Thursday, March 31, 2011

Want An Effective Homemade Dry Skin Mask?

I don't know about your skin, but mine has its moods.  Sometimes, it can be oily at certain times of the year like in the summer months.  Colder weather and it will tend to be on the dry side.  However, I found a great moisturizing facial mask you should try at home if you also have the same dry to normal skin.

Mix an egg yolk with a tablespoon of cottage cheese (small curd works best) in a small container.  Take a vitamin E capsule (400 I. U.) that you prick with a pin and squeeze the contents out into the mixture.  Add  a few drops of fresh lemon juice, a half a teaspoon of honey and a half teaspoon of water. 

Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly and apply to your freshly washed face.  If you have too much mixture, I like to pin my hair up and treat my neck as well. 

However, I warn you again of the importance of hiding from others. Trust me, you will look disgusting and could possibly scare small children with this lumpy goo on your face.  But this well-deserved time alone can be relaxing and equally beneficial as this beauty mask, which you must leave on for at least 10 minutes.

Without needing to look at your clock, you'll know it's time to rinse when you feel your skin tightening.  Use lukewarm water to rinse this mixture off and follow with cold to close your pores.  Your skin will feel softer and more hydrated.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Dei Fratelli Pasta Sauce Review & My Pizza Mini-Loaves + GIVEAWAY!--Ends April 17, 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.**

one mini-pizza loaf.jpeg
Here is one Pizze Mini Loaf.



Anyone that loves pizza will enjoy this flavorful recipe that conjures up thoughts of  very economical crustless pizza! 

pasta sauce.jpeg
Tomato & Basil pasta sauce
You'll make three mini-loaves from ground turkey (or if you prefer ground beef) and stuff them with any leftover mashed potatoes you may have in the refrigerator.  Making this recipe is an excellent way to get rid of those leftovers and the family won't even know they're inside the yummy sauced loaves topped with shredded Mozarella cheese!

Out of one pound of ground turkey or beef, I like to form three mini-loaves.  This amount and the size I use makes it easier to stuff.  If these are too big for your little ones, I suggest just cut slices!

You'll like the Dei Fratelli pasta sauce because it's thicker than others and has about four times more fiber!  The only fault I find with the sauce is I like it to be slightly sweeter. 


Pizza Mini-Loaves

1 pound of ground turkey (ground beef, if you prefer)
1/2 cup chopped onion, divided in half
3 cloves of chopped garlic
1 teaspoon dried sage
1-1/4  teaspoons salt
2/3 cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup mashed potatoes (divided by fourths)
3/4 cup shredded Mozarella cheese (divided by fourths)
1 jar of Dei Fratelli Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce
2 tablespoons of olive oil or canola oil

Brown 1/4 cup of chopped onion and garlic in the oil until golden brown.

In your mixing bowl, add the meat, the other 1/4 cup of chopped onion, oatmeal, sage and salt. 

Form into three big balls that you pat down enough to put 1/4 cup of the mashed potatoes inside. Roll up and repeat the same way for the other two balls.

Take your finished meat rolls and add to your browned onions and garlic.  Brown them on both sides before adding the Dei Fratelli Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce plus a teaspoon of sugar. 

Cook on the stovetop for about an hour.  Near the end of the hour, add 1/4 of shredded Mozarella cheese to each mini-loaf.  Let melt on top and then serve.


My Pizza Mini-Loaves.jpeg
My Pizza Mini-Loaves


Thanks to Dei Fratelli and the Hirzel Canning Company,  one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States, will win an assortment of their pasta and pizza sauces!

pizza sauce.jpeg
Pizza sauce 



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 go by in a comment.

2. Go to Dei Fratelli's website 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 Dei Fratelli Pasta and Pizza Sauce Assortment #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another 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--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three 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 open to residents of the United States only.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.

This giveaway ends April 17, 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, March 29, 2011

Wax Paper Solutions You May Not Be Aware of!

You might think that roll of wax paper is just for packing lunches or lining that cake pan to easily remove each layer of cake you bake.  However, I found some helpful household solutions you may want to try out to save yourself some time and  work!

