Molly, TJ, Beth and Hinterlands are the winners of the NuNaturals. I have sent the info to NuNaturals, but I don't have Molly's contact info. Molly please send me your e-mail info so that I can pass it on to NuNaturals as well as e-mail you info on the next step.
I hope everyone enjoys. I used the Lemon liquid stevia today in Lemon Seltzer so that my kids could have a healthier soda. They loved it! I loved using the vanilla liquid stevia in my white, berry rooibos, and mint green tea. I loved it!
Amy
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
NuNaturals Giveaway!
Last year, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway from http://www.thedailydietribe.com for stevia products from NuNaturals. I had been using stevia for years at that point, but had not used the NuNaturals product before.
Stevia is a sweetener from the stevia plant that is not supposed to raise your blood sugar like other sweeteners. After using stevia for years, I know that there are certain products out there that are better tasting than others. Some people think that stevia gives a bitter taste to things that they use it in. I have to be honest and say that I haven't really used stevia in anything other than sweetening my tea, but it is all I use for sweetening my tea. When I won the NuNaturals giveaway, I was a little uncertain how it would taste since I have had certain stevia products in the past that were not good at all.
So far I have used their liquid drops, their powdered stevia, their packets of stevia, and my favorite their stevia tablets. All of their stevia products that I have tried are really good. There is no after taste with any of the products that I have tried and that has been one of the complaints that I have heard from people who have tried stevia and have had negative reactions. I have found that their stevia tablets are great to put in my bag and take on the go. I used to use an artificial sweetener (usually Splenda) when I ordered tea out since no one ever had stevia, which I would have preferred to use. Now that I know that there are these tablets, I just throw the bottle of the tablets in my bag and go and I always have stevia on hand!
I was recently sent their new lemon and orange liquid stevia. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I am looking forward to trying these new products. NuNaturals has offered to give 4 of my readers one bottle of each of the lemon and the orange liquid stevia. If you don't win (or if you do), NuNaturals is offering discounts placed on their website: www.nunaturals.com. When you get to the checkout page you should enter the DISCOUNT CODE ; BLG0612 and you will receive - 15% DISCOUNT on your ENTIRE ORDER. This discount remains EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2012 .
Online ordering customers may also receive FREE SHIPPING to the CONTINENTAL U. S. on all orders exceeding $ 35.00 after discounts.
Stevia is a sweetener from the stevia plant that is not supposed to raise your blood sugar like other sweeteners. After using stevia for years, I know that there are certain products out there that are better tasting than others. Some people think that stevia gives a bitter taste to things that they use it in. I have to be honest and say that I haven't really used stevia in anything other than sweetening my tea, but it is all I use for sweetening my tea. When I won the NuNaturals giveaway, I was a little uncertain how it would taste since I have had certain stevia products in the past that were not good at all.
So far I have used their liquid drops, their powdered stevia, their packets of stevia, and my favorite their stevia tablets. All of their stevia products that I have tried are really good. There is no after taste with any of the products that I have tried and that has been one of the complaints that I have heard from people who have tried stevia and have had negative reactions. I have found that their stevia tablets are great to put in my bag and take on the go. I used to use an artificial sweetener (usually Splenda) when I ordered tea out since no one ever had stevia, which I would have preferred to use. Now that I know that there are these tablets, I just throw the bottle of the tablets in my bag and go and I always have stevia on hand!
I was recently sent their new lemon and orange liquid stevia. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I am looking forward to trying these new products. NuNaturals has offered to give 4 of my readers one bottle of each of the lemon and the orange liquid stevia. If you don't win (or if you do), NuNaturals is offering discounts placed on their website: www.nunaturals.com. When you get to the checkout page you should enter the DISCOUNT CODE ; BLG0612 and you will receive - 15% DISCOUNT on your ENTIRE ORDER. This discount remains EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2012 .
Online ordering customers may also receive FREE SHIPPING to the CONTINENTAL U. S. on all orders exceeding $ 35.00 after discounts.
How can you win?
- Leave me a comment about your experience trying stevia. Did you like it or not? How have you used it?
- Go to the NuNaturals Facebook page and like them.
- Blog about this giveaway, tweet about it, and/or Facebook about it.
Leave a comment for each of the things you do as well as your address so that I can contact you. This contest is only open to readers in the Continental U.S. Sorry, my Canadian readers! This contest will close on Wednesday June 20th and I will pick and post a winner Thursday June 21st.
