If Only They Could Talk By James Herriot - A Book Review

 

If Only They Could Talk, was Alf Wight's first book published in 1970 under the author name of James Herriot. It was also his first book that I read, and as a young child, I was completely and utterly enthralled. My copy is now very old and looks a little time-worn. This book has been with me on trains, and holidays and moved with me to every home I have lived in and I still love it. 

Surprisingly, knowing now just how popular his books and the series that followed, James Herriot was turned down by publishing houses when he first presented his book. I imagine given his subsequent success and place in many people's hearts, that the publishers who turned him down bitterly regretted their decision! I am very glad that Alf White did not take rejection to heart and persevered to get his first book published. 

Alf Wight could not publish under his own name as that would have been seen as advertising, which was professionally frowned upon by the veterinary profession. He chose the pen name James Herriot from the name of the Scottish goalkeeper Jim Herriot, who Alf would have known about.  

Surgery In Thirsk Where James Herriot (Author) Alf Wight (Vet) Practiced. 

If Only They Could Talk is a warm hearted book recounting his early experiences as a young veterinary surgeon in Thirsk, a small rural town in North Yorkshire, UK during the 1930's. I have written about Thirsk in my article Reviewing Our Visit To James Herriot Country Thirsk North Yorkshire UK, should you wish to know more about the town and the surgery where he practiced. 

His first book is full of witty observations, humourous moments and heart warming stories about the animals he treated and their owners. He depicts with honesty the difficulties, challenges, passion and wonders of a young vet starting out in the 1930's.   

His writing style is very easy, engaging and descriptive, bringing the animals and people to life so you feel like you are living his experiences right along with him. I just love the stories and tales he so wonderfully brings through the page.

His growing love of his adoptive county of North Yorkshire shows in his writing as he skillfully transports us via his words to the gorgeous stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales countryside. 

Whether he is helping a sheep in difficulty give birth in a cold field on an early Spring evening, performing small animal surgery, or diagnosing a beloved dog's illness, his love of the work and his passion to do his best for both animal and owner and his commitment to veterinary practice shines through. You really feel the dedication he has to his patients and the joy and sadness, frustration and amusement the work brings. 

Reading it again now makes you realise how much the world has changed and how much we have lost and gained. How community was so important and how they lived with significantly less technology than we do now. It was often frustrating that vets did not have the medicines they needed yet they were inventive and persistent to do their utmost to relieve suffering and cure, working hard and valuing each other.

He clearly has a wonderful sense of humour and the book is filled with hilarious anecdotes of his experiences with the animals and their owners which will make you laugh. I love the way he depicts the many wonderful often larger than life characters both human and animal he came across in his work. Truly one of the joys and gifts of all his writing.   

If Only They Could Talk, is a touching, funny and uplifting book. I loved it as a child and as a teenager, often reading deep into the night, way longer than I should have on a school night. I loved it even more as an adult, picking up more on the nuances of life as a vet and the challenges, joy and frustration it would bring. It can be read on many levels, appealing to animal lovers, depicting life as a young vet, and for anyone seeking an escape into the 1930's Yorkshire countryside along with a young vet making his way in the world. 

Whatever age and stage of life I have been when I read the book it has made me laugh and cry every time. There were times I quietly smiled and times I felt it pull at my heart. The book appreciates the special bonds we can develop with animals and recognises those deep enduring feelings. It brings to life the struggles of farming life, making a living in harsh conditions and of being a pet owner with the deep bonds and emotions that prevail.

It depicts clearly and without pretension or hubris what it was like for a country vet in the 1930s in North Yorkshire including the joys and sorrows, the successes and failures and slowly becoming a part of the landscape he worked within.

 

Overall If Only They Could Talk available at Amazon, is a beautiful book, a timeless classic I have enjoyed reading and rereading for decades and I would highly recommend it. As his first book as a published author, I think he writes very well, easy enough for older children to read, yet there are I think deeper levels to recognise as an adult. If you have enjoyed the TV series then do read the book which has the scope and time to go into more detail. 

Reviewing Our Visit To James Herriot Country Thirsk North Yorkshire UK

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Grampa's Weeder Review

Weeds! Weeds! Go away! The bane of flower beds, vegetable gardens, container gardens, pathways and walkways are the weeds that multiple overnight. One day a sprout of a weed turns into a monster with tough and tangly roots with no signs of abating. Grampa's Weeder to the rescue for easy and efficient weed removal.

