Best Personalized Valentine’s Gifts for Your Beloved Partner

February 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

The Following Is A Guest Post. The Opinions Are Those Of The Author.

Love is a deep sense of emotions among lovers. Everyone feels happy to be in a genuine relationship with their partners. Valentine’s day is an occasion to refresh some commitments of love and affection with the beloved partner. It is also an excellent opportunity for lovers to make it a memorable celebration together. If you are in love with whom you are living for a long time, then delight her by dedicating some personalized Valentine’s gifts on this special occasion. The gifts can be some beautiful items and food hampers that you can present her. It can be helpful to win her heart and creating some romantic memories of the day.

 

Following are the most elegant customized gifts for your loving partner.

 

Photo Cake for Her:

 

A delicious cake is the best dessert to commemorate any occasion at home. It is a spongy, sweet, and mouthwatering food item to make the recipient feel special. The best idea is to order a photo Valentine cake online to show your affection for her. It can be a delectable treat to give that personal touch on this lovers day. You can quickly get a photo made on the cake and a heartfelt message on the toppings to surprise your beloved partner on this Valentine’s day. It will be a beautiful food gift like no other from your side.

 

Customized Roses Bouquet:

 

Flowers are the best gift options to create a romantic aroma for the loved one. You can make a designer bouquet of roses to show your eternal feelings for her. You could even get a personalized bouquet of red roses online to convey your love emotions for your beloved partner. If she likes other flowers like carnations, gerberas, orchids, and lilies, etc. then choose a mixed floral arrangement to give her some pleasuring moments of the day. It will be a beautiful font of joy on this Valentine’s day.

 

Photo Greeting Cards:

 

If you want to tell her how much you feel from the heart, then show your creativity on this memorable occasion. You can make a beautiful love card using colorful paper and photos on this Valentine’s day. Write your heartwarming message adding a beautiful photo of your togetherness on the card. Take a digital colored print of the picture to make an attractive greeting cover. It will be an unexpected gift to mark another lovely occasion of your life. She will surely appreciate it full of heart.

Customized Love Cushions:

 

If you want to give a gift hold memories, then dedicate the items of her choices. A personalized love cushion can be best to give her some moments to relax at home. You can order such designer gifts for valentine’s day to make her feel special on this memorable day. Try to choose a heart shaped cushion with a photo print. You can select one of your famous photo of the remarkable event. It can be the best idea to give a beautiful display of your love for her. She will miss you seeing such a lovely cushion in her bedroom.

 

All of these are the most exquisite kinds of gifts to surprise your soulmate on this Valentine’s day.

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5 Things You May Not Know About American Ginseng

February 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Before moving towards the facts about the American Ginseng, let’s first put some light on what is Ginseng and what’s all the hype about?

 

We all have heard and seen different herbs that are used to cure different diseases and medical conditions. Now, ginseng is also a herb but what makes it so special is the fact that it’s a cure to all diseases. Yes, you read it right, ginseng also known as “Panax” is a cure for almost all the medical conditions in the world. Whether it’s Alzheimer’s or premature ejaculation or any other disease, ginseng will fix it all for you. It’s just that you need to make sure that you are buying ginseng from the right place like this company.

 

For those who don’t know about it, there are two types of ginseng present in the world. One is the American ginseng (the one we will talk about), and the other type is known as the Korean Ginseng. Both these types belong to the same family but when it comes to nature and properties, well, they are quite different from one another. The Korean ginseng helps fight diabetes and it helps prevent inflammation etc. In other words, you can say that the Korean ginseng comes with invigorating effects, but on the other hand, the American ginseng is used as a relaxing agent.

 

Things You Need To Know About The American Ginseng

 

1- 6 Million Americans Use The American Ginseng

There was a time when the American ginseng was more popular in the Asian countries but now things are changing, and it’s becoming more and more popular in America and in Europe too. A study shows that right now almost 6 million American people are using ginseng for their health.

 

2- The Roots Of This Ginseng Grow On Virgin Soil

Virgin soil means that the soil used to grow the American ginseng can only be used once for the growth. Other crops can be grown on that land like potatoes and corns etc but you cannot grow the American ginseng again on the same land.

