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Welcome! I invite you to join me on this journey we call Life. It's crazy, fun, silly, sad, happy, loony, dull, exciting and everything in between

Saturday, February 28, 2015

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Snow Ice Cream!


For most of my childhood I lived in places where once Winter made it's appearance, casting white snow all over everything, it hung around like an overextended house guest. It went on for months and months. I don't remember thinking much about it because I was used to it. And I was a kid. I had FUN in the snow!

Now I am older and I love my garden and growing things. I also live in a place where Winter means drab, cold, windy and wet, but not often does it include snow. After this drags on for a few months, it gets OLD in a hurry. I get Spring fever and I just can't wait to get outside and grow something!
Well, this year Mother Nature decided to throw us a little curve ball and dumped nearly 10 inches of snow on us! I know it doesn't even compare to what others have gotten, but for an area that rarely sees it fall, let alone stick and stay for more than a day, it is a pretty big deal. It was also so pretty! It's times like this when I am reminded that Winter does hold it's own beauty.
While I remember making tunnels, building igloos, having snowball fights and eating LOTS of snow, when I lived in place where we saw snow every Winter, I don't remember making snow ice cream. With all the snow that has been dumped on people in the North East, I have seen Snow Ice cream mentioned numerous times. So when we got our little pile of snow, I had to try this! It was so easy! And delicious!

I used this very simple recipe:

~ 1 cup of milk
~ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
~ 1/2 cups sugar
~ CLEAN WHITE Snow

PREPARATION

Bundle up or better yet, let the kids bundle up and go outside to collect 4 - 5 cups of fresh, clean snow (nothing yellow... or any other colors! :) Don't pack the snow, just scoop it up. Bring it in the house and set it in the freezer while you combine the other ingredients.
Mix together the milk, vanilla, and the sugar. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the snow to the mixture slowly and stirring constantly, until it is as thick as ice cream. Once it is the consistency of regular ice cream, it is ready to eat and enjoy!
Now I have something else to look forward to the next time we get a good snow fall!

Invivo Essential Fractionated Coconut Oil Review


This post contains affiliate links
#invivoessential


When I first heard the words "carrier oil", I wasn't sure what to think...what was being carried and where would it be carried?

 I knew it had something to do with essential oils only because I started seeing the words as I tried to learn more about how I could use oils. So I set out to learn about carrier oils as well.
I learned that a carrier oil, like this Fractionated Coconut Oil from Invivo is used in most instances where you are going to use essential oils directly on your skin. 
They are also helpful for aromatherapy. I blended some of my peppermint oil with the fractionated coconut oil for my little diffusers. Now I get soft whiffs of peppermint all through the day. I love that!
I unexpectedly got to try out one of the "on-the-skin" remedies too. I woke up in terrible pain from a hiatal hernia and the pain would not stop. I tried my usual over the counter remedy without any relief. I remembered reading about peppermint being useful for stomach pain. I figured I would give it a try..... 
I poured some of the coconut oil, added several drops of peppermint, blended them together and rubbed them onto the area that was hurting. Within in a few moments I started feeling some relief. Enough that I could finally sit down and rest. It wasn't like a super *BOOM* I'm cured!, but there was definitely relief from the pain. 
You might be wondering what fractionated coconut oil is. Coconut oil contains both long-chain and medium-chain fatty acids. IN fractionated coconut oil, the long-chain fatty acids have been removed. This processing allows it to stay in liquid form, whereas virgin coconut oil can be melted, but returns to a solid state when cooled. As a cooking oil, it is very stable and doesn't go rancid easily. While it may not retain as much of the vitamins, minerals or anti-oxidants as virgin coconut oil, it is quite useful for the times when you don't necessarily want an oil that will return to a solid. It also doesn't smell like coconut so when you use it for aromatherapy, it won't mingle with the scent of any essential oils you use.

#invivoessential


You can find this large 16 ounce bottle of Invivo Fractionated Coconut Oil at a great price on Amazon.com.


