A HEAPING SPOONFUL

Denny's Coupon: Buy One Kid's Meal, Get Free Side Item

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Sorry. I've been neglecting this site lately. Here's a great coupon found by Scoring Deals. It's buy a kid's meal at Denny's, get a free side item. Get yours now!

Half-Price Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:50:00 +0000

Get a half-price slice of cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory on July 30th in honor of National Cheesecake Day. I didn't even know there was a National Cheescake Day. I think it's now my official favorite holiday. Thanks to Coupon Cravings for pointing it out.

P.F. Chang's: Free Lettuce Wraps

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:51:00 +0000

Thanks to "Deal"icious Mom for pointing out this deal: Free Lettuce Wraps at P.F. Chang's China Bistro. Get yours now. This opportunity expires July 26th - tomorrow!

Free Jack Daniels Sampler Platter from T.G.I. Friday's

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Grocery Shop for Free just posted a great T.G.I.Friday's coupon. It's a Free Jack Daniels Sampler Platter with a party of three or more. Check it out! Thanks, Dian!

Enter to Win a Free Gourmet Bake Me a Wish Cake

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:22:00 +0000

Hop on over to Icefairy's Treasure Chest and enter the Bake Me a Wish Gourmet Cake Giveaway. You'll drool just looking at these cakes! I've entered, and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

Four Great Giveaways: You Could Win a Nikon D5000!

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Lands End is giving away something great every weekend this summer. Go to their Facebook page to find out more and get entered.

Momma in Flip Flops is having a Jack and Lilly shoes giveaway.

Penny Princess is having a Carolina Pad giveaway.

Scott Bourne is giving away a brand new Nikon D5000 with kit lens still in the box to one lucky winner. Visit this page for details. It's super easy to enter. I just did! Good luck!

Get Your Denny's, Borders Books, and Johnny Rockets Coupons

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:19:00 +0000

It's a Buy Something, Get Something Free roundup:

Visit Coupon Geek for a link to a printable Denny's coupon. It's a Free Entree Salad with an Entree and Drink purchase.

Then visit the Borders site, for a printable coupon. When you buy a hardcover book at $24.95 or more, you get a free $8 or less paperback!

Last, but not least, a Johnny Rockets coupon. Buy One Entree and Soda, get a Free Entree.

Enjoy!

Win American Idols Live Tour 2009 Tickets for Two

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:03:00 +0000

Lots of goodies today!

Cuisinart G-4 Griddler Giveaway at Look What Mom Found. I want one of these!

Win a copy of Corel Home Office at The Dirty T-Shirt

I'm addicted to java, so I was excited when Coupon Kim pointed me to a free Dunkin Donuts coffee sample.

Aveeda is offering a free sample pack of its Smooth Infusion Shampoo, Conditioner, and Smoother. Get your coupon and bring it to a participating location.

Hop on over to SheKnows and enter the contest to win tickets for 2 to the American Idols Live Tour 2009.

I like this one. Angie's Spot is giving away 2 Paula Deen cookbooks, and entering to win is easy! Check it out!

Free Meals, Deals, and a Back-to-School Sale

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:44:00 +0000

Mondays 7am to 7 pm on 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, and 8/3 Get your free 8 oz. mocha or 7 oz. iced mocha at Mickey D's McCafes. No coupon needed!

Tyson Skillet Creations Free! But it, send in rebate form, get your money back!

Free Baskin Robbins Soft Serve Cone courtesy of Coupon Kim

Walmart is having a great sale on school supplies. I scored some great dollar deals on Sunday. I also picked up some $0.15 notebooks. You can't beat that!

Eating out doesn't have to be unaffordable. Here's a great coupon courtesy of Grocery Shop for Free. It's a $10 off $25 purchase at the Rainforest Cafe. Yum!

It's Like Playing Musical Chairs, Only with a Blog

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:10:00 +0000

Be prepared. I'm going to change the focus of this blog once again. I know you're all wondering what the deal is, and to be frank, I don't know. I've never had this much trouble getting started on something and sticking with it. Don't have this problem with my other blogs.

