Easily Increase Your Vegetable Intake with a Spiralizer

Image by Lou of Lou's Designs

If you're looking to increase your vegetable intake or reduce some of the heavy carbs like pasta from your diet then a spiralizer could be the answer.  Let me review why I think you'll adore having a vegetable spiralizer - I personally love mine, I don't know why I didn't get one sooner.

At the time of writing this I'm doing the Arbonne 30 Day Plan to Healthy Living and Beyond and basically that means that (for this month at least) I can't eat pasta, I can eat zucchini however ... enter zoodles! 

I have been meaning to try and made zoodles aka zucchini noodles for ages which is the whole reason I purchased my vegetable spiralizer.

Making the zucchini noodles was so easy and I'm now seeing lots of other recipes using other vegetables in place of pasta.  What a cool way of getting your child to eat more vegetables than to make their spaghetti bolognaise with zoodles?

So my vegetable spiralizer came with three different blades like the Paderno World Cuisine one below, but you can also get them with 7 blades, Amazon's best selling vegetable spiralizer comes with 7 blades and is the second one featured.

 Paderno World Cuisine 3-Blade Vegetable Slicer / Spiralizer, Counter-Mounted and includes 3 Stainless Steel Blades Spiralizer 7-Blade Vegetable Slicer for Healthy Low Carb/Paleo/Gluten-Free Meals With 3 Exclusive Recipe E-Books …

The actual one that I have doesn't seem to be available online which is why I've given you two alternatives.  Now I've only used the blade to made noodles so I'd just get the 3 blade one personally, but...

They were super easy to make you simply placed the zucchini (or vegetable of choice) on the spiky guard, making sure that the other end is in the middle of the round thing that is going to basically core your zucchini so that it looks like a very weird toadstool after the noodles are all made.

The next step is to simply turn the handle, however if that is all you do you won't get very long noodles, you'll just get little curls (they don't say that in the instructions).  What you need to do is as you're turning the handle you need to also be applying a gentle pressure inwards (towards the vegetable) then it will work beautifully.

It is super quick and I simply popped the zoodles into boiling water for a few minutes - basically treating them like fresh pasta noodles.  I've since been told of other ways of cooking them that involve almost sauteing them in coconut oil, but I haven't tried that (and probably won't).

Image by Louanne Cox, Arbonne Independent Consultant

I would recommend starting with zucchini as it's quite a bland vegetable which makes it ideal to replace spaghetti.  I would also recommend a pinch of salt in the water when cooking it, I didn't do this the first time and it was much better when I did do it.

You can use sweet potato, carrot, parsnips and who knows what other vegetable, just use your imagination.

I will be trying out sweet potato next as I think that will go really well with a number of dishes I enjoy.

Have you ever tired zoodles or thought about making them?  If so then why wait, just do it as Nike would say!

Let me know in the comments if you've tried any other vegetables as I'd love to hear how they went.

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Reviewing Within Temptation Band - Music That Speaks to My Soul

An Accustic Night at the Theater by Within Temptation
available on Amazon.com

My Constant Companion 

Music has been my loyal and constant companion my entire life. It often sets my mood, changes my mood or soothes my soul. If I want to grieve, it will grieve with me. If I want to rejoice, it will join my celebration. If I want to dance, it will set the pace. If I want to love, it will put my feelings into words and express what I do not have words to say. 

My mother is an extremely talented pianist. She can play anything without music and in any key. She is every vocalist dream of a perfect accompanist. No doubt, I owe my love for music to my mother. When she plays, her music resonates throughout the house, in our hearts and in our souls. Because of her influence, I don't just hear a string of notes, I feel the song and it's message. 

Every decade or so, I hear a musician who just has that touch. One who takes my breathe away by their sheer natural talent.  I would like to introduce you to a talent that I originally discovered in my son's vast collection of cd's. I was searching for a current day song to recommend to a promising soloist and I found a real treasure. 

"All I Need" by Within Temptation

This song has a haunting melody and lyrics! 

Ever since the first time I heard it, I find myself humming the tune or even singing it out loud at some of the strangest times.  This is one of those songs that crosses two areas of emotion for me. It will cry with me when I am depressed or it will sooth my soul when I am hurting. It isn't the lyrics to this song, although they are beautiful, but the melody and her comforting vocal quality that just calms me. 

