Preventers of Woe: Food Savers & Sink Sani Sticks

At times inexpensive household helpers can make our lives simple. Troubleshooting waste and sink buildups before they occur saves time, steps and a few bucks in the long run. I will call these items ... 

Preventers of Woe:

1) A sheet of fenugreen paper is said to keep fruits and vegetables mold-free for 2-4 times longer. Fenugreen is a legume, which is similar to a peanut. So it is a natural way of preserving produce. Provided you don't have a peanut allergy, line the refrigerator crisper drawer with a sheet of it to stop berries, lettuce, tomatoes and peaches from spoiling too soon.

I have been layering my crisper drawers with sheets of paper towels along with an open box of baking soda in an effort to keep my fruits and vegetables fresh a tad longer, not knowing if my method truly works. This product is more of a sure bet. Consumer Reports ran a test. Fenugreen paper preserved strawberries a few days longer when stored in their original package inside a refrigerator. The sheets are cheap and reusable! $5-$6 depending on store. Ordered!

2) Sink Sani Sticks - Drop a Sani Stick of non-chemical enzymes down your bathroom sinks (or kitchen sink) once a month to keep drains flowling. I am careful to keep food and grease out of my kitchen sink, but use Sani Sticks in the bathroom as I wash moisterizers, coconut oil, argon oil and makeup off my face. Toothpaste, shampoo and hair conditioner goes down the bathroom drain also. 

Often while standing in line to pay at Bed, Bath & Beyond, someone will ask me if they really work. I think they do. The enzymes seem to stop oils from lotion and conditioners from clogging the drains. Sani Sticks won't dissolve hair. For that I unscrew a portal (easy, peasy) to remove hair from the drains ocassionally. My apartment super did it for me for years, but after watching him several times, it was a task I learned to do for myself.

Two cheap products to avoid bigger problems. Simple life free from strife. What Preventer of Woe helpers do you buy?


You may also enjoy:
Gadgets For A Small Space
Shelve Helpers To Organize
The Doctors' Home Remedies
DIY Rich Soothing Hand Cream

Chewy Nutty Oatmeal Bars

Photo: McCormick

For breakfast and snacks I decided to make a pan of oatmeal bars. Tasty and healthy; yet containing common ingredients (not special health food store ingredients). Because frankly, I don't want a job (like shopping) before starting a job (like baking). The basic recipe below happens to be glutton-free. (Further down, I have words to say about that.) Delicious!

Here is my recipe:

Chewy Nutty Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (I substituted coconut oil, but either works. I had to polish off a bit of coconut oil.) 
1 cup brown sugar
3 extra large eggs
6 cups Old Fashioned (5 minutes) Oatmeal (plus extra for the top)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
 A sprinkle of nutmeg
1 cup walnuts
1 cup raisins (or a mix of dried fruit)
drops of buttermilk (any milk works) for moisture - about 1/3 cup
whole almonds to press on top

Directions: 

1) Using a fork, whisk the butter, brown sugar and eggs until creamy.

2) Mix in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and oatmeal. 

3) Fold in the nuts and dried fruit.

4) Next add the buttermilk, several drops at a time to moisten the mixture. Avoid a runny texture. 

5) With a spatula press the dough into a 9'' by 9'' oiled baking pan. Be sure to even the dough out. Then press the almonds into the top of the oatmeal dough. Sprinkle a little dry oatmeal on top for looks.

6) Pop into a preheated 350 degree F over. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes. Remove when done (the top gets slightly brown).

7) Scrape the sides of the pan with a knife to loosen, then let cool before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

Extra tips:

1) The basic recipe is super healthy and mildly sweet. If not sweet enough, you can always drizzle a frosting on top. Brown sugar, honey, and white sugar are the same health-wise. Despite the claims, one is not healthier than another. Use all in moderation. I use brown sugar in these bars for the taste alone.

2) If you want more cake-like-bars, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour (a glutton) and another 1/2 cup of sugar to your batter. (Know that the basic recipe is delicious as is.) And know, there is no health reason to go glutton-free if you can digest glutton.

3) To turn a breakfast bar into a dessert bar, feel free to jazz the recipe up by adding: a cup of peanut butter; a cup of caramel squares; a cup of chocolate chips; a cup of coconut; or a mix of any of the mentioned to your batter.

