- Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

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I received samples of cheeses from Fromager d’Affinois

Fromagerie Guilloteau , one of France’s finest specialty cheese producers, announced in January that it recently re-designed and introduced a new label for its top-selling cheese line – Fromager d’Affinois – to the consumer market. The company, renowned for having pioneered the use of ultrafiltration in cheesemaking, an ingenious process which retains a higher concentration of nutrients and ensures creamier and richer cheeses, has made Fromagerie Guilloteau one of the most-desired cheese brands in Europe, America, and beyond.

blahblah — delicious cheeses from Fromager d’Affinois

I had never tried any of the cheeses from the Fromager d’Affinois line and was interested to find out how they tasted different from the American made cheeses I am accustomed to. Lucky me, they sent me some of their cheeses to try.

The first French cheese that I tried was the Saint Angel. This cheese is soft and mild, and has a sweet creamy flavor. I left it on the counter for about a half hour, and when I opened the package it was very soft and spreadable. The color is more of a light yellow than the cream cheese we know in the United States, but it has a similar, but sweeter and milder, taste.

Now, if I was going to be serving the muffins I made for a dessert or with coffee I would have served the cheese on the side to spread a little luscious flavor on them. However, I was getting ready for a weekend trip, and trying to make up some gluten free snacks to take along on the road. I decided to incorporate the cheese into the muffin batter, and the outcome was delicious.

Cheesey Raspberry Gluten Free Muffins Recipe — Cheesey Raspberry Gluten Free Muffins

Cheesey Raspberry Gluten Free Muffin Recipe

1 & 1/4 cup of your favorite gluten free baking mix

1/3 cup Fromager d’Affinois Saint Angel Triple Cream Cheese at room temp

1 egg

1/4 cup light brown sugar or 1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup milk or water

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp lemon zest

Put the baking mix and the cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Work the cheese into the mix with a fork. Add all the other ingredients, and stir together. Line a six cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Spoon the batter into the cups. Bake in preheated 350° oven for 19-21 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool.

Cedar Lane Natural Foods Review

Karen · 4 Comments

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I received coupons to try Cedar Lane products.

Cedar Lane Natural Foods has been in business for more than 30 years. They have created a wide variety of delicious foods using only the best ingredients.

I had been asked to review the breakfast products in their line, but I was not able to find them in any of the grocery stores in my area. The breakfast selections include Green Chile, Cheese & Ranchero Sauce Egg White Omelette; Garden Vegetable & Mozzarella Egg White Omelette; Uncured Turkey Bacon Egg White Omelette; Spinache and Mushroom Egg White Omelette; Spinache and Roasted Tomato Egg White Frittata; and Roasted Chile and Cheese Egg White Frittata. All of the breakfast products look like they would be very tasty.

fffff — Spinach and Roasted Tomato Egg White Omelette

While I was disappointed that we were not able to try the egg white products, we did find a few of the dinner meals. We tried the Eggplant Parmesan, the Baked Stacked Eggplant, and the Roasted Chile Relleno.

Eggplant Parmesan is one of my favorite meals. I have made it many times at home, and have ordered it at restaurants. This frozen vegetarian version of Eggplant Parmesan is very, very good. Fabgrandpa, who is not a gluten free guy, and who is kind of picky about frozen meals, loved this. We have purchased it several times already since we used the coupons we were given to try Cedar Lane’s products. It is easy to prepare, just six minutes in the microwave and it’s ready. You can serve it right in the paper bowl it comes it, so clean up is a breeze, too. The only thing about the product that would be a drawback to someone is that once it is cooked, it doesn’t look much like the picture on the box, but most frozen meals don’t:

The Chile Relleno was delicious. I loved it, and I usually don’t eat it even when we go out to a Mexican restaurant. There are several more varieties that we want to try. I am looking forward to trying some of the four varieties of Tamales; the Enchiladas, and the Lasagna. I keep looking for more of the varieties in the stores near me, but I live out in a very rural area where there is just not much variety available to purchase.

You can learn more about Cedar Lane Natural Foods on their website. Follow on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Crepe Erase Review

Karen · 2 Comments

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I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Crepe Erase. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

You may recall that I was asked to use the I-Crepe Erase 2 step system for two weeks to see what I thought of it. I have to be honest and tell you that I did miss a couple of days using it during my two week trial. My husband was having surgery, and I was just too tired at the end of the day to think. Even with missing two days, though, I do believe that this product has worked for me.

