Friday, April 30, 2010

Wild Woman in You!

Just recently finished a custom order for a zebra print apron. Many customers have such creative ideas and good suggestions I thought I'd share some of them with you.


Wild Woman Zebra Print



                                Flag waist apron for the "Flag Lady" crafter



                                         Mary Englebreit print apron


                                                   Easter Heart apron


Retro gardener waist apron

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Top 5 Treasures

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address. If not enough responses then I will randomly pick them. All comments and shops are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Many shops have reported that they have had direct sales due to being featured on my blog.

So be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.

Gemstone Cross Necklace by Bloomfield Beads
Shop: bloomfieldbeads.etsy.com


Irish Doors photo by Something Shara
Shop: SomethingShara.etsy.com



Girlfriend Plate by Three Sisters
Shop:  threesistersplates.etsy.com



Pink Ribbon Charity Bracelet by Vivat Regina
Shop: vivatregina.etsy.com





Angels Wall Decor by Cedar Creek Treasures
Shop: cedarcreektreasures.etsy.com

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Where's Gail's Aprons?




Last month I entered an apron contest. It's was called Black & White. So you were to create any kind of apron but needed to be the colors of black and white. The contest I entered was by Tie One On.

All though I didn't win it was a fun challenge to just enter. Go on over and check out all the lovely aprons created. I entered two aprons but they are not listed under Heart & Sow Designs but under my first name Gail. See if you can find my aprons.

For the complete viewing of all the aprons go here to the gallery.

Happy Hunting!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

How Important is Protein?


Protein is crucial for tissue repair, building and preserving muscle, and making important enzymes and hormones.

Your body needs protein to sustain you.  Never skimp on protein, have it 6 times a day.  Instead of eating 3 big meals a day you should eat 6 small ones.  You could look at it like this: 3 meals and 3 snacks.  Snacks should be healthy and include a protein and a fruit. 

Types of protein:
1. eggs
2. milk
3. cheese
4. beef
5. chicken
6. pork
7. fish
8. nuts & seeds
9. beans & legumes

Protein is a part of every cell in your body, and no other nutrient plays as many different roles in keeping you alive and healthy. The importance of protein for the growth and repair of your muscles, bones, skin, tendons, ligaments, hair, eyes and other tissues is proven since a very long time. Without it, you would lack the enzymes and hormones you need for metabolism, digestion and other important processes.

When you have an infection, you should eat more protein because it helps create the antibodies your immune system needs to fight disease. If you are injured, you may need more, as well, to help your blood clot and make repairs.

Your body can use protein for energy, if necessary, but it’s best to eat plenty of carbohydrates for that purpose and save your protein for the important jobs other nutrients cannot do.

Pick Your Protein Carefully
Your body needs many different proteins for various purposes. It makes them from about 20 'building blocks' called amino acids. Nine of these are essential amino acid, which means you must get them from food. The others are nonessential. This does not mean you do not need them. You just do not have to eat them because your body can produce them.

It is easiest to get protein from meat, chicken, turkey, fish and dairy foods. Cooked meat is about 15 to 40 percent protein. Foods from animal sources provide complete protein, which means they contain all the essential amino acids.
Resource: BellyBytes.com

Tuesday's Top 5 Treasures

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address. If not enough responses then I will randomly pick them. All comments and shops are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Many shops have reported that they have had direct sales due to being featured on my blog.

So be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.


Sequined Organza Butterfly Applique  by Mary Not Martha
MaryNotMartha.etsy.com


Shalom Bracelet with African Jade by Bead of Paradise
beadsofparadiseshop.etsy.com

Alpha and Omega by What I See
whatIsee.etsy.com


Multicolored Pack Felt Flower Set by Green View Lane
greenviewlane.etsy.com

Pink Tulip and Cat Tote by Cat Calls
catcalls.etsy.com

Alcoholism and Stupidity!


So today I meet this nice Christian mother but her wisdom is lacking in the fact that she is an enabler to her alcoholic son. She knows he is an alcoholic and she doesn't like it but she continually bails out her son. She claims she doesn't pay any of his bills just his fees for being arrested. He's been arrested for driving while intoxicated and for being in public while intoxicated. Yes, he's experienced a short prison sentence of 3 months but he still hasn't learned his lesson.

This infuriates me! Here is a 35 yr. man who lives at home with mommy and takes advantage of her and his situation. And mommy dearest blames a cop for going out of his way to just hurass her son and look for him. Come on if you do the crime you need to do the time and not blame the police for doing their jobs.

Statistics
•In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes

•Three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lives.
from MADD, Mother's Against Drunk Drivers!


