My Oh My

It's like every time I try to get ahead with my blog, I have some sort of health issue come up. It's really starting to bum me out. In October 2013 I went to the hospital because I just felt so weird well come to find out I had multiple bilateral pulmonary embolisms and was rushed to a bigger hospital 2 hours away. I was so scared, this was life and death for me. I stayed in the hospital a week hooked up to lots of different monitors and having my blood drawn almost every 2 hours, I couldn't even go to the bathroom without almost giving out of breath and my heart rate going over 150bpm. Oh yeah all this happened because of my birth control so I immediately stopped taking that mamba jambo. Finally I was able to go home but boy who was I kidding things have became so hard, the simplest of tasks I get so out of breath. I'm filled with so much anxiety it's not even funny, sometimes all I just want to do is lay in the bed. I don't wish this on my worst enemy, it's so horrible but I do know someone out there always has it harder than I do so I don't know why I'm complaining.

ElectricZenMarimo

So who loves going to Etsy? I could browse at that site for days looking at all the cool things people have made and are selling it's beyond neat.
I recently came across EclectricZenMarimo and a wonderful lady named Krissy owns it. This woman creates awesome terrariums honestly they are one of a kind and even does custom orders!
What is a Marimo? Marimo moss balls are spherical, lush green algae balls that grow in Lake Akan in Japan. They are known as Japan's national treasure and Marimos are believe to bring good luck and love!

Krissy was very kind enough to let me review one of her masterpieces as I call it, she was really sweet and answered all the questions I had in a very quick manner at that.

You also have the option of adding snails or shrimp to your piece, I decided to go with the snails. I love to get up close and personal with them and watch them come out of their shells and quickly go back in.  I have found that this terrarium helps me become calm and relieves some of my anxiety, this would be a great gift to anyone because it's small enough to fit practically anywhere.

So, you're probably thinking how do I take care of this? Krissy has already thought of that and provides a care sheet along with your order. These terrariums are not that expensive either and I think would make a great first pet for kids or even yourself! The next time your browsing Etsy why not check out her page and if you have any questions ask them because I know she will take care of everything you need!





 

Allen's recipes and a special treat for you!

Preparing your Favorite Holiday Traditions with VegetablesA Quick and Easy Guide to Holiday Cooking with Delicious Vegetables

When the thought of the holidays comes to mind, many people immediately jump to gifts, decorations and shopping. But what brings most people together is a holiday feast with family and friends. More than 80% of Americans use canned vegetables to help prepare meals around the holiday season. The average number of canned food items used each week is five; just imagine how many are used to make a holiday meal. Eight in 10 Americans don’t go a week without cooking with canned vegetables. In an effort to help Americans eat better, and healthier, the key is to keep a variety of new flavors alive in each dish prepared for your table.

The American consumer is ever changing, and eating healthy is at the top of their shopping list. Especially when a new diet plan is lingering in the minds of consumers fearful of gaining weight. As a result of the calorie-loaded dinner dishes and sugary desserts of the holiday season; it is assumed the average person gains between five and 10 pounds during the holidays. As a result, the modern consumer is beginning to look for products that are low in sodium, non-GMO, gluten-free, heart healthy and USA made. Brands like Allens are leading the way to feeding the world through great-tasting, affordable and high-quality vegetable recipes like an Italian Green Bean Casserole that never leaves you with a guilty feeling, even after that second helping.

Americans continue to enjoy the endless benefits of canned goods packed at the peak of freshness. But around the holidays, staying true to family traditions is important, especially at the dinner table. Making grandma’s homemade sweet potato pie can be made with healthy ingredients like canned vegetables packed with nutritious vitamins, minerals and fiber needed to promote good health, without substituting the tradition behind the recipes. Being a family-owned business, Allens is committed to providing families with the freshest vegetables and staying true to family traditions for generations to come.

"Maintaining a sense of family, especially around the holidays, is an important asset for everyone at Allens," said David Brown, Vice President of Retail Sales for Allens. “We all agree that food is one of the things that bring us together. That’s why we make it a priority to provide our consumers with the freshest, best quality vegetables possible.”

