Interview With The Jungle Book's Jon Favreau & Neel Sethi

Todays’ Make It Monday is a Sugar Cookie..basic, but delicious! It’s sweet, but not too sweet, and light, rolls perfectly, bakes nicely, stays soft, freezes well, decorates great,…and of course it’s pretty simple to make! Here’s what you will need:3 cups flour1 TSP baking powder1 cup unsalted butter1 cup sugar1 large egg
1 TSP vanilla extract
**I’m generally able to make 18-30 cookies per batch of dough. However this varies with each person depending on the thickness of the dough they are using and the size of the cookie cutter. About a half hour before I start, I pull out my butter and egg and let them sit on the counter. You don’t want to over soften your butter. If you forget do not stick it in the microwave. Just chop it up in several little pieces before starting.
Instructions:
1: In a separate mixing bowl whisk together flour and baking powder.
2: In the bowl of a kitchen mixer, beat together unsalted butter and sugar. Once mixed well, add in egg. Mix again, then add in vanilla.
3: Slowly add in flour mixture. Mix until dough forms and begins to clump together. If your dough is still crumbly, keep mixing! My dough starts out crumbly and then comes together to form a really nice dough. 4: Gather up dough and knead it with hands until it’s nice and smooth. Roll it into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and place in fridge to chill. I like to let min chill about 20 minutes. You will want it to be kind of firm but not hard. If it’s too hard…just leave it out on the counter for just a little bit until it softens up. Then you can work it a little bit to soften it back up. Even if it’s rock hard it will come back to a nice workable dough.
5: Preheat your oven to 350 and line a large cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper. Another option is to use the silicone baking mats made especially for this.
6: Roll out the dough. I like to do so in between a lightly flour dusted sheet of parchment paper (on bottom) and wax paper (on top). The purpose of the papers is it keeps the dough very smooth, leaving no marks from the rolling pin. The reason why I use one of each is I like the flexibility of the wax paper on top and I like the parchment paper on bottom because it’s heavier and if I am cutting a difficult shape I can bake right on the paper that it was cut on after removing excess dough. The wax paper can wrinkle and leave marks on the dough. When I first lay my ball of dough down I use my hands and push it flat just a bit, then lay my wax paper over, so my rolling pin can then roll it out smooth. 7: Once my dough is rolled out I use my cookie cutters to cut out the shapes. If the cookies are sticking in the cutter you can lightly dust it with flour to help. For the most part the cookies will stay right in the dough where you cut them. Once your done cutting all the cookies, tear away the excess dough. Then you can gently lift the cookies by pulling up the edge of the parchment paper and gently transferring the cookie from the paper to your lined baking sheet with my hand. 8: Once cut out and laid on a cookie sheet place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 2-4 minutes depending on the size. This really helps the cookies keep their shape. Once they have chilled for a few pop them in the oven. Baking times really really depend on size of cookie. These cookies were about 2.5 inches and baked perfectly at 7 minutes. Simply turn your oven light on and start the timer for six minutes. Check them then and add a minute or two as needed. I like my cookies to be really soft so I pull them if I notice any bit of golden on the bottom. 9: After removing them from the oven I let them sit on the warm pan for a minute or two. This gives them a minute to firm up and bakes just a bit more. Then I carefully grab the edges of the parchment paper and slide them off, parchment paper and all, onto wire cooling racks. It helps so much to pull them off still on the parchment paper. Using a spatula often squishes them, or even breaks them.
10: Once the cookies are cool, you can stack them or decorate them as you want.
Tips:
Bake similar sized cookies together. If you have a tiny cookie and a large cookie the smaller one is sure to over bake.
Less flour is better. With this process there is really no need to go crazy on flour, just dust your parchment paper/wax paper lightly and your good to go.
If you have a cutter that’s sticking especially due to small parts, rub a little bit of flour on it.
If your in a time pinch, you can let the dough chill in the freezer for about 5 minutes.
New dough is best. Try to cut out as many as you can each time you roll the dough out.
Store cookies in an airtight container, and decorate within a week.
To freeze cookies simply stack in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month.
3 cups flour
1 TSP baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 TSP vanilla extract
In a separate bowl whisk together flour and baking powder.
Beat together unsalted butter and sugar. Once mixed well, add in egg. Mix again, then add in vanilla. I like to use my Kitchen aid and dough hook.
Slowly add in flour mixture about a cup at a time. Mix until dough forms and begins to clump together.
