August 13 Coupon Preview

COUPON PREVIEW: August 13 SmartSource insert

$1.00/2 Welchs fruit snacks 8 oz or larger bag or 8 ct or larger box
$0.50/1  Welchs fruit rolls or fruit n yogurt snacks 8 oz bag or 6 ct or larger box
$0.50/1 VO5 shampoo or conditioner 33 oz. large size only
$0.50/2 VO5 shampoo or conditioner 11 or 12.5 oz. sizes only
$1.00/1 ViPoo Toilet Spray
$1.00/1 Viactiv product
$1.00/2 Totinos pizza rolls snacks, blasted crust rolls, pizza sticks or stuffed nachos 12.3 oz or larger
$1.00/4 Totinos Crisp Crust Party Pizza products
$1.00/1 Spray n Wash laundry stain remover
$0.75/1 Sargento Sweet Balanced Breaks
$0.75/1 Sargento String or Stick cheese
$0.75/1 Sargento Snack Bites
$0.75/1 Sargento Balanced Breaks
$1.00/1 Reeses Crunchers Stand Up bag 6.5 oz. or larger
$1.00/1 Real Simple magazine
$2.00/1 Phazyme Gas & Acid chews 250 mg
$2.00/1 Phazyme Anti Gas Softgels 250 mg
$2.00/1 Phazyme Anti Gas Softgels 180 mg
$1.00/1 People Magazine
$2.50/1 Olay Luminous Facial Moisturizer
$0.75/2 Nabisco Cookie or Cracker products 3.5 oz or larger, any variety
$0.75/2 Musselmans 6 packs, Big Cups or Squeezables apple sauce
$2.00/1 Mitchum deodorant any excluding trial size or twin packs
$0.50/1 Land O Frost DeliSnackers
$2.00/2 Kotex by U Sleek or Click tampons or Fitness tampons
$2.00/2 Kotex by U Security Ultra Thin pads or Security tampons or Lightdays liners
$2.00/2 Kotex by U Fitness products
$2.00/2 Kotex by U Cleanwear Ultra Thin pads, Barely There or Curves liners or Fitness pads or liners
$2.00/1 Irwin Naturals Product
$1.00/1 InStyle magazine
$5.00/3 In Style, People and Real Simple: buy all 3 magazines
$0.50/1 Hidden Valley Original Ranch Bottled Dressing or Dip Cups
$1.00/1 Hersheys Cookie Layer Crunch 6.3 oz bag
$2.00/2 Green Mountain Coffee K Cup pods 10 ct
$1.00/1 Farm Rich Bakery item 9.5 oz. or larger
$1.00/1 Dole Dippers
$5.00/1 Complete Multipurpose solution 24 oz.
$3.00/1 Complete Multipurpose solution 12 oz or larger
$0.75/1 Buddig Original Product or Premium Deli Product
$1.00/5 Buddig & Co. original products 2 oz.
$0.55/1 Brownberry Bread Products
$1.50/2 Blue Diamond Almonds 6 oz. cans or 5 oz. bags
$1.00/1 Blue Diamond Almonds 5 oz. bag or 6 oz. can
$1.00/1 Blue Diamond almonds 12 oz. bag or larger
$3.00/1 Blink Tears OR Blink Tears Preservative Free or Blink GelTears Lubricating Eye drops or Blink n Clean lens drops or Blink Contacts lubricating eye drops
$5.00/1 Blink Revitalens multipurpose disinfecting solution 20 oz.
$3.00/1 Blink Revitalens multipurpose disinfecting solution 10 oz.
$3.00/1 Blink Lid Wipes
$0.75/1 Birds Eye Veggie Made, Riced, Pasta or Mashed item
$0.50/1 Alberto VO5 shampoo or conditioner 33 oz.
$0.50/2 Alberto VO5 shampoo or conditioner 11 or 12.5 oz. sizes only

