Manicure Killer: New formula for manicure survival! (email me for coupon) ;)

I got from Influenster two bottles of Palmolive's new dish liquid especially formulated for me!!!! (it seems)
Dishes is my most dreaded chore... I'll do anything... even iron... but pleeeeease!!! no dishes...

Dish washing liquid leaves hands sooo rough but most importanly, it's a manicure KILLER!!!!!
Am not gonna tell you I love washing dishes now, but thanks to Palmolive's new formula Soft Touch my hands don't suffer as much and manicure survives.

As much as I hate doing dishes, it's something that's got to get done.  Although is a few more cents than what I was using (store brand) it's worth the change.  I definitely switched.

:)

Want a coupon?? The first three people to comment be sure to also send me an email to bsnfblog@gmail.com with your shipping info (US ONLY) I'll send you a coupon so you can try it for yourself.  You can find it at Walmart.



 

Want to Write a Cooking Book??

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Lisa Ekus Group February 2013 Contact:  Sally Ekus The Lisa Ekus Group 413.247.9325 Sally@lisaekus.com / @SallyEkus So You Want to Write a Cookbook? Culinary Agency Seeks to Sign New Talent via Twitter Hatfield, MA – So you want to write a cookbook? Do you have a food blog and dream of being published? Have you ever been standing over a big pot of stew at the stove and had the perfect idea for a cookbook pop into your head? Now is your chance. The Lisa Ekus Group, a culinary agency that recently celebrated 31 years in business, is seeking new talent through a Twitter contest. Inspired by the March Madness basketball tournament, the contest will ask anyone who wants to write a cookbook to pitch their best culinary non-fiction ideas to @SallyEkus via 140-character (or less) tweets to #SignMeSal from March 11 -13, 2013. On March 14th, 2013, the finalists will be chosen to participate in the playoffs and entries will be whittled down in subsequent days. Like the March Madness basketball tournament, 16 finalists will enter the playoffs. Remaining participants will then be asked to round out their proposals with further tweets that cover standard proposal elements, such as the book’s point of differentiation, the author’s promotional ideas, and the author’s credentials. The last two finalists will join Literary Agent Sally Ekus in a Twitter chat on March 25, 2013 to discuss their ideas as well as ask questions about agency representation and cookbook publishing in general. Contestants, who were previously eliminated, as well as the greater Twitter community, will be encouraged to join the Twitter chat to ask questions of the final two contenders. A single winner will be chosen and then work with agent Sally Ekus to develop a fleshed out proposal to pitch to editors at publishing houses. The contest calendar is as follows: March 11th-13th, 2013: Tweet your cookbook concept to #SignMeSal March 14th, 2013: @SallyEkus will tweet the 16 cookbook concept playoff contenders March 15th, 2013: The winning 16 will tweet once what their Point of Differentiation (How is this concept different from what already exists in the market?) is to#SignMeSal March 18th, 2013: 8 winners will be announced by @SallyEkus and will proceed to the next round March 19th, 2013: The 8 winners of the last round will tweet 3 promotional ideas for how they intend to promote their book once it is published. March 20th, 2013: 4 winners from the promotional idea round will be announced by@SallyEkus March 21st, 2013: The 4 winners of the promotional idea round will tweet their answer to the final question, “Why me? Why am I the person to write this book?” in up to three tweets to #SignMeSal March 22nd, 2013: Two finalists will be announced by @SallyEkus March 25th, 2013: @SallyEkus will host a Twitter chat from 1-2pm EST to ask the finalists questions about their concepts and backgrounds. This will also be a chance for the two finalists to ask questions about agent representation and The Lisa Ekus Group, as well as a time for people following the contest to weigh in with their own questions. The finalists should come to the chat prepared to answer questions such as “What does platform mean to me?” and “I want to write this book because…” March 27th, 2013: One winner will be announced by @SallyEkus Interested parties should pitch any idea related to food, health, wellness, and cooking. You may be previously published, but you may not be currently represented by another literary agency. The Lisa Ekus Group is looking for fresh voices, new ideas, and untapped talent. “I am looking for someone who can get their ideas across succinctly, in 140 characters or less,” said Sally Ekus. "The Tweet is the new elevator pitch.” Contest rules can be found HERE.  The Lisa Ekus Group is a full-service culinary agency. We provide media training, strategic public relations planning, consulting, and literary agency services to the world of culinary talent. It is our belief that a vibrant culinary industry is the result of many voices, and so we strive to support and promote chefs, cookbook authors, food writers, and photographers.

