October 26, 2012

Conquering Those Raised Beds

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

(1) Miracle-Gro

Help is on the way for us with our raised bed gardens.

For years we have used these beds - some for vegetables and some for flowers and herbs.

And each year the yield from the veggies is okay.

The green beans are our best growers, followed by the cucumbers and the tomatoes.

The flowers and herbs don't do too badly, but I am sure their beds could use some new life put back into them.

And we try to do that by adding manure and soil each season.

But this season we are going to go by the books - or videos as it is today.

The Gardenieres has some great info for us gardeners, and one I will be paying attention to is the one for choosing soil.

I am sure that by using the tips that Coach Dave has to offer, my gardens will be doing much better next season.

MG_Flower_Veg_Garden_Soil.jpg

By using the correct soil for my flower beds this fall, they will get what they need to help them through the winter and they will be off to their best start for the next season.

I never really thought about putting the soil in the beds in the fall, and I will be anxious to see the results next season.

In New England, the ability to Find beauty in the Fall is all around us, and keeping those beds in shape will keep them lasting even longer.

Check out and "like" the Miracle-Gro Facebook page where you can find many other helpful tips from the Gardenieres.

 Advertisement

 

 

Visit Sponsor's Site

October 19, 2012

Love That Bread

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nature's Pride Bread for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I must admit, bread is one of my weaknesses, but I have become more picky over the years.

Years ago, the soft white breads had my heart, but as I got older and began to realize that I needed to put the healthiest things I could in my body, the white bread took a back seat.

A back seat to the delicious whole grain breads that are available everywhere today.

Getting the most nutrition from my bread became a priority for me and I scoured those labels looking at what the different ones had to offer.

Then it became that just the nutrition wasn't enough.

As I became a more aware consumer, I realized that not all whole grain breads are created equally.

Some had artificial colors or flavorings in them.

I could certainly do without those ingredients in me.

And trans fats is such a no-no for me that nothing with it ever finds it's way into my cart.

So, that is when I was lucky enough to discover Nature's Pride Bread.

They only use all natural ingredients in their breads, and I am sure that is what makes them so delicious.

So delicious they can be used in a variety of different recipes, and nobody would even be the wiser that they are eating so healthy.

One of my favorites is the Pizza Panini.

It is so simple to make too.

Starting with a garlic butter mixture, spread it on one side of  the 12 Grain variety of bread.

Spread the other side with your favorite pizza sauce.

Top that with some turkey pepperoni - keeping it low fat too!

Then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and top the whole thing with another slice of bread.

Make sure you butter the top of it before sticking it in the panini grill.

When that cheese is melted and the bread is toasted, you have one delicious, low fat, healthy lunch.

If you have a great recipe using Nature's Pride Bread, please let me know it in my comment section.

And don't forget to Like Nature’s Pride on Facebook - you can enter their contest to win Free Bread for a month!

 

Visit Sponsor's Site

October 18, 2012

From Swimming to Walking


We knew it had to end.

Our daily swims at the lake have been over for about three weeks now.

Last year we made it into October, but this year it just wasn't possible - the weather didn't cooperate at all.

Last year I picked up yoga to replace the swimming, and I have stuck with it right through the whole year.

I miss the swimming, but joining the Y or a fitness club is just out of our reach at this time.

So, my husband tells me, "I would like to do something to replace the swimming"

Knowing that Yoga was not for him, I began to think.

We needed something we could do that didn't cost us anything.

Something close to home would be great too.

And nothing too hard - I didn't want him to quit before he began.

Walking was the just the ticket.

We figure a good 40 minute walk a couple of times a week would get us started.

Of course, the weather has been cooperating perfectly so far.

But I know it will get colder - New England can be counted on for that.

But hopefully by then it will have become such a desired thing that we won't let it bother us.

Fingers are crossed!


October 7, 2012

Chance to Win $100 Gift Card

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PULL-UPS® Night*Time for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

One area of child rearing has become a lot more fun for the kids over the past years.

I remember the days when our kids were learning how to use the "big" potty.

There was no such thing as the PULL-UPS® Night*Time Glow in the Dark training pants that the kids and parents have today.

It makes it so much easier and for the kids - so much fun.

They love to watch them glow in the dark after they have been exposed to a bright light for 30 seconds.

Parents can now save on these pants by clicking the above image which will take you to a page with a coupon to save $1.

And if you share that offer, the coupon doubles to $2 - a pretty good savings during these hard times.

And by sharing your child's nighttime routine with the PULL-UPS® Night*Time Glow in the Dark training pants, parents can enter to win a $100 Wlamart Gift Card.

Create as many Glow Show Stories as you want and enter them on the website for a chance to the gift card.

The more stories you enter, the more chances you have to win.

And be sure to check back often to see if you are a winner - they will be listed on that page.

Savings on these necessities is a must during these times, and winning $100 is even better.

But the best part - the kids will have fun learning how to use the potty with the glow in the dark training pants for night time!

 

Visit Sponsor's Site

October 3, 2012

Salmon on the Menu


It has been awhile.

The price of salmon in the fish market has been way too much for our budget

Even when it had been on sale.

And usually it was the very pale farm raised variety of salmon that was being offered on the sale.

We arrived at the market at just the right time today.

We heard another customer state as we walked by them:

"Look at all that fish for two bucks" as he spoke to his partner and pointed to his basket.

We both turned and looked at each other mouthing the words: two bucks?  

Without another word we headed directly to the fish counter.  

They were clearing it out and the beautiful wild caught Alaskan sockeye salmon was $3.99 a pound.

Deep red fillets - just like the ones we watch the bears in Alaska catch on the webcams.

And the pollack fish was $1.99 a pound.

Dinner was the best with the salmon and the freezer has a couple of pollack meals awaiting us.

Man, that fish was delicious and what a treat!