Entertaining... and Eating... Your Way through Football Season

Temperatures skyrocketed to a blistering 111 degrees today in the Valley. Yet, while the crystal clear blue skies & feverish temperatures indicated it is still very much summer - the Sunday NFL lineup told us it is time for fall. For a few weeks now we've been fighting off the heat and running to the local sports bar for Bloody Mary brunches and NFL Sunday Ticket or hunkering down in the comfort of home with a Sunday football feast.

I love football season and thereby fall for that very reason: food. I may not be the best football fan (love the uniforms more than the game), but I know it is a great opportunity to cook up a delicious meal and be social. From my perspective, there is something about a lazy Sunday spent with friends and family dressed in football fan gear and hanging out on the family room sofas that feels... well, like home. So whether you were watching the Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons, the Manning brothers battle it out for glory, or are planning to tune in to watch Kurt Warner make the step from football field to ballroom dance floor on Dancing with the Stars, it all deserves an appropriately themed football menu.

This is one of my favorite recipes to serve during football season. Literally. Once a team has staked their claim on this season's Super Bowl rings, this recipe gets filed away. It can easily be adapted to serve in large or small quantities, cooked quickly and easily in a pot on the stove, or simmered to perfection throughout the day in a slow cooker. I promise your guests will be impressed and your Sunday tummy full & happy. Enjoy!

This recipe originally came from allrecipes.com (one of my biggest go-to sources for great menu strategies):

Easy Chicken Chili, serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1.5 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (15.5 ounce) cans Great Northern Beans
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
1 prepared rotisserie chicken, bones & skin removed, meat torn into bite-size pieces
NOTE: the following seasonings have been cut in half from original recipe, suggested use half
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (ground red pepper)
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream - NOTE: can also use light or fat-free sour cream, recommend purchase 16 ounce container as additional sour cream may be needed to achieve desired consistency
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese - NOTE: add shredded cheddar for a nice blend

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, Great Northern Beans, green chiles and torn chicken. Season with cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Stir in sour cream and simmer for 5 additional minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese.

* Recipe can also be done using a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients, except sour cream, in slow cooker and set to low for 6-8 hours. Stir periodically. Add sour cream and cook for additional 20-30 minutes. Additional sour cream may need to be added to achieve desired consistency.
Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Valentine's Day is All About LOVE

Valentine's Day has come and gone and this year my 8 year old reminded me that this holiday is all about love. Usually Valentine's Day is filled with cholocate, candy, cards, money and different special gifts to show (once again) just how special my 8 children are to me.


Like many, I have had to cut back on spending this year. Therefore, I made the difficult decision as to NOT spend money this Valentine's Day on gifts or candy. My father and his wife had sent each child, and myself, a card and since I knew they usually included money, that it would make up for mom's lack of holiday spoilings. We all gathered around on the couch as we each held our cards from Grandpa & Grandma anxiously waiting to open them. I went first. Much to my surprise, there was NO money included in my card. Not that I was expecting it or needed it, okay I was expecting it since every year since I can remember they have sent as least $20. Needless to say, I was stunned that there was no money. Now don't get me wrong, I am not all about money, I was just surprised thats all.


I started feeling like a really bad mother since I had not bought one gift for my children this Valentine's Day. Knowing I did not receive money fin my card, I was quite sure each of my children would be dissapointed as they opened theirs and read the sweet sentiment without money falling out. Much to my surprise, as they each tore into their card, $5.00 dropped out. And each card had such a lovely Valentine wish for each child.


Needless to say, they were thrilled. As happy as I was for them, I believe my face still expressed my disbelief that money did not fall out of my card. My eight year old daughter looked at me and said, "It's okay mom that you didn't get any money. Valentine's Day is really about LOVE anyway." What an amazing child.


We all called Grandma and Grandpa and the children thanked them for the cards and money and I thanked them for LOVING me and my family.

Media Coverage and Your Small Business

Media coverage is one of the best ways to get your business noticed by the public- with the added bonus that it's FREE!

The catch? Getting the media to notice you. As the small business owner of a start-up, I've had the good fortune to make connections with several notable personalities in the Phoenix community, and have been invited to make radio appearances on the Jan D'Atri Show and on The Boomer and the Babe. I've also been featured in the Phoenix Business Journal and my story has been highlighted in the Phoenix SCOREBoard.

