If you have joined the recent population of health-nuts-turned-control-freaks via smart phone dieting apps, you and I have something in common. Because of this new technology I am completely obsessed with counting every calorie that enters my mouth.

I have downloaded over 10 apps on my smartphone from Fast Food Calorie Counter to CardioTrainer + Racing, but now there might be yet another avenue for weight loss control freaks!

Purdue University is currently in the process of developing a new smartphone app that will change the way smart-phone users track dietary health. Amazingly, through no more effort than a click of a camera-phone, this new app will track the amount of protein, fat, calories and carbohydrates are contained in your meal selection. “Our goal is to allow people to record their food intake and help individuals with health challenges like diabetes understand what they’re eating and make healthier choices,” said Carol Boushey, who led the development team while a professor in Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

This sounds like my type of app. What do you think about this new app for your smartphone? Will you use it?

I thought it would only be appropriate for me to follow up with a great recipe! Now, there are two things that I can’t say no to– PASTA & CHOCOLATE! This recipe is genius and if you love mexican food and pasta, this is just for you! No counting calories! ENJOY!

MEXICAN STUFFED SHELLS

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 package low-sodium taco seasoning ( or better yet use this Taco Seasoning!)
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 14-16 jumbo pasta shells
• 1.5 cup salsa
•  1 cup taco sauce
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Monterey jack cheese
• 3 green onions
• Sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a frying pan cook ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.  Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely.  While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish.  Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed.  Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.) Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.

-Denea Duran

Recipe Credit: http://thewaytohisheart.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/mexican-stuffed-shells/

Just for fun:

-Denea Duran

If a natural disaster were to strike today would you really be prepared? If the answer is yes, then  CONGRATULATIONS!  9 times out of 10 a household is not prepared for a disaster. After my last blog, I wondered if I was prepared for a disaster. Living in California our teachers and parents prepared us on what to do in case of an earthquake.

“DUCK AND COVER.”

To be honest “duck and cover” is all that I am prepared for, which isn’t saying much. Here is a helpful list to get you and your family prepared!

Please go through this list and make sure that all of these items are in your emergency kit. You never know when an emergency can strike you or your community!

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3 ­day supply for evacuation, 2­ week supply for home)
• Food—non­perishable, easy­to­prepare items (3­ day supply for evacuation, 2 ­week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery­-powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7­day supply) and medical items
• Multi­purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Games and activities for children
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Two­-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
• Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach
• Entertainment items
• Blankets or sleeping bags

The Danger of not having a Emergency Kit:

Though most households are located in reasonable proximity to an emergency respondent, access to an emergency kit is often critical in securing the health and safety of residents before help arrives. For those located a significant distance from emergency assistance, or homes that contain injury-prone children or older adults, an emergency kit is non-negotiable.

Now ask yourself are you prepared for a natural disaster to strike?

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: http://www.redcross.org

First and foremost, let me start by apologizing to everyone. I have been absent in posting blogs last week because I went to New Orleans! Not only is the city rich in history but the people there are friendly and have great “southern hospitality”. The food is not only amazing, but the people of New Orleans don’t believe in portion control (Lets just say that I ate everything that I could get my hands on!)

Tip: New Orleans is known for their amazing praline candy. If you get a chance to head to New Orleans, you must STOP whatever your doing and try praline candy!  

I not only went down to New Orleans for pleasure, but I really wanted to take away a better understanding of the history of the city– both before and after Hurricane Katrina. I think it is amazing how some of the homes and structures destoryed in 2005 look as if the hurricane had just made landfall. They are still boarded up and the water lines are still evident.

During my trip I got to speak with a few locals about the hurricane. Hearing them reminisce about that day, I was struck by the number of people who continue to hold positive attitudes following the event. Many even considered themselves blessed.

Before I left New Orleans, I met a business owner that lost his small business permanently. As we walked past his boarded up shop to the next stop of our vacation, I could feel my heart sink. It is amazing how a natural disaster can change your life forever.

My job here is to give you safety tips, but to be honest nothing can prepare you for a life-changing natural disaster. What I took away from my trip is that it is essential to stay positive through whatever is handed to you. And I thank the people of New Orleans for teaching me about courage and faith.

We will continue to keep the people and city of New Orleans in our prayers!

-Denea Duran

                    CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE CUPCAKE? IT’S VALENTINES DAY!

For those who haven’t met Luna….This is our SERVPRO MASCOT! Let’s just say she is quite the character and definitely gave me a big welcome my first day at the office. How could you not love her? Look at her!

Today I was planning to blog about how to prevent a fire in your home/ business, but there will be plenty of time for that later. First, we need to pay a respectable tribute to VALENTINES DAY!  To me, this holiday means celebrating love. Not just celebrating love with a significant other, but with friends/family and community! When I was young, my mom would give us baskets with our favorite things ranging from movies, CD’s, to our favorite foods! So, since we consider our blog followers as friends of SERVPRO, I thought it would only be right to share a great recipe with you! I definitely have a sweet tooth and can eat tons of chocolate,  so take my advice on this one– it’s YUMMMY! ENJOY!

Mint Oreo Truffles   

Ingredients

■1 package mint Oreo cookies

■1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)

■12 oz. white chocolate

■2-4 tablespoons vegetable oil (optional)

■1 teaspoon peppermint extract

■green food coloring

Directions

1. Finely crush 5 cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. Reserve for later.

2. Crush remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.

3. Roll the mixture into 1″ balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet in freezer for at least 15 minutes.

4. Melt chocolate in a double boiler, or in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the surface of the water. Remove from heat, and stir in peppermint extract. Add green food coloring until desired shade of green is reached. If your brand of white chocolate melts a little thicker, you can use vegetable oil to thin it.  (Folks have told me they’ve also tried almond bark and candy melts to BAD results. The peppermint seizes the whole mixture. So please, only use white chocolate!)

5. Dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. Sprinkle the tops with the 5 crushed cookies for decoration.

6. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!

Content, Image Credit: http://amandeleine.com/2011/09/22/mint-oreo-truffles/

-Denea Duran

Many times when a tragedy strikes our first state is shock. Your first responsibility as a home owner is to contact SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington. (803)755-9774.

SERVPRO Professionals understand your home is more than four walls. Your home includes your memories and personal belongings. Our SERVPRO response team is trained in caring for both you and your home.

Do:

*Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from spreading and additional damage from occurring.

*Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery.

*Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil.

*Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

Do Not:

*Wash any walls or painted surfaces.

*Shampoo carpet or upholstery.

*Clean any electrical equipment.

*Send clothing to dry cleaner since improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Photo Credit: google.com

-Denea Duran

WELCOME, SANDY, TO CALIFORNIA!

I am a college graduate with a degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcast! I am the oldest of four siblings and I am very active in my community, which is now the Columbia area. Growing up, I wanted to be what everyone in California aspires to be– a MODEL or ACTRESS……. But then it snapped into reality that I am only 5’2! I realized my calling was Journalism when I was the only child in the neighborhood that would rather watch CNN than cartoons.

I am honored to be apart of SERVPRO, which has made me feel like family just in the two days that I have been in the office. I will continue to keep the tradition with FUN FRIDAYS….

5 Fun Facts About Denea:

I love ZUMBA! Not the best dancer but when the music turns on no one can stop me. LoL

I typically like to try things that I am not good at (Surfing, Snowboarding and Singing)

I love to bake and make up new random recipes! I will share on later BLOGS!

Obsessed with romantic novels. Currently I am reading “The Vow”

People that know me know I laugh at random moments…. I’m the kind of person that when it is completely silent will giggle at something that happened an hour ago!

Have a great Friday!

 -Denea Duran