Hello friends and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of the holiday I wanted to share a few simple recipes with you; Beer Bread and a Sausage and Cheese Dip. This was something that my girlfriend, Delma had made to bring to last month’s Girl’s Night In, and I have been wanting to make it ever since.
Using a box of Krusteaz Beer Bread mix, a 12 oz can of beer or any carbonated beverage and 3 tablespoons of melted butter is all that is required to made this bread in less than an hour.
The Sausage and Cheese Dip was made with 16 oz of browned Jennie-O Turkey Sausage, 16 oz of melting cheese, and 1 can of Ro*Tel tomatoes, slow cooked for an hour.
This is a filling feast that will be the highlight of a dinner party, Sunday Brunch, Girl’s Night In or a Boy’s Night Out. I hope you have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day Holiday. Eat, drink and have a lucky day!
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. You guys know that I am not a ‘fru-fru” coffee connoisseur, as evidenced by this pic, however, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good cup of coffee!
I recently had an opportunity to review the Francois et Mimi French Coffee Press and if you watch my YouTube Video “Brunch with Blake” you’ll see that it made a really good cup of coffee. To be honest with you I had to search online to first see how to use a Glass French Coffee Press and although I appear clumsy on my video it really wasn’t that hard to do.
Start by removing the lid, then add boiling water to the coffee press just up to the metal ring. Place the lid back on so that the pot can warm up for about 10 minutes. Remove the lid, empty the water then add more boiling water this time just enough for how many cups you want to make. I was making just enough for myself, so I put 2 scoops of coffee grounds onto the metal tray, then put the lid back on and slowly pressed the plunger down to just above the water.
I let it sit allowing the coffee to brew for approximately 5 minutes, then slowly pressed the plunger to the bottom for another 5 minutes. After the allotted time, I pulled up and removed the lid and plunger and poured a cup. I wasn’t going to taste the coffee on camera but it smelled delicious and so without adding any sweetener or cream I took a sip…it was awesome and my facial expression proves it. Check out the video!
This is definitely a great product to have and it makes a really good cup of coffee. Due to my time constraints during the week (running late to work) I will probably use it only on the weekends, hey I might even splurge and get a fancier (more expensive) brand of coffee…nah!
Check out Amazon.com, if you think you would be interested in ordering a Francois et Mimi Glass Coffee Press for yourself or to give as a gift.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. Today on this soggy Saturday, I think we can finally say “goodbye” to the snow, but with a few more weeks of winter, I will not be saying “goodbye” to my winter whites.
I was never one who stopped wearing white after Labor Day, however, there are a few ways in which to wear white in the winter to keep it seasonal. Please click the link below to read more of these tips in my article in LadiesLife.com magazine.
“Hey mom…I didn’t mean to…but…”If you are the mother of a tween, teen or kid in college you’ve probably heard this statement before. Our son, a freshman at Bowie State University is notorious for going over his monthly phone data plan, and he blames the school for it’s unreliable Wi-Fi. However, even before leaving home he often had the same problem, so the time has come to make a change to a more affordable, reliable and a Simply Prepaid™ plan.
With the introduction of Simply Prepaid™ from T-Mobile switching plans will not only help us save money, which can be used for books or laundry, it will also provide him with the services he needs; unlimited talk and text plus 4G LTE and all of this for only $40 a month. Also with the T-Mobile Simply Prepaid™ plan there is no contract to sign and it’s pay as you go.
Last week, I drove to our local Walmart to purchase the SamsungGalaxy Avant and two (2) months of the T-Mobile Simply Prepaid™ plan. Now when he comes home for Spring Break he’ll find these on his desk and he’ll be able to transfer all of his contacts as well as check his monthly balances with the ability to reload it with ease.
T-Mobile’s Simply Prepaid™ is not only great for kids who are away at college, but it also helps the busy family on the go. For just $40 dollarsa month you get 4G LTE data with unlimited talk and text to stay in touch with the kids after school, after practice, or when they are heading out with friends.
