“Eating Clean” are not dirty words, neither is “Diet“, but during this time of year you may not want to hear any of these words. However, eating clean will improve your health and boost your immune system which we all need to hear about especially during the holidays.
I had an opportunity to review the eBook Clean Food Diet by Jonathan Vine, and not only was it a quick read, but it also contained 50 recipes for many of the foods that I already have in my kitchen. Delicious recipes for appetizers such as Wrapped Mango and Spinach Bites, and Mini Spinach Pizzas, soups, Thai Tomato Soup and White Bean and Kale Soup, as well as entrees, Asian Tofu Lettuce Wraps, and Meatless Chili.
Clean eating is not actually a diet, it’s a lifestyle change and in each of the 4 chapters, “What is clean eating”, “What to eat”, “How to Cook Clean” and “How to Cook Clean”, there are easy and realistic ways in which to make the change. We all know that preservatives and processed foods are not healthy so eating whole foods is recommended, and most whole foods are simply fresh fruits and vegetables.
When buying foods, make sure you can read and recognize all the listed ingredients if not, it’s not a clean or healthy choice. Cooking healthy keeps the nutrients in the foods, therefore, steaming foods versus frying is clean cooking.
The Clean Food Diet eBook contains a lot more good and sensible information, so it is definitely worth reading. You can download a FREE Kindle copy today at Amazon.com
Do you Eat Clean?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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Hello friends, now that your Thanksgiving meal has been digested, the crowds have dissipated from Black Friday and you supported small businesses on Saturday, it’s time to go online in search of more deals and bargains.
Online shopping has increased dramatically over the years, but some things never change, and that is security and scams. So this year before you click with a credit card, review these 10 tips from internetsecure.com to keep you cyber safe this season.
1. Look for the latest credit card password procedures, such as Verified by Visa.
In the last year, each major credit card issuer has come up with a secure system online that involves use of a password known only to the credit card owner. This presents to you the highest form of online security possible when shopping, and so you should look for sites that support these new standards.
2. Check the return/refund, warranty, guarantee and other policies.
Take the time to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable, reliable merchant that will offer you the same shopping peace-of-mind that you would get elsewhere. If the online merchant doesn’t post sufficient information to provide you a degree of comfort about such policies, consider taking your business elsewhere.
3. Make sure that the checkout process is secure
Always make sure that you are using a site that provides full “encryption” over the credit card transaction, which helps to ensure that your credit card information can’t be accessed while it is in transit. You can determine this by looking for a small “padlock” at the bottom of your browser screen, or by a message indicating that you are entering a secure site.
4. Look for privacy and security policies
A company that is very conscious about security issues will most often post some information online for you to read. Take the time to look for the security and privacy policies that the online store might have posted and read them, since this will give you more comfort that you are shopping with a site that will carefully guard your credit card and personal information.
5. If concerned, do due diligence
If you are dealing with an online store, but are unsure whether they are reliable and credible, do a search for them on the Internet, to see if other consumers have expressed concern or have had positive or negative experiences.
6. Understand the “safe-shopping” policies established by the issuer of your credit card
Take the time to understand the guarantees that your card-issuer offers with respect to shopping online. You will likely find that even if you are subjected to an online fraud, you will not be liable for any loss greater than $50, which should put your mind to rest.
7. Shop around
Often what might seem to you to be a bargain might not be, once you factor in other costs, or if you don’t consider that there might be other online stores offering the same product or service at a lower cost. Take the time to look at alternatives.
8. Beware of hidden shipping, duty and other costs
Many of those who shop online are surprised by the hidden charges that were not well-documented on the site. Make sure you understand all the potential charges before committing to a purchase, and if something seems unclear — ask! Look for sites that clearly post such charges as part of the checkout process, or post the information elsewhere on their site.
9. Keep receipts 
and other documentation
Make sure you print out a copy of the receipt once you’ve finished the purchase. In addition, if the online store offers to send you a copy of the receipt by e-mail, take advantage of this option.
10. Order early!
The common complaint of every online Christmas shopper is that they ordered too late to ensure delivery of their goods by Christmas. Shop early — and shop often!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends, were you one of the millions out and about yesterday shopping on Black Friday? If so, I hope you found some good bargains. I had an early morning appointment then did a few chores around the house, but today I’ll be heading out to support some of our local businesses.
Today is officially Shop Small Business Saturday and there are several stores in Middletown that I’m featuring and I hope that you will be out supporting some of your own.
Elana’s Florist is located on 500 North Broad St. in Middletown, and it is more than just a florist shop. Elana’s is filled with a wonderful array of holiday items and decorations where you are guaranteed to find something for everyone on your gift list.