 

3- The American Ginseng takes 3 Years To Grow

Snowstorms and pests aren’t good for the growth of American ginseng, and this is the reason why it takes 3 to 5 years to grow this plant. You cannot even grow this ginseng for more than a specific period of time otherwise the rest of the crops get damaged. This is the main reason why American ginseng is also considered a valuable gift in a lot of areas of the world.

 

4- The American Ginseng is mostly not grown in the US

Most of the American ginseng is grown in Canada and China but if you want the genuine and the best American ginseng then know that it’s grown in Wisconsin. But again there is only 15% of the actual American ginseng that’s grown in Wisconsin so you might be hard for you to find it around you.

 

5- American Ginseng is used as a relaxing agent

American ginseng is cooler in nature and that makes it a perfect relaxing agent. A lot of people in the world use this ginseng to fight the stress in their daily life. Also, American ginseng is great for healing wounds too.

 

Conclusion

These are some of the act that you may not know about the American ginseng. So, if you really do find it useful then don’t wait for any further and start using ginseng every day. You can take it in the form of a capsule, you can use the roots directly, and you can even make a tea out of the American ginseng root.

 

Filed Under: health Tagged With: ,

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® and Gift Card #Giveaway

February 1, 2019 by 192 Comments

entenmanns

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® is celebrating its 20th birthday – and they want you to join in on the fun! To ring in its big 2-0, everyone’s favorite mini muffin brand is running the Entenmann’s® Little Bites® 20th Birthday Bash Sweepstakes! 20 lucky winners will receive the ultimate prize pack, including a $500 gift card towards throwing their child a birthday party bash- make sure you enter to win.

Information about Entenmann’s® Little Bites® 20th Birthday Bash Sweepstakes:

  • You can enter the Entenmann’s® Little Bites® 20th Birthday Bash sweepstakes between January 21, 2019, and March 29, 2019
  • Consumers can enter in two ways:
    • Text “LITTLEBITES20” to short code 555888 and send us your Happy Birthday Wish for Little Bites

OR

  • For each message submitted, Little Bites will donate $1 (up to $6,500) to The Birthday Party Project, a national organization that hosts birthday parties for kids who are residing in homeless or transitional living facilities.
  • 20 consumers will win an Ultimate Prize Pack featuring:
    • $500 donation in their name to a charity of their choice
    • $500 gift card toward an ultimate birthday party for their child and friends
    • One-year supply of Little Bites® muffins
  • You can download a free Little Bite Party Kit at www.littlebites.com/20Birthdaybash

That’s it! Make sure you enter to win, because who can’t use a few extra dollars to throw a party for their kid? Those things are not cheap.

Happy Birthday from Have Sippy Will Travel to Entenmanns, and to your kids. Hope the party (parties!) are amazing.

One of you can win three coupons, each valid for $5.00 off the purchase of Entenmann’s® Little Bites®, and a $25 gift card as well. Just use the RC code below to enter to win. Good luck! Ends Feb 22, 2019.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 Daily Good Mood Rituals For Your Health and Happiness

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

nature walk

As many might be falling off the New Year’s resolution band wagon, life coach and author Dannie De Novo has a few tips to help people succeed year-round with daily rituals. Dannie, author of Get in a Good Mood & Stay There, says “Your good mood New Year’s resolution success will live and die by the habits you put into place to secure your desired goals. So, it stands to reason that the better the habit, the better the results you will see.”

But the idea of instilling new habits doesn’t usually sound like a fun thing to do. “That’s why I advocate for the adoption of rituals, which are nothing more than patterned behaviors but with a slightly more positive vibe,” Dannie continues. “When you adopt rituals, you train your brain to go through certain programing automatically. At that point, the behavior you desire is no longer ‘work’—you just do it.”

 

Ritual #1 Meditation

The more frequently you practice meditation, the more the effects sustain themselves throughout your day and throughout your life. Daily meditation practice equals daily sustained good mood.

You don’t have to devote more than a few minutes each day to meditation and you don’t have to be perfect in your practice. Keep it simple. Focus on your breath. Focus on a mantra or affirmation. Focus on the quiet. What your practice should be is meaningful for you. With meaning and connectedness, comes happiness.