Jonathan's Lazy Spoon

Look at this!!!!!!!! how convenient.  

I received the spootle lazy spoon as part of a product review... this is a really innovative product, i love it because to be honest, there are things I dont cook on PURPOSE because of how messy it can get, with all the stirring and putting the spoon on the side of the pan etc.  This solves that problem stir and leave the spoon there and it wont fall off nor out of the pan.  =) 

Love IT! 

Retails for $32.00 

I have used it for several weeks now and realized that it is WORTH EVERY PENNY! 

I want this one to be my next lazy spoon 

Click HERE to see different kinds of lazy spoons =) and other products for baking, cooking and serving.

You'll LOVE IT!

As any wooden spoon, do NOT put in the dishwasher.  click HERE for care instructions

CAKE TIME: I love almonds!

Another thing I enjoy greatly is BAKING!!!!!!!!!!! (not so much around this time of year but I couldnt resist).  I received a great pack of almonds and almond flour from Justalmonds.com as part of a product review and I couldn't be happier.  Almonds from Justalmods.com are directly from the farm.  Almonds are a great source of calcium and fiber, help prevent cancer, osteoporosis, boost energy, and because they are so filling may even help you lose weight.

As you may already know, am always hungry and ready to snack.  I made this awesome bunt cake just took out eggs, my almond flour, almonds, walnut, vanilla extract, butter, brown sugar and baking powder and voila!

Almonds have so many uses, I chopped them up a bit and threw in some walnuts, raisins and dehydrated plums or cranberries and made a yummy snack for hiking and biking.  (my version of trail mix), or simply keep them around for a quick and filling snack.  Chop them or slice them and throw them in a salad.  Also, (I apologize to the peanut butter lovers) but since I dont like peanut butter, almond butter is a great alternative for it and it can even be less allergenic than peanuts.  (check with your Doctor).

"The National Headache Foundation identifies 20 types of headaches, ranging from simple tension headaches to the dreaded migraine. What they have in common is that they all drive you nuts to one extent or another.  But research suggests that nuts is good — or "are" good, in this case. Almonds contain salicin, which when consumed forms salicylic acid, the primary byproduct of aspirin metabolization "
http://www.justalmonds.com/Almonds_may_help_ease_your_headache_s/246.htm

My bunt cake was "sold out" right away and it was delicious.  I did not use bleached white flour and opted in for the healthier choice of almond flour.

Great taste, from the best quality.  There is so much to learn about almonds and its health benefits and yummy recipes.  For this, to buy and for yummy recipes go to justalmonds.com

enter below to win and when purchasing use coupon code BSNF for 10% your entire purchase.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chicwrap: Wrap that's chic :D

Hi!!! here's another for those kitchen that need some love on a low budget.  You dont need to make huge remodeling projects, just a few chic items and it becomes a makeover.  =) 

I have been given the opportunity to review "the world's best plastic wrap dispenser" from Chicwrap.  Beside its amazing style and design, it features a ZipSage slide cutter, 250' professional plastic wrap, sustainable wipe-clean design and non-skid rubber feet so while you're dispensing plastic the dispenser is not making a trip all over the countertop and the wrap is microwave safe.

Very fast shipping.  The box contained a roll of 250' plastic wrap, dispenser, all for only $9.99

Very easy to put together.  The dispenser is marked as to where the cutter goes and easily adheres. 

