Archives for January 2014

Tuscan Tomato Soup (Pappa al pomodoro)

January 16, 2014 by 3 Comments
This rustic tomato soup is Tuscan comfort food at its best.  One of the original “green” recipes, pappa al pomodoro was traditionally made by frugal casalinghe, or housewives, to make use of leftovers. Today this homey and satisfying dish is found on the menus of Florence’s trendiest restaurants and is craved by Italian ex-pats around the globe. Its flavors intensify as it sits so it’s a good option for a buffet table. Pour it into individual-portion glasses for an original and modern presentation. Serve it hot or at room temperature.
Note that you will need good Italian bread that is at least two days old, as well as the end rind of either Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese.
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Ingredients
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups tomatoes, peeled and chopped or pureed
10 basil leaves, shredded
1 cup good quality Italian bread (at least 2 days old), cut into 1-inch pieces

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Light Pineapple Coconut Cocktail Recipes

January 15, 2014 by 2 Comments

 

Want to save some calories on your next cocktail?  Try these new SMIRNOFF Sorbet Light Pineapple Coconut cocktail recipes – all of the recipes are under 150 calories and deliver a light and airy taste. Plus, each drink with Smirnoff has * 25% FEWER CALORIES THAN THE LEADING DESSERT INSPIRED VODKA.

pic1Pina-Coco Spritzer

  • 1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF Sorbet Light Pineapple Coconut*
  • 2 oz. fresh orange juice
  • 2 oz. club soda
  • Glassware: Rocks glass
  • Garnish: Half orange wheel

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Weight Lifting Exercises to Work Your Muscles Effectively

January 15, 2014 by 1 Comment

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If you are looking to build muscle throughout your body, there are some specific types of weight-lifting that you should consider trying. Weight-lifting exercises will help your body to build muscle and will actually increase your good health and promote a healthy lifestyle. In order to effectively work your muscles, the exercises you use must target the essential muscles in a manner that is rigorous and useful enough to give you positive, visible results without putting an unhealthy of harmful amount of stress on your body and your muscles, and it is important to remember that it is best to take it slow when you are just starting new Weight Lifting Routines.

Aerobic Exercises

Aerobic exercises is meant to target large muscle groups in the body and are performed repetitively for extended periods of time. Generally, aerobic exercise should be performed for between thirty minutes to an hour, three to five times a week. This type of routine can help the body steadily build muscle in many different areas of the body at once, which is one of the biggest benefits of aerobic exercise. Some of the most popular forms of aerobics include walking, cycling, jogging, swimming, and exercises performed on such machines as treadmills, elliptical, and steppers.

Strength Exercises

Strength training is another effective way to work your muscles. By participating in regulated Weight Lifting Routines, you can target specific muscles and build muscle mass in one place at a time. For instance, the bicep curl, one of the most popular and commonly performed strength exercises, targets the muscles in your bicep and forearm. This particular exercise is perfect for anyone looking to strengthen their arms, even those who wish to perform with light weights and at a more relaxed pace.
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Filed Under: health, lifestyle Tagged With: , ,

The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen

January 15, 2014 by 1 Comment

 

My son absolutely adored this book- we have read it to him at least 6 times since it arrived, and I am sure there is more in store.  He loved how silly it was, as well as that Patrick had to help make breakfast and needed to enlist the animals help to do so.  It also reminded him of a recent stay on a farm that we had, where he was able to milk a cow, gather chicken eggs, and the like.  I am personally glad that they drew the line at bacon- that would not have made a pretty kids book, LOL.  Letting your kids know that their food has origins other then the local grocery store is a great idea, and this is done in a cute and fully way your kids will love.  The illustrations are also adorable and silly, which children will enjoy.

pic 1In The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen (Little Pickle Press), children’s author and real life farmer Diana Prichard presents Patrick O’Shanahan, an ordinary boy who has always known exactly where his food comes from: the grocery store. Always, that is, until a cow, a menagerie of chickens and some peculiar trees appear in his kitchen one Saturday morning.