Gather up dough and knead it with hands until it’s nice and smooth. Roll it into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and place in fridge to chill. I like to let min chill about 20-40 minutes. You will want it to be kind of firm but not hard. If it’s too hard…just leave it out on the counter for just a little bit until it softens up. Then you can work it a little bit to soften it back up.
Bake at 350, time will depend on cookies size and thickness. Normally between 7-11 minutes.
Do you have a recipe or craft that you want featured on Make It Monday? Contact me at [email protected]!

Know Your Rights
Sometimes, it’s not the behavior within your place of work that’s always the main problem; it can be your physical surroundings and the tasks that you’re expected to carry out. Workplace injuries are more common than you think, and, if you want to avoid a visit to your personal injury attorneys; it’s time to raise the unsafe areas where you work. Suffering an accident will not only put you out of work and pocket for a while; it won’t be a good thing for your employers either, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to meet and even exceed health and safety standards.
Whether your place of work need to sort out your Uber car accident lawyer after an incident during working hours, or they provide healthcare and council after something may have occurred; ensure these procedures are in place, before any issues arise. You’ll have peace-of-mind that you’ll be well taken care of in an array of circumstances.
A Supportive Environment
If your feelings and wellbeing are being ignored, or even harmed; it can be even more toxic to your health than an unsafe workplace. You need to feel that you have a senior member of staff to talk to regularly so that you can bring up where you need more help and support. You are not a machine; your employer might pay your wages or salary, but they need to ensure that you can develop and grow with the business.
The only way to nourish your job and career is to give you the means to do your role and remain happy with your job for the majority of the time. If you feel that there is workplace bullying directed at you, or you have unhelpful and uncooperative colleagues; these are also things that you shouldn’t have to deal with. You need to be able to feel comfortable and secure at work so that you can continue to do a great job, and reap the rewards at the end of each month. Utilize meetings and catch-ups to share your thoughts, and make sure that there are no empty promises, and things improve. Otherwise, contact those who will help you get what’s fair, and keep your eyes peeled for potential new jobs and places to make the most of your skills.

Welcome the age of electronics! I know my kids love them, and I’m just as addicted. VTech has come out with a smart new gadget the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch! It was super simple to set up, you just use the included micro USB cord to ensure that the rechargeable battery was full and flipped the power switch on the back to ON…what’s simpler than that!? From there it only takes few taps to set the date and time and we were able look at all the options that lay before us!
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch is perfect for kids learning to tell time, the Kidizoom Smartwatch allows your littles to choose their watch face with over 50 looks to choose from…This device also has a timer, alarm or stopwatch.
Camera.
YES! It has a tiny camera that your littles can easily capture photos and videos. The camera itself is located right on the top edge of the watch and the shutter is controlled either by the camera button on the side or the image of the shutter on the screen. With the Kidizoom Smartwatch you can add fun special effects such as photo frames, color filters and distortion..you know those are the boys favorite! Sure make mommy look like a monster…They can easily scroll back through the photos taken, or watch them in a slideshow mode.
Voice recorder.
Wait! There’s more!?
This gives the littles the ability to record a message right onto the watch and play it back whenever and wherever they choose. It also allows them to change the way that the message is played back, like their voice being slower, higher, lower, etc. The boys are constantly cracking up over the way they sound!
Games.
This watch comes preloaded with four learning games & more can be downloaded from VTech’s Learning Lodge…with each one providing educational entertainment. There is also a parental control, in case you want to limit the amount of time your little spends playing games each day | no limit, 30 minutes, 60 minutes or 90 minutes.
Super Detective
This game shows which character your little is looking for and then switches through various different faces, with the objective to only tap on the original one to collect points. There are three levels in round 1 and three levels in round 2, which get slightly more difficult as the they advance.
Rotating Puzzle
This timed game begins by showing a photo, either a provided one like a flower, or sheep or one of your own photos taken, and divides it into quarters. The three rounds of level 1 have one or two of the squares turned and you tap them to get them turned upright without taking too long. The rounds of level 2 have one, two or three of the squares turned for slightly added difficulty.
Finger Dance
You tap on the indicated circle in time with the classical music, adding points with each correct move. The colorful animated backgrounds change each time and the movements get slightly faster and more difficult through the three levels.
Time Master
Not so much a game, but more of a fun way to help tell time either using analog or digital clocks. You select hour or minute and change them to any desired time by pressing a plus or minus sign. When they are done, they simply tap the clock, & the friendly owl then tells what time it is on the clock in two different ways | “It is a quarter past 8 in the morning,” and “It is 8:15 am.”
