gThankYou! | Celebrating Work

Remembering Memorial Day

Liz King — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:48:51 +0000

Memorial Day History
We all know Memorial Day is day of remembrance for fallen soldiers, although many of us may not remember the origins of this celebrated federal holiday. Originally called Decoration Day, the earliest celebrations of today’s Memorial Day began in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. Today we think of Memorial Day more broadly, remembering and honoring all men and women who have died in military service for the United States, across all wars.

Over two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of the holiday, but in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson designated, Waterloo, New York as the Birthplace of Memorial Day. Be sure to visit the beautiful American Civil War Memorial and the Memorial Day History Museum in Waterloo.

Six Ways to Observe Memorial Day
Memorial Day is the time for remembering family, friends and others who have sacrificed their lives to protect and defend our country. The site “US Memorial Day” suggests ways to observe this day of remembrance and appreciation:

Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of the fallen;
Visit War Memorials;
Fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon.
“The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.”
(36 USC Sec. 175 [m])
Fly the ‘POW/MIA Flag‘ as well
(Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act)
Participate in the “National Moment of Remembrance” established by President Clinton, at 3 p.m. to pause and reflect upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
Renew a pledge to support the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen, and to support disabled veterans.

Thank you to our servicemen and women who put their lives in harm’s way to protect and defend the United States.

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.

Filed under: Gratitude, Management & Leadership, Thank You, Workplace Gifts

The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

Liz King — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:07:38 +0000

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!

The Best Pancakes Ever…
Looking for a basic, fool-proof, fluffy pancake that you can personalize with a variety of syrups, fruit, or jam? Here it is, the ultimate blank canvas from The Kitchn!
P.S. The secret is in the egg whites!

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

Mushroom & Bacon Skillet
by Joy The Baker

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

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

Filed under: All Recipes, Gratitude, Grocery Gift Certificates, Thank You

Thank a Teacher Today!

Liz King — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:18:08 +0000

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Day today, May 8th.
Share your thanks with the teachers in your life!

Education Pays
Where would any of us be without education? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows education pays; the higher our level of education, the higher our wages are and the less likely we are to be unemployed.

Who Educated You and Your Employees?
Your staff benefited from exemplary teachers while growing up, and probably from educators who taught them job skills as adults. This week, show your gratitude to your former teachers and those who conduct training for your employees. And what about staff whose partners, parents or children are teachers? Take the time to thank them as well.

A Simple Thank You
As the National PTA says, sometimes a simple thank you is all a teacher needs to feel valued. But sometimes you want to do more for those at the heart of learning. As the Teacher Appreciation site notes, your appreciation gift for teacher need not be extravagant; even a simple note of thanks can really go a long way to making someone feel special and valued. Or how about a gift certificate of gratitude with a free enclosure card?

Ways to Say Thank You
The National Education Association offers plenty of ways to thank teachers on National Teacher Day and all week (yes it’s National Teacher Appreciation Week too). As the site says: Great teachers make great schools!

§ Participate in the NEA’s “Teacher Thank-You Project” by writing a teacher thank-you note and sharing it on the virtual mural tribute.

The NEA’s “Teacher Thank-You Project”was started in 2009 by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. This inspirational worldwide effort to thank teachers is a mural of thousands of notes and letters. The NEA is keeping the project going by creating the largest on-line virtual tribute of thanks to teachers’ hard work and dedication. Share your gratitude on the mural today!

§ Join the NEA and Parenting.com sponsored, “My Amazing Teacher Campaign”.

§ Help spread the word by tweeting Teacher Week messages using the #thankateacher hashtag.

The NEA offers some sample tweets:

If you can read, #thankateacher
If you followed your dreams, #thankateacher
If you graduated, #thankateacher

§ Downloading National Teacher Day planning materials and artwork, including a poster, web buttons and banners.

If you’re interested in the history of National Teacher Day and week, read Education Bug article, Teacher Day in the USA.

Appreciate Your Employees

And remember, you can use many of these ways to say thank you on other occasions, such as Employee Appreciation Day, which Recognition Professionals International notes is always the first Friday in March.

Do you remember a favorite teacher? What did you do to thank him or her?

Happy National Teacher Day!

