Cheesy Bean Tomato Bake

How to start and how to finish.

This recipe originated from The New York Times, but as you can see I tweaked it so much it's a very different recipe. What motivated me to discover it was the need to use unopened mozzarella that was on the verge of getting too old to eat. Mozzarella is one of a few cheeses whose texture changes if you don't consume it fresh. This bake is a delicious alternative to barbequed franks and beans:

Cheesy Bean Tomato Bake

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

4 turkey (or chicken or beef) franks, sliced

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 cup grape tomatoes

1 15 oz - 16 oz canned pinto beans

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon of garlic

1/2 teaspoon of dried ground bay leaf

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Optional: 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh spinach or cooked kale

Directions: 

1) With a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil sautè the onions, celery, and sliced franks in a cast iron skillet until the franks and vegetables are grilled.

2) Toss in the grape tomatoes (which I cut into thirds) and cook for another 1 - 2 minutes. Also if using, throw in the spinach or kale. 

3) Next add the beans, seasonings, and cider vinegar. Simmer for another minute or two on low-medium heat.

4) Finally top with the mozzarella cheese. Don't mix the cheese in, but let it lay on top of the bake.

5) Put the cast iron pan mixture into a preheated 350-degree F oven to bake for about 20 minutes or for as long as it takes to melt and grill the top layer of mozzarella cheese. I used my oven's broiler setting.

 

The New York Times suggests dipping crackers or grainy bread into the Cheesy Bean Tomato Bake, but I turned the dish into a hearty one-pan-meal which you certainly can eat with a slice of fresh crusty bread and a glass of wine. I asked my friend, Carolyn, to taste it. She loved it enough to eat it as a side for dinner with Salisbury steak and smashed potatoes. Bon Appetitè!

 

You may also enjoy:

Let The Barbecues Begin

Barbecue Franks And Beans

Steaming Hot Cincinnati Chili

Homemade Sloppy Joe's Sandwiches

5 Appealing But Useless Household Products

Do you ever let your emotions rule your logic when shopping? Living in a small Manhattan apartment helps me resist impulse buys ... and yet like you, I'm not immune to temptations especially when articles are cheap or appealing. Despite my better judgment, I want to think too good to believe claims are true! We're only human after all! 

Just for fun, I'll share 5 items that are always tugging on me to buy ... before my rational side wins the tug-of-war:

1) Portable and Foldable Mini Washing Machine with Dryer - First of all it's cute, as well as, practical to wash small laundry pieces like a few t-shirts or perhaps socks or undergarments when you don't have a full load. The mini washer/dryer folds to have a small footprint. But logic tells us, "Don't buy cute!" It's easy to hand wash a couple of t-shirts in a sink. The "dryer" is a spinner -- but that's what tempts me. I dislike wringing water out of clothes by hand. Then you hang dry your damp items. I resist buying the mini washer/dryer because as much as I wish otherwise, I know it's not powerful enough or big enough to effectively wash enough clothes ... but oh, how I want it to be! What's more, I keep reminding myself that using the laundry room downstairs isn't inconvenient. Logically buying extra t-shirts, socks, and undergarments is a better investment, so why am I sooo tempted by this thing?

2) Portable Turbo Washing Machine and Dishwasher - Even smaller and cheaper! My heart is fluttering just thinking about using it. Moreover, it attaches to a kitchen sink to wash a few dishes!! If only it were powerful enough to really work. Logic tells us it simply won't do a good job, and it would likely not stay attached to the sink with its motor running. I bet the cord is too short also. The heart loves it, but the head foresees frustration and disappointment with this purchase.

3) Spice Racks - Perhaps there's one out in retail land I haven't come across but so far, the spice racks I've tried take up room in my cupboard without providing more ease, organization, or consolidating space. I wish it wasn't so! Moreover, I buy big sizes of common spices like dried garlic, onion powder, dried celery, tarragon, and Herbs de Provence, etc., and I don't want to create the job of refilling small containers.

4) Pots and Pans Organizers - I love organizing everything, but this organizer would work if I only used frying pans and didn't need different sizes of pots for soups and stews. In my cupboard, the organizer would create, not solve storage problems by limiting the pot sizes I can stack in the cupboard. It sucks up valuable vertical space.

5) I experience the same disappointment with Under-the-Sink Racks - What seems like a brilliant idea, takes up vertical space to limit what I can put under my sink. Forget about a periodic gallon of paint (which is seldom but, hey, once in a while it's necessary), or gallon sizes of bleach, ammonia, white vinegar, or laundry detergents for cleaning.  Like for a spice rack,  you're forced to buy small quantities of supplies for an under-the-sink rack to work. Under the sink is also where I keep a few household tools like a hammer and screwdrivers. Do you see anywhere in the image where you can store tools?

