Help Us To Make A Difference

I know school isn’t out.  I know you are thinking about summer.  I know the last thing you want to hear about is back to school, right?

People start businesses for many different reasons.  Many will say it is to make money or to have a flexible schedule.  While others have a passion not tied to money (believe it or not!).   It may sound crazy BUT my motivation for my business goes far deeper than being able to pay bills.  Don’t get me wrong, I need to pay bills.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.  From raising funds for MDA as a kid to volunteering with disabled youth to being a social worker, I like to see people smile.  My business is no different.

I want to Bring a smile to face of those who are hurting and especially to kids because it is not usually their fault but the result of circumstances.  They need to know someone cares even in their darkest moments.

I have been doing give back programs since I started with Thirty One.  With the help of my family, friends and customers we have done zipper pouches for the Pediatrics Unit at Easter; Chemo comfort bags, and USA HERO zipper pouches for our Vets.  You have helped me to raise money for Smiles for Trevor, Relay for Life, Suicide Awareness and have helped families with medical expenses.  Together, we are making a difference in the lives of others especially women and children letting them know someone cares!

You know the “Back to School” campaigns which provide kids with backpacks and school supplies, right? These programs help each child start off the school year on the right foot.

Last year, we provided 31 children with THERMAL LUNCH TOTES filled with some healthy snacks.  Let’s be honest, the FREE lunch program doesn’t always have kid friendly foods. No hate mail PLEASE because I know there are some places with great meals but let’s be honest, not all of them do.

We will be doing this AGAIN this year.  For $20, you can sponsor a thermal tote filled with healthy snacks for a child in need. If you want to help BUT you don’t have $20, donate what you can – $1, $2, $5, or $10. Maybe finances are tight BUT you know a business who may want to help, GREAT! Let me know or forward this information to them. I will supply a list of business sponsors in every thermal tote along with blogging about them – FREE advertising for helping out a great cause. Where else could they get FREE advertising for $20 or $40?

Won’t you help to make a difference today?  You can fill out the form below or contact me directly. I will be happy to invoice you. Let’s bring a smile to the face of as many children as we can this school year.  The deadline is June 15th!

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Have ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday – Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie

Thank you Hungry Girl for another tempting recipe.  I am going to make this one for dinner next week.  Hubby is trying to eat the same as me with all of the limitations so we shall see what the outcome is…

I don’t know about you but I am a HUGE fan of larger portions with small calorie counts. Veggies and lean protein are perfect especially on this new limited eating plan.

I can’t get over a massive hunk has just 211 calories…

Stats: 1/4th of recipe: 211 calories, 5.5g total fat (2.5g sat fat), 709mg sodium, 27g carbs, 6g fiber, 11.5g sugars, 14.5g protein — SmartPoints™ value 3*

Prep: 15 minutes               Cook: 1 hour and 25 minutes                  Cool: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash (at least 4 1/2 lbs.)
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 1/4 tsp. onion powder
1 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 1/2 oz. (about 24 slices) turkey pepperoni, chopped
1/2 cup (about 4 large) egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1 tbsp. chopped basil

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a large pie pan with nonstick spray.
• Microwave squash for 6 minutes, or until soft enough to cut. Once cool enough to handle, halve lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds. Fill a large baking pan with 1/2 inch water and place squash halves in the pan, cut sides down.
• Bake until tender, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, and 1/4 tsp. each onion powder and garlic powder. Cook and stir until veggies have slightly softened and lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
• Remove squash from oven, but leave oven on. Use a fork to scrape out spaghetti squash strands. Place in a strainer to drain excess moisture.
• Thoroughly blot dry, removing as much moisture as possible. Transfer 5 cups squash strands to a large bowl. (Reserve any extra squash for another time.)
• Add remaining 1 tsp. each onion powder and garlic powder to the bowl. Add canned crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, pepperoni, egg whites/substitute, and cooked veggies. Mix thoroughly. Transfer mixture to the pie pan and smooth out the surface.
• Bake until slightly firm, about 25 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cheese, olives, and basil. Bake until cheese has melted and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

This is a great pack and go lunch for work (if there are leftovers).  Try one of Thirty One Gifts’ lunch thermals – five choices to fit whatever you take for lunch….

Not sure which one will fit your needs, just ask, I will be happy to help you out….Check out the complete line of thermals at www.partywithHope.com

Can’t wait to hear what you think of this dish.

Have a ThirtyOne-deful day!

 

The “Unofficial” End of Summer

YEAH!  Today is Friday and for many, they are looking forward to the LONG Labor Day Weekend.  This weekend is filled with the last hurrah before the kids go back to school.  The “unofficial” end of summer.

Being born and raised at the Jersey Shore, I have learned to look forward to this weekend. It is the weekend when most “shoobies” head home.

 A shoobie (if you are from South Jersey) is some one who wears socks and sandals on the beach, typically coming to the shore for a vacation or long weekend or a day trip.  Of course, if you are from Central or Northern NJ, these visitors are called “bennies” and are usually from NY.  They are what keeps many businesses in our area open and able to sustain during the long cold winter months.  YEAH!

When I was in high school, I longed for the summer.  The boardwalk in Asbury Park got busy and I got more hours at work.   We didn’t mind sitting in traffic or the lack of parking spaces.  Fast forward to living in South Jersey near Ocean City and believe it or not, I didn’t think it was that bad, either.  Yes, there was a little bit more traffic.  Yes, there was a few less parking spaces.  Yes, we had to pay to park.  Given all of that, I loved taking the kids to the boardwalk and people watching.  The crowds never seemed that bad.

Fast forward to NOW!  Living in Central Jersey (Brick) again, I am back to CELEBRATING the exodus of people.  For some reason the crowds seem worse, manners were left at home and oh, did I mention the traffic.  I can go back to driving the highways and enjoy my happy place – the beach/ boardwalk in Ocean Grove.  I no longer have to find the shortest or less traveled distance between any where I want to go.  I can enjoy the boardwalk and we can walk the lake. Will I miss the warmer weather? YES!  Will I miss the seasonal businesses that will close?  YES!

Will I miss the “shoobies” and “bennies”?  NO!  Please no hate mail.  All I ask when you visit is that you bring your manners and remember that for some of us, this is home and not just a vacation spot.  We welcome you into our “HOME” and ask that you treat it as if you were a guest in someone’s (physical) home.

So, are you excited about or dreading the start of the LONG Labor Day Weekend?  Share your thoughts with us..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

July is Going to be a BLAST!

The “official” start of summer has arrived and with it comes LOTS of exciting things at ThirtyOne.  I am counting down the days till I will be in my “pink bubble” at National Conference. In the meantime, I will share some things….

#1 –  July’s Customer Special is THERMALS!

Now I know that it may be a little early to think Back to School BUT $10 thermals will entice you (and your friends) to stock up.  Here are some deals you can ONLY get in July:

#2 – Going to the beach or sitting around the pool?  Doing things with the kids?  Share the catalog and the bundles and you will be surprised at how fast those orders come in.  Look at what you could get:

#3 – The BEST deal in the catalog is the enrollment kit….For just $99, you get over $350 in product.  This kit is only available until July 20th.

See how you can CASH in on some more things this month with just $99.  Enter $600 in orders before the 20th of July and you get to pick ONE of these AWESOME bundles.  That is an additional $150 in FREE product in the first 30 days on our StartSwell program.

PLUS you earn DREAM REWARDS…. Collect points  based on your sales and new team members by September 30th and you will earn up to a $1,300 gift card!

If you collect $1,000 in PV before July 20th, you will receive the Away We Go Roller for FREE!

AND you will also earn at least Level 1 of Ready Set Sell which is more FREE product (a $111 value) from the NEW Fall Catalog…AND for an additional $40 you can purchase the Fall Add On kit which is a $97 value.  Contact me directly if you would like to see what are in these special kits.

So, you will get a FREE product, a gift card AND you earn commission. You will get paid to have fun and collect all of these FREE perks.

