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Website of the Week: Greatbigstuff.com

September 28th, 2011

Want something supersized? greatbigstuff.com is the place to go.  My BFF got me this great big aspirin years ago for my desk.  Always got a laugh, when we weren’t crying, because she knew it was the job from hell.  One of many I have had. . .

She also got me this great big calculator.  Which was funny when I was younger.  Now I actually need it to see!

This great big baby bottle would be cute as a baby shower decoration.  You could fill it with items and let the parents take the bottle as a gift.

 

The great big guitar pick would be a cute gift. AND it can be personalized!

The great big movie tickets would be a cute idea for a media room, or if your group is having some sort of raffle.

I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do.  I hope you enjoy my site too!

Who Wants Cake?

September 27th, 2011

As soon as the temperature dips below 100 degrees, I’m ready to start baking! I love this time of year. My waist? Not so much. I found this adorable cake pan over the summer and have been dying to make these little mini multi-tier cakes! You can decorate each one the same, or use different icing and/or decorations on each!

Speaking of cakes, I just have to share my all time favorite cake pan. I spent the extra money a few years ago, after always tossing the cake pans I purchased at my local grocery store, and purchased the Calphalon Cake Pan. It is very sturdy, evenly distributes the heat while baking, and the cake always comes out without a struggle. It is a lot more than the normal cake pan, but I have used mine now for at least six years and it still looks brand-spankin’ new.

Let’s do some fall bakin’ y’all! Lots of fun recipes coming up in the Consumer Cafe for October.

Colds/Allergies/Flu Shot Time

September 26th, 2011

It’s that time of year again. The heat is finally leaving us and the allergy/cold season is coming. Actually the allergy season hit me over the weekend. Watery eyes, sneezing, good times. I thought I would share with you a few of my go-to products to keep around the house during the fall and winter.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicola. These cough drops have been around since 1940. Must be doing something right. The cough drops soothe your throat, and really, REALLY suppress the cough. I have a bag of these in my kitchen and in my desk drawer. When the allergies flared up over the weekend, I made sure to run out to the store and get a fresh bag for the season. Ricola also carries a sugar free version. Available at your local grocery store, drugstore, or online.

Wellness Formula. Someone told me about these little gems a few years back and always keep them stocked in the pantry. Wellness Formula is a supplement that helps fight off any bad little bug you come down with. The important thing is to take the pills as soon as you start feeling ill. Wellness Formula contains a powerful combination of herbs, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals formulated to boost your well-being. They recommend you also take daily to maintain your immune system. The pills are rather large. Does everyone refer to large pills as horse tablets or is that just a southern thing?

Hot tea with honey. This is a must have for me before going to bed. For some reason, probably more mental than physical, it coats my throat and makes me feel better. While looking for a graphic of hot tea for this post, I found this picture, with these handy honey packets. The Honibe packets come in Honey or Honey and Lemon. I haven’t tried them yet but just placed an order because I like the idea of just putting a little drop in my tea. Sometimes I get a little heavy handed with the honey. Portion control.

If you still have a cough even though I gave you the above remedies, try putting Vick’s Vapor Rub on the bottom of your feet, then cover with socks and go to bed. It gets rid of your cough and allows you to sleep. It really works. Unless you have really dry, cracked heels, then it burns and you will be mad at me. I know this from personal experience. Oopsie!

Also, although I have never tried it, another old wife’s tail is to put onion in your socks it gets rid of a fever. Why is it called an “old wife’s tail”? Let’s change that to “smart mother cure”.

Flu shots are available everywhere now. We get ours at Walgreens. It’s cheaper and quicker than going to the doctor. And if you are over 64, you can get a pneumonia vaccine there also.

Finally, when you leave the supermarket or mall, wash your hands as soon as you get in your car with an antibacterial soap or wipe. I buy the pocketbac hand sanitizers from Bath and Body Works. They are about $1 a piece, and you can clean your hands with them with no sticky residue. Look at these cute fall scents they have currently.

Remember:

What are your home remedies or cures for colds or flu? Share with me in the comment section.

Consumer Cafe: Sally-Gally’s Rice, Black Bean and Feta Salad

September 23rd, 2011

My Sally-Gally has a lot of recipes.  I love to go to her house and eat all of her yummy foods and then beg her for the recipes.

SALLY-GALLY’S RICE, BLACK BEAN & FETA SALAD

  • 1 Can (15 oz.) Black Beans, rinsed and drained
  •  1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
  •  1 1/2 cups cooked rice (I used brown rice)
  •  1 package (3.5 oz) crumbled feta cheese
  •  1/2 cup chopped celery
  •  1/2 cup chopped green onion
  •  1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
  •  2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

 Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate.

Makes 5 servings.

Sally said she found the recipe on the Feta Cheese package and omitted some of the rice and added more beans in her recipe.  You can tweak to your heart’s desire.