Sunday, July 31, 2011

Interested in How to Bring Your Old Wood Furniture Back to Life?

To refinish antiques or if you want to restore your old wood furniture back to its former glory, I have an interesting formula you may like.  Use equal parts of linseed oil, white vinegar, and turpentine and rub into your furniture or wood with a soft cloth.  This technique requires a lot of rubbing but it is worth the effort.

Another neat trick I discovered in for covering up knicks and scratches if you have dark wood furniture.  All you do is to make a thick paste from instant coffee and a little water. 

Next, you rub this mixture only into the knicks and scratches with a soft cloth.  You will be nicely surprised once this settles into those blemishes because it does an excellent job of fixing those problems. 

However, this coffee paste is not recommended to use on light wood!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

How Saying Thank You Can Radically Change Your Mind Set for the Better!

thank-you-empowering-board.jpeg
Thank you is a powerful word that can change your world.



You may read the title of this post and laugh at how two simple words could possibly change the way you think or feel.  But, I assure you that there is great power behind that particular set of words once you take the time to remember to thank.

If you are in doubt, I dare you the next time the occasion comes up to say thank you and watch how a smile appears on the recipient's face when you remember to acknowledge their kindness through those two words.  Smiles are contagious.  You, too, will smile while feeling uplifted and suddenly happier in return.

Try to write thank-you notes and e-mails to those that do something nice for you.  Remember that saying what goes around, comes around?  Taking that minute to remember another's kindness toward you will do wonders for positively changing that person's day but also for yourself as well. 

Good things do happen to good people is a true statement because you will find in practicing saying thank you that you attract more positive people, things, and events into your life.

Even when you need to make an effort to say thank you when stressed or angry, do yourself a favor and try to remember uttering those two words aloud.  If no one did anything that needs your thanks right then, what is in your life that you are thankful for?  Look deeply past your problem or situation and in front of a mirror say thank you for what you have--your family, a wife, a husband, the children, your health, a job, perhaps?  Things always can be worst.  But, you are lucky because you have those people and things in your life!  The actual realization and practice of speaking those two words can turn bad negative thoughts into happy positive ones before you know it.

Do something out of the ordinary to help yourself today and call or write someone that last did something nice for you that you never got around to thanking.  I guarantee you that if you practice this rule of incorporating thank you into your life that it will change both your mind set and life for the better!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Make My Easy Homemade Cake Mix for a Variety of Cakes!

Let me share a great recipe with you to make your own homemade cake mix to have on hand.  This particular cake is better suited for a sheet cake than a layer cake.  However, it is delicious and very convenient to keep ready in your refrigerator (if using a margarine) or your pantry (if you prefer shortening) for those times when you crave something sweet and just don't feel like working!

What is really nice about this basic recipe is that you can use a healthier margarine and avoid preservatives and all those trans fats that come in packaged cake mixes.  You can also make a smaller 8" or 9" cake.

Another wonderful thing about this cake is that you can alter this basic cake mix recipe to get a few different cakes out of the same mix!  I will show you how a couple of changes will turn that basic recipe into a Yellow Cake, Chocolate Cake, Orange Cake or Lemon Cake snack cake like magic.

Trust me, you will love this fabulous timesaving recipe! 

Homemade Basic Cake Mix--Nuts Style!

3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour
2 cups of sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons of baking powder (I use Rumford only because it does not contain aluminum!)
1 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of margarine (Be careful to make sure the package states margarine, not spread.  A spread will never work for baking due to the high amount of water.  You can also use a shortening, which is less healthy in my opinion but it works as well.)

Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl or your food processor.  Mix together or process a few seconds before adding your margarine or shortening.  Work this mixture with your fingers or process it until it resembles cornmeal texture.  Store the margarine version in the refrigerator or the shortening one at room temperature.  This makes about 6 to 7 cups of mix.

To Make My Yellow Snack Cake:

2 cups of Basic Mix
1/2 cup of milk
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.  Grease an 8 or 9" square baking pan.   Stir the mix first before adding the rest of the ingredients in your bowl before pouring into a greased baking pan.  Bake about 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

To Make Chocolate Snack Cake Version:

2 cups of Basic Mix
1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup of very cold or ice water
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Prepare the same way as I instructed when making the yellow cake.

To Make Orange or Lemon Snack Cake Version:

2 cups of Basic Mix
1 large egg, slightly beatne
1 tablespoon of grated orange (for orange cake) or lemon peel (for lemon cake)
1/4 cup of either orange juice (for orange cake) or lemon juice (for lemon cake)
1/4 cup water

Prepare the same way as I originally instructed when making the yellow cake.
 

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Are You in Need of Some Instant Energy?