I love my design.  It is called modern dots.  I love the fading colors.  Most dots are gray and at the ends yellow dots begin fading in.  Super chic.  At times I leave it out of its place in the cabinet and I actually dont mind it as looks pretty cool and sleek.  Doesnt look like plastic wrap left out of place.  

Don't like the design I chose.  No worries, it's not the only one.  Choose between 6 designs pictured below you will want one of each.  =)

CALIFORNIA

CITRUS

COOK'S TOOLS

MODERN DOTS

SUNFLOWERS

TRIANGLES

To get your own click HERE to buy or enter below to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dish Drying Mat: GIVEAWAY!

My most dreaded chore happens to be doing the dishes and the worst thing is that my new place does NOT have a dishwasher.  So I received the Envision Home Dish Drying Mat as part of a product review.  Since I hate dishes and I always find something wrong with "kitchen stuff" I have been using this mat for over a month and I have determined that it's a must-have!!!! I've used it, I've drenched, I've try for it to lose its shape and thickness, and nothing!! it's GREAT!!

It is made of microfiber, is machine washable, super absorbent  and very fast drying and didnt smell bad even when wet-dried and wet again :D

messy

neat

This is directly from their site

"The Envision Home™ Dish Drying Mat is the new solution to the age old tradition of placing dish towels on the counter when hand washing pots, pans, dishes, and glassware. The unique, laminated design combines a new thicker layer of foam between two layers of high quality, super absorbent microfiber.
Superior absorbency; holds 4 times its weight in water
Cushions delicate dishes and stemware
Machine washable and highly durable
Folds and stores easily
Mat Size: 16 in. x 18 in.Has Multiple Uses
Try it underneath your dish drying rack in place of the plastic drain board. Place it underneath your appliances (mixer, blender, etc.) to protect your counter top from scratches and scuffs."

It does exactly what it says it does and when you're done, just lay for drying, fold it and store it.  You dont have to leave a bulky thing in the kitchen just making a mess. I've also use it under the blender to protect the countertop (not really, I use it in case it spills..LOL) 

I love it sooo much, I want THREE of you to have ONE.  Enter through Rafflecopter below. (open US and Canada).  If wanna buy it instead, click HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SodaStream: Turn Water into Sparkling Water and Soda

So you've seen the commercial, seen it in different stores throughout the country.  This is the new must-have kitchen gadget.  Pictured above is the genesis unit which starts at $99.95

With over 60 flavors, diet and regular sodastream is an awesome alternative not only for soda drinkers but for the environment. and it's sooo convenient.  

In less than one minute I turned bottled water into sparkling water (which I drink a lot of due to my low tolerance for sugar so my tummy gets upset often-so this is great for my household) 

Simply fill the carbonation bottle with water, twist the bottle in place, press a button fizz fizz then buzz and Voila!!

I love the fact that it does not require an electrical outlet (which was very surprising but AWESOME).

AND the stylish look.

As to the flavor, it tastes just like the real "unhealthy" thing ;)  I love the orange and ginger ale especially to mix with the more fun drinks (wink wink).  The mixes are concentrates so a little goes a long way.  A few drops into carbonated water and I had a soda.

One thing that got my attention was that the carbonation bottle has an expiration date.  Why would a container expire (dumb question to some - sorry) but I was then explained that since the bottle has to withstand recurring pressure from carbonation, it cannot be used forever. The expiration date on the bottle must be checked and new bottles purchased as soon as the former expires. The bottles must also be replaced if put in the dishwasher, exposed to a heat source, or if they have become scratched. All components of carbonating bottles are recyclable. 

one reusable bottle of Sodasteam saves the earth from 2000 bottles and cans.

Click HERE for Sodastream environmental friendlyness and learn about bottles

Where to buy??

You can also purchase at the online store by clicking HERE

WHAT DO YOU THINK??