Thursday, June 16, 2022

America's Test Kitchen's Spanish Meatballs In Almond Sauce

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!😋

Monday, June 13, 2022

Did You Know Red Emeralds Exist?

Photo: gemstones.com

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.

Photo: Equatoial Imports

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 emeraldOf 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.🟩 

Friday, June 10, 2022

Old Navy's Summer Activewear

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!


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Wednesday, June 8, 2022

The Best Mosquito Repellents

Yes to fans!

Summer is approaching and unofficial summer is already here. Unfortunately so are bugs. The most hated bugs of all are arguably mosquitos. Researching how to keep them away and specifically how to stop mosquitos from biting us leads to good news and bad news.
citronella bracelets
First the bad news. Nearly all the natural mosquito repellents on the market are worthless. When tested in scientific labs they either don't work, or don't work well enough to be considered effective. Natural mosquito repellents come in the form of citronella candles, slow-burning citronella sticks, and citronella bracelets. Research shows people still get bitten despite wearing or burning citronella repellents. Perhaps a mosquito will avoid your wrist where the bracelet is, but you'll still get eaten alive because the blood-sucking pest will move up to your shoulder or down to your leg for a meal.

Likewise, essential oils such as 
lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint do not work. Moreover, electronic bug zappers do not work as mosquitos largely ignore the violet light. Ultrasonic mosquito repellent devices do not work either. Studies show they fail to irritate or scare mosquitos away. And lastly, newer portable devices that lure mosquitos away from people with carbon dioxide, then entrap them do not show much evidence of reducing bites to people nearby.
So what does work ... are you ready for the good news?

1) A good old fashion fan. Sitting in the wind of a fan works because mosquitos are not strong fliers. 

2) DEETChemical name, N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (or diethyltoluamide) was developed by the US Army in 1946 and sold on the market beginning in 1957 as an ingredient in lotions and sprays. This potent mosquito, chigger, and other bug repellent has been widely studied over the years. Despite peoples' fears, DEET has an excellent public safety record and lasts for hours.

3) Another effective way to reduce the number of mosquitos in your backyard is to eliminate water sources like puddles, ponds, or birdbaths. Water is where mosquitos like to lay their eggs so don't invite them into your space with basins of standing water.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a mosquito "is the most deadly creature on earth killing hundreds of thousands of people and making millions more sick each year." Therefore, it might be gratifying to consider some of the critters who eat mosquitos or their larvae. Our friends include fish, birds🦜, bats, dragonflies, frogs, spiders, and the red-eared slider turtle (a common pet in the USA).🐢 

As much as we hate to acknowledge it, mosquitos are important to the food chain in our ecosystem, which is not to say, we want to be an important food source for mosquitos. You're not a bad person if your motto is: Stay away or die today! Nothing should bite you with impunity. Squash the living daylights out of it!!👾 


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Thursday, June 2, 2022

Italo Jewelry Is an Exquisite Find

Italo Pear Design Created White Sapphire Tennis Necklace

Italo Jewelry is an exquisite fine jewelry find! Why would you buy expensive Chanel fashion (a/k/a costume) jewelry made of steel and rhinestones for thousands of dollars when you can step it up to low and reasonably priced fine jewelry made of real precious metal and genuine gemstones for much less? The pieces are well-made and gorgeous!
Here's how the company keeps its prices down. Customers buy 
directly from Italo, therefore it's one-stop jewelry shopping minus the middle man. Expert designers and craftsmen use lab-grown white sapphires set in 925 sterling silver dipped in rhodium, yellow, or rose gold. In some rings, necklaces, etc., white sapphires are colored blue, red, green, or yellow employing the latest technology. A sapphire is a corundum, 2nd only to diamonds (carbon) in hardness.

Careful attention is placed on beautiful design, outstanding craftsmanship, and superior quality. The huge inventory of pieces ranges in styles from classic to unique to contemporary to vintage, and they are all stunning! Moreover, Italo jewelry will not tarnish or turn your skin green, and nickel is omitted in the alloy since some people are allergic to the metal.
Italo jewelry only looks expensive while costing thousands less. Stellar design, quality control, and durability are a must! 

