&
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& one more...
I don't know how long these great offers will last so...hurry over to the ones your interested in!
Because, hey, we can all use a little free stuff once in a while!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Like FREE SAMPLES? I do! Here's a Few Just for YOU!
Just thought I'd share a free sample offering I just took advantage of courtesy of my online subscription to ALL You Magazine's daily free sample calendar:
Friday, March 4, 2011
Gooseberry Patch Fan? Like "Free"? Oh Yum~Oh Yeah!
I just downloaded twenty five free recipes from Gooseberry Patch to my computer (because I don't have a Kindle) . I don't know how long this free offer will last but the recipes look like winners!
Sneaky Fiber (or Adding More Fiber to Your Family's Diet on the Downlow)
My sweet hubby & DD have delicate *ahem* systems. I hate that. I have a stomach of steel (and not of the "six pack" kind unfortunately). I can eat and eat and eat some more (and usually do /-: ). I keep urging them (mostly my DD-she's a teen. Hubby is, well...a grown man...I try not to "mama" him too much) to have more fiber, eat more fruit, veggies & HEALTHY stuff. Not give up the goodies altogether, just find a bit more balance (that girl has been known to subsist on Cocoa Puffs for a few days running -*no hate mail please-I normally refuse to by sugary cereals but one day, she got me. And on another day, she fluttered her eyelashes at her daddy when they were at the grocery store together.). Anyway, since that doesn't seem to be happening, I decided to take on a super secret covert mission: sneaking fiber into food.
I know, it's not a new concept to most Mama's. Sneaking good stuff into recipes. But with the fiber situation, I've found a super easy way to do it (besides making fiber rich recipes): Metamucil Clear & Natural. I've been trying to make more of our sweet treats rather than buying the convenient premade kind and soooo I just add teaspoonful or so to my cookie doughs, quick breads and cakes. I also add it to main dishes like soups & casseroles and bread doughs and...oh, just about anything that the powdery stuff can be added to & get lost in the mix.
Don't worry, I'm not overdosing my family on fiber~heaven forbid~that could backfire on me (no pun intended). Just giving them a little boost in the right direction. Although, from my research, there is no official rda of fiber but "official guidelines" advise 20-25 grams per day for men and women. And yes, I know it's best to get your fiber from natural sources like beans, fruit & veggies which we all have access to around here on a regular basis.
The benefits of getting enough fiber in your daily diet are many, a few of which are:
*helping in weight loss endeavors
*helping to keep us feeling full
*lowering blood cholesterol levels
*preventing constipation (be sure to drink plenty of water!)
What's not to like?
Do you have any special ways or recipes you use to boost your and your family's daily fiber intake?
I know, it's not a new concept to most Mama's. Sneaking good stuff into recipes. But with the fiber situation, I've found a super easy way to do it (besides making fiber rich recipes): Metamucil Clear & Natural. I've been trying to make more of our sweet treats rather than buying the convenient premade kind and soooo I just add teaspoonful or so to my cookie doughs, quick breads and cakes. I also add it to main dishes like soups & casseroles and bread doughs and...oh, just about anything that the powdery stuff can be added to & get lost in the mix.
Don't worry, I'm not overdosing my family on fiber~heaven forbid~that could backfire on me (no pun intended). Just giving them a little boost in the right direction. Although, from my research, there is no official rda of fiber but "official guidelines" advise 20-25 grams per day for men and women. And yes, I know it's best to get your fiber from natural sources like beans, fruit & veggies which we all have access to around here on a regular basis.
The benefits of getting enough fiber in your daily diet are many, a few of which are:
*helping in weight loss endeavors
*helping to keep us feeling full
*lowering blood cholesterol levels
*preventing constipation (be sure to drink plenty of water!)
What's not to like?
Do you have any special ways or recipes you use to boost your and your family's daily fiber intake?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A Bit of This & That
It's back in the 20's this morning! I know the northeners are laughing at us down here since this is nothing out of the ordinary for them but we are just not used to it! I am trying to enjoy it since, in the balmy days of summer I will be wishing for some of this chill! It seems the older I get though, cold doesn't invigorate me like it used to, it makes me want to climb under the coziness of my big ol' fluffy comforter & hibernate!
