Friday, February 25, 2011
1001 WAYS TO COOK SOUTHERN: THE ULTIMATE TREASURY OF SOUTHERN CLASSICS
Let me begin by saying that I am obsessed with Paula Deen. I really want to believe that I am her ultimate, biggest fan. Kipp and I are even planning on going to Paula's new restaurant at Harrah's Cherokee Casino just so I can eat there. So, needless to say, I have all of her cookbooks. It is very rare that I use any other cookbooks but I must say, I like a lot of the Southern Living cookbooks. I have purchased a few of them and at the moment, I'm loving this one. The front cover says, "The ultimate treasury of Southern classics - fresh flavors, wholesome ingredients, quick cooking techniques, and beloved food traditions." I must say, it really has all this. I also love the pictures throughout the book of the dishes. I have made quite a few of the recipes and I have only had one not turn out so good. It was the basic sugar cookie. It could have been the cook, but I like to think it was the recipe. All the other recipes I have tried have been really good. My family especially liked the quick Chicken and Dumplings. It was really tasty and enough for leftovers.
I purchased mine at Sam's Club for $13.00 less than the cover price, but Barnes and Noble has been carrying it for the same price I paid at Sam's.
So, if you are in the market for a really good, Southern cookbook, I highly recommend this one. I give this book 5 sparkles and a snap because I like it so much.
Hope you get to try it!
Niki
Friday, February 11, 2011
Earth Fare
To get your free dinner for four from Earth Fare, click here:
http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home/Invite-Friends/Featured/Weekly-Message_2-9_Chicken.aspx
For those of you who live near Athens or frequent Athens.......... YOU'VE GOTTA GO TO EARTH FARE!
If you are trying to eat healthy, look at their:
NO High-Fructose Corn Syrup
NO artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives
NO antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones or animal by-products in the feed (fresh meats & milk)
NO bleached or bromated flour
NO irradiated single source spices, produce or meat
NO animal by-products in foods
NO inhumane treatment of the animals providing us with dairy, meat, and eggs
So, basically you can go in the store, pick up anything and KNOW that it is good for ya! That's my kind of store. It can get pricey..... but it is do-able. You can sign up to receive coupons and they also have weekly FREEBIES! The store in Athens has such an earthy feal! Plenty of samples available! It's a must go to store, even if it is just to check out. They offer lots of promos too! The last time I went, I was able to turn in my jelly (high fructose corn syrup), soda(high fructose corn syrup), salad dressing (hydrogenated oil), peanut butter (hydrogenated oil) and leave with their brands for free! It didn't even matter if the products i turned in were almost empty.
Take a look around their website, see if there is an Earth Fare in your area and go visit them!
They are awesome!
Tara
http://www.earthfare.com/Welcome-Home/Invite-Friends/Featured/Weekly-Message_2-9_Chicken.aspx
For those of you who live near Athens or frequent Athens.......... YOU'VE GOTTA GO TO EARTH FARE!
If you are trying to eat healthy, look at their:
The food we sell at Earth Fare is as close to the ground as it gets, which means we have high standards for what goes on our shelves.
NO hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (added trans fats) Partially hydrogenated oils are chemically manipulated liquid oils that are solid at room temperature. Hydrogenated oils are typically sold as shortening and margarine. They are found in hundreds of packaged grocery products and are used to increase the shelf life and stability of foods. Hydrogenated oil creates dangerous fats known as trans fats. If hydrogenated oils are present, you will most likely see “partially hydrogenated oils” listed on the label. Trans fats have been shown to increase LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood, lower HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood, cause heart disease or strokes, and contribute to diabetes.
NO High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a clear, colorless, highly processed liquid. HFCS is used as a sweetener in many processed foods because, thanks in part to large agricultural subsidies to the corn industry, it’s cheaper than sugar.
The corn industry tells you that HFCS is ok "in moderation." What they don’t tell you is that consuming HFCS “in moderation” is nearly impossible with foods from a normal grocery store. Check your labels and you’ll see that HFCS is everywhere – in foods including ketchup, bread, granola bars, flavored yogurt, and more.
Research has shown that unbonded fructose (like what is found in HFCS) may be bad for us. It has been linked to excess fat buildup, leptin resistance, ghrelin suppression, and increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While these research studies were not performed specifically with HFCS, a recent study was conducted by Princeton University using HFCS. This study suggests that HFCS may contribute to increased weight, increased abdominal fat, and increased triglyceride levels in the blood more rapidly than table sugar.