I love the idea of making "my heart a better place."  A phrase from this song is actually my cell phone ring.  I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do. 

Lyrics to "All I Need"

WITHIN TEMPTATION LYRICS - All I Need 

I'm dying to catch my breath. Oh why don't I ever learn? I've lost all my trust, though I've surely tried to turn it around.  Can you still see the heart of me? All my agony fades away when you hold me in your embrace.

 

Within Temptation ~ The Band

 Within Temptation Poster 18" X 24"Check PriceThis group has actually been performing together since 1996. Because they were all still in college, they took a hiatus in 1999 to finish their studies, but returned in 2000 to the stage to become not only Holland's biggest selling musical export, but also one of the fastest growing new rock acts internationally. 

I am extremely impressed with the longevity and commitment of this group. As usual, in the beginning "Within Temptation" had to replace a few band members for various reasons, but nothing reports that they had any volatile splits or dissension within the group.  Most often a band will split several times due to internal differences and squabbles. These young people seem to have been able to handle fame and a rigorous schedule together without all of the petty jealousy and fighting that usually destroys a group on it's way up the charts.

• Official Website for Within Temptation - If you want to find out more about the band, Within Temptation's tour schedule or about their merchandise, this is the place to visit!

"Stand My Ground" by Within Temptation

This song speaks to a totally different side of me altogether. A side that my family is very familiar with and probably wish I would hold back sometimes. I am a warrior at heart and I will fight for what is right.  I definitely "Stand My Ground." 
 

WITHIN TEMPTATION LYRICS - Stand My Ground
I can see when you stay low nothing happens, Does it feel right? Late at night Things I thought I put behind me Haunt my mind / I just know there's no escape/  Now once it sets its eyes on you But I won't run, Have to stare it in the eye / Stand my ground

 

Awards for "Within Temptation" 

There are multiple notable awards worldwide.  Some are internationally known.  Others are perhaps more regional or genre specific, but the list is quite impressive!
 
2002
* Silver Harp (Dutch Music Award)
* TMF Award in Holland - Most Promising Act
* TMF Award in Belgium - Best Rock (International)

2003
* Edison (Dutch Music Award) - Best Live DVD: Mother Earth Tour
* Conamus Export Award now known as the Buma Export Award
     (given to Dutch artists who have sold the most records abroad)
 
2004
* Conamus Export Award aka Buma Export Award
 
2005
* Edison Award - Best Band
* TMF Awards Holland - Best Rock National
* Conamus aka Buma Export Prize
* World Music Award - Best-selling Dutch Artist
 
2006
* 3 FM Award - Best Rock Artist
* Golden God (Best Video: Angels)
* Buma Culture Export Prize

2007
* 3FM Award - Best Rock Artist
* TMF Awards Belgium - Best Live Act (International)
* TMF Awards Holland - Best Live Act
* TMF Awards Holland - Best Video
* MTV Europe Music Awards - Best Dutch & Belgian act
* World Music Awards  - Best Selling Dutch Artist

2009
* Golden Harp
* 3FM Award - Best Live Act
* Female Metal Voices Fest Awards – Best Album for The Heart of Everything

2011
* Loudwire Music Award - Rock Album of the Year - The Unforgiving
* Loudwire Music Award - Artist of the Year
* Loudwire Music Award - Rock Goddess of the Year given to Lead Singer, Sharon den Adel  

2014 
* Metal Hammer Award (Germany) - Best Live Band
* Loudwire Music Award - Rock Goddess of the Year given to Lead Singer, Sharon den Adel

2016
* Buma Export Award


Confirmation Source: Wikipedia

 

"Somewhere" by Within Temptation 

This song has a double meaning to me and it depends on my mood which meaning I embrace at the time. One part is romantic. The one that says "I will wait for you. You are a part of me now and always." 

The other is introspective and very personal. I sometimes search inside myself for the "whys." 
 

