tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25989160202073894382024-03-13T06:26:47.074-04:00Mommy MusingsThe random musings of a Christian stay at home mom of five children in ages from 18 to a 16 month old and help meet to one wonderfully patient gentleman.MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-50712731559627972742013-03-31T01:24:00.001-04:002013-03-31T01:24:16.864-04:00Farewell but not Good-ByeI am writing this to let you my dear readers know that I have moved my blog to WordPress. After much thought and consideration I have decided that Word Press offers me more and Blogger limits me severely. <br />
Thanks to the handy import button on WordPress I was able to import all my blogger type goodies to WordPress.<br />
<a href="http://mmommymusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://mmommymusings.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<br />
Until next time...MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-25164365187526884962013-03-27T19:53:00.000-04:002013-03-27T19:53:03.848-04:00Baby or Bust 2012 an updateLast year about this time I wrote a post about a friend and her Prince Charming who were trying to raise funds for a donor egg. Well, fast forward to 2013 and I am happy to report that Melissa and Cory are going to be parents!! That's right they will be the happy parents of a baby boy later this year.<br />
I just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers for them and ask that you keep them in your prayers as the pregnancy progresses.MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-29569045079802821552013-03-22T00:27:00.003-04:002013-03-22T00:27:30.492-04:00Brace YourselfOkay so for the good news. I saw the orthopedic doctor on Monday for the knee I injured last month. The MRI shows no tears and major damage. What I do have is some knee instability so I have to wear a hinged brace for a little while.<br />
I have some tips for everyone about braces,wraps and the like.<br />
The first is to make sure that you pay close attention when being fitted with your wrap, brace or cast. This is so you can know how to put on your brace, wrap etc. If you aren't sure ask. Trust me when I say the doctor/nurse or whoever is taking care of you will not be unhappy if you ask questions.<br />
Second tip is that wraps, braces etc can chafe and rub so powder sprinkled on wherever the brace, wrap etc is going to be can make you a whole lot more comfortable especially in the summer when it gets hot. I used medicated powder like Gold Bond that also helps prevent itching and helps control sweating. <br />
I'm sure that most people have seen the sleeves for leg or knee braces that fit under them to prevent chaffing . They're a great idea but at $30 for one most people aren't going go running out and buying a dozen of them to have on hand. A cheaper solution is capri tights. I was able to find some for $4 a pair recently.<br />
Third tip is to gently wash your brace, wrap by hand. I know the label claims you can machine wash them but trust me on this. A few minutes of gently hand-washing your brace in mild suds will help to prolong the life of said brace and help prevent fraying of the Velcro pieces. <span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u><i>Never machine dry your brace, wrap etc.</i></u></span></span><br />
I know that noone actually wants to wear a brace but let's make the best of it when we do. A few weeks of wearing a brace will soon be a distant memory.<br />
Until next time...MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-70252255150167778122013-03-12T11:42:00.001-04:002013-03-12T11:42:27.921-04:00UpdateYoungest daughter's surgery went fine. She will be recovering at home for a day or two. ThanksMmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-15275558841056453772013-03-11T23:39:00.000-04:002013-03-11T23:39:28.123-04:00Menu Plan Monday -The Rachael Ray and AllFoods EditionI admit that this week's menu ideas were cue dramatic music...borrowed! Oh horror of horrors you mean you didn't come up with the recipes on your own? Sadly nope I did not. I have to give credit to two great magazines that I got in Friday's mail, <i>Everyday with Rachael Ray</i> and a small sample issue of <i>All Foods</i> that was sent with the <i>Everyday</i> magazine<i>.</i><br />
I usually just flip thru my magazines and toss them. For some reason I didn't do that this time but instead decided to actually read them this time. I am so glad that I did. Both magazines had some great recipes for easy dinner menu starters.<br />
<br />
I have provided links to recipes that I used for each of the nightly menu if they were available.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><i><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday</span></i></u></span></span><br />
Stir-Fry Beef and Veggies (I use the Sweet-Sour Stir-Fry Sauce on the right side. <a href="http://Stir Fry Sauce)" target="_blank">Stir Fry Sauce)</a><br />
Steamed Jasmine Rice<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1449894746"><u><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">Monday</span></i></u></a><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1449894746" target="_blank">Corned Beef Melts with Sweet and Sour Onions and Wilted Cabbage</a></span><br />
Note: I baked a corned beef brisket in the oven myself when I was unable to find deli sliced corned beef available locally. Also instead of the breads she suggested I used Pepperridge Farm Simply Oatmeal Bread. <br />
<br />
<i><u><span style="color: magenta;">Tuesday</span></u></i><br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-pulled-pork/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Pulled Pork</a> on Slider Buns<br />
Homemade Coleslaw - My coleslaw dressing recipe comes from my 1970 <i>Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook</i>. <br />
<u><i><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></i></u>
<u><i><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wednesday</span></span></i></u><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/quick-chicken-soup-with-pasta/" target="_blank">Quick Chicken Soup with Pasta</a> </span></span><br />
If we do not go to church. Depends on how everyone is feeling that afternoon.<br />
<br />
<u><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday</span></i></u><br />
<a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/broccoli-ham-ring" target="_blank">Broccoli Ham Ring</a><br /><br />
<br />
<i><u><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Friday</span></u></i><br />
<a href="http://thenourishingcook.com/sally-fallons-meatloaf-recipe/" target="_blank">Meatloaf</a> (I use ground turkey instead of beef in mine. Even though is says the fish sauce is optional do add a few drops if you can find it.)<br />
Spring Blend Veggies<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><u>Saturday</u></i></span><br />
Fish Fillets<br />
French Fries<br />
Mexicorn<br />
<br />
<br />
Breakfasts are cereal, English muffins, waffles and eggs.<br />
Lunches are sandwiches, salads, macaroni and cheese with hot dogs and leftovers<br />
<br />
I am so glad these are easy to do recipes and menus. This afternoon our five year old son took a fall and so he and I went to the local children's hospital to get him looked at. Thankfully he is fine and he has to take it easy for a few days. <br />
Youngest dear daughter has outpatient surgery to remove an ear tube this week so she'll be out of school for a day or two. I got her frozen lemonades, ice pops, pudding and Jello to eat after her surgery.<br />
If you remember my last post I mentioned needing to see a specialist for my knee. Well, I did and I have to probably have surgery on it. I will know something definite on the 22nd after my consult with the knee surgeon and my MRI.<br />
If you folks could keep us in your prayers we'd appreciate it tons. Thanks a million !!<br />
<br />
Until next time... <br />
<br />
<br />
MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-56813036671325965502013-02-28T00:11:00.001-05:002013-02-28T00:12:50.056-05:00Cookie Jar FillerOkay so it's been a little while since I posted. Sorry but things happened that were not planned but it's all good now. Well almost, I stepped off the curb wrong Monday and managed to tear the cartilage in my right knee . So after a trip to my doctor who was awesome enough to see me the same day (Tuesday), an Ace wrap, home care instructions, crutches and a referral to the orthopedic clinic I am slowly on the mend.<br />
I did make cookies for the kids' school snack and dear husband liked them as well. If they are a hit with everyone than I figured why keep them just for ourselves. These cookies are super easy, soft and tasty.<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><i>Cake Mix Sandwich Cookies </i></span><br />
1 box cake mix ( 18.9 oz sized box)<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/2 cup Butter Flavored Crisco<br />
1 can frosting<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together on low speed until combined into a dough. On greased cookie sheets drop by teaspoons spacing evenly. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until edges are brown.<br />
Let the cookies cool completely before the next step. You need them cooled or else the frosting will melt.<br />
Now that you have let cookies cool completely, take a cookie, spread about a tablespoon of frosting on the bottom of it and top with a cookie that is bottom side down.<br />
I got about two dozen cookies. You'll need to store these in the fridge due to the frosting but they are so soft the coldness doesn't effect the softness of them.<br />
The best thing is that you aren't just limited to one flavor combination . I used Funfetti Cake mix and Chocolate Frosting since that is what I happened to have on hand. You could do spice cake mix with cream cheese frosting, orange cake mix with vanilla frosting, the possibilities are literally endless.<br />
<br />
Until next time...MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-34967546599284317962013-02-19T13:31:00.000-05:002013-02-19T13:31:08.159-05:00This is a test, this is only a testThis is a test readers to verify that this here blog is actually written by a real living person. Okay I was going to be sarcastic and say that Stan from Disney's<i> Dog With a Blog </i>does my writing but I hear his fees are outrageous. If you've never seen the show , watch it. It's super cute and Stan is hilarious.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogdash.com/full_profile/?claim_code=762b9290445f55f7014138a238b42c15" style="color: #83bf14;" target="_blank">http://www.blogdash.com/full_profile/?claim_code=762b9290445f55f7014138a238b42c15</a><br />
<br />
Until next time.. <br />
<br />MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-91520500363211154762013-02-19T12:00:00.004-05:002013-02-19T12:00:53.548-05:00The Perfect Invitation<div id="yui_3_7_2_17_1361292917526_133">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In today digitized society there is nothing like the feel of getting a
lovely
invitation or handwritten letter in the mail. The joy of reading news
from a dear friend or finding out that your favorite cousin is getting
married is incomparable.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_17_1361292917526_143">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some people are content to type a quick
letter on their computer and print it out. For those people however who
would rather use specialized invitations, there is Wallace Paper
Company in Knoxville.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I asked the owner,
Sharon
Deaver, what inspired her to open Wallace Paper Company she said,
"Beautiful stationery and invitations have always fascinated me. I used
to look through my grandmother's scrapbook of invitations for hours.