The next time you feel tired, but still need to keep on going, you could try these simple tips to pep up. 

Stretching out on your bed or sofa for just five minutes for a short cat nap can do wonders to restore that zapped energy. 

Another way is to drink plenty of cold water through the day.  According to certain studies, energy levels improve when drinking small amounts of chilled water every 30 minutes all day long makes a tremendous difference.  When you feel exceptionally tired after a chore, then reach for that glass of chilled water and drink!

If you're sitting too long at a desk for a while, then get up and take a break.  Go for a short, but brisk walk to get your circulation working and that blood pumping.  If you're at work, you can get that energy back by walking swiftly down the hall. 

For those tied to the computer, you can disconnect and head outdoors for a short jaunt around the block.  Another idea is to use your stairs like a stair master a few times to get your blood pumping.  The idea is moving more increases energy. 

Acupressure is an amazing thing I highly recommend  as well as for some aches and pains, such as from an injury resulting in a muscle spasm.  Along your outer ear is where a lot of your head's pressure points are found.  You know when you locate a pressure point when it hurts compared to another non-painful spot along that area.  When you find that trigger point, you pinch that piece of outer ear and hold for a short time and then keep moving until you find the next trigger point.

I use acupressure all the time for different things.  This method helps quite a bit sometimes better than some drugs in my personal experience.  The only problem is sometimes finding the trigger points exact location on your body according to some published diagrams to accompany the book.

Snacking differently on nuts, raisins, and fruits instead of candy can help you sustain your energy levels better than jumping around sporadically like it does with typical junk food.

Hopefully, you will go from feeling blah to good again sooner than you think once you try these suggestions!
 

Monday, July 25, 2011

Redken 5th Avenue Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line Review & Giveaway!--Ends August 15, 2011

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


The hair miracle workers at Redken 5th Avenue have developed new products to help defend your hair from sun damage with their Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line.  You can say a good-bye to sun-fried hair now and in the future with these three fantastic products that I recently tested for this review and giveaway.

Redken 5th Avenue Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line of three products.jpeg
Redken 5th Avenue Color Extend Sun Hair Care Line 
Let me start by saying how thrilled I was to learn about this new system since it means I can go hatless if I prefer and stop worrying about ruining my hair in the sun or when swimming  from salt or any chlorine.  Now how great is that bit of news!

I do have a large brimmed straw hat that I wear when spending extended time in the sun.  However, though my hat is pretty with ornate trimming and a slight slant to the brim, I sometimes neglect to wear it when I have an exceptionally good hair day and hate to crush it.  Vanity can leave you with a problem of straw-like hair before you know like it did with mine again until these products arrived.

The Color Extend Sun Hair Care Protection Line has a special Interbond Conditioning System and an Advanced Hydra-Shield Complex with Soplexyl, which later I discovered does amazing things quickly for crispy, color-treated hair like mine with unbeatable continuous protection even once it's rinsed out while returning the lost moisture and incredible gloss back to your hair.

Once my box arrived I went to work on my damaged hair that was lifeless and crunched when touched so I grabbed the Color Extend Sun After-Sun Shampoo.  I loved the fantastic fragrance of this product in this rich formula and followed with the award-winning Color Extend Sun After-Sun Mask, the deep conditioning treatment with mango oil and ceramide to revive that mass of straw that was on my head.

I used the maximum amount of time of 15-minutes to keep the After-Sun Mask on my hair before rinsing out.  Once I finished drying my hair, I felt new vitality return.

The next day I used the Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12 Spray first before going out in the sun to see how my hair would hold up.  The instructions mentioned applying it to dry or slightly damp hair thirty minutes before going outdoors.  I am glad to report when I returned home my hair still felt as soft as before I left.

I washed again with the After-Sun Shampoo and followed once more with the After-Sun Mask and my hair became even softer with a more magnificent shine. 

In fact, I can honestly report that with each use of these three products, the more glorious my hair looked!

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received were free products to facilitate this review.*

Thanks to Redken 5th Avenue, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States wins all three full size Color Extend Sun products:  After-Sun Shampoo,  After-Sun Mask,  and the Color Extend Sun's Solar Screen SPF 12 ($44.50 value)!


Both Are Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by in a comment along with your email!

2. Go to Redken 5th Avenue and tell me which product you would love to try also or something you learned from the site in another comment.


Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

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Like Redken 5th Avenue  on Facebook--1 extra entries to leave in a comment

Follow Redken 5th Avenue on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave two separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 15, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate Review and My Best Coconut Pound Cake + GIVEAWAY!--Ends August 7, 2011

Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate.jpeg

For this review and giveaway, I thought it would be interesting to work with Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate.  Unlike the Virgin Coconut Oil that was sent to me prior for an earlier review and giveaway, this is different, being a food of certified concentrated organic whole coconut meat and not a cooking oil. 