By MrPanyGoff (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Band Members of Within Temptation

* Sharon den Adel - vocals (since 1996) 
* Robert Westerholt - rhythm guitar, death vocals (since 1996) 
* Ruud Adrianus Jolie - lead guitar (since 2001) 
* Jeroen van Veen - bass (since 1996) 
* Martijn Spierenburg - keyboards (since 2001) 
* Mike Coolen - drums (since 2011) 
* Stephen Helleblad - rhythm & lead guitar (since 2011)

 

"The Truth Beneath the Rose" by Within Temptation

This song is a combination of all of my emotions. It evokes my passion to right every wrong. To stand my ground until I reach my own final destiny and it certainly speaks to the seeker in me. It also touches another part of me. The one that seeks forgiveness for any wrongs that I have ever committed, knowingly or unknowingly. It is the hardest for me to easily dismiss.

Lyrics to "The Truth Beneath the Rose"

Within Temptation - Truth Beneath The Rose Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Lyrics to 'Truth Beneath the Rose' by Within Temptation. Give me strength to face the truth, the doubt within my soul / No longer I can justify the bloodshed in his name. / Is it a sin to seek the truth, the truth beneath the rose?

 

By Olarcadia (Own work)
[CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)],
via Wikimedia Commons

The Choice

It was really difficult to choose only a few songs by "Within Temptation" to share with you. Every song possesses and exudes great passion and depth. 

This band has the unique and rare combination of a songwriter with the heart of a poet, a band with remarkable musical ability and a vocalist with an unbelievable range, clear voice quality and tremendous breath control. I even like the background death vocals. They are not overused or out of place in this music. 

This is easily one of the best groups recording today!

---

 The UnforgivingCheck Price The Silent ForceCheck Price The Heart Of EverythingCheck Price Black Symphony [with Bonus DVD] [Blu-ray]Check Price

 

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Review of Facts on the Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Distinguishing Features

The Eurasian tree sparrow is similar to the house sparrow but with a few distinguishing features.  The most notable one is the black patch in the middle of a pure white cheek.  You can see that feature in the photo above.  These birds also have a rich chestnut colored crown and nape.  Both sexes are similar and the young birds are just a duller version of the adult birds.  

I had seen these birds in our yard for several years and did not realize they were different from the house sparrows until I took some photographs and started to study their features.  Since they are only in a limited region of the USA I did not find them in my pocket field guide to birds and had to do a bit more searching online to find more information. 

History in USA

Eurasian Tree Sparrows were first introduced in the USA when 20 birds were brought to St. Louis, Missouri from Germany.  It is said that these birds probably would have multiplied and spread except that the House Sparrow was introduced to the US at about the same time.  The House Sparrow is a tougher bird and kept the Eurasian Tree Sparrows from spreading.  Today you mostly find these birds around the St. Louis area, although you may find them in other parts of Missouri, Illinois and southern Iowa.  We live about 40 miles west of St. Louis and have quite a few of the birds in our yard year round.  They seem to stay in some of our low shrubs around our house.  They are frequent visitors at both our finch feeders and our wild bird feeders.  They also like to visit our birdbath.

More Information

If you would like to read more about these interesting birds, I would suggest the following link where I gathered much of my information. Audubon Field guide   At this site you can also listen to the calls of the birds.

Bird Guide

I find this bird guide to be  valuable tool for identifying birds in my backyard.  It did have a small blurb on Eurasian tree sparrow under the heading Old World Sparrows.

                                                               

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How to Encourage a Young Entrepreneur!

Have You Ever Heard of the Secret Millionaires Club?  Here's a Review!

I am the Lucky Grandmother of 4 grandchildren.  Each one has their strengths and weaknesses and one in particular has a penchant for having her own business.  Who would have thought that at the age of 7 1/2, she would want to know how to earn, how to invest and how to make some serious choices in her little life!

It all started out with wanting a horse!  Did I tell you my granddaughter loves horses?  Well the truth is she does!  She is lucky enough that her parents are also a little "horse" crazy!  Mom used to ride, so when the children were looking for a sport, horseback riding was right up there front and center.  It also helps that they live fairly close to farms and stables. 

Horses are not like cats and dogs though!  If you think they are high maintenance, you haven't seen anything yet!  Horses can  break anyone's bank!  They are expensive to buy, expensive to keep and they need grooming, training, riding and treats too, just like any other pet!  