It's always been something I wanted to do!" She and her Scottish
Terrier,
Alice, are always ready to help folks find the perfect paper product
for
any occasion. </span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This wonderful shop opened on September 15,
2012 in The Shops at Western Plaza. Wallace Paper Company carries a
wide variety of stationery, gift wrap, candles and other
wonderful things. They also offer printing services both in-house and
for larger orders they work with custom album companies to
provide letterpress, engraved and thermography invitations.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They
have a fairly
quick turn around depending on exactly what you would like to order. If
you have fifty invitations or less the usual turnaround is
a few days. Custom albums can take a little bit longer. Plan on
approximately 3 weeks for invitations or announcements. Talk to Sharon
Deaver at Wallace Paper Company now and get your orders placed before
the end of the year rush. For those blushing June brides, plan on some
extra time for wedding
invitations. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the great
names Wallace Paper Company carries include Karen
Adams Designs, Cavallini & Company, Rifle Paper Company, Haute Papier,
Smock Paper, Designer's Fine Press, Tech Candy (makers of
stylish and functional iPhone cases), Archipelago & Illume Candles and many others.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_17_1361292917526_152">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wallace Paper Company is online at <a href="http://wallacepaperco.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wallacepaperco.com</a> on Facebook (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wallace-Paper-Company/135209683284107" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wallace-Paper-Company/135209683284107</a> Twitter (<span id="yui_3_7_2_17_1361292917526_151">@wallacepaperco) and Pinterest </span>(wallacepaperco). Si "Like" them, "pin" them and follow them on Twitter.</span></span> </div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
the next time you need birthday party, baby or bridal shower, or wedding invitations call
Sharon Deaver at Wallace Paper Company. She will be glad to help
you create that perfect invitation.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_17_1361292917526_145">
<br /></div>
MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-62325543768370760892013-02-16T20:15:00.001-05:002013-02-16T20:15:06.253-05:00The 2013 Dogwood Arts Home and Garden Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPXuO4PGh7c/URfcb7WCx6I/AAAAAAAAAJY/S6qQaMXlbq8/s1600/home.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPXuO4PGh7c/URfcb7WCx6I/AAAAAAAAAJY/S6qQaMXlbq8/s400/home.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #1c1b0b; font-size: small;">If you happen to be near or live in the Knoxville area do I have a great thing for you to do tomorrow. The 35th Annual Dogwood Arts Home and Garden Show is being held at the Knoxville <span style="font-size: small;">Convention</span> Center. With over 200 exhibits I am pretty certain that there will be something for everyone who attends.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #1c1b0b; font-size: small;"> Dogwood
Arts is setting the stage for a spectacular House & Garden Show
with features sure to inspire everyone! </span><span style="font-size: small;">This
year’s show, selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s
Top 20 Events for 2013, will take place tomorrow Sunday, February
17 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Knoxville Convention Center in
Knoxville, Tennessee.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
2013 House and Garden Show, presented by the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Knoxville
News Sentinel</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
will feature more than 200 exhibits sure to spark the imaginations of
home and garden enthusiasts. Attendees can lose themselves in the
Grand Gardens, a showcase of more than 10,000 square feet of
landscapes constructed by the region’s top designers, and find
themselves inspired by interior designers showcasing innovations for
the home. The Flower Markets will offer virtually everything
colorful and green that can brighten a garden. Artists will have
artwork on the show floor to bring personality to your home and
garden. The How-To Stage will present eleven shows throughout the
weekend. The House and Garden Show is definitely the ticket to
spring!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dogwood
Arts is excited to showcase: the Green Living Pavilion, a Cooking
School, the third annual fundraising raffle, and artists! </span></span>
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Green Pavilion is a sustainability initiative that emphasizes energy
efficiency and conservation. Green Living vendors will educate
attendees about new energy-efficient technologies, products and
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">services,
while providing resources focused on greener and cleaner homes,
gardens, and overall lifestyles</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">A
Cooking School, sponsored by locally-owned-and-operated, Avanti
Savoia, will be providing thirteen cooking demonstrations focused on
home-made Italian cuisine, throughout the weekend</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The
third annual fundraising raffle will give visitors 18 years and
older the opportunity to win one of five amazing prize packages
including: </span></span>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enter
for a chance to win $2,500 to customize your own furniture from the
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>HGTV
HOME Design Studio at Bassett</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
Donated by Scripps Networks Interactive.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cook
like Food Network chefs with $750 worth of kitchen products from
Kohl’s. Donated by Scripps Networks Interactive.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Building
materials for a 15</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">′</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">
x 60</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">′</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">
patio to include a fire-pit – valued at $7,500. Donated
by <a href="http://www.acmeblockandbrick.com/" target="_blank">ACME
Block & Brick</a>.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Two
(2) Telescope Casual Momentum Deep-Seat Arm Chairs; One (1)
Telescope Casual Solid Surface Coffee Table; and One (1) Big Green
Egg, Nest, and Mates – all valued at $4,450. Donated by Prism
Pool and Backyard.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Invisible
Fence Silver Package to include a control panel with one (1)
surge protector, one (1) computer collar, one (1) power cap battery
plan, professional installation for up to a half-acre, and two (2)
training sessions from a certified trainer – value: $1,099.
Donated by <a href="http://www.invisiblefence.com/" target="_blank">Invisible
Fence</a>.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Artists
– furniture makers, custom tile makers, faux painters, fine art
painters, and more!</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Celebrity
speakers will be on-hand throughout the weekend on the Entertainment
Stage as they educate and entertain audiences. Among others, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">Matt
Muenster, host of DIY Network’s </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/bath-crashers/show/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">Bath
Crashers</span></span></i></span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span></i><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">will
</span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">present
“Bathroom Design for 2013 & Beyond!”; Leigh Anne Lomax
from </span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="http://www.cheekwood.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">Cheekwood
Botanical Garden</span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="color: black;">
in Nashville</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);"> will
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">present
“Cheekwood’s Dynamic Dogwoods: Building an Exemplary Collection”;
and Alison Victoria, host of DIY Network’s </span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/kitchen-crashers/show/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">Kitchen
Crashers</span></span></i></span></a></span></span><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span></i><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">will
</span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">present
“Alison’s Five Best Kitchen Tips.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">Participating
artists include: Alex Smith, Art by Nick, Cadman & Cummins
Studios, Charles Pinckney Designs, Jill Stone Studio, Michelle Monet
Creations, The Clay Horse, and Tufa Garden Art.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">Participating
Landscape Designers include: Ecoscapes, Forever Green, Landscape
Outfitters, Mark W. Fuhrman Complete Landscape Services, Petey’s
Landscaping, Pleasant Hill Nursery, Proscapes, Reno Land Design,
Stuart Row Landscapes, The Lawn Butler, and Willow Ridge Garden
Center & Landscaping.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Admission
is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (over 65), and $5 for youth (6-12
years old). Children under 5 are admitted free. Tickets purchased
at any local ORNL Federal Credit Union will receive $1 off the ticket
price from January 28 through February 14. All proceeds benefit
Dogwood Arts. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For
more information on the House & Garden Show, visit
<a href="http://www.dogwoodhouseandgarden.com/" target="_blank">www.dogwoodhouseandgarden.com</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dogwoodhouseandgarden.com/" target="_blank"></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dogwood
Arts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to
promote and celebrate our region’s arts, culture, and natural
beauty. The Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show is a major
fundraising event that supports this mission and the Festival in
April. ORNL Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of the
Festival. For more information, visit www.dogwoodarts.com or call
[865] 637.4561.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>How-To
Stage Entertainment Schedule</b></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Sunday,
February 17</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i>Alison
Victoria, Host of DIY Network’s “Kitchen Crashers”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>11:3<span style="font-size: small;">0 a</span>m </b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">:: <a href="http://www.erinsmeadowherbfarm.com/" target="_blank">Erin’s
Meadow</a> presents “Herbal Housecleaning: Create a Naturally
Clean and Fragrant Home”</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>1:30
pm </b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">::
Alison Victoria, host of DIY Network’s </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/kitchen-crashers/show/index.html" target="_blank">Kitchen
Crashers</a> </i></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">presents
“Alison’s Five Best Kitchen Tips”</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cooking School Schedule</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b>Sunday,
February 17</b><b><br /></b><b>11:00
am</b> :: <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tagliatelle
Zafferano con aglio, olio e arrosto pepperoni rossi</span></b><br /><b>1:00
pm</b> :: <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pattone
di Linguine Nero di Seppia con frutti di mare</span></b><br /><b>3:00
pm </b>:: <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pappardelle
Pasta alla “3 P’s”</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Sponsored
by:</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqDJwlmD11M/URfbIhww-KI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/aV0KCoZtPAA/s1600/avanti.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqDJwlmD11M/URfbIhww-KI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/aV0KCoZtPAA/s200/avanti.PNG" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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I got a chance to volunteer there this afternoon and got a chance to peek at some the exhibits. Trust me when I say it is well worth the cost of the ticket price. I plan to take photos tomorrow. They have some great ideas and if you're a train buff please stop and check out Mark Fuhrman's incredible train display. There are plenty of goodies and door prizes that being given away. I got a nice reusable shopping bag, a mini flashlight, chip bag clip that has a magnet on back and for hubby a nice sturdy coffee mug for his hot cocoa.</div>