You can use this product to make your own coconut milk by adding one or two teaspoons to a glass water.  Another great use is to flavor your coffee by stirring in one teaspoon as a non-dairy creamer.  Spread some Coconut Cream Concentrate on crackers or use it as a filling for a cookie and top with another to sandwich it in. 

Though those ways are also delicious, especially in coffee, I decided to experiment with some of this Coconut Cream Concentrate and the Virgin Coconut Oil (shortening-like consistency) to make my Best Coconut Pound Cake recipe. 

This recipe is for a fine-grained pound cake that you can make in a 10-inch tube-pan or in loaf pans.  I like to bake this cake in three small loaf pans so to avoid temptation.  This way I can freeze two loaves for later and resist eating too much at one time.  

I do hope that you will try this recipe because it is sinfully good plain without need of a glaze and keeps well!  

My Best Coconut Pound Cake

1/4 cup of margarine
1/2 cup of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil 
2 cups of sugar
3 eggs
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of buttermilk or sour milk
1 teaspoon of coconut extract or vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate

Cream margarine, virgin coconut oil, and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time.  Sift flour, salt, and soda into a separate mixing bowl.  Add slowly to creamed mixture alternating with buttermilk or the sour milk.  Add your coconut or vanilla extract last.  Pour into three well greased small loaf pans or one greased 10-inch tube pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Best Coconut Pound Cakes.jpeg
These cakes have a fine texture crumb and practically melt in your mouth.


*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.   I received a free product to facilitate this review.*

Thanks to Tropical Traditions, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States or Canada wins a 32-oz. jar of their own Coconut Cream Concentrate ($30  value)!


Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by with your email in the comment.

2. Go to the Tropical Traditions and tell me what you would love to try from their site in another comment or something else you learned.


Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

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Add @Troptraditions to your Twitter and tell me so in your comment--1 extra entry

Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook --1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

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List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 7, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time.  The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Some Helpful Tips for Herb Harvesting and Drying

Since nothing tastes better than fresh herbs when cooking, I make sure to plant a variety in my garden.   Harvesting your herbs should be done regularly to make sure those plants keep producing.  In fact, most herbs produce between two and three crops once you start to lose the fear of cutting the leaves too often. 

Did you know that the best time to cut plants for seasoning is before noon?  This is the best time because the dew has dried out, but before the sun had a chance to steal some of the plant's essential oils.

Soon, however, it will be time to start drying those herbs for use later on in the year.  You can use a dehydrator or simply follow this other easy method.  All I do is to wash my herbs first in cold water, then soak them for 20 minutes in a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to kill anything such as bugs that might cling to those leaves.  I rinse again with plain, cool water and drain through a colander. 

If I had something baking in the oven, I liked to insert a cookie sheet lined with those fresh herbs in afterwards to dry.  The fragrance of those herbs will permeate through your rooms in the process.

Fresh herbs will dry out even at ordinary room temperature on a plate or a cookie sheet, etc.

Herb gardening is fun and can save you money for already prepared varieties.  Another incentive to growing herbs is deer and other typical garden raiders do not pick on herbs when they come calling!

Friday, July 22, 2011

How to Safely Whiten Your Teeth Cheaply at Home!

If you want to whiten your teeth safely and inexpensively at home, you definitely need to try this technique.   I promise you it works better than some of the commercial whiteners, which are expensive and sometimes make you gag. 

I discovered this accidently when I had to get the crown that I had so much trouble with and wrote about in the importance of getting a second opinion needed to come out.  The oral surgeon told me to gargle every six hours with one teaspoon of salt to a glass a water to help the healing process after that tooth was removed.  I did this treatment for several weeks until my appointment.  However, you will start to see an improvement with continued use much sooner than you realize.

I started to notice how bright my smile was becoming.   Honestly, I watched how my teeth went whiter much better than anything I tried previously in commercial form.

Even when I finished with that problem, I continued to gargle.  I like one teaspoon to a cup of water.  This is a bit stronger, but I do this at least once a day.  My regular dentist even noticed the beautiful difference and complimented me.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

CUTCO Cutlery AMERICAN MADE Santoku-Style Cook's Combo Set Review & Giveaway!--August 10, 2011

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**



Santoku-Style Cook's Combo knives.jpeg
Santoku-Style Cook's Combo knives


I don't know about you, but I am tired of poor quality Chinese products that are expensive and need replacing more often than the American made.  However, CUTCO Cutlery is proud to continue their tradition of American-made excellence since 1949.   As you can imagine, I was delighted to work with this company on this review and giveaway of their Santoku-Style Cook's Combo Knife Set.