After a very prolific spring weeding season it was apparent that the family had a distinct lack of interest in the labor involved with weed removal. It wasn't the labor or lack of interest but the labor as in who wants to constantly do toe to hand to foot battle with weeds and weeding utensils.

Grampa's Weeder is a tool that promises to be "Easy & Simple Weeding Tool That Saves Your Back & Knees With Grampa's 45" Stand Up Bamboo Long Handle. Remove Weeds Without Bending, Pulling, Or Kneeling." True? I was definitely swayed by the 4.5 / 5 stars of over 39,000 ratings prior to purchase.

Yes! True! This old school tool makes weeding so quick and easy. By simply stepping on the foot lever the claws dig into the soil and find the roots. 

How Does the Weeder Work?

Very simple. Position the claw in the middle of the weed so the claw will be grabbing the weed and the roots. If the weed is very large with strong roots (ie a very mature dandelion), you may want to use two attempts. This tool works best on size medium and up weeds, but I did try the tool on smaller weeds too and was successful.

Press into ground by stepping on the foot lever.

Then lean the tool forward or to the side to loosen the roots.

Simple! It really is.

Pros

• Easy to Use
• Four Claw Design to seek roots
• Old school weeder design with the added foot lever
• Remove weeds by standing
• Foot lever very easy to use
• The roots stay in the claw until manually released which ensures proper disposal
• Solid construction

Cons

I didn't find any, only a note. The overall weight of the tool is not light; I'd consider it midweight in that if you desire to flip the tool upside down to remove the weed/weed roots from the claw which is totally optional.

I highly recommend this tool. While price is subjective, at this price point, I would expect the tool to deliver as promised or the tool would be returned. Happy to report Grampa's Weeder is a keeper. 

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Check Out Pantone's Color of the Year 2023 - Magenta

Hey there, fellow color enthusiasts! Today let's dive into Pantone's captivating color of the year —Magenta. What a great color! Magenta is basically the colors red and purple mixed together.

Have you ever encountered a color with a certain spark, an irresistible allure? Magenta is one of those colors. 

The History of Magenta

Magenta has a fascinating history that traces back to the ancient Persians, who used a fuchsia dye from the mallow plant to dye their clothes. Isn't it incredible how colors carry stories from the past? It's like a piece of cultural heritage infused into our modern lives. 

The Qualities of Magenta

For me, magenta embodies a captivating mix of qualities. 

It's like the love child of red and purple, blending the fiery passion of red with the spiritual depth of purple. Imagine Love being a touch of artistic flair and warmth with a hint of enchantment. That's magenta for you. 

Magenta is like a burst of creative energy but with warmth and calmness mixed in. It is a soothing color, especially in home decor. Below there's a link to various magenta-colored items for the home; be sure to check it out.

Magenta Plays Nice With Other Colors

Now, let's talk about the magic when magenta meets other colors. I've discovered some delightful combinations that have stolen my heart. Picture magenta and teal together. 

The coolness of teal complements the warmth of magenta, creating a visually striking partnership. 

When magenta joins forces with lime green, it's like a burst of vibrant energy. The freshness of lime green adds an invigorating touch to magenta's intensity. It's like sipping a zesty, colorful cocktail for the eyes.

But if you're into a more classic and sophisticated vibe, magenta can hold its own with black and white. It becomes the focal point, the center of attention. The contrast between magenta's vibrancy and the timeless elegance of black and white creates a captivating visual dynamic. 

Check out How Nicely Magenta Goes With Teal!

To wrap it up, magenta holds a special place in my heart. It's a color that invites me to embrace my creativity, express myself boldly, especially in home decor, and relax in its calming nature. 

Go ahead and explore the magic of magenta for yourself. Let it infuse your life with its vivacity and charm. Paint, wear, and decorate with it—whatever speaks to your soul. And remember, the world of colors is vast and beautiful, waiting to be explored one hue at a time.

Magenta Home Decor Product Ideas

Magenta actually comes in many shades; you can check out the various Magenta items for the home here - bedding, lamps, rugs, and more.

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Crocs Charms Reviewed

Crocs Charms are actually called Jibbitz Charms for shoes.

