Be the Star You Are! For Teens - Cynthia Brian, Author

Cynthia's Italian “Momma Mia” Apple Pie

3 varieties of apples, peeled and cut into chunks (I grew mine-they are tart, firm, yet sweet, green, yellow, and red. Make sure FIRM, not mushy)
Brown Sugar
Crushed Fennel Seed
2 Meyer Lemons (juice and rind)
1 Cup Raisins
2 Tbsp dried mango (optional)
2 Tbsp dried pineapple (optional)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp cornstarch
Cinnamon
Pumpkin Spice
All Spice
Cloves
Nutmeg
Vanilla
Butter (real)
Cinnamon Sugar

In a big bowl, I add the 3 varieties of apples until I have a huge mound. My apples were from my tree so all different sizes. Probably a dozen apples will do it. Squeeze the juice of one full Meyer Lemon (those are sweet lemons) and toss the apples. Finely grate the rind from one full lemon and add to mixture along with all the spices, brown sugar. Mash fennel seeds, add to the apple mixture. In another bowl mix the juice from the 2nd lemon with the cornstarch and vanilla. Pour onto apples and mix. Add the mango, pineapple and/or cranberries.

Taste an apple to see if you need more of anything.

Cook at 350 degrees until bubbling and browned.

For pie crust, you can use any pie crust recipe or even buy a pie crust if that's easier. My secret is to bake the bottom part of the pie crust for 10 minutes on 350 before filling, sprinkled with cinnamon and dab of butter. It makes the crust flaky on the bottom.

Put into your partially baked piecrust. Dot with small dabs of real butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. After rolling a top dough, place it gently on top of the big mound and with your fingers squeeze the edges over pie tin so that the juice doesn't escape. With a knife of fork, make a design on the top of the crust and prick a few air holes. (I made a STAR, of course) Brush the top of the crust with milk to make the crust brown perfectly. Add a few more cinnamon sprinkles.

Bake in 450 degree oven for about 30-40 minutes or until browned.

Your house will smell great. Eat with ice cream, gelato, or whipped cream.

ENJOY! Buon Appetito!

Cynthia Brian
Starstyle® Productions, LLC
www.star-style.com
PO Box 422
Moraga, Ca. 94556

Be the Star You Are! For Teens – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘The three tools for being a star and living your dream:

1. Smile – When you smile, you can’t be sad. A smile brightens the lives of those you meet, and their joy bounces back to you.

2. Have Fun – Every moment is more satisfying when you decide to be playful Having fun is adjusting your attitude so even life’s emergencies can be met with style and seen in perspective.

3. Be Wild and Whacky – Taking measured risks and putting yourself in potentially uncomfortable situations could be beneficial. Ask for what you want and don’t be afraid of failure. Remember that failure is fertilizer.


I could actually sit here and write a 10 page review for Be the Star You Are and still not cover everything. This book is one I plan to keep within reach at all times. The short stories are actually life experiences of not just the author Cynthia Brian but other that have contributed as well. The topics range from Achievements and Adapting to Dating and Letting Go. This book is written for teens but I’ve found them useful for all ages.

As I read the different stories, I found myself relating to most. Some from my younger years and some from my “older” years. I also found myself wishing there had been a book like this around when my own children were growing up. Be the Star You Are is actually more than stories. Author Cynthia Brian has included exercises that will help teach through action. In the chapter “The Gift of Affirmation” story author Davis Lunsford talks about his pastor sending a handwritten letter and a dollar bill every time Davis’ name appeared in the paper. To Davis, the letter was more important than the publicity and the dollar bill combined. In the exercise, Cynthia Brian suggests you write a letter to someone who encouraged you in the past. She suggests that you write a letter to someone you would like to pat on the back and then write a letter to yourself picking out something positive you’ve been doing.

One of my favorite chapters is called “The Gift of Financial Literacy” by story author Heather Brittany. Heather talks about allowances and how they were not a part of her and her brother’s lives. Instead, their mother allowed them to earn points. Instead of paying them to do household tasks, their mom created a point system. They made up a list of the things they both really wanted. Then there was a number of points attached to acquire each item. They listed things like movies, backpacks, special meals, bicycles, skateboards, skis, and even trips. When they saved enough points, they could cash them in for the items they wanted. Their mother even kept a bulletin board which showed the weekly tally of their points. They were being taught to work, earn and save their own money and spend it with care.

I could go on and on about the stories and lessons taught in Be the Star You Are. To me, this is a book that needs to be read by everyone with children. Actually it would benefit everyone to not just read this book but to listen and learn as you read. If my kids happen to read this review, you can bet that you will each be receiving a copy for Christmas this year in hopes that you too will find the stories and exercises helpful during the growing up stages of your own children.



2010

Morgan James Publishing

289 pages

ISBN# 978-1-60037-632-0