Savings on a Cushion- For Tailbone Pain

A few months ago, I went to the doctor because I had an uncomfortable tailbone when I would get into bed, lay in the tub or be in any reclining type position. The doctor did an xray and said I had a "normal" tailbone. He said that sometimes when people lose weight or don't have enough padding on their butts, they will feel their tailbone more than the other guy that may have more padding there.

He also said I was to take the pressure of the tailbone by sitting on one of those blow up donuts. But I tried that, as well as read about them online and they really aren't suitable for that. The blow up donuts seem more suited for the "front" area than the back.

All we had available in town though WAS the blow up donut, that I ended up returning, and one small cushion that didn't seem to be very thick but was around $30 at a local big box store.

I will be reviewing one in the near future, but in the meantime, Gerry bought a regular chair cushion , cut away some of the stuffing in the back middle and resewed it, so I am not sitting right on my tailbone. Cost? $12.49 + tax.

We thought of an alternative way to save us some money and it seems to be working .

I am still looking forward to review the other cushion though, as I still could use a cushion  for the car.

Happy Valentines Day!

What has everyone got planned for their special "heart" day?

Gerry brought home this beautiful arrangement last night- but what no chocolates?? LOL- will have to go out and get us a box today to share-smile-

We're also going out after he's done work today- made a reservation at a local hotel restaurant. Have a gift card Erika gave to us that she hadn't used before she left for Calgary. And I'm not a big eater anyhow, so won't cost us much plus there's a new movie on Netflix tonight so we'll have dinner and a movie so to speak.

Have a Happy Valentines' Day!

Exploring Arizona- Soon!

In April I will be accompanying Gerry as he goes to a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.But we will be flying into Phoenix so visiting both places while in the area. It will be so nice to get away to the heat of the desert after a rough winter at home. It will be our first time too to see a giant cactus!

Scottsdale is very close to Phoenix itself; it is sometimes described as “Desert Version of Miami’s South Beach”.  There is a lot of restaurants, some outstanding shopping, sports and recreation. Scottsdale also has a very hip and happening night scene, meaning that there is plenty to do when the lights go out. Scottsdale is also a great place to wander around and just enjoy the architecture and the design of the city itself.

Phoenix has the sixth largest population in the United Sates and the city is booming with things to explore. The city has a large food scene as well as performing arts scene, plus a few nature parks scattered throughout if you want to get away from it all. 

We are very excited about our upcoming journey, and it will make what is left of winter a little more bearable. It's nice too because Gerry's company he works for is paying for the trip- we'll just be paying for my plane fair and Jake's stay at the kennels while we're gone. Another plus is that we put all of the trip on our points credit card, and the company will reimburse us!

Stay tuned for more posts on our upcoming trip!

February is Bake For Family Fun Month !

February is Bake For Family Fun Month.

With the weather outside being frightful in many parts of the country it is the perfect opportunity to bake some great treats to enjoy with your loved ones. While you are at it, take the time to experiment and maybe bake something different, just for the fun of it.

Enjoy these great recipes:



S'mores Cookies-

*Ingredients:*

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups mini marshmallows

8 snack-size Hershey bars divided into 4 segments

* Directions:*

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

With electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, graham cracker crumbs, salt, and baking
soda together.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in the
chocolate chips.

Scoop and round about 2 tablespoons of dough and then drop onto cookie
sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 8 minutes and then remove from the oven and press five mini
marshmallows on the top of each cookie in the shape of a star. Press a
segment of the chocolate bar in the center of each marshmallow star, and
then return cookies to the oven to bake for about 2 more minutes.

Remove cookies from baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.

Makes about 3 dozen.

These are delicious S'mores Cookies from Celebrations.com, that are a wonderful treat for the entire family and are a fun twist on the classic treat.





Silpat® Cookie Non-Stick Baking Mat-

From double chocolate chunk cookies to white chocolate macadamia, the possibilities are endless with the new Silpat® Cookie Non-Stick Baking Mat. Designed to fit the popular 14 by 18-inch cookie sheet pan, it offers even heat distribution, ultimate release and easy cleanup.

** This is truly a great product for baking cookies on. I have tried baking and lining my cookie sheets with tin foil and my cookies keep burning. The Silpat baking sheet makes me more confident to bake cookies again and not shy away from cookie recipes!

