Mustard and Catsup

Term Life Vs. Traditional Insurance

2011-08-13T12:37:00.003-06:00

I have been pondering this for a long time. I am still not sure that I fully understand the differences between Term Life insurance and Traditional Life Insurance. Well, not necessarily the differences, but the benefits of one over the other. I guess what it will come down to, in the long run, is price, more or less. Does anyone know the best site for term life insurance quotes and traditional life insurance quotes? Hopefully, getting a quote will help me better understand the differences and benefits to each.

My Brother-In-Law found a job!

2011-07-15T22:50:00.002-06:00

It's been a rough time for them, but luckily my brother-in-law has found a job. It's a ways away, up in Vernal, but it's money coming in to support his wife and three kids still living at home. Why is this a big deal for me, you might ask? Well, that would be because I currently have his motorhome sitting in my driveway, awaiting repair. So I guess this means that we had better get our tushies in gear and get some motorhome repairs done asap, because I believe he will be needing something to live in until he gets a little bit more settled down up there. Although, I can not even imagine having two little children (especially these particular children, Eli is just a sweet little bundle of energy) and a teenager all crammed into this motor home. Wow! I hope he gets himself settled down quickly!

But I love Vernal. It's where we took our very first "real" family vacation and it's where I went through the temple for the very first time. It holds a special place in my heart. I am very excited for my sister and brother in law and for the adventure this new job brings for them.

Legoland: Family Fun

2011-07-09T21:31:00.002-06:00

On our vacation, we included Legoland as one of our stops. There were many reasons for this, the first being that my two boys had never, ever been there! My Lego freak boys, had never set foot inside Legoland. The second, they just revealed their Star Wars miniature land. You guessed it! My Lego Freak/Star Wars Junkie boys were in heaven! I am not exaggerating when I say that between the two of them, they took over 1000 pictures!

Then, on top of the pre-made Lego kingdoms, they found rides too. We rode a spinning, twirling ride, made completely out of Legos. And then there was the workshops. We found an area dedicated to making and racing Lego cars. This was the Lego version of a Pinewood Derby, complete with slick surface raceways, release gates and lights. The boys each built a car or two and raced them against other kids there. Now if you think it was like pulling teeth to get them to leave, your wrong. It was much, much more difficult! They really had a good time and I had a ball watching them.

Guns & Stuff

2011-06-28T10:32:00.002-06:00

I am not much of a Gun Person, but my husband is really, really interested in getting a 9mm, for self protection. I would rather something that we could hunt with, as in times of trouble, that will put food on the table and deter possible dangers. However, he feels that a 9mm is the best option to start with. I am still on the fence.

But, I am playing the good wife and getting dragged along to gun stores to look at Glocks, Rugers, Colts and Smithfields, blackhawk holsters, hard-sided plastic cases and gun safes. I have test fired a 9mm Taurus, Glock and Ruger and found that I HATE shooting 9mm's. I just don't get the satisfaction out of shooting them that I do from shooting a 22. The 9mm's kick harder and for some reason, the brass likes to come right back at me.

So far, we have only purchased a nice gun safe, which is now installed in our basement. I am liking that it locks and keeps the kids out and I now have Mom's guns locked safely up inside of it. But as of yet, he has not settled on a hand gun. He still wants to test fire the Smithfield, I think. But before long, you can probably bet, that I will be the proud new owner of a gun that I hate. LOL

I just might be getting old?!?

2011-02-21T21:42:00.002-07:00

Ok, really, I'm not that old. Early thirties, but I look in the mirror and I see the fine lines appearing, starting right around my eyes, and I don't like it one bit! So shortly after I begin seeing these small signs that I am getting older, I get a text message. It reads something like this...

Hi, My name is Kendal. I am a friend of Angie's and she gave me your name. I am a Mary Kay consultant and I am trying to earn my directorship. I am trying to do one hundred facials in 30 days and I am about 20 faces short so I am resorting to contacting complete strangers. Would you be willing to help me out?

I think, humm..... Mary Kay? The last thing I need is overpriced make-up. I seldom wear makeup as it is. But wait! Don't they have some of the best wrinkle creams? So I agree to a facial. But I took my 11 year old daughter along for moral support! (Am I the worst mother ever, or what?!?)

It's a Saturday afternoon and my little girl and I set out to get ourselves a facial! We show up to this really cute gals house and get started. It involved all your regular objectives... cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize. It was great for little Ladybug. She learned alot about taking care of her complexion. Then came a surprise. Mary Kay calls it Satin Lips, I call it oddly wonderful! It's exfoliation for your lips followed by a luxurious lip balm. My lips were all sorts of tingly afterwards. Ladybug didn't know what to think.

Then we started with the makeup. Kendal sorts through her sample size makeup and hands Ladybug and I each a set. I start with a mineral foundation, followed by a creme eyeshadow, lip liner and gloss and finish it off with a bronzer. Needless to say, I LOVED IT! It was exactly the look I have been looking for. Ladybug was a little more hit and miss. I loved the clear gloss lipgloss and light pink lip liner, but the mascara was too much for her.

I walked out of that house with a new friend, a lighter wallet and lots of new product to play with. I have since called her back and placed 2 more orders (this was a month ago!) and Ladybug is doing a great job of taking care of her skin everyday. Over all, I'm glad that those little lines showed up and made me try something new.

I went to the gym!

2011-02-21T21:24:00.002-07:00

As sad as it is, that really is an amazing thing. While I struggle to keep weight on I am not exempt from getting flabby and lazy and way, way out of shape. I have always been pretty active and with 5 kids I stay pretty busy. I have never really had a need for a gym membership. But then my doctor diagnosed me with a chronic illness and that all changed. First, I knew why I felt crappy all the time but second, I was "allowed" to feel crappy, I had a reason.... and so I did. I felt yucky every day. I would sleep in late, go to bed early and sit on the couch all day.

It finally culminated one day when I could not get out of bed at all. It was after noon, my preschooler was hungry and had been entertaining herself all morning and I was still in bed. My whole body ached, I was tired and I just could not bring myself to get out of bed. Finally, those teary little blue eyes, peering over the edge of my bed were enough to motivate me. I rolled myself out of bed and on to the floor and I laid there until I was so cold that I had to go get in the shower to get warm. That was the day I decided "enough was enough". I was not going to let this control me!

The problem was, I had lived with it for so many years that I didn't know how to change it. I had been through 3 jobs in the interim, all of which were desk jobs. Long gone were the days of trying to keep up with the guys and hauling large boxes and hitches around. My job now consisted of getting to work and sitting in a chair for 6+ hours per day, snacking on whatever treats I had in my desk (and believe me! I had plenty!). I am still very thin, almost sickly looking most of the time, but the muscle I did have has long since turned to fat and that "baby muffin top" that I acquired after numerous rounds of childbirth, had just not gone away.

I have since changed my thinking. I will not let my illness control me. I get up every morning and I go to work and now I am getting myself to the gym. I am by no means ready to win any sport trophies or anything, but I am taking back my life, taking back my body! So today, for the second time this month, I went to the gym!

The Day After Christmas Treats...

2010-12-26T12:42:00.004-07:00

The frenzied unwrapping, running from house to house to visit family and friends and loading vehicles with piles and piles of presents is now over and if you are anything like me, all you want to do is sit and relax. The Tony Hawk shoes and rocawear boots are tucked in the closet with the new Abercrombie clothes and the sweater Aunt Edith made you, the toys are scattered throughout the house and the kids are, at least temporarily, entertained. But now it is dinner time and everyone is going to be hungry soon, and you don't know what to fix. Dinners for the last few nights have included hams and pies, gravy's and casseroles, rolls and butter... all the fixin's. You want something light, healthy and most importantly, easy! Here are some yummy ideas to get you out of the "Christmas Food Funk."

Quick & Easy Kid Munchies:

Turkey Quesadillas:

6 Large Flour Tortillas
1 1/2 Cup Leftover Turkey (shredded)
1 Cup Shredded Cheese (cheddar & mozzarella)
4 oz. Cream Cheese
4 oz. Sour cream
3 Tablespoons chunky Salsa
1 Tablespoon Butter

Melt 1/2 of the butter in a skillet over medium heat and add turkey, salsa and cream cheese. Mix until the cream cheese is melted. Remove from heat and add the sour cream and shredded cheese. Melt the rest of the butter in a frying pan and lay one tortilla in the skillet. Spoon 1/3 of the turkey mixture onto the tortilla and spread around to cover the whole tortilla. Top with another tortilla and flip over. Fry until the cheese is melted and remove from heat. Cut and serve immediately.

Warm Up and Relax:

Butternut Squash Soup

2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
1 medium butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed
32 oz chicken stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Melt the butter in a large pot, and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Pour in enough of the chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
2. Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in any remaining stock to attain desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

Cooking for the Health of your Skin?

2010-11-27T12:03:00.003-07:00

Believe it or not, chocolate is not the worst thing you can do for your complexion. There is far more to it than that. The foods you eat, the air you breathe and even the sleep you get are all major factors in the condition of your skin. Much more so than eating chocolate. Drinking plenty of water will help your body flush toxins that would otherwise be eliminated through your skin. Eliminating your exposure to inhaled chemicals such as gasoline vapors, paint fumes and even make-up removers will decrease your chances of a breakout since these kinds of chemicals put stress on your liver are are ultimately released through your skin.

Eating a diet low in sugars, msg's, artificial colors and flavors and preservatives will also help your skin. Our body can not process these unnatural additives and will therefore eliminate them through the skin, causing an acne breakout.

Treating acne is not an exact science, but more a way of life. There are hundreds of acne remedies out there from diet to exercise to chemical treatments and beyond. Personally however, I prefer to be more careful about what I put into my body because what goes in, has to come back out.

Baking up Your Holidays

2010-11-22T12:09:00.002-07:00

I remember Christmas as a child. It always involved decorating the tree with beautifully hand crafted ornaments that my mother had created for each of us. Each one unique, each one special. I don't remember when the tree stopped being decorated with the salt dough ornaments that had come to mean so much to my brother and I, but a few years ago, one Christmas day, my mother brought out a box full of ornaments wrapped up in old newspaper. As my brother and I unwrapped each one, the memories flooded back. Each ornament signified a specific time in our lives, something we cherished at that moment in time.

That was one of the most magical Christmas' to date. But it reminded me that Christmas is not about expensive christmas decorations, lots of tinsel and more lights than your neighbor. It's about family and memories, celebrating life and the ones who make life so special, remembering our savior and the love he wants us to share. Christmas is a way of strengthening our families and building up the kingdom of Heaven.

With that in mind, I have started a new tradition of my own with my children. It still involves cookie cutters and salt dough, but with a twist. New decorations every year. Stars painted in neon pinks and greens or princess crowns and guitars with lots of bling, whatever suits my family best that year. Then I carefully pack them away with newspaper in a box and stick them under the stairs for that Christmas, not too far away, when my children have grown up and have children of their own and have long since forgotten about the days spent sitting around the kitchen table, cookie cutters in hand, flour on faces and the sun shining in through the kitchen window. Then a new tradition will begin.

Getting Rid of Acne

2010-11-21T14:20:00.002-07:00

Acne is something that plagues teens and adults alike with little to no relief. However, I believe that the best acne treatment is not necessairly a treatment at all but rather a lifestyle. Washing your face too often and with highly abrasive and drying soaps trains your skin to produce more oil to compensate for what is being lost in the washing process. Wash with soap just once a day and rinse it only the rest of the day. Do not sleep or lean on your hands. This creates the dirt from your hands to transfer to your face. Change your pillow cases regularly. Use a mild, non pore clogging moisturizer regularly. Then your body will not need to produce so much oil to keep your skin moisturized. There are also natural treatments you can use like whipped egg masques that will help to kill the bacteria that causes acne. Hopefully these work as well for you as they have for me.

It can be done!

2010-11-21T14:16:00.003-07:00

I just wanted to drop a quick note to let everyone know that it can be done. You can eat well, prime rib, steak, ginger shrimp, delectable salads and rich desserts and still lose weight and do it fast. So here is my solution on how to lose weight very fast. You get a job that requires you to visit the Southern California area once a year, eat like a king and walk your hiney off (over 60 miles in 10 days)! When all is said and done, if you have not lost weight, I don't think there is anything that can help you!

