April 16, 2012

How do you prepare for the Spring season?

Spring has sprung!

This time of year makes me wake up after a long winter of drab, dreary weather and want to pop out into the sun and enjoy its warm rays. It's time to start puttering around outside, plant seeds, plan gardens, watch flower bloom and trees sprout, and generally enjoy being outdoors after being cooped up inside staring restlessly outside. It's time to pull out your sun hats and shades, grab your garden tools, drag out your hammocks and swings, and jump back in to the world of outdoor living. But with outdoor living spring allergies inevitably make a return as well.

I don't know about where you are, but here in Maryland spring has definitely made its presence known! We had a very mild winter, so spring got an early start this year, and so did the spring allergies that come along with the beautiful blooms and milder weather.

As I'm getting older my allergies are getting worse. I love the blossoms and weather of spring, BUT I hate allergies so spring isn't always my favorite time of year. In fact most years I dread spring because I'm miserable once the blooms start popping out. This year with the early start of spring it's been especially bad, but fear not..there is some relief!

I'm a big fan of homeopathic remedies. I would much rather deal with something naturally than with unneeded medication and chemicals, so when I was asked to try Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief nasal mist I jumped at the chance! I was sent some to try out and I've really been pleased with the results of this product. The mist helps alleviate the symptoms of spring allergies, all while doing so with a natural twist.

So how does it work?

Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief homeopathic nasal mist takes the body's natural ability to deal with nasal allergy symptoms (You know the ones...those uncomfortable and irritating things like a runny nose, itching and/or burning of the nose, sneezing and congestion) and makes our natural defenses kick in to high gear.

Not only does this help curb allergy symptoms, but it also comes from a product that is all natural, chemical and preservative free.

Similasan nasal mist gives a person with nasal allergies a safe and effective relief. And the really cool thing is that you don't have to worry about any rebound effects or reliance to the nasal mist as you would with other commercial varieties.

Similasan is special. Their nasal spray is one of the only medicated, preservative free, nasal decongestants available today. Similasan products are homeopathic and come from Switzerland, where they are made under the strictest quality control methods. In fact they are made using the highest quality standards and all of their products use only 100% Natural Active Ingredients.

Why add in things that aren't needed, when relief can be found with natural components? Similasan has a whole range of homeopathic products at your disposal. Just find the one that is right for you!

So where do you find Similasan products? They are available at your local Walgreens stores and at all the major online retailers as well, so they aren't hard to find. If you're a spring allergy suffer like I am and are looking for a homeopathic method of alleviating your spring nasal allergy symptoms look no further, you'll love Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief! I tried it and loved it!!

So how do you win $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer? Tell me: How do you prepare for the Spring season? by leaving a comment below to be entered for a chance to win.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/16/12 - 5/13/12.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment (see question above in bold)
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here. Also, check out the Similasan page on BlogHer.com for more blogger reviews and chances to win!

Now get outside and enjoy this Spring weather! It's OK to even say hello to the flowers! Happy Spring!

Posted by Dianne at 9:00 AM

April 6, 2012

Easter Fun: Chocolate Covered Peeps and Kool-Aid Dyed Eggs!

It's that time of year again, I'm not sure how we're back here but we are, it's Easter! Today I'm sharing a couple of fun little things to do, that aren't complicated, and the kids will love. So break out the Peeps and get ready to color some eggs. It's time to have some fun!

Oh and don't forget to check out a few links at the bottom for egg salad and deviled eggs so you'll have something to do with those eggs after you're done dying them.

Let's get our Easter on!

What You'll Need for the Chocolate Covered Peeps:
Peeps (Note: Preferably bunnies)
Bamboo skewers
1 package of chocolate chips (Note: I used semi-sweet, but you could use dark or milk chocolate instead.)
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Sprinkles

Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a glass bowl. Microwave for one minute and then stir. Next microwave on 20 second intervals, stirring between each round, until chocolate is melted and completely smooth.

Place a Peep on a bamboo skewer. You want to push the skewer all the way up in to the bunny to its ears. When you put chocolate on the Peep it's going to get heavy and if you don't push the skewer all the way in it will fall off in to your chocolate with the weight.

Dip the Peep in Chocolate and use a spoon to cover the bunny completely with chocolate:

Hold chocolate covered Peep over a plate and sprinkle with your choice of sprinkles.

Carefully lay the chocolate/sprinkled Peep on a baking sheet that has been lined with a silicone baking mat, or wax paper and let chocolate harden.

Then eat!

Notes: These are good as is, or you can dip them into hot chocolate. Yum!

What You'll Need for the Kool-Aid Dyed Eggs:
White eggs, boiled and cooled
Kool-aid packets (Note: We use Tropical Punch, Pink Lemonade, Grape, Orange, Lemon Lime and Lemonade. They all worked except for the Lemonade. There isn't enough color in the mix to work.)
1/2 cup of water for each packet of Kool-Aide
Narrow glasses (Note: You want them to be narrow enough so that the liquid will cover an egg entirely, but not too narrow or the egg won't fit.)

First you want to boil your eggs. You've probably boiled eggs before, but I'm going to tell you right now how to boil the perfect egg.

Gently place eggs in a pot and cover with water until there is 2 inches of water above the top of the pile of eggs. Add in two tablespoons of sea salt, cover the pot and bring eggs to a boil. As soon as the pot begins a rapid boil turn off the heat and let the pot sit for ten minutes covered.

At the end of 10 minutes gently drain the pot and cover the eggs with cool/cold water. Let eggs sit for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Remove eggs from the cool water and let them cool completely to room temperature. At least an hour. (Note: This is only for coloring eggs. If you're using the eggs to cook with once they've had the cool water bath they're ready to go, or you can store them in the fridge for up to a week.)

