Monday, April 26, 2010

'Timeless' by Nicole Miller Giveaway

Timeless, by Nicole Miller, is one of my favorite beauty pick-me-ups.  It is a gentle exfoliant that won't wreak havoc on your skin, even if you have sensitive skin.  It gently gets rid of dead cells that have a way of piling up on your skin like unwelcome crashers at your party, making skin look dull and lifeless.  The only thing more effective would be a chemical peel.  But I won't get into the cost of that.  Some of us don't have the funds or time to get all crazy like that once a month!  In addition, chemical peels can be very irritating to sensitive skin.  Timeless is a great alternative and I just love it.

"Younger skin (as in the teen years through the mid-twenties) renews its surface layers every two to three weeks. As we age (mid-twenties and on), the cell turnover rate slows, causing the dead skin cell layer to be thicker. That’s where Timeless Age-Defying Serum comes in. The gentle formula and patented ingredient AHCare® helps loosen dead skin cells and speed skin’s renewal rate to reveal more radiant skin. Timeless gently speeds the rate of skin’s natural exfoliation, while also delivering moisture and vitamins. Perfect for preventing and reversing the early signs of aging."
 Traditional Alpha-Hydroxy Acids and Chemical Peels work, but they can irritate the skin! Nicole Miller offers a breakthrough alternative.  With the patented AHCare, Timeless will deliver the benefits of traditional AHA's, with little to no irritation!  Timeless also has supplement strength Vitamin C and provitamin A, deeply penetrating the skin's top layer to make it look smooth and firm.  It also has an antioxidant blend of cranberry extract, green tea and Vitamin E to further protect and fight free radical damage!

AH Care, a naturally sourced AHA,  works because it breaks the bonds between old and young skin cells, helping dead skin cells slough off faster, revealing a more healthy and beautiful complexion!  The active ingredients are released slowly to lessen the chance of skin irritation.  Wrinkles and lines soften and age spots fade, as smoother, younger-looking skin appears.

Get It:
Nicole Miller is made and manufactured here in the US by Melaleuca, The Wellness Company.  You can order it by calling 1-800-282-3000 and giving this id# 8014717669.  They offer a Preferred Customer Program with many lucrative incentives.  Check it out here and enter the password - Melaleuca - for more info!

Win It:
One lucky person will receive a 1 oz. vial of Timeless by Nicole Miller (retail value - $33.50), delivered by US mail with delivery confirmation! Open to US Only, Please complete the mandy (mandatory entry) and any of the following entries for extra chances to win!  Please make your e-mail address available so I can contact you if you win!!!
 Mandy:
Tell one way you take care of your skin that helps you!  Simple, huh?  Be honest, if you don't do anything, just say that!  I promise, I won't judge!
Extras:
  • Subscribe to AGalNeeds....RSS Feed (on right sidebar) using Google or another method that you prefer!  Also let me know if you already do in a comment!
  • Follow AGalNeeds...On Google Friend! 
  • Tweet daily for an extra entry every day! Leave me your twitter status in your comment! You can copy and paste this:  AGalNeeds..Timeless by Nicole Miller! http://bit.ly/ayLn5K 5/14 Win it and see what it does for your skin! 5/14/10
  • Blog, Facebook or Stumble about this giveaway and leave the post link! 3 extra entries (Leave 1 comment per entry) You may do all three if you'd like!
This giveaway will end on 5/14/10 at 12:00 am MST.  I am excited that one of you will get this wonderful gift!  Winner will be chosen with Random.org and will be notified by e-mail.  I received no compensation of any kind for this giveaway and the opinions expressed are mine!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

My Review of Electronic 8-Cup Dry Rice Cooker & Food Steamer

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

Features:
  • Makes up to 16 cups of cooked rice
  • Easy to clean, nonstick, removable inner pot
  • Improved steam vent and water reservoir
  • Safety cool-touch exterior



  • 1-touch, easy operation with automatic keep-warm function




  • This Rice Cooker Is Great
    By daisydoo  on 4/25/2010
    4out of 5
    Pros: Moist Rice, Non-Stick, High Heat Tolerance
    Describe Yourself: Casual Cook
    I use it everyday! I love to make rice pudding and I love rice more than potatoes. My husband grew up on rice and our old rice cooker was starting to show wear. This rice cooker is great!
    The Aroma Rice Cooker and Food Steamer!
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    Tags: Reviews, Rice Cooker, CSN Stores

    Friday, April 16, 2010

    Just a Little Rest!

