Homemade Pumpkin Latte

I'm not a big coffee drinker.  I rarely have anything to do with the caffeinated beverage unless it is super cold outside and I am in the vicinity of a gas station with a cappuccino machine.  Yes, I get my cappuccinos from a gas station.  I just think they taste much better than anything from Starbucks or any other fancy schmancy coffee shop.  And they are cheaper too.

Lately, my little precious, who never has any sense of what time it is, has been waking up and bouncing in her crib at a too early time in the morning.  Not being an AM person, I wondered if maybe I should dabble in coffee drinking to help give me a little pep. Unfortunately I don't like straight coffee, so I set out to find something with a more fun flavor.  I got excited when I found a recipe for a pumpkin latte.  I like pumpkin and I can handle a latte!  I actually looked forward to getting up too early this morning with my morning happy babe just so I could try out the recipe.  

It is as follows:

Pumpkin  Latte

• 1-2 tbs. canned pumpkin
• 1-2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup strong coffee
• Sugar to taste

In a saucepan, heat milk and pumpkin until steaming. Add vanilla and cinnamon.

Put mixture in a blender  until thick and foamy. Pour into a mug and add coffee. Add sugar and enjoy!

Right on cue too early this morning, Ittle Bit started cooing in her crib.  I got up, greeted her with a cheery good morning (cause that's what moms do), fed her, changed her, set her down to play, and set off to the kitchen to make my first pot of coffee ever. The recipe does call for strong coffee, but I chose to make mine regular at my dear husband's prompting.  He reminded me that my system is not used to caffeine and that I would crash and burn after a day of having super energy if I went the strong route, so I took his advice and toned it down.  I followed the recipe to a tee and was pleasantly surprised when I took my first drink.  It was yummy!  I savored every single drop.  But, when I got to the bottom of my cup, a laugh escaped me as I discovered a glob of pumpkin stuck to it. Apparently I didn't stir it into the milk good enough.  But, no worries, the drink was still delicious and it was a nice treat for waking up at the crack of dawn.    

If you try this recipe, let me know how it came out for you!

All About Avocados

This particular blog is one in a few that I will be doing about avocados.  I am always coming across tips and stuff for avocado hair and face masks, smoothies, salads, etc... Supposedly this weird looking fruit has amazing health benefits (look it up).

Case Study #1:  Face Mask

One of my favorite magazines is a weekly one.  "Woman's World" never fails me when it comes to tips, recipes, and good stories.  What I often find are recipes for homemade face masks, scrubs, and such.  This is my first time testing one of them.

Here's how it reads:

"Get glowing, younger skin with a $2 avocado facial!"

What you'll need: 1/2 an avocado 

                                     2 Tbs. sour cream

1.  Mash both ingredients together until creamy.

2.  Smooth over freshly cleansed skin.

3.  Relax for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and moisturize as usual

Why it works:  The lactic acid in the sour cream lightly exfoliates dead skin cells, which allow the avocado's moisturizing oils to really penetrate deeply.

This all sounds pretty great huh?  Who wouldn't want younger, softer, glowy-er skin for just $2?  Who needs to pay big bucks at the spa when one can just go to their local grocery?  Well, yesterday, I did just that.  I went to Publix for my supplies and grabbed an avocado for $1.49 and sour cream for 99 cents. (mind wandering: I wonder why there is a dollar sign on the keyboard, but not a cents sign?)  That comes to a total of $2.48.  It's a little more than $2 but I figure 48 cents is worth the sacrifice. (If I wanted to get technical with it, I did really use only half of the avocado and half of $1.49 is 75 cents plus the 99 cents for sour cream and the total would be $1.74, less than $2)

Back at home, I begin the test.  To halve the avocado, I cut deep to the pit all the way around from top to bottom and twisted each half off the other.  I took out the pit for use later to start an avocado tree (blog on this to come later).  