It is likely most Americans will keep true to their traditional holiday meals, but they are beginning to think bigger about nutrition and the ingredients they use. Allens Italian Green Bean Casserole is a dish that makes an appearance on most holiday tables, with savory green beans in a creamy casserole that’s topped with crunchy French fried onions. And to satisfy the sweet cravings, Allens Quick and Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes provides the health benefits of sweet potatoes topped with gooey marshmallows and crispy pecans.

Allens offers a wide variety of canned vegetables that are fresh and healthy for each consumer, making it possible for there to be something for everyone to enjoy. To learn more about or find holiday recipes for your table, like the ones below, visit Allens.com, Facebook.com/AllensVeggies or Pinterest.com/AllensVeggies. 

Quick & Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes

Preparation and Cooking Time:

30 minutes

Ingredients

1 can (29 oz) Princella or Sugary Sam Cut Sweet Potatoes

5 Tablespoons butter or margarine

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 cup miniature marshmallows (optional)

Directions

Pour sweet potatoes with liquid into 2-qt. saucepan; cook until heated through. Drain liquid. While sweet potatoes are heating, combine butter or margarine and brown sugar in 1-qt. saucepan and cook until hot but not boiling. Add nuts to sauce, if desired, and pour over hot sweet potatoes. Stir just to coat. Serve immediately. One cup miniature marshmallows may be added on top of dish just before serving and placed under the oven broiler until golden brown. A perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dinners!

Italian Green Bean Casserole

Preparation and Cooking Time:

45 minutes

Ingredients

1 10.75 oz. can Condensed cream of mushroom soup (low fat or fat free can be used)

1/2 cup Milk

1 1/2 tsp. Soy sauce

Pepper to taste

2 14.5 oz. cans Allens Cut Italian Green Beans

1 1/3 cups French fried onions, divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 1 1/2-quart casserole, mix together soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, Italian green beans and 2/3 cup onions. Bake for 25 minutes, or until heated through. Stir, then sprinkle remaining onions on top. Bake 5 to 10 minutes, until onions are golden. A perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dinners.

Now that you have read about these delicious recipes, click here to get a special coupon just in time for Thanksgiving!

Guess what, I'm back This time I've got company!

Wow last post was in June, I can't believe it's been that long ago already. So much has happened since June like becoming an Aunt to a precious little nephew Cameron!

I'm back, for good this time no more running off and coming back that stuff has got to come to an end hopefully it will this time around since I have two side kicks who are going to help me review certain products.

If you know me, you know I have 2 precious furbabies and I'm sure you've seen millions of their pictures and have heard me go on and on about them but I'm sorry to say you're going to have to sit through it again as I share a little bit about my two new reviewers to the people have haven't heard about them.

Everyone say hello to Lil Bit, she is our 6 year old chihuahua who loves to give lots of kisses and loves cuddling under my tail while I sleep. Lil Bit enjoys the stuffing inside of the toys, any type of jerky and dressing up and must have a blanket in order to sleep.

Now that you know a little bit about Lil Bit, I think it's time to meet my next little helper.

Say hello to Willow, she is our 5 year old PitBull and let me tell you she is a mess. Let me tell you, this loveable girl always has you on your toes. Sometimes I forget she is 5 because she acts like a puppy all the time. We have had our ups and down with this one for sure but I wouldn't trade it for the world and now that you look back it makes you laugh your tail off for sure. Willow loves small toys, something that she can mess up really easy. Would eat us out of house and home if we let her, she loves some food. One thing Willow can't have is anything fish based, flavor or what have you.

I'm so very excited to make these girls a part of my team, we all are so excited for what the future may hold for us.

safeHands review

Who uses hand sanitizers religiously like I do? I absolutely love it and I must use it when I see it, I'm honestly like a child when it comes to going to the hospital and seeing all of the hand sanitizer dispensers.  Its as if I must use everyone of them. There is a downside to that though, it doesn't get along to well with my hands after awhile.

Most hand sanitizers contain Alcohol and did you know that Alcohol causes your skin to become dry? It kills germs by stripping the skin of it's natural oils. Some people alcohol based hand sanitizers just make their hands red and irritates them and even causes them to itch. Who knew right?