Next time you clean your chrome fixtures in your bathroom or kitchen you may want to rub a sheet of wax paper over those fixtures before you declare the job done.  If you do, you will notice the wax paper will lightly coat that chrome surface and help prevent water spots and finger smudges.

If you use a handheld can opener, this is a neat trick.  Take a clean sheet of wax paper and rub it over the gears of that opener.  You'll be surprised at how nicely the wax paper loosens dried particles of food and other debris that can get stuck there after each use when it falls out in front of you.  Besides, you'll appreciate how rubbing some wax paper over the gears helps to make that opener miraculously work better with just a little lubrication.

Another problem you can solve by using wax paper pertains to spills on books.  Insert a sheet of wax paper between each wet page and let this dry.  Those pages won't crinkle badly and will look as normal as possible except for the color of what spilled.  This wax paper method works wonderfully on books with water spills.

If you cook with cast iron like I do for the extra iron it releases into your food, I discovered that wax paper between each cast iron skillet when stacking does a good job in preventing rust when stored. 

Candles are often hard to store without getting chipped or nicked in the process.  Colored candles can even be worse.  However, if you roll candles in sheets of wax paper and twist the ends to seal before storing them, they will hold up better and have a newer appearance.  

If you any zippers that stick, you might try rubbing a candle over the teeth of that zipper before you put it away in wax paper.  This trick will make that stuck zipper glide up and down easily!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum Review & Giveaway!--Ends April 14, 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.**


Aging is bad enough.  However, looking old is like the curse that comes with it.  However, Dr. Gerald Imber, the renowned plastic surgeon and author, utilizing his knowledge of skin care developed a program of prevention, maintenance and correction to keep skin youthful. 


Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum.jpeg
Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum
Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum penetrates deep into the inner layers of your skin to repair, stimulate, and restore cells is the result of years of his experience.  This product was featured in Shape and Harper's Bazaar Magazines as well.

I never tried any products from Dr. Gerald Imber's line of skin care he developed until now when I was sent a bottle of Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum to review.  

This formulation has 10 percent of vitamin C, E, and Melatonin to help neutralize damage and protect the skin against inflammation while also assisting the skin's natural photo-protective response from the environment.   The ingredients work together to stimulate collagen and elastin production to provide a more youthful appearance.

All I needed was four drops of this product on my freshly washed face at night.  You can put it on your neck or chest, but I did not feel it was necessary in my case.  I found keeping my face slightly damp was the best way to work the serum in.  I repeated this process for almost a week.

What I found was my skin looked revitalized and smoother.  My complexion seemed to wake up more with healthier vibrance than before I began using this product.  I thought it was wonderful how it stimulated this overall glow that my skin now had.

Thanks to G. I. Skin Care, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader wins a bottle of Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum of their own ($125 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.

2. Go to the website of Youth Corridor and tell me which product you would love to try also or any of Dr. Imber's skin care tips 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 Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Youth Corridor on Facebook--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Follow Youth Corridor 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--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three 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.

This giveaway ends April 14, 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, March 27, 2011

Ambre Blends Natural Fragrance 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.*

Ambre Blend fragrance products.jpeg
Ambre Blend Natural Fragrance products


Invigorate your senses through the power of aromatherapy and the allure of Ambre oil, the main natural essential oil behind the three haunting Ambre Blends perfumes.  This line is unisex and works by reacting to body chemistry to create scent as unique as you are, as it warms against your skin to bloom into something special. 

Using 100% natural ingredients each blend is hard to quite describe but the scent is clean, stimulating, and memorable once you experience it.  The feeling Ambre Blends evokes conjures up seduction whether you're wearing SolaceAmbre or my favorite Ivoke.

Invoke essence glides over your skin and scents it with sandalwood, pure jasmine, neroli and touch of rose for a soft, but definitely sexy perfume.

Solace had the same light, but stirring feel due to the Ambre oil, but had more vanilla and more of a comforting quality.

Ambre the original fragrance behind this line is flirty, but fun and slightly more provocative when I applied it. 

I was sent a Pure Oil Essence Roll-On, Spritzer, and Body Cream for this review.  I liked how each beautiful scent evolved over time and blossomed on my skin.  They also had lasting power!