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So be sure to check out the 35th Annual Dogwood Arts Home and Garden Show at the Knoxville Convention Center. It's located at <span></span></div>
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<span class="" dir="ltr">701 Henley Street</span></div>
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<span class="" dir="ltr">Knoxville, TN 37902</span></div>
<span dir="ltr">(865) 522-5669</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.knoxvilleconventioncenter.com/" target="_blank">http://www.knoxvilleconventioncenter.com/</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span dir="ltr"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span dir="ltr">Until next time...</span></div>
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MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-90529507789347619782013-02-08T21:34:00.001-05:002013-02-08T21:34:28.751-05:00Better Bacon<span style="font-size: small;">We all love bacon. I mean how can you NOT like bacon. It's chocked fully of smoky salty porky goodness. Plus it has become a staple in things like cupcakes, sandwiches, vodkas and even chocolate bars. Just about every state now has a bacon festival of some kind or another.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Now recently I started experimenting with bacon to see how I could make it better. After some testing and very willing taste testers I came up with <i>Better Bacon</i>. <i>Better Bacon</i> is a sweet slightly smoky bacon that is the best bacon ever for grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches. Plus it's super easy to do and since it's done in the oven your stove top is free for you to use.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I would recommend using a good brand name bacon for Better Bacon. There are some store brands out there that are really great but you want to buy a bacon with a good balance of meat and fat. Too much fat and the bacon starts to shrink. Too much meat and the bacon will start curling up. Not what we want </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><i>Better Bacon</i></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1 (16 oz) package thick sliced hickory smoked bacon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup light brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup maple syrup </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1. Preheat oven to 375. In a roasting pan with a rack place bacon strips in a single layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. In heated oven cook bacon for 12 minutes. Drain bacon grease and place in a coffee cup that has been rinsed out with very hot water and dried. (This bacon grease is great for frying eggs, potatoes and using in greasing cast iron skillets for cornbread.Another great use is a big spoonful in green beans).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3. Drizzle the maple syrup evenly all over the bacon and sprinkle with the brown sugar. Place back in oven and cook for about 3 minutes more. You want the edges of your bacon to just start turning a nice golden brown color.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">4. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes. This resting period lets the maple syrup and bacon infuse into the bacon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now go enjoy your<i> Better Bacon</i>...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Until next <span style="font-size: small;">time</span></span><br />
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<br />MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-62509546935470906782013-02-04T01:07:00.002-05:002013-02-04T01:07:45.276-05:00A Little Support Sorry it has been a few days but I had to break down and buy a new system. My old desktop had started to get the "whine of death" which meant it was a matter of time before it was a goner. Now I have a new system to use so I now have no excuses for not writing.<br />
For starters the winners in our EarthFare prize giveaway have been selected by Random Number Picker and the winners were Victoria and Amy Lauren. Congrats ladies, your goodies are on their ways to you.<br />
I had originally intended to spotlight a few local businesses in this blog but something happened in the shopping plaza where they are located that made me change my mind.<br />
No the plaza did not catch fire but sadly two of the businesses there were robbed Friday evening. I had gotten a chance to talk for a few minutes to the receptionist at one and was looking forward to talking to the owners once they had moved to their new location in the plaza.<br />
Most of the shops located here are small privately owned local businesses. Yes, there are a few larger "chain" type store but even they are fairly small compared to their more urban cousins. There are a variety of stores and I will do a blog telling you all about them (except for one who really wasn't interested ).<br />
In 2012 on<em> Small Business Saturday </em>$5.5 billion dollars was spent in ONE day!! I'm not the best at math but if we all spent that much on small businesses each Saturday for an entire year that is a slew of money being put back into the local economy. Okay so I did the math and the grand total is $286 billion dollars. Just think what that would mean to your local economy. <br />
The owners didn't have to talk to me about their businesses but they DID. They took time out of their schedules to tell about themselves and their businesses. If they can do that for me then shouldn't we support them in the same way by patronizing them? These people are your neighbors, friends and sometimes even family. <br />
Your local Chamber of Commerce can direct you to the locally owned businesses in your neighborhood and town. Let people know about a locally owned business if you really love it. Word of mouth advertising goes a long way even in today's digitalized social media society.<br />
Until next time...<br />
MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-6522009534187379722013-01-30T01:52:00.000-05:002013-01-30T01:52:21.702-05:00All About... Me!!Okay so this post is going to be all about me. I figure you all might want to know a little about me. I figured 'Twenty Questions" type format would be fun to do. I am not going to be telling you where I live or my real name. Oh and as lady you won't be knowing to my age and weight.So let's begin..<br />
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1)What are your past times?I like to read, bake, travel, do crossword puzzles, write and collect antique books (pre 1920)<br /><br />2)What are some of your favorite bands? My music tastes varies but I do have a few bands that I do like - Depeche Mode, The Cure, Duran-Duran,early U2 and surprise surprise-Rammstein! Yep, I am Rammstein fan. I have never seen them in concert but I would love to.<br /><br />3) What are some of your favorite songs? <i>Rosenrot </i>(Rammstein), <i>Red Hill Mining Town</i> (U2),<i> A Little Respect </i>(Erasure), <i>It's A Sin</i> (Pet Shop Boys), <i>Sex on Fire</i>(Kings of Leon), <i>The Love Cats</i> (The Cure), <i>Rush</i> (Depeche Mode)<br /><br />4)Who are some of your favorite authors? Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe, Anne Rice, Louisa May Alcott<br /><br />5)What are some of your favorite books? <i>A Woman of Independent Means</i>, <i>Little Women</i>, <i>Little Men</i>, anything by Beverly Lewis and the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke<br /><br />6)Have you ever traveled outside the US? Yes, on two occasions. Once when I was small we went to Victoria, British Columbia and again when I was in high school I went Quebec and Montreal.<br /><br />7)What are your favorite movies?<i> Queen of the Damned</i>, <i>Imitation of Life</i> (1957 Lana Turner version), <i>Them!</i>, <i>The Postman Always Rings Twice</i>,<i> Peyton Place</i><br /><br />8)Should married people have friends of the opposite sex? Yes! The reason is that you can ask them if you need an opinion on say what gift to give your spouse or if you need a second opinion on a matter (not major matters just minor ones). Besides sometimes friends of the opposite sex can help you see things in a way you might have missed. <br /><br />9) Do you consider yourself religious? Yes but not to the point of piety. I look at religion this way. Yes I am a believer but I will not go forcing my views on people if they don't want me to. If someone wants to talk to me then I will answer whatever questions they might have .<br /><br />10) Can you cook and what dishes are you best at? Somewhat. I can make a mean 3 cheese macaroni (which I often bring to potluck dinners)a pretty wicked omelet, slow roasted chicken and according to my kids I make decent cookies.Oh our youth group keeps asking when I plan to make more gluten free peanut butter cookies for them.<br /><br />11) What states have you lived in? LA, GA,MS,WA, VA and TN<br /><br />12) What is the most unusual job you ever had? I work temporarily at a video store in the Christmas room. Trust me Santa does not make his toys here . We just told kids that so they would turn around and walk the other way<br /><br />13) Do you have any siblings? Yes, one of each both younger.<br /><br />14)Do you have any nieces/nephews? Four nieces<br /><br />15) Are your parents still living? Yes and they celebrated 40 years of marriage back in August<br /><br />16)How many of your grandparents are still living? I am blessed to have both my paternal grandparents still living and my maternal grandmother. My maternal grandfather passed away in 2010.<br /><br />17)What is on your bucket list? Travel to Europe, learn to play cello, learn German and Italian, learn to snow ski and go on a cruise<br /><br />18)Pet Peeves? Long lines, mean people, <br /><br />19) Favorite foods? Oriental rice crackers, wasabi peas, Southwestern jarlsberg dip, French food, Chinese food<br /><br />20) Favorite TV shows? <i>Criminal Minds</i>, <i>Numb3rs</i>,<i> Rocko's Modern Life</i>, <i>Tom & Jerry</i><br />MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-43167401800085515412013-01-28T23:28:00.000-05:002013-01-29T07:18:26.283-05:00Turning dreams into RealityI got a chance today to stop in at Law's Interior & Design Studios in the Shops at Western Plaza in Knoxville. There I got to talk with Helen Frazier who is the Project Manager for Law's.<br />
Law's Interior & Design Studio has two locations, nearly forty employees and almost 45,000 square feet of warehouse and showroom space. Nearly 12,000 of the square footage is their showroom which is treat to visit.<br />
Law's retails furniture from companies such as classically inspired Hickory Chair based in Hickory, North Carolina to the modern modern feel of Baier Furniture. They also have hutches, tables and artwork such as painting available for purchase.<br />
Helen explained they work with contractors for new builds and remodels as well. So if you are in need of a design team to take your home interior design ideas and make them a reality call the team at Law's Interiors & Design<br />
Visit their <a href="http://www.lawsinteriors.com/index.html" target="_blank">website</a> to see a photo gallery of the great design work they do.<br />
<br />
Until next time...MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-9049092460264747702013-01-27T21:18:00.000-05:002013-01-27T21:18:43.564-05:00Feed me...Part 1 of the Menu Planning JourneyI was recently looking at article online and it gave a week worth of dinner menus. That was a great idea since it gave complete shopping list along with the menu. After a closer look I realized that there was no way that any normal family would eat these dishes. Plus it required you to have on hand things that a lot of us simply don’t have like walnut oil, dry sherry (I thought sherry was wet since it is a liquid. Dry sherry is made with lighter grapes than regular sherry) and other odd things<br />So I decided as a project to search thru all my vintage cookbooks, magazines and the internet to create a menu for the month of February that would meet the following requirements; (1) It must have dishes that we would actually eat plus a new side or main course each day for variety (2) Anyone could make the dishes on the menu without having to have a degree from the <i>Cordon Bleu</i> cooking school (3) The cost per day broke down like this -breakfast would cost $5.00, lunch would cost $5.00 and dinner would cost $10.00 and last but not least (4) It had to feed my family of six for under $600.<br /> I am now armed with my goals as far as my menu plan for the month of February. I will be doing research and figuring the costs of each meal. My goal is to each Sunday evening to post the upcoming week’s menu with a cost breakdown. I hope by doing this I can give my readers ideas for planning their own menus for the week saving them time and money.<br />Until next time…MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-84543760040586836562013-01-27T02:17:00.000-05:002013-01-27T02:17:15.548-05:00The Human Condition-Part 1 of 3This is part 1 of a 3 part blog series. The posting will not be back-to-back as I will be doing more research on this topic<br />
