Slider

Review: Colorwear

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Review by: Cynthia

The Mountain’s® new Colorwear brand of wearable art promises more fun than a human being should have on a T-Shirt. Choose from over 150 captivating designs by wildly popular coloring book artists Valentina Harper and Angelea Van Dam (aka Hello Angel). This unique line of creative apparel features eight categories of tees to inspire your own, personal style.

Our reviewer Cynthia says:

"I grew up in an age of no computers so I spent lots of time coloring which I loved.  Now at age 70, I am back to coloring again, only this time it is T-shirts.  As a person who enjoys various crafts, the Colorwear T-shirts are a great way to have your very own personal T-shirt. The T-shirts come in a great variety of lovely designs and sizes. The shirts are preshrunk, colorfast and of a good quality cotton.  These T-shirts would also make great gifts for family and friends."







Create your wearable masterpiece today. Simply choose your design and let your imagination go wild! (You can even color outside the lines, if you want.) Join them as they rock the crafter world with an exciting new way to wear art. 

Review- The Mountain ( T-shirt)

Review by: Cynthia


Who doesn't love a comfy t-shirt?
The Mountain® has been in business for over 30 years and printing T-Shirts for over 21 of those years.  A little known fact that started over 20 years ago is that their artists receive royalties on every shirt sold. So you are supporting their artists, their families and their ability to keep creating as well!

Our reviewer Cynthia reviewed one of their T-shirts for our site choosing the Grumpy Cat t-shirt to review - ( of course my camera does not capture the true colors in the shirt but they are wonderful!)




She says: 
"I think Grumpy cat is adorable!  Of course, I would say that ,having three spoiled cats.  The Mountain T-shirts are just purr-fect for anyone, the choice of designs is so wide and varied, that you will want to buy most of their collections.  I love the big, bold designs, perfect life like colors and the quality of the cotton preshrunk shirts is excellent."

Environment friendly too, The Mountain® uses only environmentally friendly water-based inks and Dyes. Their way of insuring all of their manufacturing processes fully protect earth, air and water.

Their shirts are 100% preshrunk cotton (even the thread that holds it together is cotton). If washed according to our label instructions, in cold water, your shirt stay at the same size as when you purchased it! And we love clothing that not only looks good, and comfortable, but holds it's shape and stays the size we bought it at with no shrinkage.

Thumbs up for a quality product at a great price.

Look At What Will Get Your Kids Outdoors to Play This Spring/ Summer

Tuesday, July 26, 2016


The weather outdoors is wonderful. Now is when kids should be playing outside. It is a fun time of year and there are a lot of activities kids can do outdoors and great new products that allow kids to have more fun with outdoors.

Kids can play in their backyards with many different toys. There are so many products and activities that children can have fun with and enjoy outside. It is great for kids to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air while getting some exercise and also having fun playing too. Here are some ideas on things that will keep kids occupied and that they will love to play with.


Educational Insights-
(GeoSafari Jr. Bugnoculars)




The Big Idea
Little scientists can catch and observe critters, leaves, flowers, and more in this bug-friendly, kid-cool, transparent container. It’s perfect for STEM learning!

Shhh...They’re Learning!

  • Ideal tool for young entomologists and explorers
  • Encourages outdoor exploration and hands-on scientific discovery
  • Perfect for STEM learning

Cut to the Chase

  • Kids can safely get an up-close view of bugs, flowers, leaves, and more with this transparent, lightweight, breathable container
  • Includes soft, rubber-grip handles and snap-lock lid with air holes
  • 2 Comfortable 3x magnification eyepieces on lid
  • 2 Additional 2x magnification lenses on the side of the container


VTech® Kidizoom® SmartwatchDX -





The VTech® Kidizoom® Smartwatch DX is an even smarter watch for kids with more fun games and activities!