About gThankYou, LLC

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

Filed under: Gratitude, Rewards & Recognition, Thank You, Thank You Power, Workplace Gifts

Thank Your Staff: It’s Administrative Professionals Week!

Liz King — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:41:18 +0000

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,” according to the 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.

About gThankYou, LLC

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

Filed under: Employee Gifts, Gratitude, Grocery Gift Certificates, Ice Cream Gift Certificates, Management & Leadership, Pie Gift Certificates, Rewards & Recognition, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Thank You, Workplace Gifts

4 Ways to Successful Team Building

Liz King — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:30:52 +0000

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:

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

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.

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

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.

About gThankYou, LLC

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

Filed under: Empolyee Engagement, Management & Leadership, Rewards & Recognition

The World’s Greatest Ham Sandwich

Liz King — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:32:15 +0000

Holiday Ham leftovers at their finest.
To me, sandwiches are like cars. They can be humble and serviceable like my old green Saturn, they can be overly large and hard to handle like a Hummer, efficient but somewhat boring like a Prius, or packed with things you don’t really need like a Mercedes tricked out with docking stations, heated seats, and snowboard racks.

Following this analogy, the world’s greatest ham sandwich is a red 1969 MG convertible. It’s sporty. It’s sleek. A classic with a European flair, it turns heads and it’s gone in a flash. It’s easy to make, fun to eat, and good enough to be pictured on calendars.

Here’s How:

*Start with the bread. A fresh crusty baguette is best. A lightly toasted croissant or sturdy rye would also work, if you can’t find the perfect combination of crunchy brittle exterior and pillowy soft interior that defines the ideal French bread.

*The add cheese. Specifically Brie, softened a bit. Don’t mess around with fake brie (in a plastic container, without the rind), or American brie that’s been pasteurized and sterilized until it tastes like Velveeta. Get the real thing – gooey and creamy with a healthy layer of crust. Slice it and cover one half of your halved baguette with the oozing goodness.

*Smoked ham, very thinly sliced. The better the ham, the better the sandwich. Holiday ham leftovers are perfect!

*Baby spinach. Wash carefully, pat dry, and remove the stems. Then pile on a layer of soft, supple leaves – just enough to add a slight crunch and a bitter note to the sandwich.

*Cherry mustard. Mix one part cherry preserves (homemade or from the store), with one part dijon mustard. Blend well, then slather the other slice of baguette with that sweet and spicy mixture.

Assemble sandwich and luxuriate in the combination of flavors. Think of it as a joy ride along the Pacific highway the top down on a warm summer afternoon.

Enjoy!

About gThankYou, LLC

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

Filed under: All Recipes, Ham Gift Certificates, Ham Recipes, Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates

5 Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Ham

Liz King — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:31:12 +0000

Let’s Eat Leftovers – It’s Easy & Delicious!
Ham is amazing. It can be a main dish on its own, a side dish, or an ingredient in a larger recipe. It is equally welcome at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can add a touch of salty, smoky goodness to fancy French cuisine or simple, down home favorites.

Here are 5 Easy and Delicious Leftover favorites everyone will enjoy:

1. Pot Pie
Nothing says comfort food like a flaky, warm pot pie. For an updated version of the old standby, try this pot pie, stuffed with chicken, ham, and fennel from Bon Appétit!

2. Spicy Scramble
Ham makes breakfast better! Fry up some leftover ham, sweet po ta t oes and eggs for a fabulous dish to spice up your day.

3. Frittata
Hosting a brunch or need an easy dinner? Serve this “green eggs and ham” frittata, filled with leftover ham, nutty gruyere cheese and fresh spinach shared by Food & Wine Chef, Melissa Rubel Jacobson.

4. Hearty Soup
Serve this hearty Food Network Magazine Corn and Ham Chowder with some warm crusty bread and you have a perfect dinner. Be sure to use fresh corn – it will make a huge difference in your chowder!

5. Not Your Usual Dinner Casserole
Rachel Ray marries ham and cauliflower a creamy, cheesy and savory casserole that’s as easy to make as it is delicious!

About gThankYou, LLC

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

Filed under: All Recipes, Ham Gift Certificates, Ham Recipes, Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates

Life on the Lamb…

Liz King — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:12:27 +0000

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…

Lamb Chops with Lemon
Photo by Hans Gissinger

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.
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.
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 one of these wonderful recipes for your next big holiday feast or dinner party. You’ll be sure to wow your guests!

