The Wonderful Innovation in Starting a Business

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of meeting two gentlemen in the community who had a vision and a determination to make a difference. One a long time business owner in the landscaping field who has owned his business for over 40 years and another who works for Merck in corporate finance .Two completely different careers brought together by the same thought, how can we make our community a better place to live. The answer was sitting right in front of their nose and when they realized what their town was missing they went out and filled that void with what we call “STAR DOGS”. STAR DOGS is a start up company that was thought up on the notion that every kid both big and small loves a good old hot dog and something to drink after a hard game of baseball, basketball, soccer or playing in the park and when owners Frank Gallo and Bradley Zwigard realized that this void was not being meet they went right to work in figuring out how to fix this broken arrow. They did their home work and due diligence in determining how to start their new business by first working with the Mt.Olive Township board members and convincing them that this niche needed to be filled and that this duo team could pull it off. After 9 months and a solid business plan the dream became a reality and now Flanders (Mt.Olive Township) has the addition of another small business that will bring stability, pride and jobs within the community while enhancing an already positive attribute that Morris County is a strong county and the towns within are what helps maintain that strength. The next time you’re visiting one of the 3 parks in Mt.Olive or just hanging around swimming pool, have a chili dog on me and say hello to Frank and Bradley, Flanders newest and brightest young entrepreneurs

One of the greatest snack/meals ever made

The good thing about being such a success in the kitchen is that you learn how to create a variety of great foods weather by trial and error or through proper guidance. I was fortunate of learning using all three and thank God they worked. My focus today is on the creation of a simple snack time food that as kids helped our parents keep us (kids) quiet and put smiles on our face. It is also a healthy food when prepared the right way and it can provide a mother with the tools she needs when adding variety to her meals. This snack food is easy to make and the only problem is trying to keep up with the high demand for it. You see long time successful businesses with this food type in every town you visit and I believe that their motivation to start a business came from cooking this food in their kitchen. Some times there are more than one type of this business in a town,which goes to show you that when it comes to making Italy’s famous pizza every one wants to share some of the old country with all of the new. Pizza was prepared as a meal in its origin but as it made its way to the united states I can remember preparing it as a snack after school. I would use breads such as English muffins, or bagels to place my sauce on and add a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese then into a hot oven for 7-10 minutes and in no time I was enjoying my pre-dinner snack. The pizza was thought to originate in Naples a city in Italy and through the migration into America by its citizens who were looking for a better life exploded this delicious meal turn snack on the tables of every American to consume and enjoy. The Pizza by all means is a premier meal any where you may travel but in my house I find it still has the benefits of a snack for my kids. So enjoy the snack and remember it started as a meal.

Philly's Finest Steak Makers and Business Competitors

Hey it's baseball season again and I just had to incorporate a little outdoor sport food to the blog. This is probably one of the easiest foods to put on your menu if you were starting a business in the restaurant industry. You could even get away with making this item the main focus of your restaurant and become very successful with it. The most important thing you would have to do is make sure you have a targeted market that will spend money on your product. I'm talking about the cheese steak! One of Philadelphia's greatest contributions to their state. Philadelphian take their steak very serious and it shows in the ongoing war between the famous Gino's Steak House and Pats, which is located across the street from one another in the south Philly area. Competition is tough on a daily basis but both restaurants have been able to last for over 60 years. Their determination, fortitude and quest to be Philadelphia's number 1 steak house is the drive that keeps them going, but being able to coexist lets you know that any one with drive can do it if that's what you want. Sense then there have been many steak houses opening all over the world and claiming to be the best but if you ask any Philadelphian where the best cheese steaks come from every answer will lead back Philly. It started with a thinly slice of rib eye steak, oven fresh bake bread, chopped onions/peppers and some cheese whiz and 60+ years later they are still in business, so tell me when are we going to start on our innovations. Do enjoy my version of Philly most notable sandwich.

The Incredible Eatable Easter Egg

The egg is one of our most consume products and yes there is an art to it. It’s made up of about 2 – 4oz of yolk and egg white that can be fried, steamed, whipped, baked and boiled. The trick is to determine how you want it. I have had the opportunity to prepare eggs in so many different ways that I can do it with my eyes closed, but seeing that it’s Easter this Sunday I thought I would share with you the art of boiling an egg just right. I know that most of you already know the procedure for doing this but if any one needs a refresher here it is. The first thing I would do is to get a pot big enough to boil all the eggs, fill it with water and bring it to a boil. The next step is to place the eggs inside of a china cap and then into the boiling water where they can cook for 3, 7, or 10 minutes. 7 minutes is the preferred time for Easter eggs because 3 will leave them too soft and 10 minutes will cook them to hard and cause them to turn green. Once you remove them from the boiling water you can cool them with cold running water and then let them sit to air dry and prepare for the dipping in your favorite colored dye. The china cap that I use allows the eggs to sit in the boiling water and not at the bottom of the pot which also helps the shells of the egg fall off when your kids are pealing them. Nothing worst than a 5 year old eating a boiled egg with little bits of egg shells in his or her mouth. Another test I learned while serving my country is that if you spin an egg while it is raw it will fall flat but if you spin one that is hard boiled it will spin like a top and actually stand up on one side, which is one way to determine that the egg is done. So there you have it, Easter egg prep made simple and don’t forget –HAPPY EASTER TO ALL

Darnells Fabulous Lentil Bean Soup

I know it's spring time and summer is just around the corner ,but I have to share with you one of my favorite of many soups,Lentil bean. One of many vegetarian bean soups loved by all both meat eaters and vegetarians a like.With spring time here there is still a little nip of chill in the air and there's nothing like a good old bowl of hot lentil bean soup to take the chill off. It only takes about 55 minutes to prepare this soup prep time included and the whole family will enjoy it. This soup is made with a vegetable base ;however it can be made with a meat base also. Its high in protein , fiber, vitamins A,C and calcium but if there was a down side to this soup it would be the high salt content . No need to fear because you can prepare this soup and many more using a salt substitute as well adding different seasonings such as onion and garlic powder to enhance the flavor of the soup. I have the advantage of preparing this soup on a 3 week cycle so I've become very proficient and creative by adding different ingredients that my customers and coworkers enjoy but I have the confidence that anyone can prepare this hearty soup at home all that is needed is a little confidence and persuasion. For more info on lentil bean soup just blog me and I will give you all that have.

The Unbelievable Tofu meal

Hello all in blog world, it’s me again with a little more info on what’s good for living a healthy life style. I want to introduce you to an amazing food that you may or may not be aware of. At first glance you might say what is that, but once you add some of your amazing touches to it you will have created a master piece. I’m talking about Tofu, one of the most chameleons like foods you’ll ever eat. Tofu gets its origin from our Asian world and through evolution has made its way to the western world. It’s easily produced but I recommend you purchase it from your local grocery store. What makes this such a chameleon like food is that because of it’s spongy like firmness it is able to absorb almost all the flavors of other foods and you have the ability to season it to your taste. You can fry it, toss it in dressing, saute it and bake it just to name a few ways to prepare it, but even the novice of cooks can’t ruin the finish product. Normally eaten by vegetarians (Vegan) we have slowly introduced it into our western way of life hoping to extend our longevity. It’s made with soy, high in calcium and posses high levels of protein with out the increased calories. When compared to meat, 4oz. of tofu is only 94 calories but the meat contains about 331 calories, something some of us can live without. I highly encourage you to try this amazingly low calorie food and if you’ve had it already then keep it up and lets live for ever.

The Best Oat Ever

Hey every one it's that time again. I know we all have our favorite foods that we love to eat each day, but I tell you this is one for the old history books. Oatmeal ! mans answer to fighting high cholesterol and those clogged arteries. I make sure I eat this about 4 times or more a week and my numbers are always in the low range of 160. I work in a hospital and this is an item that is incorporated into our patients regiment to getting healthier. I'm sure there are some oatmeal eaters out in blog world,but if you never had it before or if you are interested in maintaining your health you can't go wrong with this. It's high in fiber,low in calories and is full of protein,magnesium and potassium just name a few. With the reduction in cholesterol levels it has also been known to decrease chances of heart attack and enhance the control of LDL's. I like it as a hot cereal in the am, but you can be as creative as you like;oatmeal cookies,dips,rolled oats in peanut butter or my favorite sugar free peach cobbler oatmeal crisp. so there you have it oatmeal for a healthier you .

The fabulous egg white omelet

Hey,have you ever found yourself slow and sluggish in the mourning ? Well me to and that’s when I realized that there was more to life than rushing to work . As kids we were taught to eat a well balance breakfast to start your day off right and in most cases that worked. As adults we still have to apply some of those same beliefs and as a 46 year old, young man I still believe that breakfast is the most important meal to get your day started in a positive direction. That is why I want to share with you one of many great low calorie breakfast meals. I call it the simply easy to make, egg white omelet. It doesn’t take a master chef to make it and you can fix it in no time. It only takes about three whole eggs that have had the yolks separated from the whites and a lightly oiled pan(Pam spray).Heat the pan on medium for about 1 minute, then add the egg whites and as they solidify add a little cheese and fold and in 60 seconds you have your self the worlds greatest tasting cheese omelet. The biggest selling point on this meal is that it is easy to make, low in calories and with two slices of whole wheat toast and turkey sausage you can eat it on the run. So to all you breakfast skippers I hope this will get you eating again and energizing your day.

Delicious Chicken Dinner

Once again I have found a fantastic meal that the entire family can enjoy. It's something that is easy to prepare and cost effective. The basic grilled chicken and it can be served up many ways but my preferred method is to keep it simple and good. It takes about 25-40 minutes to prepare this dish depending upon the amount of people you cook it for. I'm an old military man so I'm accustomed to making it for 500 hundred people at once;however you can decrease that to 4-8 people easily. You start off with boneless breast of chicken that has been seasoned and marinated for 15 minute in a little onion powder,garlic powder and some low calorie Italian dressing. You will then brown your chicken on both sides for 3 minutes and remove chicken and place it in a lightly greased pan, that is placed into an oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. That is as easy as it gets when it comes to making an inexpensive delicious chicken dinner, but you can't have chicken without some lightly steamed vegetables and some red potatoes oven browned to perfection. It's low calorie, low cost and you can even get the kids to help you prepare this ,so enjoy and stay healthy.

One of the healthest fish in the world

Let me start of by saying that I am not a big fish eater, however I love salmon and I think it is the best fish to eat if you are tyring to live a long and healthy life. When compared to other fish I think salmon holds it own. The Omega 3 oil found in salmon has been known to help the fight against coronary heart disease. It's full of all the essential amino acids, rich in minerals ,high in protein and contains vitamins A,D,E B6 and B12. Everything that a person needs to live a healthy life and if you throw in a side of 4oz chef vegetables and some yellow rice this meal has the makings of a delicious dinner or supper. The positive aspect of this meal is that you can serve it to the whole family and get healthy together or you can eat it as a single man or women hoping to maintain that high school small waist line. What ever you choose just remember that if you consume fish you can live as long as you wish.