I have plans today to make some yummy, crispy peanut butter cookies from the recipe that I've been using for years now. Those will be for the kids. And I want to make a sugarfree cheesecake for myself. But first, I must brave the winter winds to go "fetch" some eggs & other necessities. Brrr. I don't wanna! *she whines*
I have really been on a roll as far as shopping goes. I have been trying to freshen up my makeup & purchase some items that will help me organize our "stuff" a bit better.
I'll be the first to admit, I don't need all the nail polishes and lip glosses I've bought lately but it's innocent fun and Ari & I are enjoying it. She especially enjoyed the new Hello Kitty fragrance she got the other day! She's a Hello Kitty nut!!! And now she's into unicorns and I was able to score some Pure Ice nail polish in "unicorn colors" (according to her-the real name is "Cheatin" or "Cheating", I can't remember). It was a perfect match to a Nicole OPI polish color of which the name I can't remember either. It is a beautiful pink & purple glitter color though. She also got the WetnWild nail polish "Hannah Pinktanna" since she LOVES Hanna Montana (and is so sad to see the show go ): )
I received my cosmetic brushes from QVC a couple of days ago and I'm not sure if I'm loving them or not. They are the Mark V Pro Brush Set in Bone and they received rave reviews but, they don't feel as soft against my skin as I would like. I plan on using them another day or two to see if some of the stiffness will work itself out (???~if that's even possible) and then may return them. I do find I love the way the concealer brush works though, just to be fair. They are the most beautiful pink color! I am torn.
I'm off to take care of my daily "tasks". I have a bit of housecleaning to do, a package to run to the post office, groceries and some Avon orders to sort and prepare for delivery.
Make it a great day!~TJ
I have plans today to make some yummy, crispy peanut butter cookies from the recipe that I've been using for years now. Those will be for the kids. And I want to make a sugarfree cheesecake for myself. But first, I must brave the winter winds to go "fetch" some eggs & other necessities. Brrr. I don't wanna! *she whines*
I have really been on a roll as far as shopping goes. I have been trying to freshen up my makeup & purchase some items that will help me organize our "stuff" a bit better.
I'll be the first to admit, I don't need all the nail polishes and lip glosses I've bought lately but it's innocent fun and Ari & I are enjoying it. She especially enjoyed the new Hello Kitty fragrance she got the other day! She's a Hello Kitty nut!!! And now she's into unicorns and I was able to score some Pure Ice nail polish in "unicorn colors" (according to her-the real name is "Cheatin" or "Cheating", I can't remember). It was a perfect match to a Nicole OPI polish color of which the name I can't remember either. It is a beautiful pink & purple glitter color though. She also got the WetnWild nail polish "Hannah Pinktanna" since she LOVES Hanna Montana (and is so sad to see the show go ): )
I received my cosmetic brushes from QVC a couple of days ago and I'm not sure if I'm loving them or not. They are the Mark V Pro Brush Set in Bone and they received rave reviews but, they don't feel as soft against my skin as I would like. I plan on using them another day or two to see if some of the stiffness will work itself out (???~if that's even possible) and then may return them. I do find I love the way the concealer brush works though, just to be fair. They are the most beautiful pink color! I am torn.
I'm off to take care of my daily "tasks". I have a bit of housecleaning to do, a package to run to the post office, groceries and some Avon orders to sort and prepare for delivery.
Make it a great day!~TJ
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Old Man Winter is Blowing Hard Down Here!
This morning on our way to Ari's school, it was 23 degrees! I know in many parts of the country that is not so cold, but for us, IT"S COLLLLDDDDD!!!! It's supposed to stay this way for a few more days. Truth be told, I love it! We don't get many days down here to wear actual winter clothes. (I guess that's why I saw so many at my dd's school this morning sorely under dressed and shivering against the brutal cold wind.)
Update: Well THAT was Wednesday, today there is ice on my car, school has been cancelled and hubby went back to bed after checking what the conditions were like. I know it's crazy cold all over the country, but for us, we don't get a whole lot of days like this.
About our week~Monday after school, Ari & I had to go to the Vitamin Shoppe so on the way home we stopped into Juarez Produce Market. I love shopping in places like that! They carried more than produce, and the prices were hard to beat. There's another ethnic market I want to explore nearby one day soon. I think it's more of a Thai type grocery store. There's so many things that we don't see in our typical American grocery stores in the ethnic markets, that it make for a learning adventure in addition to just "grocery shopping".