The corn industry tells you that HFCS is ok "in moderation." What they don’t tell you is that consuming HFCS “in moderation” is nearly impossible with foods from a normal grocery store. Check your labels and you’ll see that HFCS is everywhere – in foods including ketchup, bread, granola bars, flavored yogurt, and more.
Research has shown that unbonded fructose (like what is found in HFCS) may be bad for us. It has been linked to excess fat buildup, leptin resistance, ghrelin suppression, and increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While these research studies were not performed specifically with HFCS, a recent study was conducted by Princeton University using HFCS. This study suggests that HFCS may contribute to increased weight, increased abdominal fat, and increased triglyceride levels in the blood more rapidly than table sugar.
NO artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives
For centuries, humans used natural preservatives like salt, vinegar, and sugar in order to preserve and improve the tastes of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. The 20th century brought us artificial ingredients to replace these tried and true ingredients.
Artificial means not natural. Most artificial ingredients are derived from petroleum, coal, tar, or corn processing. Artificial ingredients were introduced into the food supply in order to extend shelf life and reduce the cost of food.
Artificial ingredients have no nutritive value, and could exacerbate ADD, ADHD, and autism symptoms. There is also evidence that artificial ingredients could be toxic to your health in other ways. For example, artificial sweeteners have been linked to migraines, weight gain, and possibly cancer.
Artificial means not natural. Most artificial ingredients are derived from petroleum, coal, tar, or corn processing. Artificial ingredients were introduced into the food supply in order to extend shelf life and reduce the cost of food.
Artificial ingredients have no nutritive value, and could exacerbate ADD, ADHD, and autism symptoms. There is also evidence that artificial ingredients could be toxic to your health in other ways. For example, artificial sweeteners have been linked to migraines, weight gain, and possibly cancer.
NO antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones or animal by-products in the feed (fresh meats & milk)
Synthetic growth hormones became popular during the 20th century because they accelerated weight gain in beef cattle so that the cows could get to market faster. Most conventional beef cattle in feedlots are given growth hormones. While growth hormones are most effective when given in the ear, most ranchers give the injections into the muscle, which means that more of the hormone makes it into the food we eat.
In dairy cows, synthetic growth hormones shorten the lifespan of the cow threefold while only increasing milk production by 10 to 15%.
In dairy cows, synthetic growth hormones shorten the lifespan of the cow threefold while only increasing milk production by 10 to 15%.
NO bleached or bromated flour
Bleaching flour involves using chlorine gas to artificially age and whiten flour, which gets it to the shelf faster. When chlorine gas is added to flour, it reacts with some of the proteins in the flour. This reaction produces a by-product called alloxan, which has been shown to correlate with diabetes in rats and mice. Bleaching flour also robs the flour of many nutrients, including healthy unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins.
Bromated flour is treated with potassium bromate, a maturing agent which allows for the development of gluten in dough to make the dough stronger. It also whitens the flour. Given time to age, flour will naturally whiten, and gluten levels will naturally improve.
Bromated flour is treated with potassium bromate, a maturing agent which allows for the development of gluten in dough to make the dough stronger. It also whitens the flour. Given time to age, flour will naturally whiten, and gluten levels will naturally improve.
NO irradiated single source spices, produce or meat
Food irradiation is a process by which food is exposed to ionizing radiation. The purpose of irradiation is to kill bacteria. It also is used to slow down natural decay and extend the shelf life of food. Food irradiation has been shown to delay the ripening of many fruits and the sprouting of many vegetables. It can be used to sterilize packaged meats, poultry, and poultry products.
Bacteria can survive the irradiation process. Irradiation gives producers the belief that they have a "safety net" at the end of the process. In turn, many producers feel as if they can take health shortcuts because everything will be "cleansed" during the irradiation process.
Bacteria can survive the irradiation process. Irradiation gives producers the belief that they have a "safety net" at the end of the process. In turn, many producers feel as if they can take health shortcuts because everything will be "cleansed" during the irradiation process.
NO animal by-products in foods
Animal by-products are any part of the animal considered not fit for human consumption. This includes animal brains, stomachs, necks, feet, bones, heads, intestines, or feathers. Animal by-products are used because they are considered a cheap source of protein. There are no quality standards for animal by-products. Much of what goes into animal by-products has been presented to the meat packing plant as dead, dying, diseased, or disabled. Animal by-products are most commonly found in animal feed, pet food, medicinal products, and cosmetics. Animal by-products have been linked to diseases in animals, including mad cow disease. Diseased by-products could lead to diseases in pets.