My youngest grandson just celebrated his 9th birthday. One of the gifts he requested was a selection of Crocs Charms for his Crocs shoes. 

I was introduced to these interesting little charms at grandson Tyler's birthday party, having never heard of them before. At my grandmother age, I have to be 'clued in' on the latest 'craze' by my grandchildren, as I seldom follow what's new in the world of the younger set. :) 

Children and grandchildren keep parents and grandparents “in the know” when new things become popular.

Jibbitz Charms or Crocs Charms for Shoes

Jibbitz charms are cute and fun little images in the form of pop culture characters. There are also letters and sayings.  Each charm is mounted on a post and pop into the holes of Crocs Classics.  Each Croc (shoe) has 13 holes, so you can place up to 26 of these charms at a time. Or just use your favorites one day, and then change them out for another day. 

These Crocs charms are not just for kids. Adults, and even celebrities, collect them and wear them on their Crocs.  Kids like the cartoon and animated movie characters, moms like to add jewels and dads often wear charms of their favorite sports. 

How Long Have Crocs Charms Been Around?

In 2005, a stay-at-home mom got the idea to decorate her kids' Crocs with faux flowers and charms. She used clay and rhinestones to make charms that would fit snugly into the holes of her family's multiple pairs of Crocs. Her husband saw the potential, since more than 80 percent of the 26 million pairs of Crocs in the world are speckled by holes.  A great many of these popular shoes are worn by accessory-loving youth.  

The couple began a web site to sell their homemade Crocs charms under the name of Jibbitz. They began to create these charms in an assembly-line production in the basement, with help from their parents.

In a very short time, these charms became so popular that they had to eventually branch out into a regular office and warehouse. Within months, their company, Jibbitz, was purchased by Crocs when the couple agreed to take $10 million for the company, which will operate as a subsidiary. An American 'dream come true'. 

Summary

Having just learned about 'Crocs Charms' I found them so interesting I had to research what they were all about. This review is the result.  

Crocs Charms come in a variety of package sizes, from sets of 5 or 25 up to 100 pieces in a package. The charm themes are practically endless, from cartoon characters to anime superheros to flowers, sports, animals and Disney. Just about anything you can think of can be found in a Crocs Charm. 

Click here to choose from a selection of Crocs Charms Available on Amazon

Tyler choosing which charms to add
to his Crocs

Tyler putting his Charms on
his Crocs shoes

I certainly could see how excited my grandson was to receive a new pair of Crocs shoes and a package of 30 charms to decorate them with.  

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

Quick Links:

• A Selection of Crocs Charms on Amazon 
• Crocs Shoes for Kids on Amazon

*Crocs Charms Review by Wednesday Elf

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GIFT IDEAS FOR DAD

Father's Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday in June. Remember to do something for your father that shows you know and appreciate him because that is what Dad really wants for his day and/or even his birthday. If you want to add a small physical gift, here are some wonderful and affordable gift ideas for Dad.

On this page we'll review a few great gift ideas for dad including a picture frame, a couple of coffee mugs, a t-shirt, an apron, a keepsake journal and a Hallmark movie. I am sure that you will find something here that is within your budget and that is perfect for your Dad.

Click here to see this Hallmark card for dad on Amazon.

A PICTURE FRAME 

Featuring a contemporary, clean and modern design, this frame suits many household styles. It holds one 4 inch by 6 inch vertically oriented picture of daddy and me. In fact, there are a variety of designs by Malden that read differently. From this one to one that reads, The Boys, Dad, Godfather, Daddy's Girl and more.

Find Malden's Daddy picture frames here on Amazon.

A COFFEE MUG

There's a modern theme on this blue space-themed, camping-style, stoneware mug from Our Name is Mud. The front side reads "Coolest Dad in the Galaxy" and the other, "You're Out of This World." It holds 16 ounces of your dad's favorite steamy hot beverage and is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Find this Coolest Dad mug here on Amazon.

AN ART POTTERY MUG

If you think that the dad in your life is not into the space-themed mug shown above, you might consider something like this personalized, handmade art pottery coffee mug from Laura Lynn Pottery. It is a handsome piece that holds up to two cups of dad's favorite hot drink. It comes with your choice of dad-themed words including dad, daddy, papa or grandpa and you can request others terms of endearment by contacting the artist. Done in an attractive color combination of buff clay and satin black glaze.