As you all know, I do a lot of cooking.  In the process, I have tried plenty of different types of knives.  Like most people, I usually had my favorite for chopping vegetables and another for meats.   Those two knives were the best for chopping in my house--that is until my CUTCO Santoku-Style Cook's Combo Set arrived!

I love how easily these knives glide through vegetables and meats to simplify cooking.  Their special step treating process to heat, treat, deep freeze, and then oven temper the high-carbon stainless steel blades ensure this top performance and durability for each of their innovative Double-D edge or straight edge blades.  Besides, their handles are comfortable to hold while being triple riveted and built to last. 

handles of Santoku-Style Cook's Combo knives.jpeg
Check out the handles of these knives.

Unlike other serrated-edged knives, the CUTCO Double-D edge knife is the smaller one shown, the Santoku Trimmer, cut and trimmed meats cleaner without ripping up tissue. 
Furthermore, you can have this knife factory sharpened unlike other serrated-edge knives.

The bigger knife in this combo is the large Santoku 7-inch smooth-edged blade.  With this razor-sharp knife, I breezed through chopping vegetables in no time. 

Honestly, you can get out of the kitchen quicker if you only have the right tools like this CUTCO Santoku-Style Combo Set.  Now that I am spoiled and will never go back to my old knives.  I will  pack them in my container for the next time I want to sell some things at the flea market.

What really impressed me about CUTCO's knives is that each comes with a Forever Guarantee, that includes free lifetime sharpening and a 15-day money back guarantee. The CUTCO Santoku-Style Cook's Combo Set retails for $158 in the United States and $202 in Canada.

Purchase CUTCO knives exclusively from independent sales consultants here.  The company also offers a gift registry service as well.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received were free products to facilitate this review.*


Thanks to CUTCO Cutlery, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States or Canada wins this fabulous Santoku-Style Cook's Combo Knife Set! ($202 value)!


CUTCO Cutlery AMERICAN MADE Santoku-Style Cook's Combo Set .jpeg
This is a beautiful set of knives.


Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me so the name you follow me by with your email address in a comment.

2. Go to CUTCO Cutlery and tell me which product you would love to try first or something you learned from their site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

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Follow CUTCO Cutlery on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.  Be aware that attempting to enter using multiple identifies will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 10, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Garden Botanika Mineral Makeup Review and Giveaway!--Ends August 9, 2011

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Garden Botanika Mineral Makeup concealer, concealer brush, lip & cheek stain and mineral eyeshadows.jpeg
Garden Botanika Mineral Makeup


As you all have noticed, I have been experimenting with mineral makeup.  I love that these products are natural without tons of possibly dangerous chemicals seeping into my skin compared to traditional cosmetics.  This time I got a chance to review and do a giveaway of some excellent  mineral makeup products from the natural beauty care experts at Garden Botanika.

I wanted to try their "She's Flawless" Mineral Concealer, a Concealer Brush, their Cherry Lip & Cheek Stain, and "She's a Natural" Baked Mineral Eyeshadows

Once my package arrived, I didn't know where to start because each looked so beautiful in their case, gleaming like rich, precious jewels.  However, I had to start somewhere so I decided to take out that nice sized concealer brush and dip it into their "She's Flawless" Mineral Concealer.  This product comes in one shade, which is just perfect.  Better yet, is how easily the angled big brush grabbed onto the pressed concealer and worked to apply coverage that vanquished my dark circles.

Next, I took out their Cherry Lip & Cheek Stain and appreciated how economical this convenient product was since it saved a consumer time and money as both a  coordinated blush and lip color in one!  The color was incredible as well.  It was more of a deep brick red (brown-red) that blended into my complexion effortlessly with sheer healthy radiance.  I also applied some to my lips and loved how this exquisite sheer color matched and felt on my lips.

The "She's a Natural" Baked Mineral Eyeshadows compact was a blast to play with.  I chose the Bronze Trio and was delighted in the striking coordinated shades.  This set went on like velvet, and really adorned my dark brown eyes in a magnificent way with such richness.

I truly believe Garden Botanika is a great company to investigate and loved everything I tried from them so far from this mineral makeup, eye cream to their perfume.  Check out their specials for great bargains or join the Garden Club for additional savings with each order.  As for myself,  I just can't wait until I discover another new fantastic product in their fine line of products.

Thanks to Garden Botanika, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States or Canada wins the same full sizes of the Lip & Cheek Stain in Cherry, the "She's Flawless" Mineral Concealer, and the Concealer Brush ($42 value)!


Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by with your email in the comment!

