Vaseline can help you save money

Ok, here is a tip using Vaseline to keep help you save money on your manicure. One day I was at the salon doing my nails and mentioned to the manicure lady that my cuticles got dry and rough often; I guess due to washing dishes; cleaning products, just daily work. So, she told me to try rubbing some Vaseline on my hands and fingers tips and also on my feet to keep it from getting dry skin. So, I did and it works wonders!

I keep my bottle of Petroleum Jelly next to my bed and every night I rub in on my hands, fingers, and feet. Now, I am able to keep my nails and cuticles looking good for several weeks. Who would know that she gave me a tip to keep me out of her salon! I still go there for my pedicure tough. Hey, now Vaseline can save me about $20 per month and if I keep this up for the year, it’s at least $240 more in my pocket.

Another little handy “gadget” for nails is this long square nail filler; it has 4 sides to:

• Grit: Coarse/Medium/Fine/Extra Fine
• Files, removes ridges, smoothes and shines
• Cuticle protection edge for safety

It’s called Tropical Shine Mini 4-Way Nail Buffer Block and it works wonder, combined with the Vaseline.

Try it!

Baking on Sunday – Cupcakes, wheat bread & more

This Sunday I had in mind that I would finish a lot of the stuff in refrigerator, like ½ can of cranberries and ½ can of crushed pineapple. So, in an effort to not let the food spoil; I was never a fan of it and specially now with the tough economic times, I hate to see any food go to waste, I decided to bake some yummy desserts and have it for the week. And, to add to it, I also wanted to bake some nice homemade wheat bread.

So, I got my baking gadgets and started my adventure. First, was the wheat bread; just because while it set I was able to work on the pineapple cupcakes. Then, secondly, I worked on the cranberry chocolate chip bar. The recipe was from the can of cranberry and the pineapple cupcake was this medium size pink cupcake recipe book I have. I added a few more things like roasted coconut flakes and added moist with condensed milk glaze.

All I can say is that it all turned out delicious, again! I am so proud of myself; I was never interested in any kitchen activities until about 2 years ago. So, it’s true that people can really change! Baking became one of my favorite hobbies. Also, I have to say that my husband inspired me to start learning about cooking as well. Now, he can’t complain even if he gets fat LOL!!!

pineapple coconut cupcake

cramberry chocolate chip bar

My Test Kitchen – Having Fun Baking

These are just a few pictures of my test kitchen in last few weeks. Ah, I am lazy and take pictures with my phone, not a real camera. Then, email myself, edit a few things and post on the blog. Even though the pictures are not the best, I can assure you the chocolate torte and stacked cookie were both yummy and delicious!

America’s Healthiest Restaurants

Interesting enough my thoughts about the population getting even more overweight was probably on the right track. This last weekend, I read an article, on the Sun Sentinel, about the stress people are under and the lack of money; thus, going to reach for cheap fast food and end up gaining a ton of weigh. So, with that in mind, here is a list from Yahoo Health – American Healthiest Restaurants, also o nthe affordable side!

Read the entire article – America’s Healthiest Restaurants

A List

• Chick-fil-A – never been
• Subway – good grilled chicken sandwich
• Jamba Juice – love their smoothies
• Au Bon Pain – never been, never heard
• Boston Market – has good turkey meals and veggies

B List

• Cici’s Pizza Buffet – never been
• McDonald’s – like the deal with the hamburger and then freeze some for later
• Taco Bell – haven’t been there in a long time
• Wendy’s – haven’t been there in a long time

Moist Mango Coconut Bread

This weekend I made a delicious moist mango coconut bread from a book my husband and I picked you in our last trip to the Keys. The bread is so yummy and easy to make; btw I used walnuts. It’s almost like a banana nut bread but more mist. It got great compliments – so, here is a picture and the recipe. Enjoy!

Mango Coconut Bread

 Ingredients

1 cup of sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup pureed ripe mangoes (2 mangoes)

1/4 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup macadamia nuts or chopped walnuts

1/2 tsp vanilla

8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan or 18 2-ounce muffin cups

Directions

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Grease the loaf pan or muffin cups. Beat the sugar and eggs together; add the oil and continue to beat. Sift the flour with the baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add to the egg mixture. Add the remaining ingredients and blend. Fill the loaf pan or muffin cups. Bake the loaf pan one hour, the muffin tins for 20 minutes.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day Honey! Brownie Heart

I made a chocolate brownie, heart shape of course, for my husband and a nice gift. I got this beautiful 24 k gold rose! Hopping everyone can have a great Valentines Day and enjoy your loved one  

PR back to 0

PR back to 0 – it’s interesting to see that my blog PR is back to 0 after I blogged about Google Street View Team . Coincidence or not?

Nadya Suleman is a freak and completely irresponsible

I am outraged to see the irresponsibility of Nadya Suleman’s, having the octuplets and putting the burden in California tax payers. Also, I truly believe the state should revoke the doctors’ licenses that agreed to inseminate her. What the hell were they thinking?

LAWS MUST BE CHNAGED AND PEOPLE LIKE HER SHOULD HAVE A MENTAL EVALUATION BEFORE EVEN THINKING ABOUT HAVING KIDS

Read the complete article at Taxpayers may have to cover octuplet mom’s costs

Google Street View Team breaking Privacy Laws

As I get my email updates this morning, I read this article about Google Street View and it really makes me aware of all of the possible problems Google Street View services may pose to us, ordinary non-Googlers; or NOT- see this excerpt from the article …

“Oh, and if you believe as Google does that “complete privacy does not exist,” then you should check out the house where Google CEO Eric Schmidt reportedly lives using satellite imagery from Google Maps. It looks like he has had some construction done in the past few years. A simple Google search of the address (366 Walsh Road, Atherton, CA) will tell you that Schmidt merged two adjacent lots in 2001[viii] to create the new lot and then added a new fence, retaining wall, and drainage in 2004. Eric, that creepiness that you’re feeling is probably approaching the level of the people who had Street View vehicles in their driveways. So, while it is Google’s mission to “organize the world’s information and make it accessible and useful,” the company should thoroughly consider how that information can adversely impact the same people it is meant to help.“

So, I used to think it was kind of cool to have a picture of houses and places right on my screen; but I guess I don’t really think it’s that great when it’s my house plastered on the screen of the entire world. Not that I have anything that would potentially bring me a terrorist attack, but maybe neighborhood thieves could make use of Google’s free service. It’s like Google is saying… just come and see all over your favorite neighborhood, take your pick then mark your targets – we have done all of the leg work for you; right here on the computer. Enjoy!

Saturday Night Baking – Super Bowl Brownie

Well, I guess when you are 30 something, or more like late 30’s you enjoy a Saturday night in and even better, a Baking Saturday night in!!! At least last night was what I felt like. Around 7 pm I had the urge to bake a wheat bread, my first time aking bread and I never thought I would like. But, I found an easy recipe at http://www.tammysrecipes.com/homemade_wheat_bread and decided to try. At first, I was like hum I have to let it set twice, once for 40 min then for 30 min, it would be to late by the time it was done. But, no, it worked out perfect, because I also decided to a Super Bowl Brownie for my husband. So, in between bread dough resting time, I was working on the Super Bowl brownie.

Super Bowl Brownie XLIII

I am not much of bread maker fan but since I have a bag of whole wheat flour I decided to to make some wheat bread, and it came out delicious, just like the picture on the original recipe site. It taste really clean and fresh. I love it! I might just keep trying different breads now; we’ll see. I know I will make at least two more loafs to finish the wheat flour. Check out my beauty…

Whole Wheat Bread