The blog you are about to read is not just for ladies but men also. Ladies you need to share this with your husbands and boyfriends because they can help in ways we ladies can’t. Not that we ladies can’t help it’s just that in this case men can help without raising suspicions. <br />Today I am going to write about a topic that might make some of my readers uncomfortable. After reading an article on human trafficking and the very few calls that the hotline in Tennessee received I decide this was a topic that I wanted to write about.<br />If you’re like me my first thought was “There is no way people are being trafficked. I mean it’s 2013 people!”. The sad reality is that human trafficking is huge business in America. In fact it is so huge that it surpasses the sales of illegal arms at $32 billion dollars in revenue annually. Over fifty percent of the revenue coming from industrialized countries. The illicit trade of small arms averages a billion dollars a year.<br />To give you a number to compare this to, Bill Gates is worth $65 billion dollars.<br />Over 293,000 American children each year are trafficked yearly in the United States for sexual purposes. Forty percent of all human trafficking cases opened for investigation between January 2008 and June 2010 were for the sexual trafficking of a child. There are other forms of trafficking or as the FBI website called them “modern-day slaves”. These people are often beaten, starved, and forced to work as prostitutes or to take grueling jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay. When we go to work we expect certain things like getting paid, lunch breaks, some type of benefits and a safe work environment. Sadly this is not the case with the people who are trafficked. They endured daily beatings, starvation, lack of basic human comforts and worse. A lot of these people who are smuggled into the United States do not speak English which is a “benefit” to their captors but a hindrance to them.<br /> I wan to focus on the sex trafficking trade especially with children. <br />As a mom I cannot even comprehend what would even drive someone to even entertain the thought of having sex with a child. I mean the mere thought is reprehensible and revolting. <br />Most of the young women who are smuggled into the United States are from Central America and Asian countries. Not all victims are from those countries though. Victims from the United States are also involved especially girls who are runaways or come from dysfunctional homes.<br />Not all the victims are women and young girls. However, there are an increasing number of young males being forced into the commercial sex industry as well.<br />How do these people end up being trafficked? What do the traffickers do to these people? What is the average age of a person (especially of a female) being forced into sex trafficking. What happens when these people are “found” by the authorities? What happens to the traffickers IE what is the usual protocol to catch them and their punishments? What happens to the victims afterwards? Most importantly what can we do as citizens to help combat this problem<br />There are many ways that a person especially a woman can be ensnared in the sex trafficking trade. Some women are simply kidnapped and sold to a trafficker who in turns sells her to a pimp. Others are offered offers of legitimate and legal work as shop assistants or waitresses. Some are given offers of marriage, an education and a chance at a better life. Some are sold into trafficking by boyfriends, neighbors, friends and even their own parents. <br />Also pimps lure vulnerable young women by pretending to be their best friend/protector/boyfriend /Prince Charming all in one. However once these women are “caught”, the pimps are anything but a Prince Charming. <br />The victims are often passed along thru various “trade routes” winding up further and further from their home countries. An example would be Daryna from the Ukraine may be sold to a Gazanfer who is a trafficker in Turkey, who then passes her on to Phailin who is a trafficker in Thailand. Along the way she becomes confused and disoriented. Along the way her passport and documents are taken from her and she is told she is in the country illegally causing her to be even more dependent on her captors.<br />Often these victims are often kept in captivity and also trapped into debt bondage. Victims also report being charged additional fines or fees while under bondage, requiring them to work longer to pay off their debts. <br />Traffickers also use the threat of hurting the victim’s family and/or children if they do not cooperate. They also physically tortured, starved, locked into closets, drugged and raped into submission. <br />Some women are drugged so they do not escape and are forced to “serve” up to thirty men a day. <br /><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"Children exploited through prostitution report they typically are given a quota by their trafficker/pimp of 10 to 15 buyers per night. Utilizing a conservative estimate, a domestic minor sex trafficking victim would be raped by 6,000 buyers during the course of her victimization through prostitution. "</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Prostituted Children, Shared Hope International, May 2009, page 20</span>.</i><br />
So what happens when the victim is found? <br />One is to arrest and deport the victim. Seriously like this will freaking help!! Why is this even considered as an option? The reason is that prosecutors don't want to take on the difficult challenge of prosecuting a trafficker when they can win the easier charges of prosecuting the victim for prostitution, document fraud, or immigration & labor violations.<br />Second is to jail the offender. Good in theory but not in thought. Often governments offer protection to the victim and allow them to temporarily stay in the country, on the condition that they testify against their traffickers.<br />In the U.S., the TVPA (Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act) allows for the provision of temporary visas (T-visas) to victims of human trafficking, with a possibility of permanent residency. However, they only offer 5,000 of these each year, regardless of how many human trafficking cases come forth. In 2010 only 213 T visas were granted. The 2010 TIP Report claims that testimony against the trafficker, conviction of the trafficker, or formal denunciation of the trafficker is not required in order to be eligible for a T visa. However, the report immediately follows this by stating “<i>however, such support counts in an applicant’s favor.</i>” In other words, chances are victims will not get a T visa unless they are willing to testify. This reveals the TVPA to be about prosecution, though they claim to focus on victim protection. So unless the victims are willing to testify they are not offered asylum in the U.S.<br />Okay so the “bad guy “ gets arrested and everyone is happy right? Not so fast folks. Basically these jerks get a slap on the wrist if anything. A man in Austria , guilty of human trafficking, bodily harm, rape, forced abortion, forgery, and damage to property received only 8 years in prison, though two victims had enough courage to come forward. EIGHT years people is all he got!! Depending on the country is how many years the trafficker will serve in prison: 2-15 years (Czech Republic) to “up to 10 years” (Austria, Korea) to 13-23 years (Colombia) to 12-25 years (Australia) to a maximum of life imprisonment (Nigeria).<br /><a href="http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164221.htm" target="_blank">http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164221.htm </a>explains how each country is measured as far as tier levels much better than I ever could.<br /> What happens to the victims afterwards? These victims are going to need numerous things like psychological and social services, temporary employment, legal services, safe houses, and protection during the prosecution of their traffickers. They are also going to need basic things like clothing, personal items, education and medical care. These are things that help the victim go from “abused” to “triumphant”.<br /> What can we do to help combat this problem? The easiest is to contact our Senators and Congressional Representatives. Let them know that we need tougher laws against human trafficking of any sort. Also support local law enforcement in their fight against this problem. Be a responsible consumer, there are many companies who work with victims of the sex trafficking industry to give them better lives. Last but not least educate yourself on this problem and share what you learn. Like the old saying goes “Knowledge is power” and the more knowledge we have the more powerful we can be.<br />
(The facts and figures used in this posting came from numerous websites including newspapers, televisions. governmental websites. A complete list will be available upon request after the third blog is posted. This will be an extensive list)<br />Until next time…MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-5595322134902574732013-01-26T15:03:00.001-05:002013-01-26T15:03:23.535-05:00Friendly Reminder...Just a friendly reminder the Earth Fare prize giveaway is less than a week away. I will be lettting the nifty random number generator pick two winners on Friday February 1st, 2013. You can't win if you read and comment.<br />
The blog posting to comment on is <a href="http://mmommymusings.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-adventure-in-wellness-and-my-first.html" target="_blank">http://mmommymusings.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-adventure-in-wellness-and-my-first.html </a>. Good luck....<br />
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Until next time...MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-3848554954828170952013-01-26T00:23:00.000-05:002013-01-31T16:53:38.899-05:00Delicious (Měiwèi) No Matter How You say it <span style="font-size: large;">I don't eat out too often but when I do there are some restaurants that are simply incredible. There is one local place that is absolutely amazing. That special place is Hibachi Grill.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you first walk in you are greeted by one of their friendly staff who quickly and happily will seat you. Large parties are not a problem as I have been there with a party of nine before and they were very accommodating.<br />After you are seated, your server will come and take your drink order. They do not serve alcohol but they do serve various sodas, iced teas and hot tea in its own teapot.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's off to the buffet area! Trust me , they do not disappoint when it comes to great food here. They have a vast array of wonderful dishes in different cuisine. <br />Let me give you a highlight of a few the wonderful dishes you can find here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our first dish is the hibachi style dishes. You can select ingredient to be cooked to perfection right in front of your eyes. You can choose from chicken, beef, shrimp, eggs and a selection of fresh vegetables that is stir-fried with your choice of sauces including teriyaki and hibachi sauce.<br />Fresh prime rib awaits you to slice off and enjoy . Next to that sits a beautiful sweetly glazed ham decorated with pineapple. If those two choices aren’t what you are looking for, there is also pizza and pork tenderloin awaiting you. The prime rib is some of the best you’ll have the pleasure of eating. Tender and easily sliced is the best way to describe it<br /> One of my husband’s favorite dishes is cheesy clams. These are clams with cream sauce that are broiled with grated cheese on top of them. Their wonderful sweet pocketbook rolls that simply beg for honey butter to be spread on top of them. You can also find their unique potatoes skin here. I haven’t quite figured what is in them but I can tell you there is onion, sour cream, loads of crispy bacon and cheese. These would be awesome with hot wings for a Super Bowl party .<br /> A great fresh salad bar also adds to the deliciousness of the food here. You can find fresh salad ingredients along cold seafood such as shrimp, octopus and oysters. Various sauces are also here such surachi sauce, ketchup and various salad dressings<br />Now there are the standard Chinese dishes like Mei-Fun, Steamed Dumplings, General Tso’s Chicken, Lo-Mein, Egg Rolls, Wonton Soup and others here. The difference is the quality of the food here. The staff here takes great pride in serving delicious and fresh food to their customers. Food is replaced quickly and often here so you are always guaranteed fresh and hot food to enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now it’s time for dessert.. Here we have various flavors of ice cream as well as different types of cakes, cookies, puddings, Jell-O’s, fresh fruit and their special peanut. Yes these are special peanut that have salt and seasoning to them. I could eat these peanuts by the pound and never tire of them. I plan to stop by again and offer to buy just a pound of peanut from there since they are that good.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for a great place to grab a quick lunch or have a friendly relaxed date than Hibachi Grill is the place for you. They also have take out as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This charming restaurant is located at 9645 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37922 where the old Ryan's Buffet used to be at. It is across the street from Michaels and Babies R Us . The phone number is :(865)357-3555 and their fax number is :(865)357-8088<br />If you decide to eat here be sure to let them know that Mmommy Musings sent you.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> (I couldn't take photos since my camera decided that it wasn't going to work for me. Sorry everyone.Check out their <a href="http://www.hibachibuffetknoxville.com/" target="_blank">websi</a><a href="http://www.hibachibuffetknoxville.com/" target="_blank">te</a> for some great photos) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> After my great meal, I ventured into few of the local stores nearby including Smart Toys and Books, Coachman Clothiers, Gentry Furriers among others. I will be telling you about these great places as time allows me to.</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until next time... </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-36636902814541668402013-01-24T22:52:00.002-05:002013-01-24T22:59:16.136-05:00Warming up for Valentine's Day<br />
