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To appreciate and embrace diversity in its workforce, U.C. Berkeley’s Facilities Services Department instituted a formal employee recognition and thank you gift-giving program, resulting in measurable improvements.

On-the-Spot Employee Thank You Gifts

Like many businesses, managing and embracing diversity is becoming increasingly important as minority populations continue to grow in the U.S.  That’s one reason UC Berkeley’s Facilities Department wants to embrace diversity in it’s workforce. To help the department do so, its members developed an Employee Recognition Program that allows Supervisors and Managers to thank employees with on-the-spot Gift Certificate awards in varying amounts.
Supervisors are empowered to give instant recognition at the $25 level, and amounts above that level are available to give but require the Vice Chancellor’s approval. The department also acknowledges award recipients in its monthly newsletter.
Employees identified the need for a reward and recognition program, and confirmed they’d value Gift Certificates of gratitude.
Top Management supported implementing the program and provided funding—both of which UC Berkeley’s Human Resources Department emphasizes are essential for a successful employee giving program. Facilities services generates a quarterly report to measure program results and keep management apprised.

Tangible improvements

The program gives Supervisors an engagement tool to acknowledge exceptional work-related accomplishments on the spot. U.C. Berkley reports tangible improvements to the department as a result of adopting the employee giving program include:

• Improved communication and employee morale
• Increased employee motivation to improve performance
• More harmonious work environment and culture

The program meets the needs of a diverse workforce, since employees identified the need, developed the process and have ongoing input. In fact, Managers and Supervisors believe the giving program is so successful and is worth replicating because management listens to staff-identified needs, includes staff in the decision-making process, and provides opportunities to give feedback.
What do you believe are the keys to a successful workplace giving program? What results have you seen?
About gThankYou, LLC

Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are two of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Join the Conversation @gThankYou
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

When I was a kid, my packed lunch was often the same every day: a container of yogurt, frozen; a turkey sandwich on wheat bread (with lettuce and tomato in a separate baggie); raw, kid-sized veggies (baby carrots, celery sticks) and something sweet, maybe a mini candy bar if it was Halloween or Easter time.
But creativity in kids’ lunches doesn’t have to take a backseat when the school year (and track practice and band practice and school play rehearsals) resume in full force. Were betting even the adults in the family will enjoy these recipes.

Here are five great ideas for fun school lunches to kick- off 2012-13!

1. Got some leftover turkey? Try a cucumber ranch turkey wrap with cream cheese and fresh veggies. It’s quick and portable, and you can vary it a dozen ways using leftover ham or chicken, avocado, tomato, a mild blue cheese, grapes and/or fresh greens. If your kid is adventurous (or you want a more adult version), try adding sun-dried tomato pesto, marinated artichokes and roasted red peppers.
2. As summer comes to a close, make the most of all those beautiful tomatoes with a simple watermelon gazpacho (adapted from Food and Wine Magazine). Skip the salsa topping and it couldn’t be simpler — chop and blend together sweet seedless melon, fresh tomatoes (the more colorful the better!), cucumber, a touch of sherry vinegar and a drizzle of olive oil. On the side, make your own “Lunchable”; pack it with salami, cheddar cheese and crackers for extra protein and carbs.
3.  While we’re talking tomatoes, don’t miss the chance to make sweet roasted cherry tomato sauce for an easy lunchtime pasta that’s wonderful at room temperature. It’s like Kraft Mac and Cheese studied abroad in Italy. Check out recipes from Susie Middleton, author of The Fresh and Green Table and the blog Six Burner Sue. Let your child choose a pasta shape, like cute ear-shaped orecchiette or twisty gemelli.

4. Chefs send their kids to school, too. At the Food Network, celebrity chef Tyler Florence makes a BLT with pesto and fresh mozzarella, stuffed into an old tennis ball tube with a popcorn ball and a bottle of water. In addition to tasting great, the baguette keeps its shape during morning classes. With a green salad or a cup of tomato soup, these sandwiches are great for a family dinner, too. Check out Florence’s recipe here.

5. Take a tip from your favorite Med cafe and make a lunch out of hummus, fresh bell peppers, a chickpea-cucumber salad and whole wheat pita pockets, cut into bunny shapes for fun. Make hummus yourself or find it pre-packed — many grocery delis make their own. Add mild sheep’s milk feta and a couple of kalamata olives for salty contrast.

About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

In summer, nobody likes to be hovering over a hot stove. One easy solution? Cook your Sunday ham outside on the grill. It’s delicious and very simple if you repeat this mantra: Low and Slow.

Because of its thickness, ham takes a fair amount of time to cook (or warm) through. Using a gas grill on low heat or a charcoal grill with indirect coals, you can bake your ham by wrapping one end with aluminum foil and using a glaze to help keep it moist.
According to food writer Derrick Riches:

“The traditional method is to roast the ham at 325°F, for 15 to 20 minutes per pound for a whole ham and 18 to 25 minutes per pound for half hams. I prefer to keep this temperature lower and increase the time if I am heating a ‘ready to eat ham.’ If the ham is a ‘cook before eating,’ then it is best to start out with a higher temperature. At the lower temperature the ‘ready to eat ham’ will cook at about 20 minutes per pound.”

