Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist's Blog

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Protect Yourself

Last week, I talked about making sure your negative feelings don’t leak out on your partner. This week’s tip is about how to protect yourself so your partner’s bad day doesn’t become your bad day. When your partner is in a nasty mood, think of shielding yourself so that the negativity doesn’t penetrate you. Think to yourself: “I can comfort him or ask how I can help, but I am not going to allow his bad day to affect me. It’s his issue.” Imagine an invisible shield between you. When you practice… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 12, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

The Suncoast Food and Wine Fest: A Delectable Way to Spend an Afternoon

It was a wise decision to change the name of the Suncoast Wine Fest to the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest this year. As I noted in my column last year, this festival is just as much about the food as it is the wine. The festival itself didn’t change this year other than the addition of specialty beers to further accommodate the masses. It’s just that now the name reflects what has always been true – you can easily enjoy this festival for the food alone. Next year, even if you don’t enjoy wine,… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 10, 2009 at 4:57pm — No Comments

PRODUCT REVIEW: Julie Hewett Ora Mineral Powder -- A New Love!

When I love something, I’m typically faithful in my devotion. But with things as with people, sometimes you think you have loved until something so much better comes along that you realize it wasn’t true love in the first place. That’s what happened when I tried Julie Hewett’s Ora Mineral Powder. When it comes to foundation, my allegiance used to be to Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Foundation, but now I’ve found a new love! I will be forever grateful… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 6, 2009 at 3:00pm — 2 Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Check For Leakage

If you’ve had a bad day or if you are upset or in a bad mood for whatever reason, check to make sure it doesn’t leak out on your partner. Checking for leakage means that you acknowledge your own negative feelings and make sure that no one else has to feel the toxic energy of them. No one else should have to tip toe around you or be careful of what they talk about because you’re having a bad day. I’m willing to bet that at this very moment images… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on November 2, 2009 at 8:00pm — 1 Comment

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Stuffed Figs

Fresh figs at the Farmers Market and the 15 year aged Balsamic Vinegar that I bought to make Michelle Donner’s delicious Spinach Proscuitto Pizza recipe inspired me to make this recipe one evening when a bout of hunger struck. (Michelle’s recipe cost me the price of a pizza stone, too – but the taste was worth the price of both purchases). The figs are simple to make, can be made in minutes and are quite delicious, if I do say so myself. It… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 29, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Book Review: "The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can't Hang On To Money and What To Do About It"

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t wish for more money. Yet many of us just live month to month, with nothing left over at the end. The one sure way to have more money is to save money; it’s an important part of responsible financial management, and it is the only way to reach our financial potential.

During these difficult economic times, it’s hard to think about saving money. Most people are either worried about making money or whether… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 23, 2009 at 3:30pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Remember, You Are Not Alone

If you are in relationship, then you are not alone. Virtually everything you do will affect your partner in one way or another. Be conscious; you are now walking the path with another human being that has feelings and sensitivities. Consider how your actions will affect your partner. Step out of your self and ask “How might what I am about to do affect my partner?” It’s not just about you anymore. It’s about the two of you.

Apply this tip… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 23, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Won Ton Soup

You don't have to go out for Chinese anymore! The cool weather we've had the past few days makes it a great time to enjoy this Won Ton Soup recipe from Publix Apron's Cooking School. It's worth making this soup just to see the cool raft that forms.

Serves six

For the Won Tons:

¾ pound Ground pork (may also use Ground Turkey or Chicken)

1 Tbs. Chopped Ginger

1 Scallion (sliced fine)

1 clove Garlic… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 19, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Braised Short Ribs with Shitake Mushroom and Cannellini Bean Ragout

In this recipe from the Intermediate Techniques class at Publix Apron's Cooking School, the fennel seed and porcini mushrooms took the short ribs to new heights.

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:

6 beef short ribs, approximately 1-lb each

1 large carrot, unpeeled and roughly chopped

1 medium onion, unpeeled and roughly chopped

3 ribs of celery, roughly chopped

½ head of garlic, halved horizontally

¼ cup… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 8, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Curiosity Doesn't Kill...the Relationship

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it will give long, peaceful life to your relationship. At the Relational Life Institute, we say “Make points of contention become points of curiosity.” When your partner or anyone is upset with you, instead of responding with defensiveness or disagreement as typically occurs, respond with curiosity. Ask questions like, “What was upsetting to you? What did I say? What did I do? What did it trigger for you?”… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 8, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

PUTTING ON MY APRON AT APRON'S: Intermediate Techniques, Final Week

In our final week of the Intermediate Techniques class at Publix Apron’s Cooking School, intermediate was the name of the game. We worked with rice paper to form Shrimp Rice-Paper Rolls with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce. We slow-cooked Braised Short Ribs with a Shitake Mushroom and Cannellini Bean Ragout that was to die for! We formed Andouille Potato Cakes with a Roasted Corn Salsa, and we did the tedious job of working with delicate phyllo dough for the… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 4, 2009 at 7:30pm — 2 Comments

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Tiramisu

I don't know anyone who doesn't love Tiramisu. Now you can make your own at home! When we made this dessert in the Intermediate Techniques class at Publix Apron's Cooking School, we added Kahlua to the syrup which I highly recommend. Find other uses for this syrup, too...like over ice cream!

