Computer Meltdown

My desktop bought the big one and is in the shop. *sigh*
I have a very old laptop that I can use in limited ways but I can't really get to blogs like I would like.
It's slower than death.
I can read emails and hopefully get my blogs posted.
I have no access to my photos....

The desktop is supposed to be back Thursday.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.

It's really sad how dependent we are on these things....

Giveaway Winner: Tupperware Quick Shake

Someone is getting some Tupperware!
But who?

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 59 

Lucky #59, that's who!

And that commenter is:

TommyGirl!!!!!

Hooray!

I will send TommyGirl and email and she will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear back I will pick a new winner. Thanks to everyone who entered. Be sure to keep checking back for more great giveaways! 

Review: Happeez Clippers by Mayfair Lane

I have mentioned - probably more times than you want to hear - that the winters in Montana are grey.

Grey, grey, grey. The sky is grey. The river is grey and half the time my mood is grey.

So I like to have pretty, bright colors around me to remind me that life isn't, well....grey. I have shown you my yurt and the less than grey colors I am using in there and I can usually be found wearing colors like fucshia, royal blue and purple.

When Judith from Mayfair Lane asked me if I wanted to get Happeez how could I resist? The name just made me smile and when I looked at all the delightful patterns this girl was in color heaven! I mean just look at these

aren't they great? Or these

The choices are as diverse as they are colorful. They even have some for your little baseball player to help him or her keep papers neat and easy to find

I could go on and on buy why don't you just go look and see all of the gorgeous, bright, beautiful choices for yourself. Go ahead.
Bask in their loveliness.
I'll wait.

Wasn't that fun?
Happeez Clippers aren't just pretty, oh no! They are sturdy too! And they have advantages that regular magnets don't. I'll let Mayfair Lane tell you themselves - they  ARE the experts!

• Revolutionary material grips to slick surfaces, including stainless steel refrigerators, with no residue.
• To maintain grip, wipe back with water or vinegar-based glass cleaner and dry.
• Stylishly post reminders, children's artwork, to-do lists and more.
• Patent pending. 

I just love mine and can't wait to see them in my new kitchen. But Happeez Clippers are not the only thing that Mayfair Lane makes, oh no!

They also make List Pads,  bags, notepads, whiteboards, frames, journals both large and small, and mini photoframes; all with the pretty bright patterns to brighten your day.!


So if you are looking for a practical yet fun and funky gift check out Mayfair Lane and get Happeez!

Special Blog Talk Radio Invitation!

Please join us in a live interview with Larissa Ione, author of

ECSTASY UNVEILED

Forever Romance ISBN 9780446556828

 

Date: February 17, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM ET
Author: Larissa Ione
Title: Ecstasy Unveiled
Publisher: Forever Romance

BlogTalkRadio/HBG Program:
Larissa Ione, an Air Force veteran, lives a nomadic lifestyle with her U.S. Coast Guard husband and young son. She currently lives in Wisconsin and is hard at work on her next Demonica novel. Visit her website at www.LarissaIone.com. She writes: "After I'd joined the Air Force and was in dire need of something to read between shifts at the weather station, I continued to read horror, but I'd branched out into fantasy, and then, finally, romance (though I admit I went kicking and screaming to the latter.) Turned out that I loved romance! So I started writing it, but again, my style and voice leaned toward the dark, paranormal side. Fortunately for me, paranormal romance, as a sub-genre, was booming. I let my imagination fly, and soon I'd sold a series of dark, sexy paranormal romances to Grand Central Publishing. I still read a lot of horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and in fact, one of my all time favorite books about writing is On Writing, by my favorite childhood horror author, Stephen King. If you're an author or a reader, I highly recommend this book for an insight into an author's mind—which can sometimes be a very scary place. Go ahead; Seduce your dark side."
Call-in with your questions during show time to participate in the live interview @ 646-378-0039.

Listen-in or chat on the Grand Central Publishing channel on BlogTalkRadio.

Gems for Sale!

You all know that I make jewelry and sell it on etsy at Broken Teepee Designs. What you might not know is that I have a destash shop on etsy too!
It's called Destashables.

I am on a major clean out of my gem stash and have been listing lots of new sparklies into the shop. Things like these carnelian pears:

and this Swiss blue topaz focal:

and these phenite beauties:

and this one of a kind kunzite druzy focal!

I have been listing them at less than I paid for them because I really would like to have less to move into the yurt. So why not take advantage of my laziness? I will be putting up new listings over the next couple of weeks so keep checking back.

And as a special bonus for my blog readers if you mention "blog" in the notes to seller I will give you an additional 10% off! Woo hoo! You can either pay and I will process a refund or request an updated invoice and I will send it out to you.