Another wonderful way to transform a ham using your backyard grill is to turn it into a smoker. The process is relatively simple:
First, soak wood chips in a bowl of water, 30 minutes minimum, or as long as overnight. Popular choices are apple wood, hickory and adler wood.
If you have a charcoal kettle grill, get a couple of cheap metal pans (the disposable kind from the grocery work well) and fill them halfway with water. Place them at the bottom of the grill.
Get the coals hot using a chimney starter. When they’re white, add them around the grill pans off to one side. Add the soaked wood chips on top of the charcoal on one side of the grill — you want there to be a place to put the meat away from direct heat.
If you have a gas grill, make a pouch in aluminum foil of the soaked wood chips. Poke some holes in it and put it down by the burners. Turn on the grill and when the pouch begins to smoke, you’re ready to grill — remember, low and slow.
Cooking time will vary based on the size of your ham, but estimate 20-25 minutes  per pound and check often. You’re done when a thermometer reads 140°F (not touching bone). Let the meat rest for about 10 minutes before carving.

About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Workplace Gifts are not the easiest to choose given tight budgets, but done right, they can make recipients feel valued and appreciated.  Holiday time or anytime.

At gThankYou! we believe a handwritten “thank you” note goes a long way to making any workplace gift special.
Tory Johnson, workplace contributor for Good Morning America and CEO of WomenForHire.com, lists her top-four employee gift tips in Winning Workplace Gifts:

1. Cash, gift certificates and gift cards are always top the list of favorite gifts.  Now more than ever.
2. Avoid anything too personal. If you’d rather buy a gift over giving money, avoid overly personal gifts such as perfume, lingerie, liquor or religious items.
3. Make a donation in your recipient’s honor to the charity of your choice.  This is especially good if you need a non-cash idea or you don’t want the value of your gift revealed.
4. Remember, don’t re-gift, because you never know who will recognize that cute knick-knack you received last year.

Do it right!
As an article by Laura T. Coffey, contributing editor at NBC News’ Today page, “Office gift-giving: Pens good, body spray bad,” says:
“Do it right, and you can make your boss, coworkers, clients and assistants beam with a warm and happy glow. Do it wrong, and—hoo-boy. Pray for:

a) Mercy
b) Short memory spans

To be clear, gift-giving at work certainly isn’t mandatory. But if you’re going to do it, stuff these particular stockings with the greatest of care. Small, thoughtful tokens of appreciation are ideal, gift-giving experts say.”
Workplace gifts do not need to break the bank.  That’s why so many businesses choose gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude for affordable yet meaningful gifts of food – such as a whole turkey or ham for the holidays.
Give it some thought
But it’s the thought that counts, right? That’s what Sue Vering, creative director at global ad agency Draftfcb, asks in a Chicago Tribune article.
The answer? Sherri Athay thinks it’s one tired cliché, Vering writes. Athay, with husband Larry, wrote Present Perfect: Unforgettable Gifts for Every Occasion as well as the upcoming books Present Perfect: A Guide to Global Gift Giving and Present Perfect: A Guide to Business Gift Giving.
“Every time I hear someone say ‘it’s the thought that counts’ as an excuse for just giving anything, I think to myself, `No. It’s clear you just didn’t give this any thought,'” Athay says in the article.
It’s true, you do have to think first before buying employee gifts, but some items are tried and true.
Have you started your Workplace Gift planning for the holiday season?  Let us know if you have found great ideas for your workplace you would like to share.
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Turkey burgers get a bad rap, either for being a too-healthy or for the (legitimate) reason that they’re often dry and less flavorful than their beefy counterparts.
But with a hot grill and an open mind, there are ways to combat both of these problems. Turkey burgers don’t have to be boring just because they’re better for you.

Five Tips for Perfect Turkey Burgers!

1. Go to the dark side. Turkey, like chicken, has white and dark meat sections. The breast is only slightly better for you, (says New York Times writer Anahad O’Connor), while the dark meat (thighs and legs) will make for a more flavorful burger. So leave the “extra lean” Jennie-O for when you’re counting calories and get regular ground turkey; it still has 30 percent less fat than beef.
2. Carbo-load. Whether it’s fresh bread crumbs, flaky panko or even leftover rice and canned beans, turkey burgers benefit from a little filler. You don’t want too high a ratio, unless you’d rather make meatloaf, but bread acts as a binder and helps hang on to extra moisture, which will make the burgers juicier.
3. Spice it up. Turkey loves Southwestern spices, like serrano chiles, garlic and cumin. Take a riff on a steam bun with an Asian turkey burger (care of Serious Eats) made with cilantro, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil and spicy Sriracha mayonnaise. Or make a detour through Oaxaca with coriander, cinnamon, ancho chili and chipotle salsa (thanks to Lynn Rossetto Kasper and “The Splendid Table’s How to Eat Supper”).
4. Flip it. You may have heard conflicting evidence on this, but it’s actually OK to flip a burger more than once, and it may even lead to a faster cooking time. Keep an eye on your flame (medium-high is good), and estimate about 10 minutes for a juicy burger. Give the burgers a few minutes to rest while you throw your buns on to toast.

