Dan and Rachael Polakovic London Ontario Real Estate Professional

Every year you vow you won't over cook. You won't leave yourself with so many left overs your fridge seems to be busting at the seams. Yet somehow, it always seems to happen. Instead of letting all of the remaining of the fixin's go to waste why not try a few of these receipes and enjoy a week's worth of effortless meals for your family to enjoy! And I guarantee they won't say "OH NO NOT TURKEY AGAIN!!"

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Dan and Rachael Polakovic

Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage London Ontario

www.two-realtors.com

Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey and Noodle Soup

Servings: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

Nutritional Info
Per each of 10 servings: about	-
cal	108
pro	10 g
total fat	2 g
sat. fat	1 g
carb	13 g
fibre	2 g
chol	23 mg
sodium	266 mg
% RDI:	-
calcium	3%
iron	10%
vit A	36%
vit C	37%
folate	17%

Suggested Recipes

• Chunky Gazpacho with Grilled Shrimp
• Thai Pork Stir-Fry
• Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Pan Sauce
• Creamy Carrot Soup
• Moroccan Soul Lentil Soup

1 smoked turkey leg (about 1 lb/500 g)
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) each chopped carrots and celery
1 cup (250 mL) sliced mushrooms
1 onion, diced
2 sprigs fresh parsley
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each dried thyme and pepper
3 cups (750 mL) sodium-reduced chicken stock
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas
2 cups (500 mL) small pasta, cooked

Preparation:

Remove skin and meat from turkey leg. Reserve bone; discard skin. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; set aside.

In slow cooker, combine carrots, celery, mushrooms, onion, parsley, bay leaf, thyme and pepper. Add turkey bone, stock and 3 cups (750 mL) water. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until vegetables are tender.

Add red pepper, peas and turkey meat. Cover and cook on high until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and parsley. Stir in pasta.

Additional Information

• Tip: If you can find only a large turkey leg, use 2 cups (500 mL) meat for this soup and the rest in pastas, salads or sandwiches

Turkey Con Queso Bake

Chili con queso is typically served as an appetizer with corn chips, tortilla chips or vegetables. By borrowing this idea and combining it with a turkey wrap, a new dish emerges. When assembling the dish, the sauce may seem too generous, but it eventually thickens and provides enough to spoon luxuriously over the rolls.

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

Nutritional Info
Per serving: about	-
cal	463
pro	28 g
total fat	25 g
sat. fat	13 g
carb	32 g
fibre	2 g
chol	87 mg
sodium	813 mg
% RDI:	-
calcium	35%
iron	21%
vit A	22%
vit C	13%
folate	35%

Suggested Recipes

• Whole Barbecued Lemon Tarragon Chicken
• Chunky Gazpacho with Grilled Shrimp
• Thai Pork Stir-Fry
• Pizza Buns
• Greatest Grilled Cheese

3 tbsp (50 mL) butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (50 mL) all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) turkey stock or chicken stock
1 cup (250 mL) milk
3 cups (750 mL) shredded old cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
Filling:
2 cups (500 mL) diced cooked turkey
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped green olives
3 green onions, chopped
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh coriander
1 jalape?epper, seeded and chopped
Eight 7-inch (18 cm) flour tortillas

Preparation:

In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; fry onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes.

Add flour; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Whisk in stock and milk and bring to boil, stirring; reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) of the cheese, salt and pepper; set aside.

Filling: In large bowl, combine turkey, tomatoes, olives, onions, coriander and jalape?epper; stir in 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the cheese sauce. Spoon 3/4 cup (175 mL) into greased 13- x 9-inch (3 L) glass baking dish.

Divide remaining filling evenly among centres of each tortilla; roll up loosely. Place, seam side down, on sauce. Spoon remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.)

Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven until golden and bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Roasted Corn, Turkey and Wild Rice Salad

This colourful, refreshing salad works well as part of a buffet brunch or luncheon menu. As an alternative to wild rice, use cooked brown or red rice. Frozen raspberry concentrate is convenient to have on hand: use any remaining in smoothies, fruit salads or for deglazing pans when saut?g chicken or turkey strips. Serve salad on a bed of arugula or shredded lettuce.

Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

Nutritional Info
Per each of 8 servings: about	-
cal	250
pro	13 g
total fat	12 g
sat. fat	2 g
carb	23 g
fibre	2 g
chol	27 mg
sodium	287 mg
% RDI:	-
calcium	2%
iron	11%
vit A	7%
vit C	47%
folate	20%

Suggested Recipes

• Chunky Gazpacho with Grilled Shrimp
• Thai Pork Stir-Fry
• Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Pan Sauce
• Maple Magic with Cheddar
• Peach Blackberry Cobbler

1 cup (250 mL) wild rice
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) canned or frozen corn kernels
2 tbsp (25 mL) vegetable oil
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
2 cups (500 mL) cubed cooked turkey
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped sweet red pepper
1 cup (250 mL) thinly sliced snow peas
Dressing:
1/3 cup (75 mL) frozen raspberry concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup (50 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp (50 mL) lemon juice or rice vinegar
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) grainy mustard
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper

Preparation:

In pot of boiling salted water, cover and cook rice until tender, 40 minutes; drain and fluff with fork. Let cool.

Meanwhile, in bowl, toss together corn, oil, salt and pepper. Spread on parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet; roast in 400°F (200°C) oven until lightly coloured, about 15 minutes. Let cool.

In large bowl, combine roasted corn, turkey, rice and red pepper. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.)