Find this dad-themed art pottery coffee mug here on Etsy.

A T-SHIRT

A t-shirt might not seem like a totally original gift idea. However, it surely is a practical one and Life is Good has and has had some fun designs like the one shown above, which reads, "Dad, You're One of My Favorite Parents." Guaranteed to make people smile and perfect for dad all year long.

Click here to buy your Life is Good Dad-themed t-shirt from Amazon.

CUSTOMIZED APRON

I love this personalized apron. Etsy creator By Barva takes a photograph of the father or other individual in your life and transfers a likeness of the image and the name of the individual onto an apron. Perfect for any dad who likes to cook and/or grill.  Of course, aprons are not the only product they produce. You can also have a drinking glass customized in the same fashion or even a t-shirt.

Check out By Barva's apron and their other dad-themed items here on Etsy.

A GUIDED KEEPSAKE JOURNAL

Dad Tell Me Your Story is a thoughtful gift idea. It is a glossy, hardcover book, journal-style that helps guide your father to put his memories and thoughts on paper. When finished, it becomes a treasured memento of dad's life. Features 100 numbered pages and a family tree. Subjects cover a wide variety from childhood to adulthood. It even includes blank pages for photos or illustrations or small paper mementos. It is available in hardcover or paperback though I would think if dad is going to invest time filling out the pages, you might prefer to preserve them in hardcover.

Find this keepsake journal here on Amazon.

A FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLMARK MOVIE

Hallmark's Safe Harbor movie (2009) is based on the true story of a married couple who are set to retire and spend their retirement on their sailboat. However, before they manage to leave, a friend asks them to look after two teenagers who have been sentenced to juvenile hall. The hall is at capacity and unable to take them and when it is suggested that the teen boys be put to work getting the boat ready for their trip, the couple agrees. Soon they find themselves with four boys.

The situation brings a set of challenges from attitude to fire but, in the end, there are positive changes in all four boys who decide they do not want to break up their newly created 'family.' The couple questions their own situation, their sailing trip, their choice not to have children and the future.

Starring Treat Williams, Nancy Travis, Reiley McClendon, Myra Turley and Cameron Monaghan, Safe Harbor is a good viewing opportunity for dad to share with the family. 

Click here to order your copy of Safe Harbor from eBay.

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What will you be giving your dad for Father’s Day this year?

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

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Book Review - Toes on the Dash

 

AI Creation

Sometimes life just calls for a "Cozy Mystery".  When I need a book to just relax and chill out I find one of these light novels fits the bill.  I was recently introduced to a cozy mystery writer that I really like.  Karen Whalen writes delightful cozy mysteries that I really enjoy.  The first one I read introduced me to a delightful character named Delaney.

Character Summary

Delaney Morran is a young woman (28) who, after a short career as a social worker is trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life.  Meanwhile she is helping out part time in her friend's coffee shop. 

When Delaney's estranged father dies in an accident, she is surprised to find that he has left her his tow truck and his towing business.   Now Delaney is a real girly girl who loves wearing a different pair of shoes with each outfit and is quite fond of spikey high heels.  This image doesn't quite seem to fit with a tow truck driver and Delaney has no idea what she is getting into, but she is up for the challenge.  Her somewhat nagging mother, however, thinks she should sell the tow truck.  Delaney has a lot to learn but she is a strong woman and feels she can make it as a tow truck driver and owner.

The book is full of twist and turns as Delaney finds her way in the business and gets the help from a fellow tow truck driver to learn how to operate her vehicle.  The book, which is set in Colorado, is full of laughter and a bit of romance as Delaney sizes up the young tow truck driver and the cute cop.  It also ends up with a murder mystery when a dead body is found in the trunk of her first tow.

 

I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.  You can find out more about her books on her website www.karencwhalen.com .

This book was recommended to me by author Teri M Brown.  You  can read a review I posted on one of Teri's book at An Enemy Like Me .

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These Inexpensive Face Washing Wristbands Keep Your Arms Dry

Spa wristbands, AKA face washing wristbands or towel wristbands, solve the annoying problem of water running down your arms while washing or rinsing your face (and dripping onto your bathroom sink or counter). I only recently learned that these handy spa wristbands existed while watching a popular online skincare store owner using them during a “get ready with me” video of her current AM and PM skincare routines. Even though she didn’t talk about them (and doesn’t sell them), the minute I saw them, it was like a lightbulb moment for me!