I hope that you try stevia and enjoy it as much as I do. I am looking forward to trying more recipes with stevia, especially since I want to try to cut out as much white sugar as I can for me and my family.
Amy
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday
It's Wednesday again, and even though I haven't been playing every week, I thought I'd join in again with "Wishcasting Wednesday".
This week Jamie asks, "What belongings do you wish for?"
I hate being materialistic, but I figure it can't hurt it I wish for something helpful. So here I go!
1.) I wish for a larger house. Nothing too big, but just big enough for my 3 kids, me and my husband. I would love it to be big enough to have a kitchen, living room, dining room, playroom for the kids, 4 bedrooms, a craft room for me, and a woodshop for my husband. I would love to have a bathroom for the kids and for me and my husband (thinking on the second floor), and one for everyday use (on the first floor). This sounds huge since right now our house is 3 bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen with a semi finished basement and 2 bathrooms. I don't need huge rooms, just big enough to be comfortable in.
2.) I would love a new wardrobe! I would love to have nice, good quality items that I can mix and match with fun trendy pieces. I don't want too much, but enough so that I am stylish and trendy without being crazy. I want enough classic pieces that as styles change, I can switch out some of the more trendy pieces so that I can remain in style.
3.) To go along with number 1, I want some fun items to fill my new house. I would love fin furniture and storage to help me maintain being organized, yet make my house look very stylish. I guess when I thin about my style, it is probably very eclectic ( as I am with almost every area of my life).
4.) Again to go along with number 1, I want the outside to match the inside. I want to have both fun and useful gardens. I want to have fun things for my kids. I want to have a fun, relaxing outdoor environment to relax with family and friends.
5.) I would also love new craft supplies of any kind at anytime I wanted them. I would love a new DSLR camera, as well as a new macbook.
6.) I would love to have a place (outside my home) to create with others and by myself. I would maybe even love a store/studio to have a new career.
I know I could go into more details, but I don't have the time to detail all of this. This is a basic outline of the belongings that I wish I had.
Even though I wish I had all of these things, I am so thankful that I have what I have. I have a great husband, 3 great kids, great family (both mine and my in-laws), friends, a house with a large yard for the kids, transportation, and food. I really shouldn't ask for more, but this was fun to think about!
Amy
This week Jamie asks, "What belongings do you wish for?"
I hate being materialistic, but I figure it can't hurt it I wish for something helpful. So here I go!
1.) I wish for a larger house. Nothing too big, but just big enough for my 3 kids, me and my husband. I would love it to be big enough to have a kitchen, living room, dining room, playroom for the kids, 4 bedrooms, a craft room for me, and a woodshop for my husband. I would love to have a bathroom for the kids and for me and my husband (thinking on the second floor), and one for everyday use (on the first floor). This sounds huge since right now our house is 3 bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen with a semi finished basement and 2 bathrooms. I don't need huge rooms, just big enough to be comfortable in.
2.) I would love a new wardrobe! I would love to have nice, good quality items that I can mix and match with fun trendy pieces. I don't want too much, but enough so that I am stylish and trendy without being crazy. I want enough classic pieces that as styles change, I can switch out some of the more trendy pieces so that I can remain in style.
3.) To go along with number 1, I want some fun items to fill my new house. I would love fin furniture and storage to help me maintain being organized, yet make my house look very stylish. I guess when I thin about my style, it is probably very eclectic ( as I am with almost every area of my life).
4.) Again to go along with number 1, I want the outside to match the inside. I want to have both fun and useful gardens. I want to have fun things for my kids. I want to have a fun, relaxing outdoor environment to relax with family and friends.
5.) I would also love new craft supplies of any kind at anytime I wanted them. I would love a new DSLR camera, as well as a new macbook.
6.) I would love to have a place (outside my home) to create with others and by myself. I would maybe even love a store/studio to have a new career.
I know I could go into more details, but I don't have the time to detail all of this. This is a basic outline of the belongings that I wish I had.
Even though I wish I had all of these things, I am so thankful that I have what I have. I have a great husband, 3 great kids, great family (both mine and my in-laws), friends, a house with a large yard for the kids, transportation, and food. I really shouldn't ask for more, but this was fun to think about!