What appealing but useless household products do you covet? Admit it, you want the mini washer/dryer too, don't you.😉

You may also enjoy:

Suff I No Longer Buy

5 Things I Hate Doing

My Kitchen Idle Tool List

When Time Marches On Without Us

Smelling Like Roses

I've attended several galas and fundraisers in my life that give attendees parting gifts. From more than one event, the gift bag included a trendy (nonetheless synthetic) perfume. For me, getting an expensive perfume is always a disappointment because I don't value or wear it. As I've said in past blogs, I'm an essential oil kind of gal. 

During a discussion with a friend who's trying to cut back on her discretionary spending, I realized that my aversion to perfume has saved me a ton of money over the years ... and perhaps there's a budget-friendly tip here worth sharing!

If you love an expensive perfume, research it and try to determine what floral oils, essential oils, etc. give it its amazing scent. Without paying for the brand name, you can buy the floral oil, a purer ingredient, or a combination of ingredients in the perfume that pleases your nose for a lot less!

Using my current favorite fragrance, rose as an example, for $10 - $15 I get my rose oil, not from Diptyque, Tom Ford, or Miss Dior, but from botanical companies in the form of moisturizing oil, soap, or shampoo. I find my products either at T.J. Maxx or on Amazon for the lowest prices. 

Also, I like how Amazon gives small businesses and small butch personal care manufacturers a platform to sell their products. You can find top quality for less moola while discovering new retailers who aren't mass-produced -- not that mass production is bad, in fact, SheaMoisture is one of my favorite merchants.

It's fine if the product has a carrier oil because pure floral or essential oils are usually too strong to use undiluted on your skin daily, but make sure the rose oil, etc is one of chief ingredients. The FDA requires a product label to list the ingredients in "order of predominance, with the ingredients used in the greatest amount first, followed in descending order by ingredients in smaller amounts."

Also, do a bit of research on your favorite ingredient(s) to learn which methods of production make it top quality so when you read the labels of products you'll know which ones to choose.

The more you know, the more chances you'll have to find value. Lately, I've been smelling like roses without compromise; doing without; or going broke! You can too. 😍😛🌹🌹🌹

Okay Blended Rose Oil

Woolzies Rose Oil Smells Amazing

Going Organic: Face, Body And Hair

Shea Moisture Beauty Is For Everybody

The George IV Diadem

Photo: Royal Collection Trust

The George IV Diadem is yet another beautiful crown! Not part of the Royal Jewels, it is privately owned and worn by the British royal family for official occasions. Perhaps it was a favorite diadem of Queen Elizabeth II as it is the crown she wore on a myriad of occasions including for her image on postage stamps and her York Minister statue unveiled 2 months after her death to mark her Platinum Jubilee (in 2022). BTW, a diadem is just a fancy word for a jeweled crown worn by a ruler as a symbol of wealth and power.

Photo: Antique Jewelry University

Historically known as the George IV Diadem, the King commissioned jewelers Rundell & Bridge to make the diadem in 1820 for his 1821 coronation. Sometimes its name gets shortened to the Diamond Diadem.

Originally the diadem's 1,333 diamonds which weigh 320 carats were only rented. Some sources claim they were later privately purchased, but for sure they were not returned to the jeweler. The frame is made of gold and silver, and the crown has a 4-carat yellow diamond in the center of one of its 4 cross pattèes (an edged or footed cross). At the bottom, it has 169 pearls forming 2 rows that enclose a 3rd row of brilliant-cut round diamonds. The crown's 4 bouquets of roses, thistles, and shamrocks represent England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Photos: left: Royal Collection Trust and right: Wikipedia Commons

After George IV's reign, the diadem was worn by Queens, starting with Queen Adelaide (the wife of William IV), Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra (wife of Edward VII), Queen Mary (wife of George V), and Queen Elizabeth II who wore it often on state occasions.

Photo: RCT

As Charles III will likely not wear the diadem, I for one will miss it. I'm guessing Queen Camilla won't wear it as much as her mother-in-law and will likely have a different favorite. Oh, well, fellow jewelry lovers you can always return here to look at it.

You may also enjoy:

Sisi's Stars

Macy's Fine Jewelry ... Yes Or No?

My Favorite Royal Crowns Of Europe

What Gives Fancy Diamonds & Sapphires Their Colors?

The Sleep Pod Explained

Hug Sleep founders and husband and wife team, Matt Mundt and Angie Kupper partnered with Shark Tank's Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner to manufacture cocoon-like sleep pods based on the science of Deep Touch therapy. It goes on like a pair of pants using both legs. The sleep pod provides a gentle, calming pressure around your entire body to induce relaxation and a good night's sleep. Customers who are problem sleepers claim it's a game charger. Many prefer a sleep pod to a weighted blanket in relieving anxiety. One consumer whose daughter has autism and sensory processing difficulties is surprised by how it helps her child settle into sleep.