Check out this short video which shows how T-Mobile’s Simply Prepaid Plan can help your family stay connected.
Get Unlimited talk, text, and data with your choice of a high-speed data amount(*with a max speed of 8Mbps) starting at $40/month
On T-Mobile’s Nationwide 4G LTE Network
No overages, credit check, or annual service contract required
Unfortunately, the wireless industry has decided prepaid customers should have to settle for less because of how they choose to pay, and oftentimes prepaid plans have slow data, a spotty network, and second rate phones or a less of a selection of phones.
Fortunately, with Simply Prepaid™ you’ll get 4G LTE data on T-Mobile and you won’t have to settle for second-rate prepaid wireless plan, you get the best in wireless, in a prepaid plan.
Now that I’ve got Malik squared away the next step is finding other ways in which to save as we plan for a summer vacation.
How will you be saving for your family’s vacation this year?
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. On Sunday I attended the 2015 Mid Atlantic Wine & Food Festival which was held in The Atrium of the Community Education Building in Wilmington. It was a fantastic fundraising brunchtime fete filled with food, fun, wine and enthusiastic entertainment.
The Atrium was filled with tasty foods from 18 MidAtlantic chefs plus local wines, brews and spirits. I wanted to try a tapa from each of the participating restaurants, but instead I chose restraint. I did however, have an opportunity to sample the Peach Cobbler Cupcakes with Bacon Ice Cream from Desserts by Dana; it was an explosion of goodness. The Egg Yolk Ravioli with Pancetta and White Wine Sauce was also an awesome creation from Piccolina Toscana.
The Whipped Goat Cheese with Soy Pickled Shiitake and Chai Tea Pickled Grapes was a tantalizing treat to the palate and this creation was made by the chef from Wilmington Pickling Company.
You know me, I couldn’t bypass the Wine Tasting or Bloody Mary Bars however, I only had one glass of a wonderful Sparkling Vidal from Crow Farm and Vineyard and a Calini Prosecco from the Tricky Rabbitbrand. I had no idea that there was a distillery literally in my backyard, about 30 miles south in Smyrna. Ron Gomes from Painted Stave had an assortment of cocktails and after trying just one I knew it was definitely worth taking a 20 minute drive down to make a few purchases!
The presentations and tapas were excellent, including the Pickled Egg Salad on Toast with Lox, Smoked Egg Aioli and Chervil created by SoDel Concepts. Culinary Art students from William Penn HS Bistro at Penn Farm created several tasty treats including the “Gimlet”, Surf Clams with Lime Pudding and the Shallot-Cucumber Marmalade and Thai Pepper.
In addition to the extensive array of foods and wines, there were energetic and soulful performances by students from the Christiana Cultural Arts Center and Ku’umba Academy. A portion of the proceeds were to help them with the purchase of instruments, check out their performances on my YouTube channel. Lively music was played throughout the day by local DJ’s: Zip, Jang O’Fett and DJ JMack.
There were so many smiling faces and friendly people in the Atrium that in between taking pics and sips I did a little networking; business card exchanging and thoroughly enjoyed meeting some new folks.
I am looking forward to attending the next Taste of the MidAtlantic event and hope to spend more time taste testing because I did miss out on these treats:
Caffe’ Gelato – Crispy Poached Quail Eggs with Crispy Prosciutto served on toasted brioche with Hollandaise sauce, Boucheron and Cheese Gelato
Hello friends and welcome to the last part of my fantabulous trip to Los Angeles (click here for Part III). Part IV is titled “The Last Bookstore Tour“ but it should be titled “The Lost Bookstore Tour” because this was definitely a bookstore that you could get lost in, not physically, but mentally!
The LastBookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store which opened it’s doors in 2005 in a downtown Los Angeles loft, then it grew quickly into a 20,000 sq. ft. space located in the Spring Arts Tower at 5th & Spring.
It reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode, it could have been a combination of “Time Enough At Last” and “Obsolete” both featured Burgess Meredith. I could have spend literally an entire day just walking through and reading the titles or looking at the art work on the walls, and still not have enough time to just sit down and read.
There were literally hundreds of thousand of books covering all subjects, categorized by title, interest or simply by the color of the cover. Your senses can be delighted or overwhelmed depending on how much of an interest you have in reading.
You can sell, trade or donate books, albums, records and works of art. I am sure that if there is any book that was ever written and you wanted to read it, The Last Bookstore would have it or find it for you.
oh, and by the way, these are just half the pictures I took, there are many more on my mobile phone so there will be a part two to this part 4 post!
Do you know how many calories you can burn by simply dancing?
Do you know how quickly you can clean a room by simply dancing?
Exercise and discipline doesn’t always have to go hand in hand. Exercise can be enjoyable! Recent studies shows that dancing not only burns a lot of calories, but it also reduces stress and it’s fun because you are not counting reps or keeping count so put on your ‘boogie boogie” slippers, grab a dust cloth or mop and get to movin!
Dancing is a total body workout so if you dance 3 times per week you could lose as much as 20 pounds in a year! You will be improving your balance and boosting brainpower and who doesn’t need that?
You don’t have to be a talented dancer with a lot of rhythm or even very young, Latin dances such as the cha-cha revs up the calorie burning and makes your tummy tighter.
Try dancing the Salsa or doing Zumba to shed even more of those stubborn pounds. Check out these adorable dancers from Ku’umba Academy who performed Sunday at the MidAtlantic Wine+Food Festival and take notice of the woman in the back.
Dance and dust to drop the pounds, get super sexy legs, banish back fat and bingo wings and you’ll also get the housework completed sooner!
When you think of coconut, you probably think about the tropics, but last weekend was the perfect time for using Pure Body Naturals Fractionated Coconut Oil because it was cold.
Saturday was our monthly “Ladies Night In” and with snow still on the ground, it was also a perfect time for each of us to test the Fractionated Coconut Oil.After using a little or a lot depending on the “ash level” on our hands, we all agreed that the Fabricated Coconut Oil was a non-greasy, fragrance free oil that definitely made a difference on our skin.
The Fractionated Coconut Oil can also be used as a massage oil, as a hair and scalp treatment, on your face or body as it does not clog pores or leave a greasy residue. It is colorless, odorless and easily washes out of clothing and sheets. This is a 100% Pure Base and Carrier Oil for Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, Massage Use and Therapeutic Recipes.
Close your eyes and imagine your commute taking one minute, being in complete control of your dress code and being your own boss. In this age of unlimited technology and burgeoning businesses, there are many opportunities for this to become your reality as you pursue a work from home position! While there may be some “get rich quick” schemes that can promise similar perks, there are many more secure, potential careers for you to explore. As you consider your options, take into account the following five jobs that can make your work from home dreams come true!
Online Teaching and Tutoring
Online schools are now quite common and making waves in homeschooling. In addition, while kids were once limited to being tutoring by someone in their near vicinity, online tutoring allows them to receive the help they need on any class subject. If you have a knack for teaching or a degree in a science, math or writing, you might consider online teaching or tutoring.
As an online teacher or tutor, there is an option to be an independent contractor or to work for an institution. The pay and working hours vary quite a bit between institutions for which you work and your specialty, such as chemistry or geometry. Virtual Administrative Assistant
If you have great organization skills, are self motivated, and enjoy a job that varies from day to day, a career as a virtual administrative assistant may be in your future. A virtual administrative assistant does all of the usual aspects of what an administrative assistant would do in an office setting, in addition to other tasks. For example, here is a list of possible responsibilities for this position:
Answering phone calls
Scheduling
Managing social media accounts or blogs
Data Entry
Graphic Design
Product Coordination
The extent of the services provided will depend on the company you are working for and of course, your skill set. Be open to learning new skills in order to be a greater asset to companies looking for a virtual administrative assistant.