Ritual #2 Gratitude

Gratitude is feeling or showing appreciation toward someone or something. A gratitude practice is a daily commitment to focusing your energy and thoughts on what you appreciate. There are few things you can do to build and maintain your happiness as important as exercising daily gratitude.

Gratitude shifts our thinking to the present moment. Gratitude allows us to celebrate what we have now and what we have accomplished. It also allows us to refocus our energy on our dreams and goals.

Ritual #3 Remind yourself of your why

If you don’t remind yourself each and every day why you made the decision to seek and hold on to your good mood, you won’t keep going after that goal.

Remind yourself often of why you made your decision. Take a piece of paper, write out your resolution in big letters at the top, and under your resolution list all the reasons why you are going to accomplish it. Make these statements positive. Place this paper in a visible area and make yourself read it and really reflect on the reasons why you started on this journey and why it is so important for you to continue.

Ritual #4 Be a dreamer

Your imagination is the gateway to your good mood and, ultimately, to your ideal life. You have the amazing ability to form the picture of any life you want and, by so imagining it, then living the life you desire. When your mood is dark and small, so is your world.

Carry with you the attitude of a dreamer. Never stop dreaming—even when things aren’t going your way. See yourself living life in a good mood and hold that picture in the forefront of your mind. You deserve to be happy.

Ritual #5 Something that makes you feel good

I love nature. When I am in and around it, I feel good mental, physically and spiritually. So, I make being outside for each day one of my rituals. I also think movement is important for my good mood. Daily exercise or some kind of movement helps keep everything in balance.

You should be incorporating rituals that make you feel complete and like a better version of yourself. Whether those rituals include journaling, reading, doing affirmations, spending time with pets, spending time with loved ones, or laughing, the idea is the same. Make these good mood activities daily practices that help contribute to an overall good mood.

 

About Dannie De Novo: Dannie is an author, attorney, coach, entrepreneur and podcast host who loves horses, traveling and learning. Her book Get in a Good Mood & Stay There launched in 2018. She spends her days finding ways to help those who aren’t experiencing the most fulfilling version of their lives. Her greatest job and joy is serving as mom to an amazing beacon of light and hope, her daughter, Carson. To learn move visit: www.DannieDeNovo.com

Filed Under: fitness, health Tagged With: , , , ,

RUMI’S JHAL GOSHT (BEEF OR LAMB CURRY)

January 31, 2019 by 2 Comments
home made indian food
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
Curry spices (see below)
1 1/2 pounds lamb or beef stew meat
1 cup yogurt
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (stems and leaves)
CURRY INGREDIENTS
1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (depending on heat tolerance)
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped (seed and devein pepper to moderate heat)
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon each kosher salt and sugar
2 bay leaves
2 to 3 green or black cardamom pods, cracked open
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated is best)
METHOD
1. Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet over medium heat; add onion and sauté until translucent to light brown. Add curry spices and stir well. Let spices cook, then add water sparingly to avoid sticking or burning—no more than 1 tablespoon at a time–throughout the cooking process, 6 to 8 minutes to develop flavor.
2. Add meat, stirring well to distribute; cook over medium to high heat until well seared.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add yogurt, tomato paste, and cilantro.
4. Cover and continue to braise for 40 to 50 minutes, until meat is tender.
5. Remove cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods.
TRY THIS: Substitute 1 whole chicken cut into generous pieces; braise until golden brown, then cook for 30 minutes.
Recipe and photo with permission from The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside
By Elisa Callow Photographs by Ann Elliott Cutting
Prospect Park Books/March 2019
Filed Under: cooking, food, recipes Tagged With: , , ,

POLAR BEAR PLUNGES ARE SUCH A SHORE THING! #PolarBearPlunge

January 31, 2019 by 2 Comments

Plunging into frigid ocean waters with nothing more than a bathing suit on is not necessarily something that a person would do willingly.  Unless of course, you are one of thousands of participants taking part in the five plunges that are planned in Cape May County, New Jersey in the next four months. Whatever your reason is to willfully run into a freezing ocean during the winter months, there are some benefits, both entertaining and charitable, to taking the plunge.