5. Mix up your toppings. Step off, ketchup. Try smoked gouda cheese and a horseradish-mustard-honey spread. Try tomato-mango chutney made with cilantro and lime. Combine tomato, jam, olives and feta for a sweet-salty topping, or take a North African twist with a yogurt-based dressing with lemon juice, cumin and cayenne.
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Use this Free Resource of Employee Engagement Top 10 Lists to Motivate and Enthuse Employees in Your Workplace.

The Employee Engagement Top 10 book, edited by David Zinger, Employee Engagement Network founder and host, is a community project from thirty-two network contributors. These leading thinkers and experts on employee engagement share their practical approaches and perspectives, with each listing a top 10, be it in cartoon form, how-tos, or principles to work by.
Contributor Jennifer Schulte, global engagement director for Mars, Inc., provides the very first list called, “Strategies to Impact Engagement Across an Organization“:

1. Start at the top—Find a business metric executives will respond to (she used the salary & benefits dollar cost of the “actively disengaged”—which was over $500 million!) and get them excited about the effort.
2. Choose the right champions—Activate early adopters who are passionate about the concept and about driving change.
3. Focus on a bold goal—Choose a metric and date as a target two or three years out.
4. Energize your HR function—As a strategic business partner, HR must be accountable for ensuring engagement is part of local business strategies and is taken seriously in talent-related decisions.
5. Hold managers accountable—Focus on behavior change and require managers to report results on actions they’ve taken to impact engagement in their teams.
6. Celebrate and replicate those who engage—Find formal and informal ways to recognize and reward your managers and associates who are great at engagement.
7. Recruit and promote for engagement—Put people into management positions who will be successful at engaging their associates.
8. Develop for engagement—Make sure engagement—the “how to” but also the compelling reasons why, and what the organization will hold them accountable for delivering—is on the learning and development agenda.
9. Remove systemic barriers—Listen to your frontline associates and have senior leadership address barriers  in addition to direct manager-associate conversations.
10. Focus on chronic under-performers—If a manager’s team scores low on surveys three times in a row, get involved and create a personalized engagement action plan.

Have you checked out this free book? What’s your favorite top 10 list?
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Or, Why we Love Zingerman’s…. 

By providing truly exceptional service and caring to customers—and employees—Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan has grown from a corner deli to the nationally acclaimed Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (ZCoB).

Started in 1982 by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, who pined for a great Jewish style Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Today Zingerman’s Deli is the source of great food and great experiences for thousands of visitors every year. And, is a model of world class customer service.

Zingerman’s is committed to delivering the most flavorful, traditionally made foods, in an entertaining, educational and service-oriented setting.  Whether at one of their many food stores or via their catalog.

You have to be doing something right to get accolades like these:

“America’s Top Independent Retailer for 2011“
– Gourmet Retailer Magazine

“Probably the best food store (and catalog) in the U.S.”
– Jeffrey Steingarten on National Public Radio

Celebrity chef Mario Batali deems Zingerman’s “The center of my gastro-deli universe.”

Even “Oprah raves Zingerman sandwiches are an 11 on a scale of 1 to 5.”

How do they do it?

Zingerman’s has the right mission and guiding principles, among them, great service, a great place to work, and strong relationships. From the top down, every employee lives them.
One of its companies, ZingTrain, offers books, seminars, DVDs and other tools to help you learn to live its service philosophy, too.  How can you not love a company that offers customer service training classes called, “Creating a Vision of Greatness”, “The Art of Giving Great Service” or yes, “Fun, Flavorful Finance”?

Ari Weinzweig’s book, Zingerman’s Guide to Giving Great Service, shares “how-to” formulas for delivering the ultimate in customer service, Zingerman style.

It all boils down to this…
Treat your customer like royalty.  And treat each other as well as you treat your customer.

Zingerman’s Five Steps to Creating a Culture of Service:

1. Teach
2. Define
3. Live
4. Measure
5. Reward

And the Three Steps of Great Service:

1. Find out what the guest wants.
2. Get it for them:
   1. Accurately.
   2. Politely.
   3. Enthusiastically.
3. Go the extra mile!

Not to mention the Five Steps to Handling Complaints:

1. Acknowledge the complaint.
2. Sincerely apologize.
3. Make it right.
4. Thank them.
5. Document the complaint.

Zingerman’s Communicates with Fun and Enthusiasm!

To ensure employees live its mission, Zingerman’s provides what Carole Matthews of Inc. Magazine calls, “The World’s Best Employee Manual,” which enthusiastically communicates how employees can provide world-class customer service.

“For instance, the wastebusting pages include text, graphics and bullet points to emphasize ways to reduce waste. Employee testimonials, like the Xtra Mile Files, share ways employees have gone the extra mile for their customers.

From getting along with others, to a guide for great finance, to answering the phone, Zingerman’s clearly—and playfully—presents what’s most important in running the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses.”

It’s definitely food for thought.  Does your business treat customers like royalty?  What can you learn from Zingerman’s?

About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

It’s almost Independence Day – the celebration of summer and all things American! Something we are all grateful for.