Features:
·         Durable kids’ camera that captures vivid images
·         Creative photo effects, frames and filters
·         Video and voice recorder with voice-changing effects
·         Generous internal memory that stores approximately 1,600 images or 23 minutes of videos
·         Three fun activities, five games, three action challenges, a motion sensor and a pedometer for active children, providing more play value than ever before
·         Light-up driver button activates fun phrases, music and sounds
·         Cool new 3D clock faces with 50+ digital and analog watch displays
·         Time-telling app, timer, alarm, calculator and calendar included
·         Rechargeable battery
·         Micro USB cable for data transfer and battery recharging
·         Access to VTech’s Learning Lodge™ for additional games, watch displays, photo effects and more
·         Choice of Midnight Blue and Vivid Violet colours
·         Splash-proof, kid-friendly design  

Age recommendation: 4-9
MSRP: $69.99

Available at Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Sears, Best Buy, Indigo, and Amazon.ca


1965 VW Camper Van Kids Tent-

The VW Kids Campervan play tent is a cool, scaled down retro replica of the iconic 60s VW Bus. Officially Licensed by Volkswagen, every detail is inspired by the original 1965 Split Screen VW Campervan. This is a perfect indoors and outdoors play tent, just what every hip and happening kid needs on the beach or in the backyard this year. Easy pop-up tent, no pegging or complicated instructions. Simply take it out of its carry case and pop it up!
Suitable for children aged 3 and above.




** Watch this spot for more great ideas for kids play.











Today's Winner

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Our draw today:
and our winner:
comment # 227

** Winner has been contact and has 7 days to reply before a new winner is selected-
thank you to all who entered!

July is National Baked Bean Month

Wednesday, July 20, 2016



For those that didn't know, July is National Baked Bean Month.
Baked Bean Month is most fitting for July when we have bbqs as well, since baked beans go great as a side with those BBQ's or those family reunions this year. Great as a side with hot dogs, burgers, steaks and more.Their actually the 3rd most eaten side dish food even when cooking out! They can even be cooked on the grill.

Baked beans are also high in protein and contain more fiber than most whole grain foods.

Our favorite baked bean when we are in the USA snow birding is BUSH’S Baked Beans. When in Canada check them out in your local Walmart. Flavors including: Original, Home Style, Brown Sugar Hickory, and Sweet & Tangy Vegetarian . They're slow-cooked with the plumpest beans and BUSH’S signature blend of spices, and they are perfect for any occasion! Just heat and serve...



BUSH’S® Baked Beans Bruschetta



Recipe created for BUSH’S® Beans by Kristen Doyle, freelance writer and blogger of popular Dine & Dish, mother and member of BUSH’S Culinary Solutions Blogger Panel.

Servings:                                             8 to 10
Preparation Time:                           10 minutes
Cooking Time:                                   10 minutes

Ingredients:
1              medium                               French baguette, cut into 18, 1-inch slices
2              cloves                                   garlic, peeled and cut in half
½             stick (4 tablespoons)      butter (not margarine), softened
1              can (16 ounce)                  BUSH’S® Original Baked Beans
1              medium                               tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped
4              ounces                                                 finely shredded smoked white Cheddar cheese, or variety of choice

Directions:
1.       Preheat oven on broiler setting.
2.       Heat beans in small saucepan over medium heat until warm, about 5 minutes.
3.       Place baguette slices on cookie sheet. Rub each slice with garlic, then spread butter over each slice.
4.       While beans are heating, place cookie sheet under broiler for 2-3 minutes. (TIP: Watch baguettes carefully to prevent edges from burning.)
5.       Using oven mitts, remove cookie sheet from oven. Using slotted spoon, top each toasted slice with generous spoonful of beans, tomato and cheese.
6.       Return to oven for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve. 

Review: Krusteaz Baking Mixes

Sunday, July 17, 2016

I love to bake. Can't always eat all of it- as I have alot of food intolerances but good to have Gerry around for taste testing and eating. He never used to eat much for baking until he met me ! So I bake now for after lunch desserts, after supper desserts and as well coffee breaks. So, I usually always have something on the go that we/ him is eating or like to stockpile the baking in the freezer as well. I make from scratch or the boxed mixes. Not all boxed mixes are created equal. You do want to bake something after all that tastes homemade  right? I have on a few occasions tried the Krusteaz baking mixes. Now I haven't seen this brand in Canada but when we are in the US, we can pick it up in the grocery stores there plus I had the opportunity to review two of their mixes. The Meyer Lemon Bar and the Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake and Muffin Mix.