COUPON PREVIEW: August 13 RedPlum insert

$10.00/1 Zyrtec 70 ct or Rhinocort allergy spray 120 sprays
$4.00/1 Zyrtec 24-30 ct., Rhinocort or Childrens Rhinocort Allergy Spray 60 sprays
$3.00/1 Venus razor
$3.00/1 Venus /Daisy disposable razors
$0.50/1 Unstopables
$1.00/1 Turkey Hill All Natural Ice Cream 48 oz
$0.50/1 Tide Simply Detergent
$2.00/1 Tide detergent or Tide pods
$1.50/2 Tampax products
$4.00/1 Rhinocort or Childrens Rhinocort Allergy Spray 60 sprays
$10.00/1 Rhinocort allergy spray 120 sprays
$0.75/1 Pilot G2 pens 4 pack or larger
$1.00/1 Pilot Frixion Colorsticks or Colors Marker pens
$1.50/1 Pilot Dr Grip pen
$1.00/2 Pantene products
$1.00/1 Milk Bone Farmers Medley dog treats
$2.00/1 Maybelline New York Lip product, not redeemable on Baby Lips
$1.00/1 M&Ms brand chocolate candies 8 oz or larger bag
$3.00/1 Gillette or Venus/Daisy disposable razors
$3.00/1 Gillette or Venus razor
$0.50/1 Gain Fireworks In Wash Scent Boosters
$3.00/3 Gain Detergents (Flings, liquid or powder) or Fabric Enhancers (Fireworks dryer sheets or liquid fabric enhancer). Must include detergent AND fabric enhancer
$1.00/1 Folgers Perfect Measures coffee product
Buy 1 Febreze Sprayer Mist, get 1 Febreze One refill free up to $4.29
$0.50/1 Era detergent
$0.50/1 Dreft Blissfuls
$0.50/1 Downy Fabric Enhancer, Downy Infusions, Downy Fresh Protect, Unstopables
$3.00/1 Daisy disposable razors
$3.00/1 Clairol Hair Color
$3.00/1 Clairol Age Defy Hair Color or Vidal Sassoon Hair Color or Natural Instincts Crema Keratina Hair Color
$1.50/1 Cetaphil products
$3.00/2 Cetaphil products
$0.50/1 Bounce Sheets
$0.50/1 Bounce Bursts
$1.50/2 Always & Tampax products
$1.00/1 9Lives dry cat food 3.15 lb. bag or larger

Bringing up Baby

what do you think is the most important life lesson to teach our children??

Child Support Awareness

I guess, I am one of the lucky ones. My parents lived together til death do them part and raised 5 children. Sometimes they struggled but I can recall many great times. My parents were there together for all of us. I have been blessed to be married for 30 years and my six children have been blessed to live in a 2 parent family. They may have had the same dream for their own family but it was not to be. My oldest daughter with her 2 children came home a couple of years ago. My grand-children have 2 parents that love them greatly but could not make it together Every other weekend my grand children see their father and he in return pays child support. I am sure many know how the system of child support works

Last year we were blessed to gain a daughter when our youngest son married her. Not only did we gain a daughter in law but also a wonderful grandson. This was a blessing to us. We soon learned that the dilemma of her first husband and the babies father was not as charming. Our new grandson who is now 5 had received child support from his father on and off since his parents split up. A few months ago, the father filed court papers to stop paying child support. When this did not happen he decided that if the only way to get out of paying child support was to sign his rights to his child away he would. Now, this is a good thing in many ways. My son who loves this young man will be adopting him formally but it is sad that he will never know his real father until possibly if he looks for him when he is older It is also sad that his own father did not want to pay up for his son.

You may say that our father has seen both sides of the Child Support situation. But where did thee Child Support system start when and where??

Child Support Laws in every state in the U.S. has a program to help families pay, process and collect support payments. States can work across state lines to ensure that payments are collected and distributed. It was not always this way but in the early nineteenth century, Americas courts declared that current laws did not provide for support action. Past laws ruled that father had only a non enforceable moral duty to support his children. The only way that a father had to pay any money to the child was through a contract with the child's father if one existed. However, there was a law for recovery of support costs in certain circumstances. The poor laws gave parishes power to collect funds spent in caring for mother and her children where no father was a provider.

In 1808 the Supreme court of Connecticut ruled that a mother could recover support from her first husband. The court ruled that children's father was legally bound to "protect, educate and maintain their legitimate children" Other states soon joined in with the decision that fathers could be held financially responsible.

