Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Most Gorgeous Romantic Dress!

I was being distracted this morning, and how I was led to Bon Bon Rose Girls Blog is rather puzzling.  But nevertheless, there I was and was just amazed at the dress she posted there, with the intent on buying it for her upcoming tropical vacation!  I'm so jealous, I admit it!  I hope she got it though, because it is so gorgeous!  I even left this comment on her blog: 

I haven’t seen a dress in quite awhile that I’ll actually need to make a comment on. But this dress is absolutely exquisite, if you are talking romance and other worldliness! I looked at the other examples of mullet dresses and this one is by far the best!

Have you heard of this "mullet dress" trend yet?  Seems like it is so very popular this year!  Can I even say 'hot'?  All in all, I feel that it is a very hard fashion to wear and can end up looking rather silly.  But fashion is fashion, and if it's in, I want to at least find the best looking example of said trend.  I think that I found it in this dress! 
Oh, and maybe this one too! 
I love anything she wears, probably because she is so gorgeous!
Can I just say these are not my favorites?

Katy Perry is lovely, but no...
Oh Miley...just let your Dad live down his mullet! 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce {Review & Giveaway}


Many Congratulations to the winners, #36 Cynthia, who said "I just made chicken thighs in the oven and they would have been great with bbq sauce", and to #35, Tarter95, who said "I "Like" Country Bob's on FB. #2"




    I have been a fan of Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce for awhile now!  This past weekend I used it to cook some venison that my dear son brought in!  About half-way through the cooking process, I simply added about  3 Tbsp. of the sauce into the pan.  It was absolutely delicious!  And that's what I love about the "All-Purpose" element of this sauce.  I can use it on anything.  It's great with chicken, beef, and now, venison!   I am also guilt-free, when it comes to the ingredients used in this sauce!  For 1 Tablespoon it is 25 calories, 6 grams of sugar and 170mg of sodium.  Those are quite impressive figures for such a great taste! 
It was 1968 when Country Bob Edson perfected his sauce recipe and today we call it All Purpose Sauce because it was more than just a steak sauce. Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce has remained the flagship item since 1982 when Country Bob, Inc. was established. 

     In addition to the original All-Purpose Sauce, Country Bob's also has Spicy All-Purpose Sauce, BBQ Sauce and Seasoning Salt!  Also, found exclusively in the gift pack ($19.95), two new flavors of the All-Purpose Sauce--Apple Chipotle and Honey Habanero!  Yum!   Country Bob's is available at grocery stores (just check their store location finder for a store nearest you) and available for purchase at the Country Bob's website!   Also on the website is Cooking With Ken--a collection of savory barbecue and meat recipes, showing how to use Country Bob's products in them.  
    Keep up-to-date with Country Bob's on Twitter or Facebook because they always have something going on--either a great promotion, event or a giveaway.
    I'm excited to be able to offer 2 readers 2 bottles each of Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce!  Make the rest of your summer cooking something to remember! 
Mandatory entry:  Tell me something that you already cook that you think Country Bob's Sauce could work well with!  (Remember, you can use it in most anything!)
Extra entries:  ( 1 entry = 1 comment, 2 entries = 2 comments, etc.)
 (+1) Follow me on Google Friend! (right sidebar, leave your Google name)
(+1) Subscribe to my e-mails!  (Also on my right sidebar!)
(+1) Follow Country Bob's and @Xocaisgood on Twitter!  (1 entry each)
(+1) Tweet this out using @CountryBobs and @melahelen  (Use the tweet below for your convenience!)
 (+1) Follow me on Facebook!  (Leave me your FB fist name and last initial!)
(+2) Grab My Button and show me where you put it!  (give me the link)
(+2) Like Country Bob's on Facebook!  Comment on your favorite summer grilling food! 
(+3) Blog, digg, stumble or Facebook this!  Leave me the link!
(+2) Follow my giveaway listings blog!
(+1) Click the Google +1 button at the bottom of this post!