Plan ahead for Valentines Day

2010-11-21T14:06:00.003-07:00

I know that Christmas and Thanksgiving are not even over yet, but it never hurts to plan ahead. Feburary brings Valentine's Day, and flowers and chocolate are typical ways of celebrating the love of your life. However, doesn't the love of your life deserve more. Specifically time, thought and creativity. When was the last time you arranged for a babysitter and took your sweetheart for a weekend getaway? How about spending the weekend in Sunny San Diego. The Dana on Mission Bay or the Pacific Terrace Hotel are two gorgeous options in the San Diego area. Sunset harbor cruises are offered on Mission Bay and the tropical feel of San Diego lends itself perfectly to any romantic get away. That's just one thought. Use your imagination and come up with something truly special for your sweetheart.

Exciting new gadgets for Christmas

2010-11-21T14:00:00.002-07:00

Have you seen this new attachment for the Sony Xbox? I was so excited when the wii came out and offered an alternative to sitting down and playing video games all day. It made you move, react and interact with the game. However, I was pretty dissappointed when I finally got one and founf out that it really just involved moving your arm unless you had one of the wii fit boards. But it was still a step up from the typical sit down video game.

But now, Sony had taken that technology to the next level. With their new attachment to the xbox, you have to run, jump and kick with the game. Not just your arm, but your whole body. This sounds like a great way to work off some of those Christmas calories. I am excited to try it out and am hoping not to be dissappointed this time.

MP3 Players in the Kitchen?

2010-10-15T16:50:00.002-06:00

My darling daughter just received an ipod touch for her birthday. I have never really been interested in one myself until I started playing with hers. I guess I just never realized what they could do. I always thought that MP3 players played music. Silly me! This one does so much more! Along with the super ability to play music, this one also offers great games like Angry Birds, which I am losing as we speak (darned birds!), and it offers books on demand! I can zip in, sign onto Amazon.com and buy any book I can find, including cookbooks! Playing with it last night, I downloaded a recipe book that contained the perfect recipe for carrot butter, something that I have been looking for for ages! But instead of paying $30 for the book, I downloaded it for $5.99. I am thinking that Momma needs one of these amazing little gizmo's!

For my new car - A Garage!

2010-10-15T16:19:00.002-06:00

Has anyone seen these prefab garages that are being offered lately? Some are basically PVC pipe with a tarp for a canopy and others are all out, full metal building. I am wondering what people have to say about these. Unfortunately, even though my budget prefers the PVC version, my canyons winds dictate the need for the full metal type. They do seem sturdy and claim to be resistant to the elements. Who knows, maybe I will like it so much that I will decide to buy 5 more, one for each of my children to sleep in... haha.... dreams!

Purchasing a new car, what a headache!

2010-10-15T16:10:00.002-06:00

I am in the process of purchasing a new, well actually a used car, but it's new to me. I have looked and looked and finally found the car I want. Now we are in the process of getting me the financing. Let me just tell you right now, I would hate to have a finance job, what a headache those poor people have to go through, just to get me a loan. Wow! But the good news is, I know what I qualify for and now just have to find the specific car I want, in amount I can afford. No problem!

Junior High... Really???

2010-10-14T17:23:00.002-06:00

I have a son that started Junior High this year and all I have to say is.... REALLY?!? I did not sign up for this? What is it about Junior High that turns otherwise wonderful and sweet children into raving lunatics? I swear they force the little girls to watch Madonna and Lady Gaga all day and practice dressing and primping like them and just for an even better effect, they pump the little boys full of testosterone boosters just in case they might somehow miss the girls!

I highly doubt that the changes that I am seeing in my little boy, the ones that happen overnight, are really just "natural phases of growing up". This is unreal. He is suddenly a totally different creature. I don't even think he's human anymore! Help!

Kids Can Cruise!

2010-10-14T17:15:00.003-06:00

I have always thought that if I wanted to take my kids on a cruise, we would have to do Disney Cruise lines since they cater specifically to kids (and kids at heart). But I just found out that Mickey and Friends are not the only characters on the high seas! Royal Caribbean has recently announced the arrival of their own "special guests" aboard some of their ships. The Dreamworks cast, including Shrek and friends, the zany castaways from Madagascar and even a possible dragon trainer have stowed away among the many wonderful adventures that await kids of all ages aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships!

Finding Jobs

2010-09-28T22:47:00.002-06:00

In this tough economy, finding a job can be difficult, especially in the travel or restaurant industry. But don't despair, times are changing and being in the travel and tourism industry I can tell you that things are turning around. It's going to start getting easier to find jobs and work.

Just have faith, start reaching out to employers in that you have not thought of in awhile and looking for new ones. Now is a great time to make contact to make sure that you are fresh in their minds when their need for new employees arises. But most importantly, stay positive, times are changing and things are going to start getting better.

Making Beautiful Food

2010-08-29T12:52:00.002-06:00

When I first began cooking I remember thinking that I was an awful cook because while the food I prepared always tasted wonderful, it never looked like the amazing, mouth watering dishes that I would see in magazines and cookbooks. My rather, tended to look washed out, lumpy or just plain blah.

I wondered if there was something I could do to make my food look more appealing. So I started looking into food presentation. I learned alot about food advertising, beginning with it's all about the kitchen lighting. If the lighting is not perfect, the food won't look perfect. I also learned that they use things like mashed potatoes, scooped to look like ice-cream, because they do not melt under the intense photography lighting. Also that they spray foods with oil to intensify the colors and make it shine. They use glue and nails and such to make sure that everything stays right in place.

After learning all of that, I realized that I am a great cook! My food tastes good, and that's what it is all about!

I Really Dislike Wal-Mart!

2010-08-06T14:50:00.001-06:00

I am SO mad at Wal-Mart, but then again, what else is new. I hate that store!!! In my opinion, we can not get the new pharmacy in our town soon enough! When Big C went in for his physical, they gave him another prescription for his inhalers that he uses for “exercise induced asthma”. So I took the prescription to Wal-Mart to fill it.

After an hour and a half! They finally got it filled. I got out my credit card and was ready to pay when she told me the total was $30! For Albeutrol! I had to do a double take. Then I asked her if she got the insurance on that. She look ed and verified that they had indeed, processed the insurance first and the $30 was my portion. I was amazed, but figured that he should have enough to get him through the football season, so I paid the $30 and headed home.

But then came the biggest surprise of all! There was only one inhaler in the bag. ONE! I had just paid $30 for one inhaler and upon further inspection of the receipt, I had paid full price! Now, Big C has double coverage. His Dad carries him on his Blue Cross Blue Shield NC and I have him on our Altius, but not only did they not run both, they hadn't even run one of the insurances! The lady at the counter lied to me! I really, really dislike those people!!!

2010-08-06T14:48:00.000-06:00

Big C is not going to survive to see 16! He is supposed to be doing online high school classes, but instead he spends his entire day playing on Facebook. So to solve that problem, I changed his password. Problem solved. NOT! Now he plays the PS3 all day. He will not get his cleaning done, he will not get his school work done and his room looks like a hurricane hit it.

I don't think that I am that strict when it comes to parenting. He is asked to spend 30 minutes per day cleaning his room, 30 minutes cleaning one area of the house and 30 minutes doing extra chores. Add his 30 minutes of schoolwork and I am taking a measly 2 hours out of his day and he can't even manage that! I just don't know what to do with him.

Lovin' my job

2010-08-06T14:07:00.002-06:00

Have I mentioned lately that I love my job?!? I get to book people's vacations! Everything from Orlando vacation packages with Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando and their newest Harry Potter attraction to Cancun and the Riviera Maya where you can relax, snorkel or visit the ruins of Chichen itza or Tulum.

But as if that was not enough, we just found out that we get to start selling Disney's newest property on the beautiful white sand beaches of Ohau in Ko'olina. Aulani, with its breathtaking views, sandy beaches and amazing Disney amenities is going to be one of Disney's premiere resorts for years to come! I am just hoping to get a fam trip there soon. Hoping.... hoping..... hoping.....

How to switch?

2010-08-06T14:05:00.001-06:00

I am debating switching car insurance companies. Since I got married, we have been with Farmer's because my sister-in-law is an agent. However, I am beginning to wonder if we could get a better price with another company. I guess the Gecko got to me.....

I am really worried about having to tell my sister-in-law that I am looking around, let alone that I am dropping her company for another one! She is very sweet and I can't stand the thought of hurting her feelings, but if it could save me money, Heaven knows I need that right now!

Meditation

2010-04-26T11:02:00.003-06:00

My youngest son has never been the "sit still" kind of child. He is very active and full of life. So lately I have been looking for new hair loss prevention ideas.

We are currently trying meditation. My husband and I are trying it ourselves first to find out if it is better for us in the early morning or late evening. Then we will try it on my son to see if we can help him with his focus.

Has anyone else ever tried anything like this before? Do you have any suggestions for helping a young child learn meditation? I will take any information I can get.

I found Smoothie King... Yum!

2010-04-26T10:46:00.003-06:00

I'm addicted! I have to admit, it's hard for me to find something that I can eat over and over again without getting sick of it. I seldom get full because I get tired of eating, bored with the flavor long before I am actually full. However, a few months ago I found Smoothie King. They are on my way to work and I LOVE THEM!

I'm not the super health freak type of person. I normally buy anything other than low fat, low sugar varieties. No adipex diet pills for me. But this is something new and of course, they have their "indulgences" which I normally take advantage of. I have found that after having a smoothie for breakfast, I feel better, am more awake and have more energy throughout the day! I am seeing this becoming my newest addiction!

The Big Job Hunt

2010-04-09T11:45:00.002-06:00

People amaze me, even my friends. They talk about how badly they need a job, they apply for jobs and then they complain that they can't get a job. Then further into the conversation they tell me all the requirements they have for their perspective employer. They can't work from this hour to this hour, they need a lunch break at such and such a time for an hour and a half for whatever reason and they have a mile long list of dates they need off in the next six months.

Really, do you really think that an employer is going to look at that and still hire you? NO! They are going to look at your list of requirements and deduct that they can not count on you to be available to do your job, even when you are there.

For those of you, out there in the job hunting market, whether you are looking for admin jobs or managerial positions, you have to be flexible, willing to make yourself available for the employer. The job market is tough right now and there are alot of highly qualified candidates applying for the same position you are. You have to do the things that will set you apart from the other applicants. Make your perspective employer think that their company and the job you are applying for will be the most important thing in your life. Then, once you have the job and have shown them how invaluable you are, then start your request. But don't let your family starve and your checks bounce because Aunt Bertha is having a birthday party for your 2nd Cousin once removed 5 months from now.

Buying Forclosure Property

2010-04-09T11:35:00.002-06:00

I have been looking recently at properties that are under foreclosure and I like what I am seeing. For instance, I found .34 acre of 4x4 recreational land for $47,500 in North Carolina on Outer banks foreclosures, and a beautiful private island in the pacific for $60,000. There was also a beautiful 2 bedroom condo in Nicaragua for just $125,000.

For those prices, I could scoop me up a couple vacation spots and be set for life. Of course, then I guess I would need to get a pilot's license and buy a small plane just to get myself there. But even at that, it may be cheaper than regular vacations!

Outta the Kitchen, into the game

2010-04-09T11:24:00.002-06:00

I spend so much time in my kitchen that once in awhile it is nice to get out of the kitchen and play a game or two on my kids Nintendo. However, I have found a game called cooking mama that seems to occupy as much of my time as my kitchen crafts! I am finding myself spending time running between the kitchen and the living room, pausing the game as the oven beeps or running in to play just a bit more while the mixer is running.

This is not good for my kitchen crafts. I am starting to burn projects and over mixing others. It's turning into quite a disaster! If only they could make it into a ps3 game. I have a ps3 that I could just hook up directly in my kitchen! Then I'd never leave the kitchen!

Changing my moisturizer

2010-04-09T11:16:00.002-06:00

I have used Oil of Olay for many years as an anti-wrinkle lotion and moisturizer, but lately I have found Aveno. It is an oatmeal based, more natural way to moisturize. It does state that it will not clog pores and it moisturizes beautifully. But I am still on my quest for the most natural moisturizer I can get. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for "make at home" moisturizers?

Suffer From Allergies No More!

2010-03-05T20:04:00.002-07:00

I heard an interesting fact the other day and I pretty well ignored it until recently. For about four days we had beautiful weather. 45 to 55 degree weather. Beautiful sunshine. Blue skies. And although the weather here has taken a turn for the worse, muddy, wet snowy mess, for the few beautiful days we did have, I was brutally reminded that I suffer from seasonal allergies. The tickle in my throat, the itchy watery eyes and the runny nose all came rushing back like a fast moving freight train and with the beautiful grace of a charging Rhino.

