I didn’t know how necessary adt security Troy was to have in a home until my son turned into a big boy. He is all boy and loves to go on adventures. Trying to keep him inside during the day is like trying to keep a baby from putting things in their mouth. He loves to be outside. He creates these elaborate adventures that he goes on. Most of his adventures include saving some princess from distress. He really is going to be a knight in shining armor when he grows up. Or at least I hope he keeps some of this adventure and strength in him. Since we got the system installed the doors beep every time they are opened for someone to come in or go out. It helps me keep track of where my little boy is. Is he inside or outside. It also helps me make sure he doesn’t go out the front door without me being aware. Unfortunately we live on a busy street and he is only able to go out the back door by himself.

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I’ve just been introduced to Braggs Organic Vinegar.  It does amazing things.  There is an entire book on the subject, on how it will help your body to heal everything from headaches to lung problems.  Its so overwhelming, I really couldn’t relate to it at all.

However, I had already bought a bottle of the vinegar (with the “mother included) so I figured, what the hey, I’ll give it a try.

Wow! I am amazed!  I had no idea I would love the stuff so much.  I mix up my drink of 1 teaspoon of vinegar with some stevia in a glass of water and drink it like lemonade.  It tastes sort of like a lemonade, except instead of tasting like lemons, it has a faint pickle flavor.  I don’t object to the flavor at all, as a matter of fact, it’s quite refreshing!

Anyway, my  body loves it!  Whenever I have that drink, it’s like my insides are singing!  Amazing.  It stops hunger cold in its tracks, and although I haven’t tried to eat any differently, a friend asked me today how much weight I had lost because it sure looked like I had!  All from a simple drink that’s easy to stir up right at the counter.  I don’t know what long term results there will be, but even if there are none I can put my finger on, I’m going to continue with this “tonic” because I like it so much.  Try it yourself and see!

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Ahhhh… Spring again!  I’m so grateful for the warmer weather and sunshine.  This time of year, my nurturing instincts always turn outwards to the yard and garden, to the potted plants in my sunroom, and the plants out on the deck.  Such potential!  There will be flowers!

I bring in most of the deck plants for the winter, which, of course, makes my sunroom very crowded.  The plants seem to like it there, and keep on growing and blooming.  I have one Christmas cactus that has been in full bloom for 5 month straight!  I don’t know a whole lot about these plants, but it seems like this is a long time for it to be blooming. 

Anyway, come spring, I look forward to sending them (well, most of them) out to the deck.  And as often as not, they need repotting.  The soil around here is Carolina red clay- not much good for planting anything, much less delicate potted plants, so I have to purchase potting soil that will nurture my green friends properly.   One soil that I have found that works really well is  Expand ‘n Gro™  . This is really great stuff, made from coconut fiber.  The fibers are compressed when you buy it, and when you add water, it expands 3 times the size.  Then, you can just plant your flowers directly in this, in a pot, or you can add it to the soil in your garden outside. 

This stuff is really good for the soil, especially the clay I have.  It mixes in with the dirt, and makes it light and fluffy, so that the roots have room to grow.  Watch this video on how it works:

Cool, huh?  I like the fact that the fiber disintegrate slowly, thus nurturing the soil for years before they completely break down.  Plants and flowers that have their roots in this stuff are larger, and happier, and have fantastic blooms!

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Easter is such a happy time, with the flowers all a-bloom, birds chirping about, trees greening up.  And the weather finally turning from cold and gloom to bright and sunny and warm.  Who couldn’t love a holiday like that?  Out front, I have 8 or so azaleas in bloom, with 3 shades of pink, and white and red.  There is even one that has mutated in some way, and has both pink AND white blooms on the same bush.  (My Dad always called it a “sport”.)

Easter baskets are always so much fun, too.  With 4 kids it was always a challenge (for the bunny) to hide baskets, not to mention finding things to put in them.  Anyway, as the years have gone on, the “toys” have changed for sure.  I found a cool site that sells gift baskets, and they make the best Easter baskets you could imagine!  Just go to www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com/ and check this out!