Cool,, huh?  Wouldn't you just love to use that discount on these carved amethyst leaves?

heh heh.
You can click on the photos and go right to the listings. While in the shop you will also find some stunning little sapphires, AAA blue zircons, Montana agate hearts and lots more!

So go ahead - check it out. I costs nothing to look......

Book Review: Entertaining at Home with America's Top Chefs

 

This beautiful cookbook came out of the program Bringing it Home with  Laura McIntosh. After reading through it I am really, REALLY sorry I can't get the show here in Montana. I know I would love it. So here is some info before I get to my review.You can visit Laura McIntosh's webpage to see where and when the show airs.

Some background information:

Revolutionary in concept, Bringing it Home with Laura McIntosh shows television viewers how to take seasonal ingredients straight from the farm to the kitchen to create fresh and healthy meals for the whole family. Each week, lively host Laura McIntosh travels to different farms, vineyards and orchards to meet the people who are responsible for growing our abundant crops. She then brings them together with chefs who, right there at the farm, turn the bountiful harvest into fresh, healthy, gourmet meals, giving new meaning to "from the field to the table."  The recipes are simple and easy to prepare and designed to enhance the food's natural flavors.  Viewers learn the magic of freshness as they experience the food cycle and learn tips on selecting fresh, ripe produce at the market, pairing wine with a meal and incorporating healthy food into family cooking.

About Laura McIntosh:

As host and executive producer of Emmy-nominated cooking and travel program Bringing it Home with Laura McIntosh, the show's namesake is living her dream.  Having grown up in the small farming town of Linden in Northern California as part of a close-knit, fifth-generation farming family, it was only natural that she developed a love of the soil and a passion for food and the farmers who grow it.  Today, Laura shares fun and easy ways to enjoy food at its peak of freshness and educates consumers about our global food heritage.  Her creative work and the success of the show have been recognized over the years with Emmy and James Beard nominations and Telly and Aurora awards.

My Opinion:

Oooh, boy! This is one B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. cookbook. There is a stunning photo of almost every finished dish. Oh, and the recipes, the recipes; they go straight to my cook's heart. They are not simple in some cases. They call for some challenging techniques but this is the kind of cookbook that I can sink my chef's knife, CuisinArt and AllClad's into and create meals that will be remembered. A lot of the dishes I want to try the most call for Spring/Summer ingredients; remember this is a farm to table focused show and therefore cookbook.  For example:  Pork Fillet with Sweet and Sour Cherry Sauce and Mashed Potatoes with Green Peas from Chef Laurence Jackson. Doesn't that sound like a little slice of food heaven? As soon as cherries come into season that baby is going to be on my table.  But this is one I am going to try as soon as I get enough milk saved to make a batch of chevre:  Thompson Seedless Grapes with Cypress Gardens Chevre, Roasted Walnuts and Prosciutto - except I will substitute Happy Goats Chevre, heh heh. This recipe is from Chef Charles Paladin-Wayne. As soon as I make it I will show you the photos; doesn't it sound yummy?

I know I am going to have lots of fun with this cookbook and you would too.

Entertaining at Home with America's Top Chefs is available at Amazon.com

The book comes with a free DVD showing exclusive Chef videos. How cool is that?!

Disclosure:  I received a gratis copy of Entertaining At Home for review. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by the receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Review and Giveaway: Simple Green Naturals

Uhm, cleaning is not my favorite activity.
There, I typed it.
This will come as no surprise to the hubby. I mean, he HAS lived with me for almost 28 years now.
But things need to be cleaned and so they get cleaned....
It is nice, though when you can clean with products you like to use. Products that smell good and won't harm the environment.
Products like the Naturals line from Simple Green. Woo hoo for them!

You will recall that I have already told you about two of these delightful products - the Dishwashing Liquid and the Hand Soap. I even showed you photos of my bubbles. And I don't show my bubbles to just anybody. Both of these soaps were wonderful so I was excited to try the other products in the line so with a sense of cleaning adventure I sallied forth to conquer my bathroom.

Don't worry. There won't be photos. I care about you and don't want to ruin your eyes for the rest of the day.

I started with the Simple Green Naturals Bathroom Cleaner. The label's purple. I like purple but more than that this stuff does a really good job cleaning. And it smells good - not all chemically like other products out there. The scent is rosemary mint and it's just lovely. It really brightens one's cleaning mood. I need that. I used it on the trailer's toilet and in my bathroom sink and it did just like the company says:

Simple Green Naturals Bathroom Cleaner is designed for use on soils such as water borne minerals and soap scum that are commonly found in the tub, toilet and sink. The product is easy to use. Simply spray, mop or wipe onto a surface and scrub if necessary. For best results, rinse or damp wipe with clean water.