Dressing: In small bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk together raspberry concentrate, oil, lemon juice, onions, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over salad and toss well. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.) Add snow peas; toss to combine.

Additional Information

• Tip: For a sweeter salad, replace red pepper with dried cranberries

Halloween Safety
There's No Trick To It!

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils and goblins. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, many of the young and young-at-heart take a more light-spirited approach. Glowing skeletons and lighted Jack O' Lanterns decorate homes, while children dressed in all kinds of costumes begin flocking out onto neighborhood streets in search of treats. Make this year's holiday extra safe by following these safety tips on costumes, treats, decorations and more!

Costumes
When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label "Flame Resistant." Flame-resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists.

For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.

Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.

Costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.

Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high heels are not a good idea.

Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes and obstructing vision.

Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible materials.

Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.

Tips For Parents About Treats
Children should not snack while they're out trick-or-treating. They should wait until they get home and parents have had a chance to inspect the handouts. To help prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go-don't send them out on an empty stomach.

Tell children not to accept-and, especially, not to eat-anything that isn't commercially wrapped.

When children bring their treats home, discard any homemade candy or baked goods. Parents of young children should also remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.

Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy harmful bacteria. Juice or cider that has not been treated will say so on the label.

Decorations
Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.

Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters. Indoors, keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could catch fire. Do not leave burning candles unattended.

Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.

Don't overload extension cords.

Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater. Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.

Pedestrian Safety
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child.

Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

Children should not enter homes unless they are accompanied by an adult.

All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street.

Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments or furniture present dangers.

Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but they need to know the other side as well-clean up and damages can ruin Halloween. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they've made.

Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

Make sure you set a time that they should be home. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time.

This business is full of it's ups and downs. One day you can be so busy you barely have time to breath let alone rest or eat. Then the next all is quiet. And you wonder if something has happened to your phone.

After a whirlwind of a summer we have found ourselves in a bit of a quiet spell. So here we are BACK TO BASICS. It's time to take advantage of some of this down time while it lasts.

Now's a good time to do some research. Head out to the library or bookstore and grab a few books on topics you have been hearing about. Learn more about things that are going on in the market around you or different strategies to improve your business. I have been trying my best recently to learn as much as I can about the new Social Media craze and how it can help my business. A few good choices are FACEBOOK FOR DUMMIES and THE WHUFFIE FACTOR by Tara Hunt. No better time then the present to brush up on old skills or learn some new ones.

FIND SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT!!! Think about how you feel when you are at your busiest. Now find that feeling again. Look for new ideas or put into action your old ideas to get you back in your groove.

Keeping track and logging your time is vital. However if we are as successful as we want to be we don't always have time to document and keep on top of our paper work and it can just pile up. Use your quiet days wisely to file away that mess on your desk. Turn yourself in to that organization master you dream to be and take notes (or catch up on notes) of how you have been using your time. Business and goal planning is also essential. It's never a bad idea to review the past year and get a head start on your action plan for next year. While looking over your notes, notice what worked and DO IT AGAIN. Write it down, BLOG about it even. Why not kill two birds with one stone?? YOU ARE SO GOOD AT THIS!!

Since you have been reminiscing think of all of those people that got you here. You know the ones. The people that you talk to regularly (or should anyway). Your SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. Your mortgage guy, your banker buddies, your hairdresser, your past clients, your renter friends that aren't in the market for a home but will be in the future or may know someone who is ready, your mother's cousins friends brother. All of the people in your life that know you are in the business. Help them remember you, get them back to thinking about you so they will start talking about you and get that ball rolling again! This will help you reconnect with past contacts and it WILL help you make some new contacts. Why not throw a party? You deserve it!! Invite people. Show your past clients and/or friends how much you care about them. Which will in turn make them care about you. ( You know this.. the regular relationship stuff we learn when we are little) Invite people in the business that you know. Spend time with them picking their brains. Share ideas and stories.. you never know you may learn something great! And making connections within the industry is never a bad idea.

As humans we thrive on our feelings. We make connections with people instantly upon meeting them. Within a few minutes we know how we feel about a person. By their body language, the way they present themselves and so on really determines our opinions of others. This is why we love open houses. We get the opportunity to interact with the public. More so then just posting an ad for our service. They in turn can see us and how we interact and see our passion for helping them find (or sell) what they want. Schedule open houses. Down time or no down time. This should be a ritual for you. No listings of your own to open? Do one for some one else. Not only will you get to view a new property, you are presenting yourself to everyone who walks through the door and hopefully making a new connection.

Are you noticing a trend yet?

Make all of these things your second nature and you will find that your "down time" is filled with productivity that will improve your performance and you will continue to catapult into everything you dreamed your career would be.

Your success is built by you. You will get only what you put in. So stay positive and stay on top!

Dan and Rachael Polakovic are dedicated to making your real estate experience easy and enjoyable.

"Whether you are a first time home buyer, new to the City Of London or a long time resident looking for a change we make it our mission to find your perfect match and turn your dream of home ownership into a reality!"

And the quality service doesn't stop there. For those looking to sell their home we guarantee our complete dedication to promote your listing continuosly and effectively until it is sold. Weekly open houses, extensive online promotion and full colour ads are just the start.  Our performance beats all promises!

Experience the advantages of working with an Executive.

We look forward to working hard for you.

 

Literally two Realtors for the price of ONE!

Dan and Rachael Polakovic

Sales Representatives Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage London Ontario

www.two-realtors.com