Learn more about the addictive power of Ambre Blends and their products.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Want to Know the Six Most Ideal Foods to Eat?


Well, there is substance between that old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.  A fresh apple can provide about five grams of dietary fiber and is a great source of antioxidants like quercetin to keep you healthy.

Beans are another helpful food to consider.  Cooking with dried beans is high in protein and fiber, but low in fat.  Eat them regularly and you may also protect yourself from breast cancer and heart disease.  They also will keep you regular.  Furthermore, you'll lose weight if you learn to cook with them and eat bean meals as I keep encouraging. 

Oats are also one of the nearly perfect foods to include in your diet.  Eating oatmeal or oat bran contains high levels of beta-glucan, a soluble fiber, helpful to stabilize blood sugar levels while lowering your bad cholesterol. 

Canned tomatoes (the kind without salt) are richer in the lycopene, the powerful antioxidant  that safeguards heart health and cancer prevention, than fresh tomatoes.

Dark chocolate is another super food with all the fantastic antioxidants it contains.  If you can manage to eat a little square per day, you can improve circulation and reduce your blood pressure.

Also, be sure to eat those sweet potatoes.  Just eating one can provide you with enough beta-carotene for the entire day.  It also has vitamin C and potassium. 

Friday, March 25, 2011

Newman's Own Organics Food Review and Giveaway!--Ends April 13, 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.**


Newman's Own Organics cookie and snack assortment.jpeg
Newman's Own Organics cookie and snack assortment
If you're like me, you probably think of Newman's pasta sauce, marinades, salad dressings or cereal.  However, an organic food division started within the company in 1993 by Paul Newman and his daughter, Nell.  By 2001, Newman's Own Organics became a separate company with certified organic food products.  Sometimes, healthy doesn't necessary mean tasty food.  However, I honestly can say the Newman's Own Organics products that I was sent to review were wonderful and really do taste good.

The huge box of Newman's Own Organics that I received had pretzels, dried prunes, dried apples, Alphabet Cookies Cinnamon Grahams, how many varieties of Champion Chip Cookies and delectable Creme-Filled Sandwich Cookies, Fat-Free Fig Newman's, Hermit Cookies, Licorice Twists made with organic sugar in a range of flavors, Newman's Own Organic Mints, and an assortment of Chocolate Bars, any choc-o-holic would lust over!  

The family and I were in heaven experimenting with all these delicious Newman's Own Organics products.  Each of us had our own favorite.  For me, I coveted the Chocolate Bars after I sampled my first taste of their Super Dark Chocolate, so smooth and rich like sweet chocolate velvet  against your tongue.  The men in my house preferred the White Cheddar Soy Crisps and the Creme-Filled Sandwich Cookies, especially the Creme-Filled Mint Chocolate Cookies.  My mother was particularly fond of the No-Fat Fig Newman's, which she enjoyed immensely with their cake-like cookie, loaded with sweet fig filling. 

In addition to the products I mentioned, Newman's Own Organics also makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Coffee, Tea, Dog Food and Treats, and Cat Food and Treats.

Through the sales of its products, Newman's Own Organics generates money for the Newman's Own Foundation for a wide variety of charitable organizations.

You can also connect with Newman's Own Organics on Facebook.
*This is my own, honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received was free products to review so that I may express an opinion.*

Thanks to the generosity of Newman's Own Organics, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader wins a Newman's Own Super Dark Chocolate Bar, a package of Fat-Free Fig Newman's, Soy Crisps in White Cheddar, and a package of Creme-Filled Mint Chocolate Cookies!


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 in a comment.

2. Go to the Newman's Own Organics website and tell me what you would love to try first 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 Newman's Own Organics Food #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Newman's Own Organics on Facebook and tell me in a comment--1 extra entry

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--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three 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.

This giveaway ends April 13, 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.  

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Garden Botanika Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream Review & Giveaway!--Ends April 8, 2011




Garden Botanika Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream.jpeg
Garden Botanika Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream 
**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Maybe you thought you were doomed to live with those dark circles and puffy eyes because it comes with age.  Yet, I got to test a new eye cream for Garden Botanika and am glad to report I saw a difference to help with that problem.