It really made getting rid of that soap scum easy. Not that I am saying I let my sink go long enough to have soap scum. Nope, I am not saying that at all.

I also made use of Simple Green Naturals Glass and Surface Care. Although I will admit that I was liking the way I looked in my mirror with that fog of whatever that had built up on it. It muted my wrinkles. Now my mirror is bright and sparkling clean. I am not sure I am thankful for this since now I can see how old I am. Hmmm, the product did a great job cleaning but cannot erase the fact that I am old. Oh well, it does not promise miracles but according to Simple Green:

Simple Green Naturals Glass & Surface Care is effective for use on glass and reflective surfaces. It is easy to use. This ready-to-use glass cleaner can be simply sprayed onto a glass, reflective or other hard surface and wiped clean with a lint free paper towel, a non-abrasive lint free cloth or clean microfiber cloth. This product will provide the best results when used on a cool surface.

 It also did a great job cleaning my microwave but my microwave is not in my bathroom and this is a post about cleaning my bathroom. How weird would it be to have a microwave in your bathroom....

You can purchase the Naturals line right on the Simple Green website. How easy is that?

Now for the giveaway! One lucky reader will win the entire Naturals line. Woo hoo for cleaning!
Did I really just type that?! Yes I did. Cause cleaning is ALMOST fun with these products. Now I am not promising you fun with your cleaning but for me these products did a great job. I am also not going to do your cleaning for you. I have enough problems doing my own. heh heh

How can you win?! It's easy but first some rules:

The prize is available to US readers only.
No PO Boxes

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Go to the Simple Green Naturals page and tell me which product you are most anxious to try. Be sure to leave me an email address so I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1.  Follow my blog publicly. If you already do just say so, and thank you.
2.  Sign up for the Simple Green Newsletter - it's on the left hand side of the page. Good for two entries so leave two comments and the email address you used.
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. @BrokenTeepee and Simple Green Naturals are giving away The Simple Green Naturals Cleaning Line@http://tinyurl.com/yjx9nwl #giveaway
Please leave the url of your tweet.
4.  Follow my goat, Pricilla's blog publicly. If you already do just say so, and thank you.
5.  Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Broken Teepee and Simple Green Naturals. This is good for 6 entries so leave 6 comments.
6.  Add me to your blogroll and leave a link so I can find it.
7. Add my button to your blog. This is good for 3 entries so leave 3 comments.
8.  Enter any of my other current giveaways. This is good for one entry per...
9.  Join my Networked Blogs on Facebook - just click on the link on the widget in the right hand column. Good for two entries so leave two comments.


All entries need to be in by 9PM MST on February 21st when I will go to Random.org to choose the winner. He/she will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose a new winner. Thank you and good luck!

I will have another post to report on the final two products in the line so stay tuned!


Disclosure:  I received the Naturals line gratis from Simple Green. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by the receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

The Power of the Middle Ground

8 Tips for Renewing Your Relationship This Valentine's Day
By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD,
Author of The Power of Middle Ground: A Couple's Guide to Renewing Your Relationship

