Go Shopping Use Those Gift Cards

Did you get a gift card for Christmas?? Many here in America did and I was one of them. I am also one that is still holding on to my gift card always promising myself to go shopping. There are over $1 Billion dollars in gift cards that have went unused each year. The retail industry among others has declared the third Saturday in January to remind the owners of these gift cards that they should use them. However, sadly too many of these gift cards will go unused. 

While the card was offered as a gift for you it is still good that you will put thought behind it. Be smart with your gift card and try to get the most from it. As usual there are many ways to do this. Here are a few:

•  if possible and many times it is prepare your self to shop with coupons in conjunction with your gift card. Before you do so check first
•  Do you have a card that you can not use?? Can your gift card be used in other sister stores?? Can the card be cashed out?? Some places allow you to trade or sell gift cards. 

So aimed with this information I hope you are ready to head off and do some shopping with that gift card. Don't forget they do expire and then the giver would be out the money without you enjoying your gift.

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Easy wat to make Fresh Steak Potatoes

Potatoes

Cooking Spray

Salt and Pepper of course ;

Seasoning Salt

 Garlic Seasoning Spread

sprinkle on Chives Rosemary, a little Thyme

Simply wash a few potatoes and cut up to about 1/4 inch thick. Remember nothing needs to be perfect. I don’t even peel them. However you can if you want. Then lightly spray with a can of cooking spray. I use Canola or Olive Oil. This makes them nice and crispy! YUM! Then season if you like. Bake at 425

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#Recipe Strawberry Flavored Oreo Type Cookies for Valentine Day

2 boxes strawberry flavored cake mix

1 cup vegetable oil (or 1 1/2 cups shortening)

4 eggs

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl til well blended. Form dough into a 1-1 1/2" balls. To shape into a heart I took a butter knife and sliced into one side of the ball just a little bit to make the top of the heart. I then took the dough that is on each side of the knife and pulled away from the knife, creating space between the slit I made with the knife. I then squeezed the dough together on the opposite end from the slit, creating the bottom point of the heart. I did have to flatten the top (face) of the heart just a bit too. Be creative and make a heart how you can.

Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min. Til the top starts to crack and lose it's gloss.

Let the cookie cool then make a sandwich with the filling...

Filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 TB vanilla

2 3/4 cups powdered sugar

*I found this recipe on pinterest. I was worried the strawberry cookie was going to be too sweet, but the husband gave them 2 thumbs! Definitely a fun new Valentine treat we will be doing again!

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Birth Defects Awareness

January is national birth defect prevention month. During the month there will be many trying to help raise awareness of birth defects, what causes them and the impact that they carry. There are some birth defects that can not be prevented. However, by managing your health conditions the chances of having a healthy baby increases. Here are a few tips you will want to take note of:

•  Folic acid is important part of the diet when you are expecting. Folic acid helps to ensure the babys brain and spine are developed. One great tip is to start taking folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant and continue on through out pregnancy. Folic acid is often found in breads, breakfast cereals and corn masa flour. There are also over the counter vitamins that you can get to ensure you get enough folic acid. 
• Losing a few pounds will also help fight against birth defects. Mothers who are obese run the risk of their baby having several serious birth defects and other pregnancy complications
•  Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs can help to will decrease chances of baby being born with birth defects. 

One important group that is leading the fight for all moms and babies is the March of Dimes. The organization that has been working hard for over 80 years to help babies not only survive but thrive. It begins with mom as March of Dimes helps throughout the pregnancy and continues from there. Much advocation prioritizing on women's health takes place and has led to radical improvements in the treatment of both mom and baby. Moreover the group that was began with compassion for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's struggle with polio known as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis grew into the better known name group March of Dimes.

It all started in a battle against polio and research that led to the polio vaccination and the eradication of polio. The battle for protecting our children continues to grow and now includes focusing on biggest health threats to moms and babies. The March of Dimes also educates medical professionals as well as the public concerning new information learned in lifesaving research. Thus leading a fight to protect both mom and baby through technology tools and knowledge that will hopefully lead to a brighter future. 

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Cowboy Cookies - #Recipe

2 cup sifted flour

1 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup shprtening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups rolled oats (quick)

1 pkg. chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts

Sift together and set aside flour, soda, salt and baking powder.  Cream together shortening, sugars and eggs..  Add vanilla, rolled oats, chocolate chips and nuts.  Dough will be crumbly.  Drop by teaspoon on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Ok, so if you want a yummy cookie dough to eat, this is the one.  This recipe came from the Koosharem Relief Society Cookbook.  

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Bagel Day

Bagels are bread products that originated in the Jewish communities of Poland. The round bread with a hole was traditionally shaped by hand from yeasted wheat dough. The bagel was then boiled in water for a short time and then baked making for a dense chewy doughy interior with a brown crisp exterior. Traditionally bagels are topped with poppy or sesame seeds.

1 small carrot, finely sliced into thin strips or grated

• ¼ green cabbage, finely shredded
• 1tsp white wine vinegar
• 1/2tsp paprika
• 2 sesame seed bagels
• English mustard, to taste
• 200g (7oz) roast beef fillet, finely sliced
• 2 pickled gherkins, drained and finely sliced

1. Combine the carrot, cabbage, vinegar and paprika in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Halve and lightly toast the bagels. Spread the top halves with a little mustard to taste. Lay the slices of beef on the bottom halves, then add the coleslaw and sliced gherkins. Top with the remaining halves of the bagels. Cut each filled bagel in half and serve immediately.

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The Flower That Claims the Month of January

The flower of the month in January is the carnation Legend has it that the first carnations first appeared on earth as Jesus carried the cross on that fateful day. It is said that were the virgin Mary's tears fell they were covered up with carnations. Others credit the scientific name of Carnations to two Greek words "dios" which refers to the god Zeus and "Anthos" which means flower. Carnations have been long known as the "Flowers of God"

There are three main types of Carnations. Annuals, Borders and Perpetual flowering carnations are the most common.

Carnations are often gifted to individuals when they wish to express their love. Many years ago carnations would be used to make garlands by Greeks and Romans. Carnations are grown in Australia commercially since 1954. 

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Poverty In America

Did you now that there are over 30 million individuals living below the poverty line in America?? Nearly a quarter of those individuals are under the age of 18. Their families most likely have had to make choices that were hard for them. These choices may of included whether they would have less to eat so someone could get health care or perhaps the rent would be a bit late and having to move out may have been possible. In addition many families have to deal with having the lights turned off as well as sitting in a cold house because they had no money to pay the heat bill. 

This month many will try to bring awareness to the situations that those living in poverty experience. Yes, there are organizations that do help. States offer food stamps, child care, and some offer financial aid as well. But what if you work and you work hard and you have no where to turn because to the system you "make too much". So during the month of January will you help spread the word about the issues that many live thru during the "Poverty in America Awareness Month". 

There are many way that you can help.

• volunteer to help organizations depend on their volunteers to help others
• if possible make a donation whether it be in the form or clothes, household goods, groceries or financial means it is donations that allow these organizations to continue
•  share your knowledge if you can teach others to cook frugally, offer tips on how to help a family and if you are a professional in a trade that you can teach consider doing that
•  Give your support this is different than offering donations in that a good word goes a long way and allows others to know you are there to help
•  Are you part of a church or organization group?? Consider sponsoring an event that will help others.

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Bald Eagle Day

• Bald eagles are large birds ranging between 3 to 3 1/2 feet long. Their wingspan is an average the average man between 6 feet and 7.5 feet. These large wings are needed to carry the birds large body that weighs in around 7 to 14 pounds. The Haliaeetus leucocephalus is  the scientific name of the bald eagles. The eagles are carnivores that live in large areas around lakes and rivers in the United States and Canada. There is an average of 700,000 Bald Eagles that often find their home in Florida, Alaska, and the Midwest. However, the bird does not live up to its name as they are truly not bald. 

While the bald eagle is considered to be bald this is simply not true. The birds head is actually covered by white feathers Along with its head the neck and tail of the eagle are plain white. The birds bill, legs, eyes and feet are yellow and the talons of the bird are thick, powerful and black. The bald eagles use their talons to help gather food. The diet of the bald eagle consist of fish, other water birds such as ducks, geese and herons, and small mammals. In addition, bald eagles steal from landfills or campsites by using its strong talons. 

Today, Bald Eagle are threatened by poaching and shootings some of which may be accidental. Other risk to the great birds include pollution, power lines or wind turbines, and habitat loss. The International Union for Conservation of Nature believes that the Bald Eagles are increasing in population. However the Bald Eagle was placed on the federal list of endangered species in 1967 primarily based on the use of DDT which has now been banned. Since that time in 2007 the bald eagle has been removed from the endangered species list.

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