More True Citrus

 

http://www.truelemonstore.com/

 

If you already love True Lemon, you will be excited to hear that there are lots of new products from this company. They now have True Grapefruit, which I am extremely excited about! Now I can make my own Fresca and I bet it will taste a whole lot better!

Two other new products are: citrus herb seasonings and yummy beverage combinations. They are made with REAL crystallized fruit juice and stevia, how cool is that??

 

An added bonus is that they contain vitamin C, some even have 100% of the RDA. If you find you are using a lot, they also offer bulk packs and shaker containers.

 

I can't wait to try them all!

 

 Cranberry Lime Rickey

 

24 oz Tervis Tumbler

2 packets True Lime

1 part Trader Joe's Low Calorie Cranberry Juice Cocktail

2 parts Sodastream Seltzer

Ice

 

Put juice and True Lime in the tumbler.

Add seltzer.

Add ice and enjoy!!

 

This is so tasty and refreshing.

 

 

They are running a special on pre-orders of the spice blends.

 

http://www.truelemonstore.com/

 

Favorite Snow Shovel

Been through a blizzard recently? Get a lot of snow where you live? Hate the snow shovel you have now?

 

I moved to the Adirondacks 10 years ago and since then I have gained a LOT of experience shoveling snow. They say we have 2 seasons up here: Winter and 3 months of poor sledding!

I also owned horses for 45 years and definitely know a thing or two about shoveling period, if you get my drift. Ha! drift, snow, blizzard, sorry, couldn't resist.

While some people sleep with a gun by their bed, I sleep with a snow shovel. Not just any snow shovel, the best one I have found so far. In fact, I own 3 just in case one breaks. I had been using one for many years and the handle finally cracked. I loved it so much I kept using it even without the handle because I could not find a new one. Have you ever tried to use a shovel without a handle? It's not easy!

Anywhooo, I finally found them again and bought extra ones. I keep one by each door. One to shovel puppy paths, as it doesn't take much snow to be over the head of a miniature schnauzer. One to shovel to the woodpile, have to keep the home fires burning as it were. Not to mention one straight version to knock down tall piles.

The blade on this shovel is super thin, coated aluminum so the snow slides right off it. And since it is so thin, it slices right through the snow with little effort. The backsaver design is most useful, but I do have the straight handled one to clear snow off lawn furniture and such (no I don't put it away like I'm supposed to!)

And why do I sleep with it you may ask? Well, as my sister recently found out...when you get a lot of snow, you need to shovel your way OUT the door. If your shovel is in the garage, it will do you no good. Plus, if it is inside, the handle stays nice and warm.

Yep, I do have a permit to carry a concealed gun and I even own a .38, but I get way more snow than intruders. Besides, I'm too much of a klutz to aim the gun in the dark and my shovel can inflict lots of damage to a person's body if I start flailing it around ;-).

 

 

 

Portable Dulcimer Playing Chair

Don't have the right height seat to play your dulcimer? Do all of your chairs have arms? Do you play your dulcimer outside your home a lot??

Well then, you need to get this great folding chair. I actually have this set up in my house at all times. It is just the right height for playing and is quite comfortable. Since it is 3 cornered, you can easily set your legs to where they need to be for your particular style of playing. I have my dulcimer corner all set up and I can plop down and play anytime the mood strikes, which, according to some family members, is VERY often!

The chair is very well made for the price. It has a little side pocket and I keep my FastFret in there which is very handy ( I guess normal people would use it for a beverage). It folds up fast and small by just pulling up on the attached handle.

This chair is actually great for all kinds of events because it is so portable and comfy. There is a cheaper brand out there, but I  like this particular brand.

 

Sheebeg Sheemore on Mountain Dulcimer

Linda Brockinton playing Sheebeg Sheemore

Are you stuck in a rut? No hobbies? No musical talent, or so you think?! Always wanted to play an instrument, but never got around to it?

 

Try the Mountain Dulcimer, it will open up a whole new world for you like it did for me.

 

Yes, I have Mountain Fever...Mountain Dulcimer Fever that is. It is so fun and simple yet complicated. Thanks to my sister, I have a new passion. Now we are 4 sisters on a journey as we also have another sister and a sister-in-law hooked. If you ever have the opportunity to hear or try this instrument, I urge you to do so. It is affordable, portable, social, mentally stimulating and down right FUN!

 

 

This is one of the songs I am trying to learn for our Sister Strings next gathering. Soooooooooooo pretty, I can't stand it!

 

I only hope to play it 1/10th as well as Linda, what an inspiration.

Does it count if I can do the harmonic right?

There are groups all around the country that you can hook up with.
Here are 2 to start with:
 Connecticut Mountain Dulcimer Gathering
http://ctmtdulcimer.com/index.html
CT is having an open house get together Feb 23, 2013.