But the wonderful little trick I had learned actually seemed to work! I heard that eating fresh Broccoli Sprouts, a wonderful source of Sulphoraphane, will help to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies. It's not a medically proven fact, but it worked really well for me, and better than any over the counter, allergy relief full of strange man made ingredients, this is completely natural. And I like anything that is natural!

Chicken Soup for the Family!

2010-02-17T20:08:00.003-07:00

I think I have had just about all I can take of 30 degree weather, cold mornings, wet days and snow! So rather than starting my yearly search for Sacramento homes, I have decided to dig out some of my favorite wintertime, rainy day recipe favorites.

My first featured Recipe is:

Homemade Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
1 - 2 Chicken carcaus' from last nights chicken dinner
1 1/2 Cup Baby carrots chopped into 1/4" to 1/2" slices
1 Cup Celery sliced into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces
3 Potatoes, cut in half and sliced into 1/4" slices
2 Tbls. Chicken Base
1 Tbls. Parsley Flakes
1 Tsp. Garlic Salt
1/2 Tsp. Celery Salt
1/2 Tsp. Pepper

Add Chicken, Base and Spices to a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 -30 minutes. Strain the broth and add the sliced carrots and celery. Boil for 10 - 15 minutes or until soft. Add potato and boil for another 10 minutes.

* Great with homemade noodles
Add all

Prenatal Vitamins

2010-02-17T19:59:00.002-07:00

I took Prenatal Vitamins religiously throughout all of my pregnancies but I never really noticed the effects, probably because my body was so constantly and drastically changing anyway, little things like healthy hair and strong nails slipped my notice.

However, a friend a work is now pregnant with a baby girl and she is religiously taking her prenatal vitamins and I am floored by how quickly her hair is growing! Her hair was all of two inches long in the back in January and now it's nearly down to her shoulders! I can't believe it!

I wonder if I could get away with taking Prenatal Vitamins while I'm not pregnant? I'll bet there are all sorts of reasons why I shouldn't, but there are also lots of really good reasons for me not to eat Chocolate and I have yet to take heed on that matter!

Easy Monday Night Family Home Dinners

2010-02-17T19:29:00.002-07:00

Bringing the family to dinner this week is one of my families favorites,
SELF-PREPARED CHICKEN FAJITAS.

Ingredients:
2 lbs Chicken Tenders, cut into strips
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Medium Onion
1/2 Cup Pico De Gallo
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 Package Fajita Seasoning
2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil
10 Flour Tortillas

Directions:
Warm oil in a skillet. Add Chicken and 1/2 pkg Fajita Seasoning and cook until chicken is fully cooked. Chop Bell Peppers and Onion into strips. Remove chicken from skillet and add Peppers and Onion and cook until soft. Serve buffet style with Pico De Gallo and Sour Cream in a dip station and the flour tortillas in a warming basket.

Let everyone fix their own and enjoy!

Vitamin E, just a thought.....

2010-01-20T21:07:00.002-07:00

On the same subject as my last post, the many uses of Vitamin E oil, before long we are going to see it used as a testosterone booster or maybe even a lawn fertilizer! Ha! But in all actuality, Vitamin E oil has many, many excellent uses and in researching it I found this very interesting use for it.

"Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant vitamin that helps to neutralize potentially damaging free radicals in our body."

I knew it was great for your skin, but I never knew that it was also an antioxidant as well! Very cool!

Vitamin E, the vitamin of 1000 uses...

2010-01-20T20:58:00.002-07:00

I had my first MRI yesterday. My sadistic doctor decided that physical therapy was no longer causing me enough pain so he would have a couple of nurses immobilize it with a plastic cuff stuffed full of strangely shaped pillows and then require me to hold still for 30 minutes while my youngest children sat out in the waiting room driving the reception staff out of their minds. All I can say is, it was interesting. But the thing I found to be the funniest was the way they "marked" where the injury was. They taped a Vitamin E capsule to my ankle.

Now there's a new use for Vitamin E that I had never thought of! It's been used in lotion, to combat stretch marks, as a dietary supplement and even in acne scar creams. But now here is yet another brilliant use for the oily little substance!

Adventures by Disney

2010-01-17T20:21:00.002-07:00

I am so excited! I just heard about Adventures by Disney. They are all inclusive, family friendly, adventures that take you to places you would never find yourself otherwise! Imagine taking your little princess to the sites the Brothers Grimm stood when they concocted their unforgettable fairytales such as Little Red Ridinghood and Rapunzel. Imagine sharing the stories with your princess and then imagine her surprise when she finds out that you will be spending 3 days and 2 nights IN the Rapunzel castle. That is an Adventure by Disney.

They also have many other amazing adventures such as Costa Rica, great caribbean vacation deals, authentic Italian culture adventures and rain forest getaways.

And from what I hear, my favorite travel agency, Get Away Today Vacations, the premier Disney vacation and getaway specialists, will very soon be selling these adventures.

Vacation Time for Me!!!

2009-12-21T20:21:00.002-07:00

I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas! In two weeks I get to go to Disneyland. I haven't been there in at least 3 years and it's my favorite place to be! But I have a new job that will allow me to visit Disneyland and San Diego at least twice a year. Once with my family and once as a training!

Plus they give me great discounts on cruises, Sandles and Beaches Resorts and most hotels I can think of. They may not have any Toronto hotels but they have great pricing on beautiful places like Hawaii, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Seriously, I think this is the job I have been dreaming about!

The Perfect Fireside Drink

2009-12-16T16:38:00.002-07:00

Well, winter is definitely here. My patio cushions are covered with snow and look like little snow hills. The birds are crowded around the bird feeder fighting for the seeds and the bird bath is iced over. This is the time of year where we all want to curl up on the couch with the fire flickering in the fireplace and sip a cup of warm Cocoa. But the same hot cocoa gets old after awhile. So here are some twists on an old favorite that I'm sure will quickly become family favorites.

Warm Milk
4 Cups Milk
1/4 Sugar (to taste)
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Warm milk on medium heat just to steaming, stirring often. Add sugar and whip with with a wire whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Ladle and serve immediately. Serves 4-5

Peach Milk
4 Cups Milk
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Pureed Frozen Peaches*

Warm milk on medium heat just to steaming, stirring often. Add sugar and whip with with a wire whisk until dissolved. Add Peach Puree and simmer for 3 minutes. Do no boil. Remove from heat. Ladle and serve immediately. Serves 4-5

*Peaches can be substituted for any type of frozen fruit.

I hope you enjoy!!!

The Best Bread Recipe

2009-12-16T10:58:00.001-07:00

Working for a Kitchen Store, I find myself making bread more now than ever before. And by using whole grains I don't need the weight loss pills and I am getting healthier! Having tried many, many recipes, I finally asked my Grandmother for my Great Grand Mother's Bread Recipe. Now, you might think that I am prejudice, as this is the bread I grew up on. However, most of the people I work with agree that this is the Best Bread Recipe. It is super soft and absolutely delicious!

1 3/4 Cups Warm Water*
2 Tbls. Butter, softened
3 Tsp. Vital Wheat Gluten**
3 Tsp. Dough Enhancer**
4 1/3 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
2 Tsp. Salt
3 1/2 Tsp SAF Yeast

Add ingredients, in order, in to your Bread Mixer. Allow to mix/knead for 8 minutes to allow the gluten to set. Break into 2 loaves and place in greased bread pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

*Adjust your water according to your location and the current barometric pressure. You want a good soft dough, but not too sticky.

**I have adapted it just a little from my Grandma's recipe by adding Wheat Gluten and Dough Enhancer. I'm not sure that those were around in Grandma's day, but they sure do help to make my bread perfect.

Panama City Coming soon...

2009-12-10T15:15:00.004-07:00

Just to give you a little taste of what's to come... my next planned trip is to Panama City with my Mother and Aunt. It's a get her mind off things, getaway for her. She has had a very difficult year and I am sure that the world renowned nightlife, the snorkeling and the dolphin excursion will be sure to get her mind off things and help her relax. We are staying in beautiful panama city hotel, right on the beach. I can't wait! I'll be back in warm weather, toes in the sand, Margarita in my hand and not a care in the world!

A Great Idea for Getting Rid of old Motorhomes!

2009-12-02T15:34:00.003-07:00

In my last post I was complaining about having too many junk vehicle hanging around. One of which was an old motorhome that I would not use anymore. The gas mileage is horrid and the interior was done in the '70 (enough said?). But it was in decent condition and everything worked. I have been trying to sell it for months now, but with the economy he way it is, RV's are a luxury most people are forgoing.

So I received a phone call the other day about the motorhome. There was a family, husband, wife and their child that were headed to SLC for "medical travel" is what he called it, and they needed a place to stay. He had decided that the $2000 I was asking for the motorhome and lot rent for the time they were here, would be less expensive than a hotel or an apartment. But he asked that I meet him in SLC so he could look at the motorhome.

After meeting with him I found out that he and his wife were taking their son to the Cancer institute up there and needed a place to stay while they were here. Well, it made sense, but it didn't feel right to me. I just couldn't sell them my motorhome, although the wife seems really excited about it.

After we had agreed on the price ($1800) and we were headed to the bank to get a notorized copy of the bill of sale, I couldn't get the picture of the little guy out of my head and the thought of what his parents were giving up, being here with him for 6 months, off work, in a strange city. We got to the bank and I had them print me out a new bill of sale, this one said $1. I signed it, and handed it to him. He looked at it puzzled and finally looked at me and tried to talk me out of it. I simply explained that it was a benefit to me to get it out of my driveway, and when he was done with it he could recoup the money he spent on it and sell it to someone else that needed it for $1 and it would be well worth it to me.

His wife began to cry and tell me about how her parents and his parents had taken over their mortgage to help them while they were here and all about the stress that their little boys illness has cause and how much this would help them out.

Afterwards, I felt really good and I have two new friends. Just a side note, my bank was really great, they actually took care of all the IRS paper work for me once I had told them what I intended to do and they worked it out so it ended up being a tax deduction for me as well! So if you have a motorhome or trailer that you can't sell and you have the ability to give it up, consider giving it to someone in need. It's just a really good feeling!

I'm tired of owning a Junkyard!

2009-12-02T15:26:00.002-07:00

If you were to drive by my house right now, you may have to drive by again just to make sure you are at a house and not a wrecking yard! I currently have 3 trucks, a flatbed trailer frame, MY minivan on jacks, in the process of getting a new axle knuckle, two campers, a trailer and a motorhome!

Now in my Husbands defense, I love one of the campers, MY van and the three trucks. On the other hand, one camper HAS GOT TO GO! The flatbed trailer frame either needs to be a flatbed trailer or scrapmetal. The trailer needs to be adapted to fit on the truck or sold and I need a good motorhome towing to finish the clean up! It's not even worth keeping around!

I understand that my sweetheart loves to play around and tinker with cars, but this is just plain getting to be too much. It's clean-up time!

I Can't Believe This Law!!!

2009-12-02T15:09:00.002-07:00

I am amazed! Nearly speechless!!! (Notice I said nearly...) On the news was a story about a car dealership, here in Utah, that collects rain water from their roof, funnels it into an underground cistern where they clean it and use it to wash the cars on their lot.

Now your thinking, "what's so unbelieviable about that?" You even thinking that that is a pretty good idea, use of funds, green initive, eco-friendly idea, right? EXACTALY! I was thinkning the same thing! Now for the unbelievable part....

He was on the news because the city had fined him for doing it! That's right! Obviously, here in Utah, where it's a desert, we don't have alot of water so we have to conserve it. And of course, we are all to stupid to do that ourselves, so our wonderful government has ridden in on its big black stallion to save us from ourselves and they have taken posession of all the water. Yep, that's really what I said... in the state of Utah, the government owns all the water, even the rain water!

So, since they own the water, they can tell us what to do with it. No, you cannot collect rain water to water your plants. Yes, rain barrelsare outlawed. And No, you absolutely MAY NOT use rain water to wash your cars! So next time it rains, everyone remember to quickly hide your vehicle, just in case the governments rain water hits it. You wouldn't want a ticket now, would you?!?

Laptop Problems

2009-12-02T14:49:00.003-07:00

For my Daughter's 10th birthday I got her a little netbook. It was of course a major hit. She was thrilled. But now, it's a less than 2 months later and it is no longer working. I didn't buy the most expensive netbook I could find, I bought an Acer Aspire. I had never heard of the brand before, I am more of an HP gal myself, but it was a cute little thing and not terribly expensive, so I bought it. Now, I'm not so sure that was the right choice.