4) Yes, you can leave out raisins if you dislike them. I like adding raisins for sweetness, texture and they keep baked goods fresh longer.

Oatmeal breakfast bars have all the goodness of a hot bowl of oatmeal ... and are easy to pair with a cup of coffee, or glass of milk. I make a batch, eat some immediately and the rest gets tossed into the freezer. Later, remove the squares from the freezer and microwave for 30 seconds, or so to eat.

Get your pastry fix the healthy way!

You may also enjoy:
Healthy Real Food Is Not Expensive    
Who Shares The Shape Of Your Face?
9 Ways To Save Money At The Supermarket   
Spring Forward In Style With Those 5 Easy Pieces

Do Adults Need Booster Vaccines?

Photo: Vaccines ProCon

Perhaps your children are grown, out of the house, and you no longer think about vaccines. But did you know getting immunized against disease is a life long job? I did not really think about it. Recently my pharmacy sent me an email to get a booster shot for whooping cough, which prompted me to do research to see: (1) if doctors agree and (2) what other possible shots we need as adults. As it turns out there are a few to consider if you fall into certain catagories. Here is a list followed by links to learn more about each infection and who should be vaccinated:

A handy List 😷*****************************************************************************😷

Adult Vaccines You Need (source: Vaccineinformation.org)

1) Chickenpox (varicella) If you’ve never had chickenpox or were vaccinated but received only 1 dose, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need this vaccine. learn more 2) Haemophilus ingluenzae type b Some adults with certain high-risk conditions need vaccination with Hib. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need this vaccine. learn more 3) Hepatitis A You need this vaccine if you have a specific risk factor for hepatitis A infection or if you simply want to be protected from this disease. The vaccine is usually given in 2 doses, 6 to 18 months apart. learn more 4) Hepatitis B You need this vaccine if you have a specific risk factor for hepatitis B infection or if you simply want to be protected from this disease. The vaccine is given in 3 doses, usually over 6 months. learn more 5) Human papillomavirus You need this vaccine if you are a woman age 26 years or younger or a man age 21 years or younger. Other men age 22 through 26 who want to be protected from HPV may receive it, too. Men age 22 through 26 years with a risk condition also need vaccination. Check with your healthcare provider. The vaccine is given in 3 doses over 6 months.  learn more 6) Influenza You need a dose every fall (or winter) for your protection and for the protection of others around you. learn more 7) Measles, Mumps, Rubella You need at least 1 dose of MMR if you were born in 1957 or later. Many people need a second dose. learn more: Measles • Mumps • Rubella 8) Meningococcal There are different types of meningococcal vaccines that are recommended for use in adults. People of all ages with certain medical conditions should get vaccinated and some should receive booster doses throughout life. These vaccines may be used to protect people during an outbreak of meningococcal disease. • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MenACWY: If you are a first-year college student living in a residence hall, you need a dose of MenACWY if you have never received it or received it when you were younger than 16. Adults who are at risk due to certain health conditions (for example, lack a spleen) need this vaccine. • Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine or MenB: MenB vaccine may be given to any adult who wants protection from this disease, preferably at 16–23 years of age. Adults who are at risk due to certain health conditions also need this vaccine. • Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or MPSV: Travelers to certain countries might need this vaccine. learn more 9) Pneumococcal Adults age 65 years and older should receive the two types of pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13 and PPSV23). You also need 1–2 doses at an earlier age if you smoke cigarettes or have certain medical conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out when and how often you need to be protected from pneumococcal disease. learn more 10) Shingles (zoster) If you are age 60 (now 50) years or older, you should get a 1-time dose of this vaccine now. learn more 11) Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough)  All adults who have not yet received a dose of Tdap, as an adolescent or adult, need to get Tdap vaccine (the adult whooping cough vaccine). Pregnant women need a dose in every pregnancy. After that, you will need a Td booster dose every 10 years. Consult your healthcare provider if you haven’t had at least 3 tetanus- and diphtheria-containing shots sometime in your life or have a deep or dirty wound. learn more: Tetanus - Diphtheria - Whooping cough (Pertussis) Phew, the end! 😷************************************************************************😷 Keep the list in mind to ask your doctor when you go for a checkup. We are so lucky to have vaccines. Not so long ago typhoid, measles and whopping cough were a way of life. No longer! Preventative medicine costs pennies compared to the misery and complications of getting sick. Stay healthy folks!  You may also enjoy: Health Care Reform, A Doctor Weighs In Doctor's Orders: Is It Time For A Checkup? Probiotics To Balance Good And Bad Bacteria Remembering Prince Leopold, Duke Of Albany