I love big blingy stones that can still be worn every day ... stones that shimmer, sparkle, and yet can be seen without a magnifying glass.

A bigger carat 22" line (tennis) necklace costs the same as an automobile.
Although I can't speak for others, I like jewelry because of its shine, design, and especially its connection to Mother Earth. Silver and white sapphires are both elements of nature. But I'm also a fan of affordable laboratory-grown [synthetic] gemstones -- they are chemically and physically identical to the gemstones created by nature.😍 Still the bigger lab-grown stones are expensive too!

Usually, descent carat sizes are far from affordable. Enter Italo jewelry, a worthy and beautiful compromise with a decent reputation in customer care.*

Furthermore, I think it's the perfect (no insurance needed) travel jewelry! I mean, you're still going to be unhappy knowing a brazen thief stole your jewelry but at least you won't cry your eyes out because you can afford to replace it. 

 So be savvy! Leave the heirlooms at home ... and better yet, don't mortgage your house to buy truly expensive-looking fine jewelry. 

Italo jewelry offers the design, sparkle, sterling silver, and white sapphires in sizes we can love without breaking the bank.

Frankly, it's one of THE SAVVY SHOPPER's most exciting finds! Scattered throughout today's blog are a few of my favorite pieces from the jeweler's website. What are some of yours?


I bought a 4-carat (center stone) ring. A 4-carat diamond would cost about $36,000+ 
a real budget buster for ordinary folks. The ring gives me the effect and fun for much less, and to an untrained eye, it's a diamond! :)

Ordering Tips:  1) Take an extra beat to get your order right before placing it since the Italian jeweler's factory is located in China, so undoubtedly ordering is less of a hassle and expense than making returns or exchanges. The retailer's policy offers returns and exchanges and Palpay will ensure you don't lose your money -- but you pay for return shipping if you simply change your mind, which savvy shoppers try to avoid. 

2) There are always promotions of 15% - 30% off so be sure to find them before ordering.

3) Smaller stones will look more like diamonds than bigger carats (if it matters to you?) as you start to see the differences in larger stones.

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Monday, May 30, 2022

Island Vibes Makeup


Summer is my favorite season of the year. What's not to love? The mild climate, the long daylight, and the great outdoors of shimmering bluegrass, blooming flowers, and sandy beaches. 

The makeup is fun too ... summer shades that brighten the lips and give your cheeks a sunkissed look! The following are a few limited edition sets created just for Macy's to consider:

1. The Island Vibes Full-Face Pressed Pigment Palette (top image👆) - It has everything you need from high fashion eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, and highlighters in bold shades and everyday neutrals. If you wait for a sale, the pallette is a $19 splurge.

2. A 5-Piece Island Punch Matte Lipstick Set - Two of the summer shades include terracotta and berry housed in pink-tinted see-through lipstick tubes.




3. A 3-Piece Island Punch Double-Ended Lip Gloss Set -  They are 2-in-1 sheer lip glosses with satin finish lipsticks ranging from soft coral to dusty rose.

4. The 5-Piece Let's Flamingle Brush Set - Consists of soft pink bristles with gold-tone handles. This 5-piece set includes a large powder brush, angled contour brush, and small fan brush. There's another 7-brush makeup set here and uploaded below that also puts customers in the pink ... but the flamingo and pineapple set is so darn island adorable!
5. A 3-Piece Island Punch Makeup Sponge Set - Has 3 cheerful hued sponge sizes for applying foundation, blush, and concealer.

I've been waiting all year for the beautiful summer pastel colors to arrive! The 5 makeup or tool sets are a great value if you wait for one of Macy's sales to come around. Are you in need of island vibes this season? It's just another reason to love Macy's!💋
Everly Brother's Pretty Flamingo



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Thursday, May 26, 2022

Skincare For French Girl Beauty

Today I'd like to introduce you to 5 French moisturizing beauty products which have a cult-like following in France. Believe it or not, each is reasonably priced not often the case for anything with a French label. Countering Chanel, Laura Mercier, Anne Semonin, and Dior beauty, the following French skincare products are in the $14 - $25 range.