Amy
Friday, June 8, 2012
Latest Projects
As I've written before, I am trying to make time to be creative every day. This week, I have been trying to finish up some WIP's (works in progress), while attempting to use up some of my stash. I had already finished my daughter's, and last night I finished her twin brother's. I now have to finish my older son's afghan, a shawl or maybe lapghan for my mom, and start on for me and my husband. I am also making some doll size ones to donate to my mother of twin's group for their table at the annual convention. I am only hoping that they will like them. I know that one that is almost finished is one that I really like.
The one for me and my husband should be interesting. He has asked me to also make a quilt the same way. See, his legs get warm at night, so he likes having them uncovered. He has requested a quilt and/or an afghan that is in the shape of an L so that I am warm and his upper body is warm, but his legs stay cool.
I LOVE MAKING GRANNY SQUARES! The afghan's I have made have all been granny square afghans so far. This will actually lend itself to the L shape that my husband is looking for! I just pinned a ton of granny square things to my crochet board. I'm hoping that the weather stays nice and the kids can play outside while I crochet some more and maybe finish a couple more doll afghans sooner than later.
Oh, and I made a pair of earrings and a hand stamped washer pendant this week too. I am hoping to donate some handmade jewelry to the twin's group too!
Amy
Thomas' granny square afghan
The one for me and my husband should be interesting. He has asked me to also make a quilt the same way. See, his legs get warm at night, so he likes having them uncovered. He has requested a quilt and/or an afghan that is in the shape of an L so that I am warm and his upper body is warm, but his legs stay cool.
I LOVE MAKING GRANNY SQUARES! The afghan's I have made have all been granny square afghans so far. This will actually lend itself to the L shape that my husband is looking for! I just pinned a ton of granny square things to my crochet board. I'm hoping that the weather stays nice and the kids can play outside while I crochet some more and maybe finish a couple more doll afghans sooner than later.
Oh, and I made a pair of earrings and a hand stamped washer pendant this week too. I am hoping to donate some handmade jewelry to the twin's group too!
hand stamped washer pendant
earrings
Amy
Juicing
A while ago, I joined in with BzzAgent to help test out products. Recently I tested out Neutrogena products and was very pleased with how smooth the eyeliner was. I was just asked to test out some juicing info. I joined in to try Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead (which I have watched before and really enjoyed), as well as a new program, join the reboot, which I have not heard of. I am really looking forward to re-watching the movie as it helps to keep me motivated.
As I've shared, I have the gene mutation for the BRCA2 gene which places me more at risk for breast and ovarian cancer, as well as a small higher chance for pancreatic and skin cancer. At this point, I have opted to forgo prophylactic surgery for a more holistic approach to cancer prevention, meaning, I am looking to change my diet and increase my exercise as well as change my reaction to stress.
I have been running for the last 4 months, with the goal of running every other day. I have also been making green smoothies for the last 4 months also. I haven't been as good as I should have been, and I really think that re-watching this movie will help me to keep motivated. Even if I didn't have a higher cancer risk, I have to admit that I would still be interested in doing the lifestyle changes that I am making. I have tried juicing my smoothies, basically straining them through a milk bag type strainer. It's not as easy as I would like, but maybe if I learn more that juicing is more beneficial, I will maybe invest in a juicer.
Amy
As I've shared, I have the gene mutation for the BRCA2 gene which places me more at risk for breast and ovarian cancer, as well as a small higher chance for pancreatic and skin cancer. At this point, I have opted to forgo prophylactic surgery for a more holistic approach to cancer prevention, meaning, I am looking to change my diet and increase my exercise as well as change my reaction to stress.
I have been running for the last 4 months, with the goal of running every other day. I have also been making green smoothies for the last 4 months also. I haven't been as good as I should have been, and I really think that re-watching this movie will help me to keep motivated. Even if I didn't have a higher cancer risk, I have to admit that I would still be interested in doing the lifestyle changes that I am making. I have tried juicing my smoothies, basically straining them through a milk bag type strainer. It's not as easy as I would like, but maybe if I learn more that juicing is more beneficial, I will maybe invest in a juicer.
Amy
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I've Made The Decision
My husband and I have been running, or at least attempting to run for the last 4 months. We have gone every other day alternating so that we each get to go and we each get a break. We started back in February and we were getting up at 5:30 am. Now, I am definitely not a morning person, so I switched from 5:30 am to between 8-9 pm. I don't mind going that late, except, I tend to miss my running time due to a multitude of reasons. I actually prefer running at night, but I may have to start going back to the mornings again. I am missing to many times and it too easy to make an excuse. Recently, I asked my husband how he was able to get up at 5 am (he actually stretches out, which is something I need to start doing). He said he just made the decision to do it and he does it. Sounds simple doesn't it?