While the effort to gain media attention is always ongoing, here are some tips I've picked up along the way:

1. Attend networking functions. I know, I know, this is nothing new - but it works. I've met some of my most valued supporters at industry events; you never know what a little socializing can do.

2. Write press releases- but keep them relevant. There is no magic bullet. You never know just what will grab the media's attention, but if you consistently reach out with information that is relevant to that media's audience, sooner or later your business will be noticed.

3. Learn about the media's demographic and tailor your story ideas accordingly. Many media have a niche audience that could be just right for you!

4. Locate writers in your area and send them a personal e-mail. Sometimes editors and producers will be more receptive to a story pitch if it comes from the staff or a well regarded freelancer.

5. Create a newsworthy event. Sponsor a charitable event or host a dynamic party. Again, you won't be guaranteed to get the media's attention, but several outlets broadcast from live events and yours could be the next feature!

One of the most important things to remember is that media coverage is a privilege - not a right. Keep with it, and hopefully we'll be hearing your name soon!

For party tips and trends, and everything you need to create your next event, visit www.LetsPartyMagazine.com!

Halloween Fun

With such a large family, humor is always important in getting us through the week's doctor appointments, cheerleading practices, homeschool assignments, and everything else our busy schedule entails.

With Halloween only 5 days away, here are a few timely jokes that put a smile on my face, and hopefully will do the same for you!

Q. Why aren't there any famous skeletons?

A. They're a bunch of no bodies.

Q. What did the Mommy ghost say to the baby ghost?

A. Don't spook until your spooken to.

Q. Why did the Vampire get fired from the Blood Bank?

A. He was caught drinking on the job.

Q. Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?

A. He didn't have the guts.

Q. What happened to the guy who couldn't keep up payments to his exorcist?

A. He was repossessed.

Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?

A. Frostbite.Q. Why do ghosts have so much trouble dating?

A. Women can see right through them.

For more Halloween party ideas, recipes, costume ideas, or theme party guides, visit http://www.letspartymagazine.com/!

Is Santa Real?

Halloween is fast approaching which means the entire Holiday Season is nearly upon us. This year will be a little different since I broke the news to my daughter that MOM is SANTA. I figured it was time (at the age of 12) to learn the truth about the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa. If one is maturing physically, learning about the "birds and the bees", Santa must be left in the past. And, what mother wants her daughter made fun of for believing...not this mother.


This was NOT an easy tasks, however, as she was convinced that Santa really did exist. After all, she has heard the "thump, thump" on the roof, he has written her letters, she has seen Rudolph flying across the sky (yes, it was a blinking plane), and she even saw Santa and Ms. Clause driving in a white mini van, stopping at our house, and picking up some of our (bulk) trash. The convincing mother that I am, led her to believe that since Santa is so busy, he is short on time and finds toys sometimes wherever he can.


I do believe this is a magical time of year and how special it is to see the wonder in children's eyes. I also feel it will be an extra special year as I now have an elf that will work with me to make this the most special holiday season for her 8 siblings. As one season in her life passes I am sure this new one will bring her as much joy if not more.


As you begin to look towards the holidays, be sure to visit www.LetsPartyMagazine.com frequently for all your holiday ideas, recipes, tips, trends and happenings. The staff at LetsPartMagazine.com wishes you a Happy Halloween and a joyous holiday season.

Hospital

I am back! For those who don't know, I just spent two weeks in Salt Lake City with my 10 year old daughter who had major surgery at the Shriner's Hospital. Although we are in a full body cast, it is good to be home and good to be back in blogging business. Stay tuned for more regular updates...

What Does the Way You Entertain Say About You?

With the popularity of quizzes on Facebook, (with subjects ranging from What 80s Movie Are You? to What Color is Your Personality?) we decided it would be fun to create a little quiz of our own.

LetsPartyMagazine.com teamed up with Kimberly Pearson of Redesign Home Interiors to explore What Your Host Style Says About YOU! Are you a foodie that's obsessed with the party menu? Or do you just lay out the chips and pretzels and focus on interacting with your guests?


Click here to find out what your Host Style says about you!