1) How many ways do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Pick at least three qualities about your partner that you love. Gift each one of these with something special. For example, give her a CD by her favorite recording artist in celebration of whatever you consider to be her (or his) most appealing facial feature. Choose a clothing accessory that includes the color that you think best flatters your partner and celebrate the way they look in that color. Come up with a quality that you have always valued, from the start of your relationship onward and feature that in a message written in a blank card by you with a tender sign-off. De-emphasize the gifts and emphasize the qualities that you want to call attention to and celebrate.
2) Surprise! Believe it or not some psychoanalysts evaluate the psychic well-being of their clients by determining the degree to which they are capable of surprise! A person who is not responsive to surprise elements in their life is unable to respond spontaneously. Their capacity for joy -- and feeling in general -- is impaired. Give your partner a reason to light up the surprise center in their mid-brain! Think of something that they would like but will not suspect. Have you written them a poem lately? Have you recorded the opening strains of "You are the Sunshine of My Life" on a hand-held tape recorder lately and handed it to them with a post-it instruction to hit the play button? When was the last time you brought your sweetheart a passion fruit chocolate truffle from one of the finest chocolatiers in your community? Whatever it is, make it pleasant and surprising. By the way, the residual benefit of surprising your partner is that you activate your own surprise center. No pun intended, it will be surprisingly beneficial for you.
3) Hand your partner a prerogative pass. (Print it out on an index card if you like.) With this pass he or she will be able to exercise their prerogative in a situation where there is usually a conflict over who gets their way. The one limit to the pass is that they are not allowed to exercise a prerogative if it forces you to do something that you feel uncomfortable doing. Next time you have a conflict over which restaurant to go to your partner can flash the prerogative pass and you'll go Italian if that's their choice rather than whatever else you might have felt in the mood for. Again, this presupposes that you like Italian -- whether or not it would have been your pick that evening or not.
4) Look your partner in the eye and tell them three things that you love about them. They can be big ticket items, like the way you feel together when you are making love. They can be smaller fare, like the way you love it when they wrinkle their nose and close their eyes when they are hysterical with laughter. They can be somewhere in between like when they listen to you explain something in a way that you yourself realize is quite impossible to follow without complaining that they got lost four times in the telling. Write down what you are going to say before beginning this one. Then read it with feeling as if you were auditioning for a part in a movie starring opposite whoever your greatest heart-throb might be. By the way, you can fantasize about a star from any era in this exercise. Living or dead, domestic or foreign -- anything goes. Only make sure you deliver your lines with feeling.
5) Think about something that you and your partner have had trouble coming to terms with in the past year -- like speaking civilly to each other when either of you is angry; or perhaps, discussing a conflict in your financial situation. Without referencing your partner, give a commitment to improve your own ability to speak about the topic without blaming. Tell your partner that you are going to accentuate understanding the issue from their point of view and that you are hoping to have fewer hurtful arguments this coming year. Tell them that you want to conduct your relationship in the middle ground as much as you possibly can; this means that you want to work together, acknowledge and appreciate each other's hopes and dreams and make all plans with these understandings in mind.
6) Is your partner an exercise enthusiast? If so, did you happen to catch Marisa Tomei doing hula hoop exercises on The Ellen DeGeneres Show? The exercise looks like fun -- read about comments on this product on Amazon -- and if you think your partner would enjoy a novel kind of exercise, purchase the item and attach a note pledging, "I hope you enjoy going through this hoop. I look forward to going through all sorts of hoops with you! And I'm lovin' it." Note: Only take this suggestion if you and your partner have a similar sense of humor and you think this would tickle them.
7) Do you prepare a food dish that your partner loves? If the answer is yes, put an announcement inside your Valentine's Day card saying that on such-and-such a date you will be cooking a blankety-blank dinner for them to continue on with the celebration of the love you share. Ask them to contribute on that night by bringing along whatever will enhance the meal for you -- a favorite beverage or dessert that they can purchase or make.
8) Take a minute to think about a trait of yours that your partner has communicated having a problem with -- for example, a hot temper or messiness. Think about any constructive suggestions that your partner has made that you think, when you are considering this calmly and not when you are in the heat of a disagreement, is reasonable and possibly something that you might be able to put into practice. This tip works best if you feel that the trait is something that you actually would like to change within yourself. Research self-help either on the internet or in the self-help section of your favorite book store and find out what authors suggest may be helpful in your particular situation. Jot down the best helpful tip you can find and write your partner a note stating that you have heard their complaint, take it seriously and are poised to work on it. Outline the plan that you have read about that makes sense and feel you can realistically implement. Describe it to your partner. Sit back and let the communication magic do its work. You will have just demonstrated acknowledgment of their feelings; appreciation of their communications on a difficult topic; acceptance of their concerns. You well may have instilled hope and mutuality into your dialogue.

More originality in your renewal message signals desire to take things higher. Chocolate and flowers have their appeal, but can become real humdrum. So take some time, do some prep work and put these tips into action -- as many as you can. Maximize connection with a fresh plan. Pick up a book that speaks to you on improving your relationship!  And get busy because timing is everything and it's almost Valentine's Day!
© 2010 Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD, author of The Power of the Middle Ground: A Couple's Guide to Renewing Your Relationship
Author Bio
Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD (New York, NY), author of The Power of the Middle Ground: A Couple's Guide to Renewing Your Relationship, is a psychotherapist in private practice and a member of the Executive Supervisory Committee of FACTS (the Family and Couples Treatment Service) of the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy.

For more information, please visit www.PowerOfTheMiddleGround.com

Sweet Sounds in the Garden

When I lived in New Jersey I had a rather large lot - almost 3/4 of an acre. This was large for the area where I lived - all you country folk can stop laughing now.  We had a big, 100 year old Victorian house with a huge tree next to the house that was at least the same age. It had some big, strong branches that hung low and I used them to great advantage. On one side I had my huge collection of bird feeders on the other I had some garden wind chimes. I loved the sweet sound that they would make in the wind. I think it would be lovely to add some to my landscape plan here. I mean, look at these - aren't they stunning?

