You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. NORTH AMERICAN PRECIS SYNDICATE, INC. 350 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10118-0110 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID North American Address Service Requested Precis Syndicate, Inc. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2404 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Look On The Bright Side: Combat Gray Days With Colorful Interiors (NAPSA)—When the weather turns colder and you spend time indoors, you can still keep upbeat by introducing vibrant colors to your home’s interior. Many scientific studies have established links between colors and moods. Blue is generally regarded as peaceful and calming. Red is associated with energy and action. Green symbolizes nature and can create a refreshing, rejuvenating feeling. “More and more homeowners are opting to use bold colors as they renovate or redecorate,” says Jim Rocchetta, vice president of Marketing for nationwide homeimprovement contracting network Handyman Connection. “Whether they have their own ideas or get advice from a certified handyman, homeowners have more alternatives than ever before for bringing color into their homes.” When you’re considering brightening up your home with new wall coverings, here are the primary materials you have to work with: 1. Paint: for areas where people gather, such as living or family rooms, warm colors such as reds and yellows promote sociability. To create a feeling of calmness and serenity, bedrooms should feature blues or greens. A different color on one wall, known as an accent wall, can make a design statement without dominating the room. Lighter colors will make a room seem larger, while using complementary colors can add dimension and additional depth. 2. Wallpaper: wallpaper offers the advantage of multiple colors in a single pattern, which allows you more options in choosing your furnishings and accent pieces. Dark colors or dense patterns can seem confining in smaller rooms, so be sure to obtain a wallpaper sample and see how it looks in the room before you decide. 3. Tile: although generally associated with the bathroom or kitchen, tile has become a more popular design element for introducing color into other rooms as well. Patterned tiles can be an especially effective complement to dining or transitional rooms. Depending on your skill level, you may be able to tackle these projects yourself, or you can consult with a local professionally licensed handyman to discuss details and receive a cost estimate. “It’s amazing how a bit of color can make a big difference in a room’s appearance—and your attitude, too,” adds Rocchetta. You can keep the “blues” at bay during these chilly months by looking on the bright side—and adding some color to your home. Jim Rocchetta is vice president of Marketing for Handyman Connection, a nationwide network of home improvement and repair contractors. For more information, call (800) 88-HANDY or visit Handyman Connection online at www.handymanconnection.com. Feeding Fido On The Go (NAPSA)—While many of today’s consumers are used to busy schedules and eating on the run, their canine companions require a more disciplined diet. Fortunately, there’s now a convenient option that lets dog owners feed their four-legged friends— with high-quality meals—wherever they are, even on the road. A new line of premium meals for dogs is conveniently packaged to make life easier for on-the-go pet owners. AKC Natural Pet™ Travel Convenience Meals are packaged in a seven-day supply for a full week’s worth of pre-measured meals in convenient single-serve dishes. And for the busy pet owners who are also space-challenged, with limited room for storage, the ready-to-serve bowls avoid the hassle of carrying and storing large bags of open dog food, which can also attract rodents and other pests. Each AKC Travel Convenience Meal is individually sealed to stay fresh. T he m eal s —devel oped by JAKKS Pets and available at PETCO retailers nationwide— help maintain healthy weight for dogs, with wholesome, high-quality ingredients, added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients for a well-balanced diet. Plus, Fido will likely love the t as t e. To l ear n m or e, vi s i t www.jakkspacific.com. Ol! For Chicken Chili Mole (NAPSA)—Chilly evenings suggest more robust, comforting foods that include soups, stews, casseroles and chilis. While it’s often a challenge to find time to prepare these wholesome dishes from scratch, this super simple chili makes the most of a unique combination of readily available ingredients. Mellow, nutty Jarlsberg cheese provides creamy texture with great flavor impact, blending beautifully with dark beer and chocolate to create a rich, dense, delicious mole sauce. It will quickly become a family favorite for supper or casual gatherings. Serve with rice and beans plus a side of corn bread, using mixes to further shortcut kitchen duty time. Hint: Use half the seasoning packet found in prepackaged rice and bean mixes to significantly reduce sodium content, not flavor. For a festive corn bread, gently stir in 1⁄4 cup of diced red or green peppers and corn before baking. Chicken Chili Mole 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 cups chopped onions 2 minced garlic cloves 1 teaspoon each dried thyme, oregano (or 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning) 1 ⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne or 1 teaspoon minced Anaheim or jalapeo pepper 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup dark beer (or use regular beer or 1 cup broth) 2 tablespoons tomato paste This super simple chili makes the most of a delicious combination of readily available ingredients. Serve it up when friends gather. ⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon or allspice Salt, to taste 2 cups shredded Jarlsberg cheese 1 ⁄2 ounce grated unsweetened chocolate 1 Heat olive oil in deep, large skillet and cook onion with garlic, thyme, oregano and cayenne (or minced pepper) until onion is just browning. Set aside onion. Add chicken to skillet and saut until no longer pink; return onion and add broth, beer and tomato paste. Bring to a boil and season with cinnamon (or allspice) and salt. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese and grated chocolate until melted. Serve immediately over rice and beans. Pass remaining cheese. Serve with corn bread or, if preferred, warmed tortillas or flat-bread. Serves 6. Note: Chili can be cooked ahead of time and stored overnight in refrigerator.