NO inhumane treatment of the animals providing us with dairy, meat, and eggs
So, basically you can go in the store, pick up anything and KNOW that it is good for ya! That's my kind of store. It can get pricey..... but it is do-able. You can sign up to receive coupons and they also have weekly FREEBIES! The store in Athens has such an earthy feal! Plenty of samples available! It's a must go to store, even if it is just to check out. They offer lots of promos too! The last time I went, I was able to turn in my jelly (high fructose corn syrup), soda(high fructose corn syrup), salad dressing (hydrogenated oil), peanut butter (hydrogenated oil) and leave with their brands for free! It didn't even matter if the products i turned in were almost empty.
Take a look around their website, see if there is an Earth Fare in your area and go visit them!
They are awesome!
Tara
Friday, January 28, 2011
Metro PCS
Ok, I know some of you call Metro PCS (metro Piece of S&#!) but I ABSLOUTELY LOVE THEM!
I am not one to keep up with minutes! I like to talk when i want to talk! Period! I like to text when I want to text! Period. I like to websurf when I want to. Period!
Some say the service is crappy, but personally I have never had any problems. I have had LESS dropped calls than when i was on Verizon and Sprint. I hear people fine and people can hear me fine.
The way the plan works is you pay a monthly fee ( mine is around $45) that includes UNLIMITED mintues, texting and web browsing . This price never goes up! If it is $45, it is $45, no more..... it's set in stone baby! There are no contracts. You receive 2 text regarding your bill. One about a week before and one a couple of days before to remind you to pay. You can pay over the phone, in a store, or by mail. You DO have to buy the phone from Metro unless you have a phone which can be flashed.
Here is a link to their page which explains the plansMetro PCS plans
The plans are nationwide I think. When my husband travels out of state, we can usually communicate unless he is out in the middle of no where!
I never understood paying for minutes! What a load of BS! Their is no telling how many thousands of dollars we wasted on other cell phone providers. Unless someone better than Metro PCS comes along, I WILL NEVER SWITCH! Verizon can keep their network! Sprint, AT & T, and T-mobile can all keep thier catchy phrases, CONTRACTS and over priced services!
I give Metro PCS 5 sparkles and a snap (with attitude)
Can ya hear me now???? Yep on Metro!
Tara
Ok, I know some of you call Metro PCS (metro Piece of S&#!) but I ABSLOUTELY LOVE THEM!
I am not one to keep up with minutes! I like to talk when i want to talk! Period! I like to text when I want to text! Period. I like to websurf when I want to. Period!
Some say the service is crappy, but personally I have never had any problems. I have had LESS dropped calls than when i was on Verizon and Sprint. I hear people fine and people can hear me fine.
The way the plan works is you pay a monthly fee ( mine is around $45) that includes UNLIMITED mintues, texting and web browsing . This price never goes up! If it is $45, it is $45, no more..... it's set in stone baby! There are no contracts. You receive 2 text regarding your bill. One about a week before and one a couple of days before to remind you to pay. You can pay over the phone, in a store, or by mail. You DO have to buy the phone from Metro unless you have a phone which can be flashed.
Here is a link to their page which explains the plansMetro PCS plans
The plans are nationwide I think. When my husband travels out of state, we can usually communicate unless he is out in the middle of no where!
I never understood paying for minutes! What a load of BS! Their is no telling how many thousands of dollars we wasted on other cell phone providers. Unless someone better than Metro PCS comes along, I WILL NEVER SWITCH! Verizon can keep their network! Sprint, AT & T, and T-mobile can all keep thier catchy phrases, CONTRACTS and over priced services!
I give Metro PCS 5 sparkles and a snap (with attitude)
Can ya hear me now???? Yep on Metro!
Tara
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Laser Hair Removal
Shaving is such a PAIN! At least it is for me. I'm already rushed enough in the morning and have no extra time for shaving! I'm one of those people who can shave their legs, underarms, or where ever first thing in the morning and by the afternoon i've got stubble! It makes me mad sometimes, because I have friends who can shave and they are good for 2 days! What's up with that!
After months of contemplation and trying to decide if I wanted to spend the money on laser hair removal, I came across a billboard on my way to work advertising laser hair removal. And for a VERY GOOD PRICE. I thought, "hmm, is this a scam? why is it so cheap?" I called, spoke w/the owner and felt very comfortable after our conversation. I made an appointment. Lynn (the owner) consulted with me, then we got started with my 1st treatment.
The "body part" shall remain nameless! She gave me some glasses to wear, took some really cold gel, placed it on the area/s and then started zapping away. It felt like a little sting.... not bad at all....waxing hurts worse than this did.