So put out your blanket on a grassy hill to reserve a spot for your local fireworks celebration and bring a lawn chair down to Main Street so you have a nice view of the traditional, small-town Fourth of July Parade. You don’t want to miss the marching bands, the 4-H float, representatives from the local VFW, and kids on bicycles decorated with red, white, and blue streamers.  Our forefathers may not have bought sparklers, fired up the barbecue grill, or headed to the beach in honor of our new country, but today there’s no better way to mark the patriotic day.
Like any great holiday, there are fabulous foods associated with the day. Grill up your favorite chicken, ribs, hamburgers or brats, add some corn on the cob, and celebrate with family and friends. Don’t forget to look for recipes that use locally grown produce – available in your neighborhood grocery store –  lots of berries, cherries, herbs, corn, tomatoes, peas, beans, and zucchini are in season right now.
For a menu that includes a little red, white, and blue, try some of these great desserts and side dishes!

Red, White and Blue Menu Ideas for a Festive 4th of July

• Thanks to Bon Appétit and Epicurious, Potato salad gets a colorful make-over using three colors of potatoes!

• Alton Brown has a cool way to use watermelon to make delicious red watermelon sorbet! Yum.

• Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with patriotic looking and delicious tasting frozen treats.  Try these “Firecracker Ice Pops”, they are sure to be a hit with all ages!

• And here’s a great finale to your picnic dinner, sparklers are optional!

Happy 4th of July!  Send your patriotic food photos and we will post them!
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

It took years to make Father’s Day an official holiday, but that doesn’t make our gratitude toward and appreciation of our fathers any less sincere. In the same way, if your recognition of your employees’ hard work is overdue, there’s no time like the present—and they’ll still appreciate your sincere thanks.
The Library of Congress, Wise Guide, “Honor Your Father” tells us, “in June of every year, we honor fathers.” While lots of Dads claim everyday is Father’s Day, it’s fair to say most of us don’t thank the Fathers in our families daily for all they do. It’s good to be reminded to pause and reflect on why fathers are so important in our lives, and to celebrate and thank them. Similarly, we are well served to do the same for the other valued members of our personal and professional lives. You may have employees or co-workers who are vital to your business’s success, but how often do you remember to thank them for all their contributions?
Many Fathers share that Father’s Day reminds them how lucky they are – to have healthy children, supportive families or to know their grand-children.  It inspires many Dads to strive to do better for those who count on them.  Similarly, we know from research that a genuine “thank you” to employees encourages deeper engagement and a desire to contribute.
The first official Mother’s Day  was celebrated in 1914, but a holiday honoring fathers didn’t become official until 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson declared the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon made the proclamation permanent in 1972. But the holiday was celebrated unofficially long before this time.
A then 27-year old Sonora Dodd came up with the idea for Father’s Day. Her father raised her and her siblings after her mother died in childbirth. While listening to a church sermon on Mother’s Day, Sonora thought of all her father had done for her and her siblings. She thought fathers should have a day too. Her father’s birthday was in June, so Sonora encouraged area churches to honor fathers that month. Spokane, Washington celebrated the first Father’s Day in 1910.
So we hope you celebrated Dad last Sunday, and that you celebrate your employees as soon and as often as you can. And if you forgot to send Dad a card or gift, he’ll still appreciate it now.
Our sincere gratitude to all the Fathers who do so much for all of us.
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Few things taste more like summer than food cooked outdoors on the grill.  It just seems to call for friends, laughter and celebrating being together.
Here are some favorite grilling tips from our expert friends:

• Use the Right Equipment…
  1. A pair of tongs for arranging food on the grill and flipping it when needed. To avoid losing juices during turning, always flip your meat or vegetables using tongs or a spatula, rather than a fork.
  2. Good quality paintbrushes from (more…)

For Mother’s Day, every Mom appreciates most, something from the heart.  A child’s handmade card, special craft project or custom gift certificate for something such as “picking up my room without being asked for a month”.
An easy special treat, that even the littlest ones in the house can help with, is breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day!  Time to get up early, make some coffee and orange juice, and bring it to mom on a tray, complete with a flower and a homemade card!
Wondering what to make for the main dish?  Here are some easy recipes that not just Mom will enjoy!

Desert for Breakfast – Red Velvet Pancakes
Or are you looking for something decadent and surprising? Try these Kitchy Kitchen red velvet pancakes, complete with a hint of chocolate and a deep crimson color. Top with mascarpone and pretend you’re eating dessert for breakfast!
Baked French Toast Casserole
With a little bit of planning, you can whip up a batch of Paula Deen’s French toast casserole the night before, then pop it in the oven first thing in the morning. The whole house will smell like cinnamon and maple syrup!
Mushroom and Bacon Breakfast Skillet

