MiscMayzee

Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey - a Blog Tour

2012-01-24T22:18:00.001-06:00

Today, I am happy to be bringing you a review and blog tour featuring Ann Shorey's volume Where Wildflowers Bloom. I reviewed The Dawn of a Dream by Ann last April and absolutely loved the book, much more than I liked the previous book in that three volume series (At Home in Beldon Grove I believe).

Where Wildflowers Bloom is the start of a new series, Sisters at Heart. It was a great start, because I can guess which two women will be featured in the other two volumes of the trilogy, and I can't wait to read their stories.

This volume follows Faith Lindberg - a young woman who has to begin to manage the family's general store as her grandfather's health declines. Since her father and brother were killed during the Civil War, Faith has to take on this new responsibility that wouldn't generally belong to a woman.

As Faith tends the store, she is waiting for Royal Baxter - a man she briefly met and shared a moment with prior to the war - to return to town. He finally does, but when he does Faith has already met another man named Curt Saxon and kind of likes him alright after she gets over her timidness around him. He and his sister Rosemary become fast friends of Faith and her grandfather.

Because of this and because of Royal's demeanor from the start, the book is a bit predictable in terms of twists and turns related to Faith. However, some of the twists around Curt's character are unexpected and really make the book nice as he was such a good man from the start. Also nice was the descriptions and trials Faith faced as she took on the responsibilities in the general store - I enjoy tales of industriousness. Despite the fact that Faith and her grandfather had no other option but to let her run the store, the townspeople don't immediately take to a woman in charge.

Based on this book, I feel like we will be following Rosemary Saxon and Amy (whose last name I don't remember). I loved Rosemary's healing abilities in this book, but these same abilities and her work as a nurse in the war made her a bit of a social pariah - reading her story would be super. Amy arrived in town after a train wreck that left her and her husband destitute for a time. After they continued on their journey west, Amy's husband died and left her with a baby to care for - a story of her finding love could also be in the works - either her or another young woman who was on the train (or maybe both of them in one way or another).

A lot to look forward to here! I would recommend Wildflowers as a heartwarming afternoon or evening read. I would more strongly recommend keeping your eyes out for the next volume in this series. I definitely am.

Where Wildflowers Bloom is available as of January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Meeting Blogging Goals

2012-01-24T21:44:00.002-06:00

During the A to Z challenge last year, I outlined several goals for myself. When the challenge started in late spring, too much of the year had already went by for my to lay out year long goals.

However, I know that one goal I wanted - perhaps silently - to meet was to surpass the number of posts I had made in the previous two years within 2011. Between 2009 and 2010 I posted on my blog 221 times with 139 posts in 2009 and 82 posts in 2010. In 2011, I ended the year with 191 posts. This isn't quite the number I wanted, but it is very close. AND, it actually is a match when I discount the fact that the first few dozen posts in my blog were shorties dedicated to individual coupons before I really decided what I wanted to do here.

I have a goal now for 2012. I want to average a post a day. I don't need to post every last day of the year, but I want to have 365 posts by December 31, 2012. This is my 7th post in 24 days, so I am a bit behind the times. However, my blog tours and book reviews usually really take off in late spring and then again in the fall. I should also have a lot more to say about life here by spring or early summer.

This blogging goal is for MiscMayzee alone. I have several other blogs that I must also try to keep updated regularly. In fact, one of those sites pays more in ad revenue than this one, but I will always love this site more.

When I post a book review in a few minutes, I will have 8 posts - by the end of January my goal is 15 posts. Approximately less than 1/2 of a post a day. I will have to pull double duty 15 other days in the year to make up for it as well as to make up for other days I will not post.

If for any reason I greatly surpass this goal, I would have 1,000 posts here as 365 will put me firmly between 700 and 800 posts.

Here is to hoping for a good year!

So You Want to Pick on Young People

2012-01-23T13:29:00.000-06:00

I get so perturbed when people pick on young people about their lack of attention span. Why?

I think part of that is that I probably still tend to self-identify as a young person despite the fact that I am now closer to 30 than 20, and I know my attention span is just dandy. I can sit still for hours with absolutely nothing to do except look at a wall and watch dry paint get drier (this is also known as waiting in line at the doctor's office or any other office). I can watch epic movies without a bathroom break. I can read books in one sitting.

Point being?

Nothing is universal. Yes, some young people may have attention spans the size of fleas, but is this really all that different than life ever was. Not really. Ever watch classic TV? What do the parents do on these shows? Make fun of the fact that their children never seem to pay attention or focus on a project to completion.

The fact is that young people are growing up responding to the way the world is now. Only time will tell if this allows them to more effectively deal with the challenges the world they must live as adults will throw at them. With all the data thrown at each and every one of us now, perhaps it is better not to get locked in an every little detail as it allows you to process the bulk and then realign with individual items of more importance at will.

Why am I harping on this now?

It is simple.

Customer Service from a person of any age is rare. Rants should not target a single age bracket, but the population at large.