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Cupcakes are HOT! These tasty little treats have taken the world by storm. In fact , cupcakes are so popular the have inspired games (Cupcake Frenzy, Cupcake Maker and millions of others), various perfumes from people like Jessica Simpson and companies like <i>Vitabath</i> as well as a television shows like <i>Cupcake Wars, The Cupcake Girls</i> and <i>DC Cupcakes</i>.<br />
However , not all cupcakes are the same. I got a chance to learn this when I visited I Cities Cupcakes in Knoxville, Tennessee.<br />
Cities Cupcake is a locally owned bakery in the heart of the Bearden district. Located next door to Abloom florist , they are easily spotted by the giant fabric stuffed cupcake in front of their store.<br />
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Walking in the door the first thing I noticed was the menu boards explaining the various cupcake offering and specialty goods they have available. The first board describes their Top Ten Cities Flavors. These flavors are always available for pick up. The second board described their monthly flavors. Each month, Cities Cupcake offer four specialty flavors. The last board described their specialty items they carry<br />
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Each of their cupcakes are named after a city hence the name Cities Cupcake. Each city has a special unique feature that is highlighted by the cupcake that represents it. For example there is a cupcake called the “Dubliner” which is described in their brochure like this <i>“Irish mouths are smiling with a bite into our Bailey’s Irish Cream Dublin Cupcake. The cupcake is made with real Bailey's in both the brownie and the espresso butter-cream frosting. Dunked in chocolate sprinkles and crowned with a chocolate covered espresso bean, the Dublin Cupcake is a sophisticated flavor trip.”</i> Trust me, when the Dubliner comes on the monthly flavor board, I am definitely going to try one. I will let you know how great it tastes !!<br />
After studying the various flavors of cupcakes I decided to try three ; two from the Top Ten Cities Flavors, Knoxville and Cincinnati and one from the January flavor selection called Half Moon Bay Cupcake. I also got one called New Orleans from the Top Ten Cities Flavors.<br />
The Knoxville is a moist orange cupcake topped with sweet vanilla butter cream sprinkled with bright orange sugar sprinkles.<br />
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Now I have had your standard orange cupcakes before but they were no comparison. Sadly most orange cupcakes out there have little to no orange flavoring to them. The Knoxville has a nice sweet orange flavor that is not so overpowering that is distracts from enjoying the cupcake.<br />
The butter cream frosting is a sweet creamy frosting that balances nicely with the orange taste of the cupcake itself. This butter-cream frosting was smooth and creamy unlike some butter cream frosting that develop a firm hard crust to them. The bright orange sugar sprinkles are a fun touch to the cupcake . <br />
The actual cupcake was my favorite part of this cupcake, This cake is good enough to eat without frosting! I can imagine some of these in a mini cupcake size unfrosted served with coffee at a brunch.<br />
The next one I tried was the Half Moon Bay. This is a lightly spiced pumpkin cupcake with sweet cream cheese frosting and a dollop of orange marmalade. Now, I’ll be honest and tell you all I am not a pumpkin fan. I decided to take a chance on the Half Moon Bay and I am glad that I did so. <br />
The Half Moon Bay has a taste similar to an old-fashioned spice cake. I could taste a hint of clove and cinnamon in the cake. These would be great no matter what month is it.One of these and some hot cocoa...<br />
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The sweet cream cheese frosting was surprisingly not as sweet as I expected. I was expecting a super sweet cream cheese frosting akin to what you would find on the frosting aisle of the . Thankfully this was far from the frosting topping the Half Moon Bay cupcake. Instead a overly sweet frosting, the Half Moon Bay has a nice and gently sweetened cream cheese frosting , Surprisingly the orange marmalade on top added a nice balance to the frosting.<br />
Chocolate…That’s right the next cupcake I tried was a Cincinnati. This is a German chocolate cupcake with the traditional coconut-pecan frosting.<br />
The Cincinnati’s cupcake was a lighter version of the heavy traditional chocolate cake that is used for German chocolate cake. A nice hint of vanilla helped to bring out the chocolate favor of this cupcake.<br />
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I have always loved the frosting for German chocolate cake and this frosting did not disappoint! This was a wonderful frosting with toasted pecan and loads of coconut in it. If I could, I would order a batch of the Cincinnati’s frosting to eat straight out of the container.<br />
And by the way if you ever are having a craving for just the frosting, Cities Cupcakes sells “Frosting Shots”. Yep, you read correctly. These are little shot glasses filled with the Cities Cupcakes signature frostings. Imagine the frosting from the Dubliner or the Johnson City which is made with Dr. Enuff (which is a lemon-lime energy boosting soda) as a treat for yourself.<br />
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All great things have to come to end and my last cupcake was the New Orleans. This is a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and for a fun touch little funfetti dots on top.<br />
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The cupcake was a very moist traditional red velvet cake. This was definitely a super moist cake that is far superior to the cardboard boxed mix from the grocery. <br />
Depending on where you are come from is what determines what type of frosting your red velvet cake will have. Where I come from in Virginia we use a cooked frosting made with flour, sugar, milk, shortening and vanilla. Probably not the healthiest thing to eat but hey red velvet cake was served at special occasions like birthdays, receptions and church dinners not everyday<br />
When I moved down here I learned that cream cheese frosting is frosting of choice. I admit it took me a while to get used to the cream cheese frosting school of thought. <br />
The cream cheese frosting on the New Orleans was the perfect balance for the red velvet cupcake. This was a very smooth and creamy frosting with the right amount of sweetness to it. The funfetti dots were a nice crunchy sweet added bonus to the New Orleans’ overall flavor.<br />
Cities Cupcakes are incredibly amazing. The owner , Linda Hurst, truly loves creating delicious cupcakes and her passion shines through in each of her flavors of cupcakes she offers.<br />
In case you’re wondering , yes they do offer gluten-free cupcakes . They also would be more than happy to talk to you about helping you plan what the best cupcake would best suit you.<br />
The next time you are in the Knoxville area make it a point to swing by Cities Cupcakes in Bearden. Their hours are:<br />
Tuesday-Friday:<br />
10:00am - 6:00pm<br />
Saturday:<br />
10:00 am - 4:00pm<br />
Sunday-Monday:<br />
Closed<br />
Be sure to checkout their website : <a href="https://www.citiescupcake.com/index.html">https://www.citiescupcake.com/index.html</a> . Where you can learn all about their cupcakes, specialty items and follow them on Twitter as well as like them on Facebook.<br />
The photos of the half cupcakes are from the Cities Cupcake's website since they are so good that I ate them before I got a chance to photograph them. I will take a photo of every thing I review from now on. <br />
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Until next time…<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the giant cupcake in front of Cities Cupcake screams<br />
"Cupcake" everywhere you look</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-16135882596566376402013-01-24T00:13:00.000-05:002013-01-24T00:13:00.300-05:00A Pretty Sweet ToothI have a very busy day yesterday between church dinner, rewriting a few articles for publication and life in general. I just wanted to let you all know I have had a chance to review some great things recently and am so looking forward to sharing my thoughts on these products.<br />
For all of you who have a sweet tooth, you'll definitely will want to make it a point to read today's blog. I'll be reviewing a local bakery that is becoming quite popular for their cupcakes.<br />
<i><span class="content">I feel pretty,
<br />Oh, so pretty,
<br />I feel pretty and witty and bright! </span></i><br />
<span class="content"> On Friday's blog I'll be doing the first of three reviews on some great products that will help you smell and feel pretty. Hey guys don't think that this post isn't for you. Oh no, since Valentine's Day is just around the corner these would make great gifts for the special lady in your life</span><br />
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<span class="content">Until next time...</span><i><span class="content"><br /></span></i>MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-26549178138035529742013-01-22T11:38:00.000-05:002013-01-22T11:38:42.688-05:00It's Time for a PartyGood Tuesday morning everyone! Today I'll be joining a Link-Up party at <a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2013/01/titus-2sday-link-up-party-january-22nd.html?showComment=1358830277268" target="_blank">The Time-Warp Wife </a> Look for my post as number 6. <br />I am also at <a href="http://totsandme.blogspot.com/2013/01/tuesdays-giveaway-link-up-january-22.html" target="_blank">Tots and Me</a> Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up as well.<br />
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Be sure to visit both these great blogs.<br />
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Until next time..MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-75301927283244234562013-01-21T21:12:00.002-05:002013-01-21T21:21:13.587-05:00My Adventure in Wellness and My First Giveaway!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I promised you a great big blog posting about my Adventure In Wellness.For a lot of us out there we think of wellness as well boring. Images of bland foods that taste cardboard and straw, boring exercise routines or even worse. I'm here to dispel those images and whatever other thoughts might be running your little minds right now.<br />
I got the chance to spend a lovely afternoon yesterday at the Third Annual Wellness expo at Earth Fare in Bearden-Knoxville, Tennessee. I honestly would never have even entertained the thought of attending a wellness expo before but the email that the wonderful folks at Earth fare sent me telling me about it looked so inviting I decided to go.Boy was I glad I did.<br />
Earth Fare in case you didn't know started in 1975 by Roger Derrough in Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Derrough was unhappy about the lack of fresh food options and that was the inspiration he needed to start Earth Fare. Back in the 1970s when he started out it was called Dinner for the Earth. The first store was a 1200 square foot building. In 1993 Dinner for the Earth became known as Earth Fare.<br />