How about getting together with your friends?  Plan to make it a weekend stay in Sea Isle City for the Polar Bear Plunge set for Feb. 15-17.  Revelers have been taking the bitter cold dip in the ocean waters of Sea Isle for more than 25 years.  It is not all about the plunge on this third weekend in February. There is plenty to do so plan to be busy from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.

The official plunge will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16 on the beach between 38th and 40th Sts. beginningwith a costume contest at 12 p.m. at LaCosta Complex at JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue followed by the Plunge at 2 p.m. www.lacosta-seaisle.com  www.seaislechamber.com or www.lacosta-seaisle.com

 Sea Isle’s plunge weekend ends on a charitable note on Sunday, Feb. 17 with Mike’s Seafood 5K Run and 1.5-Mile Fun Walk for Autism at 12 p.m. on the city’s promenade. Registration will take place at 9 a.m. at LaCosta.  You can also pre-register by visiting www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com

For some participants, plunging for a charitable cause makes the dip into the freezing temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean a little more doable.  One such event is the Fallen Heroes Plunge which helps to raise funds for families of police officers lost in the line of duty.

Fallen Heroes Plunge weekend is Feb. 22-23 in North Wildwood. The official plunge takes place on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. at 16th St. and the beach. Weekend activities also include a pizza party on Friday, Feb. 22 and a post plunge party at Keenan’s Irish Pub located at 113 Olde New Jersey Ave. at Noon on Saturday, Feb. 23. Participants can preregister at www.fallenheroplunge2019  or on the day of the plunge at the 15th St. Lifeguard Station beginning at 8:45 a.m.  www.FallenHeroPlunge.com

 Stone Harbor’s Shiver Weekend set for Mar. 15-16 invites plungers to take a frigid dip in the ocean to benefit Family Promise of Cape May County, a charity that supports, counsels and works to place homeless parents and children in permanent homes. 

The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce has planned a weekend of events beginning Friday night at the Pre-Shiver Party at The Reeds at Shelter Haven located at 96th St. and Third Ave. For a $20 entry fee, enjoy a delicious buffet, a cash bar and a gift auction. 

Fred’s Tavern will host a “Kegs & Eggs” breakfast on Saturday, Mar. 16 before the race.  Plungers will receive a Shiver swag bag that includes a Shiver tee or hoodie and are encouraged to wear costumes and/or create a float to commemorate the Shiver. A Deejay will even play a theme song at your request; activities will begin at 12 p.m. at the parking lot at 96th St. and the beach.  The official plunge begins at 1:15 p.m.  After the plunge, it is back to Fred’s Tavern at 314 96th St. for a post-Shiver party.  Visit www.stoneharborbeach.com to register for the Shiver and find a list of activities for the weekend.

In Ocean City, event organizers put a twist on the traditional ocean plunge.  The Business Persons Plunge, as it is called, requires that participants wear business attire and carry a brief case.  Rather than jumping in, participants march into the ocean from the shoreline at the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the opening of the ocean.  The Business Persons Plunge takes place on Friday, May 24 at Noon at Moorlyn Terrace St. and the beach  www.oceancityvacation.com

While the idea of plunging into the ocean in frigid temperatures may seem completely insane to you, the list of plunge events and happenings shows that organizers have come up with creative ways to bring visitors to the Jersey Cape in the winter months.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, fitness, health Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Animal Cruelty Month: 6 Things You Can Do to Prevent Animal Cruelty