Well, for me it hasn't been that easy, but I have decided that I need to follow his lead and just make the decision to commit. Now, when I say I need to make the decision to commit, I am not just talking about running! I am making the decision to commit to running (getting up early or sucking it up and going no matter what, unless I am really, really sick), eating a meat free/dairy free/gluten free diet, making time to create, making time to donate, and making time to live the life I want to lead.
I am going to take the time to get organized, clean, and purge what I don't need. I have slowly been purging things, but I don't think that I have been doing enough. This is a huge piece of what is going to make my life easier. The better organized I am, the easier it will be to have the time to do all the other things that I want to do. I think that making this decision now is good. I was never a tv watcher, but over the last number of years, I have started to get sucked into shows. Now that summer is here and season finales are over, I am hoping that getting in a good routine will help me remain in a routine once the new season starts again in the fall. I'm hopeful that I will be in such a routine, that I won't want to watch as much tv.
I am going to start researching recipes that are meat free, gluten free, and dairy free. Myself and my oldest son are gluten and dairy sensitive. My oldest was also recently diagnosed with PDD NOS (he has high functioning autism) and seems to do much better when he doesn't ingest gluten and dairy. My husband's doctor wants him to eat an animal protein free diet and from what I've researched, I've found that this is the best diet for me to eat given my BRCA2 situation, especially since I am leaning against having surgery!
I have a ton of craft supplies, and when I think about how much money I have spent on them, I get a little sick to my stomach. I was a little crazy with buying. Since I love to create and I have a lot of supplies to create with, my goal is to create with them and then donate them to different agencies. I am hopeful that I can donate and get rid of some of my supplies, as well as feel good about taking time to create.
I am making the decision to follow through with my goals in life, instead of just having goals that I don't follow through with!
Amy
Well, for me it hasn't been that easy, but I have decided that I need to follow his lead and just make the decision to commit. Now, when I say I need to make the decision to commit, I am not just talking about running! I am making the decision to commit to running (getting up early or sucking it up and going no matter what, unless I am really, really sick), eating a meat free/dairy free/gluten free diet, making time to create, making time to donate, and making time to live the life I want to lead.
I am going to take the time to get organized, clean, and purge what I don't need. I have slowly been purging things, but I don't think that I have been doing enough. This is a huge piece of what is going to make my life easier. The better organized I am, the easier it will be to have the time to do all the other things that I want to do. I think that making this decision now is good. I was never a tv watcher, but over the last number of years, I have started to get sucked into shows. Now that summer is here and season finales are over, I am hoping that getting in a good routine will help me remain in a routine once the new season starts again in the fall. I'm hopeful that I will be in such a routine, that I won't want to watch as much tv.
I am going to start researching recipes that are meat free, gluten free, and dairy free. Myself and my oldest son are gluten and dairy sensitive. My oldest was also recently diagnosed with PDD NOS (he has high functioning autism) and seems to do much better when he doesn't ingest gluten and dairy. My husband's doctor wants him to eat an animal protein free diet and from what I've researched, I've found that this is the best diet for me to eat given my BRCA2 situation, especially since I am leaning against having surgery!
I have a ton of craft supplies, and when I think about how much money I have spent on them, I get a little sick to my stomach. I was a little crazy with buying. Since I love to create and I have a lot of supplies to create with, my goal is to create with them and then donate them to different agencies. I am hopeful that I can donate and get rid of some of my supplies, as well as feel good about taking time to create.
I am making the decision to follow through with my goals in life, instead of just having goals that I don't follow through with!
Amy
Monday, June 4, 2012
Being Creative
I have been trying to make a point to be creative often, almost every day if not every day. With the weather getting nicer, I am spending more time outside with the kids. I have been able to bring some projects outside with me, which has allowed me to create as well as allow my kids to be outside which they love.
Recently, I have been making dolls, or at least attempting to make dolls. I remember loving dolls as a child, especially the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that my grandmother made for us. I remember having life-size Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls as well as small ones. I was lucky enough to have a Raggedy Ann doll for my daughter and a Raggedy Andy doll for each of my sons, made by my grandmother. I actually have to make a Raggedy Andy outfit for my twin son's Raggedy Andy. I am hoping to create some dolls for charity, as well as for fun.
