What I'm Lovin'

Fresh produce. 

We live in an area where fresh produce is bountiful most of the time.

When I can't get to the local farmers market, then I head to Growers Outlet not too far from my house.  And they never disappoint.

I stock up on fruits and veggies at a fraction of the cost of the local supermarket AND they are fresh from the local fields.  Not shipped cross country, sitting in truck or warehouse days on end, packed in boxes, covered in wax, etc.  When not from the local area farms, they clearly show where they are from and again, typically not very far away.  I stopped in this past week on my way home from work and bought all my fruits/veggies for the week for $14.51!  I would have spent at least twice that much I am certain at the regular store.  If you are local, you should try them out!


Healthy Snacks.

Heard of Naturebox?  I signed on with them about 6 months ago.  Each month for $19.95 I receive a box of 5 different snacks.  Delicious and healthier snacks delivered to my door.  At this point, I have tried the bulk of their snacks and must say that I have not found a snack that I have not liked yet.  What a great way to start the New Year.  Healthier snacks, healthier you!


The New Year.


Out with the old, in the with the new.  This year has been tough for our family to say the least.  I will be glad when it is over.  If you have been following my blog you know that I changed jobs in February (after 17 years at my old company so this was no easy transition), Grandma passed away in May and then Uncle Mike passed away in November.  And more recent my mothers apartment back east burnt down.  She was able to get herself out and her dogs but had a few burns that she is being treated for.  She lost all of her possessions but I am thankful that she is alright.  She is staying with my brother and his family back east until she gets back on her feet. Talk about ending the year with a bang right.  I know there are a few days left so perhaps I should not tempt fate.

What are you lovin'?  

Full Disclosure:  Link to Naturebox provides me a credit towards my next purchase of a Naturebox should you sign up for the service.  Thank you.

What I'm Lovin' Wednesday

Every now and again I write a post about things that I love.  It could be products, people. songs, recipes, etc...I am thinking I might make this a weekly post and hoping that maybe you will join in on the fun.

What do you think about making it a link up blog hop?  You can share what ever YOU ARE LOVIN' at the moment (or can be an older blog post) and the blog post does not have to be titled What I'm Lovin'.  I would make it real simple with the only rule being that the post you link up is family friendly.  It can even be a product review or giveaways because obviously you are lovin' those if you have them on your blog. 

Maybe?  Would you link up? Leave me a comment if you would so I can gauge the interest.  I know there are lots of blog hops out there but most have so many rules, I want to make it easy for you to share something you love and show some love to others while you are at it. 

Ok, so  I guess I do have another rule and that is, to comment on other blogs and make it personal, not generic.  Really read what the writer is saying.  If you come across a blog that you just don't connect with, that is ok, move onto the next one. 

Here are a few things that I Am Lovin' this Wednesday

I Am Lovin' me some fresh garlic.  I *heart* garlic. I roasted up some of these bad boys and tossed them in with some butter and fresh green beans on Sunday for some Garlic Sauteed Green Beans.  I also used some in my Progresso Beef Stroganoff.  I can eat garlic in just about anything and often times do.  No chance of being attacked by a vampire in this house.

Those would be used Magic Erasers.  Whomever invented those originally is a GOD or GODDESS.  Seriously, these rock!  Our oldest daughter was actually saying something about these just the other day because the cleaning people at the apartment she moved into had used them.  And they work WONDERS.  WONDERS, I tell you.  I am not sure what parents-of-crayon-on -walls-infatuated-children did before them.  (maybe paint a lot?  Just sayin')

Bagels with "what some people would call weird cream cheese spreads".  This is a bagel from Jazzy Bagels with a Spinach Spread.  Ohh soo good.   And they don't stop there.  Cilantro, Walnut Raisin, Garlic, Veggie, Jalapeno, Wild Berry.....And their bagels are pretty darn good, too.  They have 19 different kinds to choose from made fresh daily.

These two....love, love, love them.  She is the sweetest little girl on this planet (until she tells you "No, poopy and runs the other way"; thank you big brothers)...but she loves her daddy like no other...



And last but certainly not least....

The dozen red roses my husband brought home for me this weekend, just because.  I am not much of a flower person (they just die) but it is nice to occasionally receive them unexpectedly.  Thank you, honey!

Alright, that is enough for this week. 

What are you lovin and will you link up?  Let me know.





Disclosure: No compensation was made for the mention of Jazzy Bagels or Magic Eraser.  Jazzy Bagels is a local restaurant that I enjoy.  Progresso provided me with a product gift pack for a review of their new product however the actual review is within a different blog post.

What I'm Lovin'

As many of you know, I am pretty low maintenance make up wise but recently I found a foundation that I fell in *love* with and I am sticking with it for the long haul!

Rimmel Clean Finish.  Between this and my Out of Africa Shea Butter Bar that I use, my face is as soft and smooth as a baby's butt.  LOL!

So glad it is garage sale weather in our neck of the woods.  Last weekend we hit a few garage sales on our way to the local splash pad and I found a few great finds. 

I am lovin' my banana holder and my silver shabby looking candle holders.  $1.00 for the banana holder and $1.00 for both of the candle holders.  Hello!  Can't beat that!  I *heart* garage sales!  Aren't they purdy?

Check these out.....

These babies are gorgeous! There is nothing like fresh tomatoes!  I bought these at the Portland Farmers Market and have been cutting them up for our salads the last couple days. I also diced one up to put in some guacamole that I made. I can't wait until our tomatoes in our garden are ready.


With the summer upon us nothing is quite better than sitting on the patio of a local Mexican restaurant (or even better on the beach in Mexico) eating chips, salsa, and guacamole (and maybe a cold Cerveza) but since I won't be doing that anytime soon, I guess I will have to make my own.  (Now too bad mine didn't look like this; maybe a tad bit)



Image Courtesy of Food Network

 Seriously, I can eat chips, salsa and guacamole for a meal (and did).  LOVE IT!  And I read somewhere not too long ago that guacamole actually helps fight crankiness because of the magnesium in the avocados.

Now there is even more of a reason to *love* guacamole! Maybe I should eat it by the barrel because man have I been cranky lately.

And last but not least, I am lovin' these beautiful flowers that were so graciously sent to me by one of my newest clients at work.  How cool is that?  It is so nice to feel appreciated in this unappreciative world.

Hope everyone has a great day!