Then I scooped the meat out of one half and mashed up in a bowl.  I recommend using a fork to do the mashing.  I tried using a spoon but the pieces just kept sliding around the bowl.  The fork tines catch it better.  (Also, when choosing an avocado for mask making purposes, make sure it is good and ripe.  It will be a little soft with a dark green rind.  You can purchase the fruit before it completely ripens if you don't mind waiting a few days for it to do so.) Next I added my sour cream and mixed it with the mashed up avocado.  The mask was then prepared.

My dear husband gave me a grossed out look when I told him what I was doing, but wished my luck anyway as I trekked to the bathroom for application.  After cleansing my face, I began.  I found I didn't do a good enough job of mashing because I found the texture of the mixture to be a little chunky.  This did not deter me, though, as I dipped my fingers in and spread it all over.  I then set the timer for 15 minutes. 

As I was relaxing and letting the mask take effect, it slowly came to me that what I really just put on my face was nothing more than simple guacamole.  My stomach was already growling so I got the idea to grab the Tostitos and give my creamy camouflage a taste test.  It wasn't half bad!  It just needed a little salt and I had an easy snack to tide me over til supper!  As if my husband wasn't squeamish enough just from looking at me, this really sent him over the edge. *HaHa*

When my 15 minutes were up and the chip bag was empty, I headed back to the bathroom for rinsing.  Once the mask was off and the moisturizer was on, the inspection process began.  Was my skin glowing? A little, but it's not like there was a halo around my face.  Did my skin look younger?  Simply put, no.  Did the sour cream do its job of exfoliation? Nope, that dry patch is still there and not looking any better.  Did the oils from the avocado moisturize?  Well, my skin felt a little waxy afterward so if you consider waxy to be moist then sure.

It was fun trying the mask out and especially seeing the look on my husband's face.  I even got a little snack out of it. Bonus!  But, on a scale of 1-10, I give this recipe a 5. I know there have got to be better ones out there that deliver completely and one of these days I will find them.  

Get A Great Coupon Booklet, Free!

Go here to sign up for a free Homemade Simple coupon booklet.  It contains over $35 worth of savings.  I have gotten several of these as I am able to keep signing up for them everytime they are available.  If this one is anything like the others it will include coupons for brands like Febreeze, Cascade, and Swiffer.  They are great for combining with store sales and stacking with store coupons.  Enjoy!

Now Back To The Seeds

Yesterday was my pumpkin carving, seed roasting day.  I blogged about the carving part, but never got around to saying much about the roasting.  The house is quiet now, so I figured what better time to speak about pumpkin seeds.

I have never roasted anything outside of a chicken in my entire life and even that didn't go over so well.  So, I was kinda nervous, but plenty excited about tossing some raw pumpkin seeds into my oven.   After I finished the whole carving project and got my produce decor proudly displayed on the front porch, I got busy.  

I found the instructions I had saved from a magazine and followed them step by step. After pulling off as much of the big gunk as possible, I got out my trusty blue collander (which is actually part of a salad spinner that I never could figure out, so I gave it a new purpose) and went to rinsing.  I rinsed and I rinsed and I rinsed til I had eliminated every teeny bit of the orange substance.

Next I spread them all out on a dishrag and rubbed and blotted til I got all the water off.  They still felt wet, but I think that's just the way they are.

After tossing them into another bowl and measuring them out, I found that I had just a tad less than a cup and a half.  The instructions said to coat the seeds with 1 tbs. of oil (I used extra-virgin olive) for every cup. Even though I had a little more than that, 1 tbs. did seem to suffice.  I then sprinkled with as much salt as I desired and sprawled them out on a foil-topped cookie sheet.  

The seeds needed to bake for 10-15 min. at 375 degrees, but I left mine in for another 5 minutes (20 total) to give them a little extra crunch.  When the timer chimed them done, I yanked them from their haven of heat and immediately chowed down. No, I didn't burn my mouth.  They were hot, but tasted delicious that way, though I do recommend letting them cool beforehand just to avoid any possible oral injuries. 

