Sunday, July 21, 2013

Moives on Demand on Cable #Giveaway! #MODSummer

*Disclaimer: I am being compensated for this post.  All views expressed here are entirely my own and may differ from others'.

It's hot, Hot, HOT here in Michigan and chances are, it's probably hot in your neck of the woods too. Movies on Demand on cable has you covered! What better way to beat the heat than to watch your favorite summer Movies with family and friends in the nice cool air conditioning, and away from all the mosquitoes !   With a click of a button, Movies On Demand on cable delivers all your favorite summer movies from the comfort of your home. 

There are lots of titles to choose from this month, but I think I'm going to check out The Call about a kidnapped victim calling a 911 operator from a madman's trunk!  Sound suspenseful!!!!  

What movie are you hoping will show up on #MODSummer?

Want a chance to win a $25 Visa Gift Card? Here's you chance!  Enter through the giveaway tool below.



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Thursday, July 18, 2013

How To Make Your Own Paraffin Therapy Spa Using A Slow Cooker - Guest Post

How To Make Your Own Paraffin Therapy Spa Using A Slow Cooker

Paraffin therapy is one of the most effective natural treatments for muscle soreness and joint pain.  Ever heard of it?  It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: you coat yourself (or at least, your hands or feet, depending on where the pain is) with paraffin wax.  The moist heat helps to relieve pain and increase range of motion--much like a piping hot bath, but with more lasting effects.
              
Although paraffin therapy is a well-loved holistic remedy, it can take quite a hit on your wallet.  If you want to save some cash, you can actually create your own paraffin therapy.

There are a couple of options: you can buy your own paraffin bath from a medical supply store--

Or...

...You can make your own spa using a slow cooker.  Yes, you heard that right: you already know your favorite kitchen appliance can be so much more than you thought possible; let’s take it one step further. Read on to learn how your slow cooker can double as an arthritis-soothing spa.

Materials

You’ll only need a few things:

     A slow cooker (small for hands, large if you also want to use it for your feet)
     4 lbs paraffin wax
     1 ⅓ c Mineral oil
     A candy thermometer
     Essential oils (optional)
     Plastic wrap

To make things even easier, all of these items are easy to locate at your neighborhood supermarket!

Using the paraffin therapy spa:

First, you’ll add the paraffin wax to your slow cooker.  When it’s fully melted, stir in the mineral oil. At this point, you can also add a couple drops of the essential oil of your choice.  The essential oils are by no means “essential” (har-har) to the process, but they can certainly make the experience more relaxing and luxurious

After combining the ingredients, continue to heat to your preferred temperature. This is where the candy thermometer comes in. To avoid burns, you must keep the temperature under 125 degrees. Most paraffin therapy spas keep their temperatures between 115 and 125 degrees, as that’s the most effective range of temperatures.

Once the bath is ready, go ahead and dip your hands or feet into the bath. Make sure and wash with soap and water beforehand; if you keep the paraffin clean, it can actually be stored and used again! 

Once you’ve fully submerged your limb (hand to the wrist or foot to the ankle), continue dipping to build up layers. After you’ve dipped several times, wrap wax-covered parts of your body in plastic wrap. Then, cover the plastic wrap with a towel (this will help keep the warmth in).  Once you’re all wrapped up, let the therapy do its work for the next 20 minutes as you kick your feet back and relax.

When the paraffin has done its work, go ahead and peel it off-- you can either discard or save for future use. Finish with a luxurious moisturizer to nourish the skin and keep it from drying out.

So there you have it--having your own paraffin therapy spa can be just as relaxing as a professional day at a real spa or natural hot spring in Japan, but this treatment can be done right in the comfort of your home.



Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer, business owner and mother who doesn’t always have the time to visit a professional spa for a paraffin therapy treatment, so she makes her own right at home. Follow her on Pinterest and Twitter for more beauty tips and tricks.


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Friday, July 12, 2013

Hawaiian Shredded Pork - Gluten-Free

Oh my goodness!!!  Sometimes when I have a good idea, it turns into an EXCELLENT idea!  This was one of those times!  This smelled AMAZING while it cooked!  I couldn't wait for it to be done so I could sneak a taste!  The rub makes this pork shoulder stand out above any I've tried before.  This is definitely worthy of being in the next cookbook I'd say!

This is of course naturally gluten-free, but I've pictured it below how I ate it, and how the rest of my "non-gluten-free" family ate it!  They enjoyed theirs on Hawaiian Rolls, and I enjoyed mine on a some big iceburg lettuce leaves.  Yum!

Pork shoulders are often on sale.  You may even have on in your freezer, and might not even have to make a trip to the grocery store to get started on this treasure of a recipe.  Enjoy!!!