Here's my product review of the soft, absorbent microfiber face washing wristbands I bought and love.

I chose the white, pastel blue, pastel lavender and pastel pink ("Blue, Purple, Pink") color assortment, but there are 13 assortments to choose from including leopard prints, tie dye prints and adorable embroidered animal appliqués.

While it's true that having water running down your forearms while washing your face or rinsing off a facial masque or other skincare treatment certainly isn't the end of the world, it can be quite annoying. That's especially true if you wear a long-sleeved bathrobe or nightgown while cleansing your face.

I used to try standing farther away from my sink and bending over it at a steeper angle to try to avoid the drips, but the water simply ran down my forearms more slowly and dripped off my elbows onto the bathroom floor instead of into the sink. Not exactly an improvement!

Since discovering these towel wristbands, both my arms and my sleeves stay comfortably dry while I'm washing my face.

 I can splash water on my face without getting the sleeves of my peignoir wet!

What I Love About These Microfiber Face Washing Spa Wristbands

These deliciously plush microfiber towel wristbands come in sets of 4 pairs and are:

Extremely Absorbent

Microfiber is deservedly popular as a towel material because of its high absorbency. The more plush the material, the more surface area there is to absorb water.

At 3.5"/9 cm wide by 2.4"/6 cm tall, there's enough of the plush microfiber toweling to absorb dripping water before it can get past your wrists.

Delightfully Soft and Silky Microfiber Fleece

Snuggly soft microfiber fleece material feels great against your skin.

Very Stretchy

These wristbands have excellent elasticity and stretch easily to fit most wrists. They go on and off easily and stay put while wearing, providing a snug yet extremely comfortable dam to prevent water from dripping down your forearms.

Wide Selection of Solid Colors, Leopard Prints, Tie Dye and Appliqué Designs

You'll find a choice of 13 pretty color assortments, including not only solids but also colorful leopard prints, vibrant tie dye prints, and adorable appliquéd and embroidered animal faces that teens (and the young at heart) will enjoy.

Easy Care

Although the product page suggests hand washing and I usually do (and then wring them out and allow them to air dry), some Amazon reviewers have said they throw theirs in the washing machine. I haven't found mine to need washing very often.

Surprisingly Affordable

Although the list price for four pairs of spa wristbands is $12.99, they were priced between $9.98 and $11.99 on Amazon, depending on the color and pattern selection, at the time of this review's publication. 

Most were $9.98 per set or just $2.50 per pair, with free Prime shipping and free returns for Amazon Prime members!

I have extras of these plush microfiber spa wristbands and my stretch terrycloth spa headbands so I never run out while they are being laundered. I also keep a set in my suitcase for travel.

They Can Do Double Duty as Sweat Wristbands for Sports (or Hot Weather)

The plush, absorbent microfiber material can wick away sweat as well as water effectively, and they feel much nicer against the skin than typical terrycloth sweatbands.

These Spa Wristbands Make Great, Affordable Gifts for Her

They would make a great gift for any woman, teen or young girl on your list. Girls and teens (and playful adults) would especially love the leopard prints, colorful tie dye patterns and cute, fun, kawaii animal appliqué sets with cats, bunnies, teddy bears, etc.

For an even nicer gift idea, consider pairing these face washing wristbands with my favorite stretch terrycloth spa headband wrap with Velcro closure (I've tried a few brands and this one is my favorite).

If you want to splurge, add my favorite VOLO Hero premium microfiber hair towel or some luxury skincare for a gift she's sure to love that will make her feel pretty and pampered!

These Inexpensive Face Washing Wristbands Keep Your Arms Dry by Margaret Schindel

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Reviewing the Viral Green Gut Glow Drink

Green Gut Glow Set

Every day I enjoy taking my Green Gut Glow drink and I absolutely love how it makes me feel, have you tried it yet? You can buy the ingredients in a set from Arbonne and it has really gone viral on Tik Tok in recent times, especially after a review by a beauty editor in the UK.