You can see a definite difference in the before and after photos. I do have some lines there that I don’t think anything will help, but I AM almost 63 years old.

Using the Crepe Erase™ system is quite easy. I keep the Exfoliating Body Polish in the shower. What you can’t see, because I didn’t take before pictures of my legs, is that it has helped me get rid of the winter “flakes” from dry skin there. I have just been squeezing a portion of the polish on my hand, about the size of a nickle, and using it to vigorously rub my neck, upper chest and chin, along with the “laugh lines” around my mouth.

Crepe Erase Exfoliating Body Polish — Exfoliating Body Polish

Then, with the little bit of polish left from that, I scrubbed my lower legs from the knees down. Not only does it exfoliate, it is invigorating in the shower as well.

When I get out of the shower, I use step 2, the Intensive Body Repair Treatment. It feels and looks much like the cold creme that my mother used back with I was a little girl, thick and white. I rub it in on my legs, then on my neck, chin and upper chest. Unlike the cold creme from the fifties, it is designed to stay on the skin. It does take a bit longer than lotion to rub into the skin, but the resulting soft feel of the skin is worth the extra few minutes.

More information about the I-Crepe Erase System:

· Step 1 in the Crepe Erase™ system, is the Exfoliating Body Polish. A luxurious body polish containing TruFirm™, a breakthrough firming complex that helps rejuvenate aging, dry, crepey-looking skin on the neck, chest, legs, and arms. Gently exfoliates rough dead skin cells, to help reveal smoother, more resilient, younger-looking skin. Promotes healthy skin cell turnover and improves overall skin texture, while preparing your skin for Intensive Body Repair Treatment.

· Step 2 in the Crepe Erase™ system is the Intensive Body Repair Treatment. An ultra-rich formula containing TruFirm™, our exclusive skin firming complex, infused with a rejuvenating blend of botanicals to visibly smooth, firm and tighten the look of aging dry, crepey, skin on the neck, chest, legs and arms. Nutrient rich, super-hydrating oils provide all-day moisture and protect the skin. With regular use, crinkly, crepey skin can appear smoother, firmer and more youthful-looking.

If you would like to purchase the I-Crepe Erase System, you can find it on the Crepe Erase website.

National Healthcare Decisions Day: Taking the Time to Plan

Karen · 2 Comments

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This is a guest post by Dr. James Mittelberger

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day –

A day set aside to encourage all of us to discuss important advance planning end of life health care wishes. It’s an opportunity to begin the process of documenting those wishes before a stressful health crisis arises.

It can be tough to get started. It may even feel a bit awkward, but powerful conversations with family members today can assure end-of-life preferences are honored and reduce stress and uncertainty in the future. Planning today can help ensure that your loved ones will receive the treatments they want, and avoid the care that they don’t want at the end of life.

According to a national survey by The Conversation Project, more than 90% of the people think it’s important to talk about their loved ones’ and their own wishes for end-of-life care, but fewer than 30% of people have actually had the conversation. Many people simply haven’t gotten around to taking the necessary steps to crystallize what they want and to formalize it. Sometimes it’s because people don’t know how to start the conversation with their loved ones.

A great way to start is by thinking about what is most important to you if you or your loved ones were facing a life threatening or progressive illness. You would start planning and reflecting on what you and your loved ones would want, expressing those desires and having the thoughtful conversation. After all, no one wants to be scrambling for paperwork, evaluating care choices or putting their families through uncertainty.

Here are simple steps to begin the conversation and planning for important end of life health care decisions:

· Start with your loved ones. Honest communication can help families avoid the stress of guessing what a family member would have wanted. You may find that you and your loved ones may see some things differently. That’s okay. Be open with each other and focus on really understanding the views of those you love.

· Think about what is most important to you. What are your greatest fears, hopes and goals? Who would you prefer to make decisions on your behalf with your physicians if you could not? How sure are you of your choices? Do you want your chosen proxy to have leeway to change your decisions? Discuss these topics with your loved ones to reach a shared understanding of your desires.

· Make it official. Once you’ve had the conversation, formalize your decisions by putting them in writing. There are several ways. An advance directive can help describe your medical wishes when you no longer can. Special medical orders can be developed with your doctor. Finally, a health care proxy identifies your health care agent—the person you trust to act on your behalf if you are unable to make decisions or communicate your wishes.

