10 Questions with ... Anna Stavredes

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Social Media:

Insta: @Annas_Antics
Reality TV Show Cake Hunters: watch.cookingchanneltv.com/show/cchun/cake-hunters/3810486/glamorous-greek-wedding
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCX_nEHA0657kxTySiYF1Deg

• Morning show co-host - First it was iHeartMedia and then Entercom/Richmond, VA / MIX 98.1 WTVR
• Midday host - First it was iHeartMedia and then Entercom/Richmond, VA / Q94 WRVQ
• On-air personality - Curtis Media Group/Raleigh, NC / WQDR
• TV host - Nexstar Broadcasting/Jacksonville, FL / CW-17
• Morning show co-host - Cox Media Group/Jacksonville, FL / WAPE
• Morning show host/Imaging Dir. - Treasure and Space Coast/Vero Beach, FL / 93.7 The Breeze WGYL
• Morning show co-host / Assistant Producer - Citadel Broadcasting/Saginaw, MI / WIOG

1. What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and to stay motivated?

I call this time FUNemployed. Looking at it from that perspective keeps me upbeat. I've been reconnecting with family and friends and doing a lot of travel that I couldn't do prior to being on the beach. In fact, while I am typing this I am staring out the window at the ocean ... because I might as well be on the beach if I am ON THE BEACH.

2. How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

Sleeping IN. After getting up at 3:30a every day it's nice to sleep in; my wrinkles and dark circles are gone. Probably because of Botox and under eye cream, though. But on a serious note, I'm catching up on reading (I love to read ... I'm a nerd) and annoying my husband. That last part is probably my fave thing to do with my time off. I'm also in the process of constructing a home studio for my side voice work.

3. Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I've become enlightened and inspired. I sent myself to Morning Show Bootcamp and it was wonderful connecting with colleagues, seeing old friends, meeting new friends, sharing ideas and meeting people who are as crazy as you are. Because we are all a bit silly and quirky and I love it.

4. Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Absolutely.

5. What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

Eight months but I don't really count it as being "on the beach" completely because I was working in TV for most of that time.

6. What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

Networking!

7. What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

All Access (of course), I try to go to every company's job site, and I have a business associate looking, too.

8. What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

After applying online, I sent my materials snail mail and stuffed the package full of chotchkies that represented me. I love Hot Tamales (the candy) so I put a box of those in, a few other things, my demo on a real-life CD, and since the job was in FL, I threw in confetti palm trees and suns. I didn't get that job. It was probably the confetti.

Another time I phone stalked the PD and called him every week on the same day ... I did get that job.

9. What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

Morning radio, for sure, with the opportunity to take on other responsibilities.

10. Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

I've seen it all.

Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?

We eat extremely strict ... low carb, no sugar, etc. So here is a low carb casserole ... But it's a lot of cheese, so it could bind you up.

LOW CARB SOUR CREAM BEEF BAKE (Feeds 8)

INGREDIENTS

• 12 oz cauliflower rice
• 1.5 lb lean ground beef
• 15 oz can of tomato sauce (I make sure no sugar is added)
• ½ C sour cream (I use full fat)
• 1 1/4 C cottage cheese (I use full fat)
• 2 C shredded cheddar cheese (I shred my own)
• ½ C sliced green onions
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Place the cauliflower rice in a 2.5-quart baking dish. Microwave 4-5 minutes or until tender but not mushy. After cooking, set aside (leave in the casserole dish).
3. In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef over medium high heat until browned, 7-10 minutes. Drain and stir in the tomato sauce, salt and pepper.
4. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cottage cheese and sour cream. Mix in the sliced green onions.
5. Pour the sour cream mixture into the cauliflower rice (that's in the casserole dish) and mix well.
6. Pour half of the beef mixture over the cauliflower rice mixture. Spread with the back of a spoon to even. Top with 1 C of the cheddar cheese.
7. Repeat with the remaining beef mixture and cheese, ending with the cheese.
8. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. (Although it took my casserole longer than 20 mins AND had to let it rest).