A smile...

http://heartifb.com/2011/08/31/professional-blogger-spotlight-glitter-guide/

 

Fruit Pizza by Pillsbury

I wanted to share with everyone my go to desert, which I made last night for Papa's birthday. This recipe is from Pillsbury-its easy and delicious.

Ingredients:
1 roll(16.5oz) Pillsbury Create'n Bake refrigerated sugar cookies
1 package(8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla'
1 cup fresh or canned peach slices, drained, cut into thinner slices
1 cup halved or quarted fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup apple jelly

Step 1: Heat oven to 350F. Grease 12 inch pizza pan or spray with cooking spray. In pan, break up cookie dough; press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.
Step 2: Bake 16-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Step 3: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluggy. Spread mixture over colled crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese.
Step 4: Stir jelly until smooth; spoon or brush over fruit. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Cut into wedges or squares. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pizza.

Note: I always double my ingredients...I use any fruits I have in the fridge (not neccessarily the ones suggested in the recipe)... I use a 13x9 pan...Unless I am making the pizza the night before; I skip the apple jelly (it is just to keep the fruit from browning).

Resources: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/fanciful-fruit-pizza/93d325e7-4182-4f9a-8453-956e48a45735 this website includes the full recipe from Pillsbury and the nutritional information.

Day 2 of Detox Water

So, yesterday I slowed down on drinking the detox water and substituted some with plain water, due to a really bad headache. I have researched and do not understand what is causing such bad headaches. I am back to drinking it today; if I get a headache I will be giving up on the cucumber-lemon water. Check back in tonight to see how Day 3 goes...

Kid to Kid

Kid to Kid is a wonderful second hand shop for children's clothing, toys, and baby items. If you are interested in finding some great deals on gently used items this is the place to go in the Phoenix area. They also purchase items from their customers. Last weekend we sold our items for the first time and had a wonderful experience. I went in filled out a form and ten minutes later they had an offer for me; they offer store credit or cash (store credit is more, of course). Their website also has some great tips on getting the most out of your items. Some of the tips include...bring your items in a basket or bin (no trash bags), have them folded in half, place outfit pieces together. As for toys...clean them prior to bringing in and have all the prices together, also leave batteries in. The staff here is always friendly and very helpful. Below is the location we use. http://kidtokid.com/peoria/

8360 W Thunderbird Rd #101 Peoria, AZ 85381
623.776.3441

There are many other locations in Arizona and other states...check out their website for a store locator. http://kidtokid.com/

Luci's Healthy Marketplace

1590 E Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85014 602.773.1339

This weekend we ventured out and decided to test Luci's Healthy Marketplace. As we pulled up, I was quite impressed and had high expectations of Luci's. the atmosphere was trendy to say the least. the store is loaded with healthy groceries and hard to find products; it is definitely a high end store. We went on Sunday, so we were directed to order our meals at the coffee bar.

I ordered the TURKEY LURKEY-Artisan light bread, turkey, Havarti cheese, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, spinach, tomato, pesto sauce and mayo; as a side I chose the Asiago Penne Salad. I thought the sandwhich was good, but nothing I could not make at home, but the ingredients were very fresh and delicious. The Penne Salad was amazing. it was filled with sundried tomatoes, asparagus, and many other yummy ingredients. I would highly recommend the Penne Salad.

My husband (J.D.) ordered LUCI'S FAMOUS ALL NATURAL BURGER-half-pound Niman Ranch all natural, grass-fed Angus sirloin patty (cooked the way you like it) with sauteed mushrooms, red onion, apple wood smoked bacon and a choice of cheddar, Swiss, or provolone cheese on a delicious brioche roll; served with tater tots. O.K. I am not going to lie; I was super excited to try this burger. He ordered it medium because grass-fed beef should be tasted, not burned. Mind you the description clearly states "cooked the way you like it;" when we received the burger it was well done and tasted horrible. my husband has made better burgers with Walmart beef at home. I was highly disappointed. Also, the tater tots tasted like soggy fries you get at the drive through. The tater tots were half sweet potatoes and half regular-which was not explained to use when we ordered or mentioned on the menu. he also ordered an ice tea which was $5 for a 32oz (seems a little outrageous to me...), but he liked it.

4711 N 7th St Phoenix, AZ 85014 602.451.4335

Before I describe the desert, I will start off by saying it is not made in house; the desert is from Urban Cookie http://www.urbancookies.com/ . I was unimpressed with the desert as well; we ordered a slice of cheesecake and a slice of their lemon-coconut cake. The cheesecake was delicious in the center, but the outer edges were overcooked. The lemon-coconut cake was very dry and disappointing. I do think these items had been sitting in the case too long; because I have been to Urban Cookie and enjoyed their deserts...

Overall we would not go back to Luci's; except to try their coffee. Their staff was very friendly though.

Rating: 1 out of 5

Herrera Esteli

This sitting in my ashtray is the Herrera Esteli from Drew Estate. I purchased a couple at a store earlier this year. I chose the robusto, clocking in at 5 and 1/2 inches by 52 ring guage. The wrapper had a very nice sheen and was smooth and beautiful, with no gaps in the seams or cracks in the wrapper. I have to say upfront that I have smoked Drew Estate cigars before, but I was cautious that hype can warp perspective when it comes to cigars. It seems as though, Right from the begining I had a very good feeling about this cigar, Because I love straight up traditional cigars. When I grabbed them that was the impression  I got from its presentation.
And with that, out of the way, Here's the beef;

The first third started out with nice thick flavors med to full bodied and had some pepper and smooth oily flavors. Mild in strength, Very rich and smooth. Smoke output was good and the first third really set the table well for the rest of the cigar.  As I moved into the second third, the cigar trasitions with creamy smooth flavors that become the core of the flavor profile. As I was finishing out the second third, I felt the strength of the cigar come up from up from medium to medium plus. The second third finshes with thick, chewy smoke, and I did notice throughout the second third, like a lot of Liga Privada cigars the footsmoke was belting out ribbons of thick smoke. The last part of the cigar was like a megaphone for the second third profile, Same flavors but up in intensity. The last third the strength crept passing the body about half way through it, and if you smoke it slowly and take your time, you may be able to keep your head above water. However these are strong through the final third.

Things I took away;

- I love the presentation of this cigar. I think simplicity can be rewarded and especially in this day and age.

- I had smoked the other cigar back around the time I bought these, and beware, fresh out of the box, They will bite you if you don't take it easy.

- This is the kind of cigar that I would have never expected Drew Estate to put out and when I heard about it I was very surprised and very curious.

- This is a very good cigar. I would say cubanesqe, and very satisfying

- I wouldn't hesitate to buy a box of these, I think age will be very good to these cigars.

As for a score, I give this cigar 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Note: Don's Cigars.20 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85012.602- 248-0160

Day 1 of Detox Drink

I did notice an increase in my water intake which is highly beneficial, especially because I am breastfeeding. About half way through the day, I noticed a moderate headache which is not usual for me. I could not find any resources which indicated any negative side effects associated with drinking the detox drink-so onto day two.