Karen

May Day May Day!

Yes, today is the first of May. I can remember back when I was a little girl, doing the Maypole Dance at school as a spring celebration. I always have associated May Day with that memory. Lots of different cultures observed the first day of May as a holiday, usually celebrating springtime fertility of the soil, livestock, and people. Later in my life, when I was watching one of the many movies about World War II, I learned that May Day was also a term used as an international signal of distress. This meaning of MayDay is derived from French “venez m’aider”, meaning “come help me“.

I find it to be quite interesting that the same term can be used both as the name of a celebration and as a call for help.It seems like an appropriate way for me to describe where I am at this point in my life. Ever since my surgery last year, I have in some way or another been celebrating the fact that I still have my life, at the same time calling for some way to help me get over my depression and pain.

My birthday is this month. Last year on New Years Day I was distressed over the fact that I would be turning 60. It was something that really bothered me. Then, when I went in the hospital and was unconscious and nearly died on my birthday, I woke up with a different attitude about birthdays and getting older: It beats the alternative by a longshot.

So, for the month of May, starting tomorrow, I am going to attempt to write something each day about a reason I have to celebrate my life. And y’all can help me get to the end of the month by commenting, reading each day, and helping me celebrate the little things.

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Keurig Coffee Makers From Staples.com

Karen · 2 Comments

Staples.com provided fabgrandma.com with these items for review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own. Feel free to shop their entire line of Keurig Coffee Makers and Kcups online.

I was so happy that the nice people at Staples.com asked me to review the Keurig Coffee Maker. They sent me the Keurig Office Pro Model B145 along with a 12 K-cup variety box of coffees and teas to try it out with. Fabgrandpa and I both love it, because we can make one cup of fresh brewed coffee at any time of day. Just watch the video to see how easy it is to use:

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What’s Blooming In Your Yard Today

Karen · 2 Comments

I took a walk around the yard the other day, and found several pretty flowers blooming out there. Before I got sick and not able to do much, I used to love to plant flowers and work in the yard. It has been very hard for me to not be able to plant petunias, salvia, zinnias, shasta daisies, and cosmos this spring. I’m also missing planting an herb garden, something every cook with a little space needs to have. If I could, I would plant basil, dill, thyme, marjoram, oregano, parsley, and garlic. It would be so nice to just walk out the door and cut the freshest herbs for dinner!

The pond is especially pretty right now, with the plants in it coming to life. We were surprised on Saturday with a water lily blossom!

Here is a close up of the same flower:

Out by the driveway, these irises have been blooming for a week or so.

They smell so good, but you have to get up close to get that sweet scent.

This plant is growing by the well head. The flowers close up at night, and open back up each morning. I don’t know what it is. Do you?

DSCN0219 — I don’t know what this is. Do you?

One last photo of the unknown plant:

Unknown plant. Help me figure out what it is.

I thought at first that this was a snowball bush, but now I think it is a type of hydrangea. What do you think?

I can’t wait to see what blooms next!

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V2 Cigs Electronic Cigarette Review

Karen · 2 Comments

When I was asked to review the V2 Cigs Kit, I was very happy to. Although I don’t smoke now, I used to for many years. I quit in 2000. Fabgrandpa is still smoking, and I have asked him several times over the years to try to quit, because is is not healthy for him, and it stinks. I don’t allow smoking in my home, so he has to go outside to smoke.

After reading reviews of the V2 Cig he did agree to try out the starter kit. I asked him to help me order the cartridges for the system, but since we didn’t know which kind to get, we started out with the V2 Red and the V2 Sahara cartridges with a nicotine level of 12,o r medium. When the starter kit arrived, both of those flavor varieties proved to be too harsh for him. He said the V2 Red compared to Marlboro Red cigarette brand, and the V2 Sahara compared to the Camel cigarette brand. Since he has smoked Marlboro extra lights for many years, we needed to get a different V2 flavor variety.