2. Go to Garden Botanika and tell me which product you would love to try first or something you learned from their site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet #Win Garden Botanika Mineral Makeup #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Garden Botanika on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in 2 separate comments  (Leave a message on their wall that Nuts 4 Stuff sent you.)

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.  Be aware that attempting to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 9, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

I'm Nuts About My Homemade Salad Dressings!

Now that the weather is warm, you will probably want to eat lighter.  What can be more refreshing at this time of year than a crisp, fresh garden salad topped off with a homemade salad dressing?

Many consider making a salad dressing too much work.  I find the hardest part is assembling the ingredients.  After that, a few seconds in a blender or a food processor, out comes a marvelous and wholesome dressing.

The first dressing recipe that I have for you, called My Super Salad Dressing, is something you can't find on a grocery shelf in bottled form.  You can taste the influence of the Orient in its exotic makeup.  Once you try its unique flavor, it will become very habit forming!

The second recipe I hope you will try is one I love for My Ultimate French Dressing.  The creamy and slightly sweet flavor it adds to a salad is lightly accented by only a touch of onion.

If you do want to save money and know what you're eating, then invest in the few extra minutes it takes to create your own salad dressings.  Nothing can compare to the taste of homemade and I'm sure you'll agree once you whip these up!


My Super Salad Dressing

1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of grated onion
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon of celery salt or 1 teaspoon of fresh celery leaves, chopped
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard
2 tablespoons of ketchup
2 tablespoon  of Soy sauce
1/4 cup Sherry or dry white wine
3/4 cup of canola oil
1 tablespoon of white vinegar

Add all the ingredients and put into a blender or food processor and blend for a few seconds until well combined.  Refrigerate for 1 hour or more to blend the flavors.  (This extremely important because if you skip this step, the taste will be altered.)  Makes one cup.


My Ultimate French Dressing

1 cup of canola oil
1 cup vinegar (any variety works)
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of dry mustard
1 teaspoon of grated onion
1 tablespoon of Worchestershire sauce
1 cup of ketchup or tomato soup


Mix sugar, salt, mustard and Worcestershire sauce together.  Add grated onion and ketchup or tomatoe soup.  Add vinegar and pour on the oil slowly.  Place dressing in a bottle and keep refrigerated.  Makes one yummy pint!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Eve Organics Mineral Makeup Review and Giveaway No.2!--Ends August 8, 2011

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Eve Organics mineral foundation, setting powder and blush.jpeg
Eve Organics Mineral Foundation, Setting Powder and Blush.


I have been turning more to mineral makeup as a safer alternative to conventional cosmetics with their multitude of unknown chemical ingredients.  In the process, I have discovered some wonderful companies and products that I think can help you look just as beautiful without risk to your health.  One such company I'm very fond of is Eve Organics, which I am working with again for this review and giveaway.

Besides making gorgeous cosmetics that avoid any possible toxic ingredients, Eve Organics takes safety to a new level by sealing their products to ensure absolute purity.  As a consumer, this extra step gives me peace of mind as well.

This time I was provided with full sizes of their loose mineral foundation, a setting powder, and a blush. 

Let me start by talking about the loose mineral foundation that I chose in Creme Brulee 02. This was a pale beige shade that went on like silk and gave my complexion a smooth, poreless look with natural sunscreen protection and anti-inflammatories. However, this color was lighter than I expected from the screen shot. 

I would love to review the Light Olive 03 because this would probably be more my ideal shade, but I was unsure when I originally selected a color from their foundation shots on the screen, which appeared rather dark and yellow compared to the Creme Brulee 02.  Now I think that Light Olive 03 would probably be a Light -Warm and the one closer to my coloring. 

The Tinted Setting Powder was wonderful and gave a nice finish without a powdery mask look with just the right amount of color without changing your foundation shade.  I also liked the fact you can wear this tinted setting powder as a light foundation as well.  (The Tinted Setting Powder is the darker shade in my picture).

Lastly, I selected Eve Organics Joyful Blush.  This is a stunning neutral peachy-pink in my opinion that would bring out the best glow for practically everyone.  The color is very natural and one of my favorite items from how it perks up your complexion.

I really love Eve Organics products that I tried so far.  Honestly, I do think you will love this company also once you give them a try.

Thanks to Eve Organics, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States or Canada wins a full size Joyful Mineral Blush of their own!

joyful mineral blush.jpeg
This is the Joyful Mineral Blush.


Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me so the name you follow me by with your email address in a comment.

2. Go to Eve Organics and tell me which product you would love to try first or something you learned from their site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet  Eve Organics Joyful Mineral Blush #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Eve Organics on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in 2 separate comments. (Leave a message on their wall that Nuts 4 Stuff sent you)

Follow Eve Organics on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to Eve Organics newsletter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.  Be aware that attempting to enter using multiple identifies will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends August 8, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Need a Luxurious Homemade Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment?