Baking mixes like Krusteaz are great . Simple instructions on the back of every box!  Even  great baking tips on their web site. Great for beginners, great when you are needing something baked and don't have the ingredients all on hand to bake, etc.. Bake for home, baby showers, bake sales, picnics, last minute company coming, or even when you want to look like you slaved away baking and Krusteaz did nothing short of making it simple.








Love the mixes- simple, easy, and tasty- find a store location today!

The Complete Guide To Making Your Money Go Further

Friday, July 15, 2016

We all want to know that our financial situation is as stable as possible. Indeed, on this website we have written extensively on the subject of improving your finances. However, a lot of people struggle for most of their lives with this very topic. The truth is, being good with money requires that you adopt a certain approach. It takes a very specific mindset to be able to succeed in the long term with your finances. The good news is that this is not something which you are born with. There is no such thing as the money gene. In fact, anyone can learn how to be good with money. Regardless of whether or not you have a lot of it, you too can learn how to deal with it in a sensible manner. This, at least, will make a considerable difference to your situation, no matter where you are starting out. If you are keen to discover how to make your money go further, then this post is for you. In this post, we will look at a step-by-step method for improving your financial life considerably. Even if you only take on board one or two of these snippets of advice, you will still be better off. Without further ado, let’s dive right in and take a look at how to make your money go further.

business-money-pink-coins-large.jpg


Pay Off Any Debts

The first thing you must do is to pay off any debts you might have outstanding. Now of course, this is much easier said than done. But that does not mean that it is impossible; in fact, far from it. Debt is one of those things which seems to get progressively worse. Indeed it does, if you do not deal with it properly. It is all too easy to bury your head in the sand and hope that it goes away. Ultimately, however, this does not work. If you want your debt situation to improve, you need to look at paying off debt.

pexels-photo-large.jpg

To begin with, you need to prioritize your debts in order of importance. If you have any debt with considerable interest rates, for instance, they should go first. Of course, if you owe money to someone and they are threatening legal action, deal with that first. Once you have your debts prioritised, you can then get to work on repaying them. The trick here is to know exactly how much you have spare each month, and pay it off automatically. That way, you have no excuse not to do it. We will look into budgeting yourself later. For now, be sure to set up a direct debit for at least the minimum that you owe. Ultimately, this is the only way you will ever actually be free of debt. Only then can you work on improving your finances properly.


Look At Outgoing Payments

Now that we come to actually making your day-to-day financial life a little easier, we need to get into details. The first thing you need to do here is to make a note of your outgoing payments. We are talking about everything that you spend in an average month. A very good idea is to keep a diary for a month, and see where your money actually goes. For a lot of people, this exercise alone can be enlightening enough that they see the error of their ways. It can be a shock to discover how much you spend on coffee in a month, for example. No matter where your money goes, for a month make an impartial list of it all. Then you can sit down and work out where you are spending your money. This can often be quite painful to look at. However, it is vital if you want
to get your finances in order once and for all. You need to be ruthlessly honest with yourself at this stage, so that you can enjoy the rest of your life properly. Be sure not to miss out anything, no matter how small or insignificant it appears to be.
money-finance-bills-bank-notes-large.jpg

Budget Yourself

Now that you know where exactly your money goes, you can start to budget yourself. The first thing is to strike out anything on your diary which is not essential. These are often luxury items which you hardly even notice you are wasting money on. Getting rid of these altogether will ensure that you are on the right track from the outset. Beyond that, be sure to budget every other aspect of your life that you can think of. It is a good idea to take a look at your household bills at this point too. It is likely that you spend too much on at least one of them. There is never any harm in shopping around and trying to find the best deal you can. Also, make sure that you set a reasonable budget for things like grocery shopping. You don’t want to starve, but you can’t afford to throw money away either. It can be hard finding the right balance sometimes, but that is the point of this exercise. Budgeting yourself well is really the most important step towards being financially secure. It means you know exactly what you are spending and where. This is a good solid foundation from which we can build.