· Get help. You can find valuable resources to help you think through these issues and make decisions more manageable at theconversationproject.org and agingwithdignity.org. #PlanNowOptum

Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer Review & Giveaway

Karen · 59 Comments

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This post and giveaway are sponsored by Exergen

It seems like everyone I know has been sick since the beginning of the year. My little granddaughter had the flu last week so she missed out on all the Easter egg hunts. My daughter had a nagging cough for several weeks, and it turns out she had pneumonia. And my husband, Fabgrandpa, had surgery on April 2 for an ulcerated plaque in his carotid artery.

Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer TAT-2000C

One thing we didn’t have to worry about throughout all this sickness is whether or not someone had a temperature. With the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer, all it takes is a gentle swipe of the forehead to get an accurate temperature. If the little ones are sleeping, they don’t need to be awakened to take their temperature.

Easy to use professional technology for parents

Exergen sent me one of the TAT 2000C Home Model Temporal Artery Scanners. It is fast, accurate, and non-invasive, and makes it so easy to take someone’s temp. Even if Fabgrandpa is playing his PC game and killing the bad guys, I can just step over, scan his forehead, and get an accurate reading, all while he never misses a step in the game.

GET A REBATE: Get the details of a special $20 rebate being offered by Exergen until December 31, 2015.

BUY IT: You can purchase an Exergen Temporal Artery Scanner in most major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Costco, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kroger and BJ’s for about $35. It is also available on Amazon.com with free shipping if you are a Prime member.

WIN IT: One lucky Fabgrandma reader will win an Exergen Temporal Artery Scanner. Just use the Giveaway Tools entry form to enter.

Entry -Form

Easy Asparagus and Zuchinni Bake Gluten Free Recipe

Karen · 10 Comments

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I love spring time. Spring brings us fresh asparagus, one of my favorite vegetables. I love it any way it is cooked. This time I added some garlic and zuchinni, and feasted on a meal most delicious.

This dish is so easy to make. Just wash and trim the asparagus, slice the zuchinni, peel and chop some garlic, and you are almost there.

Here is the so simple recipe:

Asparagus & Zuchinni Bake

1 bunch of fresh asparagus

2 medium zuchinni

1/2 to 1 whole head of garlic, depending on how much garlic you like.

sea salt

black pepper

olive oil spray

Wash and trim the asparagus and place in one end of a 13″ X 9″ casserole dish. Slice the zuchinni and place in the other end of the casserole dish. Peel and chop the garlic. Sprinkle over the asparagus and zuchinni. Spray the vegetables lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Bake in preheated 400° oven uncovered for 20 minutes.

I served this up with some gluten free macaroni and cheese, and rib eye steak.

Asparagus & Zuchinni Bake served up with macaroni and cheese, and rib eye steak.

What is your favorite way to serve asparagus?

Don’t Ignore The Symptoms When You Are Just A Little “Off”

Karen · 5 Comments

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The first appointment with the neurologist, Dr. M, was on January 8, 2015. He had us bring in a CD of the MRI that Dr. G, the ENT, had done. He spent some time listening to Fabgrandpa’s symptoms, looking at the records from the recent visits to the primary care and ear/nose/throat doctors. Then he looked at the MRI and said it looks like Fabgrandpa had had a TIA some time in the past.

Dr. M decided to do several tests, most of which were done in his office. I am not sure what all of the tests were for, but one was to check for nerve damage in Fabgrandpa’s legs and feet. One was to test balance. One was done at the hospital, a CTA. Computed Tomography Angiography is used to diagnose and evaluate many diseases of blood vessels and related conditions.

After all the testing was done, Dr. M was on vacation for three weeks, while we sat and worried about Fabgrandpa having another stroke. Finally, we had our last visit with the neurologist on March 19, 2015. At that visit, we still did not have an answer for why Fabgrandpa was feeling off balance. However, Dr. M said that the CTA showed a blockage in the left Carotid Artery. Normally, they don’t worry about a blockage until it is about 90% blocked. But, this blockage also came with an ulcer in the plaque that was blocking the artery.