The Green Gut Glow is actually made up of 3 different supplements that combine together in a drink that offers smart nutrition support, reduced bloating and glowing skin. The three supplements are the BeWell Superfood Greens (the Green) which I have previously reviewed here; the Gut Health Digestion & Microbiome Support (the Gut) which is a synbiotic aka it contains both pre and pro-biotics; the Skin Elixir Collagen Builder (the Glow) which is formulated with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and biotin to support collagen production for radiant skin, hair and nails. 

Why Do I Recommend the Green Gut Glow Drink

There are a number of reasons why I take this supplement and recommend it, but I should mention that I used to take something called the Green Ogre Drink and some people may find that this is better for them. I compare the two of them in this post.

Let's Talk Greens

The first reason for taking the Green Gut Glow drink is the Greens. I personally feel it's important for most people to have some form of greens drink as it really helps to increase your fruit and veg intake during the day. As I mentioned in my post, Do You Eat Enough Fruit & Veg Every Day? I usually take my green gut glow drink first thing in the morning which counts as my first serve of fruit and veg for the day.

Whatever your diet is like I have never heard of anyone having a problem from consuming too much fruit and veg!  The Superfood Greens contains a blend of 36 fruits and vegetables in every serving including the superfoods Spirulina, Chlorella, Wheatgrass and Barley Grass. The other freeze-dried fruit and vegetables included ensuring that you get all the benefits of eating the full colour spectrum of fruits and vegetables. As it's a whole food blend it means that you're also getting all of the fibre, antioxidants and phytonutrients that ensure this is an amazing nutritional boost for you. 

I mentioned in my review that when I stopped having a greens drink (with this powder) for a few days I really noticed how tired I was which re-affirmed to me that this is a non-negotiable everyday supplement for me.

Let's Talk Gut Health

A key difference between the Green Ogre Drink and the Green Gut Glow Drink is that the Gut Health Digestion & Microbiome Support supplement wasn't a part of the Green Ogre Drink, however, I used to take it on its own in a little water. I'm not going to lie, the gut health in water is not a pleasant taste, but in the Green Gut Glow drink I don't taste it.

I believe that it's important to look after our gut health and I think this supplement is a very important step towards it, but to get the full effect of improved gut health you need to also make changes to your diet and lifestyle. This is definitely a  great first step.

The benefits I have personally noticed are less bloating and also less indigestion, both of which have been welcomed. I do credit my improved gut health in general for helping with the symptoms of both my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Menopause, but I'm not a medical professional so I suggest you do your own research. 

Let's Talk The Glow

When the Skin Elixir Collagen Builder supplement was first released I decided to try a box, but I wasn't sure I would take it every day as I had thought it was just for helping to keep your skin looking younger and I figured that wrinkles were basically the battle scars of my life - why try to hide them?

I added it to my Green Ogre Drink for a couple of weeks and then read a post in one of my Facebook groups about collagen that sent me down an absolute rabbit hole of information. I have continued to take it every day since!

The post was about collagen and joint health, as I ventured down the rabbit hole (and again I am not a medical expert) I read about how it was also good for heart health and decided that as someone with both RA and serious heart issues on both my maternal and paternal sides then I should take this.

What have I actually noticed while taking this supplement? My hairdresser was the first person to comment on my hair as she mentioned it had gotten thicker - I'm in my fifties so normally I would be expecting it to start thinning! I have definitely noticed that my skin looks a lot better, but I have been using the Arbonne skin products so it's probably a combination of the two.

Before I started using the Skin Elixir Collagen Builder I was going to the nail salon once a month as a treat and getting my nails painted. I'm not sure how long it took but I found that my nails were growing faster and I needed to go more than once a month. I decided I didn't need to do that so I've left my nails au naturel or I paint them myself or on occasion I've used some nail wraps.

How I Take My Green Gut Glow

Personally, I will usually add a fizz stick to my Green Gut Glow to add some caffeine as I no longer drink caffeinated tea and coffee on a daily basis. I also take the supplements in 600-700ml of water which is a bit more than some people, but I love how it's also helping my hydration levels that way.

When I first started taking this drink I would just shake the ingredients together and enjoy it, but it would sometimes be a little bitty. Since January 2023 I have been using a frother when I make my drink and it has made a huge difference and I do prefer to drink it this way.

Questions?

If you have any questions about my health drink or my health journey in general don't hesitate to reach out. You can find me in my Healthy Tips Facebook Group or on Instagram.  