wallet-cash-credit-card-pocket-large.jpg


Start Investing

As you are now in this solid place, it might be time to start thinking about putting some money aside. The truth is, there are many ways to do this. Before you commit to any of them, it is a wise idea to carry out some thorough research. You can invest your money in just about anything, after all. This is somewhere where being a little clever and forward-thinking really pays off. First of all, ensure that you carry out your research. Use Money Morning information and similar websites to keep on top of trends in investment. What you should invest in changes from one moment to the next, so it is well worth checking it out first. The golden rule, however, will always apply. Never invest more than you can afford to. It might sound basic, but it is one of those things which is always worth repeating. Be sure to invest only what you can spare - you can always put more in later if you need to. The trick to investing successfully is to make sure that you know when to pull out. With something like stocks and shares, this can be particularly difficult. However, it is a learning curve, and with enough practice you can grasp it as well as anyone. Investing your money properly can make a huge difference to your financial life. If nothing else, it allows you the luxury of knowing that you have a little something to fall back on. This alone can be a huge benefit, if only psychologically.

pexels-photo-large.jpg

...And Save The Rest

Of course, investment is not the only way to put your money aside for a rainy day. The other
main option available to you is to simply put it in a savings account. This is something which everyone should consider at some point. However, it is not always the best option. The truth is, saving in this way has both advantages and pitfalls. One of the major downsides is that you often do not make as much as you would hope to. These days, interest rates on savings account are often getting lower. This means that you might sometimes be better off putting your money into something whose value you can trust. However, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to put your money somewhere safe, then a savings account is often the way. There are many types of savings account. Before you do anything, it is important that you carry out your research. The last thing you want to do is to put your money somewhere you don’t want it. Some savings accounts do not let you withdraw for a certain period of time, for example. It is well worth reading through the information carefully before you commit to anything. Done right, however, saving money in this way can be a useful and sensible thing to do.


Don’t Forget To Think Ahead

If you have followed all of the advice in this guide, it is likely that you are now in a good position. This is a great place to be. Everyone enjoys feeling secure about their finances, so you should celebrate that. However, now is a good time to also think about the future. Ultimately, nobody knows what is going to happen. If you are keen to ensure that your positive financial situation continues, then you need to take action. Make sure that you carry on being wise with your money. Otherwise, you might soon find that things are not going your way. The best advice is to take it slow and easy, and always keep one eye ahead.


Affordable and Healthy Travel Snacks

Thursday, July 14, 2016

You’ve saved for the perfect trip and packed with precision. Now is the time to think about how to avoid the extra costs that might bust your budget. If there is one thing that you know you will spend money on, it’s food. With the right planning, a little extra packing, and maybe a bit of cooking you can spend less on snacks and save your money for the souvenirs that are bound to catch your eye.

Shop Before You Go
…because you may not find exactly what you want on the road.

Granola Bars:


A nourishing snack on their own or a small meal when paired with a Greek yogurt, protein rich bars such as Kashi Chewy Granola Bars or Nature Valley Chewy Protein Bars are a good choice. Better yet, save some money (and control all of the ingredients) with this simple recipe for Oat and Dried Fruit Bars.

Trail Mix:


Go for (dry roasted, low or no salt) nuts and maybe a bit of dried fruit. Avoid trail mixes with added sugar, fat, and calories (AKA “clusters”). Keep it easy to pack by taking advantage of small bags that can be enjoyed on their own, used as a topping for yogurt, or combined with whole grain cereal to create a satiating power bowl. Or try making this Kids Crunch Trail Mix ahead of time and packing in convenient snack size bags.

Nut and Seed Butter Packets: 
Bring along peanut, almond, sunflower or soy butter packets and you know that you have the start to a better breakfast or light lunch at your fingertips. Take this a step further by packing small bags of crackers for an affordable, super snack.