When your hair feels brittle and hard to the touch, you might want to try this great homemade deep conditioning hair treatment that you can make in your kitchen.  Although it's messy, it is fairly inexpensive  and restores life back to damaged hair.

Take 1/3 cup of safflower oil or any other unsaturated oil and warm first before mixing with two egg yolks. (Do not make this too hot because it soon will be on your head!)

When this mixture is lukewarm, apply this treatment to your scalp and hair for at least two hours, wrapping in aluminum foil first before a towel.

At the end when you need to rinse this treatment out, you will need to shampoo your hair about three times.  However, you will find your hair regains a beautiful softness from this recipe much like an expensive deep conditioner.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Make Your Own Restorative Mask for Dry Skin! 

I have been whipping up one facial mask in my kitchen after the next experimenting to find the best homemade beauty treatments to share with you without spending a fortune for fancy ingredients.  As a result, I have found quite a few incredible masks for a variety of skin problems in the process that I will continue to pass along from time to time like now with this simple lubricating mask. 

This is another excellent facial mask to restore the moisture to dry skin.  It might be a bit messy to wear, but it does help your complexion regain that dewy glow once you finish.

Mix one tablespoon of honey, a few drops of olive oil, and one egg yolk together until it is thick enough to spread on your clean face. 

Leave this mask on about ten minutes before rinsing off and then pat lightly to dry.  

Follow with a rose water facial spray and your complexion will become softer and more luminescent.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Are You Curious About the Six Nutrients That Women Need Most?

Making sure you are getting proper nutrition can be a challenge when you consider how our foods are processed.   Though we hope our choices are healthy, you have to wonder what the addictives, preservatives and the entire chain of getting our food from field to table are like these days in this modern world. 

However, women need to be especially careful about eating more foods with these six essential nutrients to stay healthy or supplementing them.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is found in baked sweet potatoes, bananas, skinless cooked chicken breasts, Brewer's yeast, cod, toasted Wheat germ, raw carrots, halibut, and flounder.  Without enough B6, you will be restless, moody, and unable to sleep well since it helps your nervous system work. 

Vitamin B12 is found in Brewer's yeast, tuna, sole, haddock, whole milk, plain, low-fat yogurt and hard-boiled eggs.  Without enough of this crucial nutrient, you will feel exhausted, irritable, unable to stay alert, and may even experience numbness for even a slight deficiency since this vitamin regulates the central nervous system.  

Folate or folic acid is found in cooked asparagus, raw spinach, cooked lentils, Brewer's yeast, orange juice, and cooked broccoli.  A deficiency of this nutrient can affect the brain and your reflexes since it centers around the spinal cord and acts like a switchbox of the central nervous system.  A lack of this vitamin can mean you get cold, numb legs, weight loss, severe constipation, and insomnia.  Pregnant women especially need to have enough of this vitamin in the first few weeks to ensure proper brain and spinal cord development of the baby.

Vitamin D3 is found in egg yolks, canned sardines, and cod liver oil.  Your bones, teeth and muscles will weaken if you fail to get enough of this vitamin.  This nutrient is important for protecting against autoimmune diseases, breast and ovarian cancers.  

Calcium is found in milk, almonds and tofu.  Without enough, you are at risk to develop PMS, fragile bones and high blood pressure. 

Iron is the last important nutrient you need and is found in chickpeas, shrimp, sunflower seeds, Blackstrap molasses, almonds, raisins, lentils, turkey, lima beans, peanuts, chopped spinach, haddock, cod, peas and soybeans.  A deficiency of this nutrient will result in you having a lack of energy, anemia, and an inability to concentrate because it works with brain function.

Although there is a debate over the value of vitamin supplements, I personally believe in taking them as a precaution since you do not the real value of the foods you eat these days. 

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Dropping Pounds Made Easier With These Few Simple Tricks!

How many times do you start a diet with good intentions and end up failing for one reason or another?  However, there are some simple tricks that can help keep you on the right track toward your weight loss goals.

1.  Avoid grocery shopping while you're hungry.  

2.   Eat your meals before feeding your family.   By doing so, you will be full and more able to resist temptation of what high calorie food that could sabotage your dieting efforts.  This may sound like a silly tip, but it works.

3.   Plan out your meals ahead of time and make a list of the foods you need to make them and stick to that sheet. 

4.   Keep a food diary and jot down everything you eat.  You might be surprised how each tablespoon when cooking or just a teaspoon of peanut butter for example can add up when counting calories.