Is Mom more of an eggs and bacon person? Here’s an easy and elegant breakfast skillet by Joy the Baker that will satisfy a salty-crunchy craving rather than a sweet tooth.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
Looking for something fast and easy that even the littlest cook can help with? Make these gorgeous yogurt parfaits for Mom, using whatever fruit is in season.
Layer the yogurt, fruit, and granola in beautiful glasses for a really pretty presentation!
However you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day, have fun and take the time to share your gratitude with all the Mothers in your life.
Happy Mother’s Day!
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.  
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Always the last week in April, with Administrative Professionals Day Wednesday, April 25, it’s a great time to show your gratitude and appreciation to these valued employees.
The theme for this year’s Administrative Professionals Day is “Admins, the pulse of the office,”International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), as the holiday marks its 60^th anniversary.
It’s one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays, IAAP reports. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff.
Say it with Gift Certificates of Gratitude
Holiday Insights notes the most common ways to recognize your administrative professionals are:

• Cards, often with Gift Certificates
• Flowers
• Lunch
• Candy
• Gift baskets

Administrative Professionals:  The Heart and Pulse of the Office
These professionals certainly deserve your thanks. IAAP calls them “the steady center of efficiency … helping ensure jobs get done right, on time and under budget.”  And, usually with a smile and a bright disposition too.
International speaker and trainer Marja Lee Freeman, “The Employment Lady”, and founder of M.L. Freeman Consulting, asks  “So, what are YOU DOING for your staff this Administrative Professionals Week?” in her article, Administrative Professionals Week Celebration . “It’s time people realize the office administrator is the heart and pulse of a successful organization—for profit, nonprofit or any profit!” she enthuses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants work in the United States and 8.9 million people work in various administrative support roles.
Recognize Support Staff’s Contributions
Although it’s important to recognize employees throughout the year, Administrative Professionals Week provides a great opportunity to thank support staff for their contributions, advises OfficeTeam’s Robert Hosking, Executive Director of the world’s largest temporary staffing service for Administrative Professionals.
The staffing firm’s press release at PR Newswire, OfficeTeam Offers Recognition Tips For Administrative Professionals Day (April 25), says “Although the achievements of these individuals often occur behind the scenes, administrative professionals make a significant impact on their organizations every day.”
And Harvard Business Review enumerates admins’ contributions in The Case for Executive Assistants.  “At senior levels (of Management) the return on a skilled assistant can be substantial”, says author Melba J. Duncan.  And, “granting middle managers access to an assistant—or shared resources—can give a quick boost to productivity even at lean, well-run companies.”  Duncan adds:

“Effective assistants can make enormous contributions to productivity at all levels of the organization. They ensure meetings begin on time with prep material delivered in advance. They optimize travel schedules and enable remote decision making, keeping projects on track. And they filter the distractions that can turn a manager into a reactive type who spends all day answering email instead of a leader who proactively sets the organization’s agenda.”

Melba J. Duncan is president of search and consulting firm The Duncan Group and author of “The New Executive Assistant: Advice for Succeeding in Your Career”.
At gThankYou.com, we’ll thank our support staff with gift certificates for ice cream.  How will you thank yours?  Let us know.
For more ideas on how to build a culture of appreciation in your workplace, download our FREE eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift-Giving”.





About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Employees with team spirit feel more appreciated, work together better and are more productive.

Douglas R. Conant, recently retired President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company, talks about employee engagement in an Inc. Magazine article posted on Business Insider called “How Former Campbell’s Soup Company CEO Doug Conant Pulled the Brand Out From A “Circle of Doom”.

“My observation has been, is, and always will be, that you can’t have an organization that consistently delivers innovations unless you have a high level of engagement and high level of trust.  People just won’t take risks,” he writes.

Team Building is a Challenge!

Teamwork leads to trust and engagement, Conant blogs in his post “Building Effective Teams Isn’t Rocket Science, But It’s Just as Hard” at the Harvard Business Review.  This post is part of the HBR Insight Center: The Secrets of Great Teams should you be interested in learning more.

“Over my 35 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit worlds, I’ve been part of hundreds, if not thousands, of teams of all shapes and sizes”, writes Conant.  “I’ve led some of these teams as a Fortune 300 CEO, and I’ve been at the bottom of the ladder as a marketing assistant at the start of my career.”

4 Ways to Build Successful Teams

Conant offers four key guiding thoughts that can materially improve your odds of team building success:

1. Hire Highly Effective Team Members. Conant looks for the 4 C’s: competence, character, courage, and collaboration.

2. Focus on Inspiring Trust. He calls this the single most important challenge, noting Steven Covey says in his book, The Speed of Trust, “It is the one thing that changes everything.” Over time, Conant has found that trust, based on competence and character, trumps all other attributes.

3. Encourage Candor. It’s important that teams acknowledges mistakes and celebrate progress in a timely way.

4. Be Clear About Expectations. The greater the clarity of the mission, the greater the odds of success.

Bottom line, Conant believes, “If you fully leverage these four guiding thoughts, you may not build the next-generation space shuttle, but you will most assuredly see your teams soar to new heights.”
How do you help your team soar?  Why are your best teams successful?
Conant is the coauthor, with strategic leadership and learning expert Mette Norgaard, of Touchpoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments. Douglas Conant was recently elected to the Board of Directors for Avon announced by Daily Markets.