An ulcerated plaque is where some of the plaque has broken off, and gone with the blood flow through the artery to the brain. The place where the plaque broke off left a hole, or ulcer, in the plaque. The danger in that ulcerated plaque is that blood could settle in the hole, and form a clot, then come out of the ulcer and go to the brain, causing a massive stroke. He said he was referring us to Dr. Whitney, a vascular surgeon.

Our appointment with Dr. Whitney was on March 25, 2015. Dr. Whitney had already looked over Fabgrandpa’s medical records from all the other doctors we had seen. He was very blunt but to the point. Fabgrandpa needed surgery to remove the ulcer and clean out the carotid artery. We talked about the risks involved, what would happen during surgery, and how long he would be in the hospital. Then, Dr. Whitney scheduled surgery for April 2, 2015.

We went home from that visit with Dr. Whitney stunned. We had no idea that the surgery was that urgent. We also discussed how we have been going to doctors since September 3, 2014, looking for the cause for feeling off balance and stumbling when walking, and the doctors accidently found this other thing that could be life threatening. THAT is scarey.

So, I will repeat what I have said before: Don’t Ignore The Symptoms When You Are Just A Little “Off”. Your doctor may not find the cause for your symptom immediately, but they may just accidently find something that will save your life.

Schar Gluten Free Pizza Crusts

Karen · 15 Comments

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I received product from Schar

I haven’t tried many products from Schär, but the ones I have tried tasted really good. When they asked me to try some of their Gluten Free Pizza Crusts, I said ok.

The Schär Pizza Crusts come packaged in vacuumed packed plastic, with two in a box. They are big enough for two people to eat for lunch. They are ready to add toppings and pop into the oven when you take them out of the package.

shar gluten free pizza crust — Schar Pizza Crust before baking.

Both Fabgrandpa and I enjoyed these pizza crusts. He is not easy to please with gluten free foods, since he is not a gluten free person. However, when he does like something he lets me know. These crusts had a yeasty, real pizza crust taste. They were soft before cooking, and still a soft and chewy after. They didn’t get too hard to eat, which can happen with other gluten free pizza crusts. They also help up to the toppings I used, which made me very happy.

shar gluten free pizza crusts — My Schar Pizza “Supreme”

A lot of the time when I make a pizza at home, I stop off at my local grocery store, and go to the Olive Bar they have near the deli. I get a 8 oz cup of a mixture of selections off that bar. I usually get two or three different kinds of olives, some marinated cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls, some roasted garlic, and whatever else looks good to me that day. That is what I did for making this pizza.

Because this pizza uses some ready to use ingredients from the grocery store, it is a snap to prepare, and tastes really good. You can change it up every time you make it, just by varying the items you get from the Olive Bar.

Karen’s Home Made Gluten Free Pizza Supreme

1 package Schär Gluten Free Pizza Crusts

1/3 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce

1 (8 oz) container of assorted items from Olive Bar from your deli

2 sweet Italian sausage links

1/2 red bell pepper

1 small onion

1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Take the pizza crusts out of the package, and place on a aluminum foil lined baking sheet or pizza pan. Spread half of the spaghetti sauce over each crust. Cut up the olives, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella balls and spread half on each crust.

Remove the skins from the Italian sausages, dice them up, and cook in a skillet until browned. Drain grease, and spread half of cooked sausage over each crust. Julienne slice the red bell pepper and onion. Place half on each crust. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated mozzarella on each pizza. Bake in a pre-heated 400° oven for 12-15 minutes.

schar gluten free pizza crusts — Home made pizza supreme

Shar Gluten Free Pizza Crust Ingredients:

Water, corn starch, rice flour, potato starch, corn syrup, yeast, guar gum, mono- and diglycerides, cream of tartar, baking soda, glucose, milk protein, salt, tartaric acid, citric acid, natural flavor
Serving Size: 1/3 crust (50 g)
Servings per container: 5 servings
Calories: 130
Calories from fat: 0
Protein: 2 g
Total carbs: 29 g (10% DV)
Dietary fiber: 2 g (8% DV)
Sugars: <1g
Total fat: 0.5 g (1% DV)
Saturated fat: 0 g
Trans fat: 0
Sodium: 250 mg (10% DV)

Visit the Shar website for more information, and to join the Schar Club where you’ll have access to giveaways, coupons, recipes, expert advice, member chat, and access to trusted gluten-free info.