Besides the tasty flavor, pumpkin seeds also have wonderful health benefits.  I'm not going to list them, cause I don't really know what they are.  I just know that I've read that they have them.  Look it up.  

All in all, I give do this magazine tip a huge thumbs up. Pumpkin carving and seed roasting is a wonderful way to spend a quiet morning or afternoon.  It would even make for a really cute date night!

Falling Into Fall

Today I decided to finally "Autumn up" our home, and wanted to start with the lovely pumpkin which my awesome friends, Cory & Ashley(you may remember them from my 1st dinner blog), brought me last weekend.

Flipping through my lastest copy of Martha Stewart Living (by the way I only have a subscription cause it was free) a few days ago, I came across an article on pumpkins in which some of them had initials carved in.  I thought it would be cute to carve out a "T" (our last initial) and add a few swirlies on mine.  So, after I put Ittle Bit in her crib for a nap, I got down to business. 

I made a mental list of everything I would need: pumpkin, newspaper, bowl, carving knife(free after ECBs at CVS), and a big metal spoon.

I laid some newspaper out on my kitchen floor and topped it with my pumpkin.  To the side I set the spoon, bowl, and knife.  Now, I don't have a working printer so I wasn't able to print out a design template or anything to help guide my carving knife.  I was going at this freehand.  I did draw a light sketch on the pumpkin with a pencil to give me an idea of how I was going to go about this and then touched it up as needed while carving. 

First things first, I cut off the top and proceeded to scoop out the seeds and guts, setting the seeds aside for later roasting.  I started off using my hand, but then switched to the spoon since it actually did a much better job of scraping the insides off the inside. 

Next I drew out my "T".  When I got it just the way it should look, I plunged the carving knife in and started sawing like crazy.  (Note: Be very careful when using a little bitty carving knife on a big, thick pumpkin.  Just ask my thumb.)  It took me a while, but I finally got my letter carved and was quite proud of it, crooked lines and all.

After bandaging my thumb and touching up the "T", I used the other end of my tool to scrape off the orange top layer of the rind and make some swirlies.  This was the hardest part.  That little scraper thingy wasn't very big, kept getting clogged with rind, and it was difficult to navigate it around the pumpkin.  So, my swirlies didn't look exactly the way I wanted them to, but I settled for good enough and gave it a rest.  

Now, my pumpkin carving skills are very unrefined.  I have always known this and therefore made a conscience decision to not strive for perfection when slicing out letters and faces and whatever else I get a hankering to give my produce.  I just have fun with it.  That way I am always satisfied and delighted with the results.  Besides, no matter how bad the pumpkin looks in the daytime, putting a candle in it and displaying it on the front porch at night always makes it look glorious.

By the way, Martha Stewart, if you are reading this, don't think for one minute that you have us all fooled into thinking you carved those pumpkins shown in your magazine all by yourself or that you even carved the ones you probably have displayed at your home.  We all know you hired professionals.  YOU ARE NOT THAT PERFECT!!

Want A Clean Toilet?

Don't use this tip.  In a magazine, I found a list of "Smart Ways To Use Mouthwash".  #2 on that list boasted, "Get toilets gleaming!".  The directions were to pour 1/4 cup of alcohol-based mouthwash into the toilet bowl and let sit for a half hour.  The alcohol will make it sparkle, while the antiseptic ingredients will kill germs!  I thought, "Ok, my toilets could use some sparkling and it is my one dreaded chore, so I'll go the easy route and give this a shot."  I find the mouthwash, pour in my 1/4 cup and let it sit.  I forget to check it after the 30 minute time slot and end up leaving it for little more than an hour, thinking that doing so could only get my toilet extra pristine.  I go in later to take a peek at my porcelain, and nope it ain't clean. Nothing about it's grimy appearance had changed.  I don't know what I expected to happen. Maybe the mouthwash would somehow magically creep up the inside of the toilet and clean under the rim? Nope, nada, didn't happen.  The only thing I got out of the whole experience was a bathroom that smelled strongly of Listerine.  Guess, I'll just have to break out the rubber gloves and Comet and get down and dirty with it the old fashioned way.