I was sent their new Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye CreamGarden Botanika uses caffeine and algae extract plus a blend of vitamins and botanicals to kick start this cream into action.  There are no parabens, glycols, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or dyes either to cause irritation.

I used this gentle eye cream for nearly a week and each day noticed a little bit more improvement in the appearance of my under eye skin.  The skin in that area was thoroughly moisturized, smoother, and somewhat lighter than usual while the tiny wrinkles seemed to fade.  Sounds almost too good to be true, but Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream is an amazing product that now has a permanent spot on my vanity. 

Honestly, I never tried any Garden Botanika products before this review.  However, I think this company is worth investigating further with how pleased I was with their Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream!  

Connect with Garden Botanika on Facebook.

*This is my own, honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received was a free product to review.*

Thanks to the generosity of Garden Botanika, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader wins an Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream ($30) of their own! 


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 in a comment.

2. Go to Garden Botanika's website and tell me what product you would love to try first 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 Garden Botanika Always Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Garden Botanika on Facebook--1 extra entry and tell me 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--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three 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 open to residents of the United States and Canada only.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.

This giveaway ends April 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.  

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Cherry Puree Review and--My Cherry Ripple Cake!



Even though I'm in favor of eating healthier, I never said you need to deny yourself.  One day a week is fine to eat sweets or whatever you're craving as long as you don't do it every day according to my doctor.  Sundays I treat our family and bake something delicious like my cherry ripple cake with a tasty red ribbon of Cherry puree from The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley!

You'll like how easy this sheet cake is to make.   No creaming is involved because you're using canola oil.   Basically, all you're doing is adding everything together and mixing thoroughly!


 Cherry Ripple Cake--Nuts Style!

3 cups sifted flour
2-1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups milk
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup of Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Cherry Puree (divided in half)


Grease a sheet cake pan about 15" x 10" x 2".  Preheat your oven to 375-degrees.  In a mixing bowl, add everything (except the puree).   Alternate the flour with milk and finish with milk last for the best results when baking a cake. 

Beat with your electric mixer just to blend everything together.  Although there is no creaming, I like to make sure everything is throughly mixed with my electric mixer to avoid lumps.

Pour half of this mixture into your greased pan before dropping 1/4 cup of the Cherry puree in swirls on top of the poured batter.  Get your spoon or knife and create your own design. 

Finish pouring the rest of the batter on top.  Add the remaining 1/4 Cherry puree and do the same thing dropping it on top, swirling with your spoon or knife again.

Bake approximately 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

When cool, frost with your favorite confectioners' sugar frosting!




*This is my own, honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received was free product so that I may express an opinion.*

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Save Time and Organize Your Handbag!


organized handbag.jpeg
An organized handbag can simplify life.


Do you carry around practically everything but the kitchen sink in your handbag?  If you're like me then you probably do, but if you organize with what's necessary you can lighten that heavy load instead of wasting time constantly hunting for items.

Step One:  Declutter


Start decluttering by dumping everything out of your handbag and examine what's really inside.  Look through the papers first and throw away expired coupons, circulars or dated appointment slips that already passed.  Place important receipts in one envelope and the unexpired coupons in another.

Save those envelopes that come with junk mail with a clean side to write your grocery list and stick the coupons you're planning to use that week inside. 

Check the medicine bottles for dates that you're lugging next.  Toss those expired pain killers or antacids.  Any over the counter medication older than thirty days past expiration could change in formulation and hurt you besides no longer working.

If you find makeup that you forgot that you even owned, it's probably a wise idea to get rid of it.  After all, if this particular cosmetic made you feel pretty you would have remembered it.  This was probably one of those you lipsticks that you hated the shade, but kept it just because it was expensive and the thought of pitching it made you cringe.  However, you need to toss it because it's probably so old it's growing enough bacteria to contaminate a mountain of petri dishes, if swabbed. 

Pens and pencils seem to accumulate in everyone's handbag as well.  Test the ones for writing ability and toss out the ones without ink.  Return those pencils without points to your child's pencil box or wherever they're kept until they can get sharpened again. 