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander - a Book Review

2012-01-13T02:03:00.001-06:00

It took me a while to really get into A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander because it looked like a really long book with average size type, and I was thinking that it would take me forever to read at a time when I was only really getting back into books. Fortunately, this was not the case as I was so far gone into the book after about page 120.

Admittedly, before that I felt like the volume was off to a slow start as it took quite a while for the main character, Claire Laurent to actually end up at the place where we knew the book would take place - Belmont Mansion. After she arrives in Nashville and meets Sutton Monroe, the book truly begins though the beginning portion does let us know the background information on Claire that fuels her plotline in the book. However, I will say that I expected these elements to crop up more conspicuously within the book sooner and longer than they did.

Claire is a really nice character to read as she does not overly "force" her personality on you. Instead, she has a character and the Belmont mansion becomes an extension of her character through the perspectives she offers on the estate through her observations. (Read about the real Belmont estate here) Sutton is also a really grand love interest as he is ALWAYS decent with no real "dark night of the soul" in place to plague his relationship with Claire (technically, there are but they aren't truly serious).

I think it is really cool that this volume was set at a mansion that not only existed but still exists. I plan on getting to Nashville for a blog conference in 2013 after I am settled down south and will have to visit the real Belmont when I am there....maybe I could even attend an event (they have some stellar ones).

The only thing I would have wished is that Claire's passion for painting would have been a bit more evident outside of the evil she initially used it for (the forgery episodes mentioned on the book's back cover).

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Loving to Read Again: Fear of Losing a Passion

2012-01-13T01:17:00.000-06:00

I have read three books to completion in the past couple of weeks and couldn't be happier. I had wondered if I would ever be completely comfortable cuddled up with a good book again. Even now I can still feel muscles in my head pop for the first couple of minutes after I sit down to read, but by and large I am comfortable.

So far I have posted reviews of The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher and 7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt and am going to begin typing up a review of a really good volume by Tamera Alexander, A Lasting Impression. This last volume was quite thick and a wonderful testament to my reemergence as a reader.

My weeks of reading exile really...I almost hesitate to say scared me, but worried me. Reading is my hobby...so much more so than the other things I do in my spare time such as cross-stitching, painting, and design. I would feel like a part of me were lost forever if I couldn't read my books, write my thoughts. When I think back on my happiest memories, so many of them revolve around reading a certain book.

The summer between junior and senior year: The Count of Monte Cristo
The few days I had off between getting out of school and actually attending my graduation ceremony in high school: Jane Eyre
Christmases for forever: The Little House of the Prairie books
The spring and summer of seventh grade: The Anne of Green Gables series
My childhood: Cinderella, Snow White, Arthur's Honey Bear, and The Biggest Most Beautiful Christmas Tree in the World
The fall of third grade: The Middle School Gets Married (Sweet Valley)
The months I spent in a back brace: so many other Sweet Valley Junior High books
A week I played hookie from school junior year: Ben-Hur

And on and on

I love my books, and I'm glad that we have found away to work around each other and be best friends again.

7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt - a Blog Tour

2012-01-13T01:04:00.000-06:00

For the most part I liked 7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt. It was well-written in a very engaging tone that I tend to find in non-fiction volumes written by people familiar with writing for online and magazine markets. Mary never drones on for too long and actually manages to impart a lot of the knowledge found in more mouthy manuscripts in a lot fewer words.

Many of Mary's points are tried and true principles such as saving, avoiding revolving credit, establishing emergency funds, etc. However, she tweaks a lot of these messages to fit the main budget concerns of the average family. I really liked the plan she lays out for paying off credit card debt as it ties in with the way I have always thought would be best for paying off bills.

However, I will say that my only problem with this book was a somewhat big one to my way of thinking. Mary Hunt repeatedly mentions "entitlement" and people feeling like they are entitled to things and charging up cards then wanting to lay their responsibility off on parents and family members by "borrowing from the bank of Mom and Dad." Then, a few pages later when she is espousing the joys of saving in addition to paying your bills every month (spending less than your earn), she recommends taking extreme austerity measures including moving in with a family member (which may or may not save you money - i.e. if I live in a cheap apartment and then move back in with mom and dad on the high end side of town and pay them rent/share expenses I may not get off any cheaper and sacrifice a lot of independence).

I also felt like the overuse of the buzz word de jour "entitlement" may have been more than a little bit purposeful...which I didn't care for.

Overall though I would recommend this book for those looking for basic financial advice. However, be forewarned that some of the elements like the personalized pay chart that the author mentions in the book are subscription services on her website.

7 Money Rules for Life is available as of January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume from the publisher.

So I Fibbed Two Posts Ago

2012-01-08T02:15:00.000-06:00

When I said I was all done with recuperation, I thought I was. But I wasn't 100% yet. Either that or I pulled a neck/shoulder muscle when exercising one night while watching The Golden Girls. Yeow!

I found it somewhat uncomfortable to sit at my desk for about a week and am still babying myself somewhat. I elevated my computer monitor at my desktop unit to accommodate myself and now use my netbook elevated on a dinner table tray so I can maintain better posture until everything settles down.