When she turns the computer on it will activly start booting up but then the screen goes black and it's done. It will do the same thing over and over again. I have had my tower do the same thing to me in the past and I solved the problem by pressing F8 and returning it to a state in the past, before it forgot what it was supposed to do. But her's wont give me that option. She could have a virus but I have no way of even running a scan to find out because I can't get as far as the desktop!

Does anyone have any idea what I can do to fix this for her?

Term Insurance vs. Cash Value Insurance

2009-11-04T10:54:00.002-07:00

I am curious as to what everyone thinks about life insurance. With my step-father just passing away, I am learning more and more about it and I am finding very interesting thing about both types.

First of all, my step-father had Federal Government Employee sponsored life insurance. They suggested that he carry just over 1 years worth of life insurance. What that means is he left just over $54,000 to his widow. Now $10K of that will go directly to the funeral, leaving $44,000.

Now luckily, my mother is an independent and self-made woman. She has a very nice job and lives comfortably on her own, his income was a bonus that allowed them to travel and enjoy their time together. However, had she relied on his income as so many women do, myself included, that would have been a huge blow. She would have barely had enough money to sustain the family through her getting a job.

But, even if the newly widowed woman finds a job, how is she going to make ends meet. Suddenly she is alone, with all the expenses they had prior to her husbands death, but now she has the added stress of child care which can be devastatingly expensive, on average about $160 per week, per child.

So, to me, term insurance looks like the way to go. It's less expensive for the coverage you need now and later, when the kids are gone and the house is paid off, the widow/widower would not need as much money to survive.

What do you think? What do you have and why? I really need ideas and suggestions.

RV in this Economy? Take II

2009-11-04T10:25:00.002-07:00

One thing to think about before you run out and buy that new RV, here are a few things to keep in mind...

You will need to plan for the care of your RV. Every year you will need to register, insure and repair your RV. This can be really expensive but if you do it right you can save yourself alot of money. I can give no advice on saving money on your registration costs with the sole exception of pay it on time and avoid any fines. Your State has that one nailed down.

But as for the rv insurance,make sure you shop around. There are some really great deals out there if you look hard enough.

And the repairs, look to some of the privately owned repair shops. The dealerships handle warranty issues as well as customer issues. So when they charge the manufacture upwards if $300 per hour, charging you a mere $150 per hour seems very reasonable. On the other hand, a struggling rv mechanic in his own garage looks at $60 to $75 per hour and is thrilled! Look around. Make sure your repair technician is licensed and trained, but try to avoid the spendy dealership service centers.

Have fun RV'ing!

Resturant Ambiance

2009-11-04T10:13:00.003-07:00

What ambiance do you prefer in your restaurant of choice? Do you tend to venture into softly lit, relaxing atmospheres or do you prefer the bright and cheery type with lots of windows and sunshine spilling in? Do you prefer rustic or ultra modern decor?

Me, I have found that while sometimes I enjoy the cheery ambiance of some of the more brightly lit, heavily flowered restaurants where everything is painted white and the windows go from floor to ceiling, sometimes I get the impression that I am eating in the beams of xenon lights, spotlight on me, everyone can see.

I guess I am more of a private person. I prefer the quiet, softly lit types where soft classical music is playing and I can relax and enjoy the company that I am currently keeping. I prefer a modern contemporary feel with linens and silver, glass and roses. But I also enjoy just a touch of antique. Give it just a hint of what once was, just enough to whet your palette for more, but not so much that the entire place seems dusty and worn. I like the heavily polished golden railings and cushy dining chairs and most of all, wait staff in crisp, clean suits.

So, what ambiance are you into?

RV in This Economy?

2009-11-01T09:40:00.002-07:00

With gas prices starting to sneak up again and the economy not yet rebounding from the media-induced recesson, would it really make sense to buy an RV? Who's going to travel right now?

The answer is YES! Would I go out and buy a brand new RV? Maybe, but it may be a better idea to find a used rv for sale. My Dad just sold a 30' motorhome, complete with a 5000 watt generator, in excellent condition for $1500! That was a steal! My friend got his for $2000 and it is a beautiful C class and in great working condition.

What I'm saying is, there are lots of great deals out there right now, air travel and hotels are expensive and eventually the economy will rebound and the prices of RV's will rise again so BUY now and you will have an instant vacation whenever you and your family needs it!

A Time for Tea

2009-11-01T09:19:00.002-07:00

Today, while looking for a corner bakery, I found one of the greatest little gem's, litterally a "Diamond in the Rough". Situated between an abandoned building and a large parking lots in downtown Ogden, sits about 4 quaint little shops, one of which is A Spot of Tea. Opened in February 2009, a bright cheery little shop, offering a wide assortment of fine teas along with tea sandwiches, english scones and dilectable desserts.

The interior of the shop is bright and decorated like a tea party complete with white linins, ladies frilly hats, flowers and tea pots. The atmosphere lends itself to any variety of informal gatherings. It makes me want to throw out my wrinkle cream, put on a funny hat and enjoy the afternoon! I would love to take my 6 year old and a group of her friends in for a special occasion or a dear friend for an afternoon lunch. It's also a wonderfully nice, quiet place to sit and have lunch while catching up on a bit of writing or reading.

The food, while not out of this world, is still special. (Although, I have not had a chance to try their "Friday Special" English Fish and Chips. I promise an update when I do!) Each sandwich is handmade with a special touch and goes finely with their out of this world teas. And their dessert menu is nearly half the menu, excluding the teas and I highly suggest trying the Chocolate Cake. It is as mosit as any cake I have tried!

As for price, I have to give this quaint little shop bonus points for having prices that are affordable, even for struggling families. To give you an idea, their world class teas, served by the pot, are only $2.00. Their Deserts are $1.85 per serving and meals with tea, sandwich, baked apples and a cookie are only $6.50. They also serve "High Tea" and for only $24.50, 6 people get scones, tea and sandwiches. That's just over $4 per person.

So on a chilly winter afternoon, this is a great little place to warm up your hands and your heart and fill your tummy without breaking the bank!

Getting back to school!

2009-11-01T09:06:00.003-07:00

Not the kids, ME! I have been a stay at home mom, part time homemaker and the like for the last 13 years and I decided that it was time for me to get back into working and I decided to start by going back to school. I looked at alot of different options and I decided that Business Technology was the best option for me.

But there are so many, many options out there. I had a very hard time choosing. I looked at Culinary Arts classes and Medical Technology classes. I even looked into masters information security classes.

I really liked the last two because there were so many options for online classes. However, my decision was based on the need to get OUT of the house so online study would defeat the purpose for me. However, for most Mom's, it's a great way to get your degree!

Looking just at the Masters of Science in Information Security classes, they offer someone the opportunity to train at home for a job that could eventually be a telecommuting position. You would be working towards one of two goals, the first would be how information security affects businesses and individuals and the second would be focusing on how to make information security stronger and better than ever.

Medical Technology classes can prepare you to do Medical coding from home and have very short completion times. The average Medical coding class is 10 months and the starting pay is $26K per year in my area.

I however chose Business Technology because I am ready to work in an office environment, have my own desk and not deal with sales any longer!

Eat Right, Feel Better

2009-09-17T16:45:00.002-06:00

Life is busy, stressful and full of surprises. Too many of us get caught up in the rush of everyday life and we forget to eat, don't have time to eat right or just down right want a candy bar to get us though the day. Then we are surprised when we don't have the enery we need to accomplish the tasks of our day.

Why are we surprised? We, as Americans, eat at McDonalds at a rate of 75 greasy, fat filled hamburgers per second! How can anyone find energy to do anything with a greasy blob in the pit of their stomach?!? "Greasy cheese burger, deep fried salty fries and a Diet Coke, Please." Even the best weight loss products can't compete with a diet like that!

The fact of the matter is, if you want to lose weight... If you want to have the energy to get through the day... If you just plain want to feel good.... Eat Right!

Super Easy Butter Caramels

2009-09-17T16:32:00.003-06:00

This is the easiest, yummiest treat I have made in quite awhile! Even dental discounts won't save you fom this one. It is a super soft, super rich caramel that imitates the popular Butter Caramels you see around Christmas time. They make a great treat to take to any Christmas function.

5 lbs. Peter's Caramel (Do Not Skimp and get the cheap stuff, you will not get a good end result!)
1 5oz can evaporated milk

In a saucepan on low heat warm 4 Tbsp. evaporated milk. Cut Caramel into chunks and add to milk. Slowely melt down. Add another 2 to 4 Tbsp. evaporated milk to your desired texture. Pour out on to a greased or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Allow to cool. Cut into chunks and wrap in wax paper liners.

Spice it up:
Crushed Peppermint Candy Cane (Stir in just before pouring on to cookie sheet)
Chocolate (melt chocolate and dip caramels in chocolate and cool before wrapping them)
Nutmeg & Cinnamon (sprinkle a little in as the caramel is melting for a warm, holiday flavor)

The Family Reunion

2009-07-28T16:27:00.004-06:00

It's summertime again and with summer comes the inevitable Family Reunions. Now, I am a family oriented kinda gal and I love to cook for other people, the problem with so many of these reunions are these are people I don't know, see once a year and don't know what to talk about.

So what ends up happening is my family sits together at one table and we talk amongst ourselves and each individual family does the same. Why do we do this? Because it's comfortable of course! For one thing, you know these people! You have things to talk about. How are your kids? Did Nate see the Doctor yet? Have you taken care of your cat's hernia? You know these people and what is going on in their lives, even if it is dull and unappetizing. And for another thing, you know all of their names! I hate it when someone comes up to me and starts talking like we are long lost buddies and I haven't the slightest clue who they are. Which leads to the third reason we group, there is power in groups. Someone is bound to know the answer! So while you are politely nodding your head, smiling and searching your brain for some glimmer as to who this might be, if your family is worth anything at all, the one who does know who you are talking to will break in and say something like, "Aunt Madeline! It's been, what 25 years since we have seen you! It's good to see you again!" Then they would turn to you and say "Do you remember when you last saw Aunt Madeline, when you were 3! She gave you that beautiful orange and mauve sweater that she hand knitted." This gives you a conversation point and once she walks away you now have a much better conversation with your family about how horrid that sweater was!

And for most family reunions you at least try to look presentable. You put on a pair of jeans without holes in the knees and a nice blouse. You do your hair in something other than the "Kiss my ....... I really just don't care" ponytail and you put on makeup. All so you can go sit in 100 degree weather. Before long your mascara is running and your hair is frizzy. Your blouse is hanging on you and sticking to your back and of course, this is when cousin Caroline whips out her brand new Canon camera and announces that it is picture time.

Of course by this time you realize that you are not alone in the looks department. Uncle Jay decided to wear his shorts which show off his glaring white chicken legs, Aunt Jackie is in a strappy white sundress with beautiful red splotches from the punch little Duncan has spilled on her numerous times and Grandma's eye's are red and blood shot from playing in the sand box with little Maddie who is learning that throwing sand is a no-no.

So into the picture we all go. Smushed up against people you know less than the checker at Albertson's, all sweaty and hot and forced to smile. And of course, when asked if you would like the pictures e-mailed to you...... you promptly provide your e-mail address.

Cooking with the PS3

2009-07-28T16:19:00.002-06:00

I have to admit, I am a sucker for a video game. Granted they only hold my very short attention spam for an hour or so, but once hooked, I am back for more every couple of hours!

But now they have just gone too far! They have combined my love of cooking and my love of gaming into two gotta have games for my PS3! First, one of my favorite shows is Hell's Kitchen. (Even though I would be thrown out before the show ever started!) But I live to see what they come up with. But now I can play Hell's Kitchen on PS3..... Yeah... I have plenty of time for that!

And as if that wasn't bad enough, my husband brought home Cooking Mama Cook Off! It's a two player game, so now my husband AND I are both wasting time. You face off in cook off challenges to see who is the best chef. It's great! The food even changes the way it looks according to your actions. No... my house is totally not getting cleaned now. Laundry? Forget about it!

Know before you go!

2009-07-28T16:11:00.002-06:00

Before you head out and buy the next new craze in diet pills, make sure you know what you are looking for. Know what you want your diet pill to do. Do you want it to suppress your appetite? Do you want sustained weight loss? How about increased energy? Or even acne fighting? There are so many pills on the market today that do so many different things, you really do need to know before you go!

Take the time to do your research. Read up on weight loss pill reviews written by people who have used them, loved them as well as those that have hated them. It give you good perspective to get the good, the bad AND the ugly! Remember to keep an open mind while you are searching, but not open enough that all your brains fall out. If it sounds to good to be true..... It most likely is. Fads come and go, but the really good ones stick around for the long haul.

