- Nov 2, 2017
Operation Gratitude
http://www.operationgratitude.com
On Halloween Night, after trick or treating, my kids loved to look through their bags to see how many different kinds of candy they’d gotten. They would trade with each other or their friends and put my favorite candies, licorice and Butterfingers, aside for me. They were then allowed to eat as much as they wanted, after I had thoroughly checked it. They would over do it, but it was only one night… By the next day, they were over it, their bags would sit on the counter, and after a day or so, I would put the candy in the pantry and it was forgotten, that is until I would run across it the next Halloween! I really do miss those nights! I was so grateful to learn about a woman who was collecting and sending left over Halloween Candy to the troops! I actually started collecting candy at my kids’ schools and we would box it up, include notes of gratitude and drop it off. My kids loved the idea of giving their candy to the troops, knowing that they would love it! It made everyone feel good!
Since then, an organization was started that nationalized the collection. I was so happy to find “Operation Gratitude”, http://signup.operationgratitude.com/halloween-candy-give-back-map, if you go to the website, you can find drop-off locations near you. I highly recommend this as a fun activity with kids or grandkids. Mine loved it! It’s always great to find new ways to support our troops!
- Oct 25, 2017
Loving Your Skin
Erno Laszlo.
Exfoliate $58 & Detox $38:
Love this! It is one of my new favorites…
I have obsessed over my skin since before I was even in double digits! I am always open to trying new things and as a gift for my kids; I picked up a travel size of this duo for $10 thinking that it would be a nice little gift for them. I was curious, so I tried it myself… My skin feels so clean!
You start with the Detoxifying Cleansing Oil (it is supposed to dissolve surface impurities and makeup, even reducing the look of large pores (big goal for me)—without leaving skin feeling tight or dry) I did not feel dry or tight. Next, use the Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar that they say has the benefits of Dead Sea Mud. It is supposed to deeply detoxify, exfoliate and hydrate skin. They claim that it is great for blemished skin, which is perfect for teens. It boosts circulation, which left me with a nice glow… I don’t mind the two step process because I did notice a difference.
I have heard that the Exfoliate & Detox Detoxifying Hydrogel Mask is fantastic, especially for minimizing pores, but I have not tried it yet!
As a side note, as soon as the bar touches your skin, it begins to combat the oil that bacteria thrive on. Being the germ-a- phobic person that I am, this definitely sold me!
- Oct 25, 2017
Tequila Lime Cupcakes with Margarita Buttercream Frosting
These terrifying tequila cupcakes are scary... They’re so tasty you might eat a few too many! The extra bit of tequila after they’re baked makes them moist and flavorful and the margarita buttercream is light and fluffy. The nice part about these is they are fairly easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. And...if you eat a few too many, just remember the tequila made me do it!
Cupcake ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
Zest and juice of 1½ limes (equal to 2 Tbsp. of juice)
3 tablespoons of gold tequila
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup whole milk
Frosting ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 ¾ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 ½ tablespoons tequila
Pinch of coarse salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions for cupcakes:
1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Line muffin tin with cupcake papers.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In another bowl use an electric mixer on high-speed, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. About five minutes.
4. Reduce mixer speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time. Mix thoroughly after each egg.
5. Scrape the size of the bowl and add lime zest, lime juice, vanilla extract, and tequila ask until combined.
6. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Slowly adding dry ingredients and milk separately. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk until everything is combined.
7. Bake for about 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Cupcakes are finished when slightly golden. Insert a toothpick; if it comes out clean they are done.
8. Let the cupcakes to cool for 8-10 minutes.
9. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with 1 to 2 tablespoons of tequila.
10. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Directions for frosting:
1. Whip butter on medium high speed with an electric mixer for five minutes. Use the whisk attachment. Reduce the speed to medium low, and gradually add the powdered sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl until all is mixed.
2. Continue to mix on medium speed for an additional 30 seconds.
3. Add the lime juice, tequila, and salt. Mix on medium high speed until fluffy. If the frosting gets a little too soft, add some additional sugar 1 teaspoon at a time until perfect.
4. Use a decorator bag to frost the cupcakes. You can use colored sugar on top to add a festive touch or zest a lime and serve with a lime wedge for color… we went for a Halloween theme.
Happy Halloween!