Sweet Melissa Bakery is newly opened also on Broad Street adjacent to Elana’s which is convenient for your wedding and bridal shower planning. They also create awesome personalized birthday, holiday and special occasion cakes.
Wardrobe by Carolyn & Nadira is a small boutique located on the 2nd floor at 11 W. Main Street and this is by far my favorite small shop in town. Big Buddha Bags, evening gowns, faux fur, and tons of gorgeous accessories line the glass shelves of this hidden treasure. Fragrant soaps and lotions are perfect stocking stuffers.
Wardrobe by Carolyn & Nadira was previously Lai Renise, however, they still offer private shopping, trunk shows and Ladies Night Out events which is a perfect way to kick off the new year.
Half Baked Patisserie is another bakery located on the 1st floor at 11 W. Main Street and their cupcakes are delicious. With more than a dozen varieties to choose from including these seasonal flavors; Peppermint Patty, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Sweet Potato Pie
your taste buds will definitely thank you. I can’t say which is our ultimate favorite, but my husband’s goal is to try one of each before the end of the year – wish him luck!
Middletown has such great history and it’s nice to see that there are shops in town that have been around for years, including Middletown Hardware. Each year a Lamp Post Design contest is held with each of the shop owners participating and customers can fill out a form voting for their favorite.
Femme Fatale Boutique is a high end shop that offers personalized shopping, free gift wrapping and has a nice selection of many accessories including the Pandora Bead collections.
Purple Sage Teas is also one of my favorite places to shop and this year marks their 10th Anniversary – so mention this when shopping to receive an additional discount off your total purchase. More than teas, you can also find a large assortment of coffees, Troll Beads and Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Soaps.
Another landmark in Middletown is The Gibby. For the holiday season you need to check out their great handcrafted jewelry, fine art, stain glass, wooden pens, and clothing. These items are all handmade by local artists, so please support your local art center and shop The Gibby.
My sons are in college, but if you have little ones to shop for there are two locations that I recommend.
First and Little, sells the most adorable clothing and nursery items. Previously a DEDO PopUp, they are now celebrating their 2nd year in Middletown. You will definitely find a unique gift for the little one in your life.
Jewelapalozza is more than a shop for the little ladies, they also carry accessories and clothing for women as evidenced by my purchase of a burlap tote bag. In addition to unique gift items, they also carry Alex and Ani bracelets and conduct a Santa’s Workshop where children can make 3 handmade gifts, jewelry, ornaments and handprint canvas art for only $25 per child. The workshop is available on November 22nd, 29th & December 6th, no appointment needed.
“Jesus is the Reason for the Season” so stop in at Saving Grace Christian Bookstore the best place in town for not only Christian books and Bibles, but also for religious maps, jewelry, clothing, home décor and accessories.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Candy Connections. This newly open candy store on West Main Street will remind you of your childhood with it’s large assortment of sweets in glass jars more than enough to fill the biggest Christmas stocking.
If after a long day of walking and shopping you need to take a break and get some rest and relaxation please step into La Dolce Vita Spa for Wellness on 2nd West Main Street. Now is the perfect time to schedule an hour facial or massage. This oasis of serenity also offers hair and skin care as well as body treatments and waxings. An Open House is scheduled for December 10th so make sure to stop in and then perhaps purchase a gift certificate for that special someone in your life.
However, if you plan to end your shopping day a home with a glass of wine, make sure to stop in at Fromage, to pick up a few pieces of gourmet cheese. This cheese boutique is located on Main and Broad Streets and the knowledgeable and friendly owner will provide you with plenty of samples to help you choose just the right cheese to satisfy your palate or compliment your holiday meals.
Shop Small Business Saturday is definitely the most exciting day of the holidays season for me and I hope you enjoyed yours as well.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends and Happy Black Friday. I trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, a day filled with with plenty of food surrounded by family, friends and fun.
However, if like us, you had more food than family and friends and are now looking at a lot of leftover turkey, here’s a change to the classic turkey sandwich. This healthy recipe can be found online at Health.com.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon hot chili powder (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream
- 2 cups (about 12 ounces) cooked, coarsely chopped turkey breast
- 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
- 1 cup drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1/2 cup bottled salsa
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup pre-shredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup diced peeled avocado
Preparation
1. Using a whisk, mix first 7 ingredients (through sour cream) in a small bowl. Toss with turkey. Set aside.
2. Heat the tortillas according to package directions.
3. Spoon 1/4 cup of the turkey mixture onto each tortilla. Then top each tortilla with 2 tablespoons drained and rinsed black beans, 1 tablespoon bottled salsa, 2 tablespoons shredded iceberg lettuce, 1 tablespoon shredded cheese, and 1 tablespoon diced peeled avocado.