Since my wisdom tooth extraction I have had another tooth filled and have two more to have filled at a dentist appointment on Monday (or perhaps one Monday and one on the 20th). It was actually kind of neat because the dentist I went to now gave me white fillings versus the metal ones my old dentist did because he said my mouth was too saliva filled for the white ones to be dry long enough to set.

I have always had a problem with cavities despite practicing good oral care. My dentist never told me why. However, the day before I married in 2005, I drove my little brother to the dentist and he had several cavities filled. The dental assistant explained that it wasn't his fault - his teeth didn't seal properly inside when they grew in so they were cavities waiting to happen. I figure mine were the same way. Both of us were old enough that we weren't at the dentist with our new teeth after sealant use became compulsory on new permanent teeth. Considering my dentist was older, my teeth were probably never sealed.

While dental problems are always a hassle, there are worse things in the world. I'm glad to be able to work through my little aches and pains right now and do my computer work and read again. When reading is a large a part of your life as it is mine, even a couple week hiatus makes you feel awkward.

Long story short - worse situations barring, I am truly back now. I've currently got a new review of The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher up and have another book on the block for this week (I'm about halfway through with it). I can't wait to share it and other news with you soon!

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher - a Blog Tour

2012-01-08T01:44:00.002-06:00

I don't think I have ever read a Suzanne Woods Fisher book I didn't like, but much like my favorite Animal Farm quote "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," some of Suzanne's books are good and some of her books are "more good" than others. The Keeper was one of the "more good" ones.

It took approximately two paragraphs about him for me to become yet another woman who fell victim to the charms of The Bee Man, Roman Troyer. He was an absolutely wonderful character. Despite the fact that Suzanne attempted to paint him as a roamer, it was evident from the start that he possessed an outstanding moral fiber despite his ability to flirt.

Julia Lapp took a bit more to like. She irritated me a bit with her "I know all" attitude in the first few chapters, but she straightened up admirably after a few. I particularly liked the way she took care of her brother and sisters and doted over Menno, the other boy I love, love, loved in this book. I can't reflect too much on Menno cause I don't wan to give away the book, but know that he is sunshine personified.

Little sister MK also provides an interesting tone to the book as does Sadie Lapp. I see that Sadie is going to be the main character in the next Stoney Ridge book and will presume that MK (the third sister) will star in the third and last volume in the set. I just read the teaser for Sadie's book, and I can't wait for it as I always felt like I wanted to understand Sadie's head more.

A bit about the book (in my own words):

Julia Lapp has basically been in charge of the family farm and orchards while her father deals with a weaking heart. Her mother had passed away some years before. Julia also watches over sisters Sadie and MK and a "special" brother, Menno as well as an eccentric uncle. She thought she was all set to marry a boy named Paul when he breaks it off after talking with The Bee Man. Julia sets out to make the Bee Man sorry after she feels like he must have talked her fiancee out of marriage because he had intentions of his own. Through it all her family deals with their father's health problems and a heartwarming and terrifying new maid.

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

All Done with Recuperation

2011-12-17T00:40:00.003-06:00

So, I had my wisdom teeth out on Monday, December 5 in an oral surgery that lasted about an hour. I went with full IV sedation, thank you very much! I went back to the dentist on the 16th to have a tooth filed a bit that was bothering me in my new cross bite alignment.

My bite still feels off, but I think this may be a problem that will not correct until I can eat real food again in a week and a half (I got double the time on soft foods because of a bone condition I have) and build my jaw muscles back up a bit. Either that or I am looking at more orthodontia in my future in 2012.

No matter what, I am back in business. I have one paper to upload for school, and I am done with that until mid January as well, which will free me up for more conversational posts than I have done since the A to Z challenge. During the down time I hope to post on all of my sites at least once a day so that it becomes a habit I can maintain.

My next courses are a history class and a management class. I am preordering my books now to try and get ahead in terms of the readings and maybe some assignments. At least a rough outline of some assignments.

We are also kind of hoping to accelerate our moving to the first part of 2012 versus late spring/early summer. We have some nibbles!

Life is so busy, but I'm hoping for some really positive changes soon...and after we move we really will have our lives in place which will make everything a bit smoother around here (both at home and on the blog).

I can't wait to spend more time with all of you!

Many Small Business Owners Lack Internet Security

2011-12-15T21:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Norton Small Business by Symantec for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Recent surveys have shown that 28 percent of small business owners believe that technology needs or one of their top three business priorities. Ironically, given this stat, 6 out of 10 of those owners (or 59 percent) have had malware (malicious software) appear on their business computers in the past three years and 51 percent of those businesses had to pay an expert to correct the problem.

I don't know about you, but for me, that doesn't computer. This is particularly disturbing when products such as Norton Small Business by Symantec are widely available, affordable, and can be written off as an income tax deduction when installed on a computer used solely for small business efforts. The cost of a preventative product is surely not a worse pill than paying for technical assistance!

Right now, Norton is making it even easier for small business to buy their products through a promotion that allows owners to get 30% off Norton Small Business Products now.

