Ingredients:

1. 1 large yellow onion, chopped
2. 1 Tablespoon fresh garlic, minced or pressed
3. 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
4. 7 cups chicken stock
5. 1 large can (1lb 12 oz) ounces can tomato puree
6. 1-2 finely minced jalapeno pepper (depending on how spicy you like it)
7. 2 teaspoon salt
8. 1/4 teaspoon pepper
9. 2 teaspoon sugar
10. 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
11. 2 teaspoon hot sauce
12. 1/4 – 1/2 cup flour
13. 1/2 – 1 cup water
14. 1 pound cooked chicken, cubed or pulled
15. 1 can low sodium whole kernel corn
16. 1 1/2 cups cream
17. 1/2 cup non-fat sour cream
18. 8 ounces Velveeta, 1-inch cubes
19. 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
20. Tostitas “Dipping Strips” tortilla chips
21. Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Directions:

Saute oil, garlic and onions in large soup pot or Dutch oven until soft.

Add ingredients 4 through 11. Bring to low boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Thoroughly mix flour and water in a separate bowl, then whisk into soup. The amount you put in the soup should depend on how thick you like your soup. Bring to a low boil, then simmer 5 minutes.

Add chicken and corn. Simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in sour cream and cheeses. For the Velveeta, I suggest pre-melting it in the microwave to shorten cooking time. Ensure 165 F serving temperature.

Add cream last.

After serving soup, pile tortilla strips into a “haystack” shape on top of the soup.

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

Let me know what you think!

You see, here is my problem. Because I don’t have cable, all my roommate and I do is watch all of the seasons of FRIENDS, on repeat, every day. Well almost.

You see, we are missing season 3…and it’s killing us. All of the Friends trivia that we can’t figure out and all of the FRIENDS mysteries (in our heads) are all interlaced into the precious third season. For example: When do they show the gang meeting Joey? Meeting Phoebe? And there are always other things that I can never remember them explaining (I then blame it all on season 3). So you FRIENDS fans out there, tell me, is season 3 the answer to all my problems? Or should I just move on with my TV life? HELP!

What are FRIENDS mysteries that leave you left hanging?

The Top Five Reasons to Stay and Play in Phoenix

While there are a million reasons to stay and play in your own backyard this year, here are my five favorite things to do in Phoenix- five things that will make you want a “staycation” over a vacation every year!

1. Downtown Phoenix. If you haven’t been downtown lately, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  Although revitalization efforts are present at every corner, my favorites all include something I can eat. The charm and small-scale atmosphere of historic houses converted into restaurants are by far my favorite thing. Off the beaten path you’ll find some of the cities best Thai and pizza in these “house-turants,” like Fate, Chibo and the famous Pizzeria Bianco.
2. The Sonoran Desert. As cliché as hiking Camelback Mountain may seem, it’s still one of my favorite things to do. If there’s anyway you can swing a weekday hike, the trail can be nearly empty on weekday mornings and early afternoons. The view from the top is one that I doubt I could ever get sick of. Not to mention that, wow, what a workout.
3. The FBR open. Dubbed the “friendliest and loudest stop on the PGA Tour,” thanks to huge galleries that have redefined the term “golf clap,” the FBR is an event for everyone. With great golf and great concerts, the FBR is a party that should be on the radar of all ages.
4. Wine bars. I especially love to check out the Sea Saw* wine bar in Scottsdale. With a wine list that looks more like an encyclopedia volume, there really is something for everyone. You name the varietal, qualities you like in a wine, and your price range, and the knowledgeable staff will come up with a wine that is sure to please. (See below)
5. Pool parties. While many of us have pools in our backyards, few of us have the staff to make us refreshing drinks and eats. Many Valley pools at hotels and resorts are open to the public, like the Clarendon in Midtown. Its pool has been voted “Best in the Valley” before and their $3 happy hour margaritas sure don’t hurt their cause.

So whatever your interests are, just keep in mind that you probably don’t have to look as far as you’d think. Whether it’s sports (golf included), spas, shopping, nightlife, dining or recreation of any sorts that you are interested in, before you plan a trip elsewhere to do so or write travel out of your budget, explore your surroundings. I encourage you to post some feedback as well, what are your five reasons for staying and playing in Phoenix? Well, that’s all for now…the sooner I finish, the sooner I can squeeze that weekday hike in.

