Thursday, June 9, 2011

15 Recipes to Make Before You Die | MyRecipes.com

I've made thirteen out of the fifteen. The reason is simple, Créme Brûlée and the Cream Puffs just don't appeal to me.
15 Recipes to Make Before You Die | MyRecipes.com

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Care for the Hair

During this busy Holiday month don't forget to care for the Hair.

Natural Deep Conditioning Treatments for your Hair

Hair professionals suggest you deep condition your hair once a week. I totally agree. My hair looks and feels fabulous ever since I started deep conditioning it once a week.

I have tried several at home recipes (no need to buy the expensive stuff or to go to your hair dressers to get it done. Unless of course you enjoy going to your hair dressers for the deep conditioning treatments).

Here are my favorites.

1. Hot Oil (Olive Oil and/or Almond Oil): I sometimes mix the two or I use them separately. Use enough oil to cover your head. It really depends on your hair length and thickness. I put the oils in a small microwave safe bowl and heat it for a few seconds. Oil should be warm not hot. You don’t want to burn your scalp. I know "why do they call it Hot Oil"?

Work the oil into your dry hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. The take a towel and wrap that around the cap/bag. Leave on for 20 minutes.

Shampoo the oil out and you're done.

Other oils you can use.

Avocado oil

Coconut oil

Jojoba oil

Shea oil

2. Mayonnaise, Olive Oil or Almond Oil and Egg Yolks: I use 1 1/2 Cups room temperature Mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp of oil and 3 egg yolks. ( you may need to adjust the amount of mayonnaise depending on the length and thickness of your hair.) Wisk together.

Apply to dry hair. You can comb it through with a wide tooth comb. Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag (you don’t need to but I do because it can get messy). Leave on for 20 mins.

Shampoo the mixture out and your done.

3. Mayonnaise and Avocado: I use 1 1/2 Cups room temperature Mayonnaise and 1/2 an avocado. Combine the two until smooth and creamy.

Apply to dry hair. You can comb it through with a wide tooth comb. Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag (you don’t need to but I do because it can get messy). Leave on for 20 mins.

Shampoo the mixture out and your done.

4. Hot Oil (Olive Oil and/or Almond Oil) and Egg Yolk. Just like number 1 above but I add two egg yolks (I have long hair. If it was short I would only use 1 yolk).

Remember oils needs to be warm not hot. You’ll end up with scrambled eggs.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The amazing benefits of a good nights' sleep!

Sleep what a wonderful thing. Here's an articles to let you know how wonderful it is.

By Susan Koranki
We all know that we feel better after 8 hours of zzzz's, but the reasons behind that feeling of well-being are not so well known.

After a long, tiring day, the idea of climbing into bed can seem like heaven. But for many of us, life is so busy, that sleep has become a 'luxury', the first thing we cut back on when time-crunched.

However, sleep ISN'T an luxury, it's an absolutely vital, and integral part, of a healthy lifestyle - it's a NECESSITY!

Do you know that if you didn't sleep at all, you would actually die? Surprised? Well, it's true. Of course, going without sleep altogether isn't on anyones' 'To Do List', but we rarely see anything wrong with burning the candle at both ends.

Surely we can get by on 5 hours a night? Bill Clinton reportedly doesn't need much sleep, neither does Martha Stewart, Margaret Thatcher, or several other famous people.

While these high-profilers (and a small percentage of other 'regular folks', overall less than 10% of the population) seem able to function perfectly well on the bare minimum (and below), the majority of us pay a serious price for our self-imposed sleep deprivation.

Here are some of the varied and much-needed benefits of sleep.....

Repairs body tissues at a cellular level, and helps to combat the effects of stress, pollution, infection and more.

Keeps your heart health and strong by lowering levels of stress and inflammation in your body, and lowering blood pressure and heart-rate.

Lowering levels of stress hormones in your body. High levels of these hormones is believed to increase the aging and degeneration of your organs and cells.