This security is so important! If the past couple of years have shown us anything, it is that the internet makes all computers, servers, and sites vulnerable. When trusted companies can have their servers overrun and email lists hacked, a lot of your digital security leaves your hands. However, it is important for the small business owner to stay on top of the things he or she can control and fix. This will help protect your tax records, customer transactions, customer email lists and so much other important, private data.

As of September of 2011, North 360 and Norton 2012 have both hit stores and the Norton website! Either of these two programs will help you and your family achieve the same level of computer protection your business enjoys.

So far, we have never had a problem with identity theft, viruses, or bad web-sites. However, we always use internet security - a pound of prevention and all that. If you aren't already a Norton customer, check out their website and see the options available to keep you, your family, and your business safe.

Leave a comment letting me know the Norton product that would most help you and your family and why it would?

Out for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

2011-12-05T01:41:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted for the past week due to dental pain. I have been trying my best to keep up with my freelance writing work to keep the green rolling in, but haven't had the energy for much besides that, my schoolwork, and family.

I should be getting the tooth out this week and actually have a dentist appointment tomorrow that may lead to its extraction but I will likely end up at an oral surgeon's office later in the week.

Add that to my recuperation time and I probably will not be posting again to the holidays are here or even slightly after depending on the level of surgery I need and how my recovery works out.

I will catch all of you on the flipside.

Until then,

MiscMayzee

The Names of God Bible - a Blog Tour

2011-12-03T01:13:00.000-06:00

I still remember the first time I saw a poster showing the names of God. It was at my Aunt's house and I felt like even looking at that poster was a form of meditation as I spent time contemplating the various names. This is why I'm delighted to be reviewing the Names of God Bible.

I really enjoy that this Bibles features two-page discussions of the various names of Gods, prayers, and information on praying the varied names of God. This content was crafted with Ann Spangler acting as Gneeral Editior. Many of you may recognize her name as the author of Praying the Names of God. The Bible also highlights the appearances of the names in small boxes when they occur and lists the exact verse the reference appeared in.

I particularly enjoyed the author's discussion of "Rabbi, Rabbouni" as a name of God because it broke down the meaning of one word I didn't know and correlated to its large context within the Bible. I also really liked the little prayer here "Jesus, you are my Lord and Rabbi. Teach me how to live as your faithful follower. Help me to study not merely the text of your words, but also the text of your life."

I also really appreciate the fact that a thoughtful introduction to each book of the Bible was penned as these always help me to refocus in on the fact that I am now reading a different literal book, not a new section of a really big book. The God's Word Translation used for the Bible text is also a very good translation that is easily read and understood. I think anyone would really be blessed to use this as a daily reading Bible and keep other Bibles handy for study and personal reflection.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Something I Noticed About Traffic

2011-11-23T03:00:00.001-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I reduced the number of posts viewable on my homepage for MiscMayzee down to five instead of the eight or ten I had been allowing in order to keep the page from being too scrolltacular considering my sidebars continued on for miles past the actual posts without content actually in the bar. (Don't get me started on peeps who fill these extended areas up with flashy blingy garbage that KILLS load time, please).

Anyway, my blog traffic had slipped a bit prior to this because I haven't been posting every last day of the week here lately and and the book reviews are ebbing until the late winter/early spring release cycle. However, the traffic REALLY slipped after reducing the number of posts I had up on the homepage. So I fluffed it back out to 10 (which I think is two more than I had previously, but not sure) and am going to post consistently for a couple of weeks to boost things back up.

Because of the near instantaneous difference, I'm pretty sure these two events are related and wanted to put the idea out there for those of you who may toy with the idea of doing the same thing.

AmFam's Stand Up for Family Comedy Makes for Fun Times and Recollections

2011-11-20T19:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Family Insurance for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

AmFam, American Family Insurance, has recently released a series of family friendly comedy skits featuring five different prominent comedians. The series is titled Stand Up For Family. The comedians appearing the net videos are Bill Bellamy, Rodney Perry, Mark Viera, Donnell Rawlings, and Tony Roberts. Some of the comedians are better than others but they all tell fun, accessible anecdotes.

I absolutely LOVED all of Rodney Perry's segments. His discussion of Poppin' versus the modern phenomenon of krumpin' was hilarious, particularly when he picked a reluctant audience member to help him out. I also really enjoyed his advice for women (he pointed out that for every flaw we have, somewhere there is a man who likes nothing but that) and his commentary about raising six children. Rodney Perry's delivery and animation were truly unbeatable.

Mark Viera was also really funny. I particularly liked his grandmother sketch where he mocked her leaning out the window minding the neighbor's business in her apartment house in the Bronx. Grandmothers are always exceedingly well-informed about local happenings, whether they live in the big city or the rural areas that my two grandmothers inhabit. Mark's bit about Corn flakes is also quite good...who else can relate to never being able to get the good cereals when you were with grandma. It was Corn Flake and Raisin Bran city...all the way. Some days I would get lucky and Mom and Dad would let me take a box of Fruit Loops or Cap'N Crunch down to Mamaw's house! (Not that I didn't have other kinds of nice food there...nobody made biscuits or corn bread like my Mamaw...nobody...it's just that sometimes cereal would really hit the spot.