Wyman's Wild Blueberry Muffins-

Who says wild blueberries are out of season? Back in August, during the harvest season, Wyman's of Maine harvested 10,000 acres of wild blueberries and flash froze them to lock in fresh taste and nutrients. They planned ahead and now you can reap the benefits by snacking, cooking and baking wild blueberries all year round. Here's a coupon to get you started! 

**watch this spot for more recipes coming soon!

Creating Valentine's Day Fun with Chex Party Mix and Giveaway ( USA only)

This Valentine's Day Chex would like to share recipes with you for edible gifts made with love, and of course, Chex Party Mix. For your friends and family!

It's so much fun when you can create such nice edible gifts that are both fun and simple to make!

Be sure to try their:

Red Velvet Chex® Party Mix

A delicious Chex® party mix reminiscent of red velvet cake.

Prep Time:10 min

Start to Finish:15 min

Makes:12 servings (1/2 cup each)

Valentine Chex® Mix

Red, white and pink make a lovely Chex® mix, especially when it's ready in just 30 minutes!

Prep Time:10 min

Start to Finish:25 min

Makes:22 servings (1/2 cup each)

Chex would love to give away to one of our lucky USA readers a fun Valentines' Day prize pack consisting of a :

·         Measuring Spoonful Set

·         20 Valentine’s Party Bags

·         Heart shaped mug

·         $50 American express gift card 

A random draw will be made using Random.org on February 21, 2014 from all USA entries.

To Enter:

Leave your email address and Tell me which of these recipes you would make.

Extra Entries:

Follow us on Twitter 
Tweet this giveaway

Sign up for our emails
Grab our button
Sign up as a Google Friend Connect
Google+ Follow us
Share this Giveaway on your Facebook page


Good luck to all!

Review: CKX Gear Modular Helmet

Who is CKX Gear?

CKX is a brand in constant evolution, attentive to their consumers and relentlessly seeking innovation.
The CKX mission is clear; to allow everyone to live their passion for power sports to the extreme by staying dry, warm and comfortable no matter the conditions, their level of activity or their budget.

Gerry recently reviewed one of their  modular helmets the Tranz RSV Blast.

Gerry was interested in a new snowmobile helmet as he wasn't happy with his old one. It wasn't comfortable wearing the one he had , and also he wanted a helmet as well, that would provide a built in sun visor.

What he got out of the Tranz RSV Blast is a helmet that fits very snug, a convenient chin strap that he can un-do with one hand, lining that can be removed to be washed, a sun visor, warm enough  to wear without the need of a balaclava, and also lightweight.

To say the least Gerry is very impressed with CKX! Our northern Saskatchewan,Canadian winters get very cold and you really want to be protected and using the best outdoor gear when your outdoors in this weather.

To locate a dealer in Canada- click here.
To locate a dealer in the USA- click here.


UPDATE:

Gerry had the snow machine out this weekend on a longer ride and wanted to share some points he really found impressive with this helmet:

Very comfortable following a 2 hour ride - did not feel heavy on my head.

Muffled the sound of the snow machine even at high speed.

No air leaks as I have experienced with other

Very good peripheral viewing with wider lens

Sun visor assists in defining the terrain

Sun visor is an asset for driving on sunny days, very easy to adjust as required.

Quick disconnect chin strap is an A+

Modular face shield - very easy to unlock even with snowmobile gloves on.

"Be My Valentine" Baking Fun

Baking for Valentine's Day is so much fun! It's the perfect time to surprise your sweethearts with some delicious treats and sweets with ideas from the following:


Valentine's Day Cake Pops- (how to video)

One of my favorite desserts to make are cake pops. They’re easy and delicious!

All you need is cake mix, icing, melting chocolate and cake pop sticks.

After you bake the cake, you simply crumble it up, add icing and water and roll the mix into balls.

Refrigerate the cake balls, secure the sticks with melted chocolate, and dip your cake balls into the melted chocolate.

You can find a variety of colored melting chocolate at craft stores, so it’s easy to tailor this dessert for any occasion!

For Valentine’s Day try red, white and pink chocolate. Have fun!