I've been back for 2 additional treatments and can tell a difference. The hairs are becoming more sparse,not as thick, and starting to disappear. I've still got 3 more treatments to go. I CAN NOT WAIT TO BE HAIR FREE!!!!!!
"Laser hair removal has become one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Laser hair removal utilizes beams of highly concentrated light designed to selectively penetrate into the hair follicles, to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicles and to destroy the hair within that hair follicle."
I will give another review and final rating once i've had all my treatments...... it's just that i'm so excited with the results i'm seeing now!
Overall I give Laser Hair Removal 5 sparkles and a snap! I would definitely reccomend this to a friend!
If you are in the Atlanta area and interested in laser hair removal or possibly other cosmetic procedures please visit BellaDerma MedSpa to learn more..... oh and mention you saw this on 2 Blondes with a Blog! Maybe she'd throw ya a discount.
Here's to "no more razors",
Tara
After months of contemplation and trying to decide if I wanted to spend the money on laser hair removal, I came across a billboard on my way to work advertising laser hair removal. And for a VERY GOOD PRICE. I thought, "hmm, is this a scam? why is it so cheap?" I called, spoke w/the owner and felt very comfortable after our conversation. I made an appointment. Lynn (the owner) consulted with me, then we got started with my 1st treatment.
The "body part" shall remain nameless! She gave me some glasses to wear, took some really cold gel, placed it on the area/s and then started zapping away. It felt like a little sting.... not bad at all....waxing hurts worse than this did.
I've been back for 2 additional treatments and can tell a difference. The hairs are becoming more sparse,not as thick, and starting to disappear. I've still got 3 more treatments to go. I CAN NOT WAIT TO BE HAIR FREE!!!!!!
"Laser hair removal has become one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Laser hair removal utilizes beams of highly concentrated light designed to selectively penetrate into the hair follicles, to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicles and to destroy the hair within that hair follicle."
I will give another review and final rating once i've had all my treatments...... it's just that i'm so excited with the results i'm seeing now!
Overall I give Laser Hair Removal 5 sparkles and a snap! I would definitely reccomend this to a friend!
If you are in the Atlanta area and interested in laser hair removal or possibly other cosmetic procedures please visit BellaDerma MedSpa to learn more..... oh and mention you saw this on 2 Blondes with a Blog! Maybe she'd throw ya a discount.
Here's to "no more razors",
Tara
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
KEURIG
I have found something I love almost as much as I love lip gloss and that is saying a lot! It’s the Keurig! I purchased the Keurig Special Edition Home Brewing System – B60 about two months ago. It is described as “just 3 easy steps to choose, brew and enjoy your favorite coffees and teas.” You use the K-Cups for brewing. These are individual cups with a big assortment of coffee strengths, coffee flavors, different flavors of tea, etc. The Keurig brews one cup of coffee or tea at a time. It takes only seconds for your cup to be brewed. I love that!
I can see some disadvantages. One would be the cost of the K-Cups. This can get costly if you or your family drink a lot of coffee. However, they have a My K-Cup that you can purchase (mine came with one) that allows you to fill it with your own coffee. Then the individual K-Cups wouldn’t be necessary. Some may not like the fact it only brews one cup at a time. Some may think they are too costly. They range in price from $109.99 – $169.99. Just depends on the model you prefer and each does something a little different. Grocery stores and Super centers are starting to carry a large variety of the K-Cups but not all the varieties that are available. Bed, Bath and Beyond carries the largest selection. Any of the K-Cups can be ordered online.
Overall, I simply love this machine. Therefore, my rating for the Keurig out of 5 sparkles is……
Quality – 5 out of 5
Product – 5 out of 5
Ease of Use – 5 out of 5
Cost – 4 out of 5
Would I purchase again or recommend to a friend – absolutely!
OVERALL – 5 SPARKLES AND A SNAP
Until the next review,
Niki
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Neturogena Healthy Volume Mascara
I saw this mascara in the store and was immediately impressed with the wand. This mascara is described as “instantly builds lash volume by 400%”. I was sold because I’m always on the hunt for a great volume-building mascara.
After trying it a few times, I’m just not impressed. I feel it gives you more natural looking lashes. The plus side is there is no clumping and it has a conditioning formula.
If your looking for a volume-building mascara, this is not a good choice. I typically really like Neutrogena products, but was let down with this one. Therefore, my rating for this out of 5 sparkles is……..
Product – 3 out of 5 (only because it would be a good natural mascara)
Quality – 4 out of 5
Would I purchase again or recommend to a friend – No
Overall 3 sparkles...
Glamorousiciously yours,
Niki
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