*As mentioned above, this is an old blog I ghost wrote for a class client last year. As many of you know, Sea Saw wine bar is no longer with us. Sad, huh? You can still check out their wine list at sister restaurant, Cowboy Ciao. If you are itching for a glass at another wine bar however, I would suggest checking out the new Postino’s location on Central. The same Postion’s feel with a much more “downtown” feel! But make sure you @SophiaFuka if you go!

First up, Friday: Ingrid Michaelson will be at Martini Ranch, and this is going to be something you don’t want to miss! This indie princess is sure to put on a great show, and with the chance to hear her belt out tunes such as “You and I” and the more popular tune, “The Way I Am.” Give her one listen on Pandora, and I promise you’ll be in love. If you enjoy artists like Missy Higgins, Meiko or Tristan Prettyman, she’s not one to miss!

Next up; Hello Oktoberfest 2009! Running October 2-4, this crowd pleaser is a win-win for everyone! Admission is free, the event is located right on a light rail stop, it’s all day fun, has entertainment for the kids and live music for everyone to enjoy! And with German food and beer gardens, what’s not to love? More information can be found at on the Oktoberfest website! All proceeds also go to great causes, such as International Student Exchanges, International Educator Exchanges,  International Humanitarian Efforts and Multi-Cultural Youth Programs.

With a weekend as fun as this, I just best be seeing you all there!

Good PR

This is a tweet that I sent out while debating how to celebrate the 4th of July this year:

The Port of San Diego (@portofsandiego) quickly replied with, after scanning their Twitter profile, a personalized (meaning in this case, not in any way automated) message, letting me know that they cared enough about their social media to engage me in a conversation. I think this was a great example of surveying the social media landscape and responding appropriately.

Bad PR

I then decided to check out what has been said about my school, and much to my excitement, this is what I found:

Wow, I thought! What a great chance for the school to show personal interest in a potential student and have an opportunity to influence their decision!

Much to my disappointment however, there was no response whatsoever from @Cronkite_ASU. Disappointing yes, but surprising, no. I actually once asked the dean of the school, who oversees the account, why there was a lack of personal contact, personal flare, and, well, personality. He responded by telling me in a frank manner, that he knew what he was doing.

And maybe he does, but none the less, I think the school missed out on a genuine opportunity to reach out and win the heart (and let’s not kid around, the $$$) of another potential student.

If the dean would like to keep the Twitter account one that solely promotes the school, he also may want to consider creating one for Cronkite student services. This would be a great way to have a conversation with students, perspective students and also showcase the personality that I know this school has.

On another note, if you are looking for some other people that will be of great service to you when it comes to PR and Twitter, these are my must follows: @donbart @TheRealPRMan @JesseNewhart @rww @TechCrunch @prsa @mashable @socialmedia411 @adfreak @10000words @BusinessWire and of course @SophiaFuka Happy Tweeting!

But trust me, you don’t want to miss my new favorite Phoenix eatery.

This delightful Biltmore area eatery (right across from Best Buy on Camelback and 20th) used to be the hair salon, Chow Bella. The Parlor, open for just a little over 2 weeks (as of right now), is a chic spot for all to love.

When we first drove up, I was, well, underwhelmed. The concrete facade instantly made me think: dark, dingy, small- in a phrase, not my sort of place.

Boy was I wrong. From the vine covered patio to the funky use of hairdresser chairs (functional) at the pizza bar, My initial thoughts were the farthest thing on my mind. Not only was the line out the door for almost all 2 hours we were there, but the hardwood floors and the open pizza kitchen were both spot-on Sophia pleasers.

But onto the important stuff (the food)….I loved the antipasti (try the goat cheese) to start. The grilled rosemary flatbread was super yummy!

We even got a chance to speak with executive chef Jerry Alday. While he couldn’t tell us his favorite thing on the menu, he did let us know that most produce comes from (local) McClendon’s Select, the same place Fox Restaurant, True Foods, grabs all of its hometown veggies.

Inspired by the knowledge that the veggies are local and super fresh, and that all breads, pastas and doughs are made in house, my friend Krystal and I decided to check out the pasta and pizza. We were glad we did.

I had the Pesto Chiatarra and she built her own pizza. While the pesto fell a bit flat for me (a little blan), the tomatoes in the dish were amazing!! Krystal’s pizza was yummy too.