The second pack of cartridges I ordered was the Congress Blue Light with .06 nicotine level. Those were not as harsh as the other varieties he tried, as far as taste, but with less nicotine, it was not enough to help him quit smoking. He does use the e-cig occasionally though, when he wants to smoke but the weather is bad outside.

This e-cig feels and looks just like smoking a real cigarette

The V2 e-cig retails for $64.95, and comes with the cigarette module, a charger, a usb charger, and 2 five packs of your choice of flavor cartridges. Extra flavor cartridges sell for $9.95 for a package of 5 that lasts for as long as five packages of regular cigarettes. That is an amazing savings over real cigarettes! Plus, you can save up to 15% on your purchase using the V2 Cig coupon codes here.

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Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals Tortilla Chips Review

Karen · 143 Comments

Pepperidge Farm sent me two bags of their new Baked Naturals tortilla chips to try. And thanks to them, they are also going to give some to one of my readers!

These chips are so good, whether you eat them right out of the bag or use them in a recipe. I have to confess that I ate almost the whole bag of the nacho cheese flavor before I knew it because they were that good. One of the things I liked most about these chips is that they are not hard like some tortilla chips can be, and that is important in a household where a denture wearer lives.

I decided to use the plain, simply tortilla flavor in one of my favorite recipes, Shrimp and Black Bean Nachos. I made up this recipe years ago, after eating some Shrimp Nachos in a now extinct restaurant in Atlanta. One thing I like about this recipe is that you can use just about any vegetable you like in it and it still tastes good. Here is how I made it the other day:

Shrimp and Black Bean Nachos

1 bag Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Simply Tortilla Chips

24 shrimp

1 can black beans

1 small can sliced black olives

3 green onions

12 cherry tomatoes

1/2 green bell pepper

1 yellow summer squash

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Grill the shrimp, tomatoes, bell pepper and squash until done. Put a generous handful of Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Tortilla Chips on microwave safe plate. Use your hand to grab a generous handful of black beans on each plate on top of the chips. Add sliced black olives, and sliced green onions. Add half of the grilled shrimp and vegetables to each plate. Top each plate with half of the cheese. Microwave about one and a half minutes until the cheese is melted. You can add salsa and sour cream if you like it.

The prize in this giveaway is 3 bags of each flavor of Baked Naturals Tortilla Chips from Pepperidge Farm to one winner. To enter, use the Giveaway Tools form below:

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Everest Nutrition Krill Oil Review

Karen · 1 Comment

I was recently asked by Blog Friendly PR to write a reveiw of Everest Nutrition Krill Oil, and was given a bottle of the supplement in order to do my review. I have now taken Krill Oil for about two weeks, and even though I was skeptical at first, I can say that taking this supplement has been beneficial to me.

What is Krill Oil? Krill is a tiny crustacean living in the ocean near the Antarctic that are similar to shrimp. Simply put, Krill oil is extracted from these tiny creatures. It is high in Omega 3 fatty acids.There is evidence that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking long-chain omega−3 fatty acids from sources such as fish have reduced pain compared to those receiving standard NSAIDs ( 01).

What are the Benefits of Krill Oil? Omega 3 supplements from Krill oil may have the ability to help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 45%. It may also help lower the risk of clogged arteries, minimize triglycerides, increase your memory function, and boost your energy. The main benefit to me has been relief of pain in my knees. Every since my surgery in May of last year, I have no core strength in my abdomin so that my knees take the brunt of the strain when I have to get up from the bed or a chair or sit down. It has been very painful. Taking Krill oil has helped relieve that awful pain for me.

Why is Everest Nutrition considered to be the best Krill Oil? Everest Nutrition Krill Oil is guaranteed to be fresh. It is shipped the same day that it is ordered. Theirs has the highest levels of DHA, EPA’s and astaxanthin in the industry. The use of use Caplique™ helps their Krill Oil last longer while also reducing the fish burps and bad breath that you may associate with fish oil supplements. It is also produced in FDA approved facilities that adhere to strict GMP standards.