When the weather gets back to normal, I'm going to take my new pink Schwinn out for a spin. I got it for Christmas and between my foot being in the post op shoe and the c-c-c-cold, I have not ridden it once! Also, I have promised Dollface some way overdue walks. She going to turn from a wiener dog into a corn dog if she doesn't get some exercise soon.
I have been going makeup crazy lately! I just had to get some new nail polishes and lipsticks. They were on sale after all and a girl can never get enough pink lipsticks and new hot & happenin' nail polish shades!
Well, I'm gonna wrap this up and go enjoy my day!
Update: Well THAT was Wednesday, today there is ice on my car, school has been cancelled and hubby went back to bed after checking what the conditions were like. I know it's crazy cold all over the country, but for us, we don't get a whole lot of days like this.
About our week~Monday after school, Ari & I had to go to the Vitamin Shoppe so on the way home we stopped into Juarez Produce Market. I love shopping in places like that! They carried more than produce, and the prices were hard to beat. There's another ethnic market I want to explore nearby one day soon. I think it's more of a Thai type grocery store. There's so many things that we don't see in our typical American grocery stores in the ethnic markets, that it make for a learning adventure in addition to just "grocery shopping".
When the weather gets back to normal, I'm going to take my new pink Schwinn out for a spin. I got it for Christmas and between my foot being in the post op shoe and the c-c-c-cold, I have not ridden it once! Also, I have promised Dollface some way overdue walks. She going to turn from a wiener dog into a corn dog if she doesn't get some exercise soon.
I have been going makeup crazy lately! I just had to get some new nail polishes and lipsticks. They were on sale after all and a girl can never get enough pink lipsticks and new hot & happenin' nail polish shades!
Well, I'm gonna wrap this up and go enjoy my day!
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Lotta Shopping!
I've been spending a lot of time this week...well...um, spending. Mostly on cosmetics since it's been a while since I updated some things. Of course, since I sell Avon, I started there because I know and love so many of the products! I got the new MagiX Illuminator pen which I am loving! And I am prepping my next order as I type.
Then, Ari & I hit up Sally's Beauty Supply for some incidental items, blush (Sally Girl in Flushed~LOVE the color!), Shimmer Stripes (Sally Girl-very inexpensive brand but works well), Beautique lipliner in Dusty Rose (pretty!), eyelashes & glue. (I'm gonna have to take the glue back since I picked up the wrong kind ): )
We also roamed around Burkes Outlet & I got a new red wallet (a lady once told me that she heard if you carry a red wallet you would never be broke!), some pretty sterling silver dangle pearlesque type earrings, and some new face washcloths.
A quick trip inside the Dollar Tree for something, and I walked out with a couple of Maybelline lip polishes in Purple Passion and A Pinch of Pink and a CG Shadow Squease in Chocolate Latte.
Of course Ari had to go to the mall and at Forever 21, the nail polishes were calling my name. I wasn't sure about buying them since I had never tried their makeup before but she assured me she would be happy to take them off my hands if I didn't care for them! The colors I got were Black/Fuschia, Lavender & Nude~all very pretty in the bottles but I haven't actually had a chance to try them out yet.
I love department store cosmetics as well but have absolutely no problem trying less expensive brands if I don't care for them. There's always someone in my life that would be more than happy to help me out in taking things I don't like and there's always the Women's Shelter nearby that I know can put those "treasures" to good use.
On the home front, I've made a couple of yummy batches of whole wheat french bread, managed to kill an attempt at sourdough starter (without yeast) and am trying to organize a bit around here. I purchased one of those closet shelf/shoe organizer thingys and a few bins (for under the bathroom sink and cabinet shelves) and a basket (for my hair tools & accessories) to get the ball rolling.
I'm also giving the "Dr. T's" diet a try again. I did it a day or two before and lost a little over four pounds but I guess my head just wasn't wrapped around it. Mike stuck with it and lost somewhere between 20-30 pounds~so proud of him! Especially since it seemed to help bring his high blood pressure down)I'm into day three and so far, so good. I have added a bit of fruit to squelch my sweet tooth and we'll see how it goes. I'm so aggravated that I gained back the 15 pounds that I had lost last summer...arghhh!