Overall, this watch is created with a kid-friendly design to take all the drops and bumps as well as the splashes with a splash-proof coating so you don’t need to stress about everyday play. This is designed for ages 4+, I would personally recommend it for ages 4-6.
Retailing for $59.99 in four colors | blue, pink, white and green — the Kidizoom Smartwatch is available now from VTechKids.com, on Amazon and in stores near you.
Follow them on Facebook and Twitter
WIN IT!! One lucky Mom of 4 Boys Reader will win a VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch!! This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years old or older. Entering this giveaway means that you accept both my rules & disclosure. Be sure to add [email protected] to your contacts to make sure you get your winning email!
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links with fund the Mom of 4 Boys blog. All opinions seen in this publication are those of the writer and may differ from your own. Momof-3boys.com received The VTech product, information, and the additional gift pack have been provided by VTech as a condition of this publication. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to have your product featured on Mom of 4 Boys, email Becky at [email protected]..
Related

There are all sorts of different chronic issues that people can struggle with, which can lie at the heart of low energy levels, lack of confidence, and a lack of motivation.
If you have a hearing issue, for example, you may feel less capable in social scenarios, and more inclined to withdraw and stay home by yourself. In this kind of situation, consulting with a professional audiologist might help to address your issue and could leave you significantly more confident and motivated as a result.
Other causes of low energy and fatigue include chronic disease, vitamin deficiencies, poor sleep, and more.
Whenever you can, take steps to deal with chronic issues that may be at the root of your low energy and motivation.
Set yourself ambitious goals that inspire you, and put things in the context of a greater purpose
It’s no wonder that you would feel unmotivated, and lacking in energy, if you had pretty much nothing to look forward to on a given day, and no greater sense of meaning or purpose to your job, or to whatever else that you might be doing in your life.
It’s important to set yourself ambitious goals that inspire you, and to also put things in the context of a greater purpose or meaning.
History is full of stories of people who have prevailed against extreme odds, and dealt with unbelievably difficult circumstances because they had something meaningful to motivate them. It’s essential for you to find your own meaning.
Keep a written log, or record, of the things that seem to boost your energy, and the things that seem to reduce it
Here’s a good practical exercise that can help you to get to the bottom of any energy issues you might be experiencing, and that can help to give you some insight in how to boost your energy as well:
Keep a written log, or record, of the things that seem to boost your energy or diminish it. Update this log every day. Keep the entries brief, but be consistent.
For example; do notice that on a particular day you feel especially tired and lethargic after eating a certain meal? Record it in your log. Maybe later that evening you feel motivated after hearing a certain song? Put it in your log.
Over time, this exercise can help you identify a good number of things to avoid, and others to pursue, in different contexts.

Below you will find some delicious Sushi recipes…but before that let me share a few tools you may need to accomplish your diy sushi night. IMUSA Sushi Rolling Set
The IMUSA 3 Piece Sushi Rolling Set is part of the Pan Asia line that’s bringing Asian cuisine into your kitchen. Craft your own sushi rolls and let your imagination free by experimenting signature rolls with the ingredients of your choice! IMUSA Colored Bamboo Chopsticks
The stay-cool IMUSA Bamboo Chopsticks come in a pack of 12 pairs, and are the essential for enjoying the perfect Thai, Vietnamese, Oriental or other Asian-Inspired dishes. IMUSA Dumpling Press
For those people who may want to serve something else besides sushi, the IMUSA Dumpling Press is a handy tool for prepping dumplings. Use the small and large plastic molds to easily stuff any sort of dough with your favorite savory or sweet filling. The dumpling maker perfectly presses and seals the pastry, making it ready to cook. IMUSA Lightweight Cast Iron Wok
The IMUSA Lightweight cast Iron Wok introduces practically to style with its super light structure and sleek design. Crafted from cast iron, the IMUSA Lightweight Cast Iron Wok is significantly lighter than traditional woks while still being durable. It comes pre-seasoned to allow for enhanced flavor in each any every dish, and continues to season over time as it’s used. IMUSA Bamboo Steamer