    It's been a long week and I'm a little tired!  The Census is well underway and as usual, everything should have been done yesterday, so while last month there were a lot of days where there was no work (and no pay), now, it's all the work you need and more!  Yesterday I was in charge of an operation that involved doing an entire mobile home court in a town about 35 miles from me.  There was only 1 person who showed up to help me, a sweet lady of about 60 years old.  But we did OK, getting count of about 145 people.  After that I was up until 1:30 am doing repetitive forms and back up at 6:00 to finish by the deadline.  The sad thing is that a good amount of the respondents had already done their census forms (or said they did) and sent them in, but we still had to do it, just to make sure.  Yes, there were also a lot who hadn't done it!

    I ran into a lot of Spanish speakers and since I don't speak Spanish, I basically handed them a Spanish form and pointed to the items that needed to be filled in.  They got the point and most were very nice about it.  There was just the one Smart Alec who said he didn't have to.  (Did you know it's the law, you are required by law to fill out the census!)  I said, "Actually, yeah it's the law." He said, "Why are jew lying to me?"  "Sir, I'm not lying! Please call my boss if you have questions!" (I flashed my badge with phone numbers). Luckily, there were no more comments from him after that.

    I had a really scary moment when I walked into a fenced yard, knocked on the door and a very irate golden lab came charging out of a dog door!  I wasn't too worried at first because Golden Labs are usually nice, aren't they?  But this one apparently sensed my surprise and alarm and started snarling, barking and growling.  I was not about to test him and proceeded to get the gate open as quickly as I could.  Unfortunately, it was a trick latch and my fumbling fingers couldn't seem to open it.  I prayed that I could get this gate open because the dog was upon me and my hind-quarters were very unprotected and exposed to sharp teeth. But I couldn't get the thing open.  I had trapped myself in the lair of a howling monster - my imminent demise was certain!  Fortunately the neighbors across the street saw my plight and started calling said monster off.  The woman actually came over, yelling Spanish at the dog and even though he was still barking, it distracted him enough and gave me time to figure out the ridiculously complicated latch and hurriedly make my exit.  Needless to say, I was very grateful to that very kind woman for saving my buttocks from being punctured! So yeah, I'm a little gassed! Nothing that a great weekend can't cure though!

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    Monday, April 12, 2010

    Tropical Traditions Coconut Peanut Butter Giveaway! NOW CLOSED

    I'm excited that I can team up with Tropical Traditions again and this time with another one of their absolutely amazing natural organic products!  

    I was able to try their yummy Organic Coconut Peanut Butter!  Oh my, what a treat!  The coconut was not overwhelming at all, but rather subtle!  It had a distinct natural sweetness to it that could actually be compared to a light honey-like taste.  I think it tastes absolutely amazing, not to mention that there are no waxes, trans fats or rancid peanuts! 
    "Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter is made from organic peanuts and organic coconut. Two ingredients: nothing else! No fillers, no binders, no sweeteners, and no preservatives. The peanuts are 100% organic Valencia peanuts grown organically by family farmers in New Mexico and Texas. Grown in the dry climate of the southwestern United States, these peanuts are certified organic and free from aflatoxins. The dried coconut is certified organic coconut meat from the Philippines from coconuts that are grown with no fertilizers or pesticides. This premium dried coconut contains no additives or preservatives, and is not sweetened. Unlike most dried coconut on the market, our dried coconut products are not treated with sulfites to keep them white. Together, these premium organic roasted peanuts and the premium organic dried coconut are ground together to make a delicious and nutritious spread!"
    I was very surprised to learn that Tropical Traditions has more than one kind of peanut butter!  They have the most varied list of  gourmet, organic peanut butters that I have ever seen!  Have you ever thought of different kinds of peanut butter?  I hadn't until I saw their extensive list!  They have 11 different flavors of peanut butter!  I would love to try all of these flavors!  Now that I've tried and love the Coconut Peanut Butter, what else would be good?  The possibilities are endless!

