In his wonderful book, Brain Rules, John Medina explains how our brains continuously scan the sensory horizon, assessing events for their potential interest or importance. The more important events are then given extra attention.
Our brains also pay more attention to information that’s surprising, unique, or presented in unexpected ways.
Did you see the GoDaddy commercials during the Super Bowl, for instance? The content of their commercials had nothing to do with domain names, but I suspect the sexy women enticed more than a few Super Bowl fans to check out their Web site, just to see what this company is all about (or more likely, in hopes of seeing even more images of scantily clad women).
Knowing this tidbit about how our brains work comes in handy when you’re planning a marketing campaign – or even writing a blog post.
Case in point:
My niece, Kelli Christianson, who graduated from college last spring, writes a personal blog called “Thirsty for Rain.” Kelli is a fun-loving woman with a great sense of humor, as you’ll soon discover. Last week on her blog, Kelli shared a favorite family recipe for White Chicken Chili, which she gave me permission to re-print. Be sure to read the entire recipe, especially the cooking instructions.
This is one recipe you won’t soon forget! As an added bonus, you’ve also got a yummy recipe you can whip up for dinner this week.
Over the weekend, Dave and I made this delicious recipe from my super special mommie’s recipe. There is nothing like sharing a wonderful home-made meal with many people you love. I want to do it again.
Hello, domestic soul whom I have been stifling and avoiding.
Three cans or 45 ounces of great northern beans
2lb of chicken breasts
2 cups of broth
1 TB olive oil
1 cup of chopped artichokes (but I always use more)
4 oz mild diced green chilies
12 oz of Monterey jack cheese
3 cloves garlic
2 med onions chopped
2 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 cayenne pepper
Cook your chicken breasts in 1/2 inch of boiling water. Flip juicy breasts as needed. Slice chicken into soupy-size bites. Use leftover water as chicken broth.
Grab large pot and add cans of beans with their water (do not drain) into the pot on medium heat. Simmer- not boil. Simmer means one bubble every second or two, anything more is boiling. Add freshly chopped artichokes and green chilies when you desire but drain these bad boys- their juices are too potent.
In another saucepan saute(e with accent)- your chopped onions and garlic in the olive oil. You can add a bit of the spices to this mix if it delights you.
Add spices at the end. All good cooks taste their food. Get a long tasty spoon and add more cayenne pepper for more spice. I usually add more cumin because it is my favorite.
Throw everything together while singing with a large glass of wine in hand.
Stir pot with a large wooden spoon while making up witchy chants. This is a very important step and should not be avoided or scoffed at.
Ladle into chubby bowls and top with cheese. The original recipe adds the cheese to the soup but less is more when it comes to diary and meat. Americans consume too much of this- plus it makes me feel bad.
Enjoy with crunchy tortilla chips or the soda bread recipe I will post later this week.
We love to print guest columns. Learn how to submit a guest column here.