Which opportunity is for you? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Meals When the Kids are Out of School

Schools out.  If you thought coming up with ideas for kids to take for lunch was tough during the school year – it is even worse during the summer.  Summer meals on the go was always tough.  Belinda was always on the go – gymnastics, field hockey, cheering, working, and friends.

Here are some quick and easy recipes from Amy Carter, owner of Sarah’s Place in downtown Roanoke, VA.

Peanut Butter (Nuttella) Quesadillas
Ingredients:
– 1 8-inch whole wheat tortilla
– Optional ingredients
– 2 Tbsp natural peanut butter
– 2 Tbsp Nuttella
– 2 Tbsp Biscoff
– ½ medium banana
– 1 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
– 1 Tbsp Raisins

Instructions:
1. Spread the peanut butter or spread of choice over the surface of the tortilla.
2. Slice the banana very thinly and then arrange the slices over half of the tortilla. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and or Raisins over the banana slices and then fold the tortilla in half.
3. Cook the quesadilla in a skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
4. Take a pizza cutter and slice into triangles if desired.

French Bread Pizza
Suggestive Ingredients:
– 6 whole Deli Rolls Or Crusty Italian Rolls
– Jarred Marinara Sauce Or Pizza Sauce
– Jarred Or Refrigerated Pesto
– 2 pounds Mozzarella Cheese, Grated
– Grated Parmesan Cheese To Taste
– 1/2 pound Sausage (regular Breakfast Sausage Or Italian Sausage)
– Pepperoni Slices
– Canadian Bacon Slices
– Pineapple Chunks, Fresh Or Canned
– Roma Tomatoes, Sliced
– Sliced Black Olives
– Sliced Bell Peppers, Various Cheeses, Pepperoni, Jalapeno Slices, Diced Red Onion, Any Other Pizza Topping You’d Like!

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Slice rolls in half and lay them, cut side up, on a large baking sheet.
3. Top each half with a generous portion of either marinara or pesto. Next, top with a generous amount of grated mozzarella and Parmesan, if you’d like.
3. Add whatever toppings you’d like on top of the cheese!
4. Once all assembled, put the pan in the oven on the lowest rack for 8 to 10 minutes. Crank up the heat to 425 and put it on the highest rack until the cheese starts to bubble a bit and turn golden.
5. Remove and serve immediately! You can cut the pizzas in half right across the middle so there are mini-French Bread Pizzas for everyone.

Easy Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients:
– Favorite fruit (frozen)
– Bananas
– 2 cups vanilla yogurt (Frozen Yogurt if desired)
– 2 cups milk or almond milk
– Ice if desired

Directions
1. Blend frozen fruit, banana, vanilla yogurt, and milk in a blender until smooth
2. Pour into cool glass

Cheerio Snack Bars
Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup creamy unsalted butter (half of one stick)
– 1/4 cup honey (light-colored corn syrup may be substituted and will keep the bars firmer at room temp than using honey)
– 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios (or similar store brand cereal; plain Cheerios may be substituted for a less sweet bar)
– 1 cup raisins, optional (1 cup honey-roasted peanuts, 1 cup chopped almonds, or 1 cup trail mix may be substituted) about 1/2 cup chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, optional (I used Trader Joe’s)
– Pinch sea salt or Kosher salt for sprinkling, optional

Directions:
1. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large heavy sauce pan, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, and heat on medium low until all the sugar is melt and begin to boil
3. Boil for 3- 4 minutes. Be very careful when adding remaining ingredients ( Mom do this).
4. Stir in the vanilla using caution because mixture could bubble up.
5. Stir in the cereal.
6. Stir in the optional raisins (or nuts).
7. Turn mixture out into prepared pan, packing it down firmly with a spatula and smoothing the top.
8. Optionally, sprinkle evenly with sunflower seeds and salt (the salt cuts some of the sweetness and I recommend it).
9. Cover pan with a sheet of foil (to prevent fridge smells), and place pan in fridge to set up for at least 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, or until bars are completely set before lifting out with foil overhang, slicing, and serving.
10. Bars will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I recommend storing them in the fridge rather than room temp because they soften and get loose.

What are YOUR kids favorite quick meals?  Share them with us.

Have  a ThirtyOne-derful day!