Improves memory and cognitive function. The organization and storing of memories takes place during sleep. If you're short of sleep, your memory suffers.

Helps us to learn new skills. Research done by the Harvard Medical School concluded that REM sleep seems to be essential for learning how to do things. 'Sleep on it' takes on a whole new meaning now!

Helps control body weight by regulating the hormones that affect your appetite.

These are just a few of the most amazing benefits of getting a good nights' sleep. There are many others that are less obvious, but just as important when it comes to the quality of our daily lives.

When we don't get enough sleep, we pay a price both physically and mentally, but that's not the only fallout from our shortened nights.

Our friends, families, social networks, workplaces and more are all affected. When we're tired we are short-tempered and impatient, emotional, volatile and sometimes hostile or aggressive. Our mental and physical reactions are slower and our chances of being involved in a traffic or work-related accident increase, while our immune system function decreases. All in all, a recipe for disaster!

Statistics show that over 30 Million Americans suffer from insomnia; healthcare and medications for people suffering from insomnia costs the US government well over $14 BILLION dolllars a year; absenteeism and lowered productivity due to insomnia costs US industries over $150 BILLION dollars a year; and the National Sleep Foundation research show that sleepy drivers are involved in about 100,000 vehicle accidents every year. Frightening statistics aren't they?

So, do you still think sleep is a luxury? I doubt it, but what are YOU going to actually do about it? Whatever you decide, you can't ignore the fact that the benefits of sleep are something you need to make the effort to bring into your life.

There is no prize for being the most sleep-deprived member of your family or workplace, 'busy-ness' is not a badge of honor and sleeping is not laziness of a waste of time. These are current-day myths that we need to recognize as such, if we want to turn the tables.

If you usually only manage 5 or 6 hours a night (or less), you're building up a considerable 'sleep debt' that will need to be repaid at some point, in some way.

To improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, you need to move sleep to the top of your 'To-Do' list and re-organize your priorities. It really is THAT important!

Susan Koranki
To learn more about the benefits of sleep, how to overcome common sleep disorders, remedies and treatments, why we dream and a whole lot more, visit http://www.better-sleep-better-life.com

Monday, November 8, 2010

Today I will...

take my vitamins. I don't know why I forget all the time. Anyone have some good tips on how to remember?

Friday, November 5, 2010

Shelf Life and Cravings

I came across stilltasty.com in search of the shelf life for raisins. Craving for oatmeal raisin cookies hit hard. But now I'm feeling like peanut butter cookies. Maybe I'll make both.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Today I will...

Today I will take four fifteen minute breaks throughout the day to do some sort of exercise. I feel like dancing! One down.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

What's for Dinner?

Bigoven.com has got to be one of my favorite cooking/recipe sites when looking for something to make for dinner. Since I found this site I'm not wasting as much food as I use to. Check it out. You can thank me later.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Happy Tuesday!

Trying something new here. If you're like me and love sharing and learning new tips and tricks then I invite you to join in.

To add your link all I ask of you is to:

1. Leave a tip or trick in the comment box here (click on the Post a tip/comment link below). Could be anything to do with beauty, fashion, cooking, children, etc...

2. Add the Tip Tuesday button to a post on your blog letting your readers know you've participated in "Tip Tuesday".
You do not have to carry this button on your side bars. You are welcome to if you want.

3. See a tip you like, visit the blog of the blogger that posted it and let them know by following and leaving them a message on their blog.

4. If you receive a new follower return the favor by following them back. The more blogs you visit the more followers you'll receive.

Happy Blogging!

Click the button to Participate.
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Other blog hops I've joined:

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To-the-TOP Tuesday


Post Your Tip/Comment Here

Tip Tuesday

To add your link all I ask of you is to:

1. Leave a tip or trick in the comment box here (click on the Post a tip/comment link below). Could be anything to do with beauty, fashion, cooking, children, etc...

2. Add the Tip Tuesday button to a post on your blog letting your readers know you've participated in "Tip Tuesday".
You do not have to carry this button on your side bars. You are welcome to if you want.