Make Team Building an Everyday Priority

Team building takes prioritization and a commitment to building it into the fabric of your culture. Building in easy ways to nurture and encourage employee engagement are critical to your success. At gThankYou, we believe in helping leaders build great workplaces. Download our free resource for building a culture of engagement and appreciation – “Day-to-Day Employee Celebration Calendar” and share with colleagues today!

Lamb is a favorite by many for Passover and Easter Holiday dinner celebrations.  While Americans in general eat less lamb than other cultures, if you haven’t tried it, you are missing a delectable treat.  Why you ask?  Well…

1. It’s Delicious
   Lamb can be broiled, grilled, baked, or braised. It can be ground into patties, stuffed with herbs or marinated. It can be an ingredient in stews, tagines, and meatballs, or the star of the dinner table.
2. It’s Full of Nutrients
   Lamb is a prime source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. A 3-ounce serving of lamb provides 43 percent of the recommended daily allowance of protein. Lamb is also high in B vitamins, zinc, and iron.
3. It’s Lean
   Compared to other meats, lamb contains very little marbling (fat in the meat). And, since the fat is on the edges of the meat, it is easily trimmed off, which means fewer calories — only 175 in an average 3-ounce serving.

Not sure where to start your lamb adventure?   Here are some important cooking tips.
Do not over cook!
For safety, the USDA recommends cooking lamb patties and ground lamb mixtures such as meat loaf to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 °F as measured by a food thermometer. Cook all raw lamb steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.
Shop smart
When shopping for lamb, look for meat that is fine textured and firm that has red coloring and white marbling (white flecks of fat within the meat muscle). The fat trim should be firm, white, and not too thick. The USDA quality grades are reliable guides.
Lamb vs. Mutton
The meat from a young sheep (less than 12 months of age) is called lamb. It is naturally tender and mild in flavor. The meat from an older sheep (over one year of age) is called mutton. It has a more intense flavor than lamb, but is preferred to lamb in some cultures.
Know your Parts!
There are five basic major cuts of lamb: shoulder, rack, shank/breast, loin, and leg. The rack contains 9 full ribs and can be split (along the back bone) into two lamb rib roasts. A “lamb crown roast” is made by sewing two rib roasts together to form a circle or crown.  “Loin” chops come from the loin and “rib” chops come from the rack (or rib); these are the most tender and most expensive chops. “Blade” and “arm” chops (from the shoulder) and “sirloin” chops (from the leg) are less expensive but may be just as tender.
Add to your holiday recipe repertoire with lamb!
Try this recipe for your next big holiday feast or dinner party.  You’ll be sure to wow your guests!

• Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Feta and Olives featured by Russ Parsons, The California Cook, Los Angeles Times

Let us know if you serve Lamb as the center piece of your holiday dinner.   Do you have a favorite lamb recipe to share?
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Show employees your gratitude by celebrating World Compliment Day on March 1!
The holiday’s Netherlands originator, recognition professional Hans Poortvliet says 50 nations celebrated World Compliment Day last year.  It’s not intended as a commercial holiday; it’s simply an opportunity to recognize and appreciate others.  And that’s something everyone needs.

“A sincere and personal compliment costs nothing, but the impact on the recipient is huge,” Poortvliet says. “Nothing stimulates more, gives more energy, makes people happier, and as far as business is concerned, increases productivity and commitment faster than sincere appreciation. So why not use it a little bit more?

As philosopher and psychologist William James once said, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

Your employees are the reason your company runs smoothly—they do their best for you every day. Take this opportunity to show your gratitude and appreciation by giving each of them a sincere compliment.  Here’s how…
Reason + Feeling + Result = Great Compliment
The three parts to a compliment that will reach employees’ hearts, not just their heads, and make them feel you really understand and care, according to HaLife.

1. The Reason – Pinpoint the reason you’re giving the compliment by describing the project and providing examples of the outstanding efforts that impressed you.  Employees need to understand why the compliment is warranted.
2. The Feeling – Define how you felt about the work that exceeded expectations—grateful, thrilled, elated, ecstatic, pleased, thankful—so you can connect on a more personal level.
3. The Result – Factually identify how employees’ above-and-beyond exertions helped the company. Do you have statistics that show how the employee saved time or money? It’s your chance to help employees understand how their actions directly help the business.

Together, these three elements form a sincere and meaningful compliment that shows your approval and admiration. Your employees will likely be motivated to continue to earn more heartfelt compliments through hard work.

Delivery Counts!
Demand Media provides tips for successful delivery of compliments in Amie Martin’s Chron.com article,  “How to Compliment Good Employees”.   Marten reminds managers to say “thank you”, two of the most important and valuable words to communicate to employees, often.
If penning a note is more your style, WriteExpress provides compliment letter templates you can use to craft your great compliments.
For more ideas, or to go public with your compliments, sign up to follow World Compliment Day on Twitter  or Facebook.
What’s the best workplace compliment you have received?  What’s the best one you have given to someone else?
Have a happy World Compliment Day!







About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

There is something magical about waking up in the morning and gazing out your front window onto a yard covered with powdery, pure white snow. Watching drifts form with the frigid winter wind, seeing icicles appear along the eaves, and hearing the fresh snow crunch under your boots – these are the simple pleasures of winter.

