A Great Flavor for Your Morning Coffee

I love my coffee every morning, but it cannot be regular coffee because I'm just not a huge fan of that coffee taste. I have to have flavor in it in order to drink it. So I guess I can't just stick with "I love my coffee", because I love my flavored coffee in the morning! It does me wonders when I can't seem to peel open my eyes after waking up. I recently came across a really good creamer that I would like to share. International Delight's Hershey Chocolate Caramel! This stuff is just amazing! It has become my daily morning sidekick, and I have not been able to get myself to buy a different creamer since! Once in a while, I will bring some coffee to work for some coworkers to try, and I have them hooked now too! I realize I totally sound like a commercial right now, but I think you should try it! It's in the fridge at your grocery store, and you will not be disappointed!  :)

My Apple Crisp Recipe - a Dessert that has Never Failed to Please!

I don't know about you, but I love food. Even more, I love a good dessert. Here is my recipe for making an apple crisp pie, great for any occasion or no occasion at all!

What you'll need:

8x8 baking dish or 9in. pie pan

mixing bowl

apple corer (it really just makes life a little easier!)

5 cups apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Gala and Golden Delicious apples work best)

1/2 cup flour

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup oatmeal (regular rolled oats are best, the I have found instant oatmeal tends to burn)

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Optional ingredients:

vanilla ice cream or

whipped cream or

walnuts or pecans or

half & half or

shredded sharp cheddar cheese

How to Make Your Apple Crisp Pie:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Arrange your peeled, cored, and chopped apples in your baking dish or pie pan.

3. In a separate bowl, combine all your remaining ingredients, except for anything listed as optional!!

4. Mix the ingredients in the bowl until it resembles a coarse meal. (Your arms may get tired, so you may wanna put your hubby or kids to good use here!)

5. Sprinkle the mix over your apples.

6. Put the dish or pan in the oven and bake for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender.

7. Serve warm (Don't serve immediately as it will be extremely hot inside, and I can assure you, you will not be able to taste your delicious pie if you burn your mouth!)

Serve it with any of your choice of the "optional" ingredients. Some people prefer ice cream, I always love a LOT of whipped cream, and I have heard of but never met anyone who puts shredded cheddar cheese or half & half on it... Walnuts and pecans are great sprinkled on too! Probably not with the cheese or half & half though...

And of course:

8. Take a bite of that pie, and enjoy!

**Possible side effects may include, but are not limited to greediness, acts of self-defense over your slice, involuntary rolling of the eyes, involuntary "mmm" sounds or other sounds of delight or enjoyment, a warming sensation, chronic smelling of the nose due to the scent of warm pie, salivation at the sight of more pie, and making your spouse or kids clean up the kitchen after.

Get a Lot of Junk Mail? Here are Some Ideas to Put it to Good Use...

I don't know about you, but I get a LOT of junk mail, almost daily! Fliers, ads, more ads, coupons (which I dig through, but find most of them not useful), "pre-approved" credit cards, etc. There is so much of it, and most of it just goes in the trash. What a waste of paper! Not to mention, it will fill your garbage much faster just because of how much you get!

For those of us who do not have a recycling service at our home (I live in an apartment complex that does not participate), paper is probably half of all our trash! There are things you can do with that paper, while saving room in your garbage cans for actual garbage.

For those of you that do have a recycling program, you may still be interested in what you can do with all that paper.

First of all, take those "pre-approved" credit card letters and tear/cut/shred them really well. 

Collect all those papers in a bag or a box.

You can check to see if your area has any recycling bin locations. I have noticed here in Indianapolis that a lot of schools and stores have these huge drop-bins in their parking lots for the public to use. Think about taking your recyclables, not just paper, there on your way to or from work or while running errands if you do have these.

You can use the papers to cover a table while working on a messy project, like re-potting your plants, gluing things together, building an art project, while your kids or you paint or color, or when you do anything that could otherwise damage your table.

Planning on moving soon? Here is some great packing material for all your delicate objects! Not moving soon? Maybe somebody you know will be, or put an ad on Craigslist! Somebody will be moving and will definitely need it!

Do you ship or mail things? Do you sell on Ebay? Here is some great packing material to keep it safe!

Use it as bedding or litter material for your pet bird, bunny, snake, lizard, hamster, rat, etc. Why spend money on bedding when paper works great! Just make sure to research and make sure your animal can have it in their habitat.

Don't have a pet? Maybe you have paper building up faster than you use it? Donate it to your local animal shelter or pet store! They are always in need of bedding, and they will be more than happy to accept your paper!

Oh, and cats LOVE a crumpled-up ball of paper! They can play with it for hours!

Do you build bonfires? Paper is good fire-starter material! Just be sure to crumple it up really good and keep an eye on it. When paper burns, it creates some very large ashes that easily float up and away. It can be messy or dangerous. Crumpling it up or putting wood on top of it will reduce this.

Did you know newspaper can be better than paper towels when cleaning windows? Have you ever noticed that paper towels will leave little bits behind? Newspaper is great for cleaning glass while being streak-free and not leaving pieces behind. This is also a great idea for your car windows!