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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links which simply serve to help me support my family. 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Pamper Yourself With Adovia Dead Sea Bath Salts


This post contains affiliate links
#deadseasalt

How often do you take time to pamper yourself? I know I rarely do. I usually jump in the shower, do what I need to do and get moving.
When I got the opportunity to review these Dead Sea Bath Salts from Adovia, my mind was actually thinking of different things I could use them for. Then one day, I had the time to use them as they were intended.....
Wowee! I feel so good after a soak in the tub with these bath salts! I love to add them to the tub right after I have shaved my legs and just soak for a for a bit. They leave my skin feeling smooth and soft with no dryness or irritation from shaving. 
Another benefit I noticed and was not expecting is when my knees and joints hurt, a soak with the bath salts eases the aches.
Like a large portion of the country, we have been stuck in Winter mode and the system is refusing to boot up Spring! It is wreaking havoc on my skin, particularly my hands. They are so dry and rough feeling!
I mixed together a few tablespoons of the Bath Salts, a little coconut oil, and about 10 or 12 drops of peppermint essential oil. I massaged it over my hands for several minutes and then lightly rinsed them under the faucet. A great little hand scrub! It left my hands smoother and relieved the dry cracked feeling.

The Dead Sea Bath Salts contain 26 essential minerals and zero additives, colors or scents. The small grain size allows the salts to dissolve very quickly. 


#deadseasalt

I love everything about these Bath Salts. They are all the quality and effectiveness I would expect from the Adovia brand. This resealable bag contains 1.75 pounds of awesomeness and is available on Amazon. 


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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links which simply serve to help me support my family.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Bullet Designs Fire & Ice Jewelry Giveaway

Bullet Designs Fire and Ice Jewelry Giveaway Feb 16 - March 2


Hosted by: Savory Savings



Co-hosted by: Michigan Saving & More



Sponsored by: Bullet Designs





Bullet Designs Fire & Ice Jewelry Giveaway!


Finding a unique and fun piece of jewelry that doesn't break the bank can be challenging at best and near impossible at worst.  Bullet Designs wants to change that!  Featuring unique and beautiful jewelry made with real bullets, these pieces are both beautiful and fun all at once!  Krista over at Savory Savings recently shared her thoughts on the Fire & Ice bullet jewelry set - be sure to check it out!



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Aim for the bullseye! Shoot to add some pizzazz to your jewelry box! Pull the trigger on a great unique look! 
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Would you like to win a set of bullet earrings and a bullet necklace from the Bullet Designs Fire & Ice Collection?  If you would like a chance to win, enter with the Giveaway Tool below.  If you have won a giveaway from Bullet Designs, from another blog in the last 12 months, you are not eligible to win.  The giveaway will run from February 16 through March 2, 2015 at 11 PM CST and is open to US residents (excluding HI/AK), ages 18 and older.  Entries will be verified.  Winners will be notified via email (consider adding gloriouslygreengal@gmail.com to your safe list) – winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize or another winner will be selected.



Good Luck!


Thursday, February 19, 2015

Valentia Organic Rosehip Oil Review


This post contains affiliate links
#rosehipoil

How's the weather been treating you lately? Is your skin screaming at you with a dry and cracked throat?

I received a bottle of Valentia Rosehip Oil to review and it has come in handy for keeping my hands moisturized against the cold winter temperatures we have had. I can't imagine what it must be like for those that have been hit with one snowstorm after another! The cold and wind combine to torture skin.
I have seen it mentioned that rosehip oil had an odor so I was a little apprehensive about that. This does have a slight scent and I don't advise taking a big sniff of the open bottle. BUT, it takes so very little when I massage it into my hands that the odor is scant and actually dissipates pretty quickly.  
I bet getting roses brightens your day! This can brighten and rejuvenate your skin. Rosehip Oil is derived from a species of rose called "Rosa rubiginosa". Rosehip oil is packed with antioxidants, fatty oils and other anti-aging ingredients. It is often used in anti-aging skin creams, but the oil can be applied directly to problem areas. 
It contains a derivative of vitamin A that invigorates and regenerates skin, firming it as well as fighting fine lines. It also helps treat sun-damaged skin by lightening it. Rosehips also contain C, E, B and K. They also contain citric acid, flavonoids, fatty oils, tannin, pectin, and more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Interesting to note that rosehips were used as a dietary supplement during World War II because there was a shortage of citrus fruits.