Everest Nutrition Krill Oil could be your best bet all around for a fish oil omega 3 supplement.

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Glutino Pretzels: Review and Giveaway

Karen · 94 Comments

Did you know that Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared April 26 National Pretzel Day in 2003 to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state’s history and economy? It is amazing to read about the history of pretzels and their variety of meanings attached to them. I am particularly happy that Glutino decided to make gluten free pretzels. I have been eating them for several years. My most favorite thing to do with them is to crush them up and sprinkle them on top of casseroles, the way I used to do with crackers before I started eating gluten free.

glutino pretzels — How do you like your pretzels? Sticks, twists or yogurt covered?

When Glutino sent me a box with samples of their pretzels, I loved the crunchy sweetness of the Gluten Free Yogurt Covered ones. I decided to make a sweet and salty snack to take on a picnic to the lake when Fabgrandpa goes fishing next time.

Sweet & Salty Gluten Free Party Mix with Glutino Pretzels

Sweet and Salty Gluten Free Party Mix

1 cup Gluten Free Chocolate Chex

1 5.5 oz bag of Glutino Gluten Free Yogurt Covered Pretzels

1 cup nuts, you favorite kind (I used mixed nuts)

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup dried fruit (I used dried cranberries, but you can use your favorite. If I had some dried pineapple that would have really good in this mix)

1 cup Glutino Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

Put all the ingredients in a large bowl, and stir to mix well. I stored mine in a gallon zip lock bag. Yummy! Makes six cups.

I had to sneak a yogurt covered pretzel!

Oh, how good this is! It will be good for picnics, hikes, parties, kids school lunches, or just anytime you are wanting a snack!

One lucky reader will win one pack of Glutino Pretzel Twists, one pack of Glutino Pretzel Sticks, and one pack of Glutino Yogurt Covered Pretzels. To enter, use the Giveaway Tools form below:

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Explore The Outdoors With Dinosaur Train Buddy and the Nature Trackers Review & Giveaway

Karen · 43 Comments

Spring is popping here in Georgia–we have flowers blooming, tadpoles in the pond, bluebirds moving into the birdhouses in the back yard. The weather is improving every day, not too cold yet, and not too hot either. I wake up every morning to the chirping of birds.

April is World Habitat Awareness Month. This a worldwide effort to show the need to protect the habitat of all Earth’s creatures and to make a conscious effort to preserve all of nature’s ecosystems and celebratie the spirit of unity between people, animals and the natural environment. Earth Day also is observed in April. The Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS, Readers Digest Children’s Books and Dinosaur Train are jumping on board to celebrate Earth Month too!

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You can find some great ideas on how to explore nature by joining Dinosaur Train Nature Tracker’s Club, a FREE to join community of young children, their families and educators committed to learning about nature and doing good things for their environment. Nature Trackers enjoy exploring and having adventures, respecting their environment, collecting things, tracking and observing plants and animals, and challenging themselves to get outside and make discoveries every day. Download your Dinosaur Train’s Nature Trackers Club Guide Book, available here andwhen you have completed all four activities, simply mail in the form provided in the book along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and receive an official Nature Trackers member token!

And here is evem MORE Nature Trackers’ Fun: the Buddy and The Nature Trackers book from Readers Digest Children’s Books.

Buddy and the Nature Trackers has more than 45 flaps to lift, making this book entertaining as well as educational. The Nature Trackers are always on the lookout for interesting things to discover all around them. Kids will enjoy the adventures of Buddy, Tiny, Shiny and Don as they check out a cave filled with colorful gems, watch baby dinosaurs hatch from eggs, and more. The activities throughout reinforce early learning concepts like colors, action words, counting, matching, and opposites. SRP $9.99, ages 2 and up. Available wherever books are sold. This book looks like a really fun book for kids who like to be involved with reading. Find more Dinosaur Train Books here

Win It! One lucky reader of Fabgrandma will win a copy of Buddy and the Nature Trackers! To enter, use the Giveaway Tools Form below. Giveaway ends on May 15th.

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