As you can see, there are things you can do with your junk mail to give it a purpose besides just being glanced at and throwing it in the trash! Give it a second life, put it to good use, and RECYCLE it! You will benefit from the use of it and you will spend less on trash bags!

Have You Tried Soft-Boiled Eggs?

Most of us eat eggs on a regular basis, and are one of the most common things to include in your breakfast. Scrambled, sunny-side up, over-easy, poached, fried, boiled - you name it! There are many different ways to prepare an egg. Everyone knows what a hard-boiled egg is. It is when you boil it in water, while still in its shell, until both the egg white and the yolk harden. But, have you heard of soft-boiled eggs?

What are soft-boiled eggs? It is when you boil them to the point where the egg white hardens, but the yolk is still a liquid, just thicker. For anyone who has never had one, I can understand your discomfort right now. It makes it sound as if the egg is still raw, and you may have never tried runny yolk. The egg is not raw, it is still cooked. Just not long enough to become entirely hard.

How do you cook the egg without hard-boiling it?

On gas stoves, I have found this to be pretty easy. Fill a saucepan with just enough water to cover the eggs. Put it on the stove at a little less than medium heat and then wait. I wait until the water starts boiling, and not soon after, I pull the saucepan off. Pour out the water and let the eggs cool down as they will be hot!

On electric stoves, I have found this to be more tricky. My apartment's electric stove has led me to more failures resulting in hard-boiled eggs rather than soft. With this, I would go the same route as the gas stove, see what happens, and adjust as needed (Sorry I can't help you out with this - my stove is terrible, old, and the temperature of the burners and the oven are never close to what I set the dial to...).

How do I eat my soft-boiled eggs?

After I let the eggs cool a little bit, I find a shot glass. There are special ones made for eggs, but those are hard to find. If you have a shot glass, it'll do the same job. Find a small spoon and pull out your salt and pepper. Crack the shell at one end of the egg, preferably the wider, rounder end. Peel enough shell to fit your spoon in. The shot glass is for holding your egg while you eat it, so place it in there with the cracked end up. Sprinkle a little bit of salt and pepper on the egg, and gently dig your spoon in. Careful, as the yolk is supposed to be in liquid form, so it may decide to leak off the side. I guess I can throw in the last step of putting the spoon in your mouth and enjoying!

This is a quick and very inexpensive meal that my parents used to prepare for my sister and I. It's healthy, nutritious, and cheap! Of course we don't eat the egg by itself... We usually grab a slice of bread and spread some butter on it, maybe toast it. You can add the egg to be included with a bigger meal as well, you don't have to eat the egg by itself!

I hope that this article helps persuade you into trying soft-boiled eggs! They are tastier than they sound! It may take a few tries to get it right, but if you do cook it too long, there is nothing wrong with having a hard-boiled egg instead!

Don't Get Eaten Alive This Summer!

Anyone who lives in the Midwest will probably start nodding their head as I comment on the great winter we had this year! Here in Indianapolis, there were only a few days where there was actual snowfall. But for the most part, it was just rain and pretty warm temperatures. We had a couple of good storms in the region, but overall - this was the best winter I have ever experienced! I'm from Chicago, and I have lived through my fair share of blizzards and below-zero weather. I was very happy to be able to get through this past winter without a heavy, puffy coat!

However, that does pose a huge threat for this summer. You know those pesky mosquitoes and creepy bugs we all so very much hate? (Or at least I do!) Our usually-freezing winters help to kill them off during those months to reduce their population. Since there was no lasting cold, we are going to be more than overwhelmed with all the biting and the itching! Oh, and the bees? I'm terrified of bees, and I know there has been a huge depletion in their population, but they're going to have a good boom too! My boyfriend already got stung by one in February. February!?!? Unheard of!!

The main concerns this summer for you should be the biters. We all hate mosquitoes and we know too much or too little of what they can spread. Did you know they spread heartworms to your dog too? Now you do. I found this out recently when I brought a stray dog into my life and had her tested. She tested positive, and her treatment is going to cost more than I bought my car for! $1200-$1800! Fleas and ticks are going to be a problem too! These bugs don't just affect animals, they can affect people too.

I would like to suggest stocking up on bug sprays and bite and itch ointments. There are foods you can eat that act as a natural repellent too. Here's a link to a helpful site http://nutritiondiva.quickanddirtytips.com/what-to-eat-to-avoid-mosquito-bites.aspx . And don't forget your furry family members! Put them on preventatives to keep them from getting affected by fleas and ticks. I am very highly recommending heartworm preventative as well, but you will need a prescription for it from your veterinarian!

The summer months are longed for by many of us, and we love to use our spare time outside enjoying the air and having fun! We're just going to have to be more careful this summer! Protect yourself, your family, and your pets!

Teach Your Kids How to Approach an Unfamiliar Dog

So I wanted to take my dog, Annie, out for a walk the other day. I live in an apartment building where there are many residents who have children. I took the side exit out of the building and walked past a couple of boys, no more than 10 years old, playing with big sticks. One of the boys, without saying a word or asking me if he could pet the dog, all of a sudden ran up on Annie with one hand holding a large stick and his other hand going up over her head to pet her....