CellPhone Losers

Are  you a chronic cellphone loser like me?  I lose mine all the time.  Thankfully, I mostly neglect to keep track of it in the comfort of my own home, though I have been known to misplace it in the New Orleans airport (twice) and in a New Orleans cab (once).  Well, I have recently discovered the best website ever to help pinpoint the location of my missing cell. Wheresmycellphone.com is my new saving grace.  Just this morning I found mine missing, so I went to the website, typed in my number and within a matter of seconds my phone was ringing.  I was able to locate it nestled on my bed under a nightgown.  Even better, this site is completely FREE, though the owner does take donations.  Next time you find yourself without your tiny piece of technology, try the site to help you recover it.

New post coming soon...

I haven't posted anything since Sunday.  That's 3 days of no blogging.  That's a lot for me seeing as how this whole blogging thing is a brand new venture and I was so gung-ho about it.  I still am, it just seems as though I am suffering from blogger's block.  I have a whole binder and lots of magazine full of things I could test out and review but I just can't seem to wrap my brain around any of it and get down to business.  I am going to try my darndest to pick something, do it tonight, and post my results tomorrow. Here's to hoping the fog will clear!

Cold and Flu Freebies 10/11-10/17

Cold & flu season is upon us. Time to start stocking up on meds to help battle the sickness.  This week only at RiteAid you can buy all the products listed below (limit 1 per household) and then submit your receipt for a rebate. You can go here to sign up for RiteAid Single Check Rebates.  When you submit your rebates and request your check, it takes about 2-3 weeks to get it.

Chloroseptic AllergyBlock Gel--$9.99
Submit for $9.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Poligrip Denture Adhesive Cream--$1.99
Submit for $1.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Simply Saline Nasal Mist--$4.99
Submit for $4.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Simply Saline Children’s Nasal Mist--$3.99
Submit for $3.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Children’s Throat Cooler--$2.99
Submit for $2.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm--$2.99
Submit for $2.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Carmex Lip Balm--$1.99
Submit for $1.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Sinus Buster or Allergy Buster--$8.99
Submit for $8.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Sea Breeze Cleanser--$4.99
Submit for $4.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Comtrex (20-count)--$3.99
Submit for $3.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Sucrets Throat Lozenges or Ice Pops--$2.99
Submit for $2.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Breath Again SinoMarine Nasal Spray--$7.99
Submit for $7.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Beyond BodiHeat Pain Relieving Heat Pads (3-4-count)--$2.99
Submit for $2.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Dr. Thompson’s Coldwar--$3.99
Submit for $3.99 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

Bee M.D. Throat Drops--$2.49
Submit for $2.49 Single Check Rebate
Free after Single Check Rebate

(If you have any questions about RiteAid Rebates, leave me a comment and I will get back to you.) 

Want A Baby?

Ha! Got your attention! Now, this is one of the strangest freebies I have ever found online. You don't just see things like this being given away everyday, but it's for a good cause.  You can go here to sign up for free ovulation tests and pregnancy tests.  Choose any combination of the 2 up to 10.  If you are trying to get pregnant or want them just in case, then this is the freebie for you!  I just ordered myself 5 ovulations and 5 pregnancies.  I don't plan on getting pregnant again for another 2 yrs. but at least I will have them when the time comes.  I wonder if they have a shelf life?

Coconut Oil & Supermodel waves

I have long hair, and I am getting sick of my long hair.  I can't wait to get it cut.  I am shedding like a cat everywhere especially since I am still experiencing some post-partum hair loss. Unfortunately I can't afford the stylist that I want so until my husband decides he wants to put up the cash (Love you Honey!) or the Hair Fairy leaves a check under my pillow one night, I am going to have learn to coexist with my long not-so-luscious locks.  In the meantime, I have decided to try a few hair tips and styles I came across in my subscriptions, just to liven things up a bit.