Boxed Meals: 
If you haven’t come across boxed meals like these from GoPicnic on your grocer’s shelves, then I suggest checking them out. Available in allergy sensitive/gluten free varieties, these boxes don’t require refrigeration and offer a nice balance of nutrients (especially for younger travelers).

Chia on-the-go: 
Can’t bear to be without your Chia? Pick up Mamma Chia Squeeze or Health Warrior Chia Bars.

Just add water: 
Protein rich oatmeal cups, low sodium dehydrated soups and the like that just require hot water can fill you up for free when you are travelling and are easy to pack.

Good ol’ Snacks: 
Be sure to grab some better-for-you snacks like small bags of light popcorn, “popped” corn, rice or seaweed snacks, and other low calorie, low sodium selections. You will likely want a snack and buying them ahead of time will save you money and give you more choice. If you have the time, make these Fruit Leather Rolls to bring along!



If you’re hitting the open road…
So you have shopped, packed, and loaded the car with “Tetris like” precision. What happens when you (or your joyful passengers in the back) get hungry? There are many options available at gas station shops. Take a look around and you are bound to find these items:
·         Cheese sticks (to pair with the crackers you packed)
·         Low/no fat, Greek yogurt (top with the trail mix you bought)
·         Whole wheat bread (for the nut or seed butter you picked up)
A long day of travel may also mean a long day of eating, so smaller, healthful choices are best.



CREDIT to:
Allison Stowell, consulting dietitian, Guiding Stars

Bath Time!

After spending an overnight at the dog kennels, and the rain we had, Jake was due for a bath once we got back from my root canal appt in the city the other day. Smelled less than fresh -LOL




THE GIRL’S GUIDE TO VITAMINS AT EVERY AGE

Monday, July 11, 2016

The plethora of vitamins on the market reads like the alphabet- literally from A- Zinc. Do we, as women need to guzzle 50 a day to be healthy? How do we make heads or tails from what the media tell us?  And at what age do we need certain vitamins? Here’s your guide to vitamins at every age according to Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O. an NYC anti-aging physician who has been called, “The Stem Cell Guru.” Dr. Calapai has been testing vitamin levels throughout his career. Each of his patients receives a blood test to find out what they are deficient in.



In a perfect world, all of our nutrient needs would come from the best source: Food. However if your diet isn’t text book perfect then take your “nutritional insurance” a.k.a. a multivitamin, suggests Dr. Calapai.  “Research shows taking a well-balanced multivitamin throughout your lifespan helps fill in nutritional gaps in your diet.”



In your 20s and 30s

• Calcium: These are the decades to bone up, as in, maintain your bone mass. Dr. Calapai recommends adults aged 19-50 years take 1,000 milligrams of calcium, daily. If you don’t receive enough calcium from your diet, you may need to take a supplement containing elemental calcium. Elemental calcium refers to the actual amount of calcium in a supplement that's available for your body to absorb—the rest are compounds making up the supplement. But when supplementing your calcium, read the labels carefully, cautions Dr. Calapai . “For example, if you buy tablets such as calcium carbonate, each tablet contains 1,250 milligrams of calcium,” he says. “Unfortunately, only 500 milligrams is elemental calcium.”

• Vitamin D: The reason we're severely lacking vitamin D nowadays, much more so than even our parents were, is because we're missing out on the number-one source of vitamin D: The sun. "Vitamin D is a pro-hormone made in the skin upon exposure to sunlight, and production of it is rapid and robust," Calapai says. "Within 10 to 20 minutes without wearing sunscreen, people make between 10,000 and 20,000 IU. But because of widespread sunscreen use, total sun avoidance, and our increasingly indoor lifestyles, our vitamin D levels have fallen drastically." Dr. Calapai says, “Take at least 2,000 IU per day year-round. And although you technically don't need to supplement on the days that you know you'll be outside when the sun is high, it's just easier to take it every day than to try to remember when and not to."