But I hate to just abandon the poor thing. So stay tuned. Just think of it as a multiple personality blog disorder, and I'm still searching for the cure.

Teens Plus TV Equal Depression?

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:14:00 +0000

A new University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study has concluded that teens who spend long hours in front of the television face a higher risk of depression than their more active counterparts. Even more alarming, the effects seem to persist. As much as seven years later, many of the teens were still showing signs of depression. The same association was also shown with other electronic media.

Researchers speculate that teens who watch a lot of television may internalize a lot of what they see, leading to feelings of hopelessness and depression. They also may neglect social or athletic activities that might provide more positive experiences.

More studies need to be done, but parents should definitely make an attempt to limit the time their adolescents spend in front of the tube. To read more about the study, see Teen TV Time Tied to Adult Depression.

Privacy Policy

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:28:00 +0000

As with most websites, we collect and use data contained in log files. The information in these files includes your IP address, your ISP, the browser you use to visit our site, the time you visit, and which pages you visit. We also use third-party ads, some of which may use cookies and web beacons to send these advertisers the same information. Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads based upon your visit to this site and others. You may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting: http://www.google.com/privacyads.html.

Coffee Drinking Linked to Reduced Dementia

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0000

A new study suggests that lifelong coffee drinkers may have a reduced risk of developing late-in-life dementia. Scientists followed a large group of middle-aged men and women for an average of 21 years, and found that people who reported drinking 3 to 5 cups a day were 65% less likely to have developed dementia, compared to people who regularly drank 2 cups or less per day.

Why would drinking coffee reduce the risk of dementia? Previous studies have linked its consumption with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is a risk factor for dementia. In addition, studies in animals have demonstrated that coffee reduces the formation of amyloid plaque in the brain. As a bonus, it may have an antioxidant effect in the bloodstream, reducing risk factors for dementia also.

So enjoy your coffee! It might just help to keep your brain functioning longer.

Can Heartburn Medications Diminish Plavix Effectiveness?

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:55:00 +0000

The FDA announced today that it is reviewing the benefits of the blood-thinner Plavix, which is the world's second-best selling drug. It is used by millions of people to reduce the likelihood of a heart attack or a stroke, but federal health officials feel it may be less effective in certain patients.

The FDA is investigating the possibility that certain heartburn medications may diminish the the drug's effectiveness. They are also looking into the possibility that people with certain genetic backgrounds may not actually benefit from the use of Plavix. In both of these cases, the patient may not be able to metabolize the drug, thereby making it ineffective.

According to the FDA, patients should continue taking the prescribed medication, but physicians should be cautious when prescribing heartburn drugs to patients who are currently taking Plavix. For more information, read FDA Reviews Benefits of Plavix in Certain Patients by Matthew Perrone.

Live in the Blue Zones For A Longer, Happier Life

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 03:13:00 +0000

What exactly are the Blue Zones? They're the areas around the world that have the highest number of centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older). And studies show that these people have certain things in common. They live life with purpose, are close to their families, and have a positive outlook. Most important though: they eat local food, and they eat green.

Will you live to be 100? Go to BlueZones.com and take the Vitality Compass test. You'll be asked a series of questions regarding your lifestyle, then given your true biological age and life expectancy, should nothing change. I won't tell you what mine was. But let's just say I need to make some serious changes. Check it out and let me know how you fare.

Does Elevated Cholesterol = Statin Bandwagon?

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

My brother recently got the news that his cholesterol is a little high. And not being big on medications, he's looking for things he can do to lower his cholesterol naturally. Do you have to jump right on the statin bandwagon when the doctor informs you your cholesterol's on the high side? It's a judgment call. You should always listen to your doctor, but there are some things you can do to naturally lower your cholesterol.

#1 Eat more oatmeal. Oatmeal acts like a sponge and soaks up bad cholesterol.

#2 Eat almonds, which contain Vitamin E and flavanoids, two things which help prevent plaque buildup.

#3 Eat phytosterol-containing foods like fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils. They block cholesterol absorption.