I think its really cool that AmFam made these videos with these great comedians, kept them family friendly, and put them out there for the world to watch. A good joke about someone elses family always makes me appreciate and love the wacky parts of my family better.

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh - a Blog Tour

2011-11-19T23:17:00.000-06:00

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh is actually a bit of a somber Christmas read for much of the volume. However, this is an aspect of the book I really liked. So many times Christmas volumes focus on wanting to get right to the apex of the story so a "conversion" can occur immediately and radiate good cheer outward for the bulk of the volume. I don't find this to be completely realistic. Many of us have to travel through several dark nights of the soul before we find the truths that have been waiting for us all along. I like that Remembering Christmas seems to operate along these premises.

It does this through the character of Rick Denton. When we first meet Rick he is a pompous, self-absorbed accountant in South Carolina. When his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is actually kind of irritated that his weekend ski trip plans were upset and doesn't particular appreciate having to drive to Florida to take care of his mother and stepfather's Christian book shop.

It takes Rick quite a while to begin to warm up to his surroundings and actually operate well within them. However, one doesn't have to wait for him to warm up to begin to sense the thaw and like him more and more. I actually liked Rick a lot earlier in the book than his love interest did which was a bit surprising and my only beef with the book.

The text of this book seemed to be a bit more judgmental than the copy in other Dan Walsh books I have read. Perhaps this is because it is set in a more modern time while the other book was not. Whatever the case, there was just several irksome little moments like the girl commenting that she liked the Beatles before they went all Eastern religion and that their "She Loves You" days were so much better. Blah. A lot of their stuff across their entire career was a bit silly, including the song above. Dissing Eastern religion in a sly manner was unnecessary.

Beyond this, I did enjoy the book. It was a lot more developed than many Christmas reads - a true seasonal delight.

Remembering Christmas is available as of September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Type 2 Diabetes in My Family, an Eggcellent Recipe and a Twitter Event!

2011-11-14T23:16:00.001-06:00

My family actually has a history littered with diabetes on both the paternal and maternal side within my grandparents generation. While none of my grandparents had diabetes, each had brothers and/or sisters who did. My great-aunt Sis actually died of a diabetic coma in her old age, and I had another uncle who died, also at an old age, after having battled diabetes complications throughout his senior years.

These two are the relatives I most remember as diabetic because they actively monitored their food intake and always seemed to be eating bland (to me). Of course, I was a kid, so even vegetables and fruit seemed bland when compared to the traditional candies and sweets these two adults couldn't enjoy. They both also required insulin treatments as did a good friend of mine throughout school.

As I've gotten older, I appreciate the grand sweep of dietary choices that are out there far more and actually live a pretty candy and goody free life myself (though I talk about consuming the goodies far more!). I feel like this is actually a good thing to get used to because I hope to avoid diabetes later in life. We can't always fight genetics, but I don't have to encourage them either.

I like a high-protein diet and get my necessary carbohydrates from healthy cereals and pastas (most of the time) that contain additional dietary needs such as fiber and added vitamins, etc.

This is actually part of the reason, I'm excited to share this post (sponsored) with you today, and a recipe utilizing Crystal Farms® AllWhites® since they and their Better 'n Eggs brothers offer a fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low-cal alternative to traditional shell eggs....which, let's face it...aren't as handy for whipping up an omelet - particularly when you are looking for an egg-white-only mambo (like the recipe shared below.).

Crystal Farms® Better’n Eggs ® and AllWhites® are made from real eggs (no egg substitutes here). All Whites® contain 100% egg white while Better 'n Eggs® are 98% liquid egg whites with 2% of added vitamins and minerals. Each product features 1/2 the calories of shell eggs (only 25 calories per serving), which makes them a low impact indulgence when you are counting calories as part of healthy eating plan, both for weight loss and diabetes management. The fat and cholesterol free nature of the products allow diabetics or those of us hoping to prevent them in the future whip up their eggs to taste using products such as cheese instead of indulging in a plain egg day in and day out.

Additional fact:

Egg whites can increase recovery time from hypoglycemia by building up adrenal glands

Additional facts about Crystal Farms® Better’n Eggs® and AllWhites® as a source of lean, high-quality protein:

Lean protein can help balance a diabetic diet while controlling hunger and blood sugar levels
Lean protein helps you feel full longer, which helps with weight loss
Protein keeps you energized during workouts

You can use Crystal Farms® Better’n Eggs® and AllWhites® in any recipe that calls for eggs. They are convenient and highly versatile. A lack of added flavorings will ensure that the product does not change the taste of your favorite food. Bonus for those with batter devourers: both products are pasteurized which means they can be eaten raw! This works not only for dough eaters but smoothie drinkers who would prefer to up the protein quotient of a smoothy without protein powders. Better’n Eggs® and AllWhites® come in easy-to-pour, no-mess cartons which makes them convenient around a mixing bowl and a blender...or...in other words...handy when your naughty and when your nice.

