Music in the Kitchen

Is it just me or are their others out there that have to have music playing while they are cooking? My husband commented to me the other day that he finds it strange and distracting to have music playing while he is cooking. (Of course, I commented that it would be rather difficult for him to ruin those Banquet Pot Pies or the Ramen Noodles he makes.) But now I am self conscious. Am I really the only one that has to have Mp3 players or stereo's in the kitchen? My iPod actually docks on my kitchen counter!

I listen to music while I cook. It calms me, keeps me focused and my food turns out much better. I play music while I clean. The cleaning seems to get done much faster when the radio stations are playing the upbeat, dance to them, songs. I just love it.

Do Mom's Need Life Insurance?

I haven't thought much about life insurance, after all, I am only 30, a stay at home (sometimes) mom and make nearly no money. Why would I need life insurance?

When a friend and I were talking one day, she made the comment to me that if I were to pass away, my husband would be left to take care of the children all by himself. He would be left to care for children that are used to having Mom home all the time. Mom dressing them. Mom feeding them. Mom reading to them and Mom cuddling them.

There will be a time that he will have to stay home and help them make that transition, without pay. If I had life insurance, he would be able to take that time without worrying about how to make ends meet. My children and husband would have the healing time they needed without the stress of how they are going to make the bills.

So I started looking at life insurance quotes and found out that it is pretty easy to find cheap term life insurance rates. I can protect my family, even when I am not around to protect them. That gives me some peace of mind, which in today's economy, is pretty hard to come by!

Natural Fat Burners

I know Coconut Oil is supposed to be a wonderful fat burner or metabolism burner and apples are great appetite suppressants, but does anyone else know of any great fat burners? I get alot of questions concerning weight loss drugs, fat burners and natural remedies and I am just about burnt out of ideas, so I am welcoming any comments on what has helped you? What have you tried? What didn't work for you and why do you think it didn't? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Wedding Special Touches - Desserts and Treats

An elegant, unique Wedding Cake is an essential part of any woman's wedding. It is the focal point of the room and the culmination of the evening and take alot of though and planning.

However, don't forget the other treats. Whether you do a formal wedding dinner or a buffet, your guests will love some of these ideas to make your affair the talk of the town.

Tuxedo Strawberries: These are absolutely darling for any wedding dinner. They are elegant, yet fun and oh so simple to make!

Start by melting and tempering one bowl of white chocolate. Wash and dry your large strawberries. Dip each one in white chocolate and lay on 13x9" cookie sheets and cool at room temperature. Then melt a bowl of milk or dark chocolate. Dip each side of the strawberries again in the chocolate. This will cover some of the white, but not all. Fill a decorating bag with a #8 round tip with the remainder of the chocolate and add buttons and a little bow tie to the exposed white chocolate. Allow to cool at room temperature and serve within 24 hours. The strawberries end up looking like they have little tuxedos on.

Wedding Cupcakes: Wedding cupcakes can be a simple addition to the rehearsal dinner. They give the bride the opportunity to add her own special touch, her wedding colors and theme to the rehearsal dinner and they add an elegant, but not too over done flair. Cupcakes can have a simple flower on top or can be airbrushed with a fleur de lis. Both are very elegant, both are very simple. There are so many ways to easily decorate cupcakes that they are almost a must have. Few things in a wedding are simple, grab those that are and run with it!

Chocolate Fountains: Chocolate is one of life's richest and most indulgent treats. It was used in Mayan cultures as an aphrodisiac, in Spain as the treat for royalty and in modern times Chocolate is used in celebration. The chocolate fountain is a beautiful cascade of liquid chocolate falling over what ever delectable little treat is placed under it. A chocolate fountain not only makes
an elegant showing but a fun dessert for all of your guests. More than one chocolate fountain can provide you the opportunity to try white and dark chocolate, caramel and/or flavored chocolates such as mint or amaretto. Your guests can dip strawberries, cinnamon lips, marshmallows, pretzels or Biscotti. The sky's the limit and everyone will be talking about your wedding dinner for years to come!


Fresh Fruit Tartlets: Fresh fruit tartlets are not only simple to make they are also very pretty and can easily be decorated to incorporate your wedding colors. When you are looking to make fruit tartlets, you have a world of endless possibilities and choices. Here are a few of my favorites. Easy Cream Cheese filling: 1 8oz. pkg cream cheese (softened), 1 8oz. tub cool whip (thawed), 1/2 cup sugar. Whip until fluffy. Color with food coloring if desired. Jam Filling: Puree your desired fruit, removing skins or seeds when possible. Mix 4 cups fruit puree, 1 cup sugar and 4 tablespoons Ultraset (proportions will vary with altitude and barometric pressure. Ultraset is very forgiving. Add less than you need and then add more, little bits at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. It should be thick but not clumping.) Fruits: Strawberries, Blueberries, Dragonfruit, Mango, Kiwi, Peaches, Raspberries, Blackberries and Mandrain Orange Slices are all beautiful toppers for Fruit Tartlets.

Diet Pills Can Be Tricky Business

I just want to throw out a warning to everyone out there on diet pills. Please know what you are taking! I am begging you. Finding safe and effective diet pills can be a tricky business. You need to check out the company, the pills history and check with the FDA to make sure that they have been registered and are deemed safe. And, as with any pill, that is still never a guarantee. Make sure you are working with a reputable company, someone who has been in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time, is an industry leader and has a track record for producing safe and effective drugs. That is the best way to really and truly find the best diet pills out there.

Don't take chances with your health, make sure you do your homework and get the right thing for you and your body. And always remember that even with diet pills, good, healthy diet and exercise is still very important. Get losing and stay safe! Good Luck!