But after a long day shoveling the sidewalk, building snowmen, or pulling the kids up the sledding hill it’s time to thaw out with food that warms you from within – soup. Easy to make, soups come in endless varieties, with recipes that can easily be adapted to the ingredients you have on hand. Best of all, leftovers are even better reheated a few days later!
Serve a hearty bowl of soup with warm crusty bread and a green salad and you have a meal that will keep you warm, even as the temperatures outside plunge into single digits.  Check out these favorites and enjoy!

• Heat things up southwestern style, with The Pioneer Woman’s beloved Chicken Tortilla Soup.  (See picture above, how can one resist?)  The Pioneer Woman does a marvelous job of showing the cooking steps in pictures for even the newest of cooks.
• Try a new twist on beef stew from Food Blogger, Joy the Baker.  The sweet potato makes all the difference.
• New England Clam chowder is hard to beat!   Here’s the recipe for Boston’s best Clam Chowder, Courtesy of the Union Oyster House in Boston and The Food Network.com.  It’s easy and delicious.  Substitute the salt pork with bacon for a truly traditional version.
• Last but certainly not least, one of our favorites is the Barefoot Contessa’s Cream of Fresh Tomato Soup.  This is not the tomato soup of your childhood – it’s spicy and so much better!  Serve with grilled cheese and don’t be afraid to dunk!

What’s your favorite winter soup?  Share it with us and we will post it for everyone.  Stay warm.
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

Did you know the Monday after the Super Bowl is notoriously unproductive?
Consider human resources expert Susan M. Heathfield’s article, “Make the Super Bowl a Workplace Win.”  It cites interesting statistics from an employee survey by career community Glassdoor, which asks: “Is the Super Bowl good for the workplace?”
The results:

• 20% of employees say employee morale is typically better in the office the day after the Super Bowl.
• 22% of employees notice, however, that the Monday following the Super Bowl is commonly a less productive day than usual.
  (Need some last-minute productivity boost suggestions?  Check out the blog Workplace Productivity.)
• 8% of employees plan to take the day off following the Super Bowl.
• 9% of employees plan to take the Monday off as a vacation day.
• 3% of surveyed employees admit that they plan to call in sick the day after the Super Bowl.

Some Companies Offer Perks on Super Bowl Monday
The survey asks employees if their companies offer perks for Super Bowl Monday:

• Several employees say they’re either allowed to work from home or use the Monday as a flex day.
• Another employee says their weekly Monday morning meeting gets bumped until later in the day on Super Monday.
• Other survey respondents say their employers buy breakfast for employees on the Monday after the game.

Should Super Bowl Monday be a Holiday?
Some even say Super Bowl Monday should be a national holiday and not just sports fanatics.  In her article, “Do We Need a National Holiday on the Day After the Super Bowl?”,  Lisa Johnson Mandell  argues it’s a lost day anyway.  She notes that in 2010, “1.5 million Americans didn’t show up for work the next day at all, and an estimated 4.4 million showed up late. Then there are all the people who do show up on time who are fuzzy, drowsy and blurry-eyed.”
What Can You Do?
For one, take advantage of the high morale employees have on Monday.  Chances are your employees are in great moods the day after the Super Bowl—or horrible ones, if their team lost—but nonetheless they’re engaged and talking about the game and how they spent Super Bowl Sunday with family and friends.  It’s something almost everyone in the workplace can relate to and chatter about.
You’ll make the whole day more productive if you allow employees an hour in the morning to gather and talk. Consider hosting a simple breakfast for everyone to share or make it a potluck event.  A simple gesture such as this not only provides a needed transition for employees to focus for the day, but also builds long-term morale and goodwill too.
Be sure to announce special plans in advance, so those thinking of taking the day off or calling in sick will have an incentive to attend.  If you restore normal productivity on Super Monday, it will be well worth the time, effort and money.
What do you think? Do you see diminished productivity on Super Monday? What kinds of perks might work well in your workplace?
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

