Celebrate National Milk Chocolate Day on July 28, 2010. Grab a piece of milk chocolate and savor it as it melts in your mouth. Now, you've done your part!

Enjoy these fun chocolate facts -

- Milk Chocolate was invented by the Swiss. In 1875, Milk Chocolate was introduced when condensed milk was added to cocoa powder

- Americans consume 50% of chocolate each year

- 65% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate

Who created National Milk Chocolate Day? Who knows. Most likely, this sweet day was created by chocolate confectioners.

For smooth and creamy milk chocolate and other fine products, visit http://www.DOVE-Chocolate-Discoveries.com/AimeeWilson.

Savor life's best,

Aimee　

Sources: www.CandyUSA.com and  ChocolateSmarts - www.smartsco.com

I did not make this up. I am simply taking a page from Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, Chapter 6, to be precise. Try it. Let the other person hear the sweetest sound!

Savor life's best,

Aimee

For the Star Challenges, I would love to meet the creative minds who develop those concepts.  Having the remaining contestants work together to execute a supper club experience was genius.  Not only did I learn from that aspect of the show, I also enjoyed the commentary from the various foodies who attended.  The professionals who participate in the Star Challenges as critics have that slice of time to critique the contestants without prior experience with the contestants.  I think their opinions, based on a live, brief food presentation, adds credibility  because of the limited experience with the contestants combined with their culinary expertise.  It makes their impressions rise to a higher level.  While viewers at home determine within moments whether they will continue to watch a show, food or cooking shows must pique your interest with that X factor, which typically is the personable host whose personality catches your eye and draws you in.

Now, it finally happened this episode.  This week's eliminated contestant was allowed to flounder for sometime in hopes of seeing a dynamic presentation match her magnetic personality while experiencing sophisticated food worthy of the Next Food Network Star.  Like one of the other contestants mentioned on this week's episode, the eliminated contestant created too many pasta dishes.  As discovered on a wrap-up show called NFNS After Party on Cooking Channel, the eliminated contestant had a fabulous dish that could have been the difference maker.  In case you just learned about this after party like I did, NFNS After Party gives a "Monday Morning Quarterback" perspective from hosts who include two past season contestants.  At the end of the after party show, the hosts gave their predictions on who would eliminated next.  I disagree with the prediction for the next eliminated contestant.  While one of the contestants whose name starts with "A" is soaring to the top, the other contestant whose name starts with "A", in my opinion, will be eliminated next week.  We will have to wait to see who is correct.

Savor life's best,
Aimee

- Mother

- Daughter

- Sister

- Friend

- Employee

- Entrepreneur

- Client

- Social Networker

You get the point.

These days, when I am confronted with competing responsibilities or a situation where I am not immediately sure how to handle it, I take the modern day deep breath.  I separate myself from the situation either physically (e.g., moving away from the situation) or figuratively (e.g., becoming "invisible" so I can gather information or compose myself).

For example, if someone on a social networking site reaches out to you in a way that surprises you (this could include lots of positive or negative instances), I put it on ice until I can gather my thoughts to respond in the best possible way. Every now and then, I may remember to breath.  A deep breath might occur on that rare occasion.  Typically, I just take a modern day deep breath and get back to the person within a reasonably responsible and professional amount of time so I can fashion an appropriate response.

I have found some relationships strengthened and other relationships calmly reconfigured or severed.  I highly recommend it - that when the next pleasant surprise or unexpected disappointment occurs, take a Modern Day Deep Breath.

Savor life's best,

Aimee

My first exposure to Sonic was last Fall while visiting my 94 year old grandmother in rural East Texas.  I wonder if the draw here is the novelty - Sonic could be drawing people because it has been open for a very short while.    Plus, we do not get restaurants with so many milkshake options.  Let me say I recommend the Peanut Butter Fudge shake.  One of my Facebook friends recommended the Peanut Butter shake and I took it a bit further with the Fudge.  As a DOVE Chocolate Discoveries' Chocolatier, I had to do my research, you know.

I did savor my lunch. I was amazed at how busy the seating area, the drive-in parking booths, and the drive-through were.  I am quite pleased with how I spent my lunch hour today.

Now, go try something new today!

Savor life's best,

Aimee

I believe the other two bottom contestants this week survived because they have had fabulous Camera Challenge presentations in the past.  In a way, they have redeeming quality regarding their ease in front of the camera.  My take is - Food Network could coach someone on how to be more comfortable in front of the camera.  However, they cannot coach someone on being themselves.

I liked the eliminated contestant.  Unfortunately, I do not know much about her.  That's why I titled this "If you don't know me by now".  We will not ever know her (unless she pops up somewhere else).

Savor life's best,

Aimee

On a regular basis, I get a lesson on customer service from our Yardman.  Yes, he has a name.  However, he refers to himself as the Yardman.  I absolutely love it.  Why?  When he says it, I know exactly what we are getting.  It is like a Pavlovian response.  Here is what it signals to me:

1. He is reliable and is right there when we need him.

2. He takes care of our yard just as he promised.

3. He makes subtle suggestions on other areas we might need work on, like he is not ignoring other ways we may need service.

Our Yardman makes us feel taken care of and that we are not just another client where he only does his original assignment.  I see him as a true professional. Who could ask for anything more from someone you do business with on a regular basis?

Savor life's best,

Aimee

When I think about the reasons people may not work as hard as they can or put their personality into what they do, whether it is work or play, I think about whether they are motivated and inspired to perform.  How many of us know people who do the minimum and expect magic to happen in terms of returns - income, experience, exposure, opportunity for advancement, etc?.

Hanging back in the crowd and subscribing to the "crop" membership will not get you ahead or fill your life with joy.  To get ahead, you must become the "cream". 

Here are three quick tips to become the "cream':

1. Find out what makes you unique. 

2. Play to your uniqueness.

3. Keep being you, no matter what.

Here's to the cream of the crop!

Savor life's best,

Aimee

What struck me with the Camera Challenge was that the contestants still struggle with simultaneously cooking and talking. I would have thought at their skill level that it was the equivalent of "walking and chewing" and they would be able to handle that easily.

While some of the other contestants who remained naturally have room for improvement in a number of areas critical to advancing each week, the bottom three contestants had challenges letting us know who they are, what their culinary expertise is, consistently demonstrating their culinary expertise, and/or delivering a confident camera presence.

With the eliminated contestant this week, it is a classic case of "If you don't know where you're going, how will you get there". Who is he? What did he stand for? First, his cooking seemed hit or miss. Second, his personality overpowered his food. And lastly, he was unsure of his culinary perspective and expected the judges to define that for him. The last runner-up (person second to the last to be eliminated) will be eliminated if he does not get real. The Next Food Network Star is about more than great food and that contestant is not consistently bringing great food.

All of the contestants, especially the remaining ones, need self-confidence. Personal development work, including declarations, affirmations, and daily mantras would help them greatly. I must say I was impressed to see this week's Star Challenge winners pull it out and move from the bottom to the top despite of their past conflicts.

I cannot wait to see who emerges as the frontrunner. Until next week...

Savor life's best,

Aimee