The 1950's , 60's and 70s would see the child support system grow with more enforcement If you need more information or are looking for the laws for your state you should visit here 

Tomatillo Salsa

It will soon be harvest time. If you are the grower you know what that means time to capture your bounty and put it up for safe keeping. If you do not grow produce you can still often find great treats at farmer markets. One item you may have are tomatillos. This great salsa recipe will be great for fall get togethers

3 pounds of Tomatillos
1 large Yellow Onion onion , peeled and cut into large pieces
4 Serrano Chilies
2 large Jalapeno Chilies
5 medium Garlic Cloves
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 cup fresh Cilantro
Optional: 1-2 small red sweet peppers (not bell peppers)

Preheat the broiler. Line two baking sheets with foil or cycle the same one through two rounds of broiling.

Husk the tomatillos and rinse them. Note: they have a tackiness to the skin which will not rinse off. Put the tomatillos, the chilies and the unpeeled garlic cloves on the prepared baking sheet (s).

Place the baking sheet(s) under the broiler checking them every few minutes until the tomatillos and chilies char (aproximately 7-10 minutes for the tomatillos and faster for the chilies). Note: if smaller chilies char before the tomatillos,, remove them while the remaining ingredients broil.

Add the onions pieces to the bowl of a food processor.
When the tomatillos are done let them cool for just a few minutes until you can handle them and put them into the food processor bowl. Squeeze the contents of the garlic cloves out of their skin into the food processor bowl, ensuring the peel does not go into the salsa.
Tip: wear protective gloves when handling chilies. Remove the top of the chilies with a sharp knife and discard. Slice the length of the chiiles, open (a dining knife works well for this) and gently scrap out the seeds and inner membrane; discard scraped contents. Add the prepared chilies to the food processor.
Add the cilantro and salt to the food processor. Turn on the food processor and pulverize to a liquid salsa consistency.
Optional: to give the salsa some visual appeal if desired, add the red sweet peppers (not bell peppers) to the food processor. It breaks up the all green appearance!

recipe resource here

Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches

Can you believe that the delicious ham and cheese pinwheels above started out like the picture below??

Well they did and the pinwheels are super easy to make Simply follow the recipe below.

2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed overnight in the refrigerator
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, divided
12 thin slices of good-quality deli ham (about 10 ounces)
2 cups freshly grated gruyere, Swiss, fontina, sharp cheddar, or similar melty cheese (about 5 ounces)
Chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or chives (optional, for serving)



Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter (I pressed two long sheets together at the edges to create a single larger sheet). Unfold the first sheet of puff pastry in the center of the plastic, then roll it into a 10×12-inch rectangle. Spread with 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard, leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides. Lay 6 ham slices on top, overlapping as needed. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
Starting at the long (12-inch) edge, roll the puff pastry into a log. Trim the ends so that they are even, then tightly wrap the log with the plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry and remaining mustard, ham, and cheese. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Once the log has chilled, using a sharp, serrated knife, carefully cut each log into 1/2-inch-wide slices. (If each log is 12 inches, you will get 24 rolls from each one). Arrange the rolls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the puff pastry is light golden brown and the cheese is hot and bubbly, about 18 minutes. Immediately sprinkle with chopped thyme, parsley, or chives as desired. Let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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welcome to the weekend
whats for dinner

Kiwi Cream Cheese Pie

1 (9-inch) round of refrigerated pie dough (from a 15-oz package), thawed and unrolled or unfolded
6 oz cream cheese, softened slightly
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 firm-ripe kiwifruit, peeled and thinly sliced

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
Fit dough into tart pan, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang, then fold overhang inward and press against side of pan to reinforce edge. Lightly prick bottom and side of shell with a fork.
Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until edge is pale golden, about 10 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights and bake shell until golden all over, about 5 minutes more. Cool shell in pan on a rack, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat together cream cheese, sugar, milk, zest, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
Spread cream cheese filling in cooled shell and top with kiwifruit slices.

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creative muster

Prickly Pear Salad

When you purchase your cactus to use make sure that the paddles are bright green and plump. If the paddles have startd to shrivel and have lost their bright green color they are not fresh and should not be used. The smaller thinner paddles are often younger and tender.