Around here, we love turkey leftovers!  Growing up, we made an enormous Butterball turkey for Thanksgiving and ate it in one form or another until Christmas. And then we made another one. Turkey wasn’t a food group, it was a season. We had no choice but to embrace reheated plates of turkey and potatoes, warmed up, gooey green bean casserole, and fermented cranberry relish. As I got older I branched out, trying lots of new recipes with turkey as the star ingredient.
Of all the leftover dishes I’ve tried, turkey pot pie is consistently the best. And it’s a recipe that can be adapted to whatever you like, and what’s in the fridge. Here are the basics:
Turkey
Chop 1-2 cups of cooked turkey into bite-size pieces.
Veggies (This is a perfect way to use the leftovers from the relish tray!)
½ cup diced onion
½ cup diced carrot
½ cup peas
½ cup diced celery
1 cup sliced mushrooms
Sauté them in butter until crisp-cooked. Mix vegetables and turkey in large bowl until combined.
(You can also use leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, diced squash, corn, or green beans if that’s what you’ve got on hand.)
Gravy
Add gravy to generously coat all ingredients. Start with your leftover gravy from Thanksgiving. If you don’t have enough you can use canned chicken or turkey gravy, or make more.
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup whipping cream
Melt butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour until completely combined into a paste. Cook for one minute. Add broth all at once, stirring constantly. Bring mixture to a boil. When it has thickened, add wine (if desired) and whipping cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Herbs
Chopped parsley, sage, chives, or thyme make nice additions to the pie. Add to taste.
Crust
After you pour the gravy, turkey, and veggies in a large casserole dish, decided what kind of crust you like. You can use:
• A tube of refrigerated biscuit dough
• Pre-made puff pastry (thawed)
• Leftover mashed potatoes, mixed with an egg and some grated Parmesan cheese
• Pre-made pie crust (flat folded sheets found in the refrigerated section)
• Bisquick biscuit recipe
Place your crust of choice over the filling, making sure there are slits for the steam to escape. Bake at 350 F until the topping is browned and cooked through, and the filling is hot and bubbly. Serve with leftover cranberry sauce and enjoy!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Ah leftovers. . . for most of us, a welcome part of a Thanksgiving or Holiday turkey tradition.  Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a slab of leftover stuffing and turkey cold cuts to bring a holiday flavor to your lunchbox. And turkey is remarkably versatile. The white meat particularly can be used in a plethora of creative recipes in place of chicken, from soups and casseroles, to enchiladas and chili.
And although it may seem to some of the pickier eaters in the family that leftover Holiday turkey lasts forever, alas, it is not so. According to food safety experts, you have a relatively short window to enjoy the best of the rest of your bird.
Basically, from the time you take the turkey out of the oven, you have 2 hours to serve it, eat it, and then refrigerate or freeze the leftovers – the turkey, stuffing and gravy. Why just two hours? Because bacteria that cause food poisoning can multiply to dangerous levels on perishable food left longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
To preserve the Holiday Turkey flavor safely, do not dawdle. After dinner and before dessert you should remove the meat from the bones, cut large pieces into small pieces, and store in airtight containers. (That’s because food in small amounts will get cold more quickly.) Leftover turkey will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Stuffing and gravy should be used within 1 or 2 days. Just to be on the safe side, you should reheat leftover gravy to a rolling boil before serving.
If you’d like to extend your turkey leftover experience into the new year, put your airtight packages of cooked turkey goodness in the freezer, with the date clearly marked. That will give you up to 6 months to find just the right recipe. . . and May is a lovely time for turkey tetrazzini.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

According to Mike McCullough, Director of the Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory at the University of Miami, it seems gratitude soothes the savage beast in all of us.  Not that anyone is actually a beast, but research supports that by showing your employees gratitude, not only does it help them – it also helps you feel happier and remarkably, sleep better.

“Cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude’ links to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners. A new study shows that feeling grateful makes people less likely to turn aggressive when provoked.”

Show Gratitude During the Holidays
A Clinical Psychology Review study by Alex Wood et.al lays out the details if you are interested.  So if you missed the opportunity to show employees your appreciation at Thanksgiving, the upcoming Holiday season gives you a second chance.
Gratitude Lite
Not feeling it? The Times quotes the University of California, Davis’ Robert Emmons , author of Thanks! and other books on gratitude. Emmons recommends starting out with “gratitude lite.” He and colleague Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami conducted experiments, asking people to keep a brief, weekly “gratitude journal” listing five things they felt thankful for, like a beautiful sunset or a friend’s kindness.
After two months, the journalers were more optimistic, felt happier, reported fewer physical problems and spent more time working out, than control group members . They also fell asleep more quickly at night, slept longer and woke up feeling more refreshed.  Wow!
Five Ways to Feel Grateful
The New York Times article includes five tips experts offer for getting in the spirit:

1. Do something nice for a family member:
   Do one small kindness for a relative at your holiday celebration – listen attentively to yawn-worthy recollections, say thank you for a thoughtful gesture, or express admiration for a talent.

2. Turn the other cheek:
   If you count your blessings, you’ll be less likely to retaliate if a coworker or family member delivers a typically snarky comment. Say something positive instead and awaken that person’s empathy—they’ll pass the gratitude along.

3. Share the wealth:
   When you show gratitude, people realize they mean a lot to you, perhaps more than they thought. It’s a great way to uplift yourself and others.

4. Pay a gratitude visit:
   Write a very specific 300-word letter to someone who has changed your life for the better. Deliver it in person and read it aloud. “You’ll be happier in one month,” guarantees University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Seligman in a New York Times quote from his book, Flourish.

5. Seek “deep gratitude”:
   The New York Times quotes Emmons:  “As a culture, we have lost a deep sense of gratefulness about the freedoms we enjoy, a lack of gratitude toward those who lost their lives in the fight for freedom, a lack of gratitude for all the material advantages we have. The focus of [the holidays] should be a reflection of how our lives have been made so much more comfortable by the sacrifices of those who have come before us.”

Recognize Your Employees
Got your gratitude on?  This holiday season, thank your employees for their diligence. Be specific about how their efforts have fostered your organization’s growth and success in 2011. We’ve said it before, but a holiday Turkey Or Ham Certificate of Gratitude from gThankYou says “We appreciate all you do for us”.  Pass along the gratitude – you and your recipient will both benefit.
Happy Holidays!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.