4. Fold tortilla around taco mixture and serve.
I made this for my men and they loved it, it was a great treat to eat while watching football, and to save on my calories, I just added some of the turkey mixture to a salad.
So what are some other ways in which you use leftover turkey?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends, tomorrow is the big day, Thanksgiving, the official start of the 2014 Holiday Season!
If you are beginning to feel anxious, overwhelmed and stressed, check out these 9 tips that will help you to relax during the holidays:
1. Exercise
Exercise affects a neurotransmitter that has an antidepressant-like effect on your brain while helping to decrease muscle tension.
2. Spend Time in Nature
Even five minutes in nature can help reduce stress and boost your mood, helping you to relax.
3. Participate in Activities You Enjoy
Be sure to leave time for the holiday activities you love most, whether it’s caroling, decorating your Christmas tree, or writing holiday cards.
4. Stay Positive
Those who are optimistic have an easier time dealing with stress, and are more inclined to open themselves up for opportunities to have positive, regenerative experiences.
5. Take a Break or Meditate
Taking even 10 minutes to sit quietly and shut out the chaos around you can trigger your relaxation response.5Meditating during your breaks can help you to decrease feelings of stress and anxiety even more.
6. Live in the Present
Turn off your racing mind and simply focus on only the task at hand. Avoid worrying about what you need to do later in the day or tomorrow (if you have trouble shutting out such thoughts, jot them down on a piece of paper to help clear your mind).
7. Nurture Yourself
Try massage, a hot bath, mini-relaxations, or a quick walk to ease tension. Be sure you’re eating right, sleeping well and laughing often.
8. Be Grateful
Focus on what you’re grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal and write down why you’re grateful each day. Focus on what you do have this holiday season instead of what you don’t.
9. Use Visualization
Close your eyes and imagine yourself relaxing on the beach or sitting in front of a cozy fireplace with your family. You can also visualize your “perfect” holiday, which is especially useful if you’re worrying over what might go wrong. (Although, you should let go of the idea that your holiday must be perfect in order to be enjoyable.)
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Disclosure: I received the Aromatherapy Shower Kit in order to facilitate this review, however, opinions are 100% my own.
Hello friends, after a long, strenuous workout the first thing that I want to do is take a long, hot shower….naw…who am I kidding, you know I don’t engage in long, strenuous workouts! I do however, work hard around the house and if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my recently painted basement.
Whether your strenuous exercise comes from a workout with weights or from house and yard work, sometimes you want more than just a plain hot water shower. The Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit turns an ordinary shower into a personal spa.
Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic practice with many benefits including improved mood and energy, reduced inflammation, increased blood circulation, improved skin tone and reduced stress.
The Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit comes with one shower arm and 3 essential oil pods. These pods contain 100% organic, pure and sourced from the finest oils in the world however, they do not leave an oily residue. There are no harsh chemicals or additives and the pods are recyclable.
There are six Essio Essential Oil Blends and the kit I received contained the following blends:
Breathe which is a refreshing blend of peppermint and eucalyptus that helps to clear the sinuses, decrease congestion and stimulates the entire body.
Passion is an blend of mandarin orange, lavender and patchouli which is a sensual aroma that arouses the mind and senses.
Unwind is an uplifting fragrance of citrus with spice and floral tones, creating a sense of lightness and stress relief.
The essential oil pods last for approximately 3-5 showers and these scents as well as others can be ordered directly from www.essioshower.com.
The Essio aromatheraphy shower arm is easy to install and extends beyond the length of a normal shower head with a gentle pull. After removing a pod from the tray, take off the cap and attach it to the end of the arm with a gentle 1/4 counter-clockwise turn. Turn on the water then tilt the pod downward under the stream of water to experience a spa shower.
I am excited to announce that Essio is offering my readers a chance to win their own Aromatherapy Shower Kit, but you need to enter quickly because this sweepstakes will end at midnight November 27th click this link to enter: http://bit.ly/1uSWBTY
If you want to order a kit now to be given as a holiday gift, you’ll receive 25% off any order at www.essioshower.com, by using the code SAVE25 at checkout. Good luck!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
Me workout…haha very funny!
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Hello friends, last week I had an opportunity to attend Delaware’s Small Business Summit which was held at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware. This free event was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) whose mission is “to be responsible for attracting new investors and business to the State, for promoting the expansion of existing industry, for assisting small and minority-owned businesses, for promoting and developing tourism, and for creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens in Delaware.”