Now that you know all of the good stuff behind the food, I'm going to let the recipe speak for itself. When you reach the bottom of it, I'll have more news about a wonderful Twitter Party Better 'N Eggs is hosting!

Southwestern Egg White Quesadillas Recipe
(click here for more recipes)

Time-To-Table: 15 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1 cup (8 ounces) AllWhites®
12 cup black beans, drained, rinsed
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (7 or 8 inch) whole wheat tortillas, cut in half
1/4 cup (1 ounce) Crystal Farms® Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese

Instructions:

1. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add AllWhites. As AllWhites start to set use spatula to lift edge of eggs, letting uncooked eggs flow to bottom of skillet. Cook until AllWhites are set but still moist.

2. Stir in black beans. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until beans are heated through. Sprinkle on tomatoes and cumin once eggs are cooked.

3. Spray one side of each tortilla half with nonstick cooking spray. Place tortilla on cookie sheet, sprayed side down. Spoon about 1/2 cup AllWhites mixture on one side of each tortilla. Top each with 1 tablespoon cheese. Fold other half tortilla over mixture, pressing lightly to create quesadilla sandwich (quesadillas will be full).

4. Heat broiler on HIGH. Broil 2 minutes, with quesadillas 4 to 6 inches from heat, or until tops are lightly browned. Carefully turn quesadillas over. Continue to broil 1 to 2 minutes or until other side is light golden brown.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 folded quesadilla
Calories: 278

% Daily Values:

Total Fat 7 (g) 11%
Sat Fat 2 (g) 14%
Trans Fat 0 (g)
Cholesterol 13 (mg) 4%
Sodium 648 (mg) 27%
Total Carbohydrate 31 (g) 10% [Dietary Fiber 11 (g) 43% and Sugar 3 (g)]
Protein 29 (g) 58%
Calcium 165 (mg) 16%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

...now about that Twitter party....

Bob Green is going to be there!!!

Got your interest?

The Twitter event is going down at the #betterneggs hashtag on 11/16 from 8-10pm EST. You can visit http://bit.ly/sa9wmC for more information and to check out the off-the-hook prize list. I'm already sweating thinking about the grand prize (I'm not going to tell you, you have to click :P)!

I hope you enjoy the Twitter Party and the delicious recipe above. Personally, I'm salivating just looking at the picture and will make a variation of this bad boy tonight!

Disclosure: This post was compensated as part of a Global Influence Campaign. All thoughts and opinions expressed were my own. Facts about the products and the recipe were provided by the manufacturer. The spunk was me. Ditto for the salivation.

The Christmas Lodge, Thomas Kinkade Presents - a Giveaway and Review

2011-11-14T02:43:00.001-06:00

My apologies for keeping my review of Thomas Kinkade Presents Christmas Lodge to the side for the past two weeks. I didn't mean to stall all of you that long, but now I actually have the movie review for you today and a Christmas book review for you tomorrow, so double yay! for that.

I went into Christmas Lodge not quite sure what to expect in terms of a film. I'm more than aware of Thomas Kinkade and his art, and I couldn't really figure out exactly how that would translate to film. It ended up working out pretty well.

I would say the filming of this movie is on par with a good Family Movie Night or other made for TV film. At times it feels a bit hurried and obvious, but it works out because the story is sweet and fun. The movie basically follows Mary as her love for the mountains leads her to another place that she loves....The official synopsis follows:

Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

Sound good? If you think so, you will not be disappointed with the film. It basically delivers on that synopsis and varies little. Its a fulfilling movie in a delightfully Christmas sort of way, particularly if you are used to the ups and downs (in terms of production quality) that come with family friendly movies.

I think you'll like it. If you're still unsure...check out the official trailer, I bet it sways you! After it does, skip below the video to find out how to win a copy of Christmas Lodge for your very own:

Since I am several days late with this video post, this is going to be a "flash" contest that only lasts one week from Monday 11/14. That's right, get your entries in by 11/21 (technically 12:01 am on the 22nd) to win a copy of Thomas Kinkade's The Christmas Lodge. The rafflecopter widget below will guide you through the entire entry process and retain your data in a secure location. When the contest is over, return here to see the winner's name listed on the widget. I will also email the winner to confirm within 24 hours!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Christmas DVD Giveaway Goes Live Tomorrow

2011-11-07T02:23:00.001-06:00

On November 8, 2011, MiscMayzee will be launching giveaways for a Thomas Kinkade Presents DVD for The Christmas Lodge and a super special Christian pop CD from a new recording artist. I also have some posts to catch up with for the Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge.

I've had a lot going on here lately, but I'm really pleased with the way I've been hammering away and accomplishing my goals and can't wait to have that spill over into this site and my other sites further. I'll catch you on the flip-side of a good night's sleep.

Until then,

See 'ya!

Comparison Shopping Site Query Result Sorting and Weeding

2011-11-07T02:13:00.000-06:00

I’ve blogged about the merits of comparison shopping in the past and am pleased to be sharing information about a comparison shopping site, Become.com today. Become.com allows users to browse a variety of merchants through their shopping engine. This ensures that you are exposed to the best possible selection of products at a variety of prices. Some products may be exactly what you are looking for while others end up being the product you never knew you needed but couldn’t image living without.