Pens without caps are a good idea to leave in the same place unless you like those ink stains in your bag.  Hair spray often helps remove stubborn ink stains from fabrics.  Test out a small spot on the fabric stain in your bag and see if it helps before squirting more.

Step Two:  Establish Inner Organization


I found the easiest system for organizing my handbag is using several cosmetic bags or zipped pouches to house the important things I need.  Cosmetics go in one.  Another pouch has my checkbook and pen.  A third pouch is good for cell phone, keys and wallet.  A fourth pouch is for the an envelope with coupons, one for receipts, etc. as they come.  You get the idea. 

What's great about this system is that when you want to change handbags, you don't have an awful hassle to go through.  All you need to do is to grab those few bags from the old handbag into the new and off you go!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Ferry-Morse Seed Company Review & Giveaway!--Ends April 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.**


Ferry-Morse Seed Company indoor tote.jpeg
Ferry-Morse Seed Company indoor tote
Ferry-Morse Seeds.jpeg
Ferry-Morse Seed
Now is the time to think about planting a garden!  With the rising costs of food and not to mention the dangers that constantly plague us with salmonella outbreaks to a bombardment of chemicals, eating these days has become challenging.  Naturally, you can buy a safer choice of organic fruits and vegetables, but they are quite a bit more expensive, which I'm not nuts about.  To save money and your health, I always like to grow  vegetables and herbs in every available space in my yard.

Two years ago was my first experience using Ferry-Morse seeds, which I am reviewing now with a variety of their other herbs and vegetables from my wonderful butternut squash and tomato experience.  I have tried the cheap dime seeds to the other name brands and never had as beautiful and healthy plants than with my Ferry-Morse

That beautiful butternut squash in my picture is my last one of my last Ferry-Morse crop. This tells you how hearty those seeds are!  As you guess, I'm already nuts about their quality seeds!

Ferry-Morse Seed Company outdoor tote.jpeg
Ferry-Morse Seed Company outdoor tote
This year, I'm going to tackle beets, spinach, corn, tomato, squash, basil, and sage, and even if I resort to moving my herbs to the front yard.  I'm also going to try growing a tomatillo, which is good for making salsa, and by now everyone knows my fondness for hot, spicy food.  Beet tops are great greens to cook up like spinach in addition to eating the beets themselves.  Squash of any kind can keep long into the winter as long as you don't damage the stem when cutting it off. 

Basil and sage are my two favorite spices.  You can have fresh dried spices all year even without a dehydrator.  All you do is clean the herbs and place on a cookie sheet in a 150-degree oven for a few hours until they dry out.

butternut squash.jpeg
my butternut squash
If you never planted anything, you can rest easy with Ferry-Morse, a shovel, water can, and pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands.  Any package will explain the time, location, and depth to plant each according to your location in the country. 

Connect with Ferry-Morse on Facebook and also on Twitter!

Thanks to Ferry-Morse, three lucky Nuts 4 Stuff readers win both indoor and outdoor totes shown plus an assortment of seeds ($100 value for each winner)!


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 in a comment.

2. Go to the Ferry-Morse website and tell me the what you would love to plant 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 Ferry-Morse Gardening Totes and Seed Assortment #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

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

Like Ferry-Morse on Facebook and tell me in a comment--1 extra entry

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--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three 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.

This giveaway ends April 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.  

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Roasted Red Pepper Review and My Bean Sandwich Spread/Dip Recipe!

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

If you follow my recipes, then you know that I'm a big fan of legumes!  They're one of the cheapest proteins you can eat besides a healthier alternative to meats every day.  

The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Roasted Red Pepper.jpeg
The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Roasted Red Pepper 
Incorporating beans into your meals will help you lose weight without effort.  I am serious!  Eating beans will satisfy you more and stop binging later because you're hungry.  Besides, your  stomach feels lighter than with heavier meat meals.  

Another plus for learning to cook with beans is if you suffer from constipation.  Beans have lots of helpful fiber to solve any  problem.  Think of the extra money that you'll save drinking that fiber drink!