And don't forget that weight loss pills alone are not enough. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest and exercise.

Blueberry creme muffins

2009-07-23T22:47:00.003-06:00

I stumbled across this recipe at allrecipes.com while trying to find good uses for Bruce's cereal and I fell in love. I made a few adaptations and you will have to too in order to make it your own.

It would definitely not pass a slimming pills review, they would kick it to the curb. This is by no means lowfat. But it is Oh So Good!!! Give it a try, tweak it a little and I think you will find that you have a new favorite muffin recipe!

Cooking Fun

2009-07-23T22:23:00.002-06:00

I never thought I'd say this but I am SO glad that my kids are finally old enough to help me out in the kitchen! For the better part of their lives I have scuttled them out of the kitchen as soon as they set foot through the door. Visions of sugar covered fingers and flour covered floors filled my head. And as they scurried away, little disposable diapers butts disappearing around the corner I would emit a sigh of relief. I was again free to continue my creation in the kitchen.

However, now that we are free of diapers, my children are venturing back into the kitchen, little by little. And to my surprise, I am welcoming them! I find it wonderfully fulfilling to watch my 9 year old make dinner with nearly no help from me at all. And helping my 5 year old make a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and red sprinkles for her big sister, with no particular occasion in mind, makes me shine with pride! My 13 year old is another story! I can leave him alone in the kitchen and find wonderful, inventive and imaginative masterpieces when I return. Simple foods made into delicious meals and presented in such fun! One day he made dinner into a whole pirate scene, complete with ships and water, islands and dessert treasure! He really is amazing.

Like I said, I never thought I would hear the words issuing from my own lips but, I am so glad my kids love to cook with me!

Staying Fit

2009-07-23T12:40:00.003-06:00

Staying healthy and fit is more than just your diet. You need to have a complete and healthy diet along with lots of exercise, plenty of sleep and low levels of stress. All of these things factor into why people have trouble losing weight. If you don't know how to lose fat, try some of these simple ideas. Try getting up early, having an apple and some yogurt for breakfast and going on a bike ride while it's still cool enough to do so. Eat a light lunch, turkey sandwich with lots of lettuce and tomato's and very little mayo.... no cheese and a water. Snack on carrots and ranch and eat a decent dinner. Spend 20 minutes before bed reading a book, crafting or just relaxing in a bubble bath. Get yourself into bed early. You will feel better all day long!

Music in the Kitchen

2009-07-23T12:26:00.002-06:00

Is it just me or are their others out there that have to have music playing while they are cooking? My husband commented to me the other day that he finds it strange and distracting to have music playing while he is cooking. (Of course, I commented that it would be rather difficult for him to ruin those Banquet Pot Pies or the Ramen Noodles he makes.) But now I am self conscious. Am I really the only one that has to have Mp3 players or stereo's in the kitchen? My iPod actually docks on my kitchen counter!

I listen to music while I cook. It calms me, keeps me focused and my food turns out much better. I play music while I clean. The cleaning seems to get done much faster when the radio stations are playing the upbeat, dance to them, songs. I just love it.

Do Mom's Need Life Insurance?

2009-07-22T19:59:00.001-06:00

I haven't thought much about life insurance, after all, I am only 30, a stay at home (sometimes) mom and make nearly no money. Why would I need life insurance?

When a friend and I were talking one day, she made the comment to me that if I were to pass away, my husband would be left to take care of the children all by himself. He would be left to care for children that are used to having Mom home all the time. Mom dressing them. Mom feeding them. Mom reading to them and Mom cuddling them.

There will be a time that he will have to stay home and help them make that transition, without pay. If I had life insurance, he would be able to take that time without worrying about how to make ends meet. My children and husband would have the healing time they needed without the stress of how they are going to make the bills.

So I started looking at life insurance quotes and found out that it is pretty easy to find cheap term life insurance rates. I can protect my family, even when I am not around to protect them. That gives me some peace of mind, which in today's economy, is pretty hard to come by!

Natural Fat Burners

2009-07-17T19:46:00.000-06:00

I know Coconut Oil is supposed to be a wonderful fat burner or metabolism burner and apples are great appetite suppressants, but does anyone else know of any great fat burners? I get alot of questions concerning weight loss drugs, fat burners and natural remedies and I am just about burnt out of ideas, so I am welcoming any comments on what has helped you? What have you tried? What didn't work for you and why do you think it didn't? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Wedding Special Touches - Desserts and Treats

2009-07-07T10:35:00.002-06:00

An elegant, unique Wedding Cake is an essential part of any woman's wedding. It is the focal point of the room and the culmination of the evening and take alot of though and planning.

However, don't forget the other treats. Whether you do a formal wedding dinner or a buffet, your guests will love some of these ideas to make your affair the talk of the town.

Tuxedo Strawberries: These are absolutely darling for any wedding dinner. They are elegant, yet fun and oh so simple to make!

Start by melting and tempering one bowl of white chocolate. Wash and dry your large strawberries. Dip each one in white chocolate and lay on 13x9" cookie sheets and cool at room temperature. Then melt a bowl of milk or dark chocolate. Dip each side of the strawberries again in the chocolate. This will cover some of the white, but not all. Fill a decorating bag with a #8 round tip with the remainder of the chocolate and add buttons and a little bow tie to the exposed white chocolate. Allow to cool at room temperature and serve within 24 hours. The strawberries end up looking like they have little tuxedos on.

Wedding Cupcakes: Wedding cupcakes can be a simple addition to the rehearsal dinner. They give the bride the opportunity to add her own special touch, her wedding colors and theme to the rehearsal dinner and they add an elegant, but not too over done flair. Cupcakes can have a simple flower on top or can be airbrushed with a fleur de lis. Both are very elegant, both are very simple. There are so many ways to easily decorate cupcakes that they are almost a must have. Few things in a wedding are simple, grab those that are and run with it!

Chocolate Fountains: Chocolate is one of life's richest and most indulgent treats. It was used in Mayan cultures as an aphrodisiac, in Spain as the treat for royalty and in modern times Chocolate is used in celebration. The chocolate fountain is a beautiful cascade of liquid chocolate falling over what ever delectable little treat is placed under it. A chocolate fountain not only makes
an elegant showing but a fun dessert for all of your guests. More than one chocolate fountain can provide you the opportunity to try white and dark chocolate, caramel and/or flavored chocolates such as mint or amaretto. Your guests can dip strawberries, cinnamon lips, marshmallows, pretzels or Biscotti. The sky's the limit and everyone will be talking about your wedding dinner for years to come!

Fresh Fruit Tartlets: Fresh fruit tartlets are not only simple to make they are also very pretty and can easily be decorated to incorporate your wedding colors. When you are looking to make fruit tartlets, you have a world of endless possibilities and choices. Here are a few of my favorites. Easy Cream Cheese filling: 1 8oz. pkg cream cheese (softened), 1 8oz. tub cool whip (thawed), 1/2 cup sugar. Whip until fluffy. Color with food coloring if desired. Jam Filling: Puree your desired fruit, removing skins or seeds when possible. Mix 4 cups fruit puree, 1 cup sugar and 4 tablespoons Ultraset (proportions will vary with altitude and barometric pressure. Ultraset is very forgiving. Add less than you need and then add more, little bits at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. It should be thick but not clumping.) Fruits: Strawberries, Blueberries, Dragonfruit, Mango, Kiwi, Peaches, Raspberries, Blackberries and Mandrain Orange Slices are all beautiful toppers for Fruit Tartlets.

Diet Pills Can Be Tricky Business

2009-06-05T11:27:00.003-06:00

I just want to throw out a warning to everyone out there on diet pills. Please know what you are taking! I am begging you. Finding safe and effective diet pills can be a tricky business. You need to check out the company, the pills history and check with the FDA to make sure that they have been registered and are deemed safe. And, as with any pill, that is still never a guarantee. Make sure you are working with a reputable company, someone who has been in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time, is an industry leader and has a track record for producing safe and effective drugs. That is the best way to really and truly find the best diet pills out there.

Don't take chances with your health, make sure you do your homework and get the right thing for you and your body. And always remember that even with diet pills, good, healthy diet and exercise is still very important. Get losing and stay safe! Good Luck!

Emergency Essentials #1

2009-05-18T19:49:00.002-06:00

I am beginning a new segment on Emergency Essentials. So in this very first one, I want to talk about being prepared. To make sure that your family is protected, no matter what happens, you need to start by having a 72 hour kit for each member of the family. You can purchase these ready made or you can customize one to fit the needs of each family member.

To create your own 72 Hour Emergency Kit follow the list below:

Immediately Available

Battery powered radio
Flashlight and extra batteries

Emergency Needs

Instruction manuals on emergency preparedness
Water storage (There are custom water bottles you can buy that are like sports bottles, but they filter the water for you as you need it.)
Sleeping bags & blankets

Sanitation Kit

Plastic bucket with tightly fitted lid
Plastic bags and ties
Toilet paper
Disinfectant
Improvised toilet seat
Feminine hygiene needs
Paper towels
Soap
Paper cups
Paper plates
Plastic utensils
Can opener
Utility knife
Stress Factors
Children

Coloring book
Crayons

Adults

Books
Needlework

A Class ABC fire extinguisher is recommended for each home.

Some families may need a large container (32 gallon garbage can) to hold all the items. Other families may be able to use the plastic bucket from the sanitation kit for this storage. You may choose to use backpacks. They make it easier to take the items with you.

This 72 hour kit should meet the needs of your family. Pack hobby and entertainment items that appeal to your family. Use foods that your family will eat. Include any special medications that is required by family members.

Food

Meats: tuna, sardines, spam, vienna sausages
Fruit cocktail
Peanut butter
Powdered milk
Infant care: canned milk & bottles
Canned juices
Dried fruit (caution: drink plenty of water): raisins, prunes, fruit leather
Crackers (drink plenty of water)

Stress Foods

Sugar cookies
Sweetened cereals
Hard candy

Standard First Aid Kit

First aid manual
Aromatic spirits of ammonia
Water purification tablets
Table salt
Baking soda
Eye drops
Safety pins
Matches
Adhesive or paper tape
Bandages

Telfa pads 4" x 4"
Triangle bandage
Telfa pads 37" x 37" x 52"
Roll of gauze
Coban elastic bandage

Splints
Popsicle sticks
Shingles or thin board
40 page newspaper
Heavy string
Individual's medication

Car

Standard First Aid Kit
Blanket
Flashlight and Batteries
Reflectors
Change of clothes
Extra shoes
Food
Water (There are custom water bottles you can buy that are like sports bottles, but they filter the water for you as you need it.)

This information is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross

Natural Acne Treatment

2009-05-10T18:50:00.002-06:00

I've always heard that a simple egg white mask can do wonders for your face, skin and complexion however, I had never heard that it could work as an acne treatment until just recently when I went in search of natural alternatives to beauty products. Simply wash and dry your face. Separate one egg white from the yolk (save the yolk and add it to 1/2 avocado, 1 tsp olive oil and beat in a blender. Then add 1 tbls. sugar and massage into your scalp. Pin up your hair and allow it to rest while your egg white face mask dries. Wash it off in the shower with Shampoo and Conditioner when you are ready to wash off your face mask.) Add 2 tsp honey and mix. Apply to your face and allow to dry. Wash off with warm water.

This will provide a wonderful "toning feel" which will last only a few hours, but it will clear your skin of bacteria that cause acne as well as make your skin soft and smooth. This has to be the top acne treatment of the homemade remedies.

Why am I in the Kitchen?

2009-04-25T17:45:00.003-06:00

I am a mother of five children. I love to cook. And I love to eat. It really is as simple as that. When I was growing up I allowed a school counselor to persuade me that I did not in fact want to grow up to be a Mommy and that I needed a "real career". So I started working towards jobs in health care. I tried Sports Medicine, but soon lost interest. I tried Nursing, I was within 3 months of getting my LPN, I already had my CNA and my HHA and was doing my clinicals at the local nursing home. Let me tell you, I hate nursing!

Then I became a Mommy and reality set back in. This is what I had always wanted to do and nothing had changed. So I set about being a Mommy. But when the need arose for me to find some time outside of the house, find a new skill and earn some extra money, I found myself in the loving presence of two friends that I will forever consider family. They owned a kitchen supply store and asked if I would come work for them. I immediately accepted, we worked out a schedule around my kids and There it was. I was happier than I had ever been and I learned that I LOVE to cook.

So here I am, LOVING my job, loving my family and loving my life. Does it really get any better than this?