It's just not fair that so many people die from drunk drivers. Who is helping who? How can a mother justify her son's alcoholism and try to protect him from the law and then allow him to drive? That is so unfair to the person that he may kill or hurt through his drunk driving

Lets look at the facts of what alcohol does to your body:

1. Arthritis:  Increases risk of gouty arthritis

2. Cancer:  Increases the risk of cancer in the liver, pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus

3. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:  Causes physical and behavioral abnormalities in the fetus

4. Heart Disease:  Raises blood pressure, blood lipids and the risk of stroke and heart disease in heavy drinkers. Heart disease is generally lower in light to moderate drinkers.

5. Hyperglycermia:  Raises blood glucose

6. Hypoglycemia:  Lowers blood glucose, especially for people with diabetes

7. Kidney Disease:  Enlarges the kidneys, alters hormone functions, and increases the risk of kidney failure

8. Liver Disease:  Causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis

9. Malnutrition:  Increases the risk of protein-energy malnutrition,; low intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6 and riboflavin, and impaired absorption of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and zinc.

10. Nervous Disorders:  Causes neuropathy and dementia; impairs balance and memory

11. Obesity:  Increases energy intake, but not a primary cause of obesity

12. Psychological disturbances:  Causes depression, anxiety and insomnia
healthchecksystems.com

Brain damage is a common and potentially severe consequence of long-term, heavy alcohol consumption. Even mild-to-moderate drinking can adversely affect cognitive functioning.
About.com

Alcohol does have its effects so if you choose to drink, don't drive and don't be in public drunk either. STAY AT HOME!




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Saturday, April 10, 2010

Egg Salad Sandwich WW 2.5 pts

Just the other day I wanted to do something with all those left over Easter eggs. I wanted to make egg salad but all the recipes were for more points than I wanted to have just in my sandwich. I have limited amount of points on weight watchers because I'm not really big just 15 pounds over my ideal weight. So my meals need to be very low points so I could loose weight. I decided I would make my own recipe and count up all the points for a total. Also for more quantity of food I have a green salad with low fat dressing. My favorite is 1 TBS. of Balsamic Vinegar and 1 tsp. of Olive Oil.

Egg Salad

3 hard boiled egg whites
1/2 stalk of celery chopped
1 TBS. of pickel relish or half of pickle dill (chopped)
1 green onion chopped
1/2 TBS. low fat mayo
1 TBS. mustard

2 slices of bread whole wheat low calorie

Chopped all the ingredients first before mixing. Then mix all your ingredients in a bowl and put on your bread. You will have more than enough for your sandwich just I just eat the rest.



(I use Nature's Own whole wheat, 2 slices = 100 calories and 4 fibers = 1pt or use Wonder Bread light which equals 2 slices for 1 pt. The mayo I use is Helman's Canola. I used spicy mustard, same calories but more flavor.)

Friday, April 9, 2010

Check out my interview




Go over to Linda B's blog and check out my full interview today.  I won a contest which included a personal interview.  What a blessing to recieve today!

http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Top 5 Treasures

Today's Top 5 treasures found are listed below. If you would like to have your shop featured here on my blog you will need to pick your favorite and list it in the comments along with your shop address.  If not enough responses then I will randomly pick them. All comments and shops are welcomed but please note that unless your shop is opened you can not be considered as a contestant. Also all shops must have viable items for sale.

Many shops have reported that they have had direct sales due to being featured on my blog.

So be sure to invite your friends to be featured here and to check out the other shops great items.




Retro Cocoa Pink Flower Capri and Halter Top
by sweetsassyboutique.etsy.com


Cool Caribbean Top
by FallingLeafDesigns.etsy.com



Delicate Souvenir Baby Afghan
by SantasStitchery.etsy.com



Premade Shop Banner and Avatar -OOAK (302)
by WingsDove.etsy.com


Multiple wood cutting board 15x 8.5
by  Darbynwoods.etsy.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, 45 Cal. 1pt.



Yesterday on the Dr. Oz show they had this yummy recipe.  Everyone who tried it just loved it.  So I've included it in my recipes.

Makes 20 cookies

1 serving: 45 calories

Ingredients

½ tsp vanilla extract
¹⁄³ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 cup canned white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp light agave syrup
3 large egg whites
1½ cups granulated artificial sweetner
¼ cup dark chocolate-covered cacao nibs
¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine vanilla, cocoa, cannellini beans, and the agave syrup, and blend the mixture until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the side of the bowl halfway through blending.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a whip attachment, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually beat in the artificial sweetner. Continue to beat the whites until they are creamy and nearly stiff. Add 1/3 of the egg-white mixture to the cocoa bean mixture in the food processor. Blend to combine, for about 30 seconds. In 2 batches, fold the lightened cocoa mixture into the egg whites until they are almost fully combined. Add cacao nibs to the batter. Fold batter until cacao nibs are evenly dispersed and cocoa mixture is completely incorporated.

Drop mounded spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared sheets. Spread batter out to form cookies about 2½ inches in diameter. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cookies.

Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pans one turn halfway through baking. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire racks to cool
1.4 g fat, 2 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 32 mg sodium

by Rocco, and his new book is called Now Eat This!