Searching for bcg apparel within the site brings up several relevant items including tops and bottoms for women and boys. A variety of price ranges and styles are represented all on one directory page. Multiple stores are represented which allows for picking and choosing a retailer. Any discounts currently offered by a company are listed beneath the items – this alone can cast the deciding vote when attempting to pick a store to purchase from!

A bijoux terner watch query also brings up an extreme variety of products in terms of price range. This is handy when only a limited amount of funds are available for a gift, especially since item prices within the search results can be listed by “Price Low to High” or “High to Low.”

Looking for bp uniforms brings up products for several different consumer groups that are also sortable based on price, brand, gender, and age. Search queries with multiple pages of item listings can also be further weeded by entering an additional search term that will search the search results.

All and all, the comparison shopping site remains a really handy time-saver whether you are faced with the Christmas season or a standard day’s browsing.

It Isn't a Halloween Trick or Treat: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

2011-10-31T15:59:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween everyone! For the past couple of days I have been waiting to share this post with any of you who will be attending more adult parties tonight and then traveling home!

Did you know that Halloween night is often one of the deadliest nights of the year due to the number of impaired drivers on the streets?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, 48 percent of all traffic fatalities on Halloween night involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher. Halloween means dark streets full of little kids distracted by candy and costumes (tonight herein our town for both the adult parties at the gin mills and children's trick-or-treat times). That makes it especially important to start planning a safe and sober ride home from whatever fun you’ll be having that night — so your evening doesn’t take a truly scary turn.

Whether at a Halloween party, a costume contest at a bar or trick-or-treating through the neighborhood, many of us will be on the road. NHTSA and the Ad Council are reminding everyone that the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you head out for your Halloween festivities.

Or better yet, you can build your Halloween celebrations around non-alcoholic beverages! The Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving Facebook page features 50 non-alcoholic party drinks that guests can enjoy at any party. If you must consume alcohol, again, designate a driver and make sure that the driver sticks to the alcohol-free drink menu throughout the evening!

If you couldn't find a designated driver or lose him/her during the evening, you can check out an alternative ride program. The Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving Facebook page also provides a list of nationwide alternative ride programs that you can use to protect yourself and other drivers and passengers out on the highway!

Should you decide to commit to not drinking and driving (is there another real choice?),visit the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving website and sign a pledge to solidify your commitment. You can also engage in an interactive game, "Spot the Difference" that simulates the effects of buzzed driving and watch a video detailing one woman's life-changing story about buzzed driving - this video should confirm to you that you made the right decision by visiting and pledging to stay sober on the highway!

Stay safe this Halloween.

Keep your loved ones safe.

Keep the children out enjoying the holiday safe.

Say no to Buzzed Driving.

Comparison Shopping for Hockey Equipment

2011-10-31T15:31:00.001-05:00

Do you actively comparison shop when you are looking for a specific item online?

Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't. It usually depends on what I'm buying. For my media purchases, such as books, DVDs and magazines, I have a few definitive "go-to" sources and typically avoid over-research on prices unless I see an eye-bulging tag attached to an item.

When I'm outside of that main comfort zone, I do like to shop around and compare the different products available at and through different retailers. The wonderful thing about doing this online is being able to access all of that information in one fell swoop versus individually contacting stores, visiting stores or flipping through store sales fliers.

A prime example of the benefit of online comparison shopping exists when one searches for a relatively non-specific category of products such as hockey equipment. A standard internet search would bring up a multitude of sites, some sales oriented, some hype, and some that are plainly informational and not at all product oriented. Some may focus on one type of hockey equipment instead of the overall scope of the search. Each link must then be individually analyzed for the equipment sold and few are going to be a "one-stop" destination. It ends up being quite ineffective.

The comparison sites offer a much better option as they load images, prices, and retailer names/logos for actual products that can be purchased in a few clicks (or maybe a few more if you're visiting a new site). It ends up being quite handy and a much more productive use of time.

If I'm going to browse the net for hours, I prefer for it to be fun instead of frustrating!

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson - a Blog Tour

2011-10-30T23:50:00.001-05:00

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson offers a quick romp through Parrish Springs in a compact Christmas read. However, it doesn't quite stack up to my favorite Melody Carlson Christmas book, The Christmas Bus.

Why?

The Christmas Shoppe is 168 pages long. Within those pages the first 80 or so are dedicated to introducing the characters. After those introductions you can basically predict how these characters are going to make out in the end and be 100% right on all counts.

After the introductions are over, the actual Christmas Shoppe opens and "customers" begin to file in and find things that help them work over past problems and emerge into a new place in their life - a place a bit more rooted in the Christian values they want to follow and the life they want to live. Many times the items are things from their past. I actually somewhat predicted this based on the book blurb inside the dust jacket.

When the first "discovery" is over the book basically exists for another 60 pages just for the other people to shop. While it was interesting to read each persons discovery and see how it played out, it was all a bit too hurried for my tastes. I wasn't so invested in any of the characters that I felt particularly happy, sad, and/or relieved for any of them.