Beauty in the Kitchen

2009-04-25T17:36:00.002-06:00

I have been trying out some new ideas around the kitchen lately just to see what I can come up with. Through lots of late night research and some tips from friends, I have started creating natural beauty products from stuff in my kitchen. I started with a simple Sugar Scrub and found out that I loved it SO much that I immediately tossed out my store bought brand and have used this exclusively. It is so simple, less expensive and works better than anything I have ever used!

Try this out:

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Melted Coconut Oil (Found at KitchenKneads.com)
4-5 drops Essential Oil (Optional)

Mix and allow to cool. Keep in a Tupperware container in or near your shower or sink. After soaping apply approximately 2 teaspoons to your legs or arms or hands and rub to exfoliate. Rinse and dry.

I use this in the shower on my legs and after washing dishes, on my hands. The sugar exfoliates and the coconut oil softens and moisturizes. It really is amazing!

So I have moved on to things like lipbalm, which I am having trouble getting it soft enough to my liking. And more skin care products since the sugar scrub was such a success. Also I am trying Hair Care Products. I found that I can make 16oz of hair gel for about $0.03 and it works very well! Hair spray is my next venture. If you have any ideas, tips, hints or suggestions, please drop me a comment!

Eat More to Eat Less

2009-04-07T09:09:00.002-06:00

The biggest and fastest cure for any diet is hunger. I don't care what kind of diet you are on, whether it be diabetic, weight loss or gluten free, as soon as you start to feel like you are starving your natural instincts to feed yourself kick in and your self control goes out the window!

So how in the world are you supposed to lose weight if you are hungry all the time? The truth is, you can't. So what do you do? You can stuff yourself full of prescription, over the counter or herbal appetite suppressant drugs to help curb the cravings. Or you can try some of these natural appetite suppressants.

Let start with yummy!
Small amounts of Dark Chocolate has been shown to curb cravings, suppress appetite and increase happiness! Dark chocolate has been thought of as a healthy snack for 1000's of years. It's also high in antioxidants to help keep you healthy. But beware the high calorie, high sugar varieties! That won't help anyone!

And moving on to probably the #1 best appetite suppressant, Apples. Do you ever find yourself craving a Twinkie, a cupcake, doughnut or a candy bar? Usually that is your bodys way of telling you that it needs sugar. So replace the candy bar with an apple and you are going to kill two birds with one stone. The natural sugar in apples will suppress your bodys need for sweets while the high fiber content will trick your body into thinking that it has just eaten a whole lot more than it really has. It does this by making you chew and chew, giving your body time to register that you are full before you over eat, as well as by spending some extra time digesting which will make you feel fuller longer.

And obviously second only to the apple is Celery. Celery has long been known to burn more calories eating it than it actually has. Add all that chewing to the high water content and celery will fill your belly and suppress your appetite for a long time.

Breakfast time is a great time to take a bite out of hunger with a bowl of low calorie, high fiber, stick to your ribs Oatmeal. High in carbohydrates, which are burned slowly as energy, you will feel fuller longer and the fiber helps it to last even longer. Throw in a handful of dates, rasins or dried cranberries and you have a wonderful, tasty breakfast that will stick with you well past lunch time.

Add a little Omega-3 Fatty acids to your diet and suppress your appeteite too with tiny little Flax Seeds. While your body can not digest them whole, if you crush or roll them to expose the inside of the seed, you will release a whole new world of nutrition and health to your body as well as suppressing your appetite as you do it. Flax seeds are high in omega-3's and fiber and you wont even notice them in your breads, oatmeal, yogurt and trail mix.

So take the drugs out of your diet and add some of these healthy and delicious alternatives to your weight loss routine.

Good Night, Sleep Tight

2009-04-02T23:37:00.002-06:00

It is widely accepted that the amino acid tryptophan, found in foods such as dairy products, tuna and shell fish, turkey, bananas and soy, can not only help to lighten your mood but also help you sleep better. Who doesn't feel sleepy after a big thanksgiving dinner?

From Wikipedia "Tryptophan is a routine constituent of most protein-based foods or dietary proteins. It is particularly plentiful in Chocolate, Oats, Bananas, Durians, Mangoes, Dried Dates, Milk, Yogurt, Cottage cheese, Red meat, Eggs, Fish, Poultry, Sesame, Chickpeas, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Spirulina and Peanuts."

Wikipedia also notes that the amino acid tryptophan has been found to show promise in effectively in treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder and even depression.

Whfoods.com has a wonderful breakdown of the healthiest foods with tryptophan and the percent of daily value in each. They also list that tryptophan can help sleep disorders as well as Depression, Anxiety, Irritability, Impatience, Impulsiveness, Inability to concentrate, Weight gain or unexplained weight loss, Slow growth in children, Overeating and/or carbohydrate cravings and Poor dream recall.

So next time you find yourself having trouble sleeping, before you change your number on your sleep number bed, reach for a banana and some chocolate milk and drift off to a restful sleep the natural way and improve your mood in the process!

Kitchen Gadgets Galore

2009-03-29T10:19:00.002-06:00

Yogurt Maker: Didn't know you needed one, now you do! You can save a bundle of money making your own yogurt. And starting at $21 at Buy.com, you can save even more!

Scooba: Tired of wasting time mopping the kitchen floor? Save time and let Scooba do the work for you. Only $239 at Buy.com, I doubt you'll find a better Sale anywhere!

Rival Icecream Maker: At $21.95, summer's coming fast, with prices like this, don't pass up your opportunity to have fresh, homemade icecream anytime you want it!

Grill it: Along with your icecream maker, make your BBQ complete with a contemporary Weber Q 300 outdoor grill at $339.99 or make it an indoor festival with the Geroge Foreman Grill at $20.69. But however you serve it up, it's always better cooked fresh on the grill!

Buy.com has a huge selection of small kitchen appliances and kitchen gadgets at amazing prices, most of the time, beating out Walmart, Kmart and Target to name a few! Check them out for yourself and start "Saving in the Kitchen".

Gollywog's Cake Shop

2009-03-12T10:48:00.002-06:00

I know a lady that does fantastic cakes for weddings, birthdays or any occasion, big or small. She is very talented and does a wonderful job on everything. I will have to post some pictures of the cakes she has done so far. So when you have gotten your dress and printed the wedding invitations then give Dawn a call and let her take away the stress of the having the perfect cake.

Gollywog's Cake Shop
801-644-0597

I'm Working on a Cook Book!

2009-03-12T09:45:00.002-06:00

Dawn and I have been experimenting with making whole grain, multi-grain recipes and we have had SO much success that we are now working on a multi-grain cookbook! We have such a surplus of different grains at the store that we just didn't know what to do with the we decided that we needed to start experimenting. We have been using our regular recipes and tweaking them to work with the multi-grain flour. So far we have had luck with chocolate cupcakes, blueberry muffins and apple cinnamon pancakes. We are giving out samples of the pancakes tomorrow to see how they go over. We are having so much fun! I can't wait to get it finished!

Are You A Great Cook?

2009-03-07T14:54:00.002-07:00

Being a great cook is something that comes naturally to some and slowly to others. But it is not something that you can learn in textbooks, it's something that you have to work at. You have to practice. You have to succeed. And most importantly, you have to FAIL. Through failure, true greatness is born. Failure is the crossroads. Do you throw in the whisk and give up or do you take hold of the moment, figure out what you did wrong and make it right?

Just because you burned the casserole or the bread came out heavy. Don't give up! Learn from it! There is a Great Cook inside us all. Find your's and yank her out kicking and screaming!

Stale Bread?

2009-02-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Does your bread ever go stale, sitting on your counter too long? I would not think that with a family of 7 it would ever be possible for my bread to go stale. Boy was I wrong!

Luckily for me, I found a recipe for SOP SOUP in a stack of brochures that one of the companies sent me as promotional products. It was great! I was so impressed that I just could not wait to share it with everyone!

Sop Soup

2 Cups Stale Bread, cubed
2 T. Olive oil, divided
1/4 t. Sea Salt
1/8 t. Ground Pepper
1/4 t. Paprika
1 t. Garlic Granules
2 t. Basil
2 t. Oregano
1 Lg. Onion, sliced
5 Cups Water
5 T. Chicken flavored Broth Powder
1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

Combine bread cubes and 1 T. olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, basil and oregano. Saute until lightly browned. Set aside.

Heat 1 T. olive oil in a saucepan. Saute onion slices until lightly browned. Combine chicken flavored broth powder and water in a bowl and add to onions. Warm over medium heat, stirring until powder is dissolved and soup is hot. Add the bread cubes and gently heat for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Serves 4.

Hints:
You can also crisp the bread in the oven as opposed to sauteing it.
Try different types of cheeses, I really enjoyed it with Cheddar.
Saute Celery and Carrots with the Onions.

Car Problems

2009-02-07T11:30:00.002-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA lately. My best friends car has broken down and so it is now parked in my front yard so my husband can fix it. This requires things like repairing car lifts, buying extension cords for his air compressor and at least 3 broken tools so far! So I have had the job of running to have the lift repaired, replacing tools and picking up the extension cords. Not to mention that she is driving my van at the moment, which leaves me driving the truck. Not my idea of fun. But it all has taken up so much of my time that I have not had much of a chance to play in the kitchen. However, I do have some new and VERY exciting recipes coming up this next week! Just you wait and see!

Long Term Food Storage

2008-12-28T22:51:00.004-07:00

Make this year's New Year's Resolution to get your food storage together. Our wonderful Prophet's have been advising us for nearly thirty years to get our food storage together, not only to get us through the second coming but to get us through any hard times we encounter. This downturn in our economy would definitely be considered hard times for many of us. Jobs are being lost and there are not as many employers hiring. Families are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet and food, although a priority, is getting more and more difficult to come by.

For those of you already in this situation, can you imagine how much less stressful your struggles could be if you did not have to worry about how you were going to put food on the table? And for those of you with a family, can you imagine the extreme stress of not knowing how you are going to be able to feed your family, let alone pay the rent!

We just did that recently. My husband lost his job and we spent a quite a bit of time trying to live off my income alone. And honestly, I work for play money, my income does not come near being able to pay the bills. I could barely manage the mortgage! Fortunately, we had plenty of close family and friends that were able to carry us through these rough times, to whom I owe my deepest love and appreciation for all the kindness and love they showed my family.

However, it did make me think. What would I have done if I had not had my family to lean on? How would I have fed my family? How would I have paid the bills? The Church was a great help, but they can only do so much and what happens when no one has food and there is no one to help? I need to be able to take care of my own family. I can not always rely on the love and kindness of others.

So I started my long term food storage. I started small, just as soon as we got back on our feet. I purchased a bucket of wheat and an electric wheat grinder. I started by learning how to make bread out of fresh ground wheat. (It was actually much easier than it sounds.) Then I picked up a couple buckets of rice and a bucket of soup mix. I am slowly gathering things as I can and as money permits. I have a list and I keep track of what I have and what I still need. I have tried to make sure that I am only storing things that I can use and I make sure that I am using them so I know that next time I find myself in this situation, I can use what I have stored.

I would hate to find that I need it but have no idea what to do with it. So in my case, I store less shortening and more vegetable oil, because I don't use shortening much at all. And I decided to store almost double the recommended amounts of peanut butter and oatmeal because we eat a lot of both of those. And although it is not in the recommended list, I store Cocoa powder, because I just could not live without chocolate!

When all is said and done, I will most likely have spent in excess of $5000, which is a HUGE amount of money for me to just fork over. However, little bit, by little bit has not been that bad and I am already seeing the benefits. My food storage is growing as well as my peace of mind. I can take care of my own family!

Weight Loss

2008-11-23T21:16:00.002-07:00

I am really getting hooked on this natural/herbal remedies and with so much hype going into the newest, biggest, best diet pills, I thought this was worth throwing out there.
There are a few really good natural weight loss stimulants.

The first of which is Kelp and Seaweed. They are both high in iodine which can help to boost your metabolism by naturally helping your thyroid.

Ginseng is a natural energy booster and can help to boost your metabolism.

We hear all the time how good Green Tea is for weight loss. This is because of the caffeine content that could have an affect on boosting your metabolism and the antioxidants can't hurt either.

And last but not least is Cayenne or Chili Powders. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in Chili Powder, which is said to boost metabolism, help your body burn fat and boost your digestion.

So before you try a weight loss drug, try the natural way and see what happens.

Make Your Home Awe Inspiring! Make it Yours!

2008-11-16T13:45:00.005-07:00

It was a dark and gloomy night. As I sat in my sitting room listening to the rain on the shutters, I looked around. The curtains, tattered and torn, hung over the shabby couch. Lackluster furniture filled the room, illuminated by a single, dim bulb from the fixture in the center of the room.....