McCormicks -

Get the kids to try some Valentine’s Day fun in the kitchen with Easy Red Velvet Brownies

or

Be Mine Marshmallow Bars!

2014 Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine ’s Day is just around the corner, and that has many heart a flutter. It is a nice little speck of light in the middle of winter. It is often better to give than to receive, and nothing is nicer than making someone’s day a little better. The gifts do not have to be large but if they come straight from the heart, they will make your special someone feel loved, which frankly is the whole point behind Valentine ’s Day.


FOR HIM:


ShaveTech-

Any man who has ever tried to get a good, close shave while traveling knows just how

frustrating the endeavor can be. The way the on-the-go guy thinks about shaving

will forever change for the better ShaveTech. This new standard in shaving offers

a sleek, lightweight design that gives users a convenient USB charging option that will

save them not only space but also the aggravation of finding a free electrical outlet.

ShaveTech retails for $29.99 and is available for purchase online at

http://www.shavetech.com/ and at select retailers in the U.S. and Canada. 

Wall adapter is available for purchase.  

Valentine’s Discount Code!

All Codes are good for 35% off your order through Valentine’s Day!

www.shavetech.com

CODE: HEARTS14

Karmaloop-

OMAX - The Cornell (Brown)

3ATM (96 FEET) WATER RESISTANCE BROWN LEATHER STRAP EPYON Y121 JAPANESE MOVEMENT 48mm ION PLATED BROWN CASE BROWN FACE WITH WHITE INDEX STAINLESS STEEL BACK MINERAL CRYSTAL.
Very affordable gift for your valentine!
Beerbell-

The Beerbell is the best gift for 2014! It is one of a kind and guaranteed to garner laughs and smiles from your friends! Designed to look like a dumbbell, the Beerbell is a 3lb beer koozie that holds most 12 and 16 ounce cans and bottles. It keeps drinks colder, makes a great drink holder, and it floats. Who says you can't be fit and enjoy a beer? The intent is to enjoy getting fit while enjoying a beer once in a while too!

The Price starts at $15, also a BOGO sale (ending February 10, 2014), buy one at full price of $19.99, get one free, pay separate shipping. Ships same business day!




For Her:



Get Fresh-

Get Fresh really does walk the walk when it comes to their purpose of serving those who have served our country. In fact, they've created an entire product line simply focused on that mission. More than 35% of profits from the sale of the Warrior Princess products goes directly to Healing 4 Heroes and similar veteran's organizations.

Warrior Princess is a line of great smelling botanical based bath & body products that have a luscious infusion of blackberry and vanilla with a hint of zest lemon, bergamot and peach. They are paraben-free and contain no synthetic dyes or sulfates.

AVEENO Mom& Baby Kit-

AVEENO^® has combined products in a perfect gift set with everyday cleansing and moisturizing essentials for both baby and mommy. The products in the AVEENO^® Mom & Baby Gift Set offer gentle cleansing, moisturization, and daily skin protection, and are enriched with colloidal oatmeal.
A great gift for the new moms out there this Valentine's Day.




Me-Cute-

Burp Me Cute is the must have designer burp cloth for the fashion conscious mom! They've carefully selected fabrics that are durable and extremely absorbent enough to handle those messy spit ups and frequent trips to the washing machine. And because they are made from luxurious minky fabric and 100% percent cozy cotton flannel, Burp Me Cutes are soft and cuddly enough to also be used as a mini-blanket when their on the go with baby. The Burp Me Cute makes the perfect Valentine's Day gift for any stylish mom or first-time mommy-to-be!

Fair Trade Designs-

Fair Trade Designs sells a meticulously curated and beautifully designed selection of fashion accessories, all handcrafted by fairly paid and well-treated women artisans from around the world. Featured are the Tagua Heart Pendant, made in Ecuador from the seed of a rainforest palm tree fruit; Chadwick Hand Warmers, hand knit from soft and warm alpaca wool in Bolivia; and Bunch of Hearts greeting card, handmade in Rwanda with recycled paper. Visit www.FairTradeDesigns.com for their complete selection and a special Valentine’s Day section with other gifts ideal for the holiday.  “Ethical shopping without sacrificing your style.”   

