Everybody knows it's been around forever because your grandma loved using it. In addition to cold cream Pond's was once called vanishing cream and Pond's extract. It was invented and patented in the United States by pharmacist Theron T. Pond in 1846 after he discovered a healing tea extracted from witch hazel could heal skin abrasions.
Today Unilever owns Pond's, and what's new about the skincare line is its anti-aging ingredients -- namely vitamin B3 and Retinol complex (Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Collegian) that are added to the formula to visibly reduce the signs of aging and wrinkles. This is good news for consumers because Pond's continues to be inexpensive and readily available at the local drugstore, as well as, at Walmart and Target.
Grandma knew the value of time-honored great skincare and now her granddaughters can also save a few bucks by giving the 21st century Pond's elixir with its anti-aging properties in the forms of serum and cream a try. Pond's Rejuveness Serum, Face Cream, and Eye Cream (sells as a trio) for under $25, which is a real steal for potions with anti-aging ingredients. Separately, you'll find the beauty items priced as low as $7.50 depending on which one you buy.
A good tried-and-true moisturizer just got a little better without breaking the bank!
Years ago as a Congressional Intern (on the Senate side) I spent months in Washington, D.C., where one day I took a memorable (touristy) tour of the Washington Post.
I love watching documentaries and interviews on YouTube. What a fortunate time to be alive in 2022 to have access to interesting events and discussions occurring in other cities and not miss them just because we cannot go in person (or are a nickel short and a day late in knowing they are even taking place.😁). These kinds of interviews will suck you in!
I think the topic of the importance and methodology of good journalism as practiced by the two diligent reporters who broke the Watergate story 50 years ago ... news that eventually led to the resignation of a corrupt President is notone single day outdated. The entire discussion is insightful and relevant 50 years later. Like anything good, it's endlessly fascinating.
As I wrote in the comment section on YouTube, I also enjoy seeing how Woodward and Bernstein have a lovely sense of humor and enduring respect for one another. Although not mandatory, I like knowing they are close and in touch with each other and have 50 years of friendship.
Allow me to quote their late ace editor, Ben Bradly of the Washington Post, "Good reporting is the best obtainable version of the truth."
Moreover, solid, objective (i.e., do the digging, get the facts), investigative journalism is vital to maintaining a strong democracy. People should want to know the truth ... and be willing to listen, process and accept the evidence ... good, bad, or ugly. Country over political party.
Considering how we're once again examining the actions of (a latter-day) President, and Congress is airing the committee hearings, I hope you enjoy this uploaded timely and compelling discussion.📰🗞
I received a free sample of HIP CHIC Grape Vinegar Rinse for scalp and hair care. Silicone-free, it's created to use after shampooing to rinse your hair of product buildup and impurities to soften, smooth, and add shine to your hair.
As a teenager, I remember being told that cider vinegar is a good hair rinse and vinegar is indeed a traditional hair and scalp treatment.
I will say this rinse has a mild, not unpleasant earthy smell sans the scent of vinegar. It contains vinegar, grape, and raspberry fruit extracts.
The slender bottle and narrow spout make it easy to apply the solution to the scalp. (In fact, the empty bottle is worth the purchase price to keep and refill.) You are supposed to rub the solution into the scape and through your hair, let it soak in for 2 minutes, and then rinse it out with water. Easy enough!
The formula has a light conditioning effect. So if you're looking for ingredients your grandmother likely used such as vinegar (with a few extra ingredients) as a scalp and hair treatment without having to mix it yourself ... this is it. I have a ton of fine hair and was not able to use it as a stand-alone conditioner, but it's not advertised as one. To put a comb through the tangles of my hair, I had to apply a regular conditioner. For everyday care, I'll stay with 2 steps of effort -- shampoo and condition and add this 3rd treatment occasionally.
The HIP Chic brand is distributed by Clean Story and sells at Walmart for half the price of competitor vinegar rinses.
All dish images: American Test Kitchen - the video is linked.
As long-time Savvy Shoppers know I like to post recipes so I, myself, can return to the blog to make them. Since watching America's Test Kitchen make Spanish Meatballs in Almond Sauce on PBS television, I can't get the delicious and simple dish out of my mind! However dear readers, although I make many meals from scratch, I've never made meatballs in my life.
I always made meat sauce instead of meatballs because the repetitiveness of rolling 24 meatballs would try my patience. Also, I prefer ground beef to ground pork. So I won't lie! I'll buy frozen meatballs and simply make the sauce. Never as good as using your own ingredients, yet faster, convenient, and good enough.
For my more ambitious readers, what follows is Test Kitchen's full recipe for ...
Meatballs in Almond Sauce
Picada (the tasty sauce that makes the dish!)
Ingredients:
¼ cup slivered almonds 1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 2 garlic cloves, minced
Directions for the Picada:
1) Process about 20 almonds in a food processor until finely ground.
2) Add the bread and process for about 15 seconds until the bread is finely ground.
3) Transfer the almond and bread mixture to a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Add olive oil and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture is golden brown.