As one of the largest natural food retailers in the nation, Earth Fare has 28 stores in eight states, they offer everything from a bakery that includes great gluten free options (be sure to try one of their vegan brownies- these are so good that if you didn't know you would never know they were vegan) and a whole selection of lovely cakes and tortes. My personal favorite is their seasonal offering of<span class="st"><i> Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Torte. </i>Yes this is as decadent as it sounds. Dark chocolate cake layers with a rich chocolate peppermint truffle filling, chocolate ganache, chocolate curls make for an absolutely fabulous dessert. A slice of this and a good steaming cup of coffee would be the perfect ending to any meal .They also sell and support growers of both</span> local and organic farm fresh fruits and
vegetables, and full service meat, poultry and seafood departments. They also have a deli department that is filled with tasty and wonderful foods including salads, side dishes etc.Click <a href="http://www.earthfare.com/OurStores.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> to find the store nearest you.<br />
The staff at Earth Fare is always more than willing to help you find exactly what you need no matter what it is. I have been to both Earth Fares in Knoxville as well as the one in Johnson City,Tennessee and have gotten the same great service at all three locations.<br />
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So let me tell you about all the fun I had at the Wellness Fair. When I got there I noticed that there vendors of various types in the wellness area of the store. However when I glanced up I noticed hanging from the ceiling a bicycle! Yep, you heard me right, a shiny bright red bicycle was hanging from the ceiling<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQion7sN9r4/UPzTzCR7HzI/AAAAAAAAACw/vWDCcR0KD5s/s1600/IMAG0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQion7sN9r4/UPzTzCR7HzI/AAAAAAAAACw/vWDCcR0KD5s/s320/IMAG0075.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand prize at the end of the day was this shiny red bicycle</td></tr>
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That shiny red bike at the end of the afternoon would be going home with some lucky winner. A bike wasn't the only prize that was given away. No there were gift baskets of all sorts that you could enter to win from a bath set baskets to baskets with electrolyte replenishers (which replenishes the electrolytes we lose during our daily activity. Gee I only thought we lost them when we got sick. Learn something new everyday)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD_mUwaDG8E/UPzV-vJ69BI/AAAAAAAAADA/qkogDOXL330/s1600/IMAG0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD_mUwaDG8E/UPzV-vJ69BI/AAAAAAAAADA/qkogDOXL330/s320/IMAG0069.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young man in the photo doing his best game show host impression is Thomas , one of the friendly employees you'll find there.</td></tr>
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Thomas explained to me about exactly what the wellness fair is. The topic was "New Year-New You", he explained that Earth Fare is a community resource for folks wanting to improve their health.<br />
After talking with him a little about the Wellness Fair I decided to start off on my adventure...<br />
The first person I met was a young lady named Rachel who is with a company called <a href="http://www.soothingtouch.com/default.asp" target="_blank">Soothing Touch</a>. Soothing Touch sells high quality all natural bath and beauty products. Rachel was kind enough to let smell some of the products she had there. I decided to smell one called Peppermint-Rosemary Bath Salts. They smelled wonderful but were a bit strong for me. I mentioned something to Rachel about using them in the baths for when people have colds and she said she used them recently when her daughter got sick. I then smelled the Lavender bath salts and loved them! She gave me a small sample container to take home to try and see how I like them. <br />
She also various scents of sugar scrubs. Sugar scrubs are made from brown, maple, or white cane sugar with skin softening body oils and scented essential oils. They are great for sensitive skin since they aren't like a salt scrub where they salt crystals are more angular as the sugar crystals are rounder and gentler.<br />
I decided to smell the chocolate-peppermint sugar scrub and take a small sample home to try out.I cannot wait to try it. It smells just heavenly, like a minty hot cocoa.<br />
The one product samples I have tried and used is the Muscle Comfort Massage Oil . This oil according to their website <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text">"<i>One of our most complex blends of
rich, therapeutic essential oils. This blend stimulates, releases and
helps heal the muscle fibers. It contains the essential oil blend of
Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Clove, Camphor, Geranium, Fennel, Orange,
Rosemary and Ginger. It contains the infusion of Arnica Flower, Juniper
Berry and Thyme Leaf to aid with muscle pain by penetrating deep into
the area</i>." <span style="font-size: small;"> I<span style="font-size: small;">t did smell great and did help ease the pain where I still <span style="font-size: small;">am recovering from the walking pn<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">umonia to the point that <span style="font-size: small;">I was able to enjoy the aftern<span style="font-size: small;">oon comfortably.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZGPt7jjVtI/UPzfFaMEXUI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_3TcIIBuQo8/s1600/IMAG0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZGPt7jjVtI/UPzfFaMEXUI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_3TcIIBuQo8/s320/IMAG0066.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text">The young lady is Rachel. Take a look at the great products that Soothing Touch offers. There is something for everyone .</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">" <span style="font-size: small;">Eat yo<span style="font-size: small;">ur green<span style="font-size: small;">s !"<span style="font-size: small;"> has been a <span style="font-size: small;">parental mantra fo<span style="font-size: small;">r g<span style="font-size: small;">enerations and kids f<span style="font-size: small;">or generat<span style="font-size: small;">i<span style="font-size: small;">on<span style="font-size: small;">s have re<span style="font-size: small;">fused to do so. Now wha<span style="font-size: small;">t if I told you th<span style="font-size: small;">ere was a tasty and ea<span style="font-size: small;">sy </span>way to get your kids to have some gree<span style="font-size: small;">n healthy t<span style="font-size: small;">hings like <span style="font-size: small;">organic wheat grass, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">organic barley grass, organic alfalfa, organic oat grass and organic rye grass in<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> their diets? <span style="font-size: small;">If you're like <span style="font-size: small;">most paren<span style="font-size: small;">ts you're waving y<span style="font-size: small;">our ha<span style="font-size: small;">nd saying<span style="font-size: small;"> "<span style="font-size: small;">Tell me!" Well, I'm going to do just that. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I got the chanc<span style="font-size: small;">e to talk to<span style="font-size: small;"> Cameron who re<span style="font-size: small;">presented <a href="http://amazinggrass.com/" target="_blank">AmazingGrass<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Y<span style="font-size: small;">ou're probably like I was <span style="font-size: small;">at first <span style="font-size: small;">thinking <span style="font-size: small;">"Eww, grass! Are they for real?" How<span style="font-size: small;">ever once I tried the Amazing Grass Berry Green Supe<span style="font-size: small;">rfood <span style="font-size: small;">, I t<span style="font-size: small;">hought differently. It <span style="font-size: small;">had a nice pleasant be<span style="font-size: small;">rry tase-not too strong but just enough to <span style="font-size: small;">b<span style="font-size: small;">e pleasant . If you are looking <span style="font-size: small;">for a super s<span style="font-size: small;">weet drink<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will tell yo<span style="font-size: small;">u up f<span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;">ont <span style="font-size: small;">that</span> it is not sweet<span style="font-size: small;"> like say G<span style="font-size: small;">atorade or <span style="font-size: small;">sweet<span style="font-size: small;"> tea or<span style="font-size: small;"> a soda.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBQDEzzbQrU/UPzmd2k9ogI/AAAAAAAAADg/oXchOrGR6ZQ/s1600/IMAG0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBQDEzzbQrU/UPzmd2k9ogI/AAAAAAAAADg/oXchOrGR6ZQ/s320/IMAG0070.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Cameron telling a person about Amazing Grass.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> By <span style="font-size: small;">this time the first four gif<span style="font-size: small;">t baskets were drawn for and four lucky people got<span style="font-size: small;"> to claim their prizes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I then got a chance to ta<span style="font-size: small;">lk to <span style="font-size: small;">was the gentle<span style="font-size: small;">man from <a href="http://www.newchapter.com/vitamins" target="_blank">New Cha</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.newchapter.com/vitamins" target="_blank">pter</a><span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-size: small;"> New Chapter vitam<span style="font-size: small;">ins are whole food</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">complexed - cultured in probiotics with organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs.<span style="font-size: small;"> These vitam<span style="font-size: small;">ins <span style="font-size: small;">are gentle enough to be taken on an e<span style="font-size: small;">mpty stomach.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young man from New Chapter Vitamins</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The next person I had the pleasure of meeting was Debby. She had a
basket with some odd looking nuts in them. I thought they might have
been<span style="font-size: small;"> chestnuts<span style="font-size: small;"> . Turn<span style="font-size: small;">s out<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>I was <span style="font-size: small;">semi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> right. Th<span style="font-size: small;">ey were <span style="font-size: small;">actually <span style="font-size: small;">Shea</span> <span style="font-size: small;">nuts just like what they mak<span style="font-size: small;">e <span style="font-size: small;">Shea</span> b<span style="font-size: small;">utter f<span style="font-size: small;">rom. These little n<span style="font-size: small;">uts are one of <span style="font-size: small;">the main ingredients in <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.alaffia.com/" target="_blank">Ala</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.alaffia.com/" target="_blank">f</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.alaffia.com/" target="_blank">fia</a><span style="font-size: small;"> skin care line<span style="font-size: small;">. I as never seen a <span style="font-size: small;">Shea</span> n<span style="font-size: small;">ut so I was pretty <span style="font-size: small;">fascinated a<span style="font-size: small;">bout them. Debby <span style="font-size: small;">answered</span> all my <span style="font-size: small;">questions</span> a<span style="font-size: small;">nd even e<span style="font-size: small;">xplained how they a<span style="font-size: small;">re harvested. The women in Africa where the<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">S</span>hea<span style="font-size: small;"> nut butter comes from gather the <span style="font-size: small;">nuts that have fallen on the ground and help tur<span style="font-size: small;">n them into all natural unproc<span style="font-size: small;">essed <span style="font-size: small;">S</span>h<span style="font-size: small;">ea nut butter.