Summer Secrets: Are you ready?

July 24, 2015September 2, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

I was so happy when I was asked to read and review Jane Green’s new book, Summer Secrets. I was on a kick with personal development books and needed something different to read. This filled that void perfectly. It really is the prefect beach novel, but you can read or re-read it just about anytime you wish!

“For as long as I can remember, I have always had the feeling of not quite fitting in, not being the same as everyone else. I’m certain that is why I became a writer.”

That my friends is the first two lines of the book. It was meant for me. I swear it. It drew me in, right then and there. I still don’t “fit in”. I embrace my differences and love to express those feelings through my writing. The book is witty, raw, fun and so easy to read. The words just flow together nicely like colors on a canvas.

The story of Cat is a true one (well not really). But it could be. It’s not an elaborate type of story. Cat’s experiences, her family struggle, her addiction, her divorce, her confidence issues; all can be seen in any one of us. I think that’s why it is so easy to fall in love with her. You feel for her. You see maybe yourself, your mother or a friend in Cat. If you are looking for a book to read this summer or perhaps a gift for someone, pick this up. You won’t be sorry! I think I need to visit the Jane Green section of my local bookstore. My only complaint is the ending: it ended and I wanted MORE! Hmm….maybe a sequel to what happened? I’ll be sure to tell her PR department to get right on that!

** I was chosen to read & review this book. All opinions are my own and I stand by them.**

Get reading ~ Joy

Jamberry Nail Wrap Review

April 29, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

Manicures are not my thing, nor is painting my own nails. However, they are a bi-weekly occurrence for many women.
Here are the Top 4 reasons why I am not a painted nail lady:
#1: I don’t have the time to go and sit for 1 hour.
#2: I don’t want to spend the money (some places are insanely overpriced)
#3: I don’t like the smell
#4 They never last

My perspective changed when Kim Frazier, a independent Jamberry consultant asked me if I would like to try the product. Here is an excerpt from their webpage that describes a bit of what they are.

“Gone are the days of nails that chip and flake after only a few days! Gone are the days of the single colored manicure. Gone are the mani/pedis that take all afternoon and most of your cash too! Jamberry nail wraps arm you with style and confidence while demanding very little of your time or money”.

Of course I jumped on the chance for two reasons. #1- I love getting free stuff for my opinion and #2 my husband loves ladies with painted nails! He really does….I think I’ve painted my nails about 10 times in the 14 years we have been together. Whether it was a professional mani or just myself doing it, he was always happy to see them painted! So in actuality, I did for him (bonus wife points)!

My sheet of nail wraps came in. Which Kim let me pick myself. I chose Turkish Delight. I love patterns and color. This design was so boho and right up my alley! I read the directions, which were quite easy to follow. It is actually a simple process. Clean the nail, match the wrap size you want to your nail, heat the wrap, apply the wrap and trim! You have a new fun manicure! The first few nails took some time for me to really do right. But after I figured it out, the whole process was done in 30 minutes! And I was catching up on my Days of our Lives at the same time (multitasker)!

Starting at $15 for a sheet, you can get 3 full manicures or pedicures and some left over for a creative accent nail! Plus they are made in the USA, no dry try, last up to 2 weeks, formaldehyde free, never tested among animals as well as many other attributes. If you like to have pretty nails (toenails included), I urge you to look at the many designs available to you through Jamberry . And follow Kim on Facebook! You can have an online party to earn hostess rewards or just order a few for yourself! She was super helpful and I am so glad I found this alternative to going to the nail salon!

~Namaste~
joy

Baked Apple Chips & 21 day fix approved

March 4, 2015September 7, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

Apple’s are delectable. I will take them anyway I can get them. Sauce, Pie, Cobbler, Crisp, Chips or right off the core! I have made & consumed them in all these ways except Apple Chips. I occasionally buy a bag of dried apple chips, but they always end up disappointing. They are either too sweet, not sweet enough or just a pile of crumbs at the bottom of the bag. And to top it off, they are not cheap. Usually no less than $3 for a small bag. A few weekends ago, thanks to Storm Neptune, I had some time on my hands. I made Apple Chips for the 1st time. And let me tell you, it certainly won’t be the last.