Servings: 12-18

Ingredients:
5-6 lb. pork shoulder
12 oz. crushed pineapple, juice separated from the pineapple (you will use both)
1 1/2-2 cups barbecue sauce

Rub:
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 Tsp. cumin
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Directions: (Use a 5 quart or larger slow cooker)
Mix together all of the rub ingredients.
Place your pork shoulder into your crock and rub on all sides with the rub you just made.
Pour the JUST THE JUICE of the pineapples around the pork.  I know the pineapples are in this picture, but they lost all flavor.  We'll add them later.
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
Shred the pork and place it back into your crock.
Pour the bbq sauce over the pork along with the pineapple and mix well.
Let it cook another 15-20 mins. or so...just long enough to heat the bbq sauce up.
Serve and ENJOY!

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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Look Who's Growing Giveaway Winner Announced

Congratulations to Katie Steffen!
You are the winner of the Personalized Growth Chart from Look Who's Growing!
You will have 48 hours to email me to claim your prize.


Many thanks to all who entered!
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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Cook Your Way Into Kenmore History

I know some of you are AMAZING cooks!  How about a chance to have your recipe published in the Kenmore 100th Anniversary Cookbook, a chance to win a Kitchen Appliance Makeover AND a trip to NYC for the Food Network Wine & Food Festival?  Sounds amazing right?!


The Kenmore brand is looking for the best summer recipes from across America and the winning recipe will win $8,400 worth of prizes!


Head over to cookmore.com to submit your recipe for a chance to win:

·         Kenmore kitchen appliance makeover worth $5,000
·         A three day/two night trip package for two people to the premier food event in the country, the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival in October
·         The chance to have his/her recipe featured in the Kenmore 100th Anniversary cookbook due out this fall (total value of $8,400)

Sounds pretty amazing, right?!  So, what are you waiting for?  
What recipe are you going to submit?!
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PlanetBox Lunch Box #Review

With Ella heading to Kindergarten in the Fall, I'm on the hunt for awesome Lunch Boxes for her to take to school.  Ultimately, I would like at least 2 or 3 awesome ones that all work well, so if we have a super busy night, I don't have to worry about washing it to get it ready for the next day!  (Those nights seem to happen often, LOL!)  I came across the PlanetBox in my search and I'm impressed.  It's honestly, a very simple product.  There are not many bells and whistles.  It is a stainless steel lunch box that offers 3 different styles/sizes for different sized appetites!  It's great for portion control as well.
The above pictured PlanetBox Lunch Box is what they call the Shuttle.  Its great for a snack or a smaller meal.  It comes with magnets (the colorful parts you see above) that can be removed and changed for different children/moods.
 It has a very easy to use latch, which opens up the lunch box.  The shuttle comes with what they call a tall dipper for sauces, or something similar as well.
Each PlanetBox comes with a carrying case as well.  
This particular lunch box will be great for her morning/afternoon snacks, but I don't feel it's large enough for a full meal.  I'm sure one of their other two styles; the Launch or Rover; would work well for her lunch.  It definitely doesn't seal when closed, so you wouldn't be able to put anything that might "leak" inside a PlanetBox Lunch Box.

Overall, I feel the PlanetBox is a very nice lunch box, that offers some great options for your child.  They even have a Meal Planning App online where you can design, plan or share meals for your PlanetBox!  How cool is that?!

You can find PlanetBox online or on Facebook.

What kinds of healthy things do you send to lunch with your child?

*Disclaimer: I was sent a PlanetBox Shuttle Lunch Box in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All thoughts expressed here are entirely my own and may differ from others'.

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Monday, July 8, 2013

Lid Pocket Review

If you're anything like me, when you're cooking, you have a million other things on the counter and you have to seriously hunt to find a place to set the lid of your slow cooker!  Well, I happened across this incredibly cool product called a Lid Pocket!  It's a very simple little edition to your slow cooker, which can be moved from slow cooker to slow cooker.
You will no longer have condensation dripping all over your counter when you're stirring something you're cooking, or a giant wet spot from setting it down.  All you have to do is simply slip your lid into this pocket and it's all taken care of!
The above picture is mine in action.....you can see the splattered pasta sauce on the lid!  LOL
It can be used on different sized slow cookers as well.  The white slow cooker above is a 3 Quart Slow Cooker.  The one below is a 7 Quart Slow Cooker.


Honestly, for the super cheap price of $9.99 + shipping and handling, they are worth the buy!  They can be stored right inside your slow cooker, so you won't have to come up with a place to store it.  Wouldn't this make a nice gift for a shower with the slow cooker on their registry?  Or think ahead for Christmas!  Such a cool idea!

You can find out more about Lid Pockets on their website.  You can also find them easily on Facebook.

*Disclaimer: I was given a Lid Pocket to try out in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts expressed here are entirely my own and may differ from others'. Print Friendly and PDF