Today, I have a few errands to run, some Avon to deliver and a daughter to pick up from school. It's gonna be a great day! I hope you enjoy yours!~TJ
Then, Ari & I hit up Sally's Beauty Supply for some incidental items, blush (Sally Girl in Flushed~LOVE the color!), Shimmer Stripes (Sally Girl-very inexpensive brand but works well), Beautique lipliner in Dusty Rose (pretty!), eyelashes & glue. (I'm gonna have to take the glue back since I picked up the wrong kind ): )
We also roamed around Burkes Outlet & I got a new red wallet (a lady once told me that she heard if you carry a red wallet you would never be broke!), some pretty sterling silver dangle pearlesque type earrings, and some new face washcloths.
A quick trip inside the Dollar Tree for something, and I walked out with a couple of Maybelline lip polishes in Purple Passion and A Pinch of Pink and a CG Shadow Squease in Chocolate Latte.
Of course Ari had to go to the mall and at Forever 21, the nail polishes were calling my name. I wasn't sure about buying them since I had never tried their makeup before but she assured me she would be happy to take them off my hands if I didn't care for them! The colors I got were Black/Fuschia, Lavender & Nude~all very pretty in the bottles but I haven't actually had a chance to try them out yet.
I love department store cosmetics as well but have absolutely no problem trying less expensive brands if I don't care for them. There's always someone in my life that would be more than happy to help me out in taking things I don't like and there's always the Women's Shelter nearby that I know can put those "treasures" to good use.
On the home front, I've made a couple of yummy batches of whole wheat french bread, managed to kill an attempt at sourdough starter (without yeast) and am trying to organize a bit around here. I purchased one of those closet shelf/shoe organizer thingys and a few bins (for under the bathroom sink and cabinet shelves) and a basket (for my hair tools & accessories) to get the ball rolling.
I'm also giving the "Dr. T's" diet a try again. I did it a day or two before and lost a little over four pounds but I guess my head just wasn't wrapped around it. Mike stuck with it and lost somewhere between 20-30 pounds~so proud of him! Especially since it seemed to help bring his high blood pressure down)I'm into day three and so far, so good. I have added a bit of fruit to squelch my sweet tooth and we'll see how it goes. I'm so aggravated that I gained back the 15 pounds that I had lost last summer...arghhh!
Today, I have a few errands to run, some Avon to deliver and a daughter to pick up from school. It's gonna be a great day! I hope you enjoy yours!~TJ
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Root of the Matter
It's been a while since I've posted. Truthfully, I had becomed discouraged with blogging (and other things but that's another post). I toyed with shutting the whole thing down. After some soul searching over the matter, I decided the problem was that I had gotten away from my original intentions with this thing, and that was to just use it for a daily journal type format. Ya' know, my life & stuff. I had allowed myself to want to do things like other bloggers. The swaps, the this, the that...oh I don't know...all that. It's easy for me to go chasing the next shiny thing that catches my eye so I'm not surprised that I did that.
So, I've decided to get back to that "root".
From now on, life, my life.
And I'll start today, right now with this interesting (ha) tidbit:
right this very minute I'm doing what is called "oil pulling". I read some great things about it. Whether it works or not, I don't know. I'm going to experiment with it since I'm not happy with my gum health. I don't like the process frankly, it's kind of disgusting in my opinion but, I'll give it a whirl.
Then I'll take Ari to school and Mike for the procedure he's having for the pain in his hips.
I got the stitches out of my right foot yesterday & the nurse said I could try wearing tennis shoes in a week. I can't wait. I'd rather be wearing other types of shoes but I take the sneaker over this post op shoe any day. It slows me down and is just awkward. I plan on taking a break for a month or so and then having the pins taken out of the left foot. I'm glad I had the surgeries done but it has taken the better part of the past year dealing with it. Sigh.
Off to make it a great day!
So, I've decided to get back to that "root".
From now on, life, my life.
And I'll start today, right now with this interesting (ha) tidbit:
right this very minute I'm doing what is called "oil pulling". I read some great things about it. Whether it works or not, I don't know. I'm going to experiment with it since I'm not happy with my gum health. I don't like the process frankly, it's kind of disgusting in my opinion but, I'll give it a whirl.
Then I'll take Ari to school and Mike for the procedure he's having for the pain in his hips.
I got the stitches out of my right foot yesterday & the nurse said I could try wearing tennis shoes in a week. I can't wait. I'd rather be wearing other types of shoes but I take the sneaker over this post op shoe any day. It slows me down and is just awkward. I plan on taking a break for a month or so and then having the pins taken out of the left foot. I'm glad I had the surgeries done but it has taken the better part of the past year dealing with it. Sigh.
Off to make it a great day!
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