3. See a tip you like, visit the blog of the blogger that posted it and let them know by following and leaving them a message on their blog.

4. If you receive a new follower return the favor by following them back. The more blogs you visit the more followers you'll receive.

Happy Blogging!

Blog to Fabulous





Post Your Tip/Comment Here





Today I will...

Today I will only have one cup of coffee. I will drink green tea in it's place.

Down 3 lbs.!

Happy Monday everyone!

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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Instant Facelift - Tips and Tricks I've tried or plan on.

At forty these tips are coming in handy. I'm a collector of tips and tricks. I'll try almost anything until I find something that works.
My three favorite tips for an instant facelift are

Eyebrow shaping. Groomed eyebrows give the illusion of lifted lids.

Keep your mascara light and don't add mascara to your bottom lash. Heavy Mascara age your eyes.

Apply a little cream highlighter to the top of your cheekbones, browbone and the inside corner of your eyes.

Would love to here your tips and tricks.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Back to Normal!

So shortly after I returned from my vacation we find out our house sold and we have three weeks to find a new place and move. I have to say I never thought we would have been able to do it but we did. It's been a crazy couple of months but I'm glad it's over. I'm ready to move on and get back to normal.

Right before all of this I was going to start a weekly weigh in but of course the events in the last couple months put a dent into those plans. As well as any kind of eating healthy (can you say stress eating). So I just took the dreadful step on the scale and I'm up. Not as bad as I thought but still not good.

We are fully moved in and I do not have any more excuses so I'm back to eating healthy and going to the gym. I'm looking forward to it!!! Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Need a Vacation from my Vacation


Had a fabulous time visiting with friends and family. Spent most of my time in the Napa valley. I just love, love, love it there. The wine, the food and most important my family.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Attention Bloggers


The Department of Transportation has asked American Bloggers to spotlight the critical importance of staying sober behind the wheel this Independence Day.

Together We Can Spread the Message
Don't Drink & Drive
July 4, 2010

1. Simply pledge your driving sobriety this Independence Day by noting your blog URL and blog name.

2. At the bottom of this “Blog Hop” you will see text in which you can grab the code for this McLinky. Simply click the link and copy and paste the code into your very own blog post’s HTML section. Then click “compose” and copy and paste this pledge, adding your own message to the top as I did above. Copy the pledge from “together we can stay alive” above.
3. Follow the host Hollywood Chic [-first on the linky-] of this Independence Day Pledge for more information on the Department of Transportation, Buzz Driving, and Stats.
Also an optional badge was created to spread greater awareness and linked to this pledge, please wear it proudly until July 5, 2010 when this pledge will close.
This is a Blog Hop! 60 entries so far... you're next!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Hot in Cleveland is Fun!



Hot in Cleveland is a keeper. The characters are a riot and I love the ladies that play them. Anything Betty is in I will watch. The writting is clever and with only two episodes in I'm hooked.

Plot: Hot in Cleveland revolves around three fabulous L.A. women of a certain age who are best friends (Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick). Their lives are changed forever when their plane -- headed to Paris for a girls-only celebration -- unexpectedly lands in Cleveland and they soon rediscover themselves in a new 'promised land'. Loving their new home, the women find themselves living under one roof and battling the sassy caretaker (Betty White) of the property they have rented.

Check it out and let me know what you think?

Happy Friday!

Smart and Trendy Moms

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Anytime Exercises

So, I've been trying out a new way to get some exercise in without actually setting a block of time to do it. I just started it on Monday and my legs are feeling it today.

I’m the type of person that if I don’t go to the gym or do any of my exercise tapes first thing in the morning. I just don’t get around to doing it. I’m already dressed for the day, I’m just too busy now, I’m too tired. The excuses continue….

I’ve been trying to fit in as many different exercise moves that I can think of while doing my everyday things.