The Parlor is a mid-price restaurant. For about $10, you can get just about everything on the menu…a glass of wine or their signature muddled drink will run you about $8!

The service was great- oh, and I almost forgot, the olives that they bring out before your meal (instead of bread) are top notch.

They are open:

Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

HOWEVER, when Adam and I tried to go back on Sunday, around 4pm, the doors were locked tight.

Overall, The Parlor is a fun new place that I would recommend checking out…I know I’ll be back!

Choose safe bath and body products
You can screen most products through the Skin Deep cosmetic safety database, a reputable site for researching your baby’s bath time products, lotions and sunscreens. Many safe products are affordable and very easy to obtain.

Avoid chemicals
This sounds simple, but they are everywhere. Many dangerous chemicals reside in places that baby often has daily contact with, such as walls, carpet, furniture, bottles and toys.
Paints: Look for low- or no-VOC paints. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paint produce fumes that have been linked to respiratory illnesses.
Carpet: If your nursery has carpet, make sure to have it cleaned by an eco-friendly cleaner that uses non-toxic cleaners. This is an investment worth making since your baby will lie, roll, crawl and play on the floor for hours every day and night for years to come.
Furniture: As with the carpet, a baby’s crib is something he or she will spend a lot of time in. Choose a crib mattress made of natural ingredients like organic cotton and wool and a solid-wood model crib made with sustainable wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (look for their logo). Take the time to understand what kinds of paints or varnishes cover all of the furniture in your nursery and opt for the safest, non-toxic and eco-friendly options.
Bottles: Choose BPA (bisphenol-A) free products. BPA is a common material used in plastic manufacturing that may cause neurological health effects. Glass bottles are best, but BPA free ones, like BornFree, are a much safer alternative. Also, BornFree is a great system, allowing you to reuse your bottles as sippy cups, thus reducing waste. The site also helps you find your nearest local retailer.
Toys: As with all products that come into close contact with baby, only buy BPA free and non-toxic toys. Also, check your local stores for European products, which tend to be safer, due to heavier mandates on children’s products (for example, they banned BPA 10 years ago). And while hand-me-downs effectively reduce material waste, politely turn down products that may contain unsafe materials.

The great diaper debate: disposable or cloth?
Neither. While disposable diapers are undoubtedly horrible for the environment, cloth diapers washed at home waste large amounts of energy and water. Instead, opt for the middle ground. Bummis is a diaper company that combines washable diaper covers with flushable liners (and they’re cute). That saves you loads of laundry, the planet, and best of all, it saves baby from diaper pins.

While this isn’t a comprehensive post on all the ways to “green” parent, it’s a great place to start! What are some other tips that you could offer to parents who would like to know more about green parenting? I’d love your comments!

What’s in a blog? Anything I suppose. Many rant, rave, or ramble. Some inform, enlighten or puzzle. Bloggers write for friends, family and foes. So that really made me think, what does my blog mean, what is my content really about and who is my audience?

This made me think about a meeting I recently had with the Downtown Phoenix Partnership‘s director of marketing, Jim Flynn. One wise guy, in  my opinion. When he started talking about success (in the business of communication, perhaps even life?), he offered me one word of advise:

Focus.

And as you can probably tell from my blog, heck even from my top paragraph, focus is something that I am, well, workin on. Even when it comes to brainstorming I am always all over the board. A blog on “green”? Makeup? Food? Music? Public relations? You just never know.

When I brainstorm, I usually think about things that I care about, things people may want to read, thing that apply to my life, and things I want to know more about. Heck, that’s probably the least focused list ever. So this leaves me to wonder:

Is there value in a scatterbrained blog about things I come across in my life? Or does the value of a blog lie solely in a niche FOCUS? Thoughts? How do you brainstorm? Are your blogs random or niche?

Athenian Express. This whole-in-the-wall eatery along the light rail (hop off at the Roosevelt/Central Avenue stop and head two blocks south) usually boasts a lunchtime line out the door. Once you get to the front of the line, I would suggest ordering one of their pita sandwiches. For around $7 you can nosh on a warm pita filled with just about anything AND fries (or fruit), and none of it will disappoint! I would also suggest that you splurge on the baklava. For $1.50, you’ll be glad that you did.

If you plan on grabbing lunch there, I would suggest calling ahead and ordering, it’ll save you a LOT of time (602.712.0011). Athenian Express is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 5 PM and is located at 814 N. Central Ave in Phoenix.