Easter baskets don’t have to be full of chocolate and peeps. Here are some great ideas that will fill your Easter basket without all the extra fat and sugar.

Bubbles
What child doesn’t love to blow bubbles? Grab a couple of bottles of bubbles for this year’s Easter basket. The kids will have a blast with them and with a little luck it will be warm enough outside to keep them busy and running around chasing bubbles for quite some time. [Read more...]

This may generate some initial “boooooo” responses.  BUT, how many dollars do you want to bet that American Idol is deliberating letting through/helping people with a good story? It seems like most people that make it onto the popular reality t.v. series have some kind of drama or hard luck story.

I can hear Simon sighing already at the sappiness level that reaches Ty Pennington proportions at times on AI when doing the background intros for each participant.

A few good examples of this – a single mom, a widower, an oil rigger father of two, now, a blind guy.  What will they think of next? Don’t tell me you missed the fact that in the last couple of seasons they have deliberately shown footage of Little People trying out for AI as well.  I am willing to bet that there was a focus group sitting somewhere feverishly filling out forms on how they felt about each person that Idol execs paraded across the stage.

I’ve already previously ranted about Tatiana (who is blissfully gone) and Nathaniel (also gone, thank God).  This next person I’m about to talk about, I believe is truly talented and I admire him so much for all that he has accomplished in life even though he is visually impaired: Scott MacIntyre, seems to be quite charming and funny.

That aside, I think he has a good voice and is excellent on the piano – but here is where I think my admiration for him ends.  He is NOT current.  He could easily blend with artists from the 70s and 80s.  If I heard him playing/singing on the radio, I would turn the channel thinking that my finger had mistakenly punched in the (gag) Easy Listening station.

So now only time will tell, will America vote with their head and realize that people are suppose to be able to sell themselves AFTER the show…or will they vote with their heart and keep Scott on the show because they feel bad for him? I think it would be more insulting for Scott to be kept on the show out of some kind of pity instead of for true CURRENT talent.

I’m not ready to give up on him yet, they’ve already started encouraging him to branch out and be more modern/daring.  I hope he listens and stays around for the RIGHT reason.

To my horror – Spring’s new fashion favorite? Cardigans.  I do not (ok, my body type does not) get along with cardigans.  What’s worse for this year is that layering cardigans is “in”…great.

I have to admit, on slender or average build people, this will look very cute.  A recent example of this look is to pair khakis with a snug striped cami, THEN you layer a coral colored cardigan (the thin, lightweight “Spring” variety) buttoned most of the way closed – but let the cami still peek out.  Then put a peach thin cardigan over that.  It is very cute and stylish and leaves your options wide open for those iffy Spring days (and nights) when you may need 1, 2, or 3 layers of clothing.

In an even more practical take on the cardigan, if you get a stain on one, just switch cardigans or take a layer off.  My sensible side loves the versatility and look of this layered trend.  My fluffy fat side says I would surely roast in such a getup.  Most plus sized women’s clothing that come “layered” is a faux layering…they make them for thin women too, for instance the polo shirt with the built in dress shirt underneath.  It looks layered but is all one piece.

I kind of doubt they will make a plus size faux layered cardigan piece just for me, but in the meantime I may invest in two VERY lightweight cardigans for this new layering purpose.  With the right kind of jewelry and depending on the fanciness level of the cami, I bet you could transition from day to evening in it just as well.

Can you remember during your childhood, when mom seemed to always have a great meal ready each evening? And when times seemed troublesome, she still managed to produce fantastic meals to fill you up, the matter how hungry you were. If you simply keep a set of some basic (but essential) ingredients ready in your pantry, you too can achieve these amazing feats.

Each meal we make may seem different, but they mostly consist of a few basic ingredients. These ingredients are known as staples for the common meal, that every cook should have to hand. While you have the staple ingredients to hand, you can always rustle up a hearty meal at a moments notice, even if the cupboards look bare.