My Spring Wardrobe Haul

By nature I'm a mindful (not an impulsive or compulsive) buyer. Lately I try to be a minimalist ... buying only what I need, not more than what I need. Despite hauling in less, clothes wear out. So recently I added 3 new wardrobe basics:

1) L.L. Beam Tee, Crew Neck, Short Sleeves - I bought 3 teal colored, combed cotton t-shirts to replace my blues that are tattered. But I had to check several retailers to find the bright colors of spring. Surprisingly, Old Navy, GAP and Uniqlo are only carrying neutral colors this year, namely white, black, gray, navy and very pale pink. What's up with only neutral colors for spring tees?😮 When are we supposed to wear bright colors???

Next:

2) Uniqlo Geometric-Print Short-Sleeve Bra Dress - In Summer I adore Uniqlo's bra dresses. A full support bra is built-in for comfort. The cut and fit are ladylike. The dress is flattering yet easy-to-wear just like shorts. I have 4 sleeveless bra dresses in different floral prints and colors. But I need at least one with short cap sleeves for early spring. LIVE, this dress is an off-white light shade in a super cute geometric print. The style is crisp and casual smart. 

And finally ... the last item I bought was a pair of shorts:

3) Uniqlo Cotton/Linen Relaxed Shorts - How adorable, with details like a stretchy, elastic waistband, 2 side pockets and a feminine tie-bow. They are relaxed but slenderizing, just what I need for a summer barbecue!

Thankfully, I have sneakers, comfortable walking shoes, cozy sandals, light scarves and cotton sweaters that are in great shape, so I am set for the warm temperatures to begin!

What's on your shopping list for Spring and Summer? And Aussie friends, you have Autumn ... any goods you need?



You may also enjoy:
Summer Polka Dots   
Let The Barbecues Begin
Save On Summer Fashion Essentials
Eco-Friendly Garden And Pest Control Tips

NARS Erdem Strange Flowers Collection

Poison Rose Lip Powder Palette shades:
Lip Priming Balm (nude)
Zira (shimmering rose gold)
Calypso (matte rose)
Damask (matte fuchsia)
Ottoman (matte scarlet)

Luxe brand NARS never disappoints. Its formula's and pigments are top notch and the colors are always beautiful. For spring, NARS collaborated with British fashion designer, Erdem Moralioglu. Designer Erdem is passionate about 2 things, the color yellow and flowers, which are reflected in the new NARS Erdem Strange Flowers Collection. The new launch includes an innovative dry powder lip palette, 6 lipsticks, 2 blushes, a highlighter stick and blotting paper. The lipsticks are $28, the blush $30 and the 3 palettes go for $49. 

6 lipstick colors: Bloodflower (bright cherry red), Moon Orchid (sheer light pink), Larkspur (sheer orchid), Voodoo Lily (sheer muted lavender), Wild Flower (deep plum purple), , Carnal Carnation (sheer raspberry red)

The Erdem Strange Flowers Collection has a bouquet of nude colors with simmer. Lipsticks and eyeshadow hues range from bare to bold, from sheer to intense. 

The blush comes in 2 colors - Loves Me (Strawberry pink with golden shimmer) and Loves Me Not (Soft lavender pink). The blushes are created to be layered and blendable.

The 2 eyeshadow palettes are matte shades. Inspired by garden flowers, they reflect light.

Fleur Fatale Eyeshadow Palette shades:
Mythios (shimmering ivory)
Thistle (metallic mink)
Flourish (shimmering steel blue)
Belladonna (matte soft brown)
Daydream (shimmering copper)
Holly Hock (satin mulberry)

Night Garden Eyeshadow Palatte shades:
Oleander (shimmering pale gold)
Indio (satin forest green)
Reborn (satin marigold)
Fauna (matte deep brown)
LSprung (satin midnight blue)

NARS is pricey, but the pigments last all day. Personally, I would splurge on a lipstick, but not a lip palette. Chances are, you will not use all the lip colors in a lip palette. Blush is another splurge makeup item where rich pigments matter. Eyeshadow, not so much -- so save (see budget-friendly Maybelline). Nonethess and for sure, these palettes are beautiful!