#4 An apple a day does keep the doctor away. Apples are rich in polyphenols, especially the skin. These prevent plaque buildup.

#5 Eat more garlic. Garlic keeps the liver from being able to make more cholesterol.

#6 Eat flaxseeds. Flaxseeds block the production of bad cholesterol (LDL), and help your body to get rid of cholesterol.

#7 Be a bean eater. Beans have a special fiber which ferments in the colon. When bacteria eat the fiber and bean sugars, they form short-chain fatty acids, which prevent the liver from producing bad cholesterol.

#8 Eat more soy. Soy proteins contain phytoestrogens, which improve the liver's ability to get rid of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

#9 Exercise. This speeds up the flow of blood, helping to keep your arteries free of plaque buildup.

A Heaping Spoonful Under Reconstruction

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:46:00 +0000

You've probably noticed that I've made some changes to the site. But I'm only just getting started. As I mentioned last week, I'm going to change the focus of the site. Stay tuned for more surprises.

Changes for A Heaping Spoonful in 2009

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:53:00 +0000

After much thought, I've decided I'm probably going to change the direction of this blog in 2009. Don't be surprised to find I've changed the look of the site, as I most likely will be working on that shortly.

I'm not sure exactly which direction to take A Heaping Spoonful, but I know it will be in the direction of something that excites me, that I enjoy writing about, and that hopefully, you will enjoy reading. Stay tuned.

Make Sourdough Bread Just Like Grandma

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:38:00 +0000

I've always wanted to try making sourdough bread. I had heard stories of people sharing their sourdough starter with others, and I'm always fascinated with anything that can be kept going and going and going. Plus, what's better than homemade bread? Right?

Chickens in the Road has a great recipe and tutorial for making sourdough bread. Check it out and make your own sourdough starter.

Happy New Year from A Heaping Spoonful!

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Haven't posted in a while, but will start back up after the New Year. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and hope your 2009 is wonderful!

He's Making a List

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:22:00 +0000

Merry Christmas!

Betty Crocker: Where Did the Three-Layer Cake Go?

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:52:00 +0000

My mom has been gone for 21 years now, and I don't have a lot of her belongings. But one of the things I do have is her Betty Crocker's New Picture Cookbook from the fifties. It's worn and falling apart in places, but all still there.

Flipping through it, it's clear that it was written during a different time, a time when a woman's place was in the kitchen and nowhere else.

Thank God, women can do and be anything they want these days. Ironically, one of my daughters is toying with the idea of becoming a chef.

Back to the cookbook: I love the retro drawings and the pictures of food you'll probably never see today.
The degree of creativity that went into some of the creations is mind-boggling. Today, most people, including myself, rarely take the time to make a three-layer cake. It's a sheet cake or nothing.

But it's fun to look back and dream of a time when life wasn't quite so hurried, and a three-layer cake was the only type.

I'm Salivating Just Thinking about These Cinnamon Rolls

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:44:00 +0000

Just saw this at The Pioneer Woman Cooks and had to post. These look like the best cinnamon rolls EVER. Check it out! Have a look around and drool.

Chocolate Decadence Recipe

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Ingredients:

2 cups Nestle's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
3/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup milk

Topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp. powdered sugar.
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F and line 9-inch-round baking pan with foil. Lightly grease.

Microwave 1 cup of morsels in a medium, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH for 1 minute, then stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Beat butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until creamy.

Add eggs and beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Slowly add in melted chocolate.

Gradually add in flour, alternating with milk. Stir in remaining cup of morsels.

Spoon into prepared baking pan.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until wooden pick inserted comes out clean.

Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Beat whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in small mixing bowl until soft peaks form.

Lift cake from pan and remove the foil.

Top with cream.

My New Baby: Mommy Works Online

itsjusmeli@earthlink.net (Work at Home Mom) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:01:00 +0000

If you're bored on these long winter nights and want something to do, check out my new site, Mommy Works Online. It's a little bit work-at-home opportunities, a little bit personal, and a lot of work. But I'm having fun playing around with it.