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9HpQf3uSXY/UP20aRR5jdI/AAAAAAAAADw/Od-1-cxl5Dk/s1600/IMAG0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9HpQf3uSXY/UP20aRR5jdI/AAAAAAAAADw/Od-1-cxl5Dk/s320/IMAG0074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are Shea nuts as they appear in their natural raw state</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Alaffia <span style="font-size: small;">is acti<span style="font-size: small;">ve in many way<span style="font-size: small;">s to h<span style="font-size: small;">elp wom<span style="font-size: small;">en i<span style="font-size: small;">n the communit<span style="font-size: small;">ies where they are active. They provide matern<span style="font-size: small;">ity care for women <span style="font-size: small;">there. Maternity care may not seem like a <span style="font-size: small;">b<span style="font-size: small;">ig deal <span style="font-size: small;">to us<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>but in <span style="font-size: small;">w<span style="font-size: small;">estern </span>Africa</span> <span style="font-size: small;">the<span style="font-size: small;"> average rate <span style="font-size: small;">o</span>f m<span style="font-size: small;">at<span style="font-size: small;">ernal deaths in 5,500 per 100,<span style="font-size: small;">000 pregnan<span style="font-size: small;">cies. They al<span style="font-size: small;">so have <span style="font-size: small;">given over<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 3,000 used <span style="font-size: small;">bicycles<span style="font-size: small;"> to <span style="font-size: small;">students</span> to use for getting back a<span style="font-size: small;">nd forth t<span style="font-size: small;">o school. <span style="font-size: small;">The</span> <span style="font-size: small;">average <span style="font-size: small;">distance</span> for a secondary school <span style="font-size: small;">i<span style="font-size: small;">s about 7 kilometers f<span style="font-size: small;">rom the <span style="font-size: small;">local villa<span style="font-size: small;">ge<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">Most families simple cannot affor<span style="font-size: small;">d the luxury of <span style="font-size: small;">transportation so the<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">students</span> dropout<span style="font-size: small;">.By <span style="font-size: small;">getting</span> good used <span style="font-size: small;">bicycles to students <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">who</span> need the<span style="font-size: small;">m <span style="font-size: small;">Alaffia is helping stem the high dropout rate es<span style="font-size: small;">pecially among g<span style="font-size: small;">irls where <span style="font-size: small;">over 90% dropout<span style="font-size: small;"> of secondary school.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> B<span style="font-size: small;">y the way <span style="font-size: small;">I looked <span style="font-size: small;">up the <span style="font-size: small;">meaning of the word Alaffi<span style="font-size: small;">a when I r<span style="font-size: small;">eturned home and found it means<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">in central Togo, Benin and <a class="itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook" href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_alaffia_means_in_English#" id="itxthook0" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; border: 0px none transparent; display: inline; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap" id="itxthook0w" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0.1em solid darkgreen; color: darkgreen; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; text-decoration: underline;">Nigeria</span></a>,
Alaffia is a greeting. It is the first thing that is said when greeting
another person. It is also the last. Alaffia means a state of peace,
health and <span style="font-size: small;">well being</span>. A very fitting name for a company that is w<span style="font-size: small;">orking <span style="font-size: small;">to improve the well being not only of folks who use their <span style="font-size: small;">products</span> but also of the women who<span style="font-size: small;"> help to produce them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Debby w<span style="font-size: small;">as kind enough to give me some <span style="font-size: small;">samples</span> of their Cocoa & Shea Butter Intensive Body <span style="font-size: small;">L<span style="font-size: small;">otion. This <span style="font-size: small;">product is great. It is more like a creme tha<span style="font-size: small;">n a l<span style="font-size: small;">otion<span style="font-size: small;">, very thick and creamy. It <span style="font-size: small;">has a nice fr<span style="font-size: small;">esh cocoa smell.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> It also absorbs quickly so you aren't feeling greasy or slick like some lotions out there.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text colors_text"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">By this time I was hungry for some lunch. There were plenty of
options to chose from. There was the salad bar, the hot bar , the deli
as well as sushi, sandwiches and pizza. I chose my favorite thing -
wings! I chose 6 meaty vegetarian diet fed <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358803734_0">chicken wings</span>.
They had 4 different flavors to choose from, Thai Chili, Ter<span style="font-size: small;">yaki,</span>
Barbecue and Buffalo style. I decided not to try the Thai Chili ones
since Thai food is reputed to the some of the hottest in the world. The
wings I got were delicious. The best ones were the barbecued flavored.
They had a wonderful sweet tomato tasting sauce that reminded me of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358803734_1">homemade barbecue sauce</span>. The ter<span style="font-size: small;">yaki </span>were just as good with little sesame seeds in the sauce. The buffalo ones had just
the right amount of heat to make them enjoyable. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTpKYJ3yFg0/UP28wXr4zOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/GxzqG-v7iCo/s1600/IMAG0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OTpKYJ3yFg0/UP28wXr4zOI/AAAAAAAAAEA/GxzqG-v7iCo/s320/IMAG0076.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young man was making wings galore yesterday. The best seller seemed to be the teryaki flavored ones. While I was waiting he made an order with 18 of them. Next time I might try the Thai-Chili wings if I'm brave enough</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a tasty lunch , I thought about where I should go next. There were still plenty of folks I hadn't met yet and products that looked great<br />
Being of the feminine persuasion, I made my way to a brightly colored table where a young lady in a purple dress was telling folks about <a href="http://www.acureorganics.com/" target="_blank">Acure </a>Organics. The lady who started Acure named the brand '<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic;">"Acure
Organics as a way to honor my grandmother, who battled breast cancer
for over 10 years. I wanted to help raise money for breast cancer
research and awareness while also providing healthy products that
promote healthier living and a greener planet. We are proud to donate to
Bright Pink and to help provide free mammograms to at risk women.”</span>—Kristy Guerra ' (from the company's brochure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">S<span style="font-size: small;">he explained to me that they use Ar<span style="font-size: small;">gan Stem Cells. Okay I'll be honest and thought "<span style="font-size: small;">Stem Cells<span style="font-size: small;">? I don<span style="font-size: small;">'t about this." She <span style="font-size: small;">explained</span> t<span style="font-size: small;">o me that Arga<span style="font-size: small;">n Stem<span style="font-size: small;"> C<span style="font-size: small;">ell<span style="font-size: small;">s come from plants <span style="font-size: small;">only. She <span style="font-size: small;">explained the be<span style="font-size: small;">nefit<span style="font-size: small;">s of the <span style="font-size: small;">A</span>rgan stem cells. <span style="font-size: small;">She gave some sa<span style="font-size: small;">mples of their very easy to use skincare <span style="font-size: small;">line to use.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6ZG59TcH_w/UP3CWVT44BI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/SjIQr1D_B0M/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6ZG59TcH_w/UP3CWVT44BI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/SjIQr1D_B0M/s320/IMAG0077.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Acure skincare line. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">B<span style="font-size: small;">y <span style="font-size: small;">this time more gift <span style="font-size: small;">baskets had been<span style="font-size: small;"> given away. If your <span style="font-size: small;">name was called and you were unable to p<span style="font-size: small;">ick up Thom<span style="font-size: small;">as called <span style="font-size: small;">them to congratulate them and let them know <span style="font-size: small;">they were winners.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwu7-p5Yy_w/UP3sxWtzTXI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RMFMC2kucqo/s1600/IMAG0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwu7-p5Yy_w/UP3sxWtzTXI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RMFMC2kucqo/s320/IMAG0080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This the VegaOne and VegaSport line that I got to try out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">I has passed a young man <span style="font-size: small;">earlier who <span style="font-size: small;">giving</span> out samples of what looked l<span style="font-size: small;">ike<span style="font-size: small;"> a milkshake.<span style="font-size: small;"> They w<span style="font-size: small;">ere <a href="http://myvega.com/" target="_blank">VegaO</a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://myvega.com/" target="_blank">ne</a> </span>all-in-one nutritional shakes. <span style="font-size: small;">He <span style="font-size: small;">let me try a choc<span style="font-size: small;">olate s<span style="font-size: small;">hake a<span style="font-size: small;">nd a <span style="font-size: small;">vanilla-chai<span style="font-size: small;"> s<span style="font-size: small;">hake (whi<span style="font-size: small;">ch <span style="font-size: small;">personally I liked better as it was a <span style="font-size: small;">touch</span> sweeter than the ch<span style="font-size: small;">ocolate)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> as well as their na<span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">ural p<span style="font-size: small;">lant ba<span style="font-size: small;">sed pre-wo<span style="font-size: small;">rkout en<span style="font-size: small;">gerizer part which is part o<span style="font-size: small;">f the <a href="http://vegasport.com/?cid=MYVEGA" target="_blank">Vega</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://vegasport.com/?cid=MYVEGA" target="_blank">Sport</a> line</span></span>. The VegaSport line was f</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ormulated by Brendan Brazier, professional Ironman triathlete and
best-selling author on plant-based nutrition<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Vega Sport performance system is 100% plant-based, free
from dairy, gluten and soy, and contains no artificial flavors, colors