    Get it:  You can buy directly from Tropical Traditions website.  There is a great sale for their Virgin Coconut Oil! Buy one and get the 2nd free!  And you can get their organic lip moisturizers for the same deal - buy one and get the 2nd free!
    Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, you can select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter this sponsor ID # - 5954910. You will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet!

    Win it: For your own jar of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter, please complete the mandy (mandatory entry) and any of the following entries for extra chances to win!  Please make your e-mail address available so I can contact you if you win!!!


    Mandy: Visit Tropical Traditions and tell me another kind of peanut butter that you'd like to try! 


    Optional Additional entries: 
    • Become a Facebook Fan of Tropical Traditions! Come back and leave your follower first name and last initial!
    • Subscribe to AGalNeeds....RSS Feed (on right sidebar) using Google or another method that you prefer!
    • Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.  Leave your follow name in a comment
    • Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect!
    • Tweet daily for an extra entry every day! Leave me your twitter status in your comment! You can copy and paste this: "AGalNeeds...a jar of organic coconut peanut butter from @TropTraditions http://helena-agalneedsatleast2blogs.blogspot.com/ 4/29/10.
    • Blog, Facebook or Stumble about this giveaway and leave the post link! 3 extra entries (Leave 1 comment per entry) You may do all three if you'd like!
    This giveaway will end on 4/29/10 at 12:00 am MST.  I am excited that one of you will get this wonderful gift! Thanks to Tropical Tradition for their help and generosity. Winner will be chosen with Random.org and will be notified by e-mail.  Contest is open to both US and Canada.  However, Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway! The opinions expressed in this blog are mine and were not influenced in any way by Tropical Traditions or any other outside party.
     _____________________________________________________
    The winner was #8, picked by Random.org number generator!  Congratulations!

    Tuesday, April 6, 2010

    A Dress For A Wedding, A Funeral and Maybe A Luncheon

    I received a beautiful dress to review from eShakti!  Jennifer gave me some leeway on what I could choose.  So I chose according to a couple of needs I had.  I needed a dress to attend special occasions such as funerals, luncheons, even wedding receptions, and church functions.  I've gained some weight over this very long winter, maybe 5 pounds, and so I knew I wanted to disguise that as much as possible.  What is the best color to do that? Black!  The only problem is that I don't look my best in black.  I usually go for gray instead.  But I wanted to see what I could do with a beautiful peach/mandarin scarf that I had won on a previous giveaway.  If I could have that next to my face, it wouldn't matter if I was wearing black!  So with that need in mind, I went a-lookin'.  This is what I found:  The Peony Embroidered Cotton Satin Dress!  
     I was quite pleased with the style, fit, and color of this dress!

    I feel that this dress will look good , even if I end up losing some weight over the summer, which is what I normally do!  I absolutely love the embroidery work.  The flowers just pop and they look so beautiful at close range. (To see more closely, just click on the picture to enlarge!)

    You should really  go to eShaki and check out their beautiful clothing. They have all sizes, from 0 to 26W!  Don't be like I've been so much in the past.  I don't want to get new clothing because I am waiting for the day that I'll be that perfect size 4. And what happens?  That day never comes.  Go ahead and feel beautiful today, in a size that fits you and feels good.  As Apolo Ohno says, "This life is too short.  Live the moment.  No regrets!" 

    Another great feature that eShakti has is the custom fit option.  For a small fee, you can opt to adjust the neckline, the length and the sleeve length!  Even for standard sizing, they ask your bust size and your height so they can do a better job at getting your perfect fit.  I opted for the standard sizing, and with just the bust and height measurements, provided by me, they were able to do a great job!

    eShakti has a Facebook Fan Page where they feature new arrivals and other blog reviews, among other great things, so go check that out as well.

    I went to eShakti with some specific concerns and needs and I feel that these concerns were addressed and that I came away very happy! Thank you so much eShakti!



