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. 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 #2609 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 The Healthier Side Of Winter Meals (NAPSA)—During the winter months, light, fresh dishes are replaced by warm, hearty meals. While comfort foods are family favorites, their rich ingredients aren’t always the healthiest choice. If you’re looking for a side dish that is full of flavor without all the fat, try a saut of winter vegetables, using heart-healthy olive oil along with sesame seeds, almonds and thyme. For Sesame-Almond Vegetable Saut, simmer a mix of squash, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli with chicken broth, then combine with a saut of extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic and thyme. Olive oil used for sauting not only adds extra flavor, it’s a heart-healthy choice, because olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat—the good fat. To add a little kick and texture to this dish, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, toasted almonds and sesame seeds. The result is a warm, tasty side dish that is sure to complement any favorite winter meal. Keeping your pantry stocked throughout the winter with a variety of spices, herbs, olive oil, and vegetables such as carrots and squash that have a longer shelf life makes recipes like these a snap. Sesame-Almond Vegetable Saut Prep. Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 27 minutes ⁄3 cup chicken broth or water 1 ⁄2 small (about 2 lb.) butternut or buttercup squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 1 cup baby carrots, halved crosswise 2 cups broccoli florets (about 11⁄2 inches) 11⁄2 cups cauliflower florets (about 11⁄2 inches) 1 ⁄3 cup slivered almonds 1 Training For Construction To add a little kick and texture to this dish, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, toasted almonds and sesame seeds. 1 ⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges 1 clove garlic, minced 2–3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 ⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1. In Dutch oven or large skillet, combine chicken broth, squash and carrots. Cook over medium-high heat until broth is steaming. Cover and cook 3 minutes. Add broccoli and cauliflower; cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer or just until squash is tender and broccoli is brightened. Drain and set aside. 2. In small skillet over medium-high heat, cook almonds 5 to 7 minutes or until light golden, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. 3. In very large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is softened. Increase heat to medium-high. Add well-drained vegetable mixture, thyme, salt and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir until hot and tender. Stir in almonds; turn into serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Makes 12 servings. Tip: Toasted sesame seeds are available in the spice section of some grocery stores. To toast your own, follow directions for toasting almonds, stirring frequently and watching carefully to prevent over-browning. (NAPSA)—If you’ve ever thought about being a carpenter, electrician, plumber, sheet metal worker, welder or any dozens of other skilled workers, there may well be a place for you in the commercial and industrial construction industry. A career in construction can be a way to build your future. In any economic climate, highly skilled craft professionals are in demand. “The construction industry will bounce back stronger than ever, and there will be a job waiting for you,” says Kirk Pickerel, president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a national trade association. Becoming a craft professional involves both on-the-job training with related classroom or online instruction. A quality education in construction skills can open the door to many different opportunities, good pay and knowledge you can use for a lifetime. To learn more about training opportunities for a career in construction, go to www.trytools.org or call (703) 812-2037. Living Large In Small Spaces (NAPSA)—From sky-rise lofts to tiny-size apartments, there are innovative and ingenious ways to get the most out of your space with organizational solutions that beat those small-space blues. Today, many new homes and apartments are designed smaller with affordability in mind, as Americans cut back on everything from personal spending to the size of their homes. Several recent studies from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicate that the days of the “McMansion” are over, as consumers look to downsize. In fact, the average size of new single-family homes in America is now about 2,438 square feet and 46 percent of first-time homebuyers purchased homes smaller than 1,500 square feet, according to the NAHB. As homes continue to shrink in size, storage becomes a real challenge. Fortunately, you can maximize the living space you have by converting special-use rooms into highly functional rooms that can be used frequently, such as a mudroom, multipurpose living room or an outdoor living space. Don’t forget about those unused nooks and crannies, which can be ideal areas for adding extra storage space. For example, an underutilized alcove can be turned into a customized reach-in closet with a ClosetMaid do-it-yourself laminate system. You don’t need a lot of space for home decor that makes a big impression. An overdecorated small space can look cramped, so cut the clutter. If you can’t get rid of it, hide it by supplementing the furnishings you already own with pieces that double as storage. Built-in seating in the dining room can add muchneeded storage while accommodating extra dinner guests. Affordable and stylish options include ClosetMaid Cubeicals , which come in 2-, 6-, 8- and 9-square designs. They can be placed under the window or used as a side table by the couch and even as a mini entertaining area. Finally, define the areas in your abode and consider furniture that fits the scale of the room. An accessory such as a mirror can become the focal point of a room. It also adds dimension by reflecting natural and artificial light. To find out how you can create your own unique storage and organization solutions, visit www.closetmaid.com or call (800) 874-0008.