Furthermore, cooking a bag of beans can save you time in meal preparation.  When I cook up a bag, I usually mash most of the beans in my food processor and store them in the refrigerator to use in other recipes later and save just some whole beans to use in other dishes.

I want to share this fantastic tasting bean spread that I made that can replace luncheon meat on a sandwich or as a dip on crackers or rice cakes.  Trust me, you won't know there are beans in this recipe--just loads of incredible, zesty flavor!

One other thing is about fresh garlic and what it can do for you.  Did you know in its raw state that garlic is a natural antibiotic unlike cooked?  So if you're feeling less than perfect, I always add even more garlic, which only gives it a nippier burn to the taste.  

The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley sent me some products for review.  My first experiment was with this bean spread using their Roasted Red Pepper Puree.  Let me tell you how much more economical to cook with any of their wonderful purees are!  I only needed two tablespoons for this recipe and still have loads left for other uses.  You get convenience and ease in each jar of any Perfect Puree product so do check their website for the line here.  How great is that?  
*Disclaimer:  This is my own and honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received was free product so that I may express an opinion.*

My Bean Sandwich Spread/Dip.jpeg
My Bean Sandwich Spread/Dip

 Yummy Bean Sandwich Spread or Dip~Nuts Style!

1-1/2 cup cooked, drained Northern beans (any size will do)
1/2 cup cream cheese (low-fat)
6 cloves of large garlic, (peeled and cleaned)
1/4 cup milk 
1 tablespoon lemon juice 
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons Perfect Puree Roasted Red Peppers
1 tablespoon salsa

Take out your food processor and mash everything until you get a spreadable paste.  If this mixture thickens up or you like it thinner, you just need to add a little extra milk to the consistency that you prefer.  Refrigerate and serve on crackers or sandwiches. 





Saturday, March 19, 2011

Want a Great Homemade Mask/Scrub for Oily Skin?

If you have an oily complexion and want to try a mask/scrub you can make in your own kitchen, then I have a wonderful recipe you should try.  It really helps improve that problem while saving you money at the same time!

Mix equal portions of cornmeal and regular oatmeal (not instant) with hot water to make a paste.  Apply this to your freshly washed face.  Leave this mixture on for at least ten minutes and remain hidden from public view. 

Wet your fingers when the time to remove the mask/scrub is up and work the mixture over your face like a scrub, using more water if needed, to exfoliate as well.  Rinse with cold water to close your pores. 

Do use this mask/scrub treatment no more than twice a week.  This does help clear up the oil better than a lot of commercial products that I have used.  Do try this easy recipe and see a difference in your skin!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Redken Fashion Work 12 and Pure Force 16 Hairsprays Review and Giveaway!--Ends April 2, 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.**


Redken Fashion Work 12 and Pure Force 16 Hairsprays.jpeg
Redken Fashion Work 12 and Pure Force 16 Hairsprays 


Spring/Summer 2011 hairstyles can play up the glossy, wet-look and put a tough edge on what's traditional.  These hot looks for hair will show everything from small, minimalist head shapes to big curls and waves full of volume. 

If you want to see the latest trends, check these hot styles.   Whether your preference is edgy trendsetter or career girl, you'll need to finish styling with the perfect hairspray choice.

Redken sent me two of their new hairsprays to review.  Fashion Work 12 is just right for shaping as well as finishing your style with a medium hold and humidity protection.  I liked how spraying some at my roots gave my layers more volume without being overly stiff. 

Redken also sent me their Pure Force 16 hairspray, which was my favorite of the two.  I loved the fact this one was a non-aerosal spray that provided both maximum hold and humidity resistence while shining the hair with glossy protection.

Thanks to Redken, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader wins both of these fantastic new hairsprays, a ($32 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 so in a comment.

2. Go to the Redken website and tell me what other product you would love to try or something else 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 Redken Hairspray #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

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

Like Redken on Facebook and tell me in a comment--1 extra entry

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--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three 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.

This giveaway ends April 2, 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.  

*Disclaimer:  This is my own, honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received was free product so that I may express an opinion.*