Teleflora-

Teleflora’s Send a Hug® Bear Your Heart Bouquet -
(Available on Teleflora.com for $49.95)

What a sweet treat for you, mom, or a close friend! Flowers, cuddles,

smiles and chocolates make everyone feel good—and sharing them

feels even better. The latest addition to the best-selling Send-a-Hug®

collection, this un-bear-ably cute gift includes blooms of red roses,

chrysanthemums and carnations. Delicious Ghirardelli chocolates and

an adorable plush teddy bear add classic Valentine’s Day style.





Karmaloop-

Vans- The Bayard Street Hoody in Black

This zip up hoody is perfect for a day when you want to look chill without sacrificing your style. This hoody features two side pockets, a zip front and a drawstring hood. Pair with some slim fit jeans, flats and a circle scarf.
She's gonna look great in this zip up hoodie!




FOR HIM OR HER:

Picanova-

Flowers wilt while memories endure. Wow your loved one with a custom canvas print that hits replay, whisking you back to the divine moments you've shared together. Create imaginative wall art for the home and office by uploading your pictures onto http://Picanova.com and choosing from a range of sizes, digital effects and frames. The online canvas shop creates individualized ready-to-hang canvas wraps out of family portraits, holiday snapshots and landscape panoramas, lighting up hearts and homes.

 

Picture perfect memories deserve to be preserved for all time. Use the coupon “LOVE50” to enjoy a 50% discount and free shipping on custom canvas art – a present that lasts a lifetime, for the love of your life, this Valentine’s Day. 




Sockscribe Me-

Each month Sockscribe Me will send your Valentine a pair of incredible socks that will add some color to their life. You won’t know what design they will get, but that’s part of the Sockscribe thrill. Remember the feeling of getting surprised with a cool gift when you were a kid? We make that happen, for your Valentine, monthly. What a fun gift!

GourmetGiftBaskets.com-

One of the fastest-growing sites for gift giving, GourmetGiftBaskets.com, reports that more and more women and men are procrastinating in purchasing their Valentine’s gifts.

Gift-giving experts at the 12-year-old company see that gift purchases are being pushed closer and closer to the holiday and not just by men, but women, too.  Last year, 50% of Valentine’s gift sales occurred in the week leading up to Feb. 14^th and this year, they’re expecting it to be about 60% or 70% (and most of their customers are women). That said, they’re set to take orders right up until the final boxes, tins, baskets and towers go out overnight on Feb. 13^th.

Here is just one of their affordable gift baskets that won't break your budget:

Be My Valentine ,Valentine's Day Gift Basket-

FOR PETS-

SitStay-

SitStay.com, the destination site for ‘Good Dog’ approved treats and supplies, today unveiled its all-natural Valentine’s Day treat collection that will spoil your pets this Feb. 14 with a heartfelt sampling of American-made, high quality delicacies from their premium doggie deli.  Their treats feature love-inspired names, personalizable Valentine’s Day cards and delicious ingredients including:

• Love Licks – The jumbo all-natural bison heart & tongue patties are made from USDA inspected, free range bison tongue and heart. The perfectly paired proteins are packed with nutrients and are guaranteed to get you kisses galore from your adoring pet! SRP $11.99

• Heartbarkers – Truly a treat from the heart! The USDA inspected, 100% beef heart slices are naturally full of health benefits for dogs. High in protein and low in fat, these crunchy delicacies are the rewards that won’t break his heart! SRP: $15.99
  
• Love Birds– Your dog will flock to your side once they get a taste of these love birds!  Each poultry packed bag includes 100% USDA inspected, human-grade chicken & turkey breast fillets. These wholesome single-protein-source rewards are the perfect way to share your featherless love with your canine companion. SRP: $13.99

Harry Barker -

Ford model Carol Perkins founded Harry Barker on a kitchen table in her New York City loft in 1997 while recovering from Cushing’s Disease, a rare and life threatening brain tumor. Since then,  the company has been creating beautifully inspired and eco-friendly products for pets and their people. They use earth-friendly fabrics, azo-friendly dyes and make many products from 100% recycled materials. Harry Barker believes that pets are part of the family and deserve nothing but the best, which makes a gift from Harry Barker perfect for that beloved furry friend on Valentine's Day.  