Albany Dulcimer Association in Albany, NY
http://www.dulcimerassociationofalbany.com/
Albany is having a gathering March 1-3, 2013.

Healthy Breakfast/Lunch/Snack/Dessert

Are you looking for a quick, easy, healthy breakfast you can eat any time of the day?

You have to try this easy and delicious idea.

I have been making this a long time, but I have updated the ingredients and it is extra yummy. You will feel like you are eating a decadent dessert, I am NOT kidding. You have to use the brands I tell you to or it will not taste the same.

http://www.fageusa.com/products/fage-total-2-percent/

Fage is THE best yogurt out there. Trader Joe's carries it here in NY. If your grocer does not carry it, ask them to get it. YES, it is that good! It is super thick, and has that sweet milk taste, not the normal sour yogurt taste. The portion size is huge, and the calorie, protein and carb counts are all great!

Ok, so dish up your huge portion of plain Fage (whatever fat % you want they are all good), add a packet of Truvia, then top it with the berry mixture described below. Add some roasted almonds, any kind you like, I'll cut you some slack here....and enjoy.You will be amazed. You won't feel hungry like you do after eating normal yogurt either. The almonds and the higher protein in Fage will keep you happy for hours.

This is the same berry concoction I put on the waffles the other day, but you can put it on anything. You must use True Lemon, it totally makes the dish. The True Lemon combined with the yogurt make it taste like lemon custard. The best part is, no artificial anything! Soooo much better than the "light" yucky flavored yogurts out there.

Berry Mix

Serves 1

1 packet Truvia

1 packet True Lemon, Lime or Orange

Splash of water

4 sliced strawberries

4 blackberries

1/4 cup blueberries

Mix all together and let stand.

You can bring this to work in separate containers (Lock and Lock of course) so the nuts won't get soggy. You can also make more berry mix to last several days, bring the big container of yogurt and a bag of almonds and you'll have food for days at work.

Problem Solved!

Valentine's Breakfast

 

 

Yummy Malt Waffles with Fresh Berries

 

This dish tastes so good and uses 3 of the products I have talked about in past posts. The True Lemon really adds a great flavor to the berries. The strawberries even look like little hearts, perfect for Valentine's Day!

LOW CARB VERSION

Make ricotta pancakes instead of the waffles:
http://www.examiner.com/article/recipe-low-carb-almond-ricotta-pancakes

 

8 strawberries hulled and sliced

1/2 cup blueberries

1 cup blackberries

3 packets Truvia

1/8 to 1/4 cup water

1 packet True Lemon

 

Mix all of the above ingredients together and set aside to macerate (get soft, silly!).

 

Put your plates in a warm oven until you are ready to use them. Since waffles cool down so fast, this will help keep them warm longer.

Make a double batch of waffles using Carbon's Malted Waffle mix.

 

Plate the waffles and let your guests add butter, syrup and berries to taste. The berries will make a syrup of their own so you don't even need maple syrup.
I like to serve melted butter so it will be easier to drizzle on. I was lazy this morning and didn't melt it, big mistake!

 

Serves 4

 

You can use whatever you have for berries. That is what I happened to have on hand this morning, ENJOY! 

 



Valentine's Day Feather Tree



 

Tired of the same old centerpiece? Need to brighten up your desk at work? 

 

 

Try taking a feather tree and adorning it with cute Valentine's Day ornaments. The ornaments are from my favorite company, http://www.oldworldchristmas.com/.

 

Feather trees were popular during the Victorian era and I read that they were the first artificial tree. 

http://www.hometraditions.com/dennis-bauer-feather-trees.shtml

They are still made with real feathers, so they can be pricey. You can find them in a variety of colors too.

 

I think I will try making one. Check out this link for supplies and a how to video!

http://www.thecraftshoppe.com/feathertree.html

 

This white one happened to be on clearance so I could not resist it as I have always wanted one. It will be pretty with pink and red for Valentine's Day, awesome with yellow and pale green for Easter and great with red, white and blue for Memorial day and 4th of July.

 

 

I just love these conversation hearts, they are calorie free and will not cause cavities!

 

They have a heart that is 2 horseshoes entwined...definitely have to get that one next.

 

My friend is going to borrow the tree next weekend . She is going to use it as the centerpiece for a wedding shower, too cute!

 

 In the picture below, I put the tree on top of a "table runner".  I unfolded holiday napkins and placed them end to end to look like a runner. I scattered 2 sizes of candy hearts on top and added an iron rose my husband forged. If you don't happen to have a blacksmith handy, scatter some real or silk roses on top and it will look great!

 

Add some other candies to the mix and you have a nifty little dessert bar. Don't forget the sugar free chocolates too!

 

Problem Solved!