or sweeteners. Interesting fact, Brandon won Canadian 50-km Ultramarathon Championships in 2003 and 2006. F<span style="font-size: small;">ifty<span style="font-size: small;"> kilometer is about th<span style="font-size: small;">i<span style="font-size: small;">rty-one miles a<span style="font-size: small;"> lot whole m<span style="font-size: small;">ore th<span style="font-size: small;">an most of us <span style="font-size: small;">want walk much less run at o<span style="font-size: small;">ne time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> He asked what <span style="font-size: small;">I did for a living and I <span style="font-size: small;">explained that <span style="font-size: small;">besi<span style="font-size: small;">des writing this blog I also write <span style="font-size: small;">article for ezines, <span style="font-size: small;">help Uriah<span style="font-size: small;"> run <span style="font-size: small;">our busin<span style="font-size: small;">ess plus ta<span style="font-size: small;">ke care of the <span style="font-size: small;">kids and house. He smile<span style="font-size: small;">d a<span style="font-size: small;">nd gave me a s<span style="font-size: small;">ample of their lemon<span style="font-size: small;">-lime pre<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="font-size: small;">workou<span style="font-size: small;">t</span> energizer. <span style="font-size: small;">He said that it would help <span style="font-size: small;">me more focu<span style="font-size: small;">sed a<span style="font-size: small;">nd have better e<span style="font-size: small;">nergy levels. I haven't trie<span style="font-size: small;">d it yet but am looking forward to doing so.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZy_a_fsz_8/UP3ugNinhQI/AAAAAAAAAFA/QwGCNMeT_Ck/s1600/IMAG0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZy_a_fsz_8/UP3ugNinhQI/AAAAAAAAAFA/QwGCNMeT_Ck/s320/IMAG0071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Greens Plus -<span style="font-size: small;">the c<span style="font-size: small;">hocolate<span style="font-size: small;"> bars are the <span style="font-size: small;">best tasting</span> </span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">There we<span style="font-size: small;">re only a few mo<span style="font-size: small;">re people I hadn't met yet. <span style="font-size: small;">The next <span style="font-size: small;">vendor <span style="font-size: small;">I met <span style="font-size: small;">was g<span style="font-size: small;">entleman who had <a href="http://greensplus.com/index.php" target="_blank">Gr</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://greensplus.com/index.php" target="_blank">eens Plus</a> products including Chia seeds. I asked him if the<span style="font-size: small;">se were the same th<span style="font-size: small;">ings as wha<span style="font-size: small;">t grew on ChiaPets-they are. Sorry but I have memories o<span style="font-size: small;">f that bad commercial ji<span style="font-size: small;">n<span style="font-size: small;">gl<span style="font-size: small;">e "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ch-ch-ch-chia!" as the chia pet magic<span style="font-size: small;">ally grew "fur". The surprising fact is that Chia se<span style="font-size: small;">eds are amazing good for you and they c<span style="font-size: small;">an be <span style="font-size: small;">used in baking and cooking. According to the USDA, a one ounce (28 gram) serving of chia seeds contains 9 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of sodium, 11 grams of dietary fiber and 4 grams of protein. The seeds also have 18% of the recommended daily intake of calcium, 27% phosphorus and 30% manganese, similar in nutrient content to other edible seeds such as flax or sesame. T<span style="font-size: small;">o me that <span style="font-size: small;">is an excellent reason to check out chia seeds<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next to him was a <span style="font-size: small;">young man<span style="font-size: small;"> telling people abou<span style="font-size: small;">t<a href="http://www.naturesplus.com/" target="_blank"> Nature's P</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.naturesplus.com/" target="_blank">lus </a>Source of Life supplem<span style="font-size: small;">ents. He <span style="font-size: small;">told</span> me about some of their product line including Source of Life liqui<span style="font-size: small;">d vitamin<span style="font-size: small;">. It <span style="font-size: small;">actually</span> had a <span style="font-size: small;">very nice berry flavor t<span style="font-size: small;">o it </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>and w<span style="font-size: small;">as not bitter like you'd expect a liquid vitam<span style="font-size: small;">in t<span style="font-size: small;">o b<span style="font-size: small;">e like. He also told me about <span style="font-size: small;">Nature's <span style="font-size: small;">Plus E Fem Capsules whi<span style="font-size: small;">ch are na<span style="font-size: small;">tu<span style="font-size: small;">ral Ho<span style="font-size: small;">rmonal Balace amd Boost of Youth for Women. For the men they have </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">GHT Male Capsules which help improving the <span style="font-size: small;">testosterone</span> and HGH levels. He <span style="font-size: small;">gave <span style="font-size: small;">me some sample<span style="font-size: small;">s of their produ<span style="font-size: small;">cts try. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last but most <span style="font-size: small;">certainly not least was a young man from <a href="http://www.gaiaherbs.com/" target="_blank">Gaia Herbs.</a> Ga<span style="font-size: small;">ia <span style="font-size: small;">Herbs make al<span style="font-size: small;">l sorts of products including Black E<span style="font-size: small;">lderberry Syrup <span style="font-size: small;">to var<span style="font-size: small;">ious herbal teas. I had heard of Elderberry before but never Back E<span style="font-size: small;">lderberry Syrup.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">To cap off my wo<span style="font-size: small;">nderful<span style="font-size: small;"> afternoon, I was given a chance to get some more s<span style="font-size: small;">am<span style="font-size: small;">ples <span style="font-size: small;">to <span style="font-size: small;">try. I <span style="font-size: small;">picked</span> up a few t<span style="font-size: small;">hat looked i<span style="font-size: small;">nteresting to me to take<span style="font-size: small;"> home.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I took a few minutes <span style="font-size: small;">to take so<span style="font-size: small;">me m<span style="font-size: small;">ore photos <span style="font-size: small;">of the friendly Earth<span style="font-size: small;"> Far<span style="font-size: small;">e staff and some pictures about some of the great upc<span style="font-size: small;">oming events</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5Hw5Y5pvyE/UP3xfOajgNI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/EKXOr4-pNCI/s1600/IMAG0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5Hw5Y5pvyE/UP3xfOajgNI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/EKXOr4-pNCI/s320/IMAG0078.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting February 9th when you sign up for the Earth Fare emails you can get a free dinner for 4!Visit their website for more details</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvGDwg4COKc/UP3yKgcIGsI/AAAAAAAAAFY/QDNrTyfOfKU/s1600/IMAG0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvGDwg4COKc/UP3yKgcIGsI/AAAAAAAAAFY/QDNrTyfOfKU/s320/IMAG0079.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The friendly butcher at Earth Fare with a Tomato Bank Scratch off-card. Tomato Bank is a great way to get credit to spend at Earth Fare. I have over $16 to spend!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNwzukGDsEs/UP3zI3ns_3I/AAAAAAAAAFk/TzfHJ6HXFSc/s1600/IMAG0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNwzukGDsEs/UP3zI3ns_3I/AAAAAAAAAFk/TzfHJ6HXFSc/s320/IMAG0083.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cupcakes!!A few of the wonderful gluten free goodies that you can find at Earth<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Fare</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUbqMyYDEKE/UP3zt5FCsdI/AAAAAAAAAFw/YY4uMj86luA/s1600/IMAG0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUbqMyYDEKE/UP3zt5FCsdI/AAAAAAAAAFw/YY4uMj86luA/s320/IMAG0084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Here is a chance to win a great Super Bowl party prize pack including 25 delicious wings!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard working and friendly cashiers helping people to check out quickly and efficiently.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> About th<span style="font-size: small;">is time, t<span style="font-size: small;">he sun was<span style="font-size: small;"> s<span style="font-size: small;">tarting t<span style="font-size: small;">o lower in the wes<span style="font-size: small;">tern sky an<span style="font-size: small;">d I wa<span style="font-size: small;">s a<span style="font-size: small;">nxious to let m<span style="font-size: small;">y rea<span style="font-size: small;">ders <span style="font-size: small;">know</span> a little so<span style="font-size: small;">mething about <span style="font-size: small;">my adventure and tell t<span style="font-size: small;">hem a<span style="font-size: small;">bout my first g<span style="font-size: small;">iveawa<span style="font-size: small;">y!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">That is right you did <span style="font-size: small;">read correctly . I have <span style="font-size: small;">two wo<span style="font-size: small;">nderful prizes from <span style="font-size: small;">Earth <span style="font-size: small;">Fare to <span style="font-size: small;">give t<span style="font-size: small;">wo lucky readers of my blog<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> The <span style="font-size: small;">rules to enter are super easy, just leave me a comment <span style="font-size: small;">that has your name and email </span>below<span style="font-size: small;">. The wo<span style="font-size: small;">nderful Random Picker</span></span></span> will pick a random number for each pri<span style="font-size: small;">ze on Friday February 1, 2013. <span style="font-size: small;">This gi<span style="font-size: small;">ves everyone plenty of time to enter and tell your frie<span style="font-size: small;">nds about this great co<span style="font-size: small;">n<span style="font-size: small;">test.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good luck everyone and until <span style="font-size: small;">next time...</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-7383559364961893722013-01-20T19:48:00.000-05:002013-01-20T19:48:46.995-05:00My adventure in Wellness (a mini blog)Hello everyone out there! I just wanted to do a quick mini blog to give you guys and gals a peek at tomorrow's <i>great big </i>blog posting.<br />
I got to spend the day at the Third Annual Wellness expo at Earth Fare in Bearden-Knoxville, TN. I got to meet great people, see some fantastic new products and eat some awesome wings to boot(these were great especially the barbecued ones)<br />
Also tomorrow I will be doing my first give away! Be sure to check back tomorrow for a chance to win one of two great prizes.<br />
Until next time....MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-65222615617201438002013-01-20T09:42:00.001-05:002013-01-20T09:42:32.238-05:00Snow Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These are photos that DH took Thursday night after our little mini snowstorm. I know the date says "01/17/2012" we just hadn't fixed the date stamp to the right year yet. Sadly the snow was pretty much gone by Friday afternoon.MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-38453248741253216182013-01-19T21:01:00.001-05:002013-01-19T21:01:42.234-05:00Tweeting Live Tomorrow and A Chance to Win a Prize!! A heads up for my readers and followers. I'll be tweeting live tomorrow afternoon from 12 to 4 pm (EST) at the Third Annual Wellness Event at Earth Fare in Bearden-Knoxville TN. Look for my tweets via my Twitter feed @MmommyMusings . I'll be posting tweets, photos and a chance for you all to win a prize from Earth Fare. MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2598916020207389438.post-85429591491733251152013-01-19T12:37:00.000-05:002013-01-19T12:37:02.336-05:00A few freebies to check out (Mini Blog)I decided to Google "free stuff January 2013" just to see what come up. I got About 336,000,000 results (0.18 seconds). Way too many for anyone to have search thru. I looked at a few and here are the better freebies out in cyberspace:<br />
When I go to the Waffle House, I always get the same thing, Hashbrowns that scattered, smothered,covered and chunked. I might to add a waffle soon since there is a coupon for a free waffle from the Waffle House <a href="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs105/1102302027198/img/497.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Mom with toddlers will want click <a href="http://www.beechnut.com/toddler1/index.asp?sourceID=111" target="_blank">here</a> to get Free Beech-Nut Stage 4/Stage 5 Toddler Welcome kit when you sign up for their free monthly eNewsletter.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Lipton is giving away free samples of tea when you <span style="font-size: small;">"like<span style="font-size: small;">" them on Facebook. They determ<span style="font-size: small;">ine what<span style="font-size: small;"> flavors you'll get bu<span style="font-size: small;">t it<span style="font-size: small;">'d be great way to try new flav<span style="font-size: small;">ors of tea.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I <span style="font-size: small;">can see clearly now...</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i>that everyone has clean glasses thanks to this <a href="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/4876_11011_Vision_PDF.pdf" target="_blank">freebie</a> from Wal-Mart Vision Centers.<br />
Until next time...MmommyMusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07263846976407917432noreply@blogger.com0