FOR KIDS:


Build A Bear-

‘Tis the season of love! Big Top Bearemy dresses up in a Tuxedo T-shirt, Classic Jeans, and Black Canvas High-Tops, ready for his date with Dressy Darling Big Hearts Bear, donning her favourite Red Ruffle Dress, Red Sparkle Bow Flats, Sequin Heart Purse and Red Sequin Bows. Together, this darling duo makes the perfect gift!

** Watch this spot for more gift giving ideas!

February is Heart Health Month

Besides Valentine's Day and it's hearts, February is also Heart Health Month. A month to look closer at our hearts and our health.

Our hearts are one of our most important muscles, so we have to take care of them. We all know that hearts can be broken both figuratively and literally, so in February spend some extra time looking after yours and someone's you love.

Our friends below also care about your heart :



Green Pan -

Healthy cooking is not only about the foods you use: it is also about the right cookware. 
The new "I Love Cooking" cookware, which is part of the Original GreenPan collection is wonderful! There's I LOVE Meat!, I LOVE Eggs! and I LOVE Fish! - all with different surfaces ideal for even oil/butter distribution and release properties. Plus, they all have the ceramic non-stick surface, so they're great for healthy, fool-proof cooking and easy clean-up. The pans start at $49.99 and are available at Dillards and www.dillards.com and Macy's and www.macys.com.




Clean Lean & Sexy-

Made with nutrient dense nuts and almond butter, Clean Lean and Sexy whole food energy bars make your heart happy!  

The unsaturated fatty acids, including omega 3’s, fiber, and vitamin E in the nuts all play a role in lowering cholesterol and preventing irregular heart beat or arrhythmia. 

 

Tossed with high oleic expeller pressed sunflower oil after it’s air popped, Clean Lean and Sexy popcorn is a heart healthy food.  High oleic expeller pressed sunflower oil is unlike other oils because it is naturally high in Vitamin E, has no trans fat and promotes production of the good cholesterol, HDL.

Welch’s-

Looking for a tasty beverage for American Heart Month? Welch's 100% Grape Juice is a great option, as it helps support a healthy heart, thanks to the dark purple Concord grape. More than a decade’s worth of research suggests that drinking 100% grape juice made with Concord grapes can help support a healthy heart, and Welch's 100% Grape Juice is  a convenient way to incorporate more purple fruit into a healthy diet. Plus, it’s made with no added sugar! Visit http://www.welchs.com/ for a list of all of their products, as well as family-friendly recipe ideas.

Healthy Choice-

Healthy Choice offers a wide variety of well-balanced meals complete with protein and antioxidants that help you stay alert and focused during the day.  Healthy Choice is also low in saturated and total fat – two things that can lead to decreased energy and weight gain. In fact, a study from Healthy Choice and the Rippe Lifestyle Institute found that swapping a Healthy Choice meal at lunch helped 81 percent of study participants beat the afternoon slump and focus for the rest of the day. And Healthy Choice is made from only the best ingredients that you can recognize – like crunchy apples, crisp vegetables, tender meats and perfectly al dente pasta. They are a great option when you are looking for a quick, healthy, hot meal at home or at the office. Visit www.healthychoice.com to see a list of all of their meals.

DAVID Almonds-

For maximum energy throughout the day, experts say you shouldn't let your body go 3-4 hours without eating. And protein in your snacks is a key way to keep your energy up. Tree nuts are loaded with protein and heart-healthy fats and are a great snack when you are looking for heart healthy options on the go.  For a ready-to-eat snack, try DAVID almonds. They have a variety of exciting flavors, including Wasabi & Soy Sauce and Dark Chocolate.  So go nuts!

THE 30-DAY HEART TUNE-UP-

The revolutionary new program presented in this book helps everyone have a healthy heart. In THE 30-DAY HEART TUNE-UP Dr. Masley will first help you to determine your heart health. He will then take you step-by-step through a program to tune up your heart, energy, waistline, and sex life. 

• Heart-healing foods
• Exercise that strengthens your heart and arteries
• Stress management
• A customized heart-friendly supplement plan

THE 30-DAY HEART TUNE-UP program is easy, fast, and could even be called sexy. Dr. Masley devotes a chapter to showing how improving heart health enhances sex drive and function in both men and women.