    Friday, April 2, 2010

    An April Fool's Gag




    I think one of the best April Fool's gags I've pulled on my family was the time I purchased 2 lbs. of chicken feet from the butcher's and put them in a boiling pot and told my husband that I had a special surprise for him.  I told him it was an old German family recipe that my Great Grandmother brought over from Germany.  I told him not to look b/c it was a surprise!
    Well, that just made him all the more curious, especially since I was guarding this covered pot and not letting him look.  Plus, the smell was really interesting, to say the least.  When I stepped out of the kitchen he snuck in and took a peek into the pot.  What he saw was a pot of churning, boiling chicken feet, complete with claws!  At that very moment, I came back into the kitchen and saw the combined look of horror, look of guilt at being caught looking, and look of trying NOT to look horrified b/c, after all,  it was a "family recipe" .  It was priceless and I laughed so hard!  It wasn't over, either.  I still had to get my son.  My son wasn't so complicated.  He took one look and said it was the grossest thing he'd ever seen and there was no way he was going to eat it.

    Next, I took the pot over to my parents, where my brother and his family were over for a little visit. Again, it was so funny to see them trying to be polite at first, disguising terror and disgust at the thought of maybe having to eat something like that.  Chicken feet just don't fly in my family. 

    What was one of your best April Fool's gags?

    image

    Thursday, March 25, 2010

    Some Good Reads!

    Have you read a really good post on a blog recently?   I really love to read other posts and I love to keep track of the good reads.  So here we have a link just for that purpose... I'd like to invite you to check out the good reads I've listed here and if you have a good read to recommend, please share with me and other readers who also love to read great posts!  These posts can be funny, helpful, insightful, thoughtful, happy, sad....whatever you feel grabs you and makes you say, "Wow, that was a really good read!"  If you have a great post of your own, please feel free to share it!  I guess you could call it  great Blog Fodder!  Whatever you want to call it, please, please share here!  Here's how:  Go to the post you love, not the blog, the post itself.  Copy the url of the post, come back here and add it to the link!  You can also add a title if you'd like in the space provided. Please, only one post per blog but add as many posts from different blogs as you would like!  So here's to some good reads!

     And BTW! Happy Friday Follow!   ( image)

    Tuesday, March 23, 2010

    It's All InThe Coconut - Tropical Traditions Giveaway!

    I am happy to announce that Tropical Traditions would like one of my readers to win a 1 quart jar of their Virgin Coconut Oil!

    A few posts back, I told you how I was introduced to the benefits of using virgin coconut oil, specifically Tropical Traditions.  You read how impressed I was with the benefits of virgin coconut oil. But I am also particularly impressed with Tropical Tradition's immaculate product processing, their choice selection of only the finest coconuts from the Philippines, the great taste, and their customer bonus program called Healthy Buyers! You can read my post here or you can visit Tropical Traditions directly and watch the video about how they discovered Virgin Coconut Oil, you can go to their recipe blog, which gives you yummy and easy recipes that use coconut oil in them. 

    Of course, Tropical Traditions has way more than just the Coconut Oil.  They have so many products that are healthy and farm fresh, without harmful pesticides or hormones.  I invite you to check out their many other quality produts.

    Get It:  You can buy directly from Tropical Traditions website.  There is a great sale for their Organic Coconut Peanut Butter, just $6.99 for 16 oz.!  Or you can buy 2 of the Coconut Cream Concentrate and get 2 for free!  And a 32 oz. jar of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil is just $27.50!

    Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter this sponsor ID # - 5954910. You will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.
    Win It: For a 1 quart jar of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil, please complete the mandy (mandatory entry) and any of the following entries for extra chances to win!  Please make your e-mail address available so I can contact you if you win!!!

    Mandy:  Visit Tropical Traditions and pick your favorite recipe that uses coconut oil!

     Optional Additional entries: 
    • Become a Facebook Fan of Tropical Traditions! Come back and leave your follower first name and last initial!Subscribe to AGalNeeds....RSS Feed (on right sidebar) using Google or another method that you prefer!
    • Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.  Leave your follow name in a comment
    • Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect!
      • Tweet daily for an extra entry every day! Leave me your twitter status in your comment! You can copy and paste this: "AGalNeeds...a jar of virgin coconut oil from @TropTraditions http://helena-agalneedsatleast2blogs.blogspot.com/ 4/10/10.
        • Blog, Facebook or Stumble about this giveaway and leave the post link!  If before April 4th, give yourself 3 extra entries (1 comment per entry). If after April 4th, give yourself 2 extra entries. Leave the post link where you did so!  You may do all three if you'd like, for the appropriate entries for each one.
        This giveaway will end on 4/10/10 at 12:00 am MST.  I am excited that one of you will get this wonderful gift! Thanks to Tropical Tradition for their help and generosity. Winner will be chosen with Random.org and will be notified by e-mail.  Contest is open to both US and Canada.  However, Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway! The opinions expressed in this blog are mine and were not influenced in any way by Tropical Traditions or any other outside party.