Now THAT’s what I call an Easter Basket!!  I want one!  (hint, hint- Easter Bunny, are you listening?)

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I don’t throw parties all that often but when I actually throw them I like to make sure that they’re super big and memorable. I think that I do a great job of it and after I throw one people are always asking me when my next one will be. I’m never quite sure. But after the St. Patty’s party that I threw last year I knew that I wanted to throw one this year again.

I already had quite a few decorating ideas left over from last year that I didn’t get to execute, so I had those in mind but I had to do some recipe research too. While I was looking up the perfect St. Patty’s party recipes I ran across the website www.debtsettlementfamily.com. My husband and I are in some financial trouble so I know that this site can maybe make a difference in that and help us out.

We’re reusing some of the decorations from last year’s party, which I know is going to come in handy with our budget. I found some good recipes too that I can’t wait to whip up for the event.

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The Nopalea juice has strong antioxidants in it.  Antioxidants have been proven scientifically to help the body in reducing inflammation, as well as helping the body to cleanse out some of the toxins that we take in daily.  Since inflammation causes all kinds of discomfort in the muscles, joints and, well, everywhere, drinking a juice that is rich with anti-inflammatory properties can really help to promote a healthy system.

Did you know that disorders that cause pain in the body quite often stem from inflammation?  You might even go so far as to say that all chronic and degenerative illnesses are rooted in chronic inflammation.  Fortunately, there are a lot of simple things that we can do to help our bodies be healthy, including  getting a bit more sleep, a bit less red meat and soda, and more exercise. But one of the simplest things to do is to drink a delicious juice that is just full of antioxidants right there in the glass!

It comes in a 32 oz bottle, but you can get a free sample by ordering at 1-800-203-7063 and paying only shipping and handling of $ 9.95

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Well, this is actually a good thing.  I loved being pulled out of my rut.  And there are so many different kinds of food out there, that you could eat a different thing every day for the rest of your life and not even come close to trying them all.

Still one of my favorite and simplest changes has been the introduction of orange into the family slaw recipe.  Just take and orange and juice it to get the juice out.  Save that (it’s too runny for your slaw” and then put the PULP into your slaw.  You might even want to grate off a bit of the rind, but not too much.

What a snappy addition!  Try it, you’ll like it. 

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I was watching television and saw a commercial advertisement for a butcher shop that is located near where I live. The shop is owned by the dad of a former childhood friend of my daughter. I was interested in seeing what they sell and at what prices, but I really did not want to go in there without knowing ahead of time in case it was too pricey for my budget. I did not want the embarrassment of not buying anything in case I ran into the owner. We have www.clearTVbundle.com so I decided to see if they had a website for the butcher shop. I ended up finding the website and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. It showed the weekly specials for all cuts of meats. They even had different packages that you could buy that included different types of meat in the same package. The package prices seemed to be really reasonable to me. And, by buying the packages, you could buy all types of meat that would last for a week, and then you could change the next week and get a different package so you would have a different menu the next week. I ended up signing up for their weekly email to let me know what specials they had for the week. Now I am looking forward to planning meals for the week with a variety of meats that fit into my budget.

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Unfortunately, with times as they are, even the florists are cutting back.  This year I saw many a dozen roses being sold with no extra foliage at all.  This will just not do.

So, when you get your flowers home, be sure to add some greenery in the vase with them.  This is not as hard as you may think.  You don’t need to have fancy baby’s breath, or ferns, as are (were) standard.  Just look in your yard, or at the trees along the road.  Cedar trees have needle like leaves and branches that look great as a base for greenery in your flower arrangement.  Or, how about Leyland Cypress?  What about holly?  There are lots of evergreen trees and bushes around that won’t mind losing a clip, to make your loved one happy.

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“For any outcome that you want, there is certain way of thinking and acting that will get it for you. You have to find that way of thinking and acting, and adopt it.”

-Bill Harris

I guess the trick is in finding those right thoughts and actions.  Good luck!

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