1) Nuxe (top image👆) is a brand that uses botanicals to nourish, repair, and beautify. The Huile Prodigieuse Oil contains nourishing Tsubaki oil to treat the face, body, and hair. It leaves your skin soft and silky and your hair with a healthy shine.

2) Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre is a daily face and body cream. It acts as a (1) moisturizer, (2) makeup primer, (3) makeup remover, and (4) skin mask. Good for all skin types, the lait cream is non-comedogenic with a sweet floral scent. French women often apply it after a face serum, especially in cold, dry months.

3) Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion is a daily moisturizer for babies yet loved by the whole family. Containing avocado, jojoba, and sunflower oil -- gentle and non-greasy -- it absorbs quickly to soften and protect the skin. This body lotion is a staple in a French home.

4) La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Therapeutic Multi-Purpose Cream - Rich in shea butter, this multi-taster hydrates dry and irritated skin on the face, lips, body, and hands. It is a non-greasy, non-sticky skin balm containing vitamin B5 and thermal mineral-rich spring water leaving a matte finish. Great for babies over 4 months old and anyone with sensitive skin. The entire La Roche-Posay skincare line is a go-to brand found in the aisle of a French pharmacy. 

5) Let's return to the Nuxe brand for its popular, rich, nourishing Reve de Miel lip balm. The ingredients include beeswax, shea butter, olus oil, sweet almond oil, honey, rosa moschata seed oil, and sunflower seed oil to treat and soothe dry, damaged lips. Wow, leave it to the French to know how to bump up a chapstick!😎

France is known for its stellar quality and natural approach to beauty, and now 5 of the country's secrets are out for us to try! All are time-tested skincare products in achieving that reputed Beauté fille française (French girl beauty) without breaking the bank!


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Monday, May 23, 2022

Best Dollar Store Investment Buys

Sometimes you need to buy top-of-the-line household items and sometimes you can settle for good enough for its intended purpose. That's where dollar stores come in!  

For fun I'll share five $1 articles so surprisingly durable -- i.e. I've gotten years of unexpected use out of them -- that each one deserves to fall under the heading of Great $1 Investments: 

1) Microwave anti-splatter cover - There's no need to shop elsewhere where microwave food covers cost more money. The dollar store offers the same quality and it's as durable as any I've encountered. I only need one cover and don't know why more than one is needed, but hey for $1, who can quibble about the expense?

2) Shower comb with huge teeth - I bought a total of 3 combs for 2 teenagers and one for me to hang in my shower. I use it every day to untangle my freshly shampooed and conditioned hair. Also, I like taking it on overnight trips so I can style my hair by combing it through as I blowdryer it -- leaving my hairbrush and straightener at home. It works beautifully!

3) I found these flat stainless steel measuring spoons at an Odd Lot Trading store. 99 cents stores and Walmart also sell them. They are thin and compact, taking up little space in a kitchen drawer. They'll easily bend if abused but will last forever to measure spices, vanilla, and baking powder. They are cheap, but get the job done, so why replace them with a bulky expensive set? Heavier metal doesn't measure more accurately.

4) I needed a shoehorn and was unsure how long plastic would last but was sold on the 24-inch length so I don't have to bend so far down to slide into a pair of shoes! Turns out the plastic is super durable. I've used the shoehorn for years now and especially like the practical loop for hanging ... a feature I didn't even know I needed!

5) I like the flat, multi-sink stopper shown below👇. It's become the only type I buy for a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and bathroom tub. I have one that stays in the kitchen and another for the bathroom. They fit all-size holes and the rubber is thick and flexible. At $1 each a true bargain!
Sometimes the best things in life aren't exactly free, but from a dollar store, they come very close! $5 well spent for 5 lasting buys!

Have you bought anything for $1 and still using it years later?


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