Television Casting Call For Atlanta Families With Teens

Studio Lambert, the studio that brought you "Undercover Boss" is working on a new show called "It Takes A Village" for the Oprah Winfrey Network. They will be casting in Atlanta soon and may be looking for a family just like yours!

Each episode will feature a family confronting challenges with their teens (just like on "Supernanny")... but the show will rally the community to help the family.  The help will come from friends, family, neighbors and free services. At the end of the day, the show intends to create a greater sense of community for the whole neighborhood.

For example, this family might have a son failing in math, yet they don't know there is a retired math teacher living at the end of their block who would love to help... Or, in the family there's a teen boy who needs a strong male parent figure (that they do not currently have), and they are helped by a male neighbor by taking the child out to baseball games, etc.  But these are just examples-- the net is wide open for suggestions! There are obviously many different kinds of troubles a family can be having. See the details after the jump:

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Fatherhood In Black: Tray Chaney

Tray Chaney, with son, Malachi and father, Skip.

NAME: Tray Chaney

OCCUPATION: Entertainer (The Wire, Something The Lord Made, Fatherhood)

AGE: 30

STATUS: Married

HOW MANY KIDS: 2

KID(S) AGES: 5 years old


YOUR ONE SENTENCE STATEMENT/FEELING ON FATHERHOOD: Our kids are the future! We have to be there for them!

This is the first in what I hope will be a VERY large and long series of images.

It’s easy to debate with words and emotion the notion of “The Good Black Man” who does what he says and means what he says who short of his own set of God-given flaws is a credit to his family and his community. Some argue he is a mythological being or worse, one that only exists thanks to celebrity or wealth. There are a plenty of examples everywhere. If you don’t see them it may be because you don’t see them. I hate to burst bubbles but President Obama and Will Smith are not the only strong and positive African American fathers in our midst. If you can’t find them it might be because we are everywhere, hiding unsung in plain sight at schools, kids’ sporting events and churches, just to name a few places.

The mission of Fatherhood In Black™ is to give an indisputable face to dedicated, responsible African American fathers nationwide and from all walks of life.

Welcome to Fatherhood In Black™.

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Organize Your Garage With the Brother P-Touch

Back in August of last year I initially reviewed the Brother P-Touch Label Maker and tested the durability of the labels under the stresses of wear and tear and water. The labels passed with flying colors. From there it was time to put them to practical use around my home.

I began in my garage. That deep dark place where men stuff junk. Only a very small fraction of men own what I call "coveted garages" those stylish places where everything is neatly arranged along the wall, their is functional lighting, maybe even some artwork on the walls and the car or cars sit beautifully tended to smack dead in the middle, like beloved stallions. Then there are people like my father who upon raising the door a gasp of fright fills your lungs and you blurt uncontrollably, "Oh...my...God."

I'm trying to be in the first category. I'm not trying to be my dad on this one (sorry, Dad). Making matters even more challenging I am a recent transplant from the Northeast to the Southeast.

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Mondays With Michelle: My New Vegetable Obsessions

              

I haven't always loved brussel sprouts. In fact, as a kid, I hated them. Completely despised them. So much so, that I didn't eat a brussel sprout again until last year. 

True story. 

The foodie in me realized how much I had been loosing out and I finally picked up a bag from the farmers market. I brought the little green cabbage balls home and proceeded to trim them, cut them in half, lather them with olive oil, season them up and pop them in the oven to roast. What I got was the the MOST DELICIOUS little vegetable ever. I had NO idea what I had been missing.... all because of a childhood phobia. I have been eating them non-stop since.

My most recent vegetable obsession that I added to my beloved roasted brussels sprouts is butternut squash. Who knew that funky looking winter squash was so freaking yummy?! I have had butternut squash before, specifically in the form of the popular winter soup, but it's not a vegetable that I've had much experience with. So this past week I tried roasting some with my brussels sprouts and it was just delicious! 

Roasted brussels sprouts and butternut squash

This is a perfect example of tip #8: Try something new (from my New Year's resolutions post). Something new doesn't necessary mean some exotic fruit or vegetable, just something you don't normally eat or like me hadn't eaten in a really long time or never experimented with on your own.