Giveaway will end on 8/19/11 at approx. 11:59 pm MST.  Winner will be selected from random.org and e-mailed the results.  Please respond within 48 hours.  Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada.  Thanks so much to Country Bob's for the opportunity to review this great product!  Disclosure: CMP.LY/2






    

Monday, August 1, 2011

Making Your Own Stock or Broth

Making one's own broth or stock seems like a lost art because you can usually get canned broths and bouillon cubes easily and not-too-expensively!  But here's a case for making your own! 
    First of all, you can control what goes into the broth.  Oftentimes, monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be found, or even excess sodium or wheat gluten in the store bought offerings.  Secondly, if it is done well, it can taste so much better!  Thirdly, it can add a wonderful smell and a warmth to your home, especially in the cooler months!  And last, it makes you feel really great when you can use up everything in a chicken dinner, including the carcass! Two things can make the project very easy and rewarding.  Those two things are a slow cooker and a rotisserie chicken!  
    On an evening where you bring home a roasted chicken from the grocery store for a quick dinner, don't toss the carcass.  Instead put the carcass in the slow cooker and cover it with cold water.  Add any skin as well (it adds flavor and can be skimmed off at the end of the cooking process!)
    Clean out your vegetable drawer and put in celery (include the leaves),  onion, carrots and garlic along with the chicken. Don't forget salt and pepper as well!
    Turn the slow cooker on low and leave it for at least 4 hours!
    Take off the lid after that and continue the condensing process by turning the cooker to high and leaving it for 6-8 more hours.  This makes it more flavorful and when it is done, will be delicious to add to your homemade soups and stews.
    Pour the remaining liquid through a strainer, leave out for another hour and remove the remaining fat and store in airtight containers in the freezer!  I guarantee you'll feel like such a diva chef! 
    

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tips To Keep Children Safe Around A Pool

One of the things I always worry about with little kids is water safety.  Kids are so fascinated by the water and some are even more fascinated than others and just dive right in!  So when I'm at a location where little kids and water are in the same place, I don't totally relax.  If you have a pool in your yard or know of someone with a pool, here are some tips so that you can relax more, if not totally, because accidents always happen!  These tips are from The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP):
  • Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
  • Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
  • You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
  • Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
  • Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
  • Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
  • After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
  • A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety pool cover will not prevent all drownings.
Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. 

Disclosure: http://www.cmp.ly/0

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

How To Survive School This Year

    It's a pretty sure bet that now summer vacay is more than half over, our thoughts are gradually turning to the inevitable back to school days and what that entails!  I know that I am hoping for the best with my youngest son, who is 14 years old.  
    This last school year for us, as parents, was filled with monitoring homework, constant reminders about doing homework, talks about behavior in class and actually visiting a class once.  More than once assignments were lost and forgotten about until the day before they were due.  In the end, he ended up with A's, but we felt like we held his hand much of the way through 8th grade. Why did it seem so unimportant to be responsible for his own grades??  Why was he not motivated to get in there on his own, as we have seen him do when he really wants something?  Is it because peers don't see being responsible as cool?  I wonder... 
    As our son enters into high school as a freshman, I've got some great advice on how to survive the school year!  

For the student:  First of all, know that High School is where your real future begins.  This is the game that says if and where you'll go to college.  So play it smart.  If given the choice to play around in the hall or play funny guy in class, think twice.  These things will garner you a reputation that will be hard to shake.  Teachers and administrators do go on reputation, whether you like it or not.  
    Wear good clothes but don't worry about being the most trendy kid in the school.  Wear clothing that is comfortable, in style, but not too trendy.  Again, you are playing the game for your future.  If you're not viewed as the coolest kid in the school, OK.  After you're done with school, no one cares if you were cool or not.  They care if you did well in school.  Funny how things change.
     For the parents:  Make sure that you keep your finger on the pulse of what is going on in the classroom.  Keep up to date on the teacher updates that most teachers do.  Make sure that you check on assignments, tests and projects through e-mail or power school.  Teachers appreciate your willingness to be involved.  However, don't be a pest.   Teachers are extremely busy people and they have plenty of people to answer to.  Don't make them feel like they have to answer to you as well! 
    Set your expectations high as far as grades and homework.  Put a reward system in place for good things done, like remembering homework, doing well on tests, staying out of detention, or finishing a project.
    Keep unnecessary stress down by taking precautionary measures.  For instance, if your student rides a bike, make sure that you have a good lock for it like Masterlock.  Having a bike stolen would just be an extra stressor for you and  take away energy you could use for something else! 
    Finally, make sure you set aside some time for you to re-focus and re-fuel.  After all, it's going to be 9 long months until summer rolls around again!
  



Saturday, July 9, 2011

Lose Weight With 'Green Tea Daily' Review


  
    Have you ever wondered if there is a way to lose weight without having to go on a strict, regimented diet where you need to keep track of points, calories and servings?  I have!  I am just not successful at dieting that way.  I need to eat when I'm hungry.  I can't keep track of what I shove into my mouth eat every second of the day!  I've got too many other things that I obsess about!  ;) 
     I had actually come to the sobering conclusion that I would probably have to settle with the answer to the above question as a big, resounding N-O.  But by chance, I was walking through my local mall one day and saw this great little kiosk with a really outgoing and cute salesgirl, who thrust an ice cold 20 oz. water and a little packet into my hands and said, "Try this!"  When I asked her what it was she said it's Green Tea with a twist!  My first question was, "How much caffeine does it have?"  She said that first of all, the "caffeine" you get from this is equivalent to what is in a regular size candy bar!  Secondly, unlike the energy drinks in the stores, the energy source in Green Tea is natural and has no side effects!   My interest was piqued because it had been a hard week and my energy was zapped.  Wow!  Natural bottled energy with no side effects?  Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
    Then she showed me that not only does it have the benefits of "first flush" green tea, it also has other great natural ingredients to enhance the already great benefits of green tea!  Noni, acai berry and maqui berry, all super fruits rich in natural anti-oxidants, are added.  Calcium is also added for good measure! 
    If I got all that in a drink I'd be ready to get it!  But the other great benefit of drinking MyGreenTeaDaily is that it naturally speeds up the metabolism and causes healthy digestion, which results in weight loss!  OK, now I'm sold!  I walked away with a month's supply!  Guess what!  It's the best!  At this time last year I was 5 lbs. heavier and I haven't really done anything differently.  In fact, if anything, I have been indulging even more, with my new found love of experimental cooking!  (Pass the butter, please!)
 I recently went back to get my 2nd month's supply and talked to Keri.  She's 20 years old, cute as a button and was ready to tell me what greenteaDaily has done for her!  She was a heavy diet coke drinker, and was addicted to it even though she would get headaches from the caffeine.  When she switched to greenteaDaily, all of that disappeared and she still had the natural energy, but with no jitters.  Whereas before she was spending $3.00/day for her coke habit, now she spends $2.00/day for her much healthier green tea habit!  She also stated that she had really brittle fingernails and since she switched to GreenTeaDaily, her fingernails are stronger PLUS she lost a dress size around the waist! 
    "GreenTeaDaily began with one ingredient: premium quality green tea harvested at first flush. The whole idea was to introduce the power of pure green tea at its optimum stage. Rich with antioxidants and fat-burning properties, first flush green tea has the ability to elevate our body's metabolic rate, lower cholesterol levels, promote cardiovascular health, and most importantly, increase our body's immune power. Antioxidants are elements found in fruits and vegetables that help get rid of free radicals in our body. This, in turn, helps slow down the aging process, giving us young and beautiful skin, and strengthens our body against diseases. Ultimately, green tea gives us the energy we need by regulating healthy weight loss. Unlike the energy drinks found in the market today, the energy we get from green tea has no side effects and is completely natural."

greenteaDaily comes in 5 flavors, in convenient, tear-open packages and should be consumed within 2 hours of mixing to make sure that none of the nutrients dissipate.  A month's supply is $59.99 or sign up for their loyalty program, which gives you deep discounts for automatically shipping it to you every month, 2 months, or every 3 months.
    Check them out on Facebook, Twitter, their blog, their website or call them directly at 1.888.903.2459!
    greenteaDaily would like to give someone a full month's supply ($59.99) of your two favorite flavors!   If you would like to win this great prize, please do the following mandatory entry and any or all extra entries you choose!

Mandy:  Be my GFC Follower (indicate blogger name) AND visit greenteaDaily and tell me which flavor(s) you'd like to try!

Extra Entries (1 comment per entry):
Worth 1 entry each:
  • Tweet about it daily for an extra entry each day you do!  Please leave the tweet status in your comment! (click on the time stamp of your tweet to get it!)  Copy and paste:
"Lose weight & increase metabolism naturally! a month's supply of ($60 ARV) "
Worth 2 entries each:
  • Link this giveaway to a giveaway linky! (Only one link to this giveaway per linky please)
  • Mention this giveaway on FB or your blog! Leave the link!
  • Like this page on Stumble!
  • Subscribe to my e-mail updates!