Many grocery stores will sell all ready pre pared cactus that has spines removed but still make sure no spines remain.

place cactus in cold water and boil in water then reduce to simmer. Cactus will turn a darker green and release slime slightly. Skim slime off a number of times during cooking. Cook about 10 minutes

Rinse under cold water

Mix cactus with all other ingredients

2 pounds cactus pads
4 Roma tomatoes
1 large white onion
12 sprigs of cilantro
6 ounces ranchero cheese
1/2 tsp. salt + more if needed
Instructions


Cooking the Cactus
Cut the cactus pads into 1/4" x 1/2" pieces.
Place the cactus in a large pan and cover with 2" of water.
Turn the heat on high and bring the water to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium.
Skim the slime during cooking until the cactus no longer releases any. (about 10 minutes)
Drain the cactus and rinse under cool running water.

Other Ingredients
Dice the tomatoes.
Dice the onion.
Finely chop the cilantro.
Crumble the ranchero cheese.
Assembling the Salad
Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl and gently turn until well mixed.
Notes

Preparation Notes
The ranchero cheese is salty. You may not need to add additional salt. Only add more after you have tasted it to avoid an overly salty salad.
The salad is best eaten fresh but it will keep in the fridge for 2 days. After that its texture becomes unappealing.
You can make this vegetarian cactus salad recipe vegan by omitting the ranchero cheese.

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sharefest 

Elvis Week and a Recipe just for Elvis fans

Elvis week started today, August 11th.

Elvis week 2017 marks the 40th anniversary since Elvis' passing. Graceland located in Memphis Tennessee has planned a large party with many guest to entertain. They will all be ready to celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley

as always a tasty littl recipe for you to enjoy

Play In Sand Day

National Play in the Sand Day was originally created to pay omage to artistic sandcastles or soft sculptures out of sand and water. Beaches around the world will host contests for the best artistic works. If you want to head to a beach bring some small shovels a couple of pails.

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.”

Psalm 139:17-18b

National Play in the Sand Day is an awesome day to celebrate. I have fond memories of playing in the sun as a child. We had several sand boxes. My own grand-kids love to play in the dirt box now. So why not be a kid again and go out to the nearest beach or sandbox and have some fun. Try some of these activities:

dig for buried treasure
build sand castles
wiggle toes in sand
bury your hands and feet in the sand, if possible bury each other up to your necks in sand
Make sand angels
Draw in the sand


What is your favorite way to play in the sand??

Club Pasta Salad

One of the supervisors at work created a salad like this that she shared with all of us. It was to say the least delicious. Oh so yummy. I had never had a salad as yummy as this. You should try it for sure and if unable to find the dressing called for in this recipe my boss used mayo in hers. Enjoy!!! 

Honey Avocado Dressing
16 oz Mini Shell Pasta, cooked and cooled
6 slices of bacon, cooked
2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
1½ cups colby jack cheese, cubed
2 cups of spinach, chopped
3 turkey tenderloins
Olive Oil
Season salt
salt to taste

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a baking dish, add the turkey, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a little season salt. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Chop into ½" pieces and set aside.
Place the pasta in a big bowl and add the dressing a little at a time while stirring until evenly coated, about 1 cup. Next, chop the bacon and toss it, the tomatoes, cheese, spinach and turkey in with the pasta and season with salt to taste. Chill before serving, up to one day ahead or at least 20 minutes.

recipe source here

Paul Bunyan Cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raisins
1 cup (5 ounces) chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with a Silpat. Sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, and salt in a medium bowl.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream vegetable shortening and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add molasses, and beat to combine. Add eggs and mix until fully incorporated. Add the flour mixture, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until dough comes together. Remove bowl from mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips, oats, raisins, and walnuts.
Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto prepared baking sheet, about 3 inches apart. Bake until firm, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before transferring cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

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Smore's Rice Krispies Treats

Smore’s Rice Krispies
Altered a bit from Mallow and Co
Makes a 9×9″ pan

3 Tbsp butter
6 cups mini marshmallows, divided
3 cups rice krispies
1 1/3 cups broken up graham cracker pieces
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Mix the rice krispies, graham cracker pieces, chocolate chips, and 3/4 cup marshmallows together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. When it starts to brown a little, add the remaining 5 1/4 cups marshmallows and lower the heat to low, gently flipping and stirring until the marshmallows are melted.

Moving briskly, scrape the melted marshmallows into the cereal mixture and stir quickly to combine. Dump the whole mixture into a 9×9″ pan and spread evenly into the corners. Let sit until set, then turn out and cut into 9 delicious squares.