You are welcome to partake in my brussels sprouts and butternut squash obbesion, below is the reciepe for the roasted goodness shown in the photo above. 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

Ingredients:

1lb brussels sprouts

1 medium butternut squash

2 Tbs olive oil

White spice to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Trim brussels sprout stems and remove any discolored outer leaves. Cut each one in half
• Peel, seed and dice squash (Put the squash in the microwave for 2 minutes to soften up the skin to make it easier to peel with a vegetable peeler.)
• Toss sprouts and squash with olive olive and season generously with white spice. 
• Place vegetables on a baking sheet and allow to roast for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and tender. (I like to give it a quick toss again about half way through the cooking time to make sure it is browning evenly.)
• Serve with your dinner of choice and enjoy!

Dinner time at my house, steak with carmalized onions, smashed
red potatoes and my favorite roasted veggies

(Find the printable recipe here.)

What new fruit or vegetable are you going to try this week?? Leave your yummy ideas in the comment section below or tweet me at @citrus_catering.

Don't forget to visit my Foodie blog for more food tips, recipes and foodie fun. 

Thanks for reading!

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Date Night Jan. 20: Red Tails Movie

From all accounts this appears to be the movie to see this weekend, either on a date or with the family. It's based on the real lives of the Tuskegee Airmen. And the producer, George Lucas --- the man who gave the world Star Wars and it's alternative universe, has a very serious desire for the film.



Here's to sticking to projects for the long haul.

Red Tails, in theaters everywhere, January 20, 2012.

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Martin Luther King Day 2012

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

Romans 14:19 NIV

Though the above quote is a verse from the Bible this was and continues to be Martin Luther King, Jr's challenge to each and everyone of us. I love the way my co-author of the Good Morning Project stated it earlier this morning:

How will you remember our National Peacemaker's legacy today? In service or support to others? By contemplating his life's work and what it means to you? By catching an educational show on his life on TV, or by deepening your knowledge of his life and work by reading/learning something new about him, and sharing that with your children? However you choose to celebrate today, we all can further Dr. King's legacy everyday by just being the example of Love, peace, generosity and equality that he wrote and spoke about and worked for.

Be of good cheer and providence to others...

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Mondays with Michelle: Salsa Time

Welcome to Monday's with Michelle! This week I want to share some yummy (and healthy) salsa recipes with you in an effort to make your meals even more delicious without adding a ton of fat or calories.

As I mentioned last week, one of the biggest misconceptions with eating healthy is that "diet" food has to be bland and boring. First, it's not "diet" food, so get that out of your head. It's just a cleaner healthier version of the same old stuff we've always had. 

Back to the salsa... 

It's not just for dipping tortilla chips in. It's amazing served over just about any thing. Well, it's amazing period, I could eat it with a spoon...but that is not the point here. Think of it as a condiment. The Spanish word 'salsa' literally translates to 'sauce' in English. So ditch the idea of it being a dip and try it as a sauce.

I shared my famous tomato salsa  recipe with you a while back, during part 2 of my "Host(es) with the Most(est)" series. This time instead of serving it with a bag of chips spoon some over grilled chicken breast. It's delish. I promise. 

In case you missed it, find the recipe again here: Chef Michelle's Tomato Salsa

Grilled chicken breast with my tomato salsa over the top... served with corn on the cob and  a mixed green salad. (That's a pretty colorful plate! Remember tip#2)

Salsa doesn't stop at the traditional tomato variety either, there are tons of combinations to try.  Another one of my favorites is Black Bean Mango Salsa. This one is delicious over more spicy proteins, like spicy shrimp skewers or jerk chicken. The sweetness of the mango's compliments the spiciness perfectly.

Find the recipe here: Black Bean Mango Salsa

Black bean mango salsa

These 2 recipes are great ways to incorporate Tips number 2, 5 and 8...

#2 Eat colorful (check)

#5 Eat clean, real food (check)

# 8 Try something new (check)

I hope you enjoy these recipes! Stay tuned for more yummy recipes, cooking techniques and ideas to help you eat healthy in 2012.  Don't forget to visit my foodie blog for more food tips, recipes and foodie fun. 

Thanks for reading!

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