The IMUSA Bamboo Steamer allows for a healthy way to cook while retaining flavor, vitamins and nutrients. Bamboo steamers are great for cooking vegetables, seafood, dim sum and more, and can be used as authentic serving dishes themselves. Making this tool the perfect tool to whip up some non-sushi side dishes. NOW For the delicious recipes! I would love for you to share with me if you make these!! Buffalo Chicken Steamed Dumplings · curly parsley 3 tablespoons · crumbled blue cheese ½ cup · buffalo style hot sauce, like Frank’s 1 cup 1. In a medium bowl mix first 9 ingredients together by hand until evenly combined. 2. Assemble dumplings by placing wonton wrapper on a flat surface. 3. Roll a small ball of the chicken mixture between your hands, about a tablespoon, and place in the center of the wonton wrapper. 4. Dip a finger in a cup of water and run it around the edges of the wrapper. 5. Pick up wrapper and chicken ball with one hand (between your thumb and index finger) and begin pinching hard around the wrapper until it tightly wraps the chicken ball. Re-pinch if necessary. Your dumplings should be star-shaped with the chicken ball in the center. 6. Spray your IMUSA steaming basket with non-stick spray and place dumplings throughout. Steam for 10 minutes until fully cooked. 7. In the meantime make hot sauce by gently heating it with the butter. 8. Spoon some hot sauce on a plate and place dumplings on top. Garnish with more crumbled blue cheese, if desired. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Basil Pineapple Fried Rice · cooked cold white rice 2 cups · soy sauce 3 tablespoons · garlic cloves (minced) 3 · medium red onion (chopped) 1 · canned pineapple chunks, drained (about 1 ½ Cups) 10 ounces · fresh basil (finely chopped) 1 cup 1. Combine sugar and soy sauce and set aside. 2. Heat your IMUSA wok on high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil to wok, then tilt the wok to swirl oil, coating the sides. Once the oil begins to smoke, stir-fry the garlic and red onions for one minute and set aside in a bowl. 3. Add 4 more tablespoons of oil and crumble rice into wok. Stir-fry for 5 minutes with a flat wooden spatula until lightly browned, breaking up lumps of rice. 4. Push rice to the side of wok and in the center add another tablespoon of oil. Add scrambled eggs and scramble until eggs are completely cooked and crumbled. 5. Mix together with rice and add cooked garlic and onions. Drizzle in soy sauce mixture and stir-fry for two more minutes. Add pineapple, peas, and cashews and mix evenly. 6. Remove from heat and mix in chopped basil. Garnish with extra basil before serving.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Today marks the first day of winter! I know for some of us we’ve felt its icy breath already…Traveling in winter can be a little scary. Driving through snow & ice is no picnic and even if you’re flying you may still have delays from the snow & ice. Red Roof Inn has some fun facts about Fun Facts & Tips For Winter Travel to help whether you’re flying, driving, staying with family or getting a hotel.
Five Fun Facts-Fall/Winter Travel
New England is famous for its glorious foliage as billions of leaves change from green to a kaleidoscope of colors. Generations of families can travel together and enjoy the changing colors in the northern regions of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire typically around mid-to-late September and peak around mid-October.
Extend a business trip this winter with a skiing excursion at one of the 477 ski resorts operating across the U.S. 11.42 MM people signed up to ski in 2013.
Looking for a solo winter getaway? 84% of Americans prefer visiting warm destinations over cold locales during winter trips. The beach is the most popular destination this winter (51%), followed by city escapes (37%), and cruises (12%).
Over the holiday season families often travel great distances to share the holidays together. The average Thanksgiving trip is 214 miles, compared with 275 miles over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday.
Even though 73% of Americans plan to fly for any winter leisure trips5 they may take, many report that flying can be stressful for them. But Americans are streamlining the stress by using high-tech tools to make routine travel tasks, research and time management easier.
3 Quick Travel Tips
Flying during the holidays? Don’t wrap gifts — security will just have to tear them open. With TSA searching checked bags as well as carry-ons, this applies to all luggage, not just what is brought onto the plane. Consider shipping gifts ahead of time or wrapping them at your final destination.
If driving, make frequent rest stops – winter driving is much more tiring than a summer drive, so make time to stop and stretch. Just a few minutes off the road makes all the difference in improving alertness when back behind the wheel.
When traveling as a family, hotel rooms can sometimes become chaotic. Instead, try to book a suite (or two connecting rooms). The extra square footage can be beneficial and if you drove to your destination, you can even stow empty suitcases in your car to alleviate some clutter. Keeping rooms clean will cut down on frustration as well.
Remember to take your time, plan ahead and you should have happy & safe travels.