My All Care Giveaway Win

About two weeks ago I attended a Health Wellness Show. It basically was geared towards older adults. As many of the booths were services for older adults. Such as All Care. They provide services and care to help the elderly. 

I entered a giveaway they had. I won a gift basket. The gift basket has a bunch of goodies in it. I love looking at everything that was packed in the basket.

Besides winning the basket, while I was at the Health & Wellness Show, I was able to pick free pens, pencils, notepads, keychains, recipes, and other assorted goodies. I still need to go through the bag I brought home. I want to category everything to see what I all picked up. Look for that post coming this week.

A Great Hygiene Package

Here is what I found in the basket 

1. VO5 Shampoo

2. VO5 Conditioner

3. White Rain body wash

4. Dermasil lotion 

5. Package containing 2 toothbrushes

6. Q-tips

7. Crest toothpaste

8. Mini manicure set

9. Chapstick

10. All Care notepad

11. All Care lotion

12. Bath scrubber

13. Back bath scrubber

Plus, I get a cute purple basket to store things in. 

If you don't enter 'Giveaways' and 'Sweepstakes' you are missing out on opportunities to win free stuff. Did n't you know you can't win if you don't enter?

What was the last thing you won? Do you enter sweepstakes or giveaways? If not, what would it take for you to enter one?

I Am Joining The Ultimate Blog Challenge Again

I have joined 'The Ultimate Blog Challenge' again. What you haven't heard of 'The Ultimate Blog Challenge'? Well, let me explain a little bit about it. 

'The Ultimate Blog Challenge' is a challenge to blog an entire month (30 -31 days). You write a blog post on your blog. It can be a free blog or self-hosted blog. You can write about anything as long as it falls within the rules. If you wish to join in the challenge, make sure to sign up at the'Ultimate Blog Challenge' website. You will receive a daily email to help with tips & tricks to help write your blog etc. Plus, you can add your website URL for others to find it. Plus, you can look for others in your niche. Or for something you are interested in. 

You can join and post your blog post in the Facebook group 

Ultimate Blog Challenge. Please make sure to read the rules before posting.

You can miss a day of posting and it will be okay. Sometimes things happen to prevent one from being able to create a post. You can either create one when you have the time, some people do. Or skip the day completely. Do whichever is easiest for you. 

If you use hashtags, you are asked to use the hashtag #blogboost The reason for the hashtag is for your to draw in more readers to your blog.

This is the third month I am participating. The first time I wasn't able to post every day. The second time I was able to post every day. I am hoping to blog every day this time too. As I normally blog Monday through Friday. Writing two extra posts a week is a challenge for me. 

Have you joined the Ultimate Blog Challenge before? Are you planning to join this year? What kind of challenges do you participate in?

Photo from Pixabay.com a free use photo website, edited in a free online photo editor.

Creamy Turkey Red Bean Chili

I made a chili with a twist the other day for dinner. I wanted chili with no tomatoes. Why no tomatoes? I am allergic to tomatoes. I started looking all over for a recipe without tomatoes. Do you know how hard that was? Let me tell you, I was not finding a red bean chili recipe without tomatoes. I found plenty of white bean chili recipes with no tomatoes. Not with red beans. Don't get me wrong I am sure there recipes out there like that. Yet, I was not finding them. I decided to come with my own tried and true red bean with tomato chili. 

The first thing I did was place the red beans in my crockpot the night before. I covered them up with chicken broth. 

The next morning when the red beans were cooked. I got out a pound of ground turkey. I tore the ground turkey into smaller pieces and cooked it up on the stove in a frying pan. I removed any grease from the ground turkey. 

I got my blender out. I placed 6 ounces of red beans in the blender. I barely covered the red beans up with the chicken broth. I blended the ingredients together to get a rich creamy liquid. As this is the liquid base for the chili.

I poured the liquid over the red beans in the crockpot and mixed together. I added the cooked ground turkey, chopped onion, and spices to the crockpot. I mixed them all together.