So when my granddaughter asked for a horse, her parents did the smartest thing I could think of.  They sat her down and explained the differences between having a horse and having a cat or dog or any other kind of animal as a pet.  They also explained and had her do the arithmetic to see how much difference there was in this kind of pet ownership.

So how do we go from wanting a horse, to the "Secret Millionaires Club?"  It all lies in affordability!  Ask anyone who owns a horse and they will tell you that you need to have really deep pockets in order to own a horse.  

There is always something that the horse or the rider will need, and it usually costs more than a sack of  Dog or Cat Food!

So now I'll let you in on the rest of the story!  My granddaughter, not to be underestimated, has decided to open up her own business so that she can help to buy and take care of a horse!  Her parent's are quite impressed with the fact that she came up with this idea herself.  In order to help her think and plan accordingly, my son (who happens to know a little bit about money and how it works) gave her a great book to study.  Warren Buffet, likes to encourage people to start thinking about money early.  To that end, Warren Buffet has written "How to Start your Very First Business"!  It contains lots of ideas for kid-run companies and stories about awesome kids that are doing just that!

  

When I saw this book on my granddaughter's desk, I just had to take a closer look at it. Her words to me were, "Grammie, I need to make my lemonade stand more profitable!" I almost fell on the floor. She was so serious though, that I just could not laugh, rather I had to take a step back and really look at what she meant.

So this book is now in my hands and I'm reading it with interest for my own sake, for sharing it with others and for my granddaughter!  When she comes to me with an idea for raising some money, I can sit with her and encourage her as well.  As Warren Buffet shows the kids in this book, it's not all about money and how to make it, it's also about giving back and helping others as well.  Success comes from working hard and working smarter too. 

I am impressed with this book!  Not only does it go through the steps to building a business, but it also encourages children to not only set up a great business from the start, but also to think beyond their own wants and desires.  Kids are amazing at what they can accomplish if they are encouraged to do so and this book will definitely give them some really good food for thought and action too!

If you have an entrepreneurial child in your family, this would be a great investment for them and maybe even for you!  Being able to give them good advice is always a bonus!

As for the horse in my granddaughter's future, I'm pretty sure it will happen one of these days.

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Logitech Wireless Mouse M525 Reviewed

My Corded Mouse Died

My new wireless mouse

Last week I found myself with a computer mouse that no longer worked, I purchased the Logitech Wireless Mouse M525 to replace it. There are several reasons that I love my choice, so let me tell what they are.

To begin with, the size surprised me. Let me explain. I have small hands which may seem like a silly thing to bring up. In this case, the size of my hands is relevant. You see, my hands are small enough that to get the best fit in gloves I have to get a size for children. To get back to my point, most of the computer mice that I have owned were rather big for my hand. My wrist would have an uncomfortable bend to it while I used the mouse. Not so, with this wireless mouse! It is small, fitting nicely into my hand. My wrist now lays flat which is much more comfortable. When I made my purchase this was not a factor that helped me make my decision; it was just a very nice surprise.

My first choice was that it was compatible with several OS (operating systems) so I wasn't concerned that it might not work with my older laptop. I plugged it in and voila it worked immediately. 

The tiny little USB receiver can be stored in a little compartment on the underbelly of the mouse. That makes it convenient for travel. I also liked that the batteries have a considerably long life. Depending on how much mileage you have on your clicking and scrolling activity, the batteries can last up to 3 years. Another feature on the underbelly is an on/off switch. I love that! I can save some juice on those batteries by turning off the mouse when I power down each evening.

Logitech M525 Wireless Mouse

Now for the important part, the performance! I am thrilled with how this mouse allows the moving of the cursor across the screen, it is smooth and precise. What really impresses me is the scrolling wheel. Those long pages on the internet are not so difficult to scroll through now. Another feature is that I can use the wheel to go forward and backward on pages by pushing the wheel to the left or right. My corded mouse couldn't do that. It has turned out to be a nice feature.

So, if you are in the market for a new computer mouse, I can highly recommend the Logitech Wireless Mouse M525. I am extremely happy with my purchase. It fits nicely in my hand, works with speed and precision and it did not put much of a dent into my budget. You will even have a choice in the color of the mouse, I loved the red but you might like the black, navy or white one. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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