Image courtesy Le Clan Brunet

The Oklahoma Horror Film Festival runs Friday-Sunday, September 3-5, 2010 in Tulsa at the Spiritbank Event Center (1800 S Baltimore).  I believe this is the first of this type of festival to be held here in Tulsa.  I have a feeling it will bring horror films to a whole new level of “scary”.  You can see both feature length films and shorts as well as shop for your favorite horrific items.  

A day pass is $20 while a pass for the entire weekend is $45.   Here’s a list of the movies you can see.  Hope to see you there!

Image courtesy Tela Chhe

I was at work discussing (read: complaining about) how difficult it’s been for me to plan what I would like my 6-year-old daughter to consider a fun birthday party.  She wants to invite five friends to help her celebrate her 7th birthday coming up in September.  A co-worker mentioned that she has already scheduled her daughter’s party with Ultimate Gymnastics.  She said they will celebrate at the Reed Community Center over on Yukon and her daughter seems pretty excited about the idea.  

It costs $90 for an hour and a half (an hour with the leader jumping and tumbling around) and then a half hour in a special room for cake and gifts.  I know I spent at least that much last year, and I had quite a mess to pick up after all the children went home.  This seems so much easier for me and fun for the kids!

Call 698-3192 for more information (I did) and set up that next birthday party now.

Eat fruits when your stomach is empty.  When you eat fruit on an empty stomach, they will play a major role to detoxify your system, giving you a lot of energy for weight loss and life’s activities.

The problem with eating fruit after you eat something else is that it is prevented from going straight through the stomach and into the intestines.  The whole meal rots, ferments and turns to acid.

If you drink fruit juice, only drink fresh fruit juice (not in cans).  Also, do not drink heated up juice.  Do not eat fruits that are cooked because that will not give you any nutrients at all.  Cooking will destroy all vitamins.

Here are the highlights on fruits and what they contain:

1. Kiwi – Good source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and fiber. It has twice the vitamin C of an orange.

2. Strawberry – High in antioxidant power and protects your body from blood vessel clogging and cancer-causing free radicals.

3. Watermelon – Contains 92% water with a big dose of glutathione and that will boost your immune system.  It also contains a cancer-fighting oxidant – lycopene.  Watermelon also has potassium and vitamin C.

4. Apple – Has flavonoids and antioxidants which enhance the vitamin C to help lower risks of colon cancer, stroke, and heart attack.

5. Orange – Keep colds away by taking 2 to 4 oranges per day.  It will also lower cholesterol, dissolve and prevent kidney stones, and lessen risk of colon cancer.

Sometimes I do wonder if I can believe everything I read, but checking a couple different areas this actually makes sense and looks reliable.

Image Courtesy bchow

I belong to a bookclub with seven other women.  Each month, one of us chooses a book for the club to read.  In July one of our members chose David Bach’s “Smart Women Finish Rich” for discussion in August.  I wondered before reading it what kind of perspective this gentleman would have on such a topic.  Suprisingly, I found it totally engrossing and very educational.  He wrote it so that women could easily and quickly take charge of their financial futures.  

When I was growing up, women like myself married young and generally worked in the home taking care of the family’s needs.  Most often the husband took care of most or all of the financial decisions.  Today, this is not practical and I know many women want to learn how to become more financially savy.  He emphasizes nine steps for women to take to achieve financial security.  Learning about money is certainly a never-ending process whether you are male or female.  So pick yourself up a copy and enjoy!

Image Courtesy Muffet

I found this delicious, easy-to-make recipe for Wonton Skins at my monthly bookclub meeting this past Tuesday.  My friend had served these as an appetizer at her daughter’s college graduation reception and I am not surprised that they were a big hit!  Here’s all there is to it:

Purchase Wonton skins in the produce section at your favorite grocery store. 

Other ingredients you’ll need: 

1 pound sausage – cooked & drained (she used Italian sausage)
1 cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Spray a little pam in your muffin tins; put the skins in the tins and bake for five minutes.  Cool.  Mix up everything else and fill the skins; She found that the mixture fills thirty skins. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer at 350 degrees.

Now sit back and enjoy the rave reviews you will receive!

I wanted to go to the Life Line Screening before my physical so I could bring the results to the doctor when I went to the appointment. The best thing about the screening is that it is painless and noninvasive. You do not have to remove any clothing. It only takes about an hour, give or take, to complete.

To find out all of the details about price, location, and other details, check out Life Line Screening Web site.

Share with us anything positive or negative that you have experienced with the screening.

Image courtesy Beverly & Pack

The staff and all of the Directory of Tulsa bloggers want to wish you a safe 4th of July!  We thank you for your continued support.  Have a great summer!

Image courtesy SMercury98

My sister-in-law shared a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip recipe with me at Easter.  I have been dying to try it ever since.  I finally got my chance when I attended our annual block party get together.  It was very easy to make and it got rave reviews.  Try it, you’ll like it!    

Ingredients:

8 oz stick of cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup mini-chocolate chips

Stir the cream cheese (make sure it sits a while at room temperature first), brown sugar, and vanilla together in a mixing bowl.  After all have been mixed together, add the mini-chocolate chips.   Best if chilled for 4 – 6 hours.

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip can be served with honey or chocolate Teddy Grahams.  It’s also delicious with apples.  

This dip looks just like chocolate chip cookie dough, and it tastes just as good!  If you give this recipe a try, let me know how you like it.

Image courtesy FreeRangeLife

In this day and age of tough economic times, we should all be setting financial goals for ourselves.  Especially when we are planning to purchase a big ticket item like a new washer and dryer or possibly something much smaller like a microwave.  It doesn’t matter.  You should set a goal to save for or responsibly finance both types of items.  Use these five keywords to help the process go smoothly.  I always say that every little bit, or I should say every little tip, helps.   

S – Be specific … For example:  If you want to buy a new car, set a specific goal for that.    

M – Measurable …  For example:  Research exactly what the cost will be, including tax, license, and any other fees.

A – Achievable …  For example: If you want to save ahead for this car, how long would that take and would this fit for when you need it?  Or, if you want to finance it, does this new monthly payment fit into your budget? 

R - Relevant …  For example: Do you really need this new car or do you really want this new car?  Has your car broken down or would it cost too much to repair?  Maybe you just want a new one with better bells and whistles on it.  

T – Trackable …  For example: Always chart your progress toward your goals so you know if your budget is still within your means.

Image courtesy KB35

I am proud to be part of the ongoing Tulsa Recycles team!  Here are 10 tips to help you in further reducing your garbage or if you are not a recycler today, this can help you get on the path to a “greener” tomorrow.

1.  Don’t take a bag at the checkout counter when making a purchase unless you need one.
2.  Use cloth napkins rather than paper ones.  
3.  Instead of paper towels, use a cloth or sponge. 
4.  Instead of plastic bags, place leftover food in reusable plastic containers.
5.  Instead of disposable batteries, use rechargeable ones.  
6.  Read the newspaper, your favorite magazines, and books at your local library.
7.  Use utensils, plates, and cups that can be washed.  
8.  Buy your juice and detergent in concentrate form when possible.  
9.  Avoid purchasing foods in the single serving packages.  
10.  Place your lunch in a reuseable bag or box.