Grilled Lamb Chops with Lemon by Michael Symon of Bon Appétit
Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Feta and Olives featured by Russ Parsons, The California Cook, Los Angeles Times.
Olive-Crusted Rack of Lamb by Spanish Restaurant El Olivio, care of Bon Appétit on Epicurious
Paula Deen‘s, Roast Lamb with Bourbon and Mint, a traditional Southern Version.

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

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

Filed under: All Recipes, Grocery Gift Certificates, Workplace Gifts

News Release: gThankYou Announces New Spring Enclosure Cards

Liz King — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:38:42 +0000

gThankYou! announces new Spring and Spring Holiday Enclosure Cards. As with all gThankYou! Enclosure Cards, these new designs are free with any purchase, and can be customized with your personal message and Company Logo. These thoughtful cards make the perfect addition to your gThankYou! Certificate of Gratitude Gift this Spring.

gThankYou! Gift Certificates offer company leaders a convenient way to celebrate employees, holiday time or anytime.

gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude come in a variety of meaningful yet affordable varieties including: Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey Gift Certificates, Grocery Gift Certificates, as well as, Other Popular Varieties (such as Pie, Ice Cream, Pizza and Fruit & Vegetables). Recipients choose any Brand and can shop at virtually any Grocery store nationwide. And, nearly all orders ship same day.

New Springtime Enclosure Cards:

"Spring Flowers"

"Green Bow"

"Worldwide Thank You!"

"Colorful Kites"

"Sunflower"

"Springtime Tree"

"5 Easter Eggs"

gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are available for all seasons and variety of occasions such as Autumn and Thanksgiving, Winter and Winter Holidays, and Thank You! Designs and More.

gThankYou! Gift Certificates are the ideal workplace gift and appreciated by all. Share your gratitude today!

About gThankYou, LLC

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

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Filed under: * News Releases - gThankYou!, Employee Gifts, Enclosure Cards, Grocery Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Rewards & Recognition, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Spring and Summertime, Turkey Gift Certificates, Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates, Workplace Gifts

5 Holiday Ham Glazes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Liz King — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:01:18 +0000

Helping your holiday ham taste its best.

Sometimes foods with distinct flavors need counterpoints to bring out the best taste combinations. Whether it’s strong coffee in barbecue sauce, a pinch of hot pepper in Mexican cocoa, or a splash of balsamic vinegar on a bowl of freshly sliced strawberries, these culinary marriages will delight your taste buds!

Such is the case with ham. . . salty, smoky, and succulent it pairs wonderfully with sour fruit (pineapple, orange, cranberries, currants, rhubarb), sweet elements (brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, even cola!) and spices (cloves, mustard, allspice, ginger, cinnamon).

Your guests will enjoy ham with a new twist, using one of these tasty glazes. Not only will it give your ham a delicious flavor, the glaze keeps it moist and juicy while it bakes. Which one will you try first?

Pineapple Honey Adobo from The Nibble

Honey gives glazes a sweet base. Try these interesting varieties such as
Honey Balsamic Fig or Pineapple Honey Adobo (right) from The Nibble.
Rhubarb and ginger combine to give this Bon Appétit Baked Ham with Mustard-Red Currant Glaze and Rhubarb Chutney some kick! If rhubarb is difficult to find, try mango for an interesting twist.
The perfect blend of sweet and spicy – and so easy to make! This great recipe for Pomegranate Jalapeno Glazed Ham comes from chef Akasha Richmond of restaurant Akasha in L.A., care of Food & Wine Magazine.
A gThankYou! favorite from Minnesota’s own Lucia Watson; Cider-Soaked and Brown Sugar Glazed ham from her cookbook, Savoring the Seasons of the Northern Heartland.
Hard to beat, Emeril Lagasse’s
Sugarcane Ba ked Ham with Spiced Apples and Pears. (Thanks to FoodNetwork.com.) This glaze gets its sweet notes from molasses, corn syrup and sugar cane!

Emeril Lagasse Sugarcane Baked Ham

Enjoy! Let us know your favorite ham glaze we forgot to include.

About gThankYou, LLC

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

Filed under: All Recipes, Ham Gift Certificates, Ham Recipes, Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates