The Benefits Of Basil Everyday + Recipe

If you could only grow and use one herb, which would it be? I've decided that, for me, that would be basil. Don't get me wrong, I love all the herbs. This season I've got chives, rosemary, and mint along with my basil. I shouldn't play favorites, but I do.Why?  There are a few reasons!

 It smells so good--the smell of fresh basil sends me! It is so sweetly aromatic and pungent. It puts me in a good mood every time I inhale. And yes, basil used as an essential oil has vast benefits, among them aromatherapy.

 I can cook so much with it - It adds a nice Italian flair to almost any dish! One of my most favorite spreads is pesto! Anything with a good pesto on top is going to be delish! Basil is one of the main flavors in this amazing spread!

Astonishing health benefits - One of the most compelling but lesser known reasons to love basil are the many health benefits. Basil is so powerful in terms of antioxidant protection that a little bit is going to go a long way. Just a few leaves chopped up can give you at least 20% of Vitamins K and A and the minerals manganese and magnesium.

Including basil in your salads and salad dressing can inhibit dangerous bacteria that have been known to lurk on the leafy greens we love to include in our salads. Washing your greens in a 1% solution of basil oil will greatly diminish dangerous bacteria such as Shigella, a dangerous diarrhea-causing germ that could result in significant intestinal damage.

Another amazing thing is that eating basil can help prevent cancer! It contains phytochemicals that are amazing for that reason!

Unfortunately, basil can't simply be harvested and eaten like the lettuces we eat raw. Don't bother, I tried! It's not tasty at all. But something happens when it is infused into soups, salads, dressings or lightly sauteed with various foods.

With that in mind, I wanted to make use of the several basil plants growing on my porch and garden plot. These beautiful herbs need to be ingested and not simply looked at and sniffed. 

I thought about what I am already eating a lot of--something that might go along well with basil and the answer came quickly enough.

It is my sautéed vegetable and eggs breakfasts. I will now be

adding basil to the mix. This is how I do it. It is so easy, just how I like it. I don't believe in making essential nutrition something that is hard to do. I love being able to incorporate powerful hacks, nutritional or otherwise, into things I already do. Why complicate our lives that are already full to the bursting point? (See how I incorporate probiotics into my smoothies)

Sautéed Veggie And Egg Skillet

Ingredients - Olive Oil, Red Bell Pepper, Onion, 5 large Mushrooms, 2 eggs, 10 basil leaves, chopped

Chop the pepper, onion and mushroom into bite-sizes pieces.

Place the onions and peppers into a large skillet and

sauté until onions are tranparent and peppers are soft.

Add the mushrooms and stir into the mixture. Sauté for 2 - 3 minutes. Add the basil and sautee until limp. 

Add 2 eggs and cook them to taste, adding salt and pepper as desired. Top with cheese if desired! Enjoy eating healthy!

Beautiful Interruption + #MyPostMonday Curating The Week's Best Original Content

Today my husband and I took the longest hike I've taken this summer! I hiked 9 miles total and I wasn't initially completely on board with it. But knowing how excited he is when I go with him and seeing the effort he went to in order to make sure that I would definitely be with him this morning as he carefully woke me up at 5 am, was something I couldn't turn down. (He even made me breakfast!)

We got to the trailhead at around 7 a.m. and due to it being MONDAY, no one was around. The destination was Lake Desolation. It doesn't sound too inviting, does it? Right now I'm suffering from a few maladies, all on my left side. The one that was bothering me today was my left achilles tendon. It has been injured in the past and has visible scar tissue built up. I've been doing some H.I.I.T. lately and my achilles doesn't like it. 

So we started out, with me baby-ing my poor achilles and not really sure what to expect, since I'd never been to Desolation Lake before. I was surprised that this was one of the prettiest and well kept trails I've been on. Sure, there were a few steep parts, but nothing I couldn't get up using some care and caution. 

We walked virtually the entire 4.5 miles to the lake without seeing a soul, until right at the end. There were 5 hikers that came up behind us and caught up to us right as we got to the lake. If you have been to the lakes in either Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons, this lake is a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. But a 5 is gorgeous in comparison to most lakes. It's just that the alpine lakes here in the canyons are so beautiful and pristine and so spectacularly gorgeous. 

Seeing this lake for the first time, I could see that the extremely dry winter had taken its toll and the water level was way down. But "desolation" is not a word I would use to describe this lake. It was still absolutely beautiful! 

In another effort to keep our hikes fun for both of us, my husband got us a set of two-way radios to keep us connected, even if he wanted to hike up even further and summit a peak, which is not something I will be doing any time soon. He left me at the lake and we communicated through the radios for the rest of the time. 

Desolation Lake

This turned out to be one of the most enjoyable hikes I've had yet. There were a variety of reasons that made it so fun, but how tragic if I had rolled over and said that I didn't want to go this morning! I could have used any number of reasons to NOT go--my achilles was bothering me, I have so much to do before school starts up again, I've already been on the minimum number of hikes I said I would do this summer, I have goals that need to be met, etc. etc. 

But I know that interruptions happen, and this interruption happened to be a beautiful one. I learned that goals can still be met, even though they might happen in a different order than you originally planned!

Image - Betsy Kasper

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize(Affiliate links welcome) 

My Favorite Companies $30 PayPal Giveaway

It's time to give some love to my favorite companies for the first half of 2018! These companies have the distinct honor of being great to work with, along with outstanding customer service, amazing products, and doing what it takes to stay relevant and in-demand for a long time to come! These companies have my A GAL NEEDS...stamp of approval!!!

So without further ado, here they are:

 A GAL NEEDS....Hug Your Skin

A company that searches for the best and most naturally organic skin products available and brings them to you all in one place! Their newest products are a group of suncare and repellent products that are totally organic and very effective, called Butterbean. The skincare line that they make available from the UK has received global Cosmos Organic Certification.. It is called InLight. I was able to review the Under Eye Revive and I absolutely loved it!

A GAL NEEDS...We Love Colors

St. Patrick's Day 2018

One of the reasons I love winter and spring is because I get to wear tights! And the tights I love are the ones from We Love Colors! With over 50 colors to choose from and styles that include patterned tights, fishnet tights, leggings, thigh highs, knee highs, socks, gloves, dancewear, and activewear! They are soft yet so durable! It's one more reason to look forward to winter!


A GAL NEEDS...GoliathGames/Pressman Toy Company
Goliath Games is a Family-owned Game and toys creator since 1980 and has realized great success in marketing and creating fun family entertainment. They acquired Pressman Toys in 2015, one of the most prolific board game companies in the U.S. since 1920. Together they are continuing to dominate the family game night scene and game nights are more important than ever. If you haven't played Rummikub, Tri-Ominos, Pop Rocket, or Kids Know Best, you've got to try them out! 

A GAL NEEDS...Real Time Pain Relief 
This pain relief company is serious about making pain relief manageable. Whether you have a sports injury, chapped lips, arthritis, or cramps, they've got a product just for you. The thing I like so much about their products is that they don't smell like your typical pain products. They smell good---really good! Their Hemp Oil Plus is the best! A pure and organic extract of Industrial Hemp, it is legal nationwide. Now the medicinal benefits of hemp can be yours along with 18 other natural ingredients such as turmeric, wasabi, and peppermint!

A GAL NEEDS...Cariloha 

 Before Cariloha was established in 2007, it seemed like bamboo was mainly known as a stubby plant growing in the swamps of 3rd World Countries! Sometimes you heard about bamboo furniture or chopsticks made from bamboo. Now, bamboo is known to be one of the most sustainable plants in existence and can be made into an infinite amount of products. Cariloha has really done its part to tout the benefits of bamboo to the world, while giving jobs to many bamboo growers, producers and manufacturers. Cariloha's creator and CEO, Jeff Pederson, won Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of 2018! With its many stores located at choice tropical destinations all around the world, one can take home memories of the tropics with a luxurious towel set, fine bamboo sheets, or bamboo clothing. Both cooling and incredibly soft, it adds an extra benefit of being antibacterial. If you don't happen to be aboard a luxury yacht or cruise line at a port of call where one of their stores is located, don't worry! You can always buy it online! There are always sales going on, and purchases over $100 means free shipping! Not lying when I say I've ordered quite a few bamboo beauties of my own from Cariloha! 

 So, if you haven't checked out these fine companies yet, I warmly invite you to do so now! And while you're doing that, show them some love on their social media and also enter my $30 PayPal Giveaway. It's my way of saying thank you all the way around! Great readers, amazing companies, and awesome giveaways! 

Enter in the Rafflecopter below. Open to U.S. and Canada. All entries will be verified. Ends on August 23rd! 

Disclaimer: Affiliate links may be present. No Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, nor any other social platforms are involved in any way!
Must be 21 or older to participate. Winner will be contacted by e-mail
after 08/23/18.  1 entrant per household please and must be a resident of U.S.or of Canada. Must have a PayPal Account. Must respond within 48 hours. Entrants with invalid entries will be disqualified. A GAL NEEDS...is responsible for delivery of cash prize. 
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Of Most Importance + #MyPostMonday Curating The Week's Best Original Content

I love feeling healthy and energetic! I do a few things daily to make sure I stay feeling that way. It's something I conscientiously work towards on a daily basis. 

Another thing I hold dear and work hard to keep is my relationship with my kids. They are gone and on their own--definitely not mama's boys. So sometimes it's up to me to keep the communication going and the home fires burning. I work on that as well because it's really important to me.

And of course, marriage is definitely something one needs to keep working on, unless you plan on letting it dwindle into a series of auto-pilot conversations and mundane schedules. Apparently my husband thinks it's important too, because he takes part in the maintenance of our relationship too, especially when food is involved! We've been married for 18 years now! It seems like just yesterday that we decided to not delay things and to just go for it, 4 months after we met.

Image - Gina Herbert

The above are some of the more obvious things that a lot of people might agree are important and worth fighting to keep. But there are some less obvious things that I find are just as important to keep.

One of them is something I have taken for granted all my life but am now starting to wonder if I really should have...the freedom of religion.  

A religious person shares a common belief that there is "a right and wrong in human behavior that has been established by a Supreme Being." (Dallin H. Oaks) That person may be a member of any given number of religions, but that one belief, at least, is held in common. 

Religion is good for society because it has been found that, in general, religious individuals have better family lives, stronger marriages, less substance abuse and crime, higher educational levels, a greater willingness to volunteer and donate to charities, better work habits, longer lives, better health, greater income, and higher levels of well-being and happiness. These are all things that, as a whole, will benefit society! *See Sources below

Unfortunately, protections afforded to freedom of religion and belief are often weak, unheeded, and attacked. Powerful pressures attempt to restrain religious freedom, even in countries that historically protected it most vigorously. These pressures seem to be gaining ground in many countries. 
*See Sources below

I am saddened when I see the historical tradition of public prayer, giving public credence to God, historical edifices referencing divinity, and individuals wanting to publicly display their heartfelt belief in God attacked and belittled. 

When someone is censored when moved to say what they truly believe, how can they claim freedom of speech? And the same with freedom of press and freedom of assembly. When they can't write what they believe or assemble to speak about what they believe, how can the claim of "freedom" be made?

Amazingly, in 2013, approximately 5.5 billion people--77 percent of the world's population--lived in countries with high or very high restrictions on religious liberty, up from 68 percent just six years earlier. *See Sources Below

"Sadly, religion is often countercultural and thus unpopular. For this reason, religious freedom, even where it is generally supported in principle, is often vigorously opposed in practice." (D. Todd Christofferson) 

What We Can Do

This is a freedom I have decided is too valuable to lose and I would like to do more to help protect this inalienable right here in my own country. If you are also of a mind to protect religious freedom, here are some things we can do to fight for that cause:

1) When we hear of someone being unfairly treated because of demonstrating or vocalizing their religious beliefs, find out the source and write a letter in support of the person who was treated unfairly.

2) Openly state our support of religious freedom and religion in general.

3) Don't openly criticize others of their differing religious beliefs . They have the same right as we do to practice their beliefs. We need to unite rather than be divided in this important freedom.

4) Don't be critical of those who profess no religious beliefs. No one should be compelled to be religious.

5) Write to our elected officials and make it known that we are supportive of religious freedom.

If more of us speak out and stand up for what was granted us when the U.S. was founded, we can preserve that important freedom. It is important and worth fighting for to keep!
*Sources

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize(Affiliate links welcome) 

Beginner To Expert + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

It's been awhile now that I've been creating posts at least once per week, and on average 2.5 times per week. These posts have been mostly original (unless it has been a guest post) and there have been so many times I have struggled at trying to get wording just right, trying to create a nice image to go along with the post, remembering to link everything properly, and giving credit where it is due. 

But I found out recently that all this hasn't been in vain! I can actually use this hard won skill in other areas! I found that I am more able to gather my thoughts and create something when it comes to speaking in public, which I was asked to do recently. It has been quite awhile since I've talked in public because I don't relish it much, mainly preferring to be in the background, letting someone who is more outgoing than me do it. 

But what I noticed is that when I was writing up my presentation, the words came out of my head, onto the page quickly and getting the material to flow and be cohesive was so much easier than I remember it. It made me feel so good that a skill set I've been developing in one area actually translated rather well into another area!

I watched 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls' last night with his guest, Roger Federer. Roger is the greatest tennis player in history, winning more Grand Slams than any other man (although Raphael Nadal is on his heels!) As they braved a treacherous descent and subsequently, a steep climb up an ice waterfall in Switzerland, they used Roger's tennis racquets and his tennis balls to accomplish some daunting tasks! Roger's skill at hitting a tennis ball very long distances with great accuracy came into play. I loved how his skill set really did help when it was needed in a different situation than tennis! I really love that show btw!!! All the hearts!

Image - Jeff Stewart

Ana Luisa Jewelry Review + #Giveaway

                         Ana Luisa NY
                            Handcrafted Designer Jewelry 
                     Free sign-up here: http://bit.ly/AnaLuisa_Helena15
                             Use code Helena15 to get $15 OFF

Can I just say I had the best time the other evening when I attended a Summer Solstice Garden Party? It was held in a beautiful backyard, with the Wasatch Mountains as a backdrop. It was a truly spectacular view! The evening was enjoyable, the food was amazing and the chit chat was fun! The food theme was 'summer salads'. I brought a salad that I actually found from one of my features in #MyPostMonday!  I didn't bring back much, so that was a good thing! People must have enjoyed it!

One of the fun things about the evening was that everyone who attended was able to choose a hat to match their outfit. Since I was wearing purple, I chose a hat with a purple ribbon.

I received product to facilitate this review. Regardless, all opinions are mine! Your experience may vary!

I actually received some compliments on the outfit and the jewelry I wore from Ana Luisa! I wore the Virginia Bracelet and the Gaby Earrings and I'd love to tell you about them, if you would indulge me!

Ana Luisa Jewelry is a company comprised of jewelry lovers and craftsmen who want to make a difference in the industry. They create high-quality pieces suitable for everyday life! Each piece is precious and is limited release to guarantee their uniqueness! I like the fact that the pieces are limited and that I can be assured that my choices of jewelry will be unique to me! Also Ana Luisa is a membership shopping site where enrollment is entirely free! Many of their jewelry designers have previously worked in such famous jewelry houses as Kenzo, Alexander Wang, Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren!

So on to the Ana Luisa jewelry I was wearing!

Virginia Bracelet
This bracelet is so very delicate, yet when you really look at it, very intricate!  Dipped in 14K gold, it has 3 layers that cater to that inner fashionista. I've received quite a few compliments on it, especially when people look closely at it!

Gaby Earrings
Almost in direct contrast to the Virginia Bracelet, the Gaby Earrings are statement pieces that bring a fun element to your look! I usually like to wear one statement piece, along with other more subtle pieces and for me, these earrings were the best! They are a combination of gold plating and enamel. The three mobile parts are connected by 4 small rings, making them your not-so-ordinary round earring!

Giveaway!
I'm very excited to be able to extend to 3 of my readers a pair of Laura Earrings from Ana Luisa Jewelry!

The Laura Earrings are drop-down front-facing to give a true depiction of boldness with a classic feel! The gold-dipped earrings feature a marble-like appearance with a soothing tone that give off a sort of beachy vibe! I think you will absolutely love the fun feel and the added versatility they will give your summer wardrobe!

To enter, sign into the Rafflecopter below and register for your free membership to Ana Luisa! There are other entries available which are totally optional and serve to increase your chances of winning if you so choose! Good luck!! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: Open to U.S.!  A GAL NEEDS...received product from this sponsor to facilitate the review of this product. Affiliate links may be present. No Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, nor any other social platforms are involved in any way! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must have a valid mailing address, no P.O. Box.
Must be 21 or older to participate, 1 entrant per household, Winner will be contacted by e-mail
after 07/18/18.  Must respond within 48 hours.
After notification, winner will be asked to acknowledge their win by contacting sponsor on Social Media and letting them know of their win.
Entrants with invalid entries will be disqualified.
Sponsor, Ana Luisa, is responsible for delivery of prize.  

Don't Stress It + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

I like to think of this space as a moderate health and wellness site. I don't recommend that people go on any crazy diets, other than substitute out the really bad foods for better foods, and I say get yourself moving in some form of exercise every single day, including some stretching. But first and foremost I advocate appreciating the body that you have and speaking nicely to yourself.  I feel pretty good about that, since that is what I do, along with a few other well-guarded secrets to be revealed when I write my e-book or open up coaching sessions! (I plan on doing that within the next 3 years, so don't go anywhere!) But then again, maybe that won't happen after all. Today I found out a piece of info that was particularly hard to swallow because I know I have failed at this big time! Read on, my friend!

I found out that an analysis of data from four studies that included nearly 40,000 people appears to indicate a possible connection between anxiety during middle age and a diagnosis of dementia in old age. What? Come again? Did I just read that right? 

Image - Dianne Brown

$100 Cariloha Cash #Giveaway + 20% All-Product Discount Code

It's time to unveil one of my most favorite companies with a great giveaway that I'm confident will persuade you to my way of thinking as well! Actually you may already know that it has been one of my favorite companies for awhile now, if you have been a follower here at A GAL NEEDS... for any length of time! I've worked with them quite a little bit!

Affiliate and non-affiliate links are present on this site for information purposes! Product was received for review purposes!

Cariloha is an 11-year-old company that is continuing it's rapid growth and success, based on their in-tune connection with their customers' wants and needs. Originally starting out with just a few port-of-call shops for vacationers at luxury resort destinations, they realized that their luxurious-yet-sustainable bamboo product line was appealing to far more than tourists aboard cruise ships. They now have more than 50 store locations in 16 countries and their online presence has grown right along with their stores. 

Top Award - Just this month, out of hundreds of applicants and 24 finalists, Ernst & Young recently named Cariloha's founder and CEO, Jeff Pederson, as the 'Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018' Award Winner! It just goes to show what an outstanding company this is and the leadership that is behind it, along with all those who have helped to make it happen.

Product Line - Cariloha offers an exclusive collection of bedding, apparel, active wear, bath goods, and accessories all made from soft, cool, comfortable, clean, green bamboo! And whether you're on vacation or at home, bamboo offers the feel of the tropics wherever you are! Special care is taken to drape their customers in breathable and sustainable bamboo fabrics and blends! 

See my reviews on their Bath Towels, bathrobes, sheets and apparel!
 
I have an exclusive promo code for 20% off any product at Cariloha. Enter GNEEDS5468 at checkout for 20% off anything on their site, including sale items! It comes just in time for summer, when staying cool is key! Valid until July 1st! Please no sharing on 3rd Party Discount Sites!

I'm so excited to be able to offer one of my readers a $100 Cariloha Cash Prize! What is Cariloha Cash? With an exclusive gift code, you will be able to choose $100 worth of merchandise from Cariloha's website!

Enter in the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win! This is an exclusive A GAL NEEDS...giveaway. You won't find it anywhere else! What that means is more chances for you to win! Open to U.S. and Canada, must be 21+, one entrant per household, all entries are validated. 

And remember, A GAL NEEDS...Cariloha!! Best of luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclaimer: Open to U.S. and Canada!  A GAL NEEDS...received product from this sponsor to facilitate the review of this product. Affiliate links may be present. No Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, nor any other social platforms are involved in any way! This giveaway is open to U.S./Canadian residents only and must have a valid mailing address, no P.O. Box.
Must be 21 or older to participate, 1 entrant per household, Winner will be contacted by e-mail
after 06/30/18.  Must respond within 48 hours.
After notification, winner will be asked to acknowledge their win by contacting sponsor on Social Media and letting them know of their win.
Entrants with invalid entries will be disqualified.
Sponsor, Cariloha, is responsible for delivery of prize.

Cariloha Bath Towel Review + 20% All-Product Discount Code

Do you know of a company or store that you just can't leave alone? Because of your obsession with them, they continually get your money because you absolutely love their products? That's what Cariloha is for me! I love their stuff! Time after time, anything I choose, turns out to be amazing! I have reviewed them several times over the past 8 years and I've also bought from them many times! I love everything that they have because it represents sustainability, luxury, and tropical climates (the latter of which I am not privileged to live in, so I fake it)! The name Cariloha is a combination of two tropical locations--the Carribean and Hawaii (think aloha). 

This site uses affiliate links and non-affiliate links for reference purposes. I was provided product for review purposes. Thanks so much for visiting my site!

Up until recently, however, I had never tried Cariloha's bath collection. Cariloha weaves their bath towels from a combination of Turkish-combed cotton and bamboo viscose, leaving it feeling so luxurious and soft you feel like you are royalty (without the required etiquette). Having bamboo fibres in the weave of a towel is advantageous because bamboo is naturally odor and allergy resistant. It is also a great moisture absorbant.