It’s quite simple really. Apples, Cinnamon and Sweetener are the only ingredients you need. Add a baking sheet, some parchment paper, a sharp knife (or mandolin cutter) and you are in business. Preheat your oven to about 200 degrees. The low temp allows you to keep them in the oven longer. They will crisp up nice and slow and ensure that you won’t burn them. Slice your apples as thin as you can. The thinner the apple slice, the faster they will crisp up in your oven. Lay the apples on a parchment paper (or slip mat) lined cookie sheet. Mix together about 1 tbsp of cinnamon and 1 tbsp of sweetener of your choice. I used stevia. This will cover about 2 apples. Adjust depending on how many apples you use. Sprinkle the mixture on the apples. You can do both sides if you want, but I prefer only doing one side. Place in oven and set timer for 1 hour. Flip after one hour and put back into oven for another hour. After 2 hours are up, I shut the oven off and let them sit in the oven for another 30 minutes or so. I did a workout, took a shower, washed the dishes and checked my email all while these bad boys cooked (crisped) away!

I love this recipe and will be making it again and again. I can ensure there are no added and unwanted ingredients, especially added sugar. For those who follow the 21day fix plan (which I LOVE), as long as you stick with the recipe above, you can enjoy these for a mere PURPLE container! This 21 day fix recipe for baked apple chips is so easy to make, it will become a staple snack in your house! time I think I will add only cinnamon, as I love the flavor. If you love apples as much as I do, this is a must try. Let me know if you try these!

Happy Snacking ~ Namaste

DIY Valentine’s Day gift for Mister

February 9, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day is upon us. Most believe it is a made up holiday that’s sole purpose is to make us dive deeper into our wallets and spend more money. And right after the holidays? Who has tons of extra money laying around? I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t like to give my special someone a token of my affection. This DIY Valentine’s Day gift for Mister (or Mrs.), is perfect. It cost under $10 to make and you really do NOT need to be an expert artist.

Tools needed:

White Ceramic Mugs- found at The Dollar Tree: 2 of them

Pencil with eraser

Permanent Markers in 3 different colors- Paint markers or Sharpies work best

THAT’S ALL YOU NEED! LET’S GET CRAFTY!

Directly across from the handle on the mug (other side of mug), start drawing a large heart. It took me a few tries until I had both “humps” on the heart looking right! Do this step for both mugs. Place the heart drawings onto each other, so that the handles are on the outside. The two hearts should make one larger one. If not, erase a few spots and work on making them look cohesive. Once they do, color the hearts in two different colors. Add your names, Mr/Mrs, Boyfriend/Girlfriend, Mrs/Mrs…. You get the idea. Let dry for 24 hours, wrap and then enjoy a cup of cocoa, tea or coffee with the one who makes your heart complete.

Can’t wait to give mine to my Mister! I would love to yours if you make one! Email, Facebook, Tweet or Pin me!

~Namaste~

Domestic Violence

January 15, 2015 / mysenkid / 3 Comments

By now most have you have seen the many commercials being aired featuring celebrities, sports personalities and more, talking about domestic violence. If you haven’t, then you must reside under a rock. Some are full of heartfelt words while some leave us to watch them utter nothing but silence. It is with that silence that puts a taboo judgement on these victims. Domestic & Sexual Abuse should not be swept under the rug any longer. Silence is never a good thing when it comes to hiding any type of violence. Too many women & children (and even men) are falling victim. Victim to the horrendous act, victim to the aftereffects and victim to the blame game. No more.

New Hope, Inc, located in our close neighbor of Massachusetts. New Hope is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is “Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence in Our Community”. New Hope serves 54 communities within Central and Southeast Massachusetts.

Join New Hope, Inc on Saturday, January 24th for a night under the stars at Briggs Garden & Home (295 Kelley Blvd. North Attleboro, MA). Sample over 50 fine wines, 25 craft beers, delicious local cuisine, while enjoying a live musical performance by Gay Barboza. Bid on a trip to Walt Disney World (who doesn’t love MICKEY MOUSE?), just one of the many featured live auction items, hosted by comedian David DiLorzena. Tickets are $50/ per person and are available online at: www.new-hope.org or by calling (508) 226-4015. All proceeds benefit New Hope, Inc. – a nonprofit organization working to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities.

Can’t attend? Consider donating to the cause. Visit their site for future events and gatherings. And remember the name New Hope, Inc, because chances are you know someone who has fallen victim to domestic violence or sexual abuse. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and estimated 1.3 million women have fallen victim each YEAR and 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Help end this pattern of abuse. For our children. For our children’s children. For the greater good of humanity.

Namaste~

The Football Bitch- NFL Playoff Review

January 12, 2015 / mysenkid / 1 Comment

Although it is the end of the season with just 2 weeks left, this Football Bitch has decided to write about football more periodically. So next year, be on the lookout for more posts and possibly a podcast of my live antics while watching the game.