Made from a specialized 4-way stretch poly span material that provides a gentle, calming pressure to simulate the feeling of being hugged or swaddled, the sleep pod is lightweight, flexible, breathable, and doesn't trap heat. 

The USA-manufactured sleep pod can be machine washed in warm water and tumble dried at medium temperature. It's a cuddle for adults and through compression a calming way to doze off.

People who have trouble falling or staying asleep say it really works. To find the best deal do a Google search. Here is the Sleep Pod for $49.

 

You may also enjoy:

Sleep Is Crucial To Good Health

Why A Baby Sleeps In A Cardboard Box

Does Sleeping On Your Face Cause Wrinkles?

Should You Sleep On a Silk Pillowcase To Prevent Wrinkles

Perfect Veil Eau De Parfum

Perfumer Sarah Horowitz makes perfume for people who prefer subtle clean fragrances. Her Parfums' Perfect line features 5 signature foral scents, as well as, new interpretations of vintage favorites. The most followed and popular of these is Perfect Veil Eau De Parfum which she says is formulated to smell like clean, naked skin "only better." The scent is subtle when worn alone. It can also be layered to "increase any fragrance's warm and staying power."

Perfect Veil is a unisex fragrance appealing to both men and women.

Years ago a study was conducted by Dr. Alan Hirsch to find out which scents on women are favored by men ... and the winner was vanilla. Vanilla is also said to be a favorite scent of women.

At the moment I'm into rose, a floral fragrance -- which I buy from botanical companies. I'll link the brands below.

In addition, Sarah Horowitz offers custom blended fragrances for clients and is active on social media. Based in Los Angeles, she continues to experiment with and evolve her craft, as well as, teach perfumery classes.

You may also enjoy:

Eau de Cologne 4711

Okay Blended Rose Oil

Woolzies Rose Oil Smells Amazing

Strange Invisible Perfumes: For People Who Don't Wear Perfume

Should We Line Our Waterline?

Photo: Getty images/Ingolf Hatz

The waterline is the rim of the upper or lower eyelid between our lashes and eyeballs. Lining my lower waterline is sometimes the only eye makeup I apply as a quick way to accent my eyes without putting on shadow or mascara. I think of it as the lazy girl's smoky eye since it creates the illusion of a smoky eye without the time it takes to do a complete and smudged smoky eye using additional makeup products.

Photo: YouTube

Although I've been lining my lower waterline for decades now without any side effects, optometrists don't encourage us to do so. The waterline area has specialized glands that excrete oil and the practice could obstruct the glands' natural ability to produce healthy tears.

You also must make sure the eye crayon pencils you use are soft and remain free of contaminants that could lead to eye infections.

Revlon Eye Colorstay eyeliner is a good and cheap option.

I have no scientific evidence to back up my guess that perhaps the reason I've been spared eye issues is usually I only apply the eye crayon in the morning after hopping out of a shower and don't use a lot of other eye makeup which would increase my chances for irritation or contamination. However, I can't say I've never reapplied my eyeliner crayon to my waterline later on in the day or used eye shadows and mascara at the same time. Moreover, in my 20s I often sampled display eye makeup at Ulta and Sophora ... a huge risky and stupid no, no!!!

Photo: Aishwarya - Loreal Infallible Waterproof eyeliners - Good eyeliner but difficult to sharpen. LOeal has other developed other types of eye crayons that roll up. 

IMHO the eye doctors' warnings should make us more mindful about safe makeup practices, as well as, more vigilant in keeping our makeup and our makeup tools super clean. 

But frankly, I don't want to stop lining my waterline altogether with a soft eyeliner crayon. It's such an easy and attractive look!

How about you?🤫

I'm still using Adrienne (how she spells her TV line) Arpel's eye crayon (which I stocked up on when it was discontinued). Her makeup including a newer eye crayon is hard to find nowadays, but it's a good one.

You may also enjoy:

15 Makeup Dos and Don'ts

A Guide To Makeup Brushes

Are Makeup Clubs Worth The Money?

Let's Talk: What's In Your Makeup Bag?

The Lahore Diamond Necklace Is Dubbed The Coronation Necklace

I have long loved the Lahore Diamond Necklace, made by the jeweler Garrard for Queen Victoria in 1858 and thereafter worn by every British Queen, whether monarch or consort, for their coronations. For this reason, the necklace is called The Coronation necklace. 

Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Elizabeth II

It consists of 25 cushion-cut diamonds and a 22.48-carat center diamond pendant. The pear-shaped center diamond is the Lahore Diamond. As you can see, the necklace has matching pear-shaped earrings, which some Queens wear and others do not at their coronations. All 3 pear-shaped pendants are detachable. Queen Elizabeth II wore the Lahore Diamond necklace on many other occasions throughout her long reign. It must have been a favorite of Her Majesty's also! I don't have to own it, I just want to touch and try it on!

Queen Victoria and Queen Camilla

A Queen Regnant is a Queen in her own right, a monarch who has the same powers as a King. (Queen Mary Tudor, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II are 3 Queen regnants.)  A Queen Regent (examples: Queen Katherine of Aragon and Queen Katherine Parr) is a Queen who is left in charge by the King during his absence or who rules for a period until her minor child, a future monarch, comes of age. A Queen Consort (Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, and Queen Camilla) is the wife of a King. She acquires her status through her closeness to the King, her husband. All 3 are addressed as Your Majesty.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

You may also enjoy:

The Wittelsbach-Graff Blue Dimond

Benefits Of 10 Popular Diamond Cuts

About The Clarity Of Colored Gemstones

Should You Buy I Color Or I3 Clarity Diamonds?

Kentucky Oats Lily Cocktail

Photo: Distillerytrail.com

Tomorrow is a big day around the world for television celebrations with family and friends to watch King Charles III's Coronation starting at 5 am in the USA followed by The Kentucky Derby in the evening at 6:30 pm -- both eastern standard time. Depending on where you are on the globe, you'll be getting up very early or staying up very late to watch one or the other.

 

We average Janes and Joes aren't going to get a front-row seat to attend either event, but will have more fun, as well as, the best views at home parties in our very own living rooms. I don't know about you, but miraculously my invitations to both events got lost in the mail!🤥 

At the Kentucky Derby many people want to try the traditional Derby drink, a mint julep, but often discover they don't like the taste of bourbon, its main ingredient. If you are one of them, here's another traditional and refreshing Derby drink you'll see people sipping at Churchill Downs between the races. It's a festive and suitable drink to serve at either a Derby or Coronation party. BTW: The Kentucky Derby will be race #12 - the last race of the day.

 

Let's discuss the origin of the cocktail. The Kentucky Oats is America's "premier and most lucrative" race for 3-year-old female horses i.e., fillies which runs yearly one day before the Derby. The winner is awarded $1.2 million dollars and a garland of lilies. At Churchill Downs in the winner's circle, you might hear the phrase, "lilies for fillies," and now you know how the drink got its name. Below is the recipe:

Kentucky Oats Lily Cocktail

Ingredients:

Photo: Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living

Per serving --

3 ounces (1/3 cup) cranberry juice 

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lime juice (some people use sour mix)

1/5 ounce (1 1/4 teaspoon) Triple Sec 

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) FINLANDIA vodka

Crushed ice

Optional: fresh smashed berries for garnish

If making a pitcher full add: 3 parts cranberry juice; 1 part lime juice or sour mix; 1/4 part Triple Sec; 1 part FINLANDIA vodka, and crushed ice

Directions:

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker or pitcher, shake or stir, and pour into a tall glass over crushed ice. Add a few smashed berries if you wish.

Enjoy tomorrow's celebrations, my lovlies!👑🌹🥳🎉

You may also enjoy:

Since 1875: The Kentucky Derby

Refreshing Bourbon Slush

Louisville After The Kentucky Derby

The Pegasus Parade Before The Kentucky Derby

Goelia's Award Winning Style Is Affordable

Goelia Design was founded in 1995 by women. The retailer offers superior fabrics, craftsmanship, and style ''at the best possible price" in addition to customer rewards and reductions. We're talking silk dresses, worsted wool trench coats, and leather skirts. The wools are soft and smooth, and the color palette tends to be neutrals. You'll find reasonably priced dresses made of polyester or cotton also.

The details in the pieces are gorgeous! Classic design that's feminine plus a little edginess too. To boot, the clothing is versatile ... going from day to night! Goelia is gifting some of their garments to YouTube vloggers but unfortunately, the company hasn't stumbled upon THE SAVVY SHOPPER with freebies to review.😟

Oh well, my relationship is with my readers, so I'm featuring a sampling of the clothing anyway. Comfortable, wearable, and timeless fashion at a fair price, making Goelia a worthy retailer to discover. Good news readers, Goelia ships to the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia, so be sure you click and peruse the website corresponding to your location.

Do you see a favorite?

You may also enjoy:

American Eagle & Aerie

Discover The Joy Of A Pareo: A What?

Lilysilk Clothing Bedding And Accessories

The Case For Cheaper Casual Smart Dresses