Creamy Coconut Brown Rice

Rice Pudding Day is observed each year. Homemade rice pudding is one recipe that many agree is delicious. Rice pudding dates back to a time where it was known as white pot in the 1600s. Rice pudding recipes come in a great variety of ways. The country of origin often makes the difference. The one thing that often remains the same are the ingredients of rice, milk or water, spices and flavorings.

1½ cups unsweetened almond milk
1½ cups canned coconut milk
3 cups cooked brown rice
2 Tbsp . maple syrup or raw honey
1 tsp . pure vanilla extract
6 Tbsp . unsweetened shredded coconut , toasted

Combine almond milk, coconut milk, rice, honey, and extract in large saucepan. Mix until well blended; cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it reaches a boil.
Reduce heat to low; gently boil, covered, stirring occasionally so that it does not burn, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until creamy.
Serve in individual dessert bowls garnished with coconut.


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Dream Create Inspire 
amaze me monday

Beware of Fraud

Fraud is something that all of us should be aware of. One class of individuals is often affected by fraud more than others. Seniors fall victim to fraudulent schemes without ever being aware. National Fraud week is August 6-12 during this time period take note of a few tips and share them with those you love as well.

Never send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request. These request may come from scammers pretending to be someone you trust such as a government official, a family member, a charity or a company you do business with. The request may come in through a text, phone call or email.

Do a bit of research on your own. Type the name of a company or product name into your favorite search engine with words like "review" "complaint" or "scam" Search for a phrase that describes your situation such as "IRS call" Do a search on the phone number to see if others have reported them as scams. 

If you get a phone call from a number you seem to recognize and they ask for money orpeersonal information be sure to hang up. Scammers can fake caller ID information. So if you hang up and then think it may be real call the person you think it may be

Before giving money or personal information over the phone talk to someone you trust. never mak a decision in a hurry that is exactly what con artist want you to do. 

All to often you may get a recorded sales pitch hang up at once. After hanging up dont forget to report to the FTC. Recorded sales like this are illegal and are often bogus as well. Never press 1 to speak to a person or to be taken off th list. 

Free is often to good to be true. some companies use free trials to sign up for product and bill you every month until you cancel. Never agree to free trial before researching the company and reading cancellation policy. Always review monthly statements for charges you dont recognize. 



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Thoughtful Thursday 
friday favorites

Loaded Reuben Casserole

1 large loaf rye bread, cubed. (about 8 cups)
1 (16 ounce) can sauerkraut
2 cups swiss cheese, shredded
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Russian dressing
4 Kosher Dill pickles (sandwich slices), finely chopped
2 cups thinly sliced corned beef, chopped
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
Put half of the rye bread cubes into the casserole dish.
In a large bowl, combine sauerkraut, sour cream, Russian dressing, and chopped pickles. Stir to combine.
Pour half of the sauerkraut mixture over the bread, then top with corned beef.
Top with 1 cup swiss cheese.
Top with the rest of the sauerkraut mixture.
Top with the rest of the bread, pushing down to make sure it adheres to the sauce mixture. Top with the remaining cup of cheese
Drizzle all with the melted butter.
Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove cover and cook a final 10 more minutes.
Serve hot and enjoy!

recipe source here

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friday frenzy

Reuben Sandwich with Kraut and Cheese

If you have been a fan of my blog long I would love to thank you and if you are new then thank you as well. If you have been around a bit though you may recall that I work outside of the home as a nurse.  I recently was talking to one of my good friends who helped break me into the medical field. I was surprised to hear that he had some bad luck with his health and was no longer able to work. I can recall the many different meals we shared together at work. He would often have a Reuben sandwich and for him I am sharing this recipe

2 Slices of Rye Bread
100g of Regular salted Butter
Cornichons (Baby Gherkins)
Pickled Onions
200g Sauerkraut
A Pinch of Thyme
6 slice of Pastrami
100g swiss cheese
Caraway seeds (To Taste)

Lightly butter Rye Bread Slices. Take a small handful of Cornichons and sprinkle evenly over slices. Breakup one pickled onion and place over slices.
Take Sauerkraut and evenly spread around bread slices, covering the Cornichons and Pickled Onions.
Grab a shallow teaspoon of Caraway seeds and sprinkle over Sauerkraut to taste and add a small pinch of thyme.
Layer Pastrami liberally and grate the swiss cheese over sandwich.
Place slices on a tray, and lightly grill for a couple of minutes or until cheese has melted.