I love football. Yes, I am New England Patriots fan. But I am a fan of the game first. I am not just another hometown fan. While I do reside in little Rhody, I was born and raised in New Jersey. I am proud of where I came from, but that doesn’t mean I had to be a team player when it comes to the sport teams. Sure, I had box seats at Yankee Stadium and tailgated many Jets & Giants games, but they were never my team. I went because I loved football and my Dad made me go to those baseball games (I HATE BASEBALL). My team has always been the Patriots. Something about the name, the colors, the history just drew me in.

This past weekend was a field day for amazing plays, bad calls, records being set/crushed and true colors being bled all over the field. I am here to tell you some of my favorite highlights from the weekend.

Best Play of the Weekend: QB12 Brady lateral pass to WR11 Edelman (QB11 for this play) who then chucks it long to fellow WR80 Amendola for a 51-yard touchdown. This was the longest TD ever by a non-QB in NFL playoff history. So- it’s double dose of awesome-sauce- Best Play & Record Setting!

Worst Call of the Weekend: Pass Interference call on CB24 Revis for his tight coverage of WR89 Smith. Let’s clear something up- Revis was on the JETS- I loathe the JETS- but he was a beast then and still is. Rarely ever getting penalties because he is the BEST at his job. Only 6 pass interference calls in his 8 year career. You don’t call PI’s on the best corner. The refs got this one wrong.

True COLORS (a Cyndi Lauper classic): QB12 Luck is the new prince of the COLTS! He was truly unstoppable. He looked so cool in the pocket. He came into that game to play. He had no reservations about his game-plan whatsoever. QB18 Manning on the other hand, came in with tons. He had the weight of Denver on his shoulders. He is the BRONCOS. Luck played with poise, elegance, grit when needed and had fun. Manning played with a choppy run, a weaker arm and a fear of losing. He lost his spirit. He is one of the ALL-TIME great QB’s, but sometimes father time catches up to some sooner than others.

Opinions are welcome and encouraged. It leads to healthy debate. But, remember the Patriots are #1- that’s not up for debate 🙂

Namaste~

Lincoln School Book Festival 2014

October 27, 2014September 7, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

You know what I like about reading? You don’t have to be good at it. You don’t have to read what your friends are reading. You can read where you choose too. You can get lost in the adventure, romance, history and suspense of a book, all without leaving the comforts of your home. As adults, we love the way a good book makes us feel after we’ve finished it. We laugh, we cry, we empathize with the characters. It invigorates our imaginations. And lets be honest, as we get older we can all use a little spark to our imagination.

It is hard to explain to young children how a book can make you feel. We can tell them that reading is good for them, but until they feel the effects of it they really won’t “get it”. And how do kids learn? They learn by doing. Anything worth doing, is worth over doing. Children will eventually come to realize it’s more about that funny looking monster in the book, or that relatable boy. It’s about how the story makes you feel. What you take away from the book. But as parents, we need to keep the flame burning until that realization happens on it’s own. For some, it happens sooner than later.

A child’s book from the 19th century

On October 18th, I was given the opportunity to attend the Lincoln School Book Festival 2014. The Rhode Island Festival of Children’s Books & Authors was held at the Lincoln School here in Providence, RI. From the moment I walked up the sidewalk, I knew the Lincoln School promotes early childhood literacy with a passion. Signs were everywhere with sayings about reading. Teachers were dressed as lovable children’s book characters. There was a storytelling tent set up outside. The crafts were even dedicated to books. All this being said, it wasn’t overdone. It was just matter of fact. They love to read and they are here to share it with you.

RI Book Festival 2014 program

My son & I had a blast looking at the pop-up bookstore they had. We purchased two books for him to have autographed. We made an amazing craft (which I will be copying again). Listened to amazing stories & songs. Had a delicious pizza followed by a vegan dessert! It was such a blast. It was amazing to see how many children in my community actually value books. Kindles, tablets and Ipads are all the rage. And I get that you can store more books than you could possibly need, but there is something about the feeling of a book’s cover. The sound it makes when you turn the page. The suspense you feel when you wonder what illustration is next.

Landon’s pop-up book

While the event is over, I urge you to attend next year. It is an annual event and the Lincoln School is already taking applications for authors, volunteers and sponsors for 2015. Follow the Lincoln School on Facebook to keep up with all their events. Now, pick up that book that is collecting dust on your shelf and read. Get lost in it, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. And NO, I won’t hold it against you if you use your Kindle, this time.

AUTOGRAPH TIME!

Be #happiernow with Carson Kressley

October 13, 2014 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

It’s Monday folks. Back to work for many, a happy day for some and a dreaded day for others. Why? Too many women are living their lives in a way that doesn’t suit them. What do I mean by that? Magazines tell us what to wear. Celebrities show us what is trendy. We lose ourselves in the over-abundance of media outlets surrounding us. I want to be happy. Not happy after I lose another 10 pounds. Not happy when I can afford that “trendy” bag I want. Not happy when I move into a bigger house. I want to be #happiernow. Thanks to Carson Kressley and Happier.com, I am!