4) Transfer to a bowl. Stir in parsley and garlic and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towels.
Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces 1 large egg 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided 2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon table salt ½ teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground pork 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup finely chopped onion ½ teaspoon paprika 1 cup chicken broth ½ cup dry white wine ¼ teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar (Substitute with the vinegar you have.)
Directions for the meatballs:
1) Process the bread in the now-empty processor until finely ground, about 15 pauses.
2) Add an egg, water, 1 tablespoon parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper, and process for about 20 seconds until a smooth paste forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
3) Add pork and pulse until combined, about 5 pulses. Remove from the processor [As stated in my house, this would always be either ground beef or frozen meatballs.]
4) Using your moistened hands, form 1 tablespoon of the pork mixture into 1-inch round meatballs and transfer to a plate; repeat with the remaining pork mixture to form about 24 meatballs. [If you roll 24 meatballs and then turn each meatball over on all its sides to brown it in a pan more power to you! This is me doing it. -->😵💫]
5) Heat the oil in a now-empty skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add paprika and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
6) Add broth and wine and bring to simmer. Stir in saffron. Add the meatballs and adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook until meatballs register 160 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes, flipping meatballs once.[Golly, will you be joining me in using frozen meatballs? Just reading the how-to steps is exhausting, admit it.😵💫]
7) Stir in the Picasa and continue to cook for 1 - 2 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce has thickened.
8) Turn off the heat and stir in vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a platter, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.
Eat as an appetizer (mm, mm good ... tapas!) or serve along with vegetables and potatoes or rice as a complete meal. What a lovely weekend or party dish. You're welcome!😋
Although an accurate and characteristically fitting name to describe red beryl, there's a bit of controversy in calling it a red emerald. Emeralds are so associated with the color green that some geological associations are afraid consumers will feel deceived by the term red emerald. Personally, I disagree. The adjective "red" lets you know the beryl is not green.
Red beryl was discovered in 1904 in the Wah, Wah mountains of Utah by Maynard Bixby, an American mineralogist. The gemstone is very rare and thus far has only been found in Utah and New Mexico.
Just like it sibling beryl, green emerald, red beryl is a class 3 gemstone, meaning it's very brittle and highly included. Also like green emeralds, oil treatments are acceptable to improve the appearance of a red emerald's inclusions. Oil treatments don't change or damage the gemstone.
Photos (including the next one on the right) courtesy of Christian Library
All beryls are distinguished by hexagonal crystal systems. In nature, pure beryl is colorless but acquires its color from trace amounts (that is to say, impurities) of additional elements. While chromium and vanadium give emerald its green color, and iron makes aquamarine blue, when manganese produces a deep red color, it's called red beryl or red emerald. Of course, beryls also come in pink, and yellow, but for now, let's discuss red.
Registering 7.5 - 8 on Moh' Hardness Scale, red emeralds come in red-red, purplish-red, or orangy-red. Big stones are especially rare finds. According to the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, a 2-carat red beryl is as rare as a 40-carat diamond. The gem association says, "only one red beryl is mined for every 150,000 diamonds.'' And consider this, the scarlet gem is scarcer on earth than gold.
What I think is super cool ... May babies have another color of birthstone!
Due to the gemstone's rarity and the lack of abundant production, good quality red emeralds can fetch up to $10,000 per carat. Still be aware that like its sibling green emeralds, or diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, there are various degrees of gem-quality stones. Not all red beryl is equal, and clarity, color, and size apply to determine its value. According to gemstone wholesaler Equatorial Imports, red beryl tends to price twice the value of emerald.🟩
Sleeveless PowerSoft 2-in-1 Performance Mini Skort Dress for Women
Old Navy is working overtime with another affordable launch of cute summer activewear. You can't beat the quality at this price point for pieces offered as low as $15 on special promotion days! The activewear has 4-way super stretch fabric that is soft and made with go-dry moisture-wicking technology that not only keeps you dry, but comfortable during all your summer activities.
Most of the selections are available in at least 5 colors, and some of the dresses offer the support of a built-in bra. The colors are soothing and I think subdued enough so you can wash and wear the same garments over and over without other people noticing it as the same attire. This launch is sporty compared to Old Navy's other dress-up-or-down summer dresses, yet is ultra-stylish to play tennis, golf, bike, or jog in around the neighborhood.
Sorry, Ralph Lauren (whom otherwise I adore!), Tommy Hilfiger, and Atheta, but summer-and-activewear clothing is not what I'm going to drop a ton of money on, and thanks to Old Navy (and Uniqlo) I never do!
Uniqlo's Hana Tajima summer dress ($19.90 - a little more than Old Navy) is a soft jersey fabric of mainly cotton with modal, rayon and spandex. Also machine washable for walks.
At $15 bucks, or less for an outfit, I can look polished, as well as, mindlessly machine wash and dry my casual clothing many times over all summer long. What's more, I can add something new to my wardrobe without breaking the bank! Win-win-win!
