Maven Gadgets: My favorite Milk Frother, Kudos Nespresso

Knowing that I am addicted to Matcha Green Tea Lattes, a friend of mine recommended a milk steamer so that I could enjoy my addiction at home. I am a gadget geek. I love any kind of gadget, tool, office supplies and more. But often gadgets are a source of great disappointment failing to live up to their original promise.

The Nespresso Aeroccino lives up to it’s promise and more. I love any sort of a latte but I don’t drink coffee nor do I have a traditional steamer (as you would find on an expresso machine). Billed as a milk frother or steamer, I actually use the whisk attachment to whisk my matcha tea (which I either drink straight or as a latte). We have been known to use it to heat a single cup of water for tea. The kids can use it relatively unsupervised and have on several occasions whipped up their own hot chocolates (which are hot but not scalding).

Nespresso 3192US Aeroccino Plus

Product Features

• 4.4 Oz max. hot or cold milk froth capacity
• 1 Button preparation
• Easy to clean

Highly recommend! ~ Maven

Blog your way to expert status

Are you an expert but nobody knows it? Or are you working on becoming an expert?
A blog can be a great way to get started establishing your expertise!
Here are some Maven Do’s & Don’ts:
DO:

• Just get started. It seems to take about 100 posts before your blog really starts “rising to the top” so you just want to get started. There are great options such as Blogger or WordPress. Be sure to look at the features that are important to you before you pick a tool. For instance, if you want your own domain name (http://www.corpmavenmusings.com) you’ll likely choose WordPress. If you want more integration with Google, you might choose Blogger.
  
• Have a main theme/storyline and identity that keeps people interested and wanting to come back. This theme is your main “expertise” area.
  
• Really share your expertise! Be a thought leader. Give it away for free. Why do restaurants give away their “secret” recipes? Because it builds loyalty and brand recognition. If someone wants the real deal, they will always come to the source, even if they have the recipe.
  
• Don’t be afraid to do short posts and explore side topics. This breaks up the monotony and makes you more interesting to readers. Tie side topics back to main theme if possible but don’t force it.
  
• Respond faithfully to reader comments and use them for future blog topics.
  
• Get your name out there by commenting on other experts blogs.
  
• Use trackback links to let other bloggers know when you are blogging about their content.
  
• Consider asking another blogger if you can contribute a guest posting. (see About.com article below)
  
• Use social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) to update your followers when you have posted a new entry.

DON’T:

• If you have a product, do share updates but DON’T make your blog into a product announcement page (unless that is the intention and then go for it!). You are an expert in a given domain, a thought leader. If your readers connect with you then your product will benefit.
  
• Do not disrespect other bloggers or experts with comments or needlessly ridicule. This will only come back to bite you later (plus it’s bad Karma!).

Once you’ve established your expertise on your blog, leverage this body of work to expand into other areas by volunteering as a speaker at the Chamber of Commerce, local schools or other community venues. Consider writing a regular column for a local newspaper. The sky’s the limit!! You just need to START!
Happy blogging! ~ Maven
Related articles from About.com:

• What is a Trackback - Trackbacks Explained
  
• What is Google Blogger?
  
• Choosing a Blog Host: Wordpress Overview
  
• 15 Tips to Increase Your Blog's Traffic
  
• Guest Bloggers - Top 10 Tips for Guest Bloggers

Maven Reading: Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage

I am happy to say I got one of my Christmas wishes (thanks to wishzilla.com) and have been enjoying Hazel Rowley’s new book Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage.

Ms. Rowley explores the 40 years Eleanor and FDR were married and the varying extended relationships that they both seemed to have had. The even more fascinating part of the book for me is the evolution of Eleanor in particular. I must confess that as she’s described in the earlier part of her life, I don’t think I would have had much to do with her. However, her transformation as she embraces her circumstances is nothing short of extraordinary.

Whether or not you agree or disagree with the author’s point of view, this book is well worth a read for history and Roosevelt buffs alike. It highlights many lessons that are applicable in today’s business or political careers. The book also provides an interesting insight into a particularly challenging economic and political issues dealt with by FDR and Eleanor, many of which have obvious parallels to current conditions.

Enjoy and I hope to hear your thoughts!

~ Maven

Here is the link to the Kindle editions for those of you like me who need instant gratification. It’s cheaper too. 

Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage (Kindle Edition)

Tasty & healthy Quinoa Salad

This is my version of “Inca” Quinoa Salad. It is fast, easy and everyone (even the kids) absolutely love it. Quinoa is packed with protein and fiber. Coincidentally, this recipe is also vegan (quite by accident). It is versatile as well. In fact, I just had leftover salad in a wrap with avocado, Morningstar Grillers, scallions & feta cheese. Yum!!

• 2 cups quinoa, cooked (I add a couple of vegetable bouillon cubes so it’s cooking in broth)
• 1 cup frozen corn or one can of corn
• 1 (16 ounce) can of SW Pinquitos drained. This is not an ad for S&W. These beans come flavored with Cumin and are simply the perfect bean for this dish in flavor and size. 
  Alternatively, I recommend black beans.
• 1 tomato, chopped into small cubes (should be no bigger than the beans if possible)
• ½ cup of cucumber, chopped into small cubes
• 1 bunch green onion, chopped (yummy but optional)
• 1/4 cup cilantro or 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (I actually squeeze in on whole lemon or 2 limes but this is to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cumin, ground (to taste)
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Cook the quinoa as recommended on the package, adding the bouillon cubes if desired. I use a rice cooker which shuts off automatically when done making it fast and convenient.

Once the quinoa is ready, add all of the rest of the ingredients and toss together. Add salt and pepper to taste. I recommend tasting before adding salt, especially if you used bouillon to cook the quinoa.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve as a salad topped with fresh green onion or cilantro as a garnish
• Serve with chips as is or add in Avocado
• Makes a great addition to any sandwich wrap

Click for Nutrition Facts for additional Quinoa Nutrition Information

Enjoy!

~Maven