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment
In recognition of Animal Cruelty Month this April, canine authority Jeffrey Scott Franklin, owner and operator of Cobra Canine, is sharing six ways to prevent animal cruelty. Please consider quoting his tips in any upcoming stories. Franklin is also available for interviews and bylines for any dog behavior or health/wellness related topic, including ways to prevent animal cruelty.
6 Things You Can Do to Prevent Animal Cruelty
1. Don’t get a pet as a toy or an impulse decision. The people who aren’t up for the 8 to 15-year commitment of responsibility (financially, physically and emotionally) are often times the ones who end up sending their pet to a shelter or simply not caring for the pet as is required. Pets need food, shelter, regular baths and nail clippings, vet checks, vaccines and in their lifetimes some sort of vet care or geriatric care may become necessary. Be prepared for these and this will make sure animals aren’t neglected.
2. If you don’t know much about dogs (or any specific animal in question), don’t breed them.  Let experts do the breeding work. Enjoy your pet to his or her fullest- without adding more animals that may or may not end up in great homes. While we aren’t advocates of spaying or neutering until at least two years of age, we do believe in being responsible if your pet is around other animals.
3. Volunteer at an animal shelter. If you feel the need to have a fuzzy pet friend, but not a lot of time- donate your time and energy to a local shelter. Go walk a few dogs and pet some animals that need some love and attention. There are never enough volunteers at these places.
4. Keep them warm and cozy. Donate extra blankets and care items you may already have in your home to local shelters.
5. Report suspicious activity. If you see animals that are maltreated, mistreated or neglected- report it.  You won’t get backlash for this from the authorities- but you very well may save an animal’s life in the process.  If we keep our eyes and ears open, animals have a much better chance at having a good life or potentially, a great life and a second chance.
6. Adopt or donate money to shelters. We have found many strays over the years, and helped them medically, given them training, and found them loving homes.  If you see an animal that needs some TLC, or a home- help as you are able.
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The 10 Best Things to See and Do in Fresno

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Whether you plan to visit or have just moved to Fresno and want to start exploring, California’s fifth largest city just behind San Francisco with a population of around 520,000, offers lots of options, but these are arguably the first you should check off your must-see and -do list.

 

Forestier Underground Gardens

 

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Forestiere Underground Gardens offers a unique view of ancient Roman architecture along with a variety of trees, vines and shrubs, some of which are nearly a century old. Built over 40 years by Sicilian immigrant Baldasare Forestiere, visitors walk through underground passages and rooms for a glimpse of the Mediterranean in the heart of California.

 

Fresno Art Museum

 

Established in 1940, this small but impressive museum offers a wide range of exhibits with works from nearly every culture and location around the world, from Peru and Mexico to the Punjab region of India. It also hosts artist talks, workshops and educational programs.

 

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

 

Popular with all ages, Fresno’s zoo is home to nearly 200 species of animals, about half of which are part of the Species Survival Plan that focuses on protecting and breeding rare creatures. Some of the highlights include the African Adventure in which visitors can view giraffes, elephants and cheetahs, a petting zoo and Stingray Bay which offers the chance to touch and feed stingrays.

 

Woodward Park

 

A wonderful place for a stroll, Woodward Park is a sanctuary in the city which hosts an authentic Japanese Garden with over 100 bonsai plants and a tea house, an expansive bird park, walking trail, picnic and activity areas.

 

Meux Home Museum

 

This museum sits inside a grand Victorian home which brings the history of Fresno to life. It’s worth a visit to see the exterior alone, but you’ll discover many treasures inside as well.

 

Kearney Mansion Museum

 

Another great way to explore Fresno’s history, the 1903 Kearny Mansion is one of Fresno’s most important historical sites, made up of two buildings, a main residence and adjoining servants’ quarters, built at the bequest of M. Theo Kearney, one of California’s agricultural pioneers, referred to as the “Raisin King.” The home still contains half of its original furnishings, including the wallpaper and art nouveau light fixtures, while replicas help to create the full picture of the period.

 

Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre

 

Enjoy dinner and a show at this long-time dinner theater, opened four decades ago featuring popular productions like Guys & Dolls, The Sound of Music and Footloose, with an award-winning chef preparing an especially mouthwatering menu to go along with the entertainment.

 

The Historic Warnors Theatre

 

The historic Warnors Theatre opened its doors back in 1928. Known for its historic pipe organ installed the year it opened, it features a variety of musicals, children’s shows, movies and comedy performances.

 

Vineyard Farmers Market

 

This nearly 40-year-old market offers locally-grown fruits and vegetables on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, along with fresh, local honey and a wide range of treats from prepared food vendors, including lots of baked goods made from organic and/or locally-sourced ingredients.

 

Downtown Fresno

 

Just taking a walk through sunny downtown Fresno is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, with its historical buildings like the Bank of Italy Building and the Fresno Water Tower, along with impressive public art spread throughout.

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