The more I create, the more I realize that I love doing it. I know that I need to make time to have this as part of my life. I am hoping to make being creative a major part of my life, and not just something that I do when I find the time. I know that I need to start spending time actually getting good at a craft before I move on to something else. There are many times that I think that I have ADD, seriously, and the creative arena is o different. I flit from one project to another, never committing to fully learning and fully succeeding at the one I am working on. I want to stop being average at the things I create and start being proficient at it.
I also want to start getting more creative in my cooking. The farmer's market in town is starting in a couple of weeks and I hope to start buying more local foods and start being more creative with it. Between my BRCA2 gene mutation (I think I have decided against surgery, at least for now) and my son recently being diagnosed with PDD NOS, I really need to watch what we are eating. My goal is again to eat more local and to eat way more fruits and veggies (little to no animal protein for me due to the BRCA2 mutation), and decrease, maybe even totally eliminate gluten and dairy (we again have greatly reduced it, but not totally eliminated it, both my oldest and I are sensitive to it). Part of my problem with cooking lately, is that I am bored and not feeling very creative with my cooking. I am hoping to get inspired by going to local farmer's markets and even just walking around. I am hoping to find some good cookbooks and some good online sites that can help to inspire me.
I am hoping to find a job at the end of the summer that will be able to take into account my love of creating. I am under no illusion that there may not be anything out there like that, but I would love to try to find something. I still have a few more years before I go back to work full time. I hope by then, I can figure out how I can do work that I love instead of just working for a paycheck. I do like being a social worker, but I don't love it. My husband thinks that it is just because of fear of doing 1:1 counseling, but that is not it. I don't know that I want to do 1:1 counseling! I'm not really sure I know what I want to do, but I really want to wake up and want to go to work. Hopefully I can figure out a way for that to happen.
Amy
Recently, I have been making dolls, or at least attempting to make dolls. I remember loving dolls as a child, especially the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that my grandmother made for us. I remember having life-size Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls as well as small ones. I was lucky enough to have a Raggedy Ann doll for my daughter and a Raggedy Andy doll for each of my sons, made by my grandmother. I actually have to make a Raggedy Andy outfit for my twin son's Raggedy Andy. I am hoping to create some dolls for charity, as well as for fun.
My attempt at a Waldorf doll
Baby Bows Doll in the outfits that my twins came home from the hospital in. I still need to make one for my oldest!
A sleepytime doll that I made for my niece for her Christening
The more I create, the more I realize that I love doing it. I know that I need to make time to have this as part of my life. I am hoping to make being creative a major part of my life, and not just something that I do when I find the time. I know that I need to start spending time actually getting good at a craft before I move on to something else. There are many times that I think that I have ADD, seriously, and the creative arena is o different. I flit from one project to another, never committing to fully learning and fully succeeding at the one I am working on. I want to stop being average at the things I create and start being proficient at it.
I also want to start getting more creative in my cooking. The farmer's market in town is starting in a couple of weeks and I hope to start buying more local foods and start being more creative with it. Between my BRCA2 gene mutation (I think I have decided against surgery, at least for now) and my son recently being diagnosed with PDD NOS, I really need to watch what we are eating. My goal is again to eat more local and to eat way more fruits and veggies (little to no animal protein for me due to the BRCA2 mutation), and decrease, maybe even totally eliminate gluten and dairy (we again have greatly reduced it, but not totally eliminated it, both my oldest and I are sensitive to it). Part of my problem with cooking lately, is that I am bored and not feeling very creative with my cooking. I am hoping to get inspired by going to local farmer's markets and even just walking around. I am hoping to find some good cookbooks and some good online sites that can help to inspire me.
I am hoping to find a job at the end of the summer that will be able to take into account my love of creating. I am under no illusion that there may not be anything out there like that, but I would love to try to find something. I still have a few more years before I go back to work full time. I hope by then, I can figure out how I can do work that I love instead of just working for a paycheck. I do like being a social worker, but I don't love it. My husband thinks that it is just because of fear of doing 1:1 counseling, but that is not it. I don't know that I want to do 1:1 counseling! I'm not really sure I know what I want to do, but I really want to wake up and want to go to work. Hopefully I can figure out a way for that to happen.
Amy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)