Carson teamed up with Happier.com to create a course dedicated to women who are stuck in a rut. Whether you are having issues with your self-esteem, not finding enough time for yourself or just not sure what the problem is, this course is for you. It’s quite simple really. 7 days of inspirational and helpful videos paired with a quick challenge for you. It’s all about YOU and what you WANT & NEED to be #happiernow. Carson is super motivating and honest in the videos. It felt like he was talking to me. How did this man get into my head and uncover all my emotions? It was actually quite refreshing to realize that there are more women who feel the same way as I do. He helped me overcome some fears & challenges in just 7 days. What’s even better is, it’s only $4.99! Isn’t that almost the cost of one large (or should I say Venti) Starbucks Iced latte? Are you worth $4.99? I think you are!

Contrary to what the media tells us, we do not need more money, expensive clothes, be a size 0 or a big house to be happy. Happiness is something we can choose to live in. We can make the conscious decision to wake up tomorrow and be happy with what we have. Find the good in what you have, rather than the bad in what you don’t. Make the pledge to be #happiernow. Take this course and let it inspire you. But first, fill in the blank below. It is your new mantra. Write it out- and put it on your bathroom mirror, in your daily agenda book or make it your screensaver. Today is the day to get #HAPPIERNOW.

For more courses offered at the Happier community, click here and follow them on twitter and Facebook. Be sure to follow Carson on twitter @CarsonKressley and check out his newly re-launched site here.

The 31 day Purge

October 2, 2014September 7, 2015 / mysenkid / Leave a comment

I still do not know what I got myself into. A friend posted on Facebook about this 31 day purge she was doing. It is being run by the lovely blog A bowl full of lemons. Without even knowing what it entailed, I acknowledged my acceptance of the challenge on Facebook for all to see. Boy, am I happy I did. Yesterday, being only day 1, I already feel better after completing my 1st task. I can only imagine how I am going to feel after day 31!

Day 1 was to clean your cupboards. Get rid of unwanted food- donate it, trash expired food maybe even get rid of those cookies you know you shouldn’t eat! I was surprised at how much food went expired. And not by a mere month- I am talking about year 2013. Not proud- but happy it’s gone……Living in a 690 sq. ft home, I have one cupboard. For everything- spices, dry goods, canned goods, you name it- it needs to fit there. You can imagine the mess it can become. Here are some before and after shots of my handy-work. Will you join me on the 31 day purge? Follow along here and don’t forget to post your purge pictures and tag them using #abfol31daypurge. Thanks A bowl full of lemons for the jumpstart I needed to get my house in order! Here’s to a productive month and hopefully less cluttered house in the end!
Namaste~ Joy

Chili – Vegan, Gluten Free, Chicken – The choice is yours

September 29, 2014 / mysenkid / 1 Comment

Autumn has arrived. With that comes my favorite thing ever. Football. Why didn’t I say my favorite sport you ask? Well, because next to my family- football is my favorite thing. And with football, comes lazy Sundays watching games on the big screen, while munching on my famous chili. I am not proud of many meals, but this darn chili does me proud! I can make it any way I want, depending on my mood and it still tastes like a million bucks. Dear hubby says he could eat it 24/7. Bless his heart.

It’s quite simple. Once you have the base of the chili- which is vegan, you can add more ingredients to the preference of your guests. What’s even better is, it cooks itself in the crockpot. Oh holy invention. You make us busy moms so happy. If you are not a football lover like myself ( I will forgive you this very big transgression), this chili is still quite a crowd pleaser on any given Sunday. Try for yourself and see……. play around, add something different and report back to me. I love seeing how recipes can be transformed just by a dash of this or sprinkle of that. Happy Autumn.

Base Ingredients for Chili:

28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes- Crushed or Diced, depending on your preference
15 oz can of organic dark red kidney beans-drained
15oz can of organic no-salt added corn-drained
1 large pepper (green,red, yellow or orange)-diced
Seasonings:
1/4cup dried onion flakes, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp parsley

Delicious as is- but can experiment with more options below:
Add 1 lb. grilled white chicken -cooked and diced-add to slow cooker
Sprinkle with some cheese (dairy-free alternatives can be used as well)-once cooked
Add some blue corn chips-once cooked

This is a simple recipe to make. Place all your desired ingredients into slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Enjoy the taste of Autumn.

Feed your soul
Namaste~

Joyful Noise, by Joy Adamonis

Joyfully Me raising a Sensational Kid

Author: mysenkid