I am telling you my teenagers and fiance did not know there were no tomatoes in the chili. Neither did my oldest son who stopped over for a bit. I will be making this chili with a twist again. It tastes just like chili. 

Creamy Turkey Red Bean Chili

*******************************************************

1 lb Ground turkey (cooked)

16 oz Chicken broth

1 lb. Red beans ( cooked)

1/2 cup onions (chopped)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp oregano 

6 oz Sour Cream

1/4 Basil

1/4 Parsley

1/4 Ginger

1/4 Paprika

I add 6 oz of red beans to my blender with enough chicken broth to cover it. I blend well to form a thick liquid. I add the ground turkey, onions and liquid to the crockpot that already has 6 ounces of red beans and chicken broth. I mix everything together. I add-in spices one by one. Mixing together each time. 

This takes maybe 20 minutes to put together if you start red beans and broth the night before. Or right before you go to work. As the red beans and broth take 6 - 8 hours on low in the crockpot or 3 - 4 hours on high.

Do not add any salt. No matter how much you are tempted, don't. As you will make it too salty. You will have enough salt from the chicken broth.

My PINCHme Box - Check Out The Free Samples

In this month's PINCHme box I received 4 items. I receive these items at no cost. I received a coupon for a free photo book and a free coupon for a buy two get one free Bella adult Wet dog food. I also received a sample of the 'Shout Color Catcher Dryer Dye Trapping Sheets". The last sample was a single pack of Bella Adult Wet Dog food. 

I tried the 'Shout Color Catcher Dryer Dye Trapping Sheets'. I have to say I would recommend them to my friends and family. Especially to the ones I know that don't like to separate clothing. I don't like separating clothes. As I don't have the room in my home to do so. These trapping sheets come in handy. I no longer have to worry about buying a new red shirt and having the dye turn my socks pink. I don't mind wearing pink socks. I bet my son and fiance' does. 

I haven't tried using the coupons yet. As I have not made it to the store to use them. I do plan to later this week. 

I did allow Rascal to try the 'Bella Wet Adult Dog Food'. Since he will be three in June. He only weighs 5.6 pounds. He is tiny like a toy breed. I have tried him on dry food. He can't eat that. He may do one piece at a time. However, he can't do it fast enough. As he will lose weight. He needs to be fed soft or wet food. 

You can tell in the photo he is eating the sample. He is making a mess by getting it all over the sides. Not to worry, he will lick the sides clean. He did well with this new brand. He ate it all and like I stated before licked the bowl clean. It didn't seem to bother his stomach at all. I will use the coupon of buy two and get one free to buy him more when I get to the store next week. As I like having options of different foods I can buy Rascal to eat. 

Have you heard of PINCHme before? PINCHme is a website that allows you to try samples of products before you buy them for free. You are required to fill out a short survey and review within 30 days after receiving the product. PINCHme has over 3 million members. 

If you would like to join PINCHme and try it out for yourself. Please use my referral link - 

http://www.pinchme.com/?referral_code=4ZZFV

I don't earn from your referral link. I do get a better chance of choosing which products I want in my PINCHme box every month. PINCHme announces winners every month! 

Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe

Pancakes have been around for hundreds of years. The first time the word pancakes became in print was clear back in 1430. Isn't that neat to learn that we humans still make and eat some of the same foods? Granted we have changed some of the ingredients. Yet, honey is still used to this day to drizzle over the pancake by many people.

Pancakes For Lunch And Dinner!

My family loves pancakes. It is a go-to meal for many occasions. We don't eat pancakes only for breakfast. No, we eat pancakes as meals for lunch and dinner too. To cook them up fast with less mess of not as many dishes to clean. I make them using a sandwich maker. As the pancakes can be held and dipped into syrup, honey or whatever topping you choose. 

Pancake Batter In The Making

I mix the pancakes to the thickness my family enjoys.

I add the chocolate chips in at the very end. I gently mix them in. 

I add the chocolate chip pancake batter to the sandwich maker. The batter will spread around while baking to form a triangle in the sandwich maker.

Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe

Ingredients 

2 cups Flour

2 TBS Stevia or another sugar alternative

1/2 tsp Sea salt

1/2 tsp Baking soda

2 Eggs

2 TBS Olive Oil

1 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 cups Cashew Milk

Directions 

1. I plug in the sandwich maker to heat up while I prepare the pancake batter. 

2. I mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl. 

3. I add the egg, olive oil, and vanilla. 

4. I slowly add in the cashew milk.  I don't worry about getting all the lumps out. As they will bake out.
5. I slowly add the chocolate chips to the batter.
6. I use a ladle and place one full ladle of pancake mix on each side of the sandwich maker. Some people like to spray the sandwich maker with olive oil first to prevent sticking. I don't. As I already added olive oil to the batter.
7. Pancakes are done when golden brown. It is roughly three minutes. If you are not used to baking with a sandwich maker, I would test the pancakes by cutting into one to see if they are done. 

8. Repeat process till all pancake batter is made.
9. To keep pancakes warm till all are made, cover with a paper towel or kitchen hand towel.

What Is In Your Medicine Cabinet?

I have decided to create a writing - photo challenge called "What's in my medicine cabinet?" Basically, what you do is take a photo of the inside of your medicine cabinet. You write about the things you keep in your medicine. Describe the item, why do you have it, etc. I would love to see others take this challenge.

Top shelf 

1. Nail polish remover - I use to paint my nails all the time and change the color per outfit. I still paint my nails. Not as elaborate.
2. Fish Oil - Fish oil has many health benefits. I use it to fight heart disease (Which runs in my family), high cholesterol, inflammation for my bad leg, type 2 diabetes and arthritis. To me, the benefits outweigh the side effects and risks.
3. A cough and flu medicine - Some family members are picky and will not use certain flavors. I tend to have more than one.
4. Colon Cleanse - I ordered this off Amazon. As I was having trouble being constipated. Other remedies were no longer working. My doctor wasn't concerned. Kept telling me to do over the counter. This is the only one that works for me. Besides coffee.
5. Roll On Deodorant - I place under my arm and roll in my armpit. As I do not want to stink.
6. Shampoo - A sample of a shampoo I am reviewing.

Middle shelf 

1. Perfume - Different perfumes.
2. Q-tips - I always have a small container of q-tips stored in the medicine cabinet. That way when the big box goes empty. We have q-tips till I can replace it. As I have to clear my ears after each shower. Otherwise, my ears get infected. I can not go without them.
3. Mini-manicure set - It has a set of tweezers, nail clippers, mini scissors and a file to file rough nails.

Bottom shelf 

1. Tea Tree Oil - Add a few drops to shampoo. Prevents lice. as lice hate the smell.

2. Chest Rub - To rub on the chest when someone is sick or having a hard to breathing due to a stuffy nose.

3. Razor - This is my personal razor. I use in the shower. As my daughter will use mine if I don't place it here. It sucks to try to use a razor and it is dull.
4. Tweezers - I keep an extra pair of tweezers in the medicine cabinet. As they always seem to come up missing.
5. Handheld mirror - I use this mirror, well to see things close up I can't see otherwise.

I place small items in my medicine cabinet I do not want my children to get a hold of or use. Only adults are allowed to get in or remove any item found in the medicine cabinet. The contents vary from time to time. depending on what my family uses or in need of.

What's in your medicine cabinet?

Note - Stayed tuned for an upcoming blog post about "Things found in my bathroom". My medicine cabinet may be ugly. It hides behind a beautiful mirror.

Photos ©SandyKS aka rusty2rusty.

Bullying And Harassment Must Stop

My daughter has been being bullied for some time at school. My fiance' and I had contacted the school multiple times over the issue. Nothing seems to get done. Yesterday my daughter came home from school and tells us that she was sitting alone at lunch when someone threw a crumbled up condom box at her head. 