Worth 3 entries each:
  • Sign up for My Likes with me!  Leave your MyLikes name!
  • Subscribe to my e-mail feed! (right sidebar, don't forget to confirm through your own e-mail!)

Giveaway will end on July 25, 2011 at 11:59 MST.  Open to US and Canada.  You must be 18 years of age or older to participateWinner will be selected by random number generator and notified by e-mail.  Please respond within 48 hours to avoid another selection.  I was provided a product sample for review!  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

A One-Day only 40% off Sale at Grateful Body!!!

Pssst....heads up!  Grateful Body will be having a one-day 40% off on any and all products tomorrow, July 8th!!  This is a fabulous deal, one that I will definitely take advantage of myself!  Happy shopping!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wimbledon Moments!

I am a tennis buff, thanks to my husband who at one time, had us out playing tennis at least once or twice a week.  That has dwindled into an afterthought, but we still love watching National Tennis on T.V.  
    This week, Wimbledon is going strong.   And if you are familiar with tennis, you know that Roger Federer, the greatest player of all time,  just went down in the quarter-finals to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  It's sad seeing a great player such as Federer, succumbing to "old age" .  
A disappointed Roger Federer

     Once a tennis player approaches 30, they become vulnerable to the younger, stronger players between 20 - 25.  Both Venus and Serena Williams have already gone down this year at Wimbledon.  Venus is now 31 and Serena will be 30 in September.
     I've heard a few explanations as to why this is so.  Since the days of Pete Sempras, tennis has become increasingly more punishing.  The racquets have become significantly lighter, allowing players to swing them with higher speed, thus making the ball travel much faster.  With the lighter weight, however, the impact of the hit is absorbed into the joints, muscles and bones of the player.  And as many times as a player is required to hit, the repeated stress is bound to take its toll.  Also, with the increased ball speed, the athlete is required of necessity to be quicker, more agile, more active on the court.  It requires a great deal of flexibility, endurance and speed to play and defend at championship level.  
     But watching a finals match at any of the National Tennis events, be it US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, or Australian Open, is beautiful to behold.   It is not only a match between the best technical player, but it is literally a match for the players with the strongest psyche.   For example, sometimes players intentionally try to get into another player's head.  I'm still trying to figure out if Rafael Nadal had an injury to his foot severe enough to delay the game for over 10 minutes while he consulted with a trainer and subsequently had his foot wrapped.   He was at a clear disadvantage to Juan Martin Del Potro during the 4th round match at Wimbledon yesterday and Del Potro was on a roll, ready to take advantage of it.  But the 10-minute wait did something to him.  He was clearly irritated at having to wait and the momentum shifted soon after.  Nadal is known for taking his sweet time at serving, often getting warned for taking too much time.   Del Potro ended up losing yesterday and Nadal is going on to the semi-finals.  So who was the stronger player?  There is no doubt that Nadal beat Del Potro not just with skill, but he stayed focused and Del Potro got rattled.  
Rafael Nadal, the other greatest tennis player
      I'm thoroughly enjoying this final week of Wimbledon and you should really check  it out if you get a chance.  Also, there is still the US Open to look forward to at some point this summer!  I can't wait!  Here are some fun video highlights of this year's Wimbledon, which, by the way, Prince William and Princess Kate are attending!

Update:  It turns out that yes, indeed, Rafael does have a foot injury.  He has actually had it numbed for the rest of the tournament and has opted to deal with it after the play is finished.  Good luck Rafa!  
    