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Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe

 Easy homemade calzone recipe reviewed. Calzones are fun and easy to make. They are a great lunch, dinner, or anytime snack.

Our grandson Tyler, came over to spend Saturday with us and wanted to make calzones. A calzone is a pizza folded over and filled with anything you can put on top of a pizza.

I went to our local grocery store and picked up some pizza dough, pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage crumbles, and mozzarella cheese. If you prefer to make the pizza dough yourself you use my Easy All Purpose Dough Recipe.

What makes these calzones so easy to enjoy is that you can easily find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store. Pick up the dough and your favorite fillings and you're on the way to a delicious lunch, dinner, or snack.

The first thing we did was roll the dough out in a greased pizza pan.

Next, we added the sauce, pepperoni, sausage, romano, or parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.

Then, we carefully folded our calzones over in half. Rolled and tucked the edges together and brushed the top with olive oil. Then, sprinkled some romano or parmesan cheese over top, and poke several places with a fork. The olive oil turns the top a nice brown and adds a little crunch. This one is all ready for the oven.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and bake these on the middle rack for 20 to 25 minutes until they are golden brown. Let them sit for about 10 minutes and cut in half and enjoy.

Calzones are versatile, you can use just about anything you like as a filling. Following are some different ideas for calzones:

 

Typical Calzone Fillings:

• Cheeses: Ricotta, mozzarella, cheddar, feta, and goat cheese.
• Meats: Pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, salami, Canadian bacon, bacon, steak strips, meatballs, chicken.
• Veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, artichokes, spinach, onions, hot peppers.
• Sauce: Pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or other dressings.

Mix and match any of these ingredients or some of your own to make a calzone to your liking and then enjoy.

One of my favorite kitchen tools is the Norpro Pastry and Dough Roller the same one Tyler is using in the second photo.

Norpro 3077 Wooden Pastry and Pizza Roller Set of 2Check the PriceGlad Nonstick Large Pizza Pan for Oven | Round Baking Tray | Textured Cooking Sheet Crisper | Premium Bakeware Series for Home KitchenCheck the Price

 

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Twin Flush Extension Cords for Furniture Up Against a Wall

I recently purchased a 12FT Flush Twin Extension Cord to go behind a bed against a wall. This means that we can have the bed right up against or very close to the wall instead of having the bed stick out because of the cord, and worse, a gap where things can fall behind!

A link to the cord, available on Amazon, has been provided below.

What is a Twin Flush Extension Cord?

It's exactly what it says; a cord that fits flush to the wall so furniture can be up against it and comes with two extension cords attached going two directions - left and right.

The design of this extension cord is excellent. With the slim flush profile and two 6ft extension cords branching out from the middle splitter, it easily tucks away behind any furniture and gives you a six-foot cord both ways. In our case, we're using it behind our son's bed. But hey, it would be an excellent extension for a couch up against a wall with a plug behind it and an end table on each side.

Works Great For Any Furniture Up Against a Wall That Has a Plug Behind

However, whether it's a dresser, table, TV, bed, couch, nightstand, or any other furniture, this cord flushes against the wall and extends to two sides. 

It has three polarized two-prong outlets on each adapter, so now I have six outlets at my disposal. So in simple terms, on each side of the bed, three plugs are available, all from one convenient cord.

Safety Features of This Cord

Safety is a top priority for me, especially regarding electrical appliances. I'm pleased to say that this extension cord has safety covers for each outlet. These covers effectively prevent dust and foreign objects from entering. Knowing potential electrical hazards are eliminated, I can confidently close the tamper guard when outlets are not in use.

It works seamlessly with most common household small appliances and consumer electronics, making it incredibly versatile. Our son has a lamp, a cell phone charger, and a table fan plugged into his without an issue.

This extension cord is safety-certified and ETL-listed, giving me peace of mind regarding its reliability. According to the details from the manufacturer, it has a maximum amp rating of 13. Additionally, the included ten-year warranty and product support add an extra layer of confidence.

Five Stars From Me - I Would Repurchase It, And Probably Will.

Its sleek design, impressive capacity, safety features, and universal compatibility make it a standout product.

I personally recommend it to anyone seeking a flush twin extension cord.

Five stars from me.

You Can Find the Cord Here, Via Amazon

 

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