Well, you know what the children are like. If there’s nothing that can be cooked quickly or eaten from a packet, then they’re not interested. If you managed to teach your young ones all about keeping the correct foods, and how to cook their own three meals a day, this will hold them in good steed for future times. Developing these skills will also help them to stay healthy. Yummy meals can be thrown together from those pantry staples, without the need of simply dialing for a take away, or dashing to the shops.

Okay, enough talk — let’s get down to exactly what we need, and what is meant by “staple foods”, and why mom always kept so much available. The actual word “staple” simply means a set off very basic ingredients that can be combined together to make many different things.

Here’s a useful list of pantry items:

* Flour
* Sugar
* Rice (white or brown depending on taste)
* Soup (creams and various flavors)
* Broth
* Pasta
* Baking soda
* Baking powder
* Nuts and legumes
* Chocolate squares
* Canned vegetables
* Fresh vegetables like onions and potatoes

I’m sure most of the readers will probably have a fair amount of the above already.
An ideal for a quick dish in the colder seasons is to combine many of the above ingredients into a delicious vegetables stew. Mix a cream-based soup with a pan full of rice and a can of mixed veg to make a hearty casserole as a side dish. You can mix fresh cooked pasta with healthy vegetables as a quick snack. Many combinations of staple ingredients are available.

Once you have the basics, here are a few additional things that can be added.

Condiments and spices:

* Ketchup
* Mustard
* Salt (plain and seasoned varieties)
* Pepper
* Vanilla extract (and others that you like)
* Soy sauce
* Chili powder
* Powdered seasoning packets
* Relish
* Mayonnaise (regular and light)
* Cinnamon

That is a large variety, and they all have special uses to bring flavor out for mealtimes. It’s a good idea to check the sell by date on your pantry goods now and then. Surprisingly, even bags of flour have an expiry date. Next time you go shopping, check what may need replacing to ensure that your pantry supplies are always well stocked.

The cost of buying these items doesn’t come to much. Once you have stocked up, combining them to make a variety of dishes can pay you back in many ways, so are well worth the price you paid.

I’ve been on a seafood kick for a few weeks now in my kitchen. Seafood is highly nutritious and my kids love it, so why not?

Here is a recipe I cooked up last night that went over very well and required only one pot to wash! It is loosely based on a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks ever, Glorious One Pot Meals by Elizabeth Yarnell.

In order to make it, you will need a large Dutch oven.

Shrimp Masala With Coconut Rice

First, coat the inside of your Dutch oven with butter, olive oil or coconut oil to prevent sticking.

Then add:

• 1 cup rice (for this recipe, white Basmati rice is best, brown rice may not be able to cook in time – you’ll risk overcooking the shrimp)
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1 lb. shrimp (fresh or frozen, doesn’t matter)

In a bowl, combine:

• 1/2 C. yogurt (I used vanilla and it tasted great)
• 14 oz. can coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. garam masala (a spice mixture commonly used in Indian dishes)

Pour half of this over the rice and shrimp and smooth with a spoon.

Then top with:

• half a sweet pepper (red or yellow), chopped
• 1-2 cups green beans
• 14 oz. can diced tomatoes or 3 fresh tomatoes

Then pour the rest of the yogurt mixture over the veggies. Place the lid on the Dutch oven and cook at 450 for 45 minutes.

Serve!

Carrie Lauth is a busy mom who appreciates healthy meals that can be prepared quickly. Read her full review of Glorious One Pot Meals here.

Do you have someone in your life who regularly leaves you feeling angry, frustrated, guilty, and just plain manipulated?

Maybe it’s your ex husband, your mother in law (your mother!), your sibling, your boss. It could be anyone.

Conversation with a manipulator feels like having the rug pulled out from under you.

If you’re the type of person who feels guilty a lot, tries to be a people pleaser, has issues saying no or weak personal boundaries, you’re probably going to be a target of a manipulator sooner or later.

If you are, all is not lost. It takes two to play the manipulation game: a controller and a victim. If the relationship is basically good and worth saving, you can stop being the victim and the manipulator will either change or pick a new victim.

Here are some ways to deal with a manipulative person.