♥ While I wash the dishes I’ve been doing squats (why my legs are sore).
♥ While waiting for things to download on my computer I do air punches.
♥ While watching TV I’ll do some arm exercises with my hand weights. As well as few different cardio moves. Jumping Jacks, Leg lifts, running in place. I usually do it on my mini trampoline.
♥ While putting groceries away I’ll lift the heavy items, like I‘m lifting my hand weights several time before putting the item away.
♥ I do my stretching in bed. I try to do it first thing in the morning and right before I go to sleep.
♥ My favorite thing to do is just start dancing with my daughter. We always end up out of breath and laughing. Best way to put a smile our faces.

Does anyone else have any great exercises or tips I can add to my “Anytime Exercise” list?

Sunday BBQ

Just got invited to a Sunday BBQ. So I went to "my new best friend" for some cute outfit ideas.







I didn't even notice the blue theme until I saw the looks together. Well I know I will be wearing something blue.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Shopstyle = My New Best Friend

I need some kind of inspiration when it comes to clothes. I tend to wear the same thing over and over again. I just love the site Shopstyle and some of the creative sets that are created there. This is a great way for me to add some spark to my look.

Here's a few of my favorites.


I love this dress and the shoes.


Love the shirt. Don't see myself wearing shoes like those, but you never know. Maybe one day.


This reminds me of Charlotte from Sex and the City. Cute!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Summer!

So not only did I have a busy work season I also decided to go back to school. What was I thinking? Loved it most of the time. Stressed the rest of the time. Was even thinking about going to summer school and halfway through the semester I axed that idea. It definitely can wait until fall. Between family, work and school all other extra activities have been put on hold. My social life... well I forgot I had one. I have not read a book (besides for school) since last year. Oh the plans I have for this summer... It's good to be back.

Friday, January 29, 2010

TGIF

I can't believe how much time has past since my last post. I work in the entertainment industry and it's "pilot season" for us which means "no extra time season" for me. I'm not complaining I love it. I just have to get up a little earlier to workout and stay up a little later to get stuff done around the house (if I get around to it).

Next Friday is the final weigh in for BYMO. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New Year, New Me - "I Can"

I'm not big on New Years resolutions, never have been. When I was younger I never followed through with any of the resolutions I made so I just stopped making them. But and I know I'm not suppose to start with but, but I think not only am I going to make a New Years resolution I'm going to make several. This past year I've really accomplished more then I've ever thought possible. I've lost fifty pounds. I started exercising a little over a year ago and I haven't thrown in the towel. I like myself again. I have faith now that I can follow through with my resolutions.

My new years motto is "I can"

This is what "I can" do...

1. Continue to eat healthy. - Easy "I can" so do that.

2. Continue to exercise. - Easy "I can" so do that.

3. Put myself on a Budget. - Not so easy but "I can" do that.

4. Follow through with school. I'm going back to school if Feb. I'm really excited about this but I am also a little scared I might be taking on to much. - "I can" do that.

OK, I so can do all that.

Here are a few other fun things I want to do this year for myself.

1. Each month I'm going to buy myself a new cute sweatsuit. I mostly work from home and I pretty much live in sweats. None of them match. Some are too big, some have holes. Even if I'm not leaving the house I don't want to dress like a slob anymore. So on New Years Eve I'm going to take all my old frumpy looking sweat pants, jackets, etc... and throw them away (if they are just too big and still in good condition I will donate them). Out with the old.

I won't spend a whole lot since I'm still losing weight but by the end of the year I'll be able to buy really good quality sets that will last me a long time.

3. I have this cookbook that is full of yummy really fattening, high calorie not so good for you recipes. This next year I'm going to go through the whole 497 page cookbook and make healthy versions of some of the recipes. I'll post them here to share with you. Some of the recipes are meat and I don't eat meat but my husband and daughter do so I can make it for them and have them tell me if I did good or not. If possible I'll make the meat recipes without meat or use substitutions. Also the recipes with fish I'm not sure if I'll do. I don't like fish not even cooking it. This should be fun. I love to cook and I love to eat.

2010 it's on!