One tip that I found and have been using for a while is smoothing, softening, and shining hair with coconut oil.  You can find it at health food stores.  I found mine at The Vitamin Shoppe; $10 for 15 oz.  I know that seems a little expensive but it lasts a looong time.

First you need a hot, dry towel so throw one in the dryer. While the towel is heating, apply coconut oil on your hair from root to tip, distributing evenly throughout. (I usually give my hair a good once over with a paddle brush after application to ensure that I got it in there good. Doing this also leaves a little oil on the brush so next time I use it, I get a little extra smoothness and shine from the left behind oil.)  Next take your towel from the dryer, wrap around your hair, and leave on for 15 minutes. The heat from the towel will help the oil penetrate your hair.  When your 15 min. are up, wash and condition as usual.  

I don't like to put unnecessary heat on my hair, so I never blowdry.  I wash my hair at night then wake up in the morning to style.  This always ensure me smooth shininess.

As a bonus, I wanted to test the style that promised me "Gisele Bundchen style waves!" "Waves that a Victoria's Secret model would envy !"  First of all, I am sitting there thinking, "Ok, hmmm, isn't Gisele Bundchen a Victoria's Secret model?  So does that mean she envies her own hair if her hair is the hair I am trying to achieve?"  I'm just saying......

Anyway, back to the coif testing.  After doing the coconut oil routine and fending off my husband cause apparently the smell of coconut is a huge turn-on for men, I find my instructions and begin:

First, mist wave-enhancing spray onto damp hair.  Divide hair into 4 braids and secure.  Wait for hair to dry (I slept in mine and let them dry overnight) then run a flat iron over the braids to set the look.  Allow hair to cool, then release the braids for waves.

Well, I got waves all right.  It wasn't quite what I was expecting seeing as how my hair came out a little kinkier than I wanted.  After a while it calmed down a bit and I actually began to kinda sorta like it.  And I was a bit worried that the wave-enhancing product would dull my oil treatment, but it didn't!  So, along with my kinky, yet kinda cute, waves, I got the soft shiny locks that I really wanted in the first place.

So, if you want a little something different for your hair and you don't want a drastic cut or the fuss muss of trying a difficult style, then give the braid waves a shot.  It's was fun to see the results and I do plan on doing it again before I chop it all off.  (p.s. I did learn that the smaller the braids the kinkier the hair, so go for big braiding unless you want to look like a 1980s flashback)

I do highly recommend the coconut oil.  I have normally straight hair that gets a little frizzy in damp weather and it really helps calm, soften, and shine.  I don't know what it would do for curls, but if any curly-haired gals out there tries it, let me know and I will post your results.

Become A Typing Whiz!

Want to learn how to type or just sharpen up your skills?  TypingWeb.com can help you do that. This website offers free beginner, intermediate, and advanced online typing lessons.  The site is easy to navigate and easy to sign up for.  I love it!  I thought I could type pretty good until I started the beginner course and it whooped my butt!  I thought it would be alot of work, but it actually became a game to see how fast and good I can type.  And the best part is that it is FREE!!

Easy Shirt Sleeve Baby Scarf

Baby clothes can get expensive.  So, in an attempt to save a little money on winter items, I came up with an easy way to make a baby scarf from shirt sleeves.  All you need is 1 old tshirt or thin sweater, scissors, straight pins, a threaded sewing machine, and embellishments (beads, appliques, fabric paint, etc; if desired)

Take your garment of choice, line up the end sleeve hole with the armpit and cut across. Do this with both sleeves so you will have 2 long pieces.

Turn 1 sleeve inside out and place over other sleeve.  The right side out sleeve should be inside. Line up the cut edges and pin all around.

Place the sleeves over your sewing machine and sew around the edges.  Be sure to backstitch the beginning and end to set your stitch.

When your done, take the open end of the top piece and pull off.  Your sewn ends should be in the middle.  Now you have scarf to keep your little one toasty and you saved a few bucks!