I can almost hear them already. I wonder if the goats would try and eat them.....hmmmm.

But then I couldn't resist thinking big. REALLY BIG. After all I have this massive Ponderosa Pine tree in the yard. I mean the tree is over 100 feet tall and the trunk is W.I.D.E. so why not go for Music of the Spheres wind chimes. And not just any Music of the Spheres wind chimes the ultimate - the Basso Profundo! Look at the size of this baby!

Now that is a wind chime that will make a statement! Not to mention some clear, rich sound. But of course, as usual I am dreaming. It is, after all, what I do best. But dreaming is what makes all of this planning fun.

I will bring myself back to reality now. How about a nice, pretty garden bell? That's more the ticket! I could get one and ring it for when it's time to get the hubby in for dinner. Doesn't that harken back to olden times? I wonder if it would work or if he would ignore that just like he sometimes ignores me. Hmmmm. But look just look at this cute bell. This is the kind of rooster I can live with - it won't attack me!

I won't have to worry about it sneaking up on me from behind. I just wish there was a goat. You know I am down with the goat.

Disclosure:  This is a compensated post on behalf of Outdora.com. Any opinions are my honest opinions.

Giveaway Winners: Tales4Tomorrow and The Survivor's Club

Tonight's a fun night I have two giveaways ending - hooray!

The first one I drew was for the Tales4Tomorrow Plush Rhino and the lucky comment was:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 4

and the comment belonged to:

rubynreba

Yay for rubynreba!

Now for The Survivor's Club. There are five lucky winners here:

Here are your random numbers:

22
70
3
16

64

And the comments belong to:

Alexis

Traveler

rubynreba

Donna C

Nicole

I will be sending emails to all of the lucky winners and they will have 48 hours to 

respond or I will choose new winners. Thanks to everyone who entered. 

Lights!

The hubby has been trying to get some of the boxes out of the yurt so he has more room to move so he has been installing some of the light fixtures. It's kind of cool because it makes the yurt look more like a home. When I went fixture shopping I specifically picked all Energy Star rated fixtures. It was a bit of a challenge because I bought these fixtures about two years ago and the choices then were a bit limited but I think I found fixtures that I like and that fit in with the style of the yurt.

We put a fan in the living room to help move the heat from the wood stove around. It looks like a little space ship, doesn't it?

I wasn't thrilled with track lighting but there really wasn't much of an option with the partial walls and the general layout. It does fit in with the modern feel of the yurt.

Now, my bathroom is going to be something else by the time I get done. I fell in love with this fixture. It was one of the few Energy Star fixtures with some real personality; well, in my budget anyway. If I had thousands to spend I could have found some real beauties.

They are not hung yet but the kitchen is getting pendant lights and I have a really nice chandelier for the dining area.
Woo hoo some more!

Cryo Cell Donates Hope for Haiti - Save the Children

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Cryo-Cell International. All opinions are 100% mine.

The recent earthquake in Haiti was absolutely horrific. It is hard to watch and feel so helpless when so much suffering is happening. Everyone is, I am sure, doing what they can to help the citizens of Haiti and Cryo-Cell International wants to do what it can too.


It has been noted that umbilical blood is full of stem cells and cord blood has been used as a substitute in bone marrow transplants in thousands of successful treatments. Why follow the actions of the past and throw away this rich source of those stem cells and possible life saving blood? Why not freeze it and preserve it for the future. You never know if you or someone in  your family might need what it has to give.

And right now you can combine two important needs in one. If you enroll now Cryo Cell will donate $25.00 of the enrollment fee to the Save the Children: Haiti Relief Fund. You can save your cord blood and help save the children in Haiti at the same time.

As scary as it is to contemplate we are never sure of what may come down the road and as Cryo Cell explains:  in the event your child contracts a disease, which must be treated with chemotherapy or radiation, there is a probability of a negative impact on the immune system. While an autologous (self) transplant may not be appropriate for every disease, there could be a benefit in using the preserved U-Cord® stem cells to bolster and repopulate your child’s blood and immune system as a result of complications from other treatments.

So if you are expecting at least research freezing the cord blood. It costs nothing to research and what you learn may be invaluable.

The Hearth of the Home

Heh heh
Remember I mentioned shopping for rock.
Lots of rock.
Like 600 pounds of rock?

Well, we didn't use all of it, but we do now have a very lovely hearth. I think the hubby did a really great job considering he had never done anything like this before.
He built the containment wall and then he put the rocks in to see how they would fit. The rock is charcoal slate and has lots of subtle, sparkly mica running through it.

Then he took the rocks all out and put the cement down and put them all back in again! Then he put some dye in the grout and started grouting in between.