The principal did ask the students who threw it. Yet, the one who did would not speak. Nor would any of the other teenagers tell who did it. I guess one student finally spoke up by saying he did when he really didn't. As least that is what he is saying to the other students. How do I know? It was videoed taped and shared all over snap chat.

Bullying Must Stop

This has gone from straight bullying to harassing my daughter. A condom box steps up to the next level of sexual harassment. I am mad. I am beyond livid. This needs to stop.

We tried contacting the principal today. How convenient he was not able to answer. Everything had to be explained to the principal's secretary. Which I think is wrong and breaches privacy issues. Well, we left a message and told the secretary if we don't hear back by Monday from the principal we are going to file a report with the police. 

We were told there is a policeman right at the school that can take the report. Now I am wondering why something has not been done yet. 

I am tired of this. My daughter is a 16-year-old girl. Why must a condom box be thrown at her? Or anything for that matter?  She has ADHD and ODD. She has other issues. Yet, she doesn't deserve to be sexually harassed or bullied. Nor called the horrible names she has been called countless times. No child does.

Parents you need to teach your children not be bullies or sexual harass other students for any reason. If you haven't had that talk with your children yet. You need too. As my daughter doesn't deserve this. Neither does yours. 

Have you been harassed or bullied at school? Or know someone who has?

Pictures from Pixabay, a free photo sharing website. 

Beef Sausage And Green Beans With Sweet Potato Fries On The Side

The other night I made dinner. I was able to pick up a beef sausage for less than $2.00 at Walmart. I also grabbed a pack of green beans from the produce area for $1.99. And a packaged of Sweet Potato fries for $3.00. In total, of $7.00. Which isn't bad for three people. It came to $2.33 a meal. That is cheaper than any fast food joint in town.

My boyfriend wanted me to make beef sausage, cabbage, and white potatoes. Since I can't have the white potatoes, I used sweet potatoes baked in the oven instead. I didn't have any cabbage. As I grew up cooking this meal with green beans. Not potatoes or cabbage.

Next time I plan to make it with cabbage and potatoes. Like my boyfriend wants it. I will have to cook the potatoes separate from the beef sausage and cabbage.

The first thing I did was remove the beef sausage from the package and slice it up. I set it aside. I removed the green beans from the package and removed the ends. 

I placed them both the beef sausage and green beans in the same pan. I added just a tad bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the lid on and allowed them to slow cook together. 

While the beef sausage and green beans were cooking. I had already placed the sweet potatoes fries in the oven. The meal took less than 10 minutes to prepare. It took less than 30 minutes to complete. 

Have you had this meal before? How do you prepare it? Do you use green beans or cabbage? Or something else?

Photos ©SandyKS aka rusty2rusty.

Olde Thompson Spice Rack

I have been wanting to organize my spices for awhile now. I finally decided to buy me a spice rack already filled with 16 spices. That way I can clean out what I never use in my cupboard and get rid of any access. I wanted to have them all in one place. This is the first spice rack I have owned since I was in my early twenties. 

I found this spice rack at Walmart when I was shopping with Mom Sunday. We originally went to look at jewelry that was marked down. Mom mention she wanted to look at the dishes and things like that. As we were browsing I saw the spice rack sets and remembered I wanted to buy one. Walmart offered this one and one other one. The other one had long slender jars. 

I chose this one for the unique look of the spice jars. It is round like a ball. That fits great in my hand. The lid is round and flat, it screws on and off easily. The lid also lifts up on both sides, one side has holes like a salt and pepper shaker to shake the spice out. The other side is open to where you can pour larger amounts or dip a spoon in. The jars all are marked with the spice it is filled with.

The spice rack turns circles in either direction. To make it easier to find the spice you are looking for without moving them out one by one. Each spice jar can be placed in the spice rack by its lid. 

The 16 Spices  

Basil, Cinnamon, Coriander, Dill Weed, ground Fennel, Ginger, Herbs de Provence', Italian seasoning, Marjoram, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme

I am not sure what some of these spices are. I plan to look them up and do some research to see what they are and how I can use them in a recipe. 