If I remember correctly, The Christmas Bus was so much more involved and inspiring than this volume. I really, really enjoyed that book and felt that it embodied the Christmas spirit. The Christmas Shoppe felt more like the Christmas rush!

That being said, it wasn't a bad book, just predictable and fast. If you want a quick read with a little bit of Christmas flavor, I wouldn't dis-recommend it, particularly if you have read other Melody Carlson's books. Just don't expect it to be everything your current favorite Christmas book is and more!

The Christmas Shoppe is available now - both online and at your favorite bookseller from Revell.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Net10's Unlimited Plan Eases Hassle and Expenditures

2011-10-27T17:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Net10. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you like me? Are you perpetually looking for the one thing in your personal budget that could cost less? Have you examined your cell phone bill yet? Did you know it could be cheaper with the Net10 Unlimited Plan?

Net10 Unlimited offers a great deal on cell phone service. For $50 a month, you can get nationwide coverage that includes unlimited talk, texting and data without having to worry about the hassle of contracts, surprise bills, and credit checks. The nationwide coverage from Net10 has great reception and connectivity which makes the plan reliable for both business and casual use - particularly since minute cut-offs and overage worries are a non-issue.

If the Unlimited Minutes plan isn't right for you, Net10 does offer a variety of additional minute packages. The Pay-As-You-Go Plan allows you to carry over minutes with active service while the Easy Minutes Plus automatic minutes plan offers 200 minutes for $15.00. You can pick different plans from month to month depending on your needs at a given moment.

For example, if you are leaving on a multi-week business trip, the Unlimited Minutes plan may work best since it allows you to text and phone your family and business associates as much as needed. If you're home for several weeks of downtime, Pay-As-You-Go and the Easy Minutes Plus plan may be better options. Should you ever need additional airtime, you can purchase it online, in local stores, or directly from your Net10 phone.

Speaking of phones....

Net10 offers phones from trusted phone manufacturers like LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia and Samsung to ensure that you not only enjoy great service but a fully functional cell phone as well. You can choose a phone with simple options such as calling and text for under $15.00. Phones with more essential (and kid-friendly!) features like cameras, video records, blue-tooth capability, and access to the mobile web sell for under $40.00. The full QWERTY keyboard phones, slider phones, and touch phones are sure to please the business minded, especially since they include app capabilities, camera and video recorders, web access, and more for under $60.00.

Also suitable for business travelers and Net10 users with friends and family members in other countries is Net10's International Long Distance. Long Distance Service is available in over 75 countries for approximately 15 cents per minute on calls originating from within the United States. International Neighbors offers Net10 customers a special phone number that friends and family members in Mexico and Canada can use to reach you at your Net10 number.

If you want to find out more about Net10 and see what a Real NET10 customer thinks about the service, check out the following YouTube video:

You can also listen to What Rob has to say about the service and follow Net10 on Facebook and Twitter.

Cranking Out the Articles but Not the Blog Posts

2011-10-27T09:21:00.002-05:00

I must apologize to my somewhat regular readers (or perhaps the better word is lurkers) who haven't seen a plethora of new, original content here in the past few weeks.

I have mentioned on here in the past that I am a freelance writer. Recent changes at some of my favorite sites to submit work to have temporarily redirected my focus to providing content to more sites and to doubling down my efforts to produce perfect, perfect, perfect work on the sites that have changed. My fellow freelance writers know what I speak of!

However, I have managed to increase the quality of my articles (think A+ instead of A) for long enough now that I believe the time it takes me to do them will slowly begin to return previous levels - like an hour per article versus two.

Every minute not spent writing elsewhere leaves me more room for MiscMayzee and my other sites! I do have a book review coming up this week, and I will be running a giveaway for an Amazon gift card to celebrate my little Book Nook (up there in the upper left hand corner of the page) stocked with the books I have reviewed on this site (they are sold by Amazon, not me). I also plan on sponsoring a couple of gift card giveaways to help you with your holiday shopping needs and on adding more to my YouTube channel at http://www.miscmayzee.com.

Still coming up later this week: a blog tour for The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson - I'm now halfway through the book...and halfway through the week!

1920's

2011-10-27T01:52:00.003-05:00

I appreciate the guest post, Lindsay Valdez

I logged onto directtv.com and upgraded our television package so that my husband and I could start watching this new HBO show that is all the rage. The show is called “Boardwalk Empire”. It started last season and my sister insisted that we started watching it. She just knew that I would absolutely love it. She was right. It is one of the coolest shows that I have started watching in a long time. It is directed by Martin Scorcese and produced by Mark Whalberg. The show is a drama that is set in Atlantic City in its hay day, the days of prohibition and political corruption. I read that a lot of the things on the show are loosely truly based. All of the sets are definitely historically accurate. The costuming is incredible. Everything is completely period accurate. Another thing that is interesting to me about the show is the many European immigrants that still have accents from their country of origin. I read that in the 1920’s that immigrants usually carried their accents and that it wasn’t until the 1940’s that the “American” accent really came a long.