5.   Eating on smaller plates instead of oversized ones can provide an illusion to your mind that you are eating more than you actually are.  

6.   If you finish a meal and still feel not quite full, you might like to try waiting 10 minutes before looking for something else to eat.  Often, that hunger urge will pass.

7.   Brush and floss your teeth directly after dinner to resist snacking later.  Sometimes, it is good to be lazy and keep a clean mouth to avoid flossing and brushing again.

8.   Drink water with your meals to help dull your appetite.  Six to eight glasses a day acts as a diuretic and will clean your system out of impurities.

9.   Learn to stop eating in front of the television.   Eat your meals only at the table. 

10.  Make a habit of weighing yourself once a week at the same time.  Your weight does change at certain times of the day.

11.  When you feel the urge to pig out, you might try eating something sour like a pickle or lemon to suck on.  This bitter taste in your mouth could help you eliminate those cravings.

12.  Those times you need a sweet, you also need to substitute that urge for fruit, but be aware of the calories and the portion you can have.

13.  Avoiding the hunger for pastry, cakes, cookies, and ice cream is easier when it is not in your house. 

14.  Did you know that plates that are green, gray, or brown will help you eat less than orange or yellow ones?  This sounds ridiculous, but studies have shown that those colors make a difference in visual appeal and the amounts that will go into your mouth.

15.  Visualization is a helpful technique.  When you feel like giving up your diet, close your eyes and picture yourself with 10 extra pounds.  Now see yourself in your mind with another 10 pounds.  Keeping that picture in your mind, you might try asking yourself if you really want to stray off that diet.  Instead, close your eyes again and see yourself at your ideal weight.

16.  Once a week reward yourself with a treat.  If that treat is a sweet, enjoy that one designated day and eat your piece of cake, pie, ice cream--only in moderation.  The same principle goes for those treats that are fatty like regular potato chips, tortilla chips, or alcohol, etc.

17.  Eat with a small pronged fork like a cocktail fork can help with your efforts. You will not be able to shovel that much in your mouth with a smaller shovel.

18.  Eliminate breads and watch the pounds drop off your frame more.  This honestly works.

19.  Chew everything at least 10 to 20 times before swallowing. 

20.  If you love salads, I suggest that you do not mix your dressing in with your salad fixings.  Instead, keep a little dressing on the side of your plate and dip your salad into the dressing to avoid a calorie overload.

21.  Eat regular cooked meals that will fill you with nutritious real food--not convenience foods loaded with preservatives and unrealistic portions to satisfy your hunger.  

22.  The more you eat, the more you want.  Personally, I found it hardest initially to eat less.  The longer you diet, the more I believe your stomach shrinks and the less you need to eat to fill full. 

Dieting is hard enough that is why I wanted to share these helpful tips with you.  Hopefully, they will keep you strong and going!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Condition of Your Nails Can Give Clues to Your Health

If you check your fingernails and toenails for any irregularities, it can be a key to a sick body. 

For example, a nail  that has become suddenly too thick and dull-looking could suggest a fungal infection.

Are ridges a problem?  Horizontal ridges could mean poor eating habits with inadequate nutrition.  Other ridges could signal a severe infection.

Thick, rough and yellowed nails could point to possible heart disease and diabetes.

A nail that needs careful watching is one with a widening black or brown streak running vertically.  This condition should be check by your doctor since it could indicate possible skin cancer.

Another thing to look out for is a single groove running the length of the nail.  This appearance could suggest a possible tumor at the base of that nail.

What I'm sharing with you are possible clues, not any diagnosis in regard to your health.  

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Learn to Make a Gentle Homemade Exfoliator!

This is one of the simplest recipes that you can make in your kitchen to help improve your complexion without costing much.  All you need is some baking soda and water to mix together for a thick paste.  

Start with equal parts of each and then thin it out to a spreadable consistency to work into your face for gentle help in getting rid of dead skin cells. 

You will be surprised at how much fresher your complexion will look without any harsh abrasion!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Avoid Brushing Mistakes and Save Your Teeth!

According to the American Dental Society, most people are unknowingly damaging their teeth and gums when they brush because they are doing it wrong. 

To start, some of us don't brush long enough.  The average person spends less than a minute brushing instead of the recommended two to three minutes to thoroughly clean your teeth.

Another mistake is pressing your brush too hard against your teeth and gums.  This is dangerous because you can be wearing away enamel close to the gum line and exposing your teeth to serious irreparable damage. 

Believe it or not, the amount of toothpaste you put on your brush can be a factor if you are brushing your teeth correctly.  The best amount to use is a pea-size amount instead of loading up your brush with paste. 

Too much paste is especially bad for children because too much fluoride can turn teeth gray.