Makes 2 sandwiches

recipe source here

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no rule weekend
welcome to weekend

Childrens Eye Care Month

We all know that the sun can damage our eye sight. Was you aware that children's eyes are still developing and are more vulnerable because the lenses on their eyes are thinner. The developing eye has a thinner lens with more UV rays hit the retinas and allow more UV rays to damage children's eyes. There are some precautionary measures that we can follow to ensure we protect our children's eyes. Adults would be wise to follow the same precautionary steps to protect their eyes as well.

Sunglasses often help make a fashion statement but truly they have an important job as well. A good pair of sunglasses is important to eye health. Polarized lenses are considered tops in sunglasses line. Polarized lenses reduce glare and provide an optimal visual experience, limiting the amount of strain your eyes go through. Polarized lenses often offer 100% UV protection. This type of protection limits the amount of UV rays that enter your eyes reducing the risk of sun damage to your eyes. Another feature in sunglasses to be considered is comfort. Children like comfort as much as adult do so ensure sunglasses fit

A visit to the eye doctor is something that should be done at least one time a year. The eye doctor can easily detect, diagnose and treat any serious deterioration to your eyes. One thing that the eye doctor can not fix is any long term sun damage to eyes as this is one thing that can not be reversed. Prolonged sun damage lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and more. The eye doctor can help to slow the disorder or disease and relieve some symptoms but they can not stop the disorder.

The sun is only part of the problem. As parents there are more things that we can do to help our children protect their eye sight. A few of these are

Watch how many games they play If at all possible send them outside to play and participate in physical activity. No video games means less strain on eyes. Playing outside offers a healthy blood flow and lots of oxygen supply to cell of eyes.

Ensure that your child does not get dehydrated. Make sure your child has consumed liquids and water in sufficient amount during the day. Hydration helps protect eyes from dryness, lack of tears or inactive tear glands. Children will often not complain about these problems. Dryness in eyes is serious and can harm lens and ocular surface to deteriorate vision in long run. Sufficient fluid and water intake is needed to protect our child's eyes and vision.

It may sound funny but eyes need to stay clean. Eyes should be washed at least twice a day. Normally once in morning and at bedtime. Cotton balls are good for wiping eye lids and make them free of dust particles and debris that build up during the day.

It is true that carrots in raw form or in juice form , leafy veggies in cooked or raw form, eggs, fish, milk , apples, berries, almonds, walnuts, and whole grains should be part of children's diet. Good diet of food such as these offer protection as well as can help correct defects and disorders. Nutritious diet helps supply vitamins and minerals and can help battle weak eyesight.


Eyes are needed in every day life to do our best. Please have yours and your child's eyes evaluated.

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sunday features

American Indian History and FryBread Recipe

We often hear the words Native Americans and American Indians and think of the same group of individuals. The aboriginal culture of the Untied States should not be grouped togeether. There is not a singular culture shared. the federal government through the bureau of Indian Affairs officially recognized 564 tribes but there are many more that have been recognized on the state level or in process of petitioning for recognition. The groups may share customs, languagee and culture but each of them have a separate self governing entity with distinct cultural I.D's.

One dish fry bread can be found in nearly every Native American tribe. The Navajo have been created with creating the frybread but it was under painful, forcibly removed time. In 1864 during th tragic "long walk" nearly 6000 Navajo were forcibly removed from the land their ancestors had clamed. They were forced to march on foot over 300 miles east to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. There they were incarcerated in a tiny area that the Navajo and a small group of Apaches were left without traditional food of wild game , fish and fruits. No way to grow corn because of the poor land and limited water and pest infestation. The U.S. Army provided wheat flour and lard and using the supplemented food the Navajo made frybread.