• Folic Acid: For women in their childbearing years, folic acid is recommended if you’re planning on conceiving anytime soon. “You should take it before you get pregnant to ensure your levels are high because low rates of folic acid can cause a number of birth defects,” says Dr. Calapai.  “The recommended dosing of folic acid is 400 micrograms per day if you are age 14 or older.”

• Iron: Iron is another key consideration for menstruating women. “Iron deficiency commonly occurs in pregnant women, causing anemia, which can result in fatigue and weakness,” says Dr. Calapai . “Iron enables red blood cells to carry oxygen and deliver it to body cells.” If you’re pregnant and not getting your daily 27 mg. of iron from sources such as iron-fortified cereals and eggs, then look for it in a supplement containing 16 to 20 mg, or speak to your physician about iron supplementation specifically.

In your 40s

• Calcium:  Beginning at age 19 and continuing until age 50, women should consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, according to the Institute of Medicine. This is also the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for women above age 19 who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Once you turn 51, the RDA increases to 1,200 milligrams. As long as your daily diet provides enough calcium to meet your RDA, you probably don’t need a supplement unless it’s under the advice of your health care provider. *Note: Never take more of a calcium supplement than is recommended. It could lead to kidney problems or renal failure.

• Vitamin D: Recommendations for vitamin D intake in your 20s and 30s (as explained above) still apply in your 40s. If you are unsure how much vitamin D you actually need, ask your doctor about taking a vitamin D test. 

• Folic Acid: Pregnant? Up your daily intake of folic acid to 600 mcg. To meet this need, women should continue taking a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid throughout their pregnancy.

• Iron: As in your 20s and 30s, be sure to get 27 mg. of iron daily if you are pregnant, whether through your diet or a combination of diet and supplements. Non-pregnant women should aim for 18 mg a day of iron.

In your 50s
• Multivitamin: It’s time to switch to multivitamins designed for adults 50 years and older, says Dr. Calapai. “These multivitamins have significantly less iron than multivitamins for younger women, he says. “For example Centrum Forte for women up to the age of 49 years has 10 mg of iron per tablet and Centrum Select 50+ designed for those over 50 has only 4 mg of iron per tablet, but has additional vitamin B12 to reflect changing nutrient needs.”  

• Calcium: For women over 50 years, Dr. Calapai recommends bumping your calcium intake to 1,500 mg. daily.


• Vitamin B12: “Your vitamin B12 needs increases after 50 because the gastrointestinal tract does not absorb vitamin B12 as well as a younger digestive tract,” says Dr. Calapai.  He advises those older than 50 get 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily, mainly by consuming foods fortified with vitamin B12 or a supplement containing vitamin B12.

In your 60s

While the overall needs are similar to those in your 50s, check your multivitamin again to be sure it’s meeting all your nutrient needs because newer health issues such as eye health and heart disease might be manifesting. “Some multivitamins contain key antioxidants such as lutein which may protect against age-related macular degeneration, and lycopene, which may help prevent heart disease,” says Dr. Calapai.



Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O.
Anti-Aging Physician and "The Stem Cell Guru"


Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, anti-aging medicine and chelation therapy. Proclaimed as the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S.

His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's.

Dr. Calapai started his practice in New York City in 1986 and for over 25 years he has hosted nationally syndicated radio shows, including his two weekly call-in shows on WABC 770-AM, where he offers health and medical advice. He has a show on Saturday morning 8-9am and Sunday evening from 6-7pm. He has consulted with numerous high-profile individuals including Mike TysonChris Noth, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Fox series Gotham's, Donal Logue and worked as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers hockey team as well as various modeling agencies.

Dr. Calapai received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and he consults in Manhattan with practices on Long Island, in East Meadow and Plainview. He has appeared on News12 and in the pages of 25A Magazine and Social Life Magazine.

He is the author of E-books Heavy Metals and Chronic Disease, Reverse Diabetes Forever! Seven Steps to Healthy Blood Sugar, Top Ten Supplements You Can't Live Without, and Glorious Glutathione. Learn more about Dr. Calapai on his website, www.drcal.net
Powered by Blogger.
Theme Designed By Hello Manhattan
|
The One Income Dollar. All rights reserved.