The type of toothbrush you use can be a mistake if you always use hard stiff bristles.  Buy soft bristle toothbrushes instead and you will more likely protect both enamel and gums from bleeding.

If you are lazy and don't replace that worn out toothbrush, then you can run into problems.  Replace your brush every three months because they can turn porous and become a great home for bacteria, which can lead to gum disease and infection. 

I don't know about you, but I was surprised at the importance of what just a little adjusting of your dental routine can do to safeguard your teeth.  I do hope this information helps you as well!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Nelsons' Pure & Clear Skin Care Line Review

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Nelsons' Pure & Clear Skin Care Line.jpeg
This line really target blemishes!


If you want a gentler way to treat the occasional pimple to acne  than you currently use, then I need to make you aware of Nelsons' Pure & Clear skin care line that I was sent to review.

The Pure & Clear System is uniquely different and uses pure, natural plant extracts combined specially to work together to break the cycle of blemishes to restore the skin's balance to the way nature intended.  All the products in this line deliver powerful skin clearing magic without chemical irritants such as:  parabens, salicylic acid, PEG's, lanolin and silicones from my experience.

Although I don't have acne, I do break out occasionally and when I do I get what feels like a small boulder of a blemish on my face.  When these products arrived, I was relieved since I needed to get rid of one.

I started with the Purifying Cleansing Wash.  As advised, I cleansed using upwards and outwards circular motions to draw all the impurities out and away from my skin.

Next, I followed with the Balancing Toner to remove excess oil and shrink my pores.

The second step I did was reach for the Nourishing Moisturizer.  This was a light facial moisturizer that helped my face stay hydrated while protecting it from environmental factors.

Finally, I used their Acne Treatment Gel.  This is a superior homeopathic medicinal product in my opinion because I watched how this shrunk my pimple more each of the three days it took to rid me of it. 

What I really liked was how much kinder this line was for the skin than their typical competition.  My face did not peel, and this goes for my chin where I applied the stronger Acne Treatment Gel.  Usually with salicylic acid products, I peeled and hurt afterwards. 

Currently while supplies last, you have a chance to receive a month's worth of FREE Pure & Clear skin care products to take the Pure & Clear Challenge for yourself.  Send the company a headshot that shows your skin problem area to receive a FREE shipment.  Use these products for one month, then take another photo and send back the results.  Everyone completing the one month Pure & Clear Challenge with a final photo submission will receive Nelsons goodies.  In addition, to celebrate Nelsons 150th birthday, all who complete the Challenge will be entered to win an iPod touch!

Honestly, these products are excellent and deliver tender loving care to your face while fighting a problem.  No wonder products from this line were nominated for an award in the 7th Natural Health Magazine Best Products Competition of 2011.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo and Balancing Rinse Conditioner Review + Giveaway!--Ends July 26, 2011

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo and Balancing Rinse Conditioner.jpeg
Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo and Balancing Rinse Conditioner


Anyone with curls or waves will be especially interested to learn about Ouidad hair products because they are a leader in this area.  Recently, I was sent their Clear & Gentle Essential Daily Shampoo and the Balancing Rinse Essential Daily Conditioner to review and giveaway.

Both of these products will become favorites for all from how they performed on my hair.  To begin, the Clear & Gentle Essential Daily Shampoo is safe for chemically treated hair.  This shampoo is low PH formulated, and nourished my hair with wheat protein and jojoba seed oil for a glorious healthy shine! 

Their Balancing Rinse Essential Daily Conditioner was a big hit with me for how it easily it detangled the knots I always get after shampooing my fairly thick, naturally wavy hair.  After styling, I loved how the wheat protein, vitamins and amino acids left my hair and curls more manageable, soft and gleaming without weighing it down with heavy waxes or oils.  Now I can understand why this particular conditioner won a Best Beauty Award in 2002 from Allure Magazine because it is an exceptional product.  

If you want to learn more about how to handle your curls, Ouidad has some helpful tips.

Whether you have tight curls, loose curls like myself or are curl free, I honestly believe you would love these Ouidad products I tried because you will see a healthy difference!

Thanks to Ouidad, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States wins the Clear & Gentle Essential Daily Shampoo (8.5 oz.) and the Balancing Rinse Essential Daily Conditioner
($28 value)!


Both Are Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by with your email in a comment.

2. Go to Ouidad and tell me which product you would love to try also or something you learned from the site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet Enter to #Win Clear & Gentle Shampoo and Balancing Rinse Conditioner #Giveaway @Ouidad at @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Ouidad  on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in 2 separate comments (Leave a message on their wall for your second extra entry that Nuts 4 Stuff sent you)

Follow Ouidad on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment
Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.  This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends July 26, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.