        Monday, March 22, 2010

        eShakti Giveaway!

        I needed to mention this great giveaway from eShakti because wow!  There is so much to win and so much to lose if you don't enter!  There will be a first prize of $250! Plus 25 prizes of $50 each!  eShakti has beautiful clothing.  But not just that, it is made to fit you individually. You can tell eShakti how to alter the clothing according to your measurements!  And it is done.  You'd be surprised what a little individual tailoring does for your figure and your outlook in general!  You can opt to go for custom tailoring or standard sizing.  Count me in!  Thanks eShakti!

        To enter this contest, simply access this entry form and answer the 2 questions!  Simple.  Must be in by 3/31/10!

        Sunday, March 21, 2010

        Health Benefits From Coconut Oil!


        It's so funny how we get information about things and file it away and find out later that what we initially took as Gospel truth was totally wrong!  You'll see what I mean when you read this:

        Tropical Traditions was very kind and sent me a 2 quart jar of their Virgin Coconut Oil.  I am a newbie with this oil, although I'd been hearing about its benefits for about 3 years, which I thought was interesting because isn't it considered a tropical oil? Aren't the tropical oils supposed to be really taboo and we're supposed to stay away from them?

        Apparently, coconut oil had been getting an undeserved bad rap because it is technically in the saturated fat category and the American public had been told, beginning in the 1950's, that saturated fats, especially "tropical oils" were bad and the harmless oils were the partially hydrogenated oils, like soy, corn, cottonseed, and safflower.  This was probably the biggest lie in the history of American food!  We now know that these partially hydrogenated oils are highly unstable and they are loaded with trans fatty acids.  Of course, now everyone not buried under a rock knows that trans fats are horrible for you.  We now know that saturated fats have a purpose in the American diet, if used with moderation.  Some benefits of saturated fat include:

        -Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50 percent of cell membranes. They give our cells necessary firmness and integrity. 
        -They play a vital role in the health of our bones. For example, at least 50 percent of our dietary fats need to be saturated for calcium to be effectively incorporated into the skeletal structure.
        -They lower Lp(a), a substance in the blood that indicates proneness to heart disease.
        -They protect the liver from the toxic effects of alcohol and certain drugs.

        -Short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids have important antimicrobial properties. They protect us against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract.
        The big difference with coconut oil is that yes, while it is technically a saturated fat, it is a MEDIUM CHAIN fatty acid, which changes the picture, even more.  Medium chain fatty acids are, simply put, amazing for you.  They do not increase triglyceride levels at all because they are absorbed differently by the body.  Medium chain fatty acid foods promote the absorption of all other nutrients taken in by the body.  They promote digestive system healing and they are easily converted into energy, which will boost the metabolism and promote healthy weight! They don't break down when raised to high heats, keeping their nutritional integrity.
        So we have been using our jar of coconut oil steadily and let me tell you, it is so amazing!  I wasn't using this oil in my home before this and it's my own loss.  Don't let it be yours. The first thing I tried was the recipes section found on the Tropical Tradition website!  They are amazing and delicious!  I made the Coconut Dishpan Cookies, the Roast chicken with Coconut Oil, I made my oatmeal with coconut oil, I fried my veggies in coconut oil and it was all delicious.  Another thing I will be trying when it gets warmer, is adding some coconut oil to my smoothies. There is no end to the things you can do with this oil in cooking.

        Another amazing thing with coconut oil is that it is good for the skin and the hair.  I'm going to be saving so much money on skin and hair products b/c this is the best stuff ever!  It absorbs quickly, it works like no other skin product I've tried and it smells wonderful.  I am adding coconut oil to my jars of facial cream and it not only stretches the usage, but it works so much better!  I am putting coconut oil on my hair before I wash it and it makes it really soft and smooth!

        Make sure that you purchase the Virgin Coconut oil because that is the one with all of the benefits.  Have I convinced you yet that you should at least try this stuff?  It's worth every penny, I promise!  I am a customer for life!  Thanks Tropical Traditions!

        photo credit
        Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.