• Learn Nondefensive Communication

If you have said No to a request, there is no reason for you to defend yourself or your decision to the manipulator. Of course, you can expect offensive tactics from the manipulator. Things such as: name calling, threats (including threats to self), dire predictions, judgment, etc. Don’t fall into the trap.

Learn statements such as: “That’s your choice, but I’ve made my decision“, and “That could be“, and “You’re entitled to your opinion“.

• Stall

When a manipulator is trying to back you into a corner and force you to make a decision, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. Stall for time.

Tell them: “Let’s discuss this later, I need some time to think about your request.” Even if you have to step away from the phone or excuse yourself to the restroom, get away so you can breathe and prepare a response.

If someone is pushing your buttons on a regular basis and you seem stuck, you might want to talk to a therapist about it. People who are adept at manipulation have usually been doing so for many years, perhaps an entire lifetime and are far more skilled at the game than you are at deflecting it. They may also be resorting to fear or intimidation to get their way. Talking to someone you trust about the problem can help you see what buttons of yours are being pushed and how to best deal with it.

Modern medicine, and the treatments we have available today are quite frankly amazing. Although, as scientific as these medicines sound, a fair amount of them have very humble origins. The modern version of some medicines are simply a derivative of certain ingredients found in plant material. Treating ailments with these special herbs have been used for thousands of years, and some are still used today.

So what is your first reaction when you suffer from a headache, cut or bruise? Yep, we go to the medicine chest. Well, that’s fair enough, but it seems that not all modern medicine is it as good as its claims. For this reason, some of us have decided to go back to nature, and use what it offers as cures for some most common disorders.

A good reason for using herbs is the fact that you do not get the amount of side effects you may usually suffer from medication. There are a lot of herbs that act as medicines do, and should be respected. But the good thing is the ingredients are a hundred percent natural. We then have to make a decision whether or not to take strong doses of pills because of being scared of the potential side effects. A lot of the useful herbs are quite easy to find, and cost nowhere near as much as synthetic medicine.

As they are natural, herbs for healing work with your own bodies metabolism. You might not see results straight away, but these herbs are definitely effective. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing the news about the results of side effects from common medicines like antibiotics. The viruses that attack are beginning to become invulnerable to antibiotics because they are able to mutate and adapt. This certainly isn’t positive news when you are worried about infection.

Medicinal herbs can be eaten fresh, simmered in hot water to make tea or dried and ground. Specific herbs can be used to simply speed up the healing process and strengthen the immune system. Below are some healing herbs I’m sure you’ve heard of, which are readily available.

* Cinnamon: Can be used to lessen cholesterol and lower blood sugar.
* Ginger: Good for stomach upsets and sickness.
* Turmeric: An aid to pain relief from arthritis.
* St. John’s wort: An effective mood stabilizer for those with depression.
* Garlic: This common household ingredient is good for lowering blood pressure.
* Red Yeast Rice: Good for lowering cholesterol.

You’ll probably find almost all of these items in your own kitchen apart from perhaps red yeast rice or St. John’s wort. These herbs can simply be added to your meals or snacks, helping me with your ailments, and perhaps without you even noticing. Other well-known herbs include aloevera and apple cider vinegar.

Most of these herbs are totally non-harmful, and can offer a good alternative to synthetic medicine. However, you should still consult your physician before going ahead and taking anything you are unsure of. You’re not going to enjoy the experience if the herb is not compatible with other medication you may be taking. Do as much research as possible before subscribing yourself herbal medicine, as some ingredients may not be suitable for your system.

Considering the current economy, it seems to be getting more expensive to buy those common food ingredients. Dinner time can be difficult, since individuals in the family can be picky, and there are so many choices. You could save money by keeping any leftovers to make a further meal another day.

Of course, not everyone likes food that’s been left over. It doesn’t matter how good the meal was on the night, you’re not going to find them eating it again after it’s been left for a couple of days. Unfortunately this can seriously affect your grocery bill when so much food goes to waste.

However, there are a couple of choices. You could either cook less food, or make each meal stretch further. Of course, nobody wants to restrict food for the family, especially with hungry young ones. So you’re left with one option: make your meals go further.