Although it sounds like the beginning to a great mystery, it is actually a page from my book of life. My furniture is decades old and has survived not only the family that had it prior to it being handed down to my family, but also my family of five active children. The couch is worn and shabby, the curtains tattered and torn. The lighting less than adequate and the carpets stained and worn. It was the room I least enjoyed spending time in.

But at that moment, looking around my house, I decided it was time for a change. Then I found it! The best redecorating website I have ever had the opportunity to experience! Just from their home page you know it's going to be good.

On the left hand side of the page there are articles you can choose to help you make the best decisions for your home. There are articles on everything from Green Design, designing your home in an earth friendly manner to ceiling domes to molding and everything in between. They have articles on things you would have never thought of before! It's not only a one stop shop for decorating your home, but a wealth of information at your fingertips!

Then moving into their vast array of product offerings, they have everything from wood carved crown molding, door handles and columns to furniture of all sorts. They are the one great source for architectural products, carved wood, hand crafted and hand painted home furnishings and beautiful home lighting. They have an oriental table that is beautifully hand crafted and painted to give your home that "one of a kind" look. Or columns, artfully sculpted to add dignity and class to your living area. The stair brackets they offer are something you never knew you needed, until you see them. It is just amazing to me how something so simple can make such an amazing difference in the look and feel of your home! They offer things that are usually far out of most people's budgets, but amazingly affordable through their site. It gives ordinary people the opportunity to have the mansion they have always dreamed of, complete with ceiling domes intricately carved and hand created wooden columns to add awe and inspire all who enter. Imagine your home with the decorative hardware and ornate woodwork normally found only in the homes of the rich and famous. Imagine being able to walk someone through your home and have them gasp at the articulate design and singular beauty of your home.

That is my dream. Ornate, intricate and handcrafted woodwork throughout my home. Singularly beautiful accent furniture and bright, inviting lighting fixtures to shed their beauty and warm my home. Pieces of furniture, table and lamps and decorative accents, moldings, corbels and columns to inspire awe in all that enter and create a feeling of warmth and turn of the century beauty in the one place that I spend more time than anywhere else, My Home.

Reaping the Rewards of the Hunt

2008-11-15T20:53:00.003-07:00

As hunting season dies down, some come away with a prize, other are left empty handed. This years hunt has seemed to be a productive one. I saw a couple of good kills one the opening day and many since. But now the guns, Nikon binoculars and orange vests are put away and you have more game meat than you know what to do with, what are you going to do?

Venison makes a great substitue for beef in almost any recipe. I have used it ground as meatballs (one of my favorite uses. The Marinara sauce really compliments the flavor of the venison). Stews are the norm and I have even used it in Hamburger Helper and Spaghetti. I have tried tacos but have not had any luck in that department. The taco seasoning seems to disagree with the flavor of the meat. Venison Enchiladas however are my husbands favorite. Here are some tips that I have used over the years to use reap the rewards of being a "Deer Widow" for a couple weekends each year.

Tip #1:

Remember that in the wild, Deer love eating fresh Bay leaves so cooking venison with bay leaves compliments the meat very well.

Tip #2:

German venison recipes often use fruits like cherries or are served with a cherry sauce. The gamy flavor goes well with certain acidic fruits.

Tip #3:

Aging will help dissipate the game taste and permit natural occurring enzymes to tenderize the tissues. Proper aging also firms the meat, giving it better cutting quality. Aging should be conducted between 32 - 35° F for 7 - 10 days. Never age at room temperature. Venison may be cut within 24 hours after the kill and still be acceptable for aging. Improper storage facilities increases risk for spoilage.

*From National Center for Home Food Preservation. http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/tips/fall/venison.html

Tip #4:

When you cook Venison, make sure you cook it slowly with very moist heat as there is very little fat in the meat to keep it moist and tender. Overcooking or cooking to quickly with dry out the meat and make it very, very tough. I really enjoy wrapping in bacon as a constant baster and periodically manually basting it with bacon grease or beef broth while it is cooking. It gives it a great flavor and keeps it moist and tender.

Tip #5:

When drying I have found that Citric Acid helps to keep the smell down and take away some of the gamy flavor in the jerky.

Can You Keep a Secret?

2008-11-15T15:38:00.004-07:00

How good are you at keeping a secret? Me, not so much. But when it comes to gift giving, I am a pro! I love giving but even more, I love surprising. I think the best one yet was when I was in the midst of my holiday shopping, my SIL told me about a stuffed puppy she had when she was just a child. It was her "Henry Dog". She has pictures of herself with Henry and her mother even painted a picture of her Henry dog for her. She loved him so much, but she believes that when her friend moved away, she took it with her. She never saw her beloved "Henry" again.

That was until the plot began.....

With the help of her sisters and mother, I was able to locate someone selling a Henry dog, just like hers. We made the purchase and within a couple of weeks the precious package arrived. With no knowledge of our escapades, she showed up to her parents house as requested by her mother. She started to think that something was up when three of us were standing at the top of the stairs taking her picture like the paparazzi when she walked in the door. She obliged us and sat down on the couch where she was presented with her new "Henry". She cried and laughed all at the same time. It was a great experience and one I hope to repeat many times in my lifetime.

But with that said, I want to know can you beat me? Do you have one even better? Is it worth $15,000??? Well, it just might be! eBillme.com is currently holding a contest for the best shop and confess video. They are giving away TONS of money with the Grand Prize at $15,000! That's a whole lot of money to continue your holiday shopping spree with!

Check out the YouTube video for more information...

Now if you are wondering why this is so important to me, I can win too. The blog that gets the most people to enter and refer their blog can win cash too. Not quite as much as you can win, but every little bit helps! So please, if you do enter, give me a referral and help me out. Good Luck and I can't wait to see your confession!

Paella; A Spanish Treat

2008-11-13T10:09:00.002-07:00

In high school I had a forigen exchange student in my class whom I became very good friends with. She was from Spain and she taught me so many wonderful things that she brought from her culture. But one of my favorites was the Paella that she made. I remember how the rice would be carmelize and the flavor was just wonderful! It was the first time I had heard of saffaron, let alone tried it.

Every now and then I will find myself craving the wonderful flavor and texture of Paella. I have tried making it myself a few times but with out the proper paella pan, and most likely the Spanish up bringing, it just never seems to come out the same. I can remember the aromatic, comforting flavor of hers and mine just never hits it quite on. And without the proper pan, I just can't get enough of the rice touching the pan so it just isn't the same. But for those of you who are better cooks than I, and those that have the proper cookware, or those of you that are just feeling like making something different, here is the recipe she gave me.

"Fill the bottom of the pan with olive oil. Heat until it pops. Add chunks of rabbit meat and cook until browned. Slice a red and green pepper and and chop a tomato and an onion. Remove the meat and add the veggies to the oil. Stir and don't let them burn. Add mashed garlic and salt and replace the meat. Pour two bowls of rice in to the pan and cover with 5 bowls of meat broth. Add saffaron strings and cover. Cook until all the broth has been absorbed. Serve it warm."

Just some notes on the above, I use chicken as rabbit is rather hard to come by around here and Saffaron strings are rather expensive but well worth it if you want to make this dish. It is what gives it that authentic flavor. Enjoy!

Healthy Grilling

2008-11-03T00:26:00.002-07:00

If it is cooked on the grill, I love it. I don't really care what it is, I love it! Veggies, steak, hamburger, Salmon, heck! even hot dogs! But I have been noticing that grilling is not always the healthiest option. However, I have found some simple methods to make healthy grilling a reality in my home year round.

To start with, in the summer time when I am outside, using my big grill, I used to use Bacon grease to grease the grates. It added a wonderful smell and a great flavor to the food. However, I have found that coconut oil is a much healthier alternative and gives the BBQ a Luau flair. On the other hand, olive oil works great as well, with out a strong smell or flavor. So the true flavor of my meat is the star of the show!

For indoor grilling, pans and griddles are so way out! All that grease that collects around and absorbs back into my food is just out of the question! I use counter top grills that allow the grease and drippings to drip off into a catch tray, leaving my food healthier and as flavorful as ever. Again, I will use coconut oil or olive oil to prep the grill to prevent sticking.

Enjoy!

Weight Loss Drugs

2008-11-03T00:03:00.003-07:00

Well, I don't agree with it, but if you have got to do it, at least do your research. Do not depend on what I or any other unqualified, non-professional has to say! Take the time to seek out and ask the experts. I found that the Mayo Clinic did not find too much wrong with the wildly popular weight loss drug alli, in fact, they found it to be rather effective, from what I gathered. But again, do not take my word for it, look it up yourself and do your research! But I will add my disclaimer right now, I feel very strongly that the only true way to weight loss and true beauty is by regular exercise and a healthy diet. I don't believe there to be a drug that can make you lose weight and still maintain your god given beauty.

How to Clear Up Acne

2008-11-02T23:24:00.003-07:00

I have noticed lately that I am getting older. It's something that rather snuck up on me. I have always felt very young and very alive. Suddenly I am feeling older, slower and slightly achier. The joints hurt when I get up and by the end of the day I am beat. It definitely true, I am not as young as I used to be. If only my skin would catch up too! Who has ever heard of a grown woman having acne outbreaks??? Well, that is one thing that I have not yet grown out of. Nope, those nasty little zits just pop up whenever and wherever they feel like! Fortunately for me I found this post with great ideas on how to get rid of acne. It really has some great information!

"I am getting greener and greener and the funny part is I used to laugh at all the "tree huggers" and think they were ridiculous. Now I am finding myself agreeing with them alot more now than ever. I find myself leaning towards things that are more natural and natural cures is at the top of my list.

As a 30 year old woman, I am finding that I am still struggling with a slight case of acne. Nothing heavy and nothing that would cause me to wear tons of make-up, but a pimple here and there and once in awhile, one that gets really ugly and is a bit embarrassing. So I started looking for natural acne cures. Things that don't break my budget and help me be more natural. Here is what I found on Buzzle.com. I can't verify any of it, but I will let you know if any of it works, because I will definitely be trying some of it.

"Some Natural Anti-Acne Products you will find in the market Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Zinc, and Vitamin A are some natural products that have been used with some success to cure Acne. A word of caution about 'natural' skin care items. They often contain certain chemicals for preservation purposes. Some of these may not be advisable for you if you're pregnant or have certain special health considerations. As mentioned, it is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any therapy.

Tea Tree Oil - Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It is very effective against Acne as it contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes. Acne is often caused by bacteria and the Terpenes either outright kill them or weaken them enough to be destroyed by protective antibodies. There are very little side effects from using Tea Tree Oil.

Aloe Vera - The watery gel from Aloe Vera plant is also a highly effective natural cure against Acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be taken internally and helps clean up and detox the digestive tract. This in turn can help clear up the skin.

Zinc - Zinc is taken in the form of capsules. It helps to strengthen the human immune system and to repair the skin.

Vitamin A - Vitamin A tablets are also a natural and effective Acne cure. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E also helps in countering Acne. It is a natural antioxidant and beneficial for the skin. Vitamin E comes in soft gelatin capsules that contain Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, and Water.

Some Natural Homemade Cures to counter Acne - The most important thing to do if you suffer from Acne is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking a lot of water is very beneficial to your skin. Including fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet will also bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion.

Before bathing, apply a mixture of tomato pulp – real tomota pulp, not packaged one – honey and rose-water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off.

At night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerine, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.

Regular Yoga exercises will also improve skin and overall health."

My New Pride and Joy

2008-11-02T23:16:00.002-07:00

For my birthday, I received the best gift I have ever been given. This beats out my 35mm Nikon 360 by just a titch. This year my mother got together with my father, in-laws, grandparents and step-father to get me a brand new Nikon D80 Digital Camera. It was top of the line when I got it (of course, the very next weekend they came out with a bigger, better version! But that's okay, I am totally lovin' my D80). It has a huge screen and shoots in tons of different modes. I can finally take a photography class and be able to "play" with all the ideas they throw out! It has the tiniest 1gbmicro sd card too. It is so incrediably small that I could lose it in a heartbeat! Isn't it amazing how small things can be and stll hold 1gb of memory!?! I can't wait to start playing!

Relaxing Times A'Coming!

2008-09-04T12:34:00.002-06:00

I am so excited with this new job! Not only do I enjoy it, but it should finally give us enough money to build my quiet room off my bedroom, fix the deck and add the shed and garage that we have been talking about! The lady told me she would pay me $15 per hour, which is great! That is just what I need. It certainly makes adding an extra 24 hours of work to my already busy week, very, very worth it. Hopefully I can be as good for them, as they are for me!