Serves 8 –10

Ingredients:

Espresso syrup:

2 oz. Sugar

2 oz. Water

6 oz. Espresso (coffee)

2 oz. Dark… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on October 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — 4 Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Eliminate Tit for Tat

To respond to a partner (or anyone else) who is upset with you with a counterattack of what he did wrong is not fair game. It means you are not being accountable for your own actions. Plus, you aren’t really hearing your partner’s feelings.

Over and over again in couples therapy sessions, I hear partners employ this tactic to get the heat off them. It doesn’t; it only makes the situation worse. What ends up happening is that the wounded… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 29, 2009 at 2:00pm — 4 Comments

PUTTING ON MY APRON AT APRON'S: Intermediate Techniques, Week 3

Executive Chef Jim Hendry lost his voice and was unable to teach the Intermediate Techniques class at Apron’s Cooking School this week, but his usual sidekick, Mike McClure did a bang-up job of covering the whole class by himself. Mike led us in preparing Lobster and Shrimp Ceviche with Plantain Chips, Porcini Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with Haricot Verts, Risotto Caprese and Orange Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Vanilla Chiffon Cake. Now, do we eat good or… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 27, 2009 at 11:36am — No Comments

Seared Sea Scallops With Crispy Pancetta and Truffle Emulsion

The reviews of this dish prepared in the Intermediate Techniques class at Apron's Cooking School were rave. The Truffle emulsion is what made this dish exotic and phenomenal.

Ingredients:

18 sea scallops, 10/20 counts

1 Tbl. Olive oil

3 cups Butter lettuce, cleaned and chiffonade

1 cup rendered pancetta*

Method:

Pick all of the abductor mussels off of the scallops and rinse well in cold water.… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 24, 2009 at 4:25pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Nuking Is For the Microwave

Often when people get hurt or angry, the tendency is to try to get back at the other person with hurtful words or actions. In the Relational Life Therapy I practice, we refer to retaliation as one of the losing relationship strategies. It’s based on the belief that if the other person feels the same pain you are feeling, then he will learn from it. Not!! The other person is only going to become infuriated, and the situation will escalate. This whole… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 22, 2009 at 2:30pm — 3 Comments

CHANGING MY VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

I decided to treat myself to a much needed night of rest and relaxation at home tonight (and yes, it was not supposed to include writing or any other form of work). Of course, it did have to include good food, so I prepared a gourmet meal and proceeded to dine in my favorite venue, outdoors.

When I moved to a condo several months ago, it was a stretch. I had always resisted condo living with the same excuse, “I love outdoor living; I have… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 21, 2009 at 9:00pm — 5 Comments

PUTTING ON MY APRON AT APRON'S: Intermediate Techniques, Week 2

In this my second week of the Intermediate Techniques class at Publix Apron’s Cooking School, I am suddenly aware of how today’s hectic schedules and busy lives have influenced our cooking habits. As we made a homemade consommé and filled and folded won tons for the Won Ton Soup, prepared and formed Sofrito Crab Cakes with a Roasted Red Pepper Beurre Blanc made from scratch, roasted vegetables for the Root Vegetable Hash, created a crumb topping to… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 20, 2009 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Grilled Vegetable Strata With Roasted Tomato-Goat Cheese Mornay

It was really hard to pick which recipe was the best from last week's class at Apron's Cooking School. This recipe makes a delicious vegetarian entree or side dish. The Mornay sauce which melds goat cheese and roasted tomatoes is luscious enough to make alone and serve over pasta. Now you have two recipes in one!

Serves Eight

Ingredients:

2 Eggplant

2 Red Bell Pepper

1 Zucchini

1 yellow squash

2 Red… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 15, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Realities Differ

Each person’s reality of the same situation or incident will differ. We can be at the same place, at the same time and yet hear, see and interpret differently.

Recognize that your partner’s reality will differ from your reality. We do not come to each other with clean slates. We come to each other colored by our experiences and checkered with wounds from our past. Because we do not see through the same lens, we will have a different… Continue

Added by Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist on September 14, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

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