Free Garnier Fructis

Go here to get a free sample of Garnier Fructis shampoo & conditioner.  

Dinner Blog #1

Last Thursday I decided to host my first blog dinner for our friends Ashley & Cory.  On the menu was a recipe I had found in one of my magazines, Super Mac & Cheese. 

The magazine I chose the recipe from boasted on its cover, "Easy Italian Favorites".  I chose the mac & cheese and thought, "Ok, how much easier can that get?"  I had most of the ingredients already in my kitchen.  The only thing I lacked was the main ingredient, the

cheese.  I needed 3 different types.  2 fancies, gruyere and asiago, and 1 regular, cheddar, and they all needed to be shredded.  I went to the deli at my local grocery and asked for the fancies.  I didn't know if I could get them pre-shredded, I didn't ask (does anyone know if the deli will do that for you?), but I at least thought they would cut me a block.  No, they gave it to me sliced, which made me think "How am I going to shred sliced cheese?"  I took it anyway and headed off to purchase my cheddar.  Now I know I can buy cheddar pre-shredded, but being all gung-ho about my first blog dinner, I got block cheddar telling myself what a good little chef I am by not cutting any corners and doing all the hard parts myself.  Little did I know, after I figured out how to shred sliced cheese, a major hand cramp would ensue and my left appendage would temporarily resemble a claw. After the feeling came back into my hand, I was able to finish the recipe and have it on the table by time company arrived.  

Other foods that I prepared but were not up for review were, Chicken Italian Dip, Loaded Garlic Bread, and Pumpkin Cheesecake. (See all recipes above; click on photos for larger viewing)

All in all, dinner went off without a hitch.  Everyone had seconds and my husband had thirds, which made me feel quite proud of myself.  Success!

Super Mac & Cheese Reviews

Ashley:  LOVE the gruyere  flavor; it made it not-your-ordinary mac & cheese; big fan of the crust; very cheesy, very filling, very yummy!

Cory: Baked perfectly, wonderful selections of cheese, couldn't stop eating it.

Mine:  Wasn't what I expected.  With all the different cheeses I wanted a little more flavor.   It wasn't as easy to make as the headline promised, with the many ingredients and                 the slightly difficult instructions.  Was good, but I still prefer my mom's homemade.

My Agenda

Hi! I'm Allison and like every other housewife in America, I've started a blog.  This is it and this is what it's about...

I read magazines.  Do you read magazines?  I read magazines.  I have piles of them stashed in various places all over my house.  They are beside the bed for night reading, on the kitchen table for breakfast reading, some are even in the bathroom for my husband's, ahem, "amusement".  Needless to say, my collection of monthly subscriptions is starting to take its toll on our otherwise clutter free home.  

So why do I keep all these magazines?  For the simple fact of the promises that they make.  When you pick one up while buying groceries or browsing at the bookstore, the first things you notice, and the things that make you pick it up, are the headlines screaming at you in bright bold lettering.  Things like "5 Dinners For $5!" or "6 Steps To Shiny Hair!".  If you're like me, you buy the magazine, scan the promise-filled article vowing yourself to give it a try, then set the magazine aside and go about your life, completely forgetting about those 10 Steps To Tame Your Stress.  Hence the reason for my collection. Hence the reason for this blog.  

In an attempt to eliminate my piles of publications, I am ripping out those tricks, tips, and recipes and putting them to the test to see if they really can fulfill their end of the bargain.  Along the way, I will be posting my brutally honest results and reviews.  So, if you've always wondered if toothpaste really does clean your grout or if that list of 10 Free Date Nights is as fun as it seems, then this blog is definitely for you.

As a bonus, I will also be posting links to freebies and other bargains, projects that I will be working on, and I may occasionally get on my soapbox and blog about whatever is in my head. Pictures are a must with this blog as are guest reviews from time to time.  

There will be no set schedule here; no particular time to do any particular thing.  It's basically whatever I please, whenever I please.