In case you're thinking like I am, I thought it was a good time to reincarnate this recipe that I posted in the early days of the website. My mom introduced me to this… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 10, 2010 at 11:30am — 3 Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Make a Resolution for Your Relationship

Most of the time when we make resolutions for the New Year, our resolutions tend to be self-centered. Resolutions such as losing weight or stopping smoking are generally about you and you alone. This year, as you make your New Year’s resolutions, expand your pledges to include actions that will impact your relationship. Perhaps you need to stop yelling or complaining, be more accountable for your mistakes or spend more time simply having fun together. As an incentive, remember that your efforts… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on January 4, 2010 at 8:30pm — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

When Lisa from Backyard Getaway entered this recipe in the holiday recipe contest, I knew Kim was going to love it (even though Patti Linn, her personal trainer in the Weight Loss challenge, might not). Lisa serves this recipe which was passed down from her aunt every New Year. You might want to include it in your festivities this year, too.

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

Preheat oven to 350 bake about 10-15min

1 1/2 boxes cream cheese softened

Spread in… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 29, 2009 at 9:30am — 2 Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Finally, someone took the hint and dropped a holiday recipe contest entry off at the office for us to taste test! Thanks to Wendy Aronson Moore for sharing this delicious treat. If you still have holiday baking to do, this recipe is very yummy.

1 18 oz pkg of chocolate sandwich cookies

1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese

3/4 cups peppermint candies

1 lb white chocolate confection candy coating

In a food processor,… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 22, 2009 at 11:00pm — 4 Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Prevent the Invasion of the In-Laws

Time around family over the holidays can sometimes create tension in relationships. If you are one of the unfortunate ones who have in-laws or parents who are critical or non-supportive of your relationship, be sure to put a protective bubble around your relationship this holiday season. By that I mean, make a conscious effort to prevent intrusion in your relationship. Remember that your relationship with your spouse is your primary relationship now. If your parents are saying or doing negative… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 20, 2009 at 9:22am — No Comments

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tallulah Glossary Mineral Gloss

The tagline for Tallulah’s Glossary Mineral Gloss is all about kissing. And once I applied the lip gloss, I felt like my lips were just calling to be kissed. Moist, plump and glistening, as I looked in the mirror I couldn’t help thinking “Who wouldn’t want to kiss those lips?”

When I opened the package, I immediately knew that the Brazilia Glossary was going to be a perfect shade for my lips; the bronzy color coordinated well with… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 13, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Make-up Sex Is Not Enough

If you’ve had a crisis in your relationship, make-up sex is not going to solve the problem. This tip doesn’t mean that reconnecting sexually isn’t necessarily a good thing. It does mean that if you don’t address the actions which damaged the relationship, the relationship will likely crash and burn.

Too many times, I’ve seen couples gain a false sense of security once they are back in the bedroom (so to speak). Whatever they’ve been doing to improve the relationship, such as couples… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 13, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Pumpkin Chocolate Tart

Thanks to Carissa for entering this recipe in our Thanksgiving Recipe Contest. I made this tart for Thanksgiving, and everyone agreed that pumpkin and chocolate are a winning combination. Pumpkin pie may never be the same!

The recipe is from Martha Stewart, November 2003.

Prepare the crust first.

Chocolate Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup + 1 tbsp. sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 9, 2009 at 10:43am — 1 Comment

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: It's His Gift, Not Yours

As the holidays approach and you’re shopping for your man, don’t make the mistake that many women make. Don’t use the opportunity to attempt to mold your man into someone you want him to be with your gift. It happens all the time. Women buy men clothes, shoes, even sunglasses they wish he would wear. They buy surprise tickets to performances they want to see -- that their partner wouldn’t take them to see otherwise. Sports-oriented gifts like golf clubs have been given to inspire men to join… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 6, 2009 at 1:38pm — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Pumpkin (or Banana, Pineapple or Peanut Butter) Squares

Donna Paige won the random drawing in the Thanksgiving Recipe Contest with this submission which includes variations for different flavors. Although Donna isn't normally a dessert person, she thinks you will love this dessert as much as she does. You'll also love how easy it is to make.

Pumpkin Squares

Cake:

1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 egg

8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

1… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on December 1, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Extend the Gratitude

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time that prompts us to be grateful. Hopefully, everyone utilized the day as an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to loved ones. But, don't stop after holidays like Thanksgiving or Valentine's Day. Extending the gratitude to your partner every day of the year will heighten the connection in your relationship and contribute to an abundance of love throughout the year. Become cognizant of your partner's qualities, deeds and acts for which you feel… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 28, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: He' s Really Trying to Make Things Better

When your partner speaks to you about something he is unhappy about in your relationship, he isn’t trying to make the relationship worse. In actuality, he is trying to make your relationship better by speaking about the problem. Although since he may not be well-versed in how to speak cherishingly and relationally, it may come across as anger or sound like a complaint or criticism to your ears. But, instead of reacting with anger or defensiveness, let your guard down, look at it differently –… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 20, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Sweet Potato Souffle

This recipe for Sweet Potato Souffle submitted into our Thanksgiving recipe contest by Jane Barr is her son's favorite dish. It sounds so yummy, it just might become your favorite, too. Submit the recipe you crave the most each Thanksgiving in our contest, and you may win dinner for two at Longevity Restaurant!

1. Boil 6 sweet potatoes for 45 minutes or until soft.

2. Peel potatoes and mash. Mash into the potatoes

- 2 beaten… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 20, 2009 at 8:14am — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Pomodoro Sauce

This recipe from Scott Nuss's Eat for Health beginner class is a delicious raw tomato sauce loaded with vitamins and nutrients that is so simple and quick to make. As long as you remember to soak the sun-dried tomatoes and dates ahead of time, this recipe can be made in five minutes. The bitterness of the tomatoes is balanced by the dates. Use it anywhere you would use tomato sauce.

6 Roma Tomatoes

4 soaked Dates

1/2 to 3/4… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 13, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Uncooking: A Different Kind of Cooking Class

Cheese ravioli with pomodoro sauce, meat tacos with refried beans, butternut squash soup, kale tabouleh, brownies, and apple cinnamon crumble…sounds like a feast of cooked food, doesn’t it? In actuality, all of these dishes were the menu for the Introduction to “Uncooking” class led by Chef Scott Nuss at Simon’s Coffeehouse. Amazingly, no stoves or ovens were involved in this food preparation-- nor was there any meat. The focus of this class was… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 13, 2009 at 8:14am — 2 Comments

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