When you're ready to dye your Easter eggs here's what you do...

Add Kool-Aid Powders to separate glasses (see note above about glasses) and then pour 1/2 cup of water in each glass. Stir to mix.

Using a spoon gently lower eggs down in the glass. Make sure to let the spoon rest under the egg so it won't get stuck in the glass. Let the eggs sit for a few minutes, or as long as you like, until the egg reaches the desired color.

Place eggs in a carton to dry. The eggs with darken in color as they dry.

Repeat the process until all the eggs are dyed.

Store in the fridge after dying. The eggs can still be used for deviled eggs or egg salad if you don't use them to hunt.

Notes: The Kool-Aid has citric acid in it so that is why you don't need to add that or vinegar in to the glasses.

Posted by Dianne at 3:28 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

April 2, 2012

Meatless Monday At The Greenists: Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

I'm posting over at The Greenists today for Meatless Monday with a Slow Cook Red Beans and Rice. Pop over say hello!

Thank goodness it's almost Tuesday!

Posted by Dianne at 6:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 16, 2012

Eggstraordinary Spring Entertaining

I'm hosting this post for BlogHer and LAND O LAKES® Eggs. How fabulous does this Egg, Apple, Cheese and Sausage Tart from Shelly at Cookies and Cups look? Check out this fabulous recipe and see how you can win a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer!

I have always wanted to be a brunch person.

Here's my romanticized version of a "brunch day:" Wake up on a sunshiney, springtime Sunday morning (without an alarm clock or children jumping on my stomach), read the weekend newspaper in my crisp white-sheeted bed with no obligations to get ready for, lazily look over at my husband and say, "Let's go for a drive today," to which he would say, "Yes, let's go for a Sunday drive right after we have a nice, relaxing brunch."

That's how it goes down in my mind. What really happens is more like this...

Sunday morning 6:45 am I am woken up to "MOMMMMM!!! Can we play Wii?" "MOMMMMM!!! What's for breakfast?!" "MOMMMMMM!!! Can Joey come over today?"

All of that before 7:00 am. No mention of a Sunday drive, no mention of the weekend newspaper, no mention of brunch. Sigh.

What I have discovered is I can marry the romanticized version with the real-life version. Kinda.

Here's how: plan a brunch at home.

I can do that! Have it be for just your family, or invite people over to hold yourself accountable. I suggest the inviting of other people, because Sunday mornings can quickly get away from you if you let them.

What I have found is that brunch, while sounding all fancy and glamorous, is totally doable. Easy, actually. All you need to do is plan your meal around a single main course dish. One that can be prepared in advance is not only recommended but encouraged.

Eggs are a favorite ingredient when making food to share for springtime gatherings and celebrations. A favorite go-to brunch meal in our family is a tart or a quiche. They are so adaptable and easy.

You can make your springtime brunch more special, and more delicious, by using high-quality LAND O LAKES® All-Natural Farm-Fresh Eggs. Using higher-quality ingredients makes every part of your brunch more special, in my opinion.

Here's my favorite Sunday brunch meal...it's fancy enough to serve on special occasions but simple enough to serve to your family on any given weekend.

Start with LAND O LAKES® All-Natural Farm-Fresh Eggs. All LAND O LAKES® Eggs are "eggstraordinary" because they are produced by hens fed a premium, vegetarian whole-grain diet consisting primarily of whole ground corn and soybean meal, with no added hormones, antibiotics, animal fats or animal by-products. These eggs are gathered at the peak of the hens' egg-laying cycles, which can make the eggs more delicious.

You will need to place a pie crust in a 10" tart pan. Bake the crust for 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack.

While the crust is baking, cook the breakfast sausage and mix the egg mixture...

Crack the eggs in a bowl, whisk together and add some milk and seasonings.

When sausage is cooked, spread evenly on top of the partially-cooked crust. Then sprinkle cheese on top and cover with the LAND O LAKES® Eggs mixture.

Finally, slice a medium green apple into thin slices and arrange on top of the tart.

Bake the tart for 40- 45 minutes until center is set. You will have a gorgeous, completely impressive main course for your brunch. What's lovely about this tart is you can serve it warm, room temperature or even cold.

Now guess what? I want you to have your own brunch. And to do that you will need money, right? How about $100? That should cover it nicely, I think...

To enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer, leave a comment on this post telling me:

What is your favorite spring egg dish to make when you're hosting guests?

SWEEPSTAKES/GIVEAWAY RULES No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries between 3/16 and 3/29 by selecting from the following entry methods:a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via a random drawing, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. Good Luck!

Egg, Apple, Cheese and Sausage Tart

4 LAND O LAKES® All-Natural Farm-Fresh Eggs

16 oz breakfast sausage, cooked and drained

2/3 cup milk

1 (heaping) cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 tart apple, cut into thin slices

1 pie crust (pre-made or homemade)

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350°

Place the pie crust in a 10" tart pan. Bake for 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack.

Cook breakfast sausage in a medium skillet, drain.

In a medium-sized bowl whisk eggs, then add milk and salt and pepper. Whisk again to combine.

Spoon sausage into partially baked pie crust, sprinkle cheese on top of sausage and pour egg mixture evenly over sausage and cheese.

Finally, arrange apple slices on top.

Bake 40-45 minutes until center is set.

Serve warm, room temperature, or even cold.

*Can be made ahead to serve the next day and can also be frozen.

*Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days

Posted by Dianne at 9:00 AM