A little background information on my dog:

Annie is an Australian Shepherd and Border Collie mix that was spotted running through traffic on a very busy road during rush hour. I was pulling into a store parking lot after work as this was going on and saw a group of people trying to herd her away from the traffic and closer to the building. This frightened little girl made sure no one would catch her! I quickly joined in and opened all the doors to my car. Eventually, everybody managed to huddle around her, get her to hop in my car, and shut all the doors. After weeks of no luck in finding her owner, I decided to let her stay with me. My boyfriend, upon meeting her, called her "Orphan Annie," and the name has since stuck. I have only had her for a couple of months. I have gotten to know her pretty well since bringing her home, however, I know nothing of her past and can only guess.

Back to the story:

The boy surprised me by running up without warning- again, big stick in one hand and the other reaching over the top of her head to pet her.... What happened? Annie got startled, bared her teeth, snarled, and tried biting this child's hand! Reading this makes it sound longer than the nano-second time frame this action actually took place in. I yanked Annie back in fear, yelled at her with a "NO!" and "BAD DOG!" (I found out she knew these terms when I took her in), and then I turned around and yelled at this boy! I am not an angry person, I do not ever raise my voice or yell at anybody. This was my first time yelling at someone I did not know, no joke! I said "That is not how you walk up to a dog you do not know!" I had to tell him how it should be done, otherwise this boy can one day end up getting bitten! And you know what? That fault falls on the dog's owner, which is now me. He could have been badly hurt!

I am writing this because I believe it should be required to teach our children how to go about approaching a pet they do not know. I do not have any kids, but I have had animals my whole life and will make sure I teach any future children the proper ways.

I also want all the parents reading this to think about teaching this if you have not already!

Here are some tips when approaching or being confronted by a dog:

When you spot an unfamiliar dog being walked by a person, ask that person if it is okay to pet the dog. Do not attempt it if they say no or are unsure, and maybe the dog will show you if it wants to be touched.

If you spot an unfamiliar stray dog, take extra caution! This dog may be the friendliest thing in the world! Or, it may be scared and want to defend itself if it thinks you are threatening it, whether you are or not. Do not make eye contact for too long, if at all.

Never hold anything in your hands, or at least anything large in size compared to them. If this dog has been abused, then he might believe you may try to, and that puts you in danger!

NEVER EVER EVER reach your hand over the top of his head first. He may think you are going to grab him or hurt him and you may get bitten or worse! ALWAYS put your hand down low, palm up.

Do not make any quick or sudden movements and do not try to get closer to the dog. He may or may not come to you. If he does, let him smell your hand first.

Read the dog's body language. Ears back, stay back! If the dog has his tail down, if his tail is not wagging or it is in between their legs, he is alert and paying attention and may be nervous. If you hear a growl growing in his throat, get back and leave him alone.

Use a voice you would use for a baby, because that can help them understand  that you do not mean to harm them. 

You may want to crouch down while doing this, as this makes you seem smaller and less threatening.

Also, and a lot of people do not think about this, be careful and slow as you are petting him. He may not like being touched in some places. NEVER try to scratch his back or his butt, and do not touch anyplace near his back legs. Some dogs may be okay with it, but a log of dogs may not like it, especially if they do not know you! Some dogs have a thing about their ears, too. Stay at the top of the head and the back of the neck. Even if the dog is showing pure signs of friendliness, they may not trust you enough.

The key is to move as slowly, cautiously, and as fearlessly as you possibly can.

Every dog is different. Do not assume they are all the same!

These are great tips for everybody, not just children. However, if you are not sure your kids know these rules, I am hoping that after reading this you will want to talk about it with them and teach them for their own safety! I am not a professional or expert in the dog behavior field, but I have been around dogs my whole life and have learned these tips throughout! I hope I have taught someone somewhere a thing or two here today!

A Sweet and Lightweight Summer Treat!

I love sweet things! Like chocolate, cake, cookies, and fruits - mmmm!

I work on a tight budget, but I do like to indulge once in a while, as a treat for something I may have accomplished or for simply having a long week at work. And I found something that is both sweet, delicious, can be eaten in the morning with my coffee or after a meal, AND is covered in chocolate! Not to mention it's much healthier than that triple fudge brownie cake you would order at a restaurant after your dinner! Try it, there's NO BAKING involved! And it's SUPER CHEAP!

All you need is:

1 already made Angel Food cake, found right by the bakery at your local grocery store
1 bottle Hershey Chocolate Syrup (they have a light version too!)
And any of your favorite fruits!!

I love using strawberries and bananas, but blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple, and orange slices also go very well with this!!

Take a slice of cake, sprinkle your desired pieces of fruit on top (cut into small pieces, of course), and pour on some delicious chocolate syrup!

There! Done! This is great to do in the summer, or when you have guests over and don't have a lot of time to cook or clean. It's inexpensive, very easy, not entirely unhealthy, and I can say it's delicious and MEAN it!! Not to mention your kids will love it too!

Try it and enjoy!!  :)