While no degree is necessary, the more experience you have the better. Remember that pay is largely based on your experience and reputation, which can take time to build. Pay can range from $15-60 per hour and the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists $16.99 per hour as the median. At times, special software may be necessary, such as for taking phone calls, or to work on certain projects, like graphic design.
Private Skin Care Label
If you are looking for more independence and flexibility, think about starting your own business – a private skin care label! While building a successful business takes time, money, and a considerable amount of hard work, there will come a time when your company will be large enough you will need some help. Many skin care label businesses hire another company to manufacture the products so the owner can then focus on the marketing side of the business. When doing this, you will want to pick a manufacturer you can trust.
When it comes to skin care products, the marketing is one of the most important factors. A customer can only make a decision on which products to purchase based on what they can see – the actual label on the container. Make sure that the packaging on your products is a good representation of your brand and will attract customers to purchase it. Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and make it a first impression a customer won’t soon forget! Check out these great tips from RainShadow Labs.
Translator
If you are fluent in a second language and have a solid understand of the language’s grammar rules, you may think about becoming a translator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is experiencing higher growth than normal and offers a median pay of $21.84 per hour. In other words, it is a great time to become a translator.
Translation offers a variety of work, as you may be translating for a variety of organizations, such as hospitals, schools or even government institutions. Translators can either work as independent contractors or through agencies, allowing you to decide which projects you will accept and manage your own time. Certifications are available through some schools and occasionally agencies have their own in house training and certification processes. Specialties, such as a sound knowledge of medical terminology, can make a translator stand out above the rest.
Web Search Evaluator/Internet Assessor
Have you ever wondered how search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo make sure you are getting the most accurate results for your search? One of the factors that goes into successful internet searches is the work of a web search evaluator, also known as an internet assessor. These individuals work with a search engine, usually through a third party, to test and evaluate a search engine’s algorithm using keywords or terms. They may also test the quality of ads, or image and social media results.
A web search evaluator can either be hired on as staff or work as an independent contractor, depending on the company. There is also some variety in the length and extent of training, in addition to pay amount, though most seem to pay around $13-15 per hour.
Take your skill set and interests into consideration and you may find a job that helps your dreams of working from home become a reality this year!
Disclaimer: This Guest Post was written by someone other than the author of DeDivahDeals. The author of this post, has submitted their article to DeDivahDeals for the purpose of being published on this blog as a Guest Writer.
Start Your Day the Heart Healthy Way with Quaker Steel Cut Oats
Disclosure: I was provided a box of Steel Cut Oatmeal from BzzAgent in order to facilitate this review, however, all opinions are 100% my own.
There’s nothing better than a bowl of hot cereal on a cold winter’s morning and I love starting my day the heart healthy way with Steel Cut Oatmeal from Quaker.
I don’t understand why, but most mornings I am rushing and running late… however, once I get downstairs, it’s much less stress because of this convenient breakfast cereal. I’ll put a pack of Steel Oats into a microwave-safe bowl, pour in 2/3 cup of water, stir and then microwave for 2 minutes. Once it’s done I’ll add dried raisins or cranberries or other fresh fruits and in less than 15 minutes I am out the door – full of energy and fiber and ready for my long commute to work.
Quaker Steel Cut oatmeal comes in Blueberries & Cranberries and Brown Sugar and Cinnamon which is my favorite flavor because it’s not too sweet and it only has 180 calories per serving with 3g fiber. This heart healthy cereal is a quick and easy breakfast choice for my busy morning whether I’m at home or at work, sometimes I’ll throw a pack in my tote bag to eat in the office.
Thanks to my friends over at BzzAgent, I have 4 coupons to give away to a few lucky readers, so that you too can start your day the heart healthy way. Just share this post on one of your Social Media networks, and leave a comment telling me how you like to fix your morning cereal. I’ll conduct a random drawing next week, and this contest is open to US residents only.