It such pretty rock. I just wish the sparkle showed up in the photos.


After he finished he moved the wood stove on to it. He hadn't put all the doors back on yet and it sure needs a dusting but you can get a feel for how it's going to look.

The woodstove is dark blue enamel. Isn't it gorgeous?
He's working on putting the flooring down now. Woo hoo!

Review and Giveaway - Tropical Traditions Organic Flaxseed

The hubby loves flaxseed! He puts it in his cereal every morning! He knows that those omega III fatty acids are good for him. When I bake him muffins I add in some flaxseeds for an extra boost. You can put them in just about anything and you won't even know they are there for a healthy omega III benefit.  Here is some great information from Tropical Traditions:

FACTS ABOUT FLAXSEED

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a beautiful blue flowered plant grown on the plains of Central Canada and the North Central United States. Modern research has taken great interest in flaxseed. Study after study confirms that the oil and fiber components of flaxseed have wonderful health benefits.

• Flaxseed has a high ratio of Linolenic (Omega-3) to Linoleic (omega-6) fatty acids. While many other plant seeds contain a higher ratio of omega-6 fats, flaxseed is the one of the few seeds that contains a much higher ratio of the essential omega-3 fats.
• Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of OMEGA-3 fatty acid, Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) an ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID (EFA). This fatty acid is considered essential, meaning that your body cannot make it but requires it and so must derive all of it from the diet. The average American diet is lacking in this fat. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Organic Whole Flaxseed provides 9 grms of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
• Golden Flaxseed is unique in that 48% of its total fat content is omega-3 fatty acids.
• Flaxseed contains very high amounts of DIETARY FIBER, both SOLUBLE and INSOLUBLE. Golden Flaxseed is 28%-35% fiber, 1/3 of which is soluble, and the other 2/3 insoluble. Soluble fiber also plays an important role in maintaining the “good bacteria” in our bowel, like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Insoluble fiber increases the bulk of stools.
• Flaxseed is an outstanding source of many essential nutrients, including: proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, folate, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, iron, thiamine, copper, zinc, calcium and phosphorus.

PREPARATION & USE OF FLAXSEED

Flaxseed must be finely cut into a meal to get maximum benefits of the OMEGA-3 oil and dietary fiber. We recommend that you buy a coffee grinder and dedicate its use to grinding flax seeds. Once ground, the flaxseeds should be consumed quickly, as the oil inside the seeds oxidizes rapidly.

The recommended daily amount of flaxseeds to eat is about 1–2 Tbsp. The most beneficial amount for maximum nutritional value of ground flaxseed is 2 tablespoons daily. It can be mixed into 10–12 oz. of juice or water. Make sure you use plenty of water when adding flaxseed to your diet.

Ground flaxseed can easily be added on top of dishes including: baked products, stir-fry dishes, soup or stews, cereal and yogurt.
Now, this flaxseed we received from Tropical Traditions was much nicer than the flaxseed we had been buying. It was oilier if that is a word and the hubby said it was richer in his cereal. (I must disclose that I am allergic to the little seeds. They give a  rash like you would not believe but I use them in the hubby's meals all the time.)  He was a happy flaxseed eater, I will tell you that!

If you want to purchase some Organic Flaxseed for yourself it is on sale right now - ooooh, sale. Sales are good! - If you do, would you mind using my User ID# 5500343? You get a free Virgin Coconut Oil book and I get free coupons so we both gain!

Now for the good news! Thanks to the great folks at Tropical Traditions I have a 1lb bag of Organic Flaxseed for one of you to win. How cool is that?

How do you win? It's easy!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Sign up for the Tropical Tradtions Newsletter here. Leave me a comment with the email address you used.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1.  Follow my blog publicly. If you already do just say so, and thank you.
2.  Become a fan of Tropical Traditons on Facebook
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. @BrokenTeepee and Tropical Traditions are giving away Organic Flaxseed @http://tinyurl.com/yklqcfa #giveaway
Please leave the url of your tweet.
4.  Follow my goat, Pricilla's blog publicly. If you already do just say so, and thank you.
5.  Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Broken Teepee and Tropical Traditions. This is good for 6 entries so leave 6 comments.
6.  Add me to your blogroll and leave a link so I can find it.
7. Add my button to your blog. This is good for 3 entries so leave 3 comments.
8.  Enter any of my other current giveaways. This is good for one entry per...
9. Become a fan of Tropical Tradtions on Twitter

All entries need to be in by 9PM on February 19th when I will go to Random.org to choose the winner. He/she will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose a new winner. Good luck everyone!

Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

From the Publisher's Website:

Kay Marshall Strom is touring in January and February with her nonfiction book, The Second-Half Adventure: Don't Just Retire - Use Your Time, Skills & Resources to Change the World. Whoever you are, whatever your skills and experiences, you can use what you have gained in life to help change the world. In connection with The Finishers Project, The Second-Half Adventure will enable you to analyze where you have been, where you want to go in the second-half of your life, and how to start preparing today. Through the stories of individuals and couples who have found meaningful involvements—from business people to housewives, from engineers to artists—this book will help you infuse your special God-given years with purpose and eternal significance.

About the Author:

Kay Marshall Strom is the author of thirty-six published books.  Her writing credits also include numerous magazine articles, short stories, curriculum, stories for children, two prize-winning screenplays, and booklets for writers.  Kay speaks at seminars, retreats, and special events throughout the country.  She and her husband Dan Kline love to travel, and more and more Kay’s writing and speaking are taking her around the word.  To find out more about Kay, or for contact information, check her website at www.kaystrom.com









Thank you for this interview, Kay.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

I certainly do remember writing stories as a child.  My first piece of renown was Tommy the Turtle published in my fifth grade class newspaper.  My eighth grade teacher gave me a dictionary for junior high graduation and told me that one day I would be a writer and that she would be first in line to buy my books.  She lived to see my first book in print.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

For a newbie writer, I think the most frustrating this is trying to get an editor to look at your work.  That’s why I’m such a fan of good writers’ conferences—which is where I got my start, by the way.  The most rewarding is feedback from readers.  My first letter was from a little girl named Nicole who read my book (a children’s book).  She added this P.S.:  “Are you dead or alive?  If you’re dead, you don’t have to answer this letter.”

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I am widowed from my first husband and remarried to a man who is extremely supportive.  I have been writing for quite a few years now—while my children were growing up, while holding down a job, during the years I was caregiver for my first husband.  As a writer, sometimes you get support and sometimes you don’t.  If it’s important to you, you will find a way to do it.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

Both my husband and I like to travel.  I especially enjoy exotic places—like India and West Africa—as well as comfy romantic places—such as the Hawaiian Islands.  At home, I like to walk, to explore, to read, and to watch movies with my husband.

 

 

The Second Half Adventure is available at Amazon.com

Giveaway Winners - Softlips

Yay for winners! Tonight there are three thanks to Softlips!

Here are your random numbers:

29

118
66

And those comments belong to:

Alexis

Dina

Cheryls22

Woo hoo! I will send emails to the winners so they can pick their choice. If I don't hear

back I will choose new winners. Thanks to everyone who entered! And thanks to Softlips for

the great prizes!

Review and Giveaway: Clean+Green® Pet Products

By now you all know I have three cats; Pumpkin, Stinky and Sherpa. Pumpkin and Stinky are indoor/outdoor cats and Sherpa is indoor. That means I have a litter box. I have had cats almost all my life and I have been through all the litter box inventions there are. I am happy with the product I am using now but this post is not about cat litter it is about cat litter box odor.

Stinky was not originally named Stinky. She got her name 'cause you know when she is in the box. If the name were not already taken I think Sherpa might become SuperStinky. Boy can that cat smell up the trailer. I cannot wait 'til we get in the house and I can put the box in the basement.

I was contacted by the nice people at Clean and Green® to try a couple of their eco-friendly animal products - one of them being their Litter Box Refresher. With the way Sherpa stinks up the place I was all for some refreshing - I mean who would think a cute little kitten like this could stink like he does, but I am telling you if you had a stink-o-meter on your computer you would go running for the hills!

I followed the directions - go me - and I found that the super stink really mellowed out. What a wonderful thing when you are living in 400sq ft and you have a smell that takes up 2,000sq ft. Woo hoo for the refresher!

I was also sent a can of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner but I am happy to report that Sherpa, Stinky and Pumpkin are good cats and I had no need for this product in the time I had it. I am going to keep it on hand for the next time one of them has a hairball on the rug. We all know it is coming. They NEVER have hairballs on the wood floor, do they?

Now here is some news from the company:

According to the Environmental Protection Association (EPA), typical household cleaning products and air fresheners are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality. The agency reports that poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues; animals have faster metabolisms and smaller lungs than humans, and not only are they processing these chemicals at a faster rate, they are also breathing them in more rapidly. Because animals are closer to the ground, they are more often in direct contact with these harmful substances.

Clean+Green^® are the only eco-friendly aerosol pet cleaning products on the planet. Unlike most other cleaning products that can be harmful, require multiple applications and/or only temporarily mask odors, Clean + Green delivers instant results in a non-toxic, eco-friendly solution. Clean+Green permanently cleans pet stains and eradicates odors. It is safe for pets, people (kids too!), and the planet.