4 cups flour
3 tbl powder milk
1 tbl baking powder
1 tsp Salt
1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 cups hot water
3 tbl blue corn meal; for bluecorn frybread onl

Mix first four ingreadients add the oil and hot water and knead slightly as for bisquit dough. Devide into 6 balls of dough, brush with oil and store in air tight container. Punch down the dough ball into flat pancake and cook in hot oil turning once to brown both sides.
Contributor: Burning Tree Restaurant (Award Winning)
Yield: 6 fry bread

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nifty thrifty friday

No Bake Koolaid Pie

1 graham cracker crust
1 packet of Kool-Aid in your choice of flavor
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz tub of cool whip

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a mixing bowl and add Kool-Aid packet Mix the milk and Kool-Aid together. Add in Cool Whip. Mix thoroughly and spoon into pie crust.

International Cat Day

Today August 8th is International Cat Day. Are you a cat lover?? Do you hav a cat that you care for?? If so then you know that a cat has ways of being very independent but still desire to have needs met for them. You are the one that must meet the needs for your pet.

Keeping your cat safe may sound fairly easy but may be harder than you think. Cats love to play and are very adveenturous. They often are out exploring new places and you must be the one to make sure they stay safe. If your cat is an indoor cat then you will want to provide a litter box for them. When you let the cat outside make sure that your cat has a collar that has your information in case your cat would get lost.

Cats love to be petted, groomed and play with their owner. So whenever possible show them some atention Make sure to provide your cat with plenty of food and fresh water. Your vet should be able to inform you on what and how much food you should use for your cat.

If your cat should need any medical care you should take them to a vet. A vet will help with vaccinations and regular checkups. Spaying or neutering of your cat should also be discussed.


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life on lakeshore

tips save some money

August for many is the last month of summer. So it would b no surprise to find summer wear on sale. Summer clothes have been on sale for a few weeks and by time August comes around shops are ready to move it out. Its a great time to shop for next year remember to buy a size or two up for children.

Back to school time often means that computers will be needed. Many like to have that power at their fingertips and that is why new computers are always coming on the market. If you dont mind lagging a bit behind others to save some money then consider shopping for models that may not be as new.


Whether you are heading back to school or not its a great time to stock up on back to school (office) supplies. Great deals on pens, pencils, notebooks etc.. will help you save lots of money.

Fall and the holidays are all ready in the minds of merchants. In order to make room to display the new merchandise its time for other items to go. Often this means that grills will be on sale in August but even better sales may be found in September after labor day.

August is a great time to shop for fruits and veggies. Many are in season at this time and its cheaper and healthier to get fresh produce in season. Available in the month of August are apricots, blackberries, kiwi, melons, nectarines, peaches, raspberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber, peas , watercress and more.


You may be noticing that air conditioners may be on sale. Be watching as price normally continues to drop in August

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inspire monday 

Copy Cat Recipe: Filet O Fish

If you find yourself near a river you may just find your self enjoying a meal of fried fish. Around these parts the prefered would be catfish. If you are unable to dine on catfish there are many other ways you can enjoy fish. There is the frozen box kind at the grocery store or you can find many different styles of fish at the various restraunts.

The Filet o Fish is a legendary sandwich available at the place with the golden arches. In 1962 McDonalds owner Loe Groen, owned a shop located in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood of Cincinnati. Fridays during lent burgers were not selling. This was bad for business so to solve the problem he replaced red meat with fish.

The new sandwich would consist of a fried fish filet patty, a steamed bun, a squirt of tartar sauce and American cheese. Thus the Filet o Fish was introduced.






Filet-o-Fish Tartar Sauce
1/2 cup Kraft Miracle Whip
1/4 cup Vlasic dill relish
2 teaspoons dried, minced onion
2 teaspoons half & half
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice concentrate
10-12 capers (small), minced
1/8 teaspoon sugar

Combine in a small jar, mix very well, and refrigerate in an air-tight container until needed. Make this tartar sauce well in advance. (The flavors need to "meld.")

1 Van de Camps frozen breaded whitefish patty (Use any square whitefish patty -- not extra crisp -- like Mrs. Paul's, or even the store brand.)
1 small, regular hamburger bun
1 tablespoon prepared tartar sauce
1/2 slice real American cheese
1 dash salt
1 12"x12" sheet of waxed paper (to wrap)

Pre-heat your oven to warm. (This is your warming "bin.")

