Monthly Archives: October 2012

Sandy is coming — Be prepared!

Do not worry about the hurricane, but it is important to be careful.

• Stay home with your host family during the storm and follow their advice and direction
• Keep your own families at home informed about your location and personal status during/after the storm
• Talk to your host family about any travel plans you or they have for this week and cancel/reschedule
• If you have an emergency during the storm, please call our emergency line 1-973-413-1372

There is a possible hurricane coming this week. Do not be afraid, but it is good to go over emergency procedures with your host parents.

We may lose electricity during the storm. Sometimes it takes a few days to get the power back on. Please know that you will be safe and that your host parents are prepared for these kind of situations. Stay inside in a hurricane and stay together.

Here is a list of things to have on hand in the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane:
• Food and water
• flashlights and batteries
• a battery operated radio
• charge your cell phones before the storm
• cooler and ice for food to be stored
• hand wipes
• a first aide kit
• activities to occupy the children
I hope the storm isn’t too bad, but if you lose electricity, do not worry, it will come back on. Trust your host parents to know what to do and help anyway you can, especially with the kids!
If you have to evacuate with your host families to another location, you must:
Take your important documents. This includes passport, Form DS-2019, Form I-94, Social Security Card, Financial Records, plane ticket, checks, credit cards, etc.)
Take contact numbers and e-mail address of your community counselor
Take SEVP and Department of State contact information. SEVP email address: SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov.; Department of State e-mail address: Jvisas@state.gov.

Luncheon Get Together at Maralyn's

An important part of the Au Pair experience is getting to make friends from around the world, and informal cluster get togethers play an vital role in making it possible for Au Pairs to meet one another. With more than 30 new summer arrivals, Maralyn hosted a welcome lunch at her home. The weather was perfect as everyone gathered in the backyard for a group photo…

Lunch Bunch 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here are two of the recipes we enjoyed:

South-of-the-Border Rice and Bean Pie (8 servings)

2 medium or 1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1-2 peppers (red and or green), chopped
Several stalks celery, chopped
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1- 2 tablespoons chili powder (sweet or hot or combination – adjust to your taste)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
2-10 ounce cans beans (I used combination of red kidney and black beans), rinsed and drained
4 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar, Colby, Jack or “Mexican” combination
1 ½ cups milk
4 beaten eggs
¼ cup cilantro, chopped (optional)

In a saucepan, sauté the onion, garlic, peppers and celery in the olive oil until tender, but not brown. Stir in chili powder, cumin and salt. Cook for a minute more. Cool.

Stir in beans, cooked rice, cilantro, cheese, milk, and beaten eggs.

Put a little oil in a 9″X13″ baking dish or spray with a non-stick cooking spray. Spoon mixture into the pan and bake, uncovered, in a 350° oven until the center is set, about 35-45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Can be made ahead and reheated. Can also be frozen.

Chocolate Biscotti

3 Eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 Cups flour
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
¾ Cup Oil
Chopped nuts (optional)
Handful (about 1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted.
1 cup chocolate chips (whole, not melted) 

Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla till well blended.

Sift flour and baking powder and add to egg mixture, alternating with oil.

Stir in whole chocolate chips and nuts, if desired, and then cut in melted chocolate with a knife.

Form two loaves on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for ½ hour.

Cool 10 minutes.

Cut loaves into slices slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. Lay slices on cookies sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Return to ovenand bake for 10-15 minutes.