My biggest dilemma -  Where should I place the spice rack?

1. In my spice cabinet hidden away.

2. Displayed on my counter.
3. Displayed on my wire rack on the top shelf.

Do you have a spice rack? How do you organize your spices?

Photos ©SandyKS aka rusty2rusty.

19 Places To Submit Your Writing Links To Gain More Exposure

I write on this blog and my food blog. These are two places I write at. I also write at a place called Niume. I don't write there every day. I do visit to comment on friends post every day. On websites like Niume that don't rank in with Google, it is hard to get people to view your content besides the members of the website. I am compiling a list of places a writer can submit their writing links to gain more exposure to their content. Some are search engines. Others are websites you must join in order to make it work. You need to check each one and see which ones are right for you. I don't use these every day when I really should.

Places To Submit Your Links To Gain More Exposure

1.  Google Search Console - Submit your link straight to Google search engine.

2. Bing - Another search engine to sign up and submit your writing links.

3. Pingler - I haven't used this one in awhile. This has a free and paid version.

4. Ping My URL  - Another place to share your writing links.

5. Link Rink - You can submit your blog or website links. Plus follow others.

6. Blog Up - Sign Up. Add a widget to your blog and it will share new blog links automatically. I have mine set to Facebook. 

7. Link Up Parties - Join link up blog parties by submitting your link.

8. Food gawker - This site is great for those who write in the food niche.

9. Flipboard - This website is like Pinterest. You can use it for all your content. Check out my profile and see the boards I created. Sign up and create your own. Like with Pinterest, you need to do your part by gaining followers, following other, and sharing others content to.

10. Yumprint - This is another one that is great for those writing in the food niche.

11. Yummly - This is great for those writing in the food niche.

12. Feedly - Submit any writing link. 

13. Ping-o-Matic  - Share your link, add your writing link title, choose which places you wish your writing link to be pinged too.

14. Submit Start - This website allows you to submit your writing links to places such as Big, Google and more.

15. Taste Spotting - A similar website to Food Gawker and a few others I mentioned. That is great for those writing in the food niche. 

Adding a few more places I have come across to add your writing links to. You need to check out each website for yourself to see which ones will be right for you. In case you haven't noticed many of the websites I share are geared towards a the food niche. As I do write on a blog called "Food With A Plan".

1. Taste ologie - This is like Food Gawker, Taste spotting and  a few others. great for those in the food niche.

2. Scoop It - You get a free trail on this website. Than it will cost you monthly to share your links.

3. Food Yub - Another great for those in the food niche.

4. Co-promote - This website has my biggest resource next to Facebook groups in getting my writing links shared.  You sign up. Choose your keywords or categories, which can be changed at any time. You follow and gain followers. You can boost your links through Facebook group, Instagram, Twitter, You tube and Tumblr. You have to share other members content in order for this to work. You can do a free or paid version. I do the free version. This has helped my Instagram and Twitter accounts grow. It takes a mere five to 10 minutes a day for me to use this website.  The more you share, the more your reach grows. You can share those of your friends or those that are recommended for you. I do. The best thing about this website is you can focus on one social media or several at the same time.

I will update this blog post as I hear about more websites.
If you know of any please let me know in the comments below. I will check them out and add them to this list.

With any writing website, if you want more exposure. You need to put in the work. You need to network. You need to help by sharing other people's content.

I Run Two Facebook Groups For That

1. Niume Bloggers RoundTable - This Facebook group is for Niume writing only to share their content in.

2. Blogging Friends - This Facebook group allows you to share your writing links from any blog or writing website. We have a different mix of niches and many different writing websites members write and share from. The main rule is to share someone else's content for every link you drop. There are daily threads and Network Ladders to partipate in.

I know a few other Facebook groups that is for sharing writers content. Members are helpful to answer questions. You must read the rules. As they are different for each group. Would you like me to do a new blog post to share those?

Photos from Pixabay.com a  free use photo sharing website.