Cooking Your Filet-o-Fish
Pre-heat your fryer to 375-400 degrees. After it's ready, cook the fish 3-5 minutes until done. (Do NOT thaw first.)
Remove and add a dash of salt.
In the old days, the bun was quick warmed using a steamer. We'll use the microwave. Microwave the bun for about 10 seconds, until hot and steamy. (Do NOT toast the bun) Add about 1 tablespoon of prepared tartar sauce to crown side of the bun. Place the cooked fish filet on top, add 1/2 slice American cheese centered on the fish, and add heel of the bun. Wrap in a 12"x12" sheet of waxed paper and warm in oven's lowest setting for 8-10 minutes. Dig into a fabulous Filet-o-Fish!

An alternate "Q-ing" method would be to wrap the sandwich tightly in wax paper, let sit for 5 minutes, and microwave on high for 15 seconds (while still wrapped).

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American Artist Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle Sanchez

Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle Sanchez is an artist that first had a need before he was an artist. Lehi is a 37 year old Navajo painter who found himself in need of money to pay college tuition. A family friend offered to pay his college in return for a painting created by Sanchez. This was the first time he had created a painting before then he created sketches.

Painting to Lehi Sanchez became a money source and therapeutic. In return Sanchez's work offers a soothing feeling but one that is powerful as well. His collection includees warriors in headdresses with eyes that are penetrating, Wild horses with wind blown manes and more.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of death in babies under the age of 2. SMA can affect all families no matter their ethniticity. Families do not have to have prior history of the disease. Newborns born with SMA at first appear healthy. With time these babies appear to have lack of muscular development and that it is debilitating. Muscle weakness often leads to respiratory failure and failure to thrive. 

Fast Facts about SMA

SMA is the number one genetic killer of children under two.
One in 40 people carry the gene that causes SMA.
One in 6,000 babies are born with SMA.
There is usually no previous family history.
SMA affects people of all races and genders.
The National Institute of Health selected SMA as the disease closest to a treatment of nearly 600 neurological disorders.

Researchers believe that a treatment will be found within the next 5 years with the proper resources.


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Raspberry and Cream Waffles

6 frozen buttermilk waffles
1 pint (2 cups) fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon grated gingerroot
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Original 99% Fat Free French vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted


Toast waffles as directed on package.
Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix raspberries, sugar, honey and gingerroot.
Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and sauce is thickened.
Remove from heat.
In small bowl, beat cream cheese and yogurt with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over waffles.
Spoon raspberry sauce on top; sprinkle with almonds.
So grab your fork and dig into this perfect breakfast. If frozen waffles are not for you, then you can whip up a batch of fresh waffles in any shape and size you like to be a little more creative and then add the sauce. Also, if there is still some raspberries sauce left over, spread it to the top of some toast or freshly baked biscuits for later or for breakfast the next morning.

recipe resource here

Farmers Market Tips

While I have been a bit to busy to grow my own garden this year I have found the next best thing. I have fallen in love with farmer markets. Have you vistied a farmers market lately?? Do you know where the closest market is to you?? You can easily find out by visiting here 

When you visit the farmers market be sure to bring cash. Cash talks and some vendors may not be able to accept credit cards or checks. Another great tip about cash is that you can allow yourself to bring only so much and not a penny more. That way you can spend what you have but not overspend. 

Be sure to know what times and days the farmer market is. Be early if you want you pick of the crop. If you are looking for a bargain shop later in the day, before the market closes, may allow you to get a better discount. 

The first thing that I do when I go to the farmers market is to take a walk around checking out what all the vendors have. Afterwards you will know what booths you would like to shop at first. I love to find a new product each time. From fresh to preserved there are many great things to try. 

Be prepared for the day at the market. If you are traveling to the market or will not be going straight home take a cooler with you to keep your treasures of fruit and vegetables cool and fresh. It is a good idea to bring your own bags and containers if possible because vendors do not always have them for you to use. 

One of the best things about shopping at a farmers market is that the vendors know everything about the products he or she sells so ask questions. Perhaps you want to know how it was grown or how to store it both should be easily answered by the vendor. Another great thing is that at a farmers market you are buying in season. 

Farmers market vendors normally are happy to sell large quantities of food or as much as they can at one time. Many times buying in bulk will get you a better deal. This is a great idea if you plan to do a batch of freezing or canning 

If you head out and find a great farmers market tell your friends and family about it. While the market you visit may offer great new foods to try and products for the family no one will know about it if you dont share. Farmers markets survive by having lots of support. Many vendors are exactly as the name says farmers or home gardeners. 


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