Tuesday, June 28, 2011

$25 To Your Pay Pal Giveaway! (7/12)


Thank you, one and all, for your great comments! I loved reading them! Unfortunately, just one was chosen by random.org.  It was #75! If I could put $25 in each of your paypal accounts, I would definitely do so, but I just don't have an extra $3,800.  Do keep coming back, as I'm known to host these little events every so often!  It's my way of saying thanks and have a great day!  
______________________________________________

It's time for me to give away $25 to someone's PayPal! Don't know what PayPal is?  It's easy to set it up.  You get paid through your e-mail!  Google it and set it up!  It's easy!  And for me, being paid to my PayPal is better than a gift card because I can choose where to spend it! It's true, Money is like an arm or leg - use it or lose it!  
   I'd love to get a few comments on some of my poor, neglected posts!  So I'm giving you a choice of entries today!  Pick one of the blog posts under my tabs above: (fashion, health & beauty, life in general or noteworthy news), make a comment there, and come back and tell me here that you did! That's it!  If you want extra entries, make a few comments on different posts and come back and let me know!  Commenting is unlimited and counts as one entry each, as long as they are constructive and you let me know on this post which ones you commented on!  Sound good?  Great!  I will select a winner on July 12th at 11:59 MST!  The winner will be notified by e-mail and given 48 hours to respond.  I will then deposit your $25 into your PayPal!  Happy commenting! 

NOTE: Some of your comments may end up in my comment moderation section and may not show up immediately.  Don't worry, if that happens I will retrieve them and make sure they get published!  

Monday, June 20, 2011

Miracle Body Jeans!



I'm very excited to introduce my final sponsor to Blog Bash 2011--MiracleBody Jeans!  I have been wanting a pair of these amazing jeans for the longest time!  And I may have to wait a little longer, but you don't have to!  Miracle Body wants to give one of you a pair of their best-selling jeggings for Spring 2011!  (This has a $64 ARV)

Indulge in 22" of slimming chic premium denim, crafted from our unique blend of cotton spandex control fibers to gently lift your rear while smoothing and shaping your thighs for a slenderizing effect from waist to calf.  Discrete canvas control panel comfortably holds your tummy for an instant flattening effect without a painful tummy tuck, so you can breathe easy all day and all night while maintaining your amazingly slimmer figure.  Lightweight denim that's lighter than the average jean but slightly heavier than the typical legging, our premium fabric is specifically designed to conceal unsightly imperfections and give you an all-over smoothing effect.  With superior shaping and style, these cropped denim leggings are the ultimate must-have for your summer wardrobe!
Many women all over the U.S. and Canada are saying wonderful things about MiracleBody!  

These jeans are amazing. The tag line "look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds," is actually true. The first time I wore these, family members asked if I had lost weight! The best thing about them? They don't squeeze the waist and give you "muffin top!" And unlike other stretch jeans, these don't sag in the seat after you've worn them a while. Also, there is no embarrassing stretchy-looking waist band to give them away. They look and feel like "regular" jeans. They seemed a little pricey to me at first, but after purchasing them, I would rather have just one pair of these than a dozen pairs of any other brand.
Jobie Dickerson, Savannah, GA 

Fun Fact:  MiracleBody Jeans is a direct branch of  MiracleSuit, the #1 brand designer of women's control swimwear since 1937!  That's a lot of experience with shaping women over the years!

Some cool little extra are that you get a free tote with any order that you place with MiracleBody and there is free standard shipping with no minimum order!
To get extra/early entries for a pair of MiracleJeans classic jeggings, sponsor of Blog Bash 2011, all you need to do is do one or all of the following entries (Also make sure you go to my main Blog Bash post to do the mandatory entry):  

1 entry each:
  • Like MiracleBody on Facebook  (Come back and let me know your FB handle!)
  • Follow @MiracleBodyJean and @Xocaisgood on Twitter! (1 entry each)
  • Tweet this giveaway and include @Xocaisgood and @MiracleBodyJean in the tweet.  Leave the tweet status.  (Can be done daily)  Example:
"Lose 10 lbs. in 10 Seconds!  #Win @MiracleBodyJean Jeggings at A GAL NEEDS...  @Xocaisgood http://bit.ly/m2P8te at #blogbash11 6/25"
  • Post my A GAL NEEDS...button on your blog and let me know where you did it! 
  • Follow me on Networked Blogs!  Leave your networked blog name!
 That's it!  Don't forget to stop by my Blog Bash 2011 main post to enter there for the mandatory entry!  That will be up this Tuesday, June 21st!  In the meantime, these are extra and early entries!  Winner of this giveaway will be chosen with Random.org and will be notified by e-mail.  Please respond within 48 hours of initial notice.  Giveaway is for U.S. entrants only.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Special thanks to MiracleBody for this great prize package!  Giveaway ends at 11:59 MST on June 26th!  U.S. only.