You skin needs lipids to form and sustain membranes and to prevent transepidermal water loss. Rosehip oil is a natural lipid as all oils are. It helps with the flexibility and permeability of skin and helps keep necessary moisture in and harmful bacteria out. 
Rosehip oils retains a higher amount of its natural antioxident Vitamin C after processing than other essential oils. The healing properties are often used to minimize scars and treat skin conditions such as eczema and burns. It has also been used for rheumatoid arthritis, urinary bladder infections and headaches.

It takes only a few drops for each of my hands to be fully moisturized so this 1.8 ounce bottle will have some lasting power. It offers you great control with a dropper dispenser so you can use as little or and much as you like. 

#rosehipoil

You can try out the healing properties of this 100% natural, Organic Rosehip Oil from Valentia. It is available on Amazon.com. 


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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links which simply serve to help me support my family.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Landscape Laser Light Review


This post contains affiliate links
#LaserLights

Lights are some of the coolest things you can use for decorating, setting a mood, or creating an atmosphere. 
I was super excited to review this Landscape Laser Light! This one has red and green lights. Perfect for Christmas! Until life got busy, I was always the one that decorated the entire front yard for Christmas, I used all kinds of lights. Rope lights, icicle lights, lights that made it look like it was snowing on our house, a projector that cast a photo on the space above the garage door, a projector that showed short filmstrips on the garage door, lighted inflatables..... the whole bit! It used to sometimes take me almost two weeks to get every out and set up the way I wanted.
The Landscape Laser Light creates some great effects. It shines millions of points of light and depending on the position and the distance you place it from where you point it, it can cover a pretty large expanse. 
This light is super sturdy. It has a heavy duty aluminum housing that can withstand being outside. The connectors are weatherproof as well so you can run it safely out into the garden or yard. It comes with a great stake that is just as sturdy as the housing that contains the lamp. You don't have to mess with a cheap wimpy stake that breaks when you try to drive it into the ground or fails to hold up the lamp like it should.
Now, I was disappointed just a little because the outer box and the instruction sheet both described a remote control that allowed for the colors to be used one at a time or both together, but this particular one did not come with a remote. Not being able to control it means you don't have a choice for solid red light or solid green. I played around with it and found that it I put a piece of black electrical tape over one or the other, it effectively blocked one color so only the one I wanted shone out over the trees. I'm not sure how long that would work during our usually wet Decembers though.
With the just the green light

Even without the remote, this is a fun light and I have had a lot of fun playing with it and trying different things.  
Just the Red Light

I would love to get one of these with plain white lights! These would be great for decorating an outdoor nighttime wedding, a reception or party. An occasion that you want to dress up the area. 
 It looks great where ever you want to point it. It makes trees look like you have covered them in tiny lights from top to bottom and on every branch!
Photo bombed by a curious cat!

It instantly transforms an area into a wonderland of lights. This one being green and red reminded me of the Griswold house in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Which I absolutely love, but would never have the patience to pull off!


This light gives you instant decoration without a huge amount of time or work, no messing with tangled strands of lights, no climbing on ladders and no worry about stepping on the lights strands on the ground. 
I got to playing around with the laser light and used it with my machine that makes it look like it is snowing on my house. It has a rotating mirror ball inside that tosses the light back onto the house and the movement makes it look like "flakes" are falling. 
  
I love playing with different lights and have a lot of fun with them. I have played with it indoors as well as outside and it would be great for a party! I'll be experimenting more with this one and find some more uses for it. 
#LaserLights


You can find this fun and fantastic Laser Light over at Amazon. Create a party on your landscape! 


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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of the product. You opinion and experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links which simply serve to help me support my family.