Most of all, I am just excited to get my quiet room. Something the doctor prescribed to me nearly a year and a half ago. Peace and Quiet. Relaxation. My room will be just off my bedroom with french doors, white tile from floor to waist height and windows all the way around. I want lots of plants and a comfey hammock chair where I can kick my feet up and read a good book. Where I can let the cares of the world just melt away and the stress of the day can wait at the door. I'm telling you, I just can't wait!

Baby Time

2008-09-04T12:29:00.002-06:00

At work, there is this darling gal that I work with. She is 8 months pregnant and getting ready. We are having a baby shower for her coming up soon and I can not decide what to get her. She works at a Kitchen Needs store and she loves to cook so I can't imagine getting her anything for the babys food, I am pretty well sure she has that covered! But I want something different, I want to find unique baby gifts, something you don't see everyday. Those were my favorite baby shower gifts. I remember getting a formula holder. You could measure out the exact amount of formula for a single bottle into each of three divided sections. It made it so easy as I was always on the go. I loved the baby diaper cakes when they first came out, but they are getting a bit overdone now for my taste. But the "baby fridge" I got was another of my favorites, it was a small, insulated cooler to keep baby bottles warm while not at home. But my all time favorite gifts were the embroidered blankets with my baby's name. Those are keepsakes right there. So, that just might answer my question right there.

Company Shirts

2008-09-04T12:24:00.002-06:00

I loved the company shirts that we had when I worked at the R.V. dealership. They let us choose the style of shirt we liked and then they had their company name and logo embroidered on it. We had to pay for the shirts but the company paid for 30% because they were company logo shirts. It identified us as employees and yet allowed us to have our own style. I wish the new company I worked for did the same thing. Right now, we all wear anything we like and then have to wear aprons. It is after all a Kitchen store and there is plenty of ways to get completely filthy! But I just think it would be great to have aprons with the company name and logo embroidered on them or even better, personal company shirts.

Car Problems

2008-09-04T12:20:00.002-06:00

I know of way too many people having car trouble lately. My friend T just took her car in to have it fixed. She had broken the strut bar clean through. But the worst part was, she was still driving it around! Thank goodness she got it fixed finally!

Then the fuel pump and steering rack went out in my babysitter's boyfriends car and I had to advance her $150 to get her Jeep licensed and registered.

Luckily for me, mine are running fine for the time being. Knock on wood! I don't know that I could handle car problems right now. I already have computer and job issues!

Icebox Dessert

2008-08-23T16:03:00.000-06:00

I remember family get togethers with my Mother's family. Every year my Aunt Maryann would make a wonderful thing that she called Icebox Dessert. Unfortunately, after her husband passed away unexpectedly, she stopped planning the get togethers and the Icebox Dessert became little more than a memory for me. Lately we have been getting together again but it has been nearly 20 years and with these new get togethers I have yet to see another one of these desserts surface. So I finally decided to call her and request the recipe for myself. It took her some time to find but she did and now I have the recipe to pass down to my children.

You will need:

16 oz. pkg. graham crackers
2 (3.5 oz.) pkgs. instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups whole milk
2) 8 oz. tub frozen cool whip, thawed

Mix the 1 tub cool whip, pudding mix, and milk in a medium bowl until well blended.

Place a layer of whole graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13" baking pan to cover the bottom completely. Spoon half of the pudding mixture evenly over the crackers. Repeat with another layer of crackers and remaining pudding mixture. Top with the last tub of coolwhip.

Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours to allow it to set. Makes 14 servings

Just Relax

2008-08-22T13:23:00.000-06:00

More and more people are finding themselves off on Fridays, but whether you have the day off or are required to work, Friday has become a frantic end to the work week. People try to shove the last bit of paperwork, housework, chores or errands into the last 24 hours allotted to them before banks, stores, companies and clinics close for the weekend.

This Friday should be different. Start your weekend today by looking at your to do list and cutting out three things. Take three things that can wait until Monday and put them aside. Then take a huge glass of Iced Tea or Lemonade, a good book and a comfy chair and spend an hour doing nothing.

I promise you, when you start doing "something" again, you will be much more relaxed and capable of handling anything that comes your way.

Cantelope Peach and Lime Smoothie

2008-08-21T09:48:00.000-06:00

Cantaloupes are one of the most difficult fruits to find uses for, aside from eating them plain and simple, which happens to be one of my favorite past times! I remember as a young girl, sitting in my Great Grandmother's garden with a spoon in one hand and a fresh cantaloupe in the other. Nothing is better on a hot summer day. Nothing that is except maybe this wonderfully cold smoothie!

You will need:
1 Lime, 1/2 teaspoon zested and 2 tbsp juiced
2 Cups Cantaloupe cut into pieces
1/3 Cup Fresh Peach Slices
2 Tbsp Honey
4 or 5 Ice Cubes

In a Smoothie Blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth and frothy. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy immediately.This recipe makes only one glass. Double or triple to make as much as you need.

Forced Green

2008-08-20T08:31:00.000-06:00

Forced Green is my pick for Blog of The Week because it is something that is on my mind day in and day out lately. "Living a natural life in an industrial world" as she puts it. I have been so worried lately about the food I eat, the vehicles I drive, the cleaners I use and the medicines that I take. Is it really all for the best? Is there something that I can do?

At Forced Green she takes a closer look at our ever changing and industrialized world and does what she can to make a difference. Then she shares the information she get with the rest of us through a very candidly written blog that pulls you in from your first read.

Some of the posts that she has written lately that I enjoyed the most were, Renewable Energy Storage which talks about utility companies taking closer looks at using and creating renewable energy and her thoughts on how to best accomplish that. Another post that I really, really liked was her post For the Future, From the Past where she starts out talking about the basics of root cellars. This caught my attention because I am currently in the process of creating a root cellar in our backyard to preserve our vegetables from our garden. But then she takes the lessons learned from using a root cellar and turns it around to make a point that our society has sorely missed over the last 50 some odd years. I won't spoil it for you, take some time to read it for yourself. It really is an eye opener.

So if you find yourself out cruising the World Wide Web, take a minute to stop by her little corner of the blogosphere. It will be the best use of the next twenty minutes of your life. :)

Keeping it Close to Home

2008-08-19T08:28:00.000-06:00

Have you looked around your city lately. Where can you go that you have never been before. Where I am, we are blessed to have the majority of the National Parks at our doorstep. Most less than a days drive. Have I visited them all. Not even close! There are great places for children in the very state that I live in and I have never taken them there either.

So here is my travel tip for this week. Find somewhere close to home, somewhere you can drive to in less than 4 hours. Book a hotel near there and take your family this weekend for a Close to Home Family Getaway. Enjoy your own Town!

Getting Your Kids To Help

2008-08-18T09:08:00.000-06:00

Small things can make a huge difference around your house and getting your children to help with the small jobs so you can tackle the harder ones is not as difficult as it sounds.

First thing you need to do is make it fun. Put on some music and teach your child to dance while they work. It's great exercise and the time will fly by.

Make it easy. This sounds a lot easier than it actually is. But get cleaning wipes for them, rather than having them try to wet, wring and rinse a rag.
Use a Swiffer with moping cloths instead of having them handle a real mop.

Find small chores that don't take any more than 5 minutes. Have them vacuum the stairs or fold the couch blanket. Then let them play for awhile before requesting something else.

Here are some easy chores that any walking child can accomplish:

Wipe down doorknobs and light switches.
Mop the floor with a Swiffer.
Wash a window
Rinse dishes. (I would not have them load the dishwasher until they are older)
Wipe out the sink.
Wipe a wall (most of the dirty finger prints will be at their level anyway.)
Sweep a floor. (with a small hand held broom and dust pan, almost any child can do this once they have been shown how.)
Vacuum anything. Kids love to vacuum especially if they can use the hose. I have my littlest ones vacuum the stairs with the hand held Dirt Devil and the edges of the hallway with the hose.They love it!
Folding blankets and towels is a great chore for little ones if you are not too picky.
Taking out the trash, if they can reach the big can.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas to get your little ones involved in cleaning early on. This will avoid lot of future struggles! Happy Day!

The Fudge Craving!

2008-08-16T08:38:00.000-06:00

This week I had the fudge craving hit me like a ton of bricks! I have been craving the creamy, rich chocolate that you can only get from a piece of fudge. Now the problem is I am hugely picky when it comes to fudge. It's either right or it's wrong. There is no in between. Strangely enough however, one of the simplest recipes, when concocted correctly is enough to satisfy not only my connoisseur nature but also my colossal craving. But like I said, it has to be done correctly!

This Recipe comes directly from the Recipes Cache of Kraft Foods

Fantasy Fudge

Prep Time:
10 min

Total Time:
25 min

Makes:
3 lb. or 40 servings, about two squares each

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine

1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.)

1-1/2 pkg. (12 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped

1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme

1 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts

1 tsp. vanilla

LINE 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside. Place sugar, butter and evaporated milk in large heavy saucepan. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.

ADD chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla; mix well.

POUR immediately into prepared pan; spread to form even layer in pan. Let stand at room temperature 4 hours or until completely cooled; cut into 1-inch squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

***A couple of things to remember about this recipe, like I said, it has to be made perfectly to come out right. First and foremost, measure the ingredients exactly. It's much more important than you might think. Second; keep the heat down. You have to have enough heat to get it to a rolling boil and get it up to 234°F, however, you don't want to do it too fast or you will end up with grainy fudge. NOT a good thing! Last but not least; make sure you get it to the 234°F. If you don't it will not set properly.

Now, enjoy the end of the week and satisfy your chocolate craving! Yummy!

Cool Dinners for Lazy Summer Nights

2008-08-15T12:22:00.000-06:00

I love the heat and hate the cold, but when it gets this hot, it's just too much. So by the time dinner rolls around, I am hot and tired and I have no interest in eating something hot, let alone cooking it! So I have found this pasta salad with chicken, pasta, grapes, pineapple and cashews to be the perfect meal on a hot summer night. Even my children love it, and that's saying something!

Bowtie Rotelli Pasta and Chicken Salad

1 Box Bowtie Pasta, boiled
1 Box Garden Rotelli (this adds great color and flavor!), boiled
2 Lbs. Red Seedless Grapes
1 Cup Chopped Celery
1/2 Cup Chopped Green Onions
1 Can Pineapple Tidbits
3 Chicken Breasts, boiled, diced and cooled.
1/2 Cup Cashew Halves, (I prefer salted)
1 16oz. Bottle Hidden Valley Coleslaw Dressing
1 Cup Mayonnaise

In a small bowl combine the Coleslaw Dressing and Mayonnaise, whisk to mix well. In a large, (very large) bowl, combine all other ingredients. Pour the Mayonnaise and Coleslaw Dressing mixture over everything and mix well. Serve immediately.

This recipe make WAY more than my family can eat in one meal but it saves very, very well in the fridge. Just cover and store it in the fridge. This goes wonderfully with a cold Lemonade or a Sprite and Sherbet Punch.

Diet and Exercise vs. The Easy Way

2008-08-12T12:51:00.002-06:00

You will hear doctor after doctor tell you that Diet and Exercise are the only way. Yet everyday you see new diet pill popping up and cha-ching, cha-ching, the money starts flowing into yet another diet pill. I would like to see a long term study that shows whether or not it is possible to find diet pills that work or if people are just throwing their money to the wind. The diet pills I have seen work for a short period of time but before long, it's over. In my opinion, it is a lifestyle thing. You need to make the time for exercise, you need to make the effort to eat right. McDonald's is NOT the answer, no matter how quick and easy they are! Movement, activities, regular exercise routines and healthy eating have got to be better than chemically treating every aspect of your life!

Health Care in the US

2008-08-12T12:40:00.002-06:00

I do believe that something needs to be done about the Health Care system in our nation, but what? Ruters did a study that ranked the Dutch Health Care system as the best in the world, our's? Dead last! The worst! Does that surprise anyone? Not me. State by state, Hawaii ranks #1 in the US. Utah, number 24. Health insurance is not the greatest either. NC health insurance can be expensive and hard to get. Unless you are sponsored by a company, an insurance company can deny you for any reason they choose. As I watch the political campaigns I hear them throwing around the war and gas prices and every once in awhile throwing in something about needing to reform Health Care, but what are they actually going to do about it? I don't think they really have any ideas. Personally, I think they need to take some tips from the Dutch, since they are ranked as the best in the world. But then my opinion doesn't count, it doesn't come with a $1M price tag.