Social Media and Small Businesses goes hand in hand, which is why I was anxious to be in attendance. I wanted to meet small business owners who might be interested in learning more about Social Media and Blogging and how it can attract more consumers thereby, increasing their bottom line.
The doors to the Summit opened at 7:30 am, and on this bitterly cold day, the hot Continental Breakfast Buffet was definitely a warm and welcomed delight. At each place setting was a copy of Delaware Business Times, the agenda and a personalized Stylus Pen.
There were well over 300 attendees and the agenda was jam packed with valuable information with sets of panelist who provided insights on how small businesses can increase their profits, gain more exposure and the programs available to all regardless of disabilities, race, or gender.
After a brief introduction by Ken Anderson, Director of DEDO, and a few words from both the Mayor of Dover, Robin Christensen and Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, the first set of panelist were seated to discuss Prospects for Delaware Small Businesses NOW and in the Future.
Ken Anderson, Director, DEDO
Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, DEDO Robin Christensen, Mayor of Dover
Between sessions, Mr. Anderson acknowledged various members in the audience and awarded several door prizes.
The second set of panelist discussed Challenges and Opportunities-Business Ownership and Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.
Carrie Dennis-Mayer, door prize winner Dust Away Cleaning Services, Inc.
The final session of this half day program was presented by Michelle Morin, Executive Director, DE Office of Supplier Diversity. Her topic, Small Business Focus Program-Implication and Opportunities for Small Businesses of a Certain Size Regardless of Race or Gender, was very informative and sometimes entertaining.
The Summit concluded with Keynote Speaker, Governor Jack Markell who spoke about his signing of Executive Order 44 and the innovative ways in which Delaware seeks to keep the economy moving forward by providing assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
This was especially evident with the many entrepreneurs in attendance who have taken part in Project Pop-Up, which provides 3 months of rent-free space in downtown Wilmington.
Governor Jack Markell Executive Order 44
The Delaware Small Business Summit was a wonderful opportunity for small business owners to network and share as well as receive vital information that will not only help them succeed but will also help keep the economy in the state of Delaware strong.
Does your state have programs for Small Business owners and entrepreneurs?
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby fully decorated for the season
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Hello friends, the countdown to turkey day is on? Do you believe that I didn’t realize that Thanksgiving was this Thursday until just the other day. I kept thinking we had another week.
Anywho, here we are once again, a Sunday Stylin Roundup and in keeping with last week’s theme, today it’s Black N Bootie. I wore my booties with two different outfits both of which I love but of course the leopard prints are my favorites.
This vest was thrifted from Goodwill about 2 years ago, however, I’ve only worn it one other time. It is actually covering this Avon embroidered chambray shirt.
The black suede booties are Unlisted purchased a couple of years ago from The Shoe Dept in the Exton Mall. Necklace is from Jewelrymax.net and bangles from Rugged Wearhouse.
You know that these are my favorite pair of booties – who doesn’t love leopard?
In both outfits I am wearing closet staples, black slacks, skirt and turtleneck which personally are not my favorites but the weather called for it. I wore the leopard print scarf to break up all the black. This outfit actually received quite a few compliments from co-workers.
I am using my old camera which for some strange reason is not taking as good of pictures as it used to, oh well I guess I’ll start using the Coolpix L830, however, it uses 4-AA batteries and I hate when batteries start to drain. Next week, let me know if you notice a difference.
Enjoy the rest of the day and I hope you finished your grocery shopping…I haven’t even started mine yet!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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I participated in the Mary J Blige, The London Sessions album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are 100% my own.
Music is an important element in all of our lives whether we care to admit it or not. During the good times, the bad times, the happy times and especially during the sad times. I am sure we can all remember a time in our lives when a “name that tune” soothed our minds or comforted our souls.
My kindred spirit, my sister from “another mother’ and all time favorite female recording artist is Mary J. Blige. She understands the many challenges that women oftentimes must go through and her music is definitely a reflection of that. Mary is an artist who is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and do something completely different.
In this new album entitled “The London Sessions” which is being released on the 2nd of December there are some great cuts, however, ‘Therapy‘ is one that really speaks to my soul. The words in that song, “why would I spend the rest of my days unhappy…when I can go therapy two times a day” is poignant.
This is Mary’s 13th studio album, however, it was created entirely in London where she worked with artists who understood her greatness, and together they unleashed 12 tracks of awesomeness!
Mary J. Blige is a blessed soulful songstress with longevity so I know she will always create a song that will become an important element in my life.
You can pre-order the album now from iTunes and Amazon.
* iTunes : http://bit.ly/MJBLondon
* Amazon: http://bit.ly/MJBLS
#TheLondonSessions #O2O
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