What are your picks?


You may also enjoy:
A Guide To Makeup Brushes
Eye Shadow Launches: Chanel & NARS
A Stop At Henri Bendel's NARS Counter
The Best Anti-Aging Face Products For Less

What Can You Do For Earth Day?

Photo: Playbuzz

An old American spiritual says,"He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,'' and what an interconnected world it is. We, humans, are here to enjoy and take care of our planet. Today on Earth Day, is an excellent time to remember our responsibilities as stewards and ask ourselves can we do anything better to care for Mother Earth?

It turns out that "environmental plastic is a growing disaster." Most plastics are made from "non-renewable resources" of petroleum or natural gas, "extracted and processed by destroying fragile ecosystems." Think about it the next time you buy bottled water! And getting rid of plastic causes other problems. It isn't biodegradable, so plastic bags and bottles pervade landfills and our oceans. Producing and burning plastic pollutes everything on earth: air, land and water.

The concern is so great that New York City plans to ditch plastic grocery bags, bottles (sold in parks), drinking straws and plastic utensils. I use my plastic grocery bags as garbage bags and drinking straws to save my teeth from acids and stains, so the ban will be inconvenient, but a necessary one I'm willing to accept. "Every year 28-billion pounds of plastic ends up in our ocean," and it kills marine life. We can do better!

1) We can switch from plastic to paper straws and wooden utensils to cut down on waste. I need to look for reusable silicon straws to use (and wash) at home.

2) It is time to grab those reusable bags and bottles. Buy one of each today if you don't own them.

Mother Earth is so worth it. What other changes can we make?

3) Recycle electronics and batteries - BestBuy stores have drop off bins for each; Bed, Bath &Beyond accepts old batteries also.

4) Get creative and repurpose things you already own. YouTube tutorials can teach you how. You feel very clever doing so!

5) Enlighten yourself - Learn the ingredients, life cycles and eco-costs of everything you buy. 

Be a Savvy Shopper ... make a change today with Mother Earth in mind!


You may also enjoy:
Watches, Tales And Sprouts  
The Story Of Stuff: A Review
Happy Earth Day: Think Green
It Pays To Give Old Things A New Life

Cacao Hazelnut Butter

It's you, not me. We are breaking up.

Like many of you, I love the taste of Nutella, but according to nutritionists Nutella doesn't love us back. Unfortuntely, this delicious treat contains a host of bad ingredients -- sugar, harmful fats, chemicals and only a trace amount of chocolate or hazelnuts. There's almost nothing in Nutella that young children or adults should eat!

Instead let's make our own homemade Not Nutella Spread. Like all the recipes on THE SAVVY SHOPPER, it is easy-peasy with better ingredients:

Cacao Hazelnut Butter

Ingredients:

1 cup hazelnuts (combine with almonds, if you wish)
3 tablespoons cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
1 teaspoon real vanilla
1 tablespoon of honey

Optional: Drops of skim milk (as a last step if the nut oils aren't enough for a creamy consistency.)

Directions:

1) Roast the nuts on a baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool.

2) Toss into a food processor and give it a whirl. Add the rest of your ingredients, and pulse again. 

3) At the end of the mixing process, you can add drops of skim milk to get a creamy consistency if it is needed. (Nutella uses palm oil and skim milk.)

Pour into a Mason jar and store in your pantry.

Why eat the supermarket shelf, unhealthy stuff when homemade is this simple? Speaking of baddd ... after staying faithful to the recipe at least once (for a guaranteed success!), you may decide to stray from the recipe by substituting different nuts or toasted high protein hemp seeds. Toss in a few dates (or figs) for sweetness. If you alter the recipe, like adding dates, do so one date at a time, so you arrive at a desirable and spreadable consistency and taste. 

When it comes to diet, let's be bad in a good way!


You may also enjoy:   
DIY: Drop Cloth Curtains
Homemade Antiseptic Cream
Lickety-Split Vegetable Beef Soup
DIY Lip Balm: Is It Worth The Cost?