Each Clean+Green product is individually formulated to address a specific odor/stain problem and can be used on carpet and area rugs, wood floors, tile, cement and all fabrics. The products are non-toxic, non-flammable, non-carcinogenic and will not damage the ozone layer – with no harsh chemicals or perfumes, no VOCs and no CFCs. 

Isn't that great! And for more great news the nice people at Clean+Green® are going to let one of you win one of 6 great products. How cool is that?

So how do you win? It's easy!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Go to the Clean+Green® site and tell me which product you would choose if you won. Pick carefully because this will be what you get if you do win. Please be sure to leave me an email address so I can contact you.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1.  Follow my blog publicly. If you already do just say so, and thank you.
2.  Become a fan of Clean+Green® on Facebook
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. @BrokenTeepee and Clean+Green® are giving away a Clean+Green® product@http://tinyurl.com/yfaom4t #giveaway
Please leave the url of your tweet.
4.  Follow my goat, Pricilla's blog publicly. If you already do just say so, and thank you.
5.  Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Broken Teepee and Clean+Green®. This is good for 6 entries so leave 6 comments.
6.  Add me to your blogroll and leave a link so I can find it.
7. Add my button to your blog. This is good for 3 entries so leave 3 comments.
8.  Enter any of my other current giveaways. This is good for one entry per...

9. Become a fan of the eco-friendly pet owners site on Facebook

10. Follow Clean+Green® on Twitter

All entries must be in by 9PM MST on February 18th when I will go to Random.org to choose the winner. He/she will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose a new winner.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure:  I received gratis product for review from Clean+Green®. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by the receipt of the free product. I received no further compensation for this post.

Comment Moderation

I am very sorry.
I have tried to avoid it.
I really didn't want to do it.

But the stupid spammers have worn me down.

I am going to put comment moderation on. I will keep up with them and get them posted as quickly as I can. Don't worry. They will all be posted in time for the giveaway deadlines.

STUPID SPAMMERS!!!

Giveaway Winner - A Culture of Excess

 Woo hoo! This is a big week for winners and that means I am going to be happy!
So tonight Mr. Random got to pick the winner for A Culture of Excess and the lucky winner is:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 18 

Comment #18 belonging to:


CallMeKayla!


Yay for CallMeKayla!
I will send and email and Kayla (I am assuming I can call her Kayla) will have 48 hrs to respond. If not I will choose a new winner. Thanks to everyone who entered. Be sure to keep checking back for more great giveaways!

Blog Tour and Review: Searching for Tina Turner by Jacqueline E. Luckett

From the Publisher's Website:

On the surface, Lena Spencer appears to have it all. She and her wealthy husband Randall have two wonderful children, and they live a life of luxury. In reality, however, Lena finds that happiness is elusive. Randall is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother's "overbearing behavior." When Randall decides that he's had enough of marriage counseling, he offers his wife an ultimatum: "Be grateful for all I've done for you or leave." Lena, realizing that money can't solve her problems and that her husband is no longer the man she married, decides to choose the latter.

About the Author:

Jacqueline Luckett is a former sales representative for Xerox. After leaving the corporate world, Jacqueline took a creative writing class on a dare (from herself) and began writing short stories and poetry and never looked back. Jacqueline loves living in Oakland, but travels frequently to nurture her passion for photography and learning to cook exotic foods. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Audio and Video

• View the Video

My Opinion:

I had a hard time with this novel. I found the characters to be very unlikeable. I found it a struggle to read because I didn't find the actions of the lead to really be believable. Maybe because my marriage is a good one, I don't know. Not that there haven't been difficulties - what 28 year marriage is bliss from beginning to end but the husband in this book just seemed so intractable. Perhaps since it was just so far out of my experience I couldn't bond with the protagonist.

The writing style is good so it wasn't that. The reading was easy. Ms. Luckett writes in a way to draw you into a scene. This was just not a book for me.

Searching for Tina Turner is available at Amazon.com



















The other stops on today's tour:


http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
http://www.buuklvr81.blogspot.com
http://www.jeannesramblings.com
http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com
http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/


And tomorrow:


http://www.rundpinne.com
http://www.madeleineatbooksandphotos.com/
http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
http://www.geekgirlreviews.com
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
http://sumanam.wordpress.com/
http://dixie-afewofmyfavoritethings.blogspot.com/
http://reviewfromhere.com
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com



You can check out other reviews for varied opinions. Always a good thing to do!


Disclosure:  I received a gratis copy of Searching for Tina Turner from Hachette Book Group for review. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by the receipt of the free book. I received no other compensation for this post.