Luckily I was able to review safeHands which is the world’s first line of soothing and effective alcohol free hand sanitizers developed for multiple daily use. It’s hydrating foam-based hand sanitizer kills more than 99.99% of germs on contact, while still leaving hands silky smooth. So if you have sensitive skin this product is right up your alley!

I was sent a total of 6 different bottles!

As you can see in the picture 3 bottles say safeHands while the last 3 bottles say safeSQUIRTS. The only difference in them is they are supposed to be fun colors and fun scents for the kids to enjoy being clean.
They come in difference scents here are the ones that I received to review.

safeHands Fragrance Free

safeHands Cucumber Mint

safeHands Clean Linen

safeSQUIRTS Bubble Gum

safeSQUIRTS Cool Blue

safeSQUIRTS Tooty Fruity

They all smell so great, and believe it or not my hands are just as smooth as ever. No drying out, no sticky residue. 

I do have a favorite though, I have just fell in love with the Tooty Fruity I just want to keep using and using just so I can smell it. I love the foam, it's just amazing!

So next time you are in the mood for buying some hand sanitizer I would seriously check safeHands out, they are great. Non Toxic, Non-flammable, Non-drying and skin soothing, and it Does not harm cuticles or those nails. 

To find out more about safeHands, check them out on Facebook and follow them on Twitter





Safe Hands sent me their hand foaming sanitizers in exchange for a product review, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Blast Zone Air Walker Bounce Castle Review & GIVEAWAY!

The warm Summer break has around the corner or has already started for some lucky folks. 2013 is the year to get out and get healthy and get your kids outside to soak in some sun for a change. So of course I have been looking for some exciting products to help you and your family do just that. You wont believe one of the things I have found to get your little kids outside and enjoying this beautiful weather.

The Air Walker Bounce Castle

Yes your very own jumpy house, okay let me rephrase that your child's very own jumpy house, ha! Not only does this get them outside in the sun and have some great exercise it keeps them from jumping on the bed.

I just love all of Blast Zone's  products, they are in it for the kids that's for sure because they have thought of it all.

This product is honestly easy as 1,2,3 it's very easy to set up if you have 3 minutes spare time then you have time to put this together because that's honestly all it takes for this castle to be up and ready to jump, jump, jump around in!

Great heavy duty material, but it also includes a patch kit just in case you have a little monster. It can hold up to 300lbs perfectly. Right now on Amazon they have this on sale for $299.99 the usual price is $399.99 so you are saving $100 if you buy it now. That's a great price if you ask me, have you ever rented one of these for a party? That's almost a fraction of the cost here. It's a WELL worth investment if you ask me, you will love the endless laughs and giggles from your little ones.

Now are you ready to have a chance at winning one?

Enter for your chance to win an Air Walker Bounce Castle

Giveaway open to US residents 18+ only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chick-fil-A Giveaway!

      My family loves Chick-fil-A.  I love receiving their emails because they are always filled with new items they are adding to their menu, Family Night activities (always a different theme) and items on their menu that are healthy for you.

       Oh Sweet, Memory! is very honored to join Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More is pleased to host this event sponsored by Chick-fil-A .

I just love some Chick-fil-A all of their food is just so scrumptious, there isn't one close to me in Virginia but you can bet your bottom that when I visit family in North Carolina I ALWAYS make a stop at Chick-fil-A to get my tasty fix!

      Which brings me to this post.  Chick-fil-A is adding new and improved #FreshMade salads to their menu.  Chick-fil-A is sponsoring a giveaway for 2 salad coupons for 1 winner.

This event will be live from 5/11 to 5/22, starting an ending at 7 p.m.

This event is open to residents of the U.S. only.  Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or another will be chosen.

Pleae enter using the easy Giveaway Tools widget below and Good Luck!    

     

Disclosure- Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More is not responsible for prize fulfillment nor received any compensation for promoting this event.  Terms and conditions in full are on the widget and will remain there even after the giveaway ends.  Contact Tammie at pankuch@hotmail.com for any questions.

While here why not follow Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Pinterest and why not join our Facebook Group to find out about the latest Blogger Opps.