If your family normally refuse to eat any leftovers, perhaps they’ll consider a couple of other delicious dishes. These we can call “night dinners”, which you can have any day of the week. This will be nice to rustle up and arrange a special surprise for the family.

First, you’ll need to buy some good cuts of meat. Buying a full shoulder of lamb, slab of beef or a whole chicken usually gives much more value. Ask your friendly butcher to slice it up for you when you purchase. This way, you have different parts of the meat to choose for each meal.

First off, we’ll start with a chicken dish. Now you won’t find many that do not like tasty chicken. The first meal will implement a roast chicken rubbed with herbs, and served with carrots and potatoes. If you have a small family, the whole chicken probably will not get finished, so what’s the best thing to do with the leftovers?

You’ll need to remove all the meat from the chicken. This way you can store it in a sandwich bag or Tupperware container. And instead of just throwing the carcass in the trash, boil the bones to create a batch of chicken stock. When the liquid has cooled, pour it into a sealable container.

Now, the leftover chicken meat can be used in a few different ways. It can be mixed with rice and turned into a casserole dish, or you could create a tasty stir-fry with vegetables and bean sprouts. Another nice idea is to make a cold chicken salad as a side dish for another night.

Meat other than poultry can also be used in much the same way. Any roast beef left over could be simmered to make tasty soup. Mix in some egg noodles and special sauce to create Stroganoff. To make the classic fajita, slice the beef thinly, add some vegetables and stir-fry.

It’s coming together now isn’t it? There are a few different meal ideas that you could probably create right now just from leftovers already in the fridge. A good suggestion is to never keep anything (especially meats) for longer than 48 hours. After more than three days, the food may become be rancid and cause serious poisoning. However, with these many ideas buzzing around your mind, I’m sure the leftovers will be long gone by the fourth day.

Us busy people need to workout just as much as others, but taking a trip to the gym simply isn’t possible sometimes. Plus, there isn’t enough time in the day to stand around waiting in line for other people to finish with the equipment. As the next best thing, how about investing in a treadmill that can offer you a great workout without leaving your home?

After a hard day at work, for most, being enthusiastic about going to the gym is difficult, and with the economy the way it is, it’s just not practical to shell out on things that are not specifically needed – especially gym memberships. As an alternative to sitting around and becoming un-fit, a good idea is to use equipment that enables you to workout in your own home.

One of the best all round options is to purchase a treadmill. Using a treadmill will enable you to keep walking, no matter what the weather is outside. You can walk at whatever pace you desire, and begin at any fitness level.

There are more benefits to using a treadmill than you may imagine. Not commonly known, but brisk walking actually works the whole body. Swinging your arms in time with your stride will increase the heart rate and burn higher amounts of calories and fat.

Using a treadmill is economical. For only about $200 for the equipment (and no recurring membership fee), you can have an excellent full body workout at anytime of day. If you added up the cost of a years worth of gym membership, workout out at this pace would cost a lot more. Can’t sleep? Just jump out of bed and go for a brisk walk on the treadmill.

It’s even possible to multi-task while on the treadmill. Schedule the dinner to be ready after an hour, and use that space to have a quick workout. The common complaint is that treadmills are boring, constantly doing the same movement. Well, you can do what you like when you’re walking – watch TV, listen to music or even read a book!

The newer designs of treadmill are ingenious in the way that they fold up ready for storage, should you not have the room to keep it out permanently. This means you can place the treadmill practically anywhere, in any room of the house. The biggest benefit of this is that you have a method of exercising that is available at anytime of the day.

When buying a treadmill, try to find one that has additional workout features. An incline function can increase the intensity as it is as though you’re walking up a steep hill. You can opt to take it slowly in an uphill climb, or quickly as if running downhill. The more advanced treadmills offer preloaded workouts that can challenge your fitness level. When you’re feeling more energetic, the treadmill can be sped up, from walking speed to jogging or even running pace.

Although there is an initial investment, you will find that with the options, portability and storage possibility, the tread mill will more than pay for itself over a short period of time.