The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen and/or an interview with author Diana Prichard would make for a wonderful spring or early summer feature story highlighting the importance of knowing where our food comes from, the resurgence of local farmers’ markets, and establishing an appreciation for agriculture in children.
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What to Wear This Valentine’s Day

January 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Now that the holidays are past us and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, the question on many a woman’s mind is “What am I going to wear?” Most women are looking for something sexy and more glam than their usual out-on-the-town outfit. There are endless possibilities when it comes to putting together a trend-setting outfit. Be creative with your style. The most romantic date night of the year should celebrate your individual style. Don’t be afraid to drape yourself in decadence with fabulous accessories and detailed dresses. From sequins to silk, from leather to denim, have fun with your style this Valentine’s Day.

A super-popular old-school look is the good-old fit-and-flare style for dresses. Popular in casual and dressy styles, this look stems from the “skater chic” that was so popular in the fall. As we entrench ourselves into the cold months of winter, hems have become a bit longer. To really exaggerate this hourglass silhouetted, try a crinoline slip.

If pants are more to your liking, the popular choice this season is skinny, skinny, skinny. If that look isn’t for you, however, try a 1970s-influenced bell bottom boot cut pant.

Check out the items below for some specific outfit ideas:

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Start with this adorable textured black mini skirt. This classic style is also fun and flirty. Pair it with a sexy top and strappy sandals if you are in warmer climes. If its winter temperatures you’ll be dealing with, however, tights—try some with a little shimmer—and high-heeled boots will keep you warm while still looking sexy. Or try some textured tights and an ankle boot for something a little edgier!

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A patterned, silky skirt will offer you plenty of variety in terms of tops and shoes you can pair it with. With a sexy tank top, you’ll be ready for a night on the town. Add a camisole and jacket, and this skirt will take you to the office in style.
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Filed Under: clothes and shoes, fashion Tagged With:

Creative Toys for Kids

January 14, 2014 by 1 Comment

Disclosure- I received the below in order to review.  All opinions are my own and honest.

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Glitzi Globes Starter Kit

Got a girl that loves animals? How about all things pink and sparkly? Check out Glittzy Globes, a kit that lets your child create her own snow glob accessories.

Not for kids under 3, or for those who mouth everything, the Glitzi Globes Starter Kit comes with five globes kids can make themselves. They can design these glittery Globes by using the included dome maker (this looks sort of like an egg slicer, but with no blades obviously) that steadies their globe and hands as they add different characters and charms, as well as a “glitter pellet”. It has a little bottle that can be filled with water and is the right size (and colors, of course, to coordinate) to fill the globe and lock the base into place by pressing both ends together. The Glitzi Globes Starter Kit includes the water bottle, four snow domes, four bases, four pop sticks, one bag tag for displaying Globes, 12 floating charms, five glitter tablets, four characters and one instruction booklet.

$18, Toys R US

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KRE-O CityVille Invasion Police Station Zombie Defense

Kids can build their own city with CityVille Invasion KRE-O sets and defend it from zombie invasion. This police station comes compete with a rotating gun turret,combat vehicle, 2 police and 2 zombie figures, 5 motion bricks and 1 Sonic Motion brick, as well as a “mystery figure”. Defend the station against attac, and sound the alarm if you get in trouble! The “sonic motion” bricks make real police sounds as well as moves the set around.
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THE NUT JOB In Theaters Friday, January 17

January 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

In animated 3D, THE NUT JOB is an action-packed comedy in fictional Oakton that follows the travails of Surly (voiced by Will Arnett), a mischievous squirrel, and his rat friend Buddy, who plan a nut store heist of outrageous proportions and unwittingly find themselves embroiled in a much more complicated and hilarious adventure- the movie opens this Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.

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Can’t wait for Friday? Get ready to hang with Surly and the gang a little early—because Open Road Films and Cupcake Digital have just launched the official app for the movie. Download the app from iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Nook Apps for an interactive experience featuring fun games and activities based on the film, and follow Surly the squirrel as he plans a nut heist of outrageous proportions and embarks on the journey of a lifetime.
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Muppets Most Wanted – No Nominations?